Leaving Las Vegas (February 27, 2023)

One last walk through the beautiful Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

Donna in the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

Last chance to play! Waiting for the flight home to Austin. One-armed bandit murder scene?
 

Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon (February 26, 2023)

Fueling for the 13.1 mile Half Marathon, a nighttime race. 

Ready! View from our room at the Paris. Donna requested this view because Tom and I didn't get to go to Paris for our 25th wedding anniversary in 2020, due to COVID travel restrictions. You're so thoughtful, Donna!

Set! We walked together to the half marathon gathering place.

Among the many onlookers.

So that's where Elvis went!

Finished! Wow! 13.1 miles!  Donna's inspired me to do a half marathon with her in 2024. We have our eyes on the Charleston Half Marathon in January 2024.
 

Meow Wolf Las Vegas (February 26, 2023)

Before the Half Marathon, we took in Meow Wolf. Tete a tete here.

Being at Meow Wolf was like being inside a giant slot machine: lights, bells, whistles!

You started out in a very weird Omega Mart with secret passages into the rest of Meow Wolf.

We could have gotten dehydrated water for $15.99. Just add water!

Hmm. Have to wonder what's in that Lonely Hiker wolf food!

One of the secret tunnels back into the Omega Mart.

 

Viva Las Vegas! (February 25, 2023)

OMG! Donny's still around? When I was 18, working at Southern Bell Telephone for the summer, I promised to take Martha and Donna to his concert. We're talking 1972! I couldn't get off work, so Mom took them. Didn't realize there's still an opportunity to make good on that 51-year-old promise!

Donna found a quarter on the ground. She played her lucky quarter. The machine kept it.

Al gave me $10 to play on number 66. Turns out this wheel had a $25 minimum. But the pit boss okayed the play. Sorry Al! The $10 was lost in a matter of seconds.

Connie and I worked together at the Williamson County Sun in Georgetown back in 1986 and 1987. She was one of the first people to hold Amon after he was born. She now lives in Vegas. She joined Donna and me at the Tour Eiffel restaurant for an incredible dinner.

Dessert!

More dessert!  Bananas foster crepes.

Two-thirds of the Sistas.

 

Heathers: The Musical (February 24, 2023)

Danny played the stoner in "Heathers: The Musical" at the Waco Civic Theater. The dark comedy is based on the 1989 film "Heathers."

Totally impressed with Danny's T-shirt. She couldn't find an authentic D.A.R.E. shirt so painted this one herself.

With the Horns after the performance.

Joyce, Danny, and Al

 

Letting the good times roll in Austin (February 21, 2023)

Happy Mardi Gras!

Hurricanes at Sawyer & Company on East Cesar Chavez.

Must have King Cake. No baby in ours.

 

Random stuff (February 13-15, 2023)

Remember how your toddler would cry at the bathroom door for you? If only TC could reach the doorknob!

Back in angle parking only? My parking nightmare, legitimate space or not.

 Papa with a garden snake. It continues to live happily in the garden.

Attorney Emeritus (February 4, 2023)

One plus about turning 70: you get to be an attorney emeritus! You no longer have to pay bar dues but you have to do 15 hours/year of continuing legal education. Will I ever practice again? Who knows. Life is long and full of surprises.
 

Our heroes! (February 8, 2023)

After 47 hours without electricity, our heroes showed up.

Here's what the ice did to our neighbor's elm tree.

The tree trimmers took branches out of the power lines so the Austin Energy crew could restore power. This group works for Wright, the same company Micah works for. They were here from Florida, putting in dawn to past dusk days. Micah's comment when I sent him the photo: "Quit standing around! Get back to work!"
 

Another ice storm (January 30-February 2, 2023)

First, rain. Then about 3/4 inch of ice coating trees, cars, trash cans. 

Trees, heavy with ice, toppled onto power lines leaving several hundred thousand residents without electricity.

By February 1, our electricity was out. We closed off the kitchen to try to keep at least one room warm.

A little heat, a little light. The electricity would be out for 47 hours.

The inside temperature dropped to 48 degrees.

Our neighbor's elm tree split under the weight of the ice. A half inch of ice can add hundreds of pounds to a tree limb.

Trash cans were frozen shut. No biggie since there was no trash pickup.

Some trees bent, some trees broke.

 

TC wants attention! (January 31, 2023)

TC lets me know he's waiting outside the bathroom door.

 

 Hello to Fluffy Chase. We're not sure if he's a stray or a wanderer with a home. He reminds us of our Chase.

Papa Tom, Collette, and the crossword puzzle (January 24, 2023)

Sweet dreams!

 

Collette and Papa Tom (January 21, 2023)

 Collette and Papa Tom. So sweet!

Poor Pixie! (January 19, 2023)

Poor Pixie wouldn't start and had to be towed to Dan at Elite Import Auto for a look see. Glad to report that Pixie is running fine now.
 

STAR (Support Texas Adoptee Rights) advocating at the Capitol (January 17, 2023)

 Following a panel discussion with some new Representatives at the Texas Tribune, we walked over to the Capitol to advocate for passage of an original birth certificate law. Marla Smith, Dawn Scott, and our own Joyce were on it. Governor Abbott was inaugurated that day too.

Happy belated birthday, LaWanda, with Mya's art (January 16, 2023)

LaWanda requested that Mya's grumpy goose be put on a T-shirt for her birthday. Happy belated birthday, LaWanda!