Hanging out at Papa and Mia's (September 12, 2020)

Zooming with Ramzi in L.A., surviving the wildfire smoke.

Thanks, Great-aunt Donna, for the Mardi Gras fun!

Someday Piper, I'll take you to NOLA for Mardi Gras.  You'l catch sooo many beads!

Asheville Mylo observed us from atop one of Dad's boxes.

Otis shows us how it's done.  He goes to a Hoop Generation basketball class on Mondays.  The hoop was low for us short folks.

Brandy on her way to a three-pointer???
 

Exploring Cornerstone (September 11, 2020)

A cow bone for Banksy.  Mya found a cow jawbone with teeth in it too.

When we lived here from 1985-87, Ryder, Micah, and I call this our bathtub on the creek, when the water was running. Amon was born in January 1987, so didn't get to play in this bathtub. This was Ryder's first time back in about 15 years.

We all climbed through a barbed wire fence to get to this field. Papa has his rattlesnake deterrent.

Fashionista Piper photographed by Mama. River and Banksy are already down the road.

 Otis and River are on the fence at the gate to Cornerstone.

Beekeeping at Cornerstone (September 11, 2020)

Mya borrowed my beekeeper's suit to help Papa check on the hive.

Mya collected a honeycomb.

 River's turn.  My beesuit fits him too.  For now.

The dog park at the Domain, but no photos of the pounds of candy we chose at It's Sugar (September 10, 2020)

Mya in the wildflowers.

How did the Domain know Brandy would be there? With Banksy?

Running with Banksy

River and Banksy

 

Otis is back in school (September 9, 2020)

Otis the seventh grader.  He had fun having Creepy Kappa peer over his shoulder at his classmates.  We were to find out by October 10th if his school would re-open November 5th.  Turns out his school will be online through at least January 28, 2021, the end of their second quarter.  He'll go home for Thanksgiving week and for the winter break, but otherwise be here for school.
 

Postcards to voters (September 8, 2020)

Brandy and Mya carried on the weekly postcard writing once they arrived in Austin.  I joined them for three Tuesdays.  The fourth Tuesday: Presidential debate! Above is one of my cards to a potential voter.  Vote! Vote! Vote!

Creative Mya's artwork on the address side of each postcard!

Mya took inspiration from Dad's hibiscus to decorate this card to a voter.

I brought Dad's hibiscus home from Shreveport. 
 

The Asheville Lewises arrive (Sept. 7, 2020)

Ping pong at the Air B&B, 908 Wagon Trail.

Mya is three days older, but Otis is slightly taller.

But my shoes fit Mya perfectly.

Mylo gets to visit too

Drone, phone as drone camera, ping pong paddle, roller blades, not sure what Otis's vehicle is called: a lot of activity

 

Plenty of deadwood for the fire pit at Cornerstone (Sept. 2, 2020)

Papa Tom keeps bees!  Chops wood! 

 

Happy birthday, Danny! (August 24, 2020)

For the first time since February, we got to see the Horns.  We met at The Melting Pot in North Austin to celebrate Danny's 20th.  Happy birthday, Danny!

Celebrating in the time of COVID 19. Inside, we had a table to ourselves far from anyone else.  The waitress wore a mask; menus were disposable. Hoping to be past all this before your 21st, Danny.

 

Happy 20, sweet Danny!

The last time we were together, on February 2, you sang "Amazing Grace" so beautifully for my Dad, your great-grandfather. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The very last time we were together, also February 2, was when your Mom, P. Tom, Ollie, and I helped you move to your new dorm room at Centenary, on the wing where only French was spoken. I missed your get together with P. Tom in Austin at the end of February, because I was in Shreveport prepping my Dad's house to sell.  We've missed you and look forward to having dinner with you on your birthday tomorrow, August 24th.

 

Happy 32 to Michael Craig on August 28th!

Dad and Craig at the Gilliams around Christmas 2019.

 

Happy 69, Tom! (celebrating a day early on August 8, 2020)

I joined the August birthday boys Tom, Greg, and Roy at La Mancha's on August 8th for beer, chips, and nachos. We hadn't been inside a restaurant since mid-March. We sat six feet apart, wore masks except when actually eating or drinking.  We're two weeks out now (writing this on August 23) and none of us has contracted COVID 19.

This is how it's done.  As usual, Greg refused to be photographed.

 

Hanging out at Micah's house (August 1, 2020)

Micah's kitten Moto and Otis's kitten Vix, one day in

Per my request, Micah tried to take a photo of the humans with the kittens and puppy.  What was I thinking?  Hiss!  Bat! Leap and run! Maybe we can PhotoShop Moto in.

Vix and Moto

Blurry Vix

The chase is on. May I recommend "The Other Guys," starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg? We laughed so hard.

A man and his kitten

The Kitten Lodge

Vix is already at home in the Lodge

 

Home at last! (July 31, 2020)

Beautiful night to grill and visit around the fire pit.  See Popcorn in Renee's lap?  He's about the same age as the kittens.  Otis, Vix, and I arrived on Friday; I left on Sunday.  Micah picked us up and dropped me off at the airport.  I didn't see anyone except Micah, Renee, and Otis while there.  

Micah, Otis, Renee, and Popcorn

Vix meets Moto, Micah's kitten who's about the same age as Vix

 

Homeward bound (July 31, 2020)

Vix and her Twix (courtesy of Southwest, my favorite airline) are all checked in to fly with us.  I flew with Otis and Vix as unaccompanied minors cannot travel with pets.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was clean and safe.  And nearly empty.

I was surprised to find some airport restaurants open but with all the COVID 19 barriers you see in restaurants outside the airport.

Otis's favorite: the window seat.  Because SW kept middle seats open, Otis and I had the row to ourselves.  We were able to put Vix's carrier in the middle seat after takeoff.  She was a champion!  Barely mewed at all, even though she'd had no food since midnight or water since we put her in the carrier.