Buckets of Rain

We've had a lot of rain this past week-end.  I haven't read all the numbers in inches, but the reports have been anywhere from 6" to parts of town that got over 12".  We had around 8 inches in my part of town.  It started Saturday night and I heard it off and on all night, with thunder and the skies lit up with lightning.  Hubby was scheduled to work at the golf course on Sunday morning.  He was there a couple of hours taking photos then came home. Needless to say, the golf course had to close.  It rained all day, again last night and some today.  The last day of the Austin City Limits music festival had to be cancelled yesterday.  A lot of the concession tents collapsed and the roads into the festival area were flooded.
The golf course is about 5 miles from our house.  A couple of streets in our neighborhood are underwater as well.

                                                                Hole #1

                                                                          
                                                              Hole #1 Green        

                                                               Hole # 10

 

7th hole fairway

                                                                  
                                                                       16th hole

 
                                                           Pump house

 

construction area

 

 

Hubby took tons of photos, everyplace on the golf course was flooded.  Also a video,of the rushing water, I can't figure out how to upload it. We need the rain, because of the drought, and it raised the lake levels.  But the flooding is very inconvenient and causes a lot of damage.  The golf course has an obstacle course that runs around it's perimeter, and it is used for police and some military training. It had just had a great deal of work done on it the past two weeks, getting ready for some big events.  That is entirely ruined and will have to be started over.
Our 5 day forecast is for more rain.

Farewell to September

How quickly time passes, regardless of whether you are having fun or not.  Slow days have been my September.  Being kind of lazy some days, whirling about other days.  A lot of sitting, thinking, watching, planning.  Oh yes, procrastination at it's finest!  I've been noticing the shadows, the way they change in September.  Finding it harder to wake up since it's darker longer in the morning.  Wandered downstairs the other morning and was struck by the light shining through the back door curtains. 

 

I've started gathering up things for Dia de los Muertos  coming up in awhile.  This link is to events from 2012. If you look closely you can see the skull hanging on the bakers rack to the right. It's a new one I just bought.  The local parade is being held this year on October 19th.  A bit early, as they usually don't have it until close to the actual days...November1st and 2nd.  At least, in years past, it was closer to the original date.  Not sure why they have moved the local celebrations earlier in the month, but have noticed the past few years it is earlier.  I am determined to finish a couple of the things I started last year and let fall by the wayside.  I seriously seem to have become the Queen of Unfinished Objects the past couple of years!  Not even going to try to analyze that, just attempt to make things right, at least in my own mind, for this coming month alone.

 

 

 

Coming Home

 

After a month away from Texas, Hubby and I flew home on Thursday. I have become very weary of flying, and it tires me out more all the time.  I pass the time reading, sleeping, or observing the clouds out the window.  They are always so much more beautiful than a photo can capture, but I still make the attempt.

We spent our time first in Boise, at our someday retirement home.  We worked in the yard, well Hubby did that more than I did. I spent a lot of time sitting on the deck watching and listening to the waterfall and fountain. At several different times, I saw three hummingbirds hovering around the Honeysuckle vines that are right next to the pond. There were lots of dragonflies as well. I don't sit outside much in Texas in the summer, so I am really very aware of the opportunities to do it when we are in Idaho.
We spent time with relatives and kept very busy with attending the events at the assisted living facility where my Mom and Dad now live.  We flew to Chicago for a week on business and had a great time there, staying a couple of extra days in downtown Chicago and doing a bit of sight seeing.  Then back to Boise for another week, and then home on the 6th.  I celebrated my 70th birthday on the 31st of August, and my cousin had a nice big family dinner in my honor.  YIKES...it is difficult to say I am 70 as that sounds so old, and I don't feel that old.

All in all, we had a great time.  However, the heat we left Texas to escape to cool weather for, seemed to follow us.  Boise was having a heat wave, the temps for the entire month of August were only below 90 on 4 days! They were also experiencing the summer fires that have plagued the entire Western States for a number of years now.  It was so smoky when we first arrived that the foothills were not even visible.  It came and went, with fires throughout the region.  A lot of acreage lost and some homes as well.  It is sad to see the forests disappear and the threat to wild life and people as well.  When in Chicago it was a bit cooler, but still hotter than normal.  We did leave there just as they were beginning to creep up into the 90's. 

While leaving Boise on Thursday, we did get to witness something really special.  When we got to the airport, we saw a news crew downstairs and didn't think much of it.  But when we got checked in and arrived at our gate, there was a lot of excitement taking place.  A Southwest flight had just landed at the next gate, bringing home some WWII veterans that had been flown to Washington D.C. earlier in the week.  This is part of a program that has been going on for a few years across the country.  Honor Flight

Anyhow, as they came off the plane, they gathered in front of  our gate, waiting for everyone to deplane.   Most of these veterans were in wheelchairs, but some of them were walking. Everyone in the terminal stood and applauded.  I turned and was speaking to the lady next to me, she had tears in her eyes, as did I.  When I turned back to where my husband had been standing, I saw that he was not there.  He had walked over to them and was going down the line, shaking each of their hands.  Then a very young soldier in uniform was walking the line as well.  Everyone in the gate area was standing and applauding as the group left the area. This was such a touching event, and I am so glad we were there at just the right time to witness it.  When I finally got my wits about me, it was all over and I was able to only get a couple of photos of the way Southwest had decorated around Gate 15.

Long Ago and Far Away

Yes, it's been ages since I dropped by to let anyone know what's going on around these parts.  Mostly, I've been busy and too stressed to write about stuff.  Most of May was spent on another road trip to Idaho, a couple of weeks there, then back home to prepare for the home construction here.  All of June was spent with the house entirely torn up, with holes dug around and under, and yes even inside the house. Then July was spent cleaning up, unpacking the things we had to pack up to get out of the way for the foundation repair. Things are back to normal, house-wise, still a few needed repairs.  We are taking our time with that.

As usual, I am slogging through the hot, muggy, Texas summer. Another trip on the horizon though.  Back to Idaho, with a side trip to Portland for a mini-family reunion with Hubs people. Then to Chicago for a week, then back home. Anywhere we go, it will be cooler weather than here, thankfully.

I had tons of road trip photos from the May trip, but never got around to posting them. Most of them were shot from the cab of the Penske truck with the cell phone I had to buy the day before we left, because mine broke.  So, although some of them were interesting, none of them were spectacular!  We spent a night in Amarillo on the way, just so we could go see the much famed Cadillac Ranch. Out in the middle of a field.  At least we can say we saw it.  LOL

We stopped at several other roadside attractions along the way.  We actually took an extra day on this trip, just for that reason.  We stopped to see a place I had never been to in all my years of growing up in Idaho. The town of Twin Falls, with the lovely Shoshone Falls Park.   Very beautiful, even though we were told the water was at it's very lowest in years because they had not had enough snow or rain last winter.  Most times the water spray reaches the observation deck, which is in the bottom left corner of the photo, right under the rainbow.

 

Nothing much else to show, except...look at this beautiful plant growing in one of my neighbors yards. It is Agave, also known as century plant. This is the first year it has bloomed.   It is done now, and the base is dying out and the stalk is leaning towards their doorway, getting ready to fall.

Sunday morning clouds on the drive out of my neighborhood.

 I have not done a bit of artwork this summer, which is making me kind of cranky.  I have started sewing again, just a few small things, and making some plans for some needlework.  But no journaling, painting, etc.  Have most of my supplies still packed up.  I usually go through this drought of inspiration in the long hot summers here anyhow. Hopefully I'll snap out of it soon and get busy with something.

 

Walking in Austin

I worked hard most of the week-end, sorting, packing, and just putting one foot in front of the other.  I've been so overwhelmed with all this packing.   What to take, what to leave. It's difficult splitting households when we are going to be spending time in both places for a couple more years.  I've been suffering from spring allergies as well, so feel really tired.  Hub and I took a little break yesterday and went out to the  West Studio Tour.  We visited a few people we already knew, and a few new ones we hadn't heard of.  Met a couple of really interesting artists, and saw some very nice architecture in the process.  Visited parts of town we had never been in, or hadn't been in for several years.  There are too many participants to even see half of them, even with two week-ends to do it.

Walking about I took a few local colorful shots.  Some of these were front yards, some were back yards, which I tend to find really interesting in some of the old parts of Austin. Especially artists places, they always have interesting "junk". Interesting to me anyhow.

 

 

 

 

Every day Earth Day People

Several things going on around town this week-end. Hub and I chose this one. I wanted to go to Whole Foods, but they were the same time, so we chose music over food. Our friend went to Whole Foods and we reported back and forth to one another.

 

When we first got there, we visited a lot of the booths, signed pledges to be more "green" picked up brochures and freebies. bags, etc. Then Hubby went to sit and listen to the bands, while I walked around more and visited with people.  People were subdued, talking about recent events, the Boston bombings and the explosion in West.  But mostly everyone was upbeat.  There was a lot going on, kids activities were happening and music and a drum circle taking place.  I sort of even forgot I had my camera with me until I sat down to watch the bands.  Things were picking up by the time Mingo Fishtrap came on...a very good local band.  Yes, there was dancing, and local characters.  So that is what I took photos of.

                                                                    Mingo Fishtrap Band

 

 This green shirt dude was everywhere...sitting, walking, dancing every time he came through the open hangar where the music was.

 

Happy Hippie couple dancing..nice people.

 

Orange dress lady, she was very entertaining.  She'd dance, then go back to her chair and take a drink of whatever she had in a small bag.  I think she may have brought in her own beverage.   A little later, she was dancing with green shirt dude.

This couple was dancing up a storm and they were really good.

These two were not together, but I thought they looked like they could be. This was the typical Austin Earth day costume. 


The Mayor, waiting his turn to speak.

Hubby, listening to music and people watching.

We didn't stay until the end, so we didn't hear the last band. It was a really nice day weatherwise, almost cool in fact, so I wasn't worn out from the heat like I usually am.  We got a good parking place really close by so did not have to hike too far. I was still getting tired, and both Hub and I
 were ready to leave at the same time, which does not always happen.

 



A week of DAYs

Some weeks I can sort out and determine that the week has separate days.  Some weeks, like this one, even though I can pinpoint the happenings, they all run together like one long never ending day.   Like a river running downhill, never ending day. 

Monday: Getting boxes from a friend at work, packing boxes.  Turning on t.v. to check Dr. Oz and seeing the news about the bombings in Boston, which played over and over the rest of the day.  I am not a t.v. watcher, or a news watcher...except in times of national tragedy. Watch, while sorting papers and tossing things out.

Tuesday:  Out to get hair cut.  Call from Sister that Dad has fallen yet again, last night, and was taken to hospital by ambulance.  Broken ribs, several stitches in head and arm. Spoke to her several times this day. Do we get on a plane and get there ASAP, or keep the original plan to go on the 5th of May. Fill trash can and recycling bin along with large bag of clothes to take to Goodwill.  Hub checks airfare prices online, just to be prepared.

Wednesday: Dentist appointment at 8:00 a.m. More calls back and forth with Sister.  They discovered Daddy has 3 broken ribs instead of the two they originally thought.  He now has pneumonia and they are talking of moving him to ICU. They said he had a very rough night last night. Yet he has 23 visitors on this day...who lets 23 people in to see a man who has pneumonia?  A man who feels the need to joke and entertain each of these visitors to convince THEM things aren't as bad as they seem!  I was a little shocked that the hospital would have allowed that many people to parade through there.

Thursday: Not sleeping, haven't slept well at all this entire week.  Up from 3a.m. to 5 a.m. with allergies, then take a pill then can't get out of bed when it is time to get up.  Drinking almost an entire pot of coffee...with cream, instead of eating breakfast.  Sister calls with report that Daddy is doing better.  Talk to him, he is joking as usual.  Packing and sorting most of day.  Bagged Chex party mix for lunch, instead of real lunch.  Husband home and cooks himself nice dinner.  I am wiped out, eat half a pear/gorgonzola flatbread from Target, with iced tea..more caffeine.  What the heck!!!  To bed, exhausted, at 9 p.m.

Friday: Awake again a lot during the night, coughing and sneezing.  Bedroom window open but not quite cool enough so just get the allergies.   Slept in till 8:30.  Cooked oatmeal for breakfast..YAY!  Only one cup of coffee.  Glass of carrot juice later. Friend called and said she had more packing boxes for me, so went to get those. She has had some bad news, try to make her feel better.  Went downtown with Hubby.  Had a green drink at Whole Foods, then steamed Sesame Kale and Ginger beets for lunch.  Yay!  Brought home shrimp and veggie skewers for dinner.  A better day foodwise.  More packing and stacking boxes for our road trip on May 5th.  Talked to Sister again.  Daddy is doing better today, but still can't eat.  They think he might have an obstruction in his esophagus, so are going to do some exploring on that. They did say they are keeping him over the week-end, and will release him on Monday.  He will go to the same rehab facility that he was in before when he broke his hip.  Relieved that things are getting better for him.  Sister said he only had 5 or 6 visitors today.

Plans for the week-end. Relax a little bit.  Earth Day Festival tomorrow.  Hubby is going to the Moto GP race on Sunday.  We had tickets for all three days, but gave them away for today and tomorrow.  I wouldn't have wanted to go to this one anyway, so glad to have someone else who would enjoy it be able to.

Amazing how much better I feel after one day of decent eating instead of  JUNK!  We eat well most of the time, but sometimes slip into really bad habits like I have several times this week.  Well, I'm snapping out of it, and will do better this week-end.