Blue Monday -- '64 Corvette

From the Bastrop Car Show
Yet another beauty

Everyone seemed to enjoy the blue truck last week
and the blue T-Bird a few weeks before,
so today is another beauty...
1964 Corvette by Chevrolet!
It rolled off the production line
in the year I graduated from high school.
Ahhh, how gorgeous!

Every time the G-man and I see a car like this we say,
"Wouldn't it be fun..."
and then we realize we aren't as agile as we once were,
so how could we bend & contort to fit into this car?
It would be especially difficult for a 6-foot tall man,
but maybe not to much for a woman
who is 5 feet 2 inches and with short legs!
Now don't go thinkin' I'm short...
in my mind I'm about 5 feet 10 inches!

Hope you enjoy this portion of the show!

P. S. Lorac at The Cottage Life decided to participate in my Blue Monday theme, visit her blog to see how she addresses a "blue Monday".

Meme - 1st Album, 10th Picture, & the Story

Lorac at Ahh, the Cottage Life saw a meme that looked like fun asked other bloggers to contribute.

So, here is the ritual:

1) Open up you first photo album

2) Scroll down to the 10th picture.

3) Post that picture and write the story that goes with the picture.
I want to offer a disclaimer before I begin my story. My albums are a bit confusing and some I am unable to copy to the blog or onto my desktop; therefore, I have had to deviate somewhat. Really the first album on my computer is of a trip with the G-man & his best male friend over Christmas several years ago. However, I was unable to copy them for the blog meme. It is disappointing because as many of you know that is my favorite part of the world. The sky was brilliantly blue, the air crisp, & the scenery spectacular. Luckily the first album that I was able to copy from is of also a spectacular part of our great country.

North Carolina, Tennessee, the Great Smokey Mountains & My Family

Last September the G-man and I took a driving trip from Texas to the lovely Smokey Mountains of North Carolina & Tennessee. My brother & his wife met us there for a little family get-together. We left Texas the last week in September when there was a shortage of gasoline as a result of a hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast. We decided to go the northerly route rather than risk going IH-10 through Houston and Beaumont which received the brunt of the storm.

Little did we know that the gas problem would reach to the eastern United States. As we drove through northern Alabama we heard tales from fellow travelers that many places in Georgia & North Carolina were experiencing long lines at the pumps and that some stations were closed.

We decided to continue on and get gasoline when our gas gauge reached the half way mark in the attempt to not get stranded. It was a good plan and worked, so no problem for us.

My only brother & his sweet wife.

My brother & his wife met us at the old lodge (the Fryemont Inn) where they have been coming since the 1940s. My tenth photograph in this first album is of them in the Smokey Mountain National Park. It was a beautiful sunny day with a brilliant blue sky. We stopped at an overlook to enjoy the beautiful view which you can see below.

Even though the day was bright & sunny the Smokies lived up to their name by appearing very blue & smokey in the photographs below.

The Great Smokey Mountains live up to their name.

Spectacular views.

(Click on the photos to enlarge.)

After enjoying the view we drove on to the town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is a town snuggled into the mountains and is a winter destination for skiers; however, I think the last few years have had little snow.

Autumn display coming into Gatlinburg.

A cute little poodle enjoying the bright sunny day!

Passers-by enjoyed the birds on display.

As we were going back over the mountain we saw many cars stopped beside the road.

Why are they stopping?
What are they seeing?


People were out with their cameras.
The leaves & tree limbs are moving.
Oh, there is a small black figure.


Way up in a tree was a small black bear.
Just hanging out.
Maybe having a bit of berries for lunch.

The next day after enjoying a hearty breakfast in the dining room, we went on a little golf outing. It was the first time my brother & sister-in-law had driven around on a golf course. They decided to leave the driving to us because there were steep grades as you can tell from the photos below. It was a beautiful mountain golf course.

My brother, the G-man, & me

Leslie & Annette

An old barn, decorated for autumn, on the golf course adds character to the surroundings.

Back at the Fryemont Inn we enjoyed a wonderfull dinner. The selections in the dining room are hearty... good thing after golfers, hikers, & sightseers come in starving after a day exploring. Many of the guests are like my family & have been coming to the Fryemont for years. It is very rustic and there is nothing modern about it, but it is a delightful retreat.

The G-man at the Fryemont.
The rocking chairs are a terrific draw.

Get there early so you can enjoy the view while rocking.


View from the front porch.

Meeting in an interesting place is a most enjoyable way to visit family. The last time we went eastward, we met in Charleston, South Carolina. That is a beautiful city with photos for another time.

After dinner most people gather in the large open lobby to play cards, read or people watch. My sister-in-law loves to play card games (and so do I), so each night we had a game of hearts or spades to challenge us while telling stories & just enjoying being together. Usually about 2 years pass before I get to visit with family.

People enjoy the fireplace which has a fire blazing at night.
There are books & newspapers to read.

There are naps to catch...
and cats to pet.

Funky Friday - Old Truck

Not really so funky as just interesting old truck
found in the northwest Texas town of Electra.
Electra is named for the daughter of the owner of the famous Waggoner rancher.

More to come on the town of Electra...

The Sage in Bloom...

The sage in bloom

Is like perfume

Deep in the heart of Texas.


The bees are getting drunk of the sage nectar.

The black swallowtail is drinking from the purple lantana.

The sage & agave are beautiful together.

Gertie looks out the window as I photograph
the sage & prickly pear cactus in front of our house.
Gertie always knows where I am...

Deep in the Heart of Texas
(listen to the tune by clicking on the old Decca record in the sidebar... there are 3 other YouTube broadcasts also... including a boogie-woogie piece, oh yeah!)

The stars at night are big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The prairie sky is wide and high
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume
Deep in the heart of Texas.
Reminds me of the one I love
Deep in the heart of Texas.

The coyotes wail along the trail
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The rabbits rush around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The cowboys cry, "Ki-Yippee-Yi"
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The dogies bawl and bawl & bawl
Deep in the heart of Texas.

Blue Monday

Bluest sky with painted branches in Marathon, TX

And the Champion Is...

The G-man won the
2009
Callaway Order of Merit
Sarazen Senior Flight Award
in the
Golf Channel Amateur Tour
for being the top player in his flight for the year.

The G-man also won 1st place in the
Sarazen Senior Flight
2-day Austin - San Antonio Tour Championship
played at Wolf Dancer Golf Course
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines
on August 22 & 23, 2009

Here he is holding both trophies.

Whoops, there is my reflection in the trophy!

Funky Friday - Magnolia Cafe

Yesterday the G-man and I were in Austin for appointments and we stopped by my favorite little neighborhood cafe, the Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Blvd. This is where all the locals come for eats and is open 24/7. It's a place to talk politics, read the paper, chat with friends and people watch. People from all walks of life come here... everyone from lawyers & stockbrokers to artists & actors. You may see a person in a suit & styled hair sitting next to someone with jeans & dreadlocks. Oh yeah, my old neighborhood... that's Austin!

Blue Monday

Bright blue sky above and clear, cool blue waters of the Pedernales River.

Elusive Birds

The elusive immature cardinals are difficult to photograph. When I go outside to get a shot of them they fly away pronto! They are the funniest looking little guys. When younger than this they are grayish in color. Now that they are getting older they are molting and their new and beautiful red feathers are growing. The funny thing is how bald they look and how skinned their heads are when this transformation is taking place. It's like the story of the ugly duckling, but instead it's the ugly cardinal. Of course the cardinal is a cardinal whereas the duckling was a beautiful swan. Oh well.

This photograph is of a pileated woodpecker pecking away in one of our dying pine trees. It is so sad to see these trees die. Just this week we have four more that are losing the battle. Soon we will need to have these removed as we did the other 10 or so. At least the woodpeckers (both pileated and red-bellied) will have beetles to sustain them. Sad indeed for the pines.

Funky Friday -The Bungled Jungle

Although these little guys are out in the sunshine now, they most always reside on my bedside table. They are meant to keep the woolies away. These little guys take on all the problems of the day so I can sleep well at night (it mostly works).

These little guys are made by Suzanne Montano & Pat Landreth of The Bungled Jungle in Salida, Colorado. Check out their website to see more of their "varmints/creatures/monsters/whatevers". Every year they show their wares at The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in Austin, TX, the last true holdout for the hippie generation.

Up until last year I had attended The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar since 1980. The bazaar runs for about 2 weeks prior to Christmas and closes at 11 PM on Christmas Eve. The hours are 11 AM to 11 PM and every night there are 2 groups of musicians. One group usually begins around 6 PM and the next around 9 PM. On the weekend there is also an afternoon show at 3. The entertainment is first rate. Check out the links provided to see some of the performers and artists who come for the event.

After the rain

After a bit of rain last evening we have a beautiful morning at 68 degrees. The sun is shining through the pines and emphasizing the moisture in the woods. How thankful we are for the one and three/fourths inch we received. It was wonderful to have rain, brief though it was.

Blue Monday~

The theme is blue...

More on the Turquoise T-Bird!

Several folks had such nice comments about yesterdays post "Beautiful Turquoise T-Bird
Brings Back Memories" so I decided to show the entire photo of the car. I just happened upon it when I drove into a gardening shop and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to "shoot" it. I hope you'll enjoy seeing the whole photo of it.

Yesterday's post was for Six Word Saturday and Steven left me a wonderful note which I am using for this blog, it's his take on the six word theme. He said:

six words (X2) comments:

1. retired educator buys expensive blue t-bird!!
2. family thrilled. bank not so much!

Absolutely PERFECT. I had to use them in today's blog... yes, I steal from my friends!
Enjoy!

Six Word Saturday

Beautiful Turquoise T-Bird
Brings Back Memories

Six Word Saturday hosted by Cate

Funky Friday - Funky Critters

Happy Friday! Just a fun little bunch of critters I found in Austin. It will be a couple of days before I'm back as I have some things to get done. Happy Friday & good weekend to all.

Found at the home of the pink flamingoes!

Morning Walk in the Neighborhood

The sun is just about to top the pine trees across from our house.

Gertie & my shadow are starting out on our little trek with my sun hat atop my head,
Gertie's leash in my left hand, and a small camera in my right.

Down the street & around the corner we begin our uphill climb.
You can see to the top of the first rise in this photo.

The road is cut into the hillside and you can see the trees growing at the edge of the cliff.

Just at the top of the hill someone has parked their old International Scout beside the road.
The little truck has Texas plates indicating it is an antique automobile.
I wonder if it in in working order?

Now we are on the second leg of our upward walk. The hard part is behind us.
Yesterday Gertie & I walked at 1 PM which put this road in bright sunshine.
It was too hot to walk then & we were both panting when we finished.
Later I found that the heat index was 106 for the day. Whew! I won't do that again!

The red clay is pretty to look at, but I wonder how the trees find any nourishment to grow.

I walked up the little hill & found a path down into the woods.
It is probably private property so we won't go down that road.

Here is a bit of Texas Blue Stem grass growing beside the road.
When we have rain it is very pretty.

Above and below are houses that I pass along the way.
They have pretty yards even in this dry weather.

Someone is watering and Gertie would like to run through the sprinkles.

Pretty little setting among the trees.

Here is a little area where the wild grasses are growing.
I suspect it caught a little shower last week otherwise it would be totally brown.

The last hill to climb and then downward to home.

This pine tree is growing out of the hillside.
Look at the way the trunk is curved at the bottom.
The roots can also be seen spreading outward.
It looks like a cross section of the hillside was done for an experiment.

Another pine tree struggling to support itself on the hillside.

Now we are on the way down the last hill.
We are about to pass the homes of some of our neighbors.

If you look closely our house can be seen through the trees.
We are almost home.
I hope we didn't tire you too much. It is good exercise.