Christmas is around the corner

Last weekend we were in The Woodlands
(new Houston) visiting friends.
Market Street had lovely decorations.
On Friday night a choral group performed
in this square.
Hundreds of people were there to enjoy
the music and the lights
plus get a little shopping done.

I love this glitzy present and...

I would like to find this inside it
or just under my tree
or in my driveway.

While I'm wishing I think I would
like one of each of these little numbers.
Definitely my favorite colors!

This little girl is (not so patiently)
waiting to have her photo made with Santa.
Before we left the street was lined
with moms, dads, and little ones
just waiting their turn.

Pretty little burro sculpture in the square
but I have no idea what it signifies.
Maybe it is in search of the manger
(oh that was tacky!)

Adios to The Woodlands!

Just a Walk in the Park

All of these photos are taken from the

south-side of the Colorado River.

It's another beautiful day in Austin
and we have such a wonderful park
along the Colorado River to enjoy.

At the end of the walkway is a statue of
Stevie Ray Vaughan,
legendary Austin blues musician, guitarist & songwriter.

Stevie Ray Vaughan

This particular area along the river is designated
as a "no leash" area therefore many people
bring their dogs to romp & play.

This is also part of a 13-mile jogging, walking, biking area
that loops from south of the river to the north
and goes right through the downtown area.

Because it is in such close proximity to downtown businesses
many people take advantage during their lunch break.

Midday view

Beautiful Austin Skyline

View at dusk

Eliza Gilkyson - Live Today at The Armadillo

As many of you know one of my favorite things to do this time of year is to go to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in Austin, TX. The bazaar is what remains of the world famous Armadillo World Headquarters. It is a signature Austin event. Great art, crafts, and funky stuff. All us old hippies and hippie wanna-bees go. It was packed today. At 3:30 Eliza Gilkyson performed and rocked the house with the following song, "The Dark Side of Town". Hope you enjoy the tune.

Eliza told the story of playing this song last summer along a river in Colorado to a bunch of motorcyclists from Canada. These guys (about 20 or so) were at the same hotel she was staying in and one night they lit a bonfire down by the river & were playing guitars. She & a woman she was traveling with went to listen and somewhere along the way mentioned they could play so the guys gave them a couple of guitars & this is what she sang. (Eliza & her friend had a couple of days off from a gig in Colorado & were just hanging out resting.)




(Eliza Gilkyson at Common Fence Music: Dark Side of Town)


She said she was much more nervous singing in front of these 20 guys than to all of us today. She sang with her head down looking at the guitar when she realized the moon had risen & was reflecting off the guitar. When she looked up all the guys had out there mobile phones pointed at her & she heard a woosh as photos were sent to the folks back home.

Needless to say she & her friend knocked their socks off with her music!

A Surprise at the Mall via Email

Today I received this in my email from a friend here in town.
I don't know where it was filmed but it is delightful.
After madly rushing around the mall,
having a seat for a quick meal,
these folks had a wonderful treat.

Beautiful voices and seemingly spontaneous
(but of course it was well planned).

Enjoy!

Paris Baubles

Printemps Store in Paris
(Stated on the window)

A visitor from Recollections of a Vagabonde told me my banner photo is possibly from Printemps Department Store in Paris. The shot above is from the sidewalk outside the store & just today I noticed the name of the store is on the window: Printemps!

I have been meaning to take photos from around our town but for some silly reason I haven't gotten out at dusk to take photos. Hopefully tomorrow. The courthouse is decorated with white lights and the light poles, tree and gazebo have colored lights. Then there is another lovely gazebo at someone's home that is brightly decorated and looks like it belongs in fairy land. Well, maybe not REALLY, but it DOES look magical.

Even though I am not particularly religious nor do I like the commercial aspect of this time of year, I do love the celebration and camaraderie that takes place. I love the lights and the festivities. After 60+ years I of trying not to insert myself into familial situations where I am uncomfortable, the G-man and I (who are like-minded) take off during this time of year and enjoy just being together. After-all I believe the closeness and love between people is the essence of the season. Our little family leaves for west Texas just before Christmas and return just after.

I hope each of you have the experience that you most enjoy during this season, that it is relatively stress free, and most of all filled with love.

Le Chocolate Shoppe

Roscar's Chocolates
and Holiday Teas

Bon bons

Beautiful handmade chocolates
from right here in
Bastrop, TX

Truffles

I should have taken a photo
of the exterior of the log cabin
where the chocolates are made.

The woodwork is lovely.

Photos with my iPhone

Feliz Navidad, Y'all!

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Año y Felicidad.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Año y Felicidad.

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/jose_feliciano/#share

Armadillo World Headquarters: Austin, TX

DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets
There are many videos of and about
Downtown Austin at this site.
If you love Austin as I do or are just curious
this site is the definitive one about
downtown living in Austin.
Damn, I miss living in the center of all this!

The video below is the history of
Armadillo World Headquarters
that began & defined the
Austin music scene.

Tomorrow: Austin Christmas Bazaar!

I hope you enjoy the history.
It take a bit of time to watch it, but this is a bit of history
of the music origins of Austin.

Refocusing...

Yesterday afternoon was sunny and chilly here, quite like it is today. The outdoors beckoned and I lit a fire in the chiminea on the patio. It is an easy way to burn pine needles and small branches without starting a huge fire that I have to watch over for hours.

The G-man was shooting hoops, Gertie was snooping and I had my latest mystery novel. When not reading but staring into the fire I mulled over the situation that a friend is going through. I am not as good a friend as I should be. Maybe as we get older it is more difficult to reach out to a person in need. I fear I am more self-centered than I would like to be. I seem to be wrapped up in my own little life with the G-man & the Gert.

Maybe I spend too much time online or writing & reading or just goofing off and am not making the time for my friend. I have no way to help except to listen; however, sometimes listening is difficult. The problem never changes, there seems to be no solution, and I have never been one to handle helplessness. I should learn to handle it because there are some things that one just has to accept; some things can't be changed; some events occur over which there is little control and it is unlikely there will be a satisfactory outcome.

Recently we parted on tenuous grounds with me having said something she didn't want to hear and her becoming angry because I said it. We will most likely get through this little upset. I will have to remind myself to stand back, listen, and not offer unsolicited comments. I always want to be the fix-it person but being able to fix something is not always possible.

I have left a message of apology which will be heard and hopefully will help to soothe hurt feelings. Now I think I'll cook or bake something to refocus my mind. It is too pretty a day to be sad. Refocusing...

Walk Through the Tears - Possible Dreams International

Dr. Maithri Goonetilleke of Australia published this video on Dec 1, World AIDS Day.

A connection to his blog, The Soaring Impulse, is here: http://www.soaringimpulse.com/

Through his blog and on Facebook I follow Dr. Maithri Goonetilleke and the amazing work performed by him and his team in Swaziland. I am a bit late posting this as World AIDS Day was a couple of days ago, but better late than never.

I find it incredible that Maithri at the young age of 25 took to this land and these people. The last link on this page is of an interview with him explaining how he was affected when in 2005 as a medical student from Australia he worked in a small hospital in Swaziland. It was then that he became anchored to these poor, helpless but beautiful people.

The interview from 2005 here: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/interviews/maithri.html

and the Possible Dreams site is here: http://www.possibledreamsinternational.org/

Amazing stuff!