A Morning Walk with Jake

Approaching the old bridge in downtown Bastrop,

Jake & I think it is going to be a lovely day.

Looking up through the bridge beams the sky is indeed

a gorgeous blue.

Looking south from the bridge at the Colorado River.

I have absolutely no idea what all these locks are doing here,

but it makes for an interesting photo and conversation.

Me: "Jake, why do you think these locks are on the fence?"

Jake: Soulful eyes look at me and he appears to shrug.

The newest restaurant in these old "historic" buildings in

an area called The Crossing.

This one is called Neighbor's and is a pizza restaurant 

with a great view of the Colorado River.

Lamb Stew ~ Lizzy Style

Lamb Stew ~ Lizzy Style


1 lb lamb cut in chunks for stew
Some whole wheat flour
1/2 to 1 white onion, diced
1/2 lb fresh okra cut
1 can diced tomatoes with basil, oregano & garlic
Olive oil or Canola, extra virgin olive oil, & grapeseed oil (Pompeian makes a good one)

Put whole wheat flour in a bag, drop in the lamb and shake until completely coated. Brown in olive oil or the Canola mixture. Watch and add water or broth after it browns (it will be okay if it over browns, may be better). Toss in diced onions and let simmer for 5 minutes or a little more. Add diced (1 inch chunks) okra. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes making sure the liquid doesn’t cook down. Add can of diced tomatoes. Cover and continue simmering for another 15-20 minutes.
When cooked, let it rest for a while as the flavors meld.
Serve over steamed white and wild rice.

This is my first time back in months and months. I'm trying to get back into things after the death of the G-man. He always enjoyed reading the blog especially when I had photos from our travels.

In the future you may see photos from the archives because we had some wonderful travels. Lots of good photos were taken from around here too. Good memories.

Our Magnolia

The Magnolias are blooming beautifully on our tree.

 The spring rains can at just the right time to 

make our tree fill with flowers.

The tree is profuse with flowers.

The best ever!!!

Lone Bird

Lone Bird

Once again it's been months since I posted on my blog. This photo has been on my desktop for several weeks now and it's made be consider attempting to start a series of lone creatures, humans, perhaps lost or forgotten objects. 

I just think I need a kick-start... something to strive for... something different. I'll be mulling this over the next few days or weeks and perhaps I'll be back to blog land soon.

Getting the Tree

Downtown Bastrop, TX
December 2013

Happy Holidays

Getting ready for the holidays,

Dripping Springs, TX

December 2010

Beautiful West Texas

Spectacular view from the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

near Fort Davis, TX

It's been months since I visited my blog... April 8th was my last entry after driving through the countryside near our home. Since then much has been on the minds of me & the G-man. You see, he was diagnosed with liver cancer shortly after that drive. We spent most of the summer with him being poked, prodded, and treated for this tumor that has wreaked havoc with our life style.

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center

Normally we would be on the road with the G-man participating in golf tournaments all over the country, but it was not to be this summer. In late August after his second treatment we took off for west Texas... we stayed in Fort Davis and spent the morning at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center. We then drove to Alpine where we had lunch at a little Mexican restaurant and then visited the museum at Sul Ross State University, the University of the Big Bend. The drives in this area are quite spectacular. It actually feels as though you can see forever!

 Driving from Alpine toward Fort Davis

 One of the little spots in the desert is Balmorhea State Park where people gather to swim in the large spring fed pool, picnic, bird watch, and just enjoy a cool oasis in an arid area.

Balmorhea swimming pool at the Texas state park

And speaking of being able to see great distances... we spent one day in Marfa. We went to a grand book store on the main street, drove through the neighborhoods and to the golf course that is at the highest altitude in Texas. A man in the book store told us we should go to the courthouse and climb up into the tower where we could see ALL of Marfa and out into the surrounding desert. It is an interesting place. One that is truly artistic, quirky, and downright Texan... it's a very unique little town as described in a CBS 60 Minute episode (hope I can find the link to it). 

Presidio County Courthouse

 Rotunda of the courthouse

From the courthouse tower looking east toward Fort Davis

 Southeast

Looking due west down main street

North view of town

As you can tell, this is some FLAT country. People from Austin and Houston love to go to Marfa for a total get-away. I have friends who have homes there... one can't call it a weekend get-away, because it takes 8 hours to get there from Austin and tack on 3+ hours from Houston. You've really gotta want to go there & have to really love it! It's a happening place.

I'll be happy to meet you in west Texas any time!

Along a Central Texas Country Road on an April Afternoon

Driving through an arbor of oaks

The G-man & I really enjoy our drives in the country. The two best times of the year are spring and fall, but I suppose that's true everywhere. The night before we'd had a rain and everything is so brilliantly verdant. All the yellow oak pollen was washed away and the various shades of green sparkle.

Bluebonnets along the road

 Lucky for me the G-man is patient about stopping to let me take photos and sometimes I manage a few good ones... about one for every six I take. This Friday afternoon we were driving back home from a little excursion to Round Top, TX to meet a cousin that I had not seen in about 20 years.

A little plot with bluebonnets

Lunch was nice with Jane & her husband and two other ladies related to the husband. We chatted a lot about nothing in particular. We talked about a few cousins and remarked how humorous our scientist cousin is. Jane is about the youngest of my cousins and she is 8 years older than I. I spent many years running around as the little kid and still have that feeling of being the youngest of the whole Jenkins clan.
 

Having arrived at the age of 66, I am so aware of the limited time that I'll have with those I love. Most of my cousins are in their mid-70s to late-80s and I hope they are in good health and are enjoying their lives.

Mesquite in bloom

 I would like to be able to articulate my feelings about reaching this age knowing that I am on the down side of life. That is not to say that I feel down because I don't. The G-man & I frequently talk about how lucky we are in many ways. Lucky to have found each other, lucky to be retired, lucky to be in as good health as we are and hope that we will be healthy for years to come. We are lucky that we enjoy each other and like doing many of the same things. We're lucky that we have friends to hang out with several times a week. Lucky that the G-man enjoys his golf and his golfing buddies. Lucky to live in a beautiful place with so much diversity in the people and in the landscape. Lucky to have a few little animals to keep us on our toes. Yes, I am lucky.

Bluebonnets in Bloom

 Also, I'm happy that I have two great cameras that allow me to capture some of the beauty that I see. I am thankful for all these things that I am lucky enough to enjoy.

I love my life... Life is good.

Just an old tree stump in the field

Lunch with my Cousin in Round Top, TX

 The G-man & Sprague (my cousin's husband)

It has been 20 years since I last saw or heard from my cousin, Jane.

She lives in the beautiful old Southern city of Savannah, GA.

Jane is the daughter of my father's youngest sister.

 Jane, my cousin

I always remember her being upbeat and full of energy

and nothing has changed... she's still a ball of fire!

Sure we're older... probably wiser... but picked up like we

just saw each other last week.

Jane, Evelyn & Susan

Here we are at Royer's Pie Haven.

Royer's is well known for it's pies and at

$25 per pie I'd say they are darned proud of those pies.

 Royer's Restaurant on the square in Round Top

is famous. There is always a line to get in for 

lunch or dinner.

You can see the "Royer's Story" at this website:

 http://www.royersroundtopcafe.com/

and don't forget to check the "Budisms" on the story page.

This week they are making box lunches for folks

visiting the semi-annual antique event in 

Round Top and the community of Warrenton.

Round Top boasts a population of 90

and Warrenton is just a blip on the road to Round Top.

Link to AntiqueWeekend.

It was fun seeing my cousin and sharing some family remembrances. 

Jane was always the sophisticated one from Savannah

and I was the younger cousin that one tolerates at family reunions.

Funny how that difference in age which seemed so great then

is just a little blip now. 

Thanks Jane for a great afternoon!

Hiking Bastrop State Park with Gertie

Overnight the rain and clouds blew away

and today brought a cool crisp day

with beautiful blue sky.

 The G-man was off playing golf, so Gertie

and I decided to take advantage of the day

and go for a hike in Bastrop State Park.

 The Lake and picnic grounds in the park

are in good shape. 

The park rangers and volunteers

have worked so hard over the 

last year and 4 months to get

the park where it can be used again.

 Gertie & I hiked about 1 1/2 miles through the park

stopping to take photos of the trails, the trees,

and the grasses & mushrooms growing

on the forest floor.

 Trails through the millions of burned 

pine trees in what is know as the Lost Pines.

 Here and there I saw seedlings sprouting up

amongst the tall dead trees.

 

Along our drive out of the park

I saw where many seedlings have

recently been planted by volunteers, 

all are marked by little red flags.

Gertie loves to go on long walks where she can stop

and sniff the ground. 

She is an amazing dog (but of course I'm prejudiced).

Gertie is about 15 years old, but she really can walk!

For quite a while I've been following the adventure of

Tom Ryan and Atticus Maxwell Finch

on their FaceBook page.

Tom is a writer and a walker.

He and Atticus (his miniature schnauzer)

have hiked all 48 of New Hampshire's

4,000 foot peaks twice in one winter.

As I read Tom's book, Following Atticus, I am

inspired to go on little hikes with Gertie.

It is a good and healthy thing to do for both of us.