That's the title of Garrison Keillor's article recently published (July 2009) in National Geographic Magazine.  But I think Mr. Keillor missed one of the greatest state fair joys:  To spend time with friend, real or imagined, in a fantasy land.

When I read Lea Lane's post A Conehead at the… Read full post »

Yes, that's me.  Wasn't I cute?  And I'm still wondering where to go a lot of the time.  That picture was taken about 56 years ago, which is proof that I am, in fact, older than dirt.  Another proof of that fact is that this photo was in the "Women's/…

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I looked back and really can't believe that I didn't post photos from my trip to California in early June.  My only excuse is that I've been really busy.

I'm fortunate that my daughter lives in the Bay Area and I have an excuse to visit one of the most beautiful… Read full post »

When we bought our house in March 1999, one of the primary reasons we chose it over others we had seen was that we didn't need to "do" anything to it.  No screamingly offensive decorating, most things worked, etc.

It didn't, however, take long until the gold, brown, and gray… Read full post »

I just got back from a seemingly innocent trip -- tending to the cat of the man I work with/for who is out of town, followed by trips to the bank and post office.

When I left the invisible cat, I was on my way to the branch bank that's in… Read full post »

Tonight I got to the semi-monthly meeting of the camera club a little later than I usually do, but I found a seat in the medical school classroom in the area I generally sit.  Some of the people I've gotten to know in the brief time I've been a member and… Read full post »

Memorial Day 2008, my husband, his adult daughter and I went to California to spend some time with family.  We had a wonderful visit, which culminated in a good, old-fashioned Italian dinner prepared by the matriarch of the family, the oldest sister.

 (just part of the family -- the… Read full post »

I've heard of time in a bottle and even a ship in a bottle, but I have never seen anything like this:

 

 

A tiny fern is growing inside this bottle.  The bottle is part of an edging to part of my garden.  It's an idea I borrowed… Read full post »

There are many posts swirling in my head about my mother.  I don't know if they will ever make it to the screen.  They are similar my relationship with my mother -- complicated.  But this one is simple.  Today is the third anniversary of my mother's death.  These photos are m… Read full post »

We have collectively marked a first for Open Salon -- the death of one of our community.  Dakini Dancer was a vibrant member of this community who touched the hearts of many.  Her passing from this plane of existence has shocked and saddened many of us.  But for me, this isn't… Read full post »

I don't know if any other states have anthems, but it doesn't really matter.  Texas has an anthem.  My mother is the only person I've ever known who could sing all the verses, so the following is in her memory.

Here's a musical version that I believe is being played by… Read full post »

I'm very fortunate that my daughter lives in one of the most beautiful cities of the world -- San Francisco.  When I visit her, we spend a lot of time enjoying not only the touristy sites, but also some out of the way places she has found and wants me to… Read full post »

Generally when I post here, it is focused on a photo.  I don't need to tell any of you that I am not a writer.  I was the kid in your high school history class who preferred the multiple choice questions over the essay questions who you could never figure out. … Read full post »

Today is a day that is too beautiful to be indoors.  It's around 70 degrees, the sun is shining, the wind's not blowing too hard.  I work in an office that has windows, but they don't open.  So I decided to go get my lunch and find a park to eat… Read full post »

I just received a link to the site for this wonderful project.  Enjoy!

 Members of Quilters of South Carolina have created one-of-a-kind bras for Breast Cancer Awareness. The exhibit consists of forty-nine original works of art which… Read full post »

In a recent post about a January ice storm in the DFW Metroplex, I included some photos taken in a wonderful park in my city.  In some webby way, I learned that the bobcats who live in this park made the cover of Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine in December 2008,… Read full post »

There have been a lot of posts in the past month about the weather.  Icy weather in New England, snowy weather in the Northwest, non-snowy weather in Arizona.

To all of you people who don't like your weather, I just have this to say:  Come to Texas.  If you don't like… Read full post »

Either my mother or one of my grandmothers told me that whatever you do on New Year's Day, you will do it the entire year.  I think they were just trying to get me to be "seen and not heard," or something, but I still remember the words.

So I think… Read full post »

1)            I have been communicating with others online since 1989.

2)            I met my husband through a local BBS.  Neither of us was looking for love, just fun.  Sometimes… Read full post »

Saturday, January 24th at around 3:00 or 4:00, the festivities will begin at:

  Guero's Taco Bar, 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX

Rich Banks has suggested Guero's as our starting place.  He wrote this and I agree with him about the South Congress area:

"It has good food, ambiance, and… Read full post »

I must admit I love this stuff.  I am a terrible snoop and enjoy seeing peoples' photos.  I am the person to invite over if you want to show hours of slides that no one else will sit through. 

 To get these, I had to sift through the boxes of… Read full post »

For the past eight years, thinking Texans have lived with an albatross -- George W. Bush.  We now have a reason to celebrate the removal of the shackles. 

 This is a call to party for all Texans and any others in the vicinity who want to join together with food… Read full post »

I found this on the LiveJournal of one of my daughter's friends.  He lives in Seattle, so maybe Donna or T&D can get some for the squirrel!

  Read full post »

It seems like my Thanksgiving preparations started quite a bit earlier than for most around here.

 In June, we had many conversations, discussed the guest list and the timing and then finally on June 23rd, I did it.  I made our reservations to fly 

 

 

to

… Read full post »

I have taken the advice given in Lonnie’s recent post in response to my cry for his help – I have my iPhone.  As far as the counting, the first five are this:

1.         The iPhone has the slickest and sexiest design of anything I’ve ow/… Read full post »