Tag: houston

The Big “One”

On Wednesday I went to Louise Penny’s signing at Murder By The Book. Her latest novel, How the Light Gets In, is the ninth in her Chief Inspector Gamache series. Just hours before the signing was scheduled, she received word that the book debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Every published book is cause for celebration, but this is spectacular. I love this series and am so grateful that Johnny at MBTB recommended it to me several years ago.

The first time I went to a Louise Penny signing, she drew a blind pig in my Moleskine (which I take because all but one of her books that I own are eBooks I’ve purchased at MBTB for my Nook–nothing for her to sign). This time, she drew three pines over her name, because Three Pines is the fictional town where many of the characters live and where Gamache goes to nourish his soul and do some of his best thinking. If you haven’t read any of these books, I highly recommend that you begin with the first, Still Life, and read them in order. Though they are mysteries, they are also compelling stories about the best and worst of human nature.

Looking forward to many more visits (and revisits) to the Quebec village of Three Pines. Join me there!

If you’re not local to Houston and can’t visit Murder By The Book, you can still go through the store for your eBooks. Read how here.

Funnel Tunnel

Larger version here.

Y’all know I love my Houston neighborhood of Montrose because of its diversity and its nurturing of the arts. My new favorite thing, recently installed in the median of Montrose Boulevard in front of Art League Houston is “Funnel Tunnel,” public art by local artist Patrick Renner. I was able to get a few shots of it today. I’d like to hang out on the median and get more photos from its underbelly or some better close-ups, but I think that’s best left for when the heat wave breaks and maybe when the mosquitos don’t love me so much.


Larger version here.


Larger version here.


Larger version here.


Larger version here.


Larger version here.


Larger version here.

July Photo A Day: Perspective


I’m sure this challenge was supposed to be met with a shot using a photography technique that shows perspective. But all I could think about were these words added to an area business’s building mural. Montrose has been my favorite spot in Houston since 1989 and my home since 1995. I’ve thought of it as many things, but those haven’t included “hipster.” Another example that one of those things I always say is true: Reality is filtered through our own personal lens.

However, one truth holds: Ray-Bans transcend all labels but their own.

Prompt from FMS Photo A Day.

July Photo A Day: Inspirational


Here’s Tim shooting a photo of the building that houses the Menil Collection. Going there with him and Jim on Wednesday was inspirational because I saw a painting by Jean DuBuffet that helped me visualize a painting I’ve been commissioned to do.

I’ve shown you Jean DuBuffet’s sculpture on my blog before: namely, this piece that used to be in downtown Houston but was relocated to Discovery Green Park near the George R. Brown Convention Center.


Monument Au Fantome

The Menil no longer allows photography, even without a flash. This page on the Menil site includes a quick look at the painting among the other pieces of the exhibit it’s in. And though it’s not the same painting, this photo I found online is similar:

Prompt from FMS Photo A Day.