Tag: houston

One online project finally up to date

Back in March, I took a walk through the ‘hood and shot some photos. I put most of them into a public Flickr set, Textures/Colors, marking them for some future time when they might be worked into paintings.

My paintings are usually abstract, but most of these incorporate literal elements of what I shot that day.

Please click here if you want to see the photos and the paintings.

The Rainmaker

Today, Tim came in, said something about bringing a guy home with him, and JIM WALKED INTO THE DINING ROOM! I haven’t seen him in over two years and was completely surprised–maybe because I was still in my jammies at three in the afternoon. Of course I hugged him and started crying.

Then it stormed. Jim brought drought relief! Plus he provided the impetus for Tim to drive to the airport for the first time ever to pick someone up. Two miracles.

More later…

Photo Friday, No. 156

Current Photo Friday theme: My Favorite Spot


One of my most difficult Photo Friday challenges ever. I have favorite spots in Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming.

In Houston, I have a variety of favorite places depending on my mood. In the middle of a drought in July, my current favorite spot is sitting on my bed next to snoozing dogs, laptop in front of me for writing, favorite book and beverage next to me, and maybe a canvas to paint or a doll outfit to sew.

Still, Glenwood Cemetery is one of my favorite places in the city regardless of the weather. Shaded by majestic trees, set among rare hills in this flat coastal city of 2.5 million, it offers a chance to be left alone with only a fountain or waterfall breaking the silence. It even provides a view of Houston’s fantastic skyline. It’s the ideal secluded spot for reflection and daydreaming, and the dead have never objected to my walking among them.

This one’s on Tim

Just after Tim and I got back from the gym, as I was unlocking my front door, I heard a clap of thunder in the distance. Empty promise, as usual. I started dinner, and Tim started tending to what’s left alive on the drought-impacted Compound grounds. Then he stepped inside and told me about this:


If you squint, stand on your head, and recite one of Hermione’s spells from Harry Potter, you can see proof that it’s raining somewhere in Texas by virtue of a rainbow.

Someone’s in the kitchen with Pixie


This is Tim’s foster dog, Pixie, with a toy pheasant sent by Aunt Marika and Cousin Dash. Pixie has a happy, playful personality and is lots of fun. She’s helping me miss Maverick a little less (he’s currently vacationing in New Mexico with his foster mom, because he’s lucky enough to have two foster homes until he finds his forever family).


Pixie is already devoted to Tim and responding well to his training. One of the things I appreciate about the forever families who’ve gone through Scout’s Honor to adopt Tim’s fosters like EZ, Tyson, and Dexter, is that they stay in touch and let the organization know how the dogs are thriving. Nothing makes me happier than a dog tale with a happy ending. =)

From July 16th-19th, Scout’s Honor Rescue will have a booth at the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows. They’ll be there with some of their adoptable dogs as well as lots of information on fostering and volunteering. Don’t miss out on some awesome raffle baskets and other goodies. Meet their dogs and be amazed by all there is to see at the dog show, from agility competitions to the market.

New Drugs

Since the indie bookstores on Bissonnet were open late Wednesday night, I went to Murder By The Book and croaked to David, “Help!” while I held up the second, third, and fourth books in that Unnamed Series I’d bought in May. I explained that I wasn’t bringing the first one back, since I’d actually read the whole thing (it’ll end up at Half Price Books), but that I just couldn’t read the other three because I feared they might be as dull. I’d ultimately liked one character in that first book, but she only had two lines, which wasn’t enough to sustain me.

David was more than happy to take back the books, but I told him I’d rather exchange them for three more, if he could advise me. When I told him the books I DO enjoy (if you’re curious, much of what I’ve read during the last two or three years is listed right here–and no, the Dull Book is NOT on that list), David suggested that rather than buying three of any one series, he’d present me with the first book of three series, all of which are highly recommended by the owner and other staff members at MBTB. As Tim said, that’s smart selling. Not only did David willingly take back my books, but he may have gotten me hooked on THREE new series. That’s fine with me; books are better than Vicodin.

We’re so lucky to have this bookstore in Houston–writers who travel from city to city say it’s one of the best in the country. Still, though a rare breed, you can find great booksellers anywhere–the indies and the chains–and thank goodness for them, because there’s nothing like a real human to help a reading addict.

Later, I met Tim at Brazos Bookstore. I think Brazos is where I saw Mark Doty and Paul Lisicky read to a packed house in the late ’90s. This literary gem can’t be stocked like the supersize bookstores, but the selection there is interesting, and both Tim and I took advantage of their sale. So WOOHOO, I’m set with reading material for a while (since I also bought seven, I think, paperbacks by a new-to-me-author at Half Price Books a few nights ago).

I’ve always felt a little sad about people who don’t read (and I know many, and they are bright and funny, but they don’t read), because as Emily Dickinson said, a book offers one of the least expensive and most exciting journeys we can ever take:

There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

If you’re in Houston…

TOMORROW NIGHT (Wednesday), 6-10 p.m., Murder By The Book bookstore will take part in the first Bissonnet Merchants’ Moonlight Madness Sale, coordinated by Brazos Bookstore. This is a chance to visit stores along Bissonnet that are usually closed in the evening, and in some cases, take advantage of special one-time offers. Participating stores include:

Brazos Bookstore (2421 Bissonnet) 20% off entire store (in-store, non-sale items only) / 50% off all magazines (including literary journals) / with snacks drinks for adults & children.
Hollywood Frame Gallery (2427 Bissonnet) 20% off entire store.
Z Bead (2429 Bissonnet)
Unique Optical (2431 Bissonnet) 50% off all frames with Rx / refreshments.
Jaya Furniture (2439 Bissonnet) 20% off entire store.
Under the Volcano (2349 Bissonnet) Free appetizer with any beverage purchase.
Murder By The Book (2342 Bissonnet) 20% off all used books.

Sounds like fun–and Brazos Bookstore and Murder By The Book are two of Houston’s best independent bookstores, both very supportive of writers and both highly recommended by me!