Halloween In Idylwood 2007

My neighborhood, Idylwood,has become a mecca for trick or treaters. The first year I lived here a neighbor cautioned me that I needed to have upwards of 350 treats if I wanted to answer my door. This year I had 400 pieces of candy, and ran out after about 2 hours. With parental permission (I have never been refused) I take pictures of the maskers. The street looks like a block party, with all manner of trucks, vans and suvs stopping at intervals to disgorge packs of children, parents, strollers, wagons, and pets.
The last picture is the wicked witch of Lindy Lane who was handing out candy.

A Mull-ette Halloween

The detritus of a the morning after the Halloween Party given by Dr. B.
Rick and I decided we would mask as Dr. B's "true" parents. The premise: Unfortunately, Dr. B has been less than honest about his humble beginnings. His real Maw and Paw Mull-ette showed up, with little sister, Furrleen, in tow to "out" him. The sad and sordid truth this halloween night, Dr. B was born DeWayne Mull-ette from Pea Falls, Arkansas. DeWaynes picture is on my water bottle, on our t-shirts, stapled on my pants pockets and on Rick's koozie.
The proud parents, Mama and Papa Mull-ette (Rick and Sally)
And perhaps the most shameful truth about DeWayne, his knocked up, knocked around, "pierced" and pregnant sister, FurrLean Mull-ette (My sister Leigh)

The "Certificate of Live Birth" and DeWayne's baby picture to verify Mike's true lineageThe Mull-ette family reunion. (Dr. B, Furleen, Mama, Papa and Catherine)
Amy Winehouse fresh from the jointScaryVery Scary
Miss Diagnosed
The Mull-ettes with Ted Nugent who was dressed up like some doctor named Aaron

Little Queenie and Her Sista Get Down

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PT Appreciation Luncheon

I have come to realize my installations have a few common themes: good friends and fellowship, a job I love, and interwoven in all of them...food!
October is Physical Therapy Month, and to honor our esteemed PTs, the OTs planned an Asian-themed celebration. We arranged a repast of Vietnamese Po'Boys (don't knock 'em til you've tried one, the French occupation of Vietnam had a positive impact on their cuisine)and a trip to an Asian Spa for pampering. I am afraid I don't have many pictures as I was called to duty as one of the massage therapists. We also offered paraffin dip of hands or feet, sparkling cider, and meditative music.
Elderine, Janet, and a former OT student, now an employee Rhanda
Sal and Tiff
Janet in a zen state !

Rick and Amber, his present student from UTMB

OTs Just Wanna Have Fun

This was at a farewell luncheon for Rick's student from TWU, Tory, who finished her 3 month clinical rotation with us. Hard as it is to believe, Rick became even more spoiled, entitled, and bored because Tory was a great student he had very little to do. He was caught several times singing (to the tune of Jimmy Crack Corn) "Chicken Pot Pie, and I Don't Care".
Tory, the guest of honor, Tiffani, Jacier and Elderine


Theo, Janet, Sally and Rick




Jaci and Sal

Overnight Trip to Fayetteville

Dizzy and I packed up the car and headed west for Fayetteville Texas (population 283). My friend Janet and her husband have bought a farmhouse and are slowly renovating it. I had not seen it since Easter Sunday, and the amount of work they've done in the interim is remarkable.

This is the front of their house last Sunday morning. The morning fog does not burn off until about 10 a.m.


There is a small building in the back yard that has a fire pit and attached garage. Danny calls this the "Cootage" (you know, where the old coots hang out). It is decorated appropriately with animal heads, skulls, hunting memorabilia, and some old rickety chairs for the coots. I was allowed inside briefly and granted the authority to take a few shots.
This is a beautiful piece of furniture in Janet's living room. It has a rod inside, and I'll bet it was once a place to hang choir robes.


Danny has a BBQ Pit he takes along to cook offs. He was cleaning it up to get it ready for "Lick Skillet Days" http://www.lnstar.com/mall/txtrails/fayetteville.htm

All BBQ pits in Texas are so big moving them must involve a custom-made trailer.

We took a tour of beautiful downtown LaGrange so I could see this wooden Episcopal Church built in the 1880s. I love the roof.

A respite from the heat exploring the Warrenton Antique Show at "The Third Base" to wet our whistles and watch a bit of the UT vs.Oklahoma game. This was not a subdued crowd.
Lovely Janet

DInner With Aunt Rocky

Rick's Tia Rocky from Chicago and sister Rosa from Atlanta have been visiting Houston. We went to a small Italian restaurant in downtown, Josephine's. In the party were (clockwise from left) Rick's student Torri, Janet, Cathy, Rosa, Rocky, Rick, and Sally.

The gang at Josephine's.

The party moved to Casa Henley/Leal for coffee and 2 desserts Rick slaved away on, Italian creme cake and chocolate pudding cake.


In front of their beautiful fireplace, Torri, Rocky, Rosa, Rick, Sally, Janet, Cathy.

Rick and Ron
Las Vatas!

The "Pet Shop Girls"

Sunday afternoon, OT psych convened on Lindy Lane for barbecue, card games, and socialization. I guess 5 days a week isn't enough for us. Of course, the vibe was more laid back than work, and this party was "pet friendly"
The Host of the party: Dizzy Harris

Jacier with Tiffani's dog Creasy

Rick, Tiffani (multitasking by shuffling cards and talking on the phone), Rick's cousin Sofia, and Jacier.
The menu included grilled beef and chicken fajitas, grilled chicken sausage, boudain, Jaci's Venezuelan salad, potato salad, fortune cookies, & watermelon. Rick is always first in line.

Tiffani and Schner
The Girls and their respective pets, (L to R): Sally & Dizzy, Jacier & Schner, Tiffani & Creasy

My lovely friends, Jacier and Tiffani
Tif and Creasy (they go to the same salon)

Friday Night at the Original Ninfa's on Navigation

The original Ninfa's Restaurant (c. 1973, old by Houston standards) is in my 'hood, and my dear friends Marc and Cindy took me there for a wonderful meal.




Marc & Cindy outside with the "new and improved" gentrified front that now boasts a bench and mural.




The girls have 'Ritas while waiting for the meal.


Our designated driver




After dinner, Marc got the tour of Lindy Lane.

Fish City Market

I met some dear friends today for lunch at Fish City Market. Fresh fish & great prices. I almost ordered Oyster Nachos (they come with a money back guarantee if you don't love them) but they were fried. Now a nacho with a grilled oyster would really be something. But I ate a huge salad with rare ahi tuna and mango dressing. Delish!




My friend Jim Sanders and I.




Jim and Kay ouside the market after lunch.

"So Long, Suckas"

SAMMY P GRADUATES FROM PONY TO STALLION 7/19/2007


Blog title courtesy of one of our memorable "frequent fliers" from New Orleans, relocated to Houston courtesy of Katrina. As she would leave any treatment area, her farewell (in perfect New Orleans patois), "So long, Suckas!!"

On Sammy's final day at Ben Taub Mental Health Services, he promised to wear all white to celebrate because we all threatened to wear our mourning black. Sam's belt and shoes courtesy of his brother John.

Sammy and his "Mama"

Jacier, Sammy, and Janet. He is so proud of that belt.

Sammy with Mama I and Mama II. Check out the white pukka beads.

Don't leave us Sammy !!!

Sammy receives a certificate from the OT staff (Janet, Sally, Elderine & Sam) to commemorate his new status as stallion.

We love you !!

Sam and Loida in the nursing station. Backpack over his shoulder and a big-ass grin, he is getting ready to go.

At the bus stop about 4:30, we are exhausted, but the stallion is rarin' to geaux!!

SO LONG, SUCKAS !!

Jan Keel's "Grace"

Jan Keels, a New Orleans artist, had some paintings on exhibit at a favorite gallery of mine in Houston, Los Manos Magicas.







One of her larger pieces, Grace, spoke to me. Interwoven in the evocative images of my past (childhood in New Orleans), there were embedded messages I have been receiving from the Universe recently.

It now "Graces" the living room wall of my home. There are Mardi Gras beads, salvaged Katrina detritus, images from Catholic prayer cards of Saints and Goddesses, & surprising underlayers of paint (peace signs form a crown around a Saint's head)...



I wish my photography skills could do it justice.

Grrrrrls Night Out

Sunday night, 6/24, Gordon Lightfoot was playing at Verizon Theater and Karin's husband had acquired some free tickets for us.

The plan was to meet at Cindy's home in the Heights, have a spot of wine and then go to Sake for sushi pre showtime.

Cindy's Brittany Spaniel, Belle is stealing the show.

It was was happy hour and all specialty drinks were half price. I am drinking a Japanese Lemon Drop, Cindy has a Red Dragon, and Karin has something with Midori in it ( lime green)the name of which I can not recall. However, her remark about it is priceless and way more interesting than the name: "This is smoooooooth.................I just had to get used to it".

Karin does a taste test

We ended up having a second drink, and it was called a Hiroshima. Absolut, Tabasco and a Wasabi stuffed olive. Cindy took her first sip and exclaimed, "Holy S****, that's hotter than a rat's ass in Juarez!"

What would I do without my dear friends to make me laugh.

Karin and Sally cutting up...

Cindy said something about showing our boobs, and as Karin is more well endowed than I am, I really had to strike a pose.



White chicks just look so stupid trying to flash gangsta signs.

Intermission of the show, the bar has exactly 2 patrons other than us, and the lines for the bathrooms were at least 50 deep. Kinda says something about the median age of the audience.

The Red Carpet Extravagana

It's official: Drs. Mike Barber and Catherine Romero are getting married!! Their engagement was commemorated last night at the Red Carpet Extravaganza.

Smooch !!

Mike always has something up his sleeve....

The Happy Groom-to-Be

Catherine and her mother, Anne

The Ben Taub Bunch

Malcomb, Janet and Karen

The Handsome Hayes Couple

Sonja and Richard

OT IS IN DA HOUSE

MIKE AND CATHERINE PREPARE FOR THE TOAST

Mike: "We have to do WHAT, Catherine?"

Catherine: "Trust me, this will be painless"

The Groom To Be Caught in the headlights!

And uncharacteristically shy...

As The Night Wore On Things Got Ugly...

OTs can't hold their liquor

Sal on the front steps of her house:

"I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille"


I got lucky with the escort service, they sent me a very handsome date.

End of May Garden Shots

Every day I discover new blooms.


The varigated ginger plant that accents the front yard has never bloomed before.






A Tibetian Deer nestled in Creeping Juniper in the back yard




The requisite "Louisiana Yard Dog"....

In our climate and zone, the first blooms in my spring garden are the lovely pink buds gracing the barren branches of winter on the Japanese Magnolia I planted right outside my kitchen window. They last about 3 weeks. I was astonished to spot this bloom on the magnolia this evening, right before sunset. This is highly unusual for the end of May...

A trellis off the guest bedroom downstairs is beginning to color.

This bromeliad is at least 15 years old. It came from the greenhouse of T.I.R.R. (Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research) that is patient operated and driven.

My first agapantus bud. I have clumps of this all over the front yard. The flowers are a spectacular ball of fragrant blue/violet blooms.

Restoration of the Sanctuary / Diz and Sal's Excellent Adventure

I installed a wireless modem with moderate frustration and difficulty; this is no small feat for a mid-lifer with self-taught computer skills...As a result, I am working on this blog in repose, enjoying the birds and the fountain from the hammock.

I can once again log on to CSU and do homework from my sanctuary. Tres cool!!

These are buds and blooms in the yard I photographed this morning. They affirm and mirror my current state of mind.

Dizzy was antsy for a walk, so we roamed the 'hood...

Two shots of the bayou at the foot of Lindy Lane. A friend with a GPS device told me my house was 67' above sea level.

This is a shot of the park that abuts the bayou.

The plumbago is blooming !

It is unusual for Dizzy to be the one to initiate heading home, but today I wore him out.

NAMI Part II

My co-workers were looking at the NAMI blog/pictures, and Rick was not happy.


He wanted to know where were all the pictures of him. Once again proving what we always say in the office, "It is TRULY all about Rick". Or as Dr. B says, "Here's Rick, here's the world", indicating with his hand gestures that the world does indeed revolve around Rick.



The Ben Taub Super Ego at Brothers w/ Pony, uh I mean donkey.



Rick in the first 1/4 mile with Janet.




Why are there no walkers or runners behind Rick?

Well, he dropped back about 1/3 of the way through, ostensibly to pee, and was not seen again until Janet and I made the loop and were on the return leg of the walk here at the Montrose Blvd. underpass. Note the "sweat", no doubt splashed on the front of his shirt at the dandelion fountain along Allen Parkway for effect. We didn't even ask who he was talking to on the phone, but it was probably Fiesta Taxi Company.

So Rick this is your shining moment.

Breeze

Sunday, my friend Kay and I went out to eat, the opera, and then back to her house for girl talk, oh, and some wine.

She floored me with a festively wrapped gift. As I was opening it, she had a short speech, "This is a gift for a Goddess...may a new breeze bring wonderful things into your life and surround you in music". The gift was a lovely windchime with a green crystal and a shamrock (Kay is Irish). I had 4 windchimes in the backyard that (until 3 months ago) were always being silenced by bungee cords. Bring on the breeze, the wonderful things, and the music.

NAMI Walk

In preparation for the grueling NAMI walk, we decided carb loading was appropriate. Brother's Taco House, in my 'hood makes the best egg taco a la mexicana in town.





A truck parked at Brother's.


Getting psyched for the walk I wish this wasn't so blurry, My friend Janet has the best smile in the world!!!

Holy crap, I'm over 8 feet tall!!

One of our doctors....

Best name for a team. This was the V.A. psych group.

Immediately after I took this picture, Rick dropped our t-shirts in the fountain

Along Allen Parkway. Downtown skyline in the background....

Janet, Deana, and Sally savoring the thrill of victory.

And the agony of de-feet.

Horsing Around and Et Cetera

Males and the game of H.O.R.S.E.

Rick, my role model for effective time management.

Kevin ( pysch. tech), Rick, and Sammy collaborating on "Interdisciplinary Treatment Planning"

This is what happens when you cheat; Rick's strategy for prevailing in anything and everything is run like hell.

Victor threatened to affiate an E.D.O. for everyone involved (photographer excepted).

Sammy at 7 a.m. Thursday morning after being at an Astros game until the bitter end the night before. No ETOH involved, of course.

Rick and David Funtanilla. David, ever the good OT, has been very observant in my recent choice of jewelry.

Here's the et cetera....plumbago buds are opening. These cloudy days are not ideal for photographic color saturation, but in ~2 weeks when the bushes are in full bloom and the monarch butterflies visit me, I hope to have some nice shots to post

Trip To New Orleans

In March, I decided to take an extended weekend and drive to New Orleans for a long overdue restorative visit with family: Aunt Chookie (90 years young and going strong) and my cousin Pam, who was always like my big sister.

Our family dynamic is unusual in that we lived next door to one another. Pam and I had all of the benefits afforded by geography yet none of the rivalry/strife inherent in an immediate "under the same roof" sibling dynamic. Chook has been the significant maternal influence in my life. She was always there with positive affirming guidance, attention, and love as I was growing up.


Here are the pictorial highlights of the trip:

Well, one of these days I will master Adobe Photo and blogger.com. Until then turn your head 45 degrees to view Aunt Chookie's Voodoo Doll. She is lifting his "loincloth" to reveal her
latest incantations strategically positioned. So in addition to guidance, you can see she also shaped my warped sense of humor.

For my upcoming birthday, we went to a restaurant (near Hammond) on the Tcheunfte (Cha-funk-tah) River to indulge on seafood, shopping, and general fooling around....

"La croupier" settles the bill at Morton's for Sal's birthday lunch

Pam, La Chook, and Sal in front of Morton's after a delightful celebration

Sal on the Tchefuncte river.

No pictures of subsequent shopping. Wide angle lens not available to capture the amount of crap we bought on the Northshore and toted back to New Orleans.

Gardens

It was an exceptionally beautiful Sunday. The carillion bells at Villa De Mateo woke me about 6 and I watched the sun rise from the upstairs window. As it was getting light, the birds arrived to remind me their feeders are low. They empty three large canisters in a day.


I enjoyed a leisurely morning reading the paper in the hammock and listening to the wind chimes and the fountain. After that late killing freeze we had, I had to cut so much back. It is just starting to bud and bloom. Come August, the yard will be back to the full tropical jungle that I love.

This is the staghorn fern I got from "Jerry's Jungle" north of Houston last Saturday. I looked at a few websites, mostly from Florida for instructions and advice on attaching them to a tree and put it on the cedar tree in the backyard. It was fairly straightforward once I determined a position I was pleased with.






I dug in the hostas that were in pots a few weekends ago. They are the small dark leafy plant with white edging in the foreground planted around the base of the oak. They will grow into nice glossy mounds and will fill in completely by summer.

How to decorate a telephone pole. I got the tin yard art in Wimberly Texas because it reminded me of the 3 Harris girls. The vine is Sweet Pea. In a few months, it will be covered with pink blooms.
The gardener's assistant hopping over hostas.




Front Yard

Pansies that are still braving the heat.
The light green low bushes in the foreground of the 2 pictures above are Plumbago. They are real butterfly magnets. I have been checking them daily for signs of flower buds.Look what I found today! Buds! This was the inspiration to fetch my camera and take some pictures.

Well, I can't get this picture rotated, so rotate your head 45 degrees. This is a Bird of Paradise in the front that produced 6 huge white and cobalt blue "birds" for me this year. This is the last remaining flower.

My Humble Office

This is my little space. I am in the corner of the day area, so it's not what you'd call a quiet retreat. I have some speakers from home hooked up to my computer and my iPod can help muffle the noise of "milieu therapy" on the other side of my door. This was an interview room with profanity scrawled on the wall, no climate control, no drops for phone, computer, etc. It took me about 6 months to rehabilitate it for occupancy. The coveted window does not come without a price - it leaks with the slightest shower and the County has no intention of fixing it, but plants thrive here and so do I.

My view is of Texas Women's University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Methodist, and the back dock where the constables bring our involuntary clients from the EC.

OT Luncheon 4/26/07

OT MONTH CELEBRATION


April is "OT Month" and today our dear PT counterparts threw us a luncheon at QM Hospital. This year's theme, "Working with OT is a Picnic". As tradition dictates, they have arranged activities that involve clinical equipment and modalities utilized in a novel manner to challenge and humiliate us.

















The OTs From Ben Taub Mental Health Services Prepare For Disgrace
Standing, Left to Right: Elderine, Janet, Sally, Rick, Sammy




No photos available of actual activities. It is not nice to document the exploitation of your co-workers with images on the 'Net. Suffice it to say, Rick and Sammy won all events; Rick by chicanery and Sammy by virtue of youth and superior fitness. Damn them both!!


Hey, the best parts of any event are the fellowship and the food:

















Sally, Elderine and Tiffani at the picnic table waiting for Rick and Janet








So I had the chance to order Frenchy's Creole Fried Chicken, any Southern girl's weakness and birthright. And what did I do? Fool that I am, I opted for a Subway salad that turned out to be slimy and bland. So I had no choice but to swipe some of Rick's french fries. Yes, he is smiling, but what you don't see is that he is kicking me under the table.









Ping, Director of Rehab Services for HCHD, stops by to check up on Theodora and Sammy





The ever reclusive Laurie (spill-it-all-girlfriend) B. drags Sal into her office for another girl-to-girl chat.

Wanted !

>There is a dangerous man in our midst: Cowlick Barber, aka Blackjack Cracker, Judge Roy Beaner, MB/BM, Dewayne Mullette.

For the safety of staff and students, flyers have been posted with his m.o. and physical description.

His most egregious crimes: corruption of a Novice, stealing lobster traps, and impersonating a doctor.

Physical description: green velvet jacket, purple shoes, ponytail (w/ or w/o extensions)or a 70's mullet.

Be very careful, this individual can be dangerous.


If you know the whereabouts of this person, please contact Sally or Rick for further instructions

New Policy For BCM Psych Team B Rounds

A new policy instituted by Baylor College of Medicine has been implemented effective immediately, Friday March 7, 2008.
There is a now a height requirement for all attendees of Team B Rounds. Until HCHD Constables can spare the manpower to keep the small ones from ingress, there is a measuring device outside Team B's door. Sammy P passes the test... Sally H passes the test... Who can no longer attend Team B rounds? The short one.