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.