Today is Sunday, so it seems appropriate to post this poem written by Kathrin Gann on August 21, 1989.
True Church
Arches of oak boughs, mimosa and elm,
On cultured plots or wilder places
Briefer colors than stained glass,
Hymns in the whisper and sigh of wind in the branches
Solos by jubilant mocker and cardinal,
Incense of honeysuckle and magnolia for thanksgiving,
These are the true temple for worship.
Noises of denominations
Are mere disturbances of air,
Futile wastes of energy needed
For the practice of belief.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Saturday, February 11, 2006
February 11, 2006 - Whole Foods and The Herb Bar
This morning, Lonnie and I spent a couple of hours walking in the 'new' Whole Foods store near downtown. This is the ultimate luxury food store. Almost all the vegetables are organic, there are more types of seafood available than you can imagine, and the freshly cooked food kiosks are overwhelming. You can wander around for hours and not see the whole store. Imported foods are the norm rather than the exception. I do wish they would do more samples around the store.
After that, we made a quick dash through the Farmer's Market on 4th and Guadalupe. It was MUCH too cold to be out for more than mere moments, but we were hoping for goat cheese. Unfortunately, the goat cheese folks weren't there, so we settled (HA!) for El Salvadoran tamales and fresh beets.
I had to call my friend, Sebastian, for directions to The Herb Bar on Mary St at First Street. This is because I forgot that there are two First Streets in Austin, and I was looking on the wrong one. After getting landmarks to look for from Sebastian (who is in Missouri), we found the vine covered cottage that is The Herb Bar. What a wonderful place! It's full of herbs, tinctures, aromatherapy supplies, crystals, art, books, tea, and serenity. Thank you Sebastian, for introducing us to another of Austin's unique shopping experiences!
Then on to Randalls for the normal grocery shopping. We have just about given up on H.E.B. because the one near Mom's house is not being kept clean, and there are often hookers shopping. Seriously. It's rather disconcerting. I'm sure they are nice ladies, but not exactly the company I'm looking for in the grocery aisles. Randall's is always clean, the people are VERY nice, and we can get fresh seafood and nice veggies there, too.
After that, we made a quick dash through the Farmer's Market on 4th and Guadalupe. It was MUCH too cold to be out for more than mere moments, but we were hoping for goat cheese. Unfortunately, the goat cheese folks weren't there, so we settled (HA!) for El Salvadoran tamales and fresh beets.
I had to call my friend, Sebastian, for directions to The Herb Bar on Mary St at First Street. This is because I forgot that there are two First Streets in Austin, and I was looking on the wrong one. After getting landmarks to look for from Sebastian (who is in Missouri), we found the vine covered cottage that is The Herb Bar. What a wonderful place! It's full of herbs, tinctures, aromatherapy supplies, crystals, art, books, tea, and serenity. Thank you Sebastian, for introducing us to another of Austin's unique shopping experiences!
Then on to Randalls for the normal grocery shopping. We have just about given up on H.E.B. because the one near Mom's house is not being kept clean, and there are often hookers shopping. Seriously. It's rather disconcerting. I'm sure they are nice ladies, but not exactly the company I'm looking for in the grocery aisles. Randall's is always clean, the people are VERY nice, and we can get fresh seafood and nice veggies there, too.
Friday, February 10, 2006
February 10, 2006 - Estimates
Today was the day for contractors coming by to look at the Vine Street house and prepare estimates for the work we are having done.
The AC guy had been by earlier in the week, but he sent the electrician and plumber to bid their parts. The electrician was a friendly gentleman, and we chatted as he looked over the situation. When he spotted the deer heads on the wall, he commented on how old they were. I said yes, but that I could tell him the story of when and where they were harvested near Fredericksburg. Turned out that one of his co-workers is a descendant of the owners of the ranch where the deer came from. While he was talking to his friend on the phone, I offered to let them have the racks back, and he was very eager to have them for their hunting cabin. So, after 55 years, the deer are going home.
Then came the stone mason who is going to extend the front porch, put in a curved sidewalk, build a wall in the back yard that will create a terrace, and put in a paver patio. He's a tall, red haired, tobacco chewing country boy from the Buda area where my dad grew up. We looked over the drawings, stomped around in the rain, measured, discussed, and agreed on a plan of action. He hopes to begin work in two or three weeks. He said that Daddy selected a very fine grade of Oklahoma stone for the rock on the front of the house, and that finding some to match at a reasonable price will take him a bit of effort. The face of the wall in the back yard and the face of the new front porch extension will match the Oklahoma stone. It's going to be fantastic. I do need to find someone to build the arbor that will shade the front porch and keep the living room cooler in the summers.
In the afternoon the plumber came who will be making the changes in the gas lines to comply with city code and to provide gas for the new central heating system. Code requires that the bathroom wall heaters be disconnected, but I have requested that they be left in place for aesthetic reasons. I simply like them! The big wall heater in the den will, however, be disconnected and removed, and we are considering building a set of shelves there.
This was a day of sorting and packing. I can't tell you how many boxes of junk we have unearthed in the closets, sorted through, and disposed of. Mom had a love of paper, and whether newspapers, magazines, recipes, or coupons, she kept it. In amongst the debris are a few gems. I have found my grandfather's letters home to his mother at the start of WW I, and an envelope of pictures of my grandfather as a child and young man. What a blessing that the gene for his ears did NOT pass down. His ears stand out from his head like sails in the wind. Sorry, Poppy, but truth is truth.
The AC guy had been by earlier in the week, but he sent the electrician and plumber to bid their parts. The electrician was a friendly gentleman, and we chatted as he looked over the situation. When he spotted the deer heads on the wall, he commented on how old they were. I said yes, but that I could tell him the story of when and where they were harvested near Fredericksburg. Turned out that one of his co-workers is a descendant of the owners of the ranch where the deer came from. While he was talking to his friend on the phone, I offered to let them have the racks back, and he was very eager to have them for their hunting cabin. So, after 55 years, the deer are going home.
Then came the stone mason who is going to extend the front porch, put in a curved sidewalk, build a wall in the back yard that will create a terrace, and put in a paver patio. He's a tall, red haired, tobacco chewing country boy from the Buda area where my dad grew up. We looked over the drawings, stomped around in the rain, measured, discussed, and agreed on a plan of action. He hopes to begin work in two or three weeks. He said that Daddy selected a very fine grade of Oklahoma stone for the rock on the front of the house, and that finding some to match at a reasonable price will take him a bit of effort. The face of the wall in the back yard and the face of the new front porch extension will match the Oklahoma stone. It's going to be fantastic. I do need to find someone to build the arbor that will shade the front porch and keep the living room cooler in the summers.
In the afternoon the plumber came who will be making the changes in the gas lines to comply with city code and to provide gas for the new central heating system. Code requires that the bathroom wall heaters be disconnected, but I have requested that they be left in place for aesthetic reasons. I simply like them! The big wall heater in the den will, however, be disconnected and removed, and we are considering building a set of shelves there.
This was a day of sorting and packing. I can't tell you how many boxes of junk we have unearthed in the closets, sorted through, and disposed of. Mom had a love of paper, and whether newspapers, magazines, recipes, or coupons, she kept it. In amongst the debris are a few gems. I have found my grandfather's letters home to his mother at the start of WW I, and an envelope of pictures of my grandfather as a child and young man. What a blessing that the gene for his ears did NOT pass down. His ears stand out from his head like sails in the wind. Sorry, Poppy, but truth is truth.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
February 09, 2006 - After a pause, I'm blogging
I started this blog long ago, in another lifetime, it seems... before Mom passed away. I'll fill in some of the missing events as I go, so if you see new posts that seem dated in the past, that's why.
I'm back in Austin, cleaning Mom's house for the last time. It's been almost a year since she passed, and it is time to get everything out so that the house can be rented. Hopefully, my friend Terese is moving in next month.
My intention is to post thoughts about the experience of 'deconstructing' Mom's life as we sort her possessions and decide what to keep, what to discard, and what to distribute to family and friends. It is not an easy job, even with the passage of time. Almost every day something comes to light that triggers memories or sheds light into events of the past of which I was unaware.
Today a box of pictures that I had never seen was discovered in the top of the closet of the smaller bedroom. Many of them predate even my sister's birth. There are pictures of my grandparents when their hair wasn't grey, pictures of Mom and Daddy fishing and deer hunting, and lots of pictures of Kathy as a young child. It is especially touching to see her with our dad; his love for her shines through the years, even in black and white photos.
I'm back in Austin, cleaning Mom's house for the last time. It's been almost a year since she passed, and it is time to get everything out so that the house can be rented. Hopefully, my friend Terese is moving in next month.
My intention is to post thoughts about the experience of 'deconstructing' Mom's life as we sort her possessions and decide what to keep, what to discard, and what to distribute to family and friends. It is not an easy job, even with the passage of time. Almost every day something comes to light that triggers memories or sheds light into events of the past of which I was unaware.
Today a box of pictures that I had never seen was discovered in the top of the closet of the smaller bedroom. Many of them predate even my sister's birth. There are pictures of my grandparents when their hair wasn't grey, pictures of Mom and Daddy fishing and deer hunting, and lots of pictures of Kathy as a young child. It is especially touching to see her with our dad; his love for her shines through the years, even in black and white photos.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thanksgiving Day 2005
Dan and I drove up from Ganado to Austin yesterday. The trip went suprisingly well, considering the impending holiday. No wacky drivers on the highway, pulling out in front of oncoming traffic.
The same can't be said for Austin drivers. At the Y intersection of North Lamar and Airport, I was the first in line at the stop light. It turned green for me, and I just waited, which is the only safe driving technique in Austin. Seven cars went through, several of them after the other light had OBVIOUSLY been red for a significant amount of time. Driving in Austin requires defensive strategy.
Got up this morning and started the cornbread for the dressing. I'm making a double batch because we are going to MaryAlice's mom's for the big event, and there will be ten people there. Everybody is bringing something to reduce the pressure on any one family. We are providing the dressing and the sweet potatoes, both based on Chef Paul Prudhomme's recipes.
The weather is unseasonably warm. Today's forecast is mid-80's. It's nice for walking and doing things in the yard, but we sure need rain.
The same can't be said for Austin drivers. At the Y intersection of North Lamar and Airport, I was the first in line at the stop light. It turned green for me, and I just waited, which is the only safe driving technique in Austin. Seven cars went through, several of them after the other light had OBVIOUSLY been red for a significant amount of time. Driving in Austin requires defensive strategy.
Got up this morning and started the cornbread for the dressing. I'm making a double batch because we are going to MaryAlice's mom's for the big event, and there will be ten people there. Everybody is bringing something to reduce the pressure on any one family. We are providing the dressing and the sweet potatoes, both based on Chef Paul Prudhomme's recipes.
The weather is unseasonably warm. Today's forecast is mid-80's. It's nice for walking and doing things in the yard, but we sure need rain.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Grazing Austin - A Culinary Journey
January 25, 2004
Today after lunch ..... ( I never finished this blog post on that day.)
Added on November 24, 2005
Much happened in the months since I signed up for this blog space. Mom didn't recover from her stroke as I had hoped she would. She passed on February 24, 2005.
I thought I would be able to get her house cleaned out and ready to rent in a year. Very very much wishful thinking. Maybe another year or so.
Anyway, in reference to the title of this blog page, my favorite places to eat in Austin include:
1. Mongolian Barbecue - choose your own fresh ingredients and watch as they are stir fried on a HUGE domed grill.
2. Elsi's - combination of Mexican and El Salvadoran quisine within walking distance of the Vine Street house.
3. Any of the gelato places - it's my favorite afternoon snack
Today after lunch ..... ( I never finished this blog post on that day.)
Added on November 24, 2005
Much happened in the months since I signed up for this blog space. Mom didn't recover from her stroke as I had hoped she would. She passed on February 24, 2005.
I thought I would be able to get her house cleaned out and ready to rent in a year. Very very much wishful thinking. Maybe another year or so.
Anyway, in reference to the title of this blog page, my favorite places to eat in Austin include:
1. Mongolian Barbecue - choose your own fresh ingredients and watch as they are stir fried on a HUGE domed grill.
2. Elsi's - combination of Mexican and El Salvadoran quisine within walking distance of the Vine Street house.
3. Any of the gelato places - it's my favorite afternoon snack
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