still storming

Thought it would be gone by now
Safe here, but winds are rattling the house
Only category 1

storm today at rebuilt lighthouse

a bit of panic

Since Katrina people get a bit panicky when the word hurricane is mentioned------

There were no more batteries at the stores, most stations were drained of gas, and canned meats had been cleaned from the shelves when we shopped today.

After Katrina it was almost impossible to get supplies, and many are still traumatized by the memories.
I must confess to some of those feelings myself.

But this storm is not a Katrina, and I think we will be ok.

storm warnings

This was the iconic lighthouse that stood at the entrance to the New Basin Canal on the New Orleans lakefront. Katrina destroyed it after about 170 years of service. It took 7 years to rebuild it. Not a big job, but resources were thin after Katrina, and it had to be done right. Last week it arose again from the rubble, and everyone rejoiced--a symbol of recovery.

Today we are watching another storm. So far it's not as strong as Katrina, but a surprise since it was not expected to come this way. Now we are packing and wondering if we should leave. I don't live near the waterfront or river, but in hills to the north of NOLA--however, after Katrina we were without power for a month--that meant no water, too.  The temps after the storm were near 100 F for many weeks. I don't really think I can go through that again.
So we are watching anxiously and trying to decide what to do.

Tropical Storm Isaac : 5 Day Forecast Map | Weather Underground

Tropical Storm Isaac : 5 Day Forecast Map | Weather Underground

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus has reached epidemic proportions in parts of the United States. The virus is carried by mosquitoes, and this year the crop of mosquitoes is huge. The virus can be fatal in older people. In fact, a neighbor of ours has died from it.

In late August bird and butterfly migrations begin, the foliage is changing, and it's time to tidy up the garden. I gaze out the window and feel trapped because I need to be out doing things, but am covered in mosquitoes when I step out.
O, well, maybe the hurricane will blow them away--but that is another story that I hope I won't have to tell.
Stay away, Isaac!
 

coyotes were howling last night

 

It begins with some yipping and yapping in what sounds like some friendly squabbling, and then builds into a crescendo of communication across the hills. It gives me chills to hear them and yet a deep satisfaction knowing that they are there...the wild ones.

These photos were taken on a cold morning a few years ago when this one cooperatively sat behind the house--I think I used them once before.

hummingbird migration

In late summer and early fall the ruby-throated hummingbirds begin their migration south. They have been here all summer in small numbers, but suddenly the feeders are overwhelmed with hordes of them. The sound of them swarming through the garden and around the feeders is amazing. They are a contentious lot, always squabbling and fussing --never happy to let another get a drink no matter how many feeders I put out.
I will miss them when they move on, but perhaps I'll have another  rufous hummingbird this winter.

we the people

do you know what it means....

 

 

 

 

 

 

...to miss New Orleans?

Time to make a trip..listen to some jazz from street musicians, eat some gumbo, walk the broken streets,  sip a Pimm's Cup at Napoleon House while listening to opera, and sit awhile in St. Louis Cathedral.

Should this be in a cardiologist's office?

Super size drinks ......

In a waiting room filled with overweight patients.....many diabetic

Llano River

It has been so intensely hot for the last few weeks that there is little that I can do outdoors. So we take rides through the countryside and enjoy hill country views. One of the features that I love about central Texas are the rock bottom rivers. The water flows clear and bright across cream colored stone and is always so inviting on hot days. The drought continues here and rivers are dropping revealing the stone bottoms scoured of vegetation and bottom soil. If I were younger, it would have been so refreshing to find a little sinkhole with water flowing through and just soak for a few hours.

I have been told this is a popular swimming hole on weekends.

lunch ----Texas style

On one of our hill country drives we decided to try a different bar- b- cue place. I eat only small quantities of meat, and rarely red meat, but my husband really enjoys brisket or ribs. Generally, the meat is displayed this way, and you can choose various cuts. They will slice off small portions of whatever you care to try that day. It is cut and weighed and sometimes eaten from butcher paper on a picnic table. Beans, cole slaw or potato salad can be added to the meal. 

Various rubbing spices, kinds of wood used for the cooking, and sauces added later give distinctive flavors to the bar-b-cue from each place.

We still like the Salt Lick in Driftwood the best!

a fawn comes to the birdbath

 

This thirsty fellow drops by everyday for a drink.

moss man

 

For many years we would all watch for  the moss man whenever we traveled though eastern Texas. He was there on I-10  near the border with Louisiana. The hurricanes, Ike, Katrina, and Rita, blew him away and probably all the moss needed to create him. We were delighted to see that he has returned in good form. 

hatch time

Each August we eagerly await the arrival of the new crop of Hatch chiles. They are roasted in containers like those in the second photo. When roasted the skins come off more easily, and the sugars in the peppers are caramelized. They are  delicious in so many things. There are green chile hamburgers, green chile stew, chile cornbread..even chile brownies.

The Hatch chilies are grown in the region near Hatch, New Mexico. Chile connoisseurs feel all the right growing conditions come together here to make an exceptionally flavored chile. 

a sculpture ranch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The word "ranch" brings to mind cattle, sheep and horses, but this ranch rustles sculpture. On expansive central Texas hillsides, the artist has placed some stunning pieces of work, his own and the creations of others. Though I am not usually a fan of most contemporary art, I enjoyed driving through and wondering about the motivations behind each piece, and found I actually liked many of them. There are dozens of pieces on the many acres of land.

The drive took us up to the hilltop home of the artist, and the views from there were breathtaking.
Looking down I could see the roads which wound around the artwork. I only included a few photos because I have limited net access for uploading.

The indoor gallery is located in a quonset hut which housed former President Johnson's helicopter, and the property itself was the president's deer camp.

All of this may disappear soon since the land is for sale. In a very desired location that is developing fast, I think its time is short.

a burr on the sole

A quick walk across a Texas lawn picked up these burrs. Last evening I stepped out bare footed to turn off a faucet. I won't make that mistake again!

Tuna

Not from the sea....but fruit of the prickly pear cactus. They are sometimes used to make jellies or candy.

Test from iPhone

A neat iron sculpture car we saw near Moab, Utah.