Texas Pioneers

looking down the well

Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States,  was proud to be from Texas.  Johnson City in central Texas was his ancestral home. This small homestead belonged to his family. His paternal grandparents lived there for a time in the pioneer cabin. Before there were fences across the territory,  cattle drives were a way of getting the range raised cattle to market or trains. This was a site for gathering the cattle into large herds for the drive.

Fun Buses

Just a few fun buses or rv's that I have spotted on the road in recent days.  Does Albus Purgamentum mean "white trash"?

A Texas Distillery

On another Texas day trip we decided to taste some Texas whiskey. We had passed the sign on the highway often and felt it was time to investigate. It turned into a pleasant and informative outing.  We learned how the mash is made and got to taste it, sampled the pure alcohol that comes from the distilling and then the final product. All of this in the beautiful setting of the hill country.

Canyon walk to Hamilton Pool and Pedernales River

On a beautiful mild winter day we enjoyed a hike along Hamilton Creek and out to the Pedernales River in central Texas.  Along rocky canyon paths that are shaded with foliage and bordered with ferns in summer, but brighter and more open in winter, we enjoyed a slightly challenging outing. Over rocks and roots, up and down slopes, the views were worth the effort. A canyon wren's spiraling song echoed off the rock walls.

 Hamilton Pool was once the hippy secret place where free spirits swam in a green Eden during the 60's and 70's. It is still a favorite destination for those who love old swimming holes, but is regulated to preserve it's pristine nature.

A hike in the opposite direction brought us to the Pedernales River which has a limestone rock bottom with crystal clear water.  Severe drought has diminished the pool and river, but recent rains have brought them up a bit. In the past the pool had been filled by cascading waterfalls.

Cold Morning

Brrr! Frost covering everything, and the hummingbird feeder turned into a frozen slushee. The rusty hummer fluffed up his down underwear and made it through.
I was trying a new gift camera for the bird photo, but I don't seem to have mastered it yet.

Catfish dinner

After weeks of turkey, dressing, pies, cakes and leftovers, we decided to have a change of pace and headed to Manchac for fried catfish. Fried foods are something I don't tolerate well, but there aren't many restaurant choices that don't feature fried foods in my region.

Middendorf's is on a pass that connects Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. For many years the catfish served came from the local waters, but I am sure that is not the case now. The restaurant was flooded during Katrina, but has recovered nicely. My son and his wife joined us, and we enjoyed the afternoon at the waterfront.

King Cake

Last evening, January 6, King's Day, we enjoyed the first King Cake of the season. In the Gulf south, we often take down the Christmas tree on this date, have the cake, and celebrate the beginning of the carnival season or Mardi Gras. King Cake parties are given, the little plastic baby is hidden in the cake, and whoever "gets the baby" must host the next party or treat to the next cake. It is popular in offices, etc. throughout the region. All of this will culminate on Good Friday with the start of Lent. King Cakes were originally very simply made of twisted dough with colored sugar sprinkled on top, but have now grown into gourmet delights stuffed with cream cheeses and fruit fillings. Last evening ours was filled with apple.

Muffuletta

On a recent trip to the French Quarter in New Orleans we indulged ourselves in a guilty pleasure...a muffuletta! Tons of cheese and meat on crusty, chewy bread and saturated with olive oil and olive salad----the olive oil must make it healthful....no?
The store still smells great. It used to be even better when there were barrels of salty cod stashed in the aisles.

winter

Poinsettias that brighten the window sill, Christmas roses, the first narcissus, holly berries dripping from the bush, and a waxy mushroom.....all add interest and color to the winter landscape.

winter hummer

winter hummer, a photo by andromeda2006 on Flickr.

It's been quite a while since a hummingbird has shown up here in winter. It appears to be either a rufous or allen's hummingbird.

There are still blooms in the garden which is heavily planted in hummingbird favorites. However, the weather is turning much colder and last evening I had to cover some of the flowers in an effort to save them for the bird. Of course, winter will eventually catch up with me and the rusty hummer will only have the feeder if he decides to linger.