Monthly Archives: August 2009

(Community Matters) Impromptu swim/dinner party last night. Seemed like the time to grill and invite over other kids for my niece and nephew to have fun with.

Eli, lil’ E, Luci, Jessica & Margo

Luci & Jessica – friends since elementary

ok, think I found a new casual dining ritual. After everyone arrived, reps for the entire group simply popped through the magic gate into Wheatsville, selected our fare from the fresh meat department – Moroccon lamb burgers, lime & cilantro chicken burgers, turkey burgers, grass fed steaks and hot dogs for the kids – then threw ’em on the bar-b. Everyone especially happy.

(Community Matters) This morning – Flip Happy Crepes, Daily Juice, Farmers’ Market, Pops So Cool (rats, closed), Tuesday Morning (kids googles), Target (ice cream maker) & Toy Joy (stuff), Wheatsville (repeatedly through the magic gate) + lots of swimming & snake hunting

(Community Matters) Wondering about all those Smart Cars parked along Dean Keeton? here

(Community Matters) Thank gosh my nephew, Eli, inherited athletic prowess from his dad & mom. His younger sister, Paulina, is indisputably pure Mata woman descendant – her paternal grandmother’s line.

skate boarding pics his parents’ friend

Paulina’s pics, her Uncle Steven

(Community Matters) Great news from Minneapolis

Luthern (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americ)– now allows gays & lesbians in a committed relationship to serve as clergy

Episcopal – fully inclusive of gays & lesbians in clergy and as bishops

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – rejected this year by a narrow margin

Methodist – no

Catholic – still officially no – though more a soft don’t ask, don’t tell

(Community Matters) David Hare’s new play opening next month at the National Theatre.

here

A dramatist seeks to understand the financial crisis. Capitalism works when greed and fear are in the correct balance. This time they got out of balance. Too much greed, not enough fear.

(Community Matters) Sara Hickman, Rev. Ann Beaty and I were over-the-top honored tonight by an terrific nonprofit, Care Communities, which forms and supports care teams to help those living with AIDS/HIV and cancer. Enjoyed seeing everyone and the outpouring of support. A very special evening.

Healther McKissick posted this pic on Facebook

(Community Matters) Texas Monthly named their cheeseburger with green chiles on a jalapeno-cheese bun the #3 best burger in Texas.

#3 best burger in the state

Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg. It’s a bit off the beaten path. I’d nearly left Fredericksburg (I’d already purchased a dark chocolate macaroon from Rather Sweets) when I decided I couldn’t drive through without testing the #3 burger in the state according to Texas Monthly. And, I’ll admit up front, I cheated a wee bit, I added avacado. How was it? glorious – I haven’t juried all the burger places yet, but it doesn’t surprise me it was named #3. My waitress told me business has doubled since the article. I was thinking this morning, I might even be able to convince Kip Keller, Michael Barnes & Steven to drive out there. They need to try it, and I want another fix. Of course, if we do, shouldn’t we simultaneously try #40 at Classic Burgers and Moore in Kerrville?

Last week, Michael, Robert & I returned to Goode Company Hamburgers and Taqueria in Houston (#45). Earlier in the week, I had #44 @ Port Aransas Brewing Company. I’d identified Hico’s Koffee Kup Jalepeno & cream cheese burger (#41) as a star early this summer. And, I sorta grew up on the Chicken Oil Company’s snuffy burgers (#22) while attending Texas A&M.

(Community Matters) Wow – ck out demo starting at about 7 mins

(Community Matters) A friend just returned from Israel and sent the note below. It’s biased, it speaks mostly from the Palestinian perspective – an important perspective but just one-half:

“In Galilee, it’s clear that the politics of water is top of the list. The lake (sea of Galilee) is low and getting lower, Israel occupies the Golan Heights because that’s where the sources of water are for the Jordan River, which in some places is a trickle and the levels of the Dead Sea are dropping dramatically as well. All around there are irrigated fields of fruit trees and bananas, much of it exported. and the arab villages are dry and getting dryer. In Jerusalem, there seems to be a truce of sorts–everyone practicing their religions on top of and right next to each other. Some coexistence, fragile as it is. The West Bank is a disaster, with human beings caged in behind fences and illegal Israeli settlements cropping up and growing. Private roads for Israelis and humiliating checkpoints for Arab Christians and Muslims. in Ramallah, where I had lunch with a Palestinian friend and two of my traveling companions, vibrancy and life. and joy.”

“The reality of Israel and Palestine may be the reality for us all: shortages of water and food, permanent underclasses of people separated from the wealthy and powerful by fences and walls built in the name of security but used for humiliation and intimidation, and ethnic and religious intolerance that gets us all blown to hell. And yet, it’s also the land of the prophets, apostles and martyrs (Jewish, Muslim and Christian) who have always yearned for and prayed for the peace of Jerusalem. And many, many people–Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim, Christian–all fed up with peace talks that go nowhere. Grassroots resentment on all sides toward political leaders and great hope for the new American president.”

(Community Matters) A possible Supreme Court review of California’s Prop 8.

These opinions, very interesting.

This article on conservative Ted Olson’s handling of the appeal.

(Community Matters) Super day exploring the Davis Mountains area while listening to an Al Green anthology.

Hwy from Marfa to Ft. Davis

Balmorhea State Park

Built by the Civil Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Balmorhea State Park was built around San Soloman Springs, which sits at the foot of the Davis Mountains. They say the water stays 72F – 76F. Was perfect for my quick dip. [the spring discharges between 22 and 28 million gallons of water each day – the main Barton Spring (Parthenia), approximately 31 million- the other three apprx 3 million when not dry]

view from site of Otto Struve Telescope @ McDonald Observatory

I didn’t realize the McDonald Observatory (@ 6,800 ft) was also built in the 1930’s, after an $800k donation from Wm McDonald, a banker from Paris (TX).

the Hobby-Eberly Telescope from far

the Hobby-Eberly Telescope from closer

the Hobby-Eberly Telescope from closest

Ron Cox

Passing the Working Brooms shop in Alpine, just had to stop in. Met Ron who sold me a handmade broom especially for reaching cobwebs.

big guy with big truck
member, Texas Big Game Hunters

along Skyline Road in Davis Mountains State Park

I so loved driving, big skies and long horizons. Listening to Al Green, especially to How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, I was transported to my teens in Houston. We attended quincineras growing up, probably from 12 to 16. Hanging with my cousins, meeting girls, dancing, living a very rich life. Didn’t really occur to us we weren’t financially rich since we were so wealthy in family, friends and experience.

Was reminded I need unobstructed views of the horizon and listening to good music now and then to remember, to connect dots in my head. Also reminds me I do much better brainstorming and creating when I stand and pace.