Austin City Limits

Well, I am really in a small place southwest of Austin, and really San Antonio. I am at a writers retreat in the hill country. In BBQ and Tex-Mex heaven. Friend heaven too. I am also very inspired by what my classes and piers are teaching me. I was also asked to do a short talk about ezines and how reading and publishing on the internet has evolved. Big pants, and I hope to fill them some how.

Discovery is going on every minute. One is the fact that the food here isn't tasting as good as I remember it, and possibly I can live with out it. Eating here at the lodge site has me realizing being on a forced diet would benefit me. I brought a few treats, and am glad I did, because some of the food (sweets) are not to my liking. I am a picky sweet eater.  After speaking with the head kitchen guy, because he offered for us to speak up, I am checking before hand about gluten free. Gluten is all over this place. I won't starve.

My concern is because it is raining heavy and you cannot walk on the limestone wet here. I am glad it is raining because it was a hot, okay damn hot drive from Dallas to Austin area in my son's truck (daddy's truck he left me). It broke down the first day I picked it up (after being left with a mechanic for a check up). I had everything fixed and then the AC went out. I view it as a way to sweat off a few pounds. We will be sitting most of the day, although I am upstairs in my (am happy about this) no roommate quarters. Yay! A room all to myself when originally I signed on as a bunk buddy.

I have never done a retreat. Always wanted to, and recommend it. I have no problem meeting strangers, men or women, and I picked the perfect maiden retreat.

This canyon is a wonder. Just wait till I upload the photos from my phone. Oh and it is a new phone. I laundered the other smart phone a few days ago. Smart phone. Dumb user.

Hope all is well with y'all. Peace and hugs to each and every person...

See Ya'll In Texas

Me in the sixth grade. I was stylin!

I've been so busy with work and such, no time to write or even food blog. So just a quick hello and I'm in Texas before you know it. Will write more as I settle into family and friends...

Some of my work from 'Avocado Green Kitchen With A Gold Accented Childhood' 2, 4, and 8 were published, so go on over and read it! You'll see my name under 'Poetry' link...

Peace and have a great weekend!

Garden Party

One of my friends up north surprised me once with a garden party, and I performed some of my work. Jamie has offered to host another one in October when I return from Texas. Her studio which you see here in the photo is absolutely gorgeous, as her back spacious lawn. Over to the left is plenty of space for chairs. Behind us, if we took the photo is her home and another patio with large table and chairs to place food.

Par-taaaay! @ Studio 2Zer0 Argyle Place...

I have posted and already filled the twelve spots for poets and three musicians. She is so excited, and we have quite the audience responded. This will become a spring and fall event.

I'm tired today. My son and I did my usual fall (spring too) cleaning. We reorganized the catering room, which was an undertaking. Things don't always make it back into their place, and I hate falling boxes and containers. It is done now, and time for a glass of wine.

Peace all, and hope your weekend is a good one!

For You

Farmlady and Thursday Poem Share (poems taken down after a week)...

True Crickets Cry For The End Of Summer

Darn the noisy bugs
out across the wild field
finding their way into the mind
into the corners of many rooms
each of us occupy

now and then mothers gift brass boxes
covered with squares and floral holes
too small for round bodies
to squeeze and wriggle out
filled with pieces of grass and twig

a bad imitation of a world outside
“are you awake” they chirp
to the end of the woods
over big cat owl and frog
woodpecker answers with series of knock

fallen limbs silently decay in their grasp
fall has peeked over a brick wall
noses begin sensing frolic a muck
once in a blue moon chances
for tide ballets and movement

toward other pond shores
scenes of cheese ripening in cellars
grapes on the vine begin bursting with flavor
persistence of the bloom clinging to sunlight
streaming through heavy green canopy

desert plants find rest in the shorter day
winter coats begin to breath
while insects have nuzzled in warmth
few find their way so sound
as a closet left unattended

humorously under broom bristles spiders wait
late summer rutting season begins
vivacious hunger songs glide off antenna and leaf
“answer females” your males are disturbing
precious human sleep!

(above picture is CD label) Cast Iron Tempo: Southern Poetry, Prose, and Song is available for sale. $8 plus shipping and handling! Music by local friend musicians/songwriters/poets has been set to 12 of my poems.

I have sold ten copies so far. Need to get out to more open mics and read before I leave for Texas this month.

Have a beautiful end of the week and weekend everyone!

Issac Hits New Jersey

Say goodbye to summer; it's sailing away from us-- again.

Promises of color and cool days ahead. The spiders only got bigger because of the lack of winter last year. Let's hope the bugs are in check, I can't take another itchy bite, or having to knock down a web off the patio door.

How has your summer been? Do them bugs find you tasty too?

Lots going on the home front for me- Work. Cooking up new recipes. Writing, and family fun.

New pieces accepted in magazines, and a check for 'A Summer's Kiss' poem. That was a surprise.

Live life and laugh a lot. Not much else to do. Oh, Love all you can. I am.