HERE IS WHERE WE ARE MOVING.

It's a small 2 bedrm. 2 bath but I think we will be happy there. Nice neighborhood on a dead end street...so very quiet. No garage, tiny backyard...not so good...but we will adapt.

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX- DINNER & A SHOW.

Had dinner at The Liberty Bistro which is in the basement of  New Braunfels old City Hall...circa 1929. We had a nice little private dining room. Good friends and good fun! Scott, Mike, Janet, Gene and Alisa. Scott & Alisa live in Wimberley and Mike and Janet live in Kyle. Before that we had drinks at McAdoo's Seafood Restaurant which is in an old post office. New Braunfels has lovely old historic buildings. It's like a mini Fredericksburg.

McAdoo's. The inside has many of the post office's original characteristics. It has a pretty courtyard out back.

We said Good Night to our friends (because nobody stays up late anymore..including us) and headed over to the Phoenix Saloon to hear Scott H. Biram...that dirty ol' one man band that we like so much. The Phoenix has alot of history. It was established in 1872 and had beer for 5 cents a mug or 10 cents a schooner. At different times it featured a pen full of deer, an alligator pit and badger fights (ew). There was also a parrot on the porch asking "Have you paid your bill?"...in German.

Scott singing "Whiskey" which always makes a drink of that nasty liquor appear.

Scott's guitars. You can hear him and find out more info at www.scottbiram.com/ He's very talented and loads of fun.

A bullhorn usually features largely in many of Scott's songs. He has to sound like a semi truck driver on the CB ya know.

I think this sign outside the Phoenix is hilarious. As the years have gone on everyone we know shuns South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin.

You can Google Phoenix Saloon in New Braunfels Texas to find out lots more history about the Phoenix...do it...it's really interesting. Look for Willie's Dream...he was Willie Gebhardt and in 1984 invented chili powder...also known as Tampico Dust. He had a cafe in the backroom. The Phoenix was the first saloon to serve ladies but since no self respecting woman would dare enter a bar they had a beer garden on the side of the building and had electric push bells in the trees to summon a waiter to bring e'm some brewski.

A parting shot of Scott playing his guitar and harmonica...he has a bass "foot stomper". A couple of his songs have been featured on T.V....Dog The Bounty Hunter and Sons of Anarchy. He tours the U.S., Canada and Europe and does about 200 shows a year. If you go to his website play the "Open Road" video...my favorite. He's also on wikipedia for more info.

FLOWERS FOR JANE.

I'm pretty proud of this Gardenia I bought last year. It has doubled in size and had over 50 blooms on it.

This is the Cecil Bruner rose that Jane & Michael sent me last year. It is getting big and blooming well. My Mother and Grandmother grew Cecil Bruners. We see you back there Bennie!

These are 2 long stems that recently shot outta the rose bush. We still see you Bennie.

ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL aka EASTER IN AUSTIN.

Somebody smells fried chicken. Three of these dogs are Kay & Jim's- the other two belong to Mitch and Valerie and are frequent guests. The 2 boys with the collars are Blaze and Gus. The girls are Pie, Blossom and their Mother Ripley.

There are small creatures inside this box...namely a Mother Screech Owl is sitting on her eggs. Couldn't get a good picture of the Daddy owl who keeps constant watch from a nearby branch...unless he's out at night catching and then bringing Mama some food. They come every year and raise a family.

Paladin is the King of The Wayward Pony Ranch. He is in his 20's and loves to steal alcoholic drinks of any kind...from Martinis to beer. Do not leave your drink unattended! And don't leave the door open either or you'll find him in the kitchen.

This dog is a movie star and is wanting some sun glasses. It's either Pie or Blossom...I get them mixed up.

Where's Waldo? Another small creature. I need a better zoom on my camera. He was very timid. It's a big, beautiful roadrunner that was going from one side mirror on the truck to the other...pecking at his reflection. It was great entertainment.

This is Lola...and Jim. She belongs to Kay's Mom...Maxine. She is a frequent visitor and guest.

Look at all the pretty show dogs!!!

Mitch rather "hypnotized" Bennie for at least an hour. He was in love! At least it kept him from scratching & biting himself for awhile. I did not stop to take pictures of any wildflowers and that's a crime. Also apologies to our dog Willie and Kay's cat Suki and her pig Nadine for not getting their photos. Thanks for a great time Kay & Jim. We sure had fun as always!!!

SUNDAY IN LANGTRY W/ FRANK.

Seems like whenever we have guests we always end up in Langtry. It's a good day trip with pretty scenery. SPRING HAS ARRIVED IN THE DESERT...and the cactus is blooming...sort of.

This is an ugly Ocotillo that presents pretty red/orange blooms in the Spring. There's alot of it everywhere...we had alot in Pecos too.

I took these pictures at the Visitor's Center/Museum in Langtry. We've been so many times it's hard to find anything new to photograph for my blog.

This is the prettiest Yucca I ever saw.

Seems like any 'ol thing will bloom..even out of a rock.

Gene and Frank went to high school together and have stayed in touch all these years. He lives in Iowa, Wisconsin and Austin.

I was shocked and so sorry to find out that this store across the street from the Visitor's Center has closed permanently. I'd buy it and live there. Langtry only has a population of 20 folks...but it's an hour from Del Rio. It's about a half mile off the highway. We were told not enough people stopped at the store to keep it open.

This is where we always picnic. The Pecos River is down to the right...Mexico is right "over there" a little ways. This Border Patrol agent is looking for something/someone with her binoculars.

So, Frank goes and chats her up. She said the boat ramp down below is seeing alot of activity with hired boats dropping off illegals down there. They try to keep it under surveillance 24/7. Frank is facing Mexico. Of course we went down there after lunch...looked O.K. to us.

Gene and Frank face Texas and look at the Pecos River. It's down 30 to 40 feet....but we finally had over an inch of rain in Del Rio last night so Langtry got some too. We are always glad when Frank comes for a visit. It's the same drill with every guest: Pecos River, Eagle Nest Creek, Visitor's Center in Langtry and then picnic above the river on the way back.

WHAT IS IT?

I made this out of thrift shop wood pieces that I bought. Gene says it looks like a city from a Sci-Fi movie. It reminds me of a chess set. Now I don't know what to do w/ it.

It has four small square areas inside...maybe I'll put some tiny succulent plants in there.

Some "people" can fall asleep anywhere....as long as their favorite toy is nearby. We call this "flop-butt".

ONE NIGHT IN AUSTIN. 2/7/2012.

The drive over was about the same as last week...but there was more rain, more wildflowers and more fun....and scary traffic. I saw blankets of yellow flowers w/ herds of goats frolicking about...baby goats sure are cute. The bluebonnets are out! Every time I drive thru Uvalde I have to shake my head and wonder why this particular house STILL has 2 Christmas wreaths on the house. Weirdos.

 I met up w/ C.J. who was in Austin from Dallas for business purposes. She was staying at the Omni Southpark. We ate at Second Restaurant on 2nd St. and it sure wasn't all it was touted to be. We can mark that place off the list...O.K. but not great as we'd heard.

Then we went to Jovita's on S. 1st. St. to hear The Lucky Tomblin Band. Their daughter (Amber) went to school in San Marcos w/ Jamey from K thru 12th grade. I hadn't seen Becky & Lucky for at least 12 years. Check out the band at www.luckytomblinband.com/  If you know Austin...then you know Marcia Ball...she was there and got up to sing a song w/ Lucky.
I love "The Honky Tonk" song. Go to the website and you'll hear it playin'. Lucky has some real "heavies" in the band. There are 6 or 7 folks and they all sing (except the drummer) so their range and variety is most excellent. All together the band members have played w/: Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Ray Price, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Omar & the Howlers, Joe Ely, Doug Sahm etc.etc.etc. CHECK THEM OUT!!! I don't go out to hear live music much so I really enjoyed myself.
The Becky said we just HAD to stay to hear some of the next band. They are The Vendetta Big Band and play old fashioned jazz/big band/swing music...VERY entertaining!! There are 13 to 17 pieces in the group. A great time was had by all.
I headed back to Del Rio the next morning.
The mesquite trees are out here in Del Rio now, so according to legend, I guess the weather is done freezing.  I hope so since we hauled all the potted plants out of the garage and around to the backyard today. The hummingbirds will be here soon so I better get my feeders ready. I expect them to arrive early this year.
Gene started his Spring Break yesterday. 
A Bennie Update- He isn't much better...a tiny bit I guess. The vet called last Wed. and said the cultures have grown 4 kinds of organisms...not sure what exactly that means since I was driving in heavy rain & traffic when we spoke. Anyways he is now on a big, fat human antibiotic to be taken twice a day for between 30 & 60 days. The baths, antihistamines, antiseptic swabs and ointment continue. Still waiting for more test results and he has another appt. on April 4th. Stand by.
Anybody can post on my blog now if they like. I made some adjustments. You no longer need to have a Google account to comment...so please do...comment.

The Vendetta Big Band.

Marcia Ball singin' w/ Lucky.

This Omni Hotel is right ON IH 35 North. It was O.K.... C.J. usually stays at the Omni downtown on 8th. & San Jacinto.