Sunset after a Storm

Clear Lake Shores Drag Races

Karen, Ray, Debbie, and Ken, after a lovely dinner (mostly provided by them) on our deck, escorted us down to Sundial Park to view the CLS Drag Race, an annual parade of and contest for men dressed in drag. Todd won the coveted trophy for the third time.

A Dove Couple Moves In

"Wonder if this spot would work for us?"

Let's go for it; time to build.

Annie

 Annie has forgiven us for leaving her in a stable for months and months, and has taken to the easy life. She was happy to accept the attentions of Elizabeth and Nathan, and they were happy to use her as a Bauer substitute until they were able to see their own baby again back in California.

We have agreed that, given the total freedom to which she became accustomed at Gerri Lynn's place, it would be cruel, unusual, and impossible to enforce a stay-inside policy on our cat, so she comes and goes. As I write this at 9 p.m., we are concerned that she remains outside somewhere, but we will accept the anxiety that comes with granting our youngest the freedom to which she was born.

Mother's Day Weekend

When Elizabeth asked what I would like for Mother's Day, I opted for the brunch that she had planned to make for my birthday, 2013, when we had planned to visit her and Nathan in Mountain View. Alas, that trip failed to materialize due to circumstances (i.e., stroke) beyond our control, but dear Elizabeth tucked the menu away in her mental memory stick and produced it last weekend, not for brunch but for supper:

Poblano pepper quiche, homemade biscuits, and bacon followed by homemade tangerine-Prosecco sorbet - just perfect served on our new elevated front porch as the sun went down.

As there is no room inside for our wonderful, sturdy made-to-order (by a carpenter in Rockport) dining room table, we have placed it out on the deck, where it fits perfectly and looks perfect and will, we hope, endure the elements. 

But Sunday was not the only good day of the weekend. May 10 was the date for the annual Clear Lake Shores garage sale, and since Tina was busy hosting her own and Tommy was manning the Red Cross booth at the Anahuac Crawfish Festival, they lent us their golf cart to tour the island and its many sales. 

Tina's Sale

T & T's Golf Cart, the Longhorn Surrey with the Fringe on Top

And Susan drove over from Beaumont to see her sister and our house and the island and us.

Susan's Mother's Day gift to me was also food: tasso and pralines. What is going on, girls; do you want me to fatten up like a proper mom/granny? 

What a great place to spend a beautiful afternoon - and what a great weekend. Thank you, Elizabeth and Susan, and thank you, Nathan, for chaufeurring us around the island on the golf cart, and thank you, Tommy and Tina, for lending us your excellent golf cart, and thank you, Tom, for Sunday brunch at LYC and, mostly, for making me eligible to be celebrated on  Mother's Day!

Small Touches

Moved In

Done!

Almost like being anchored out on the boat, or on a friendly dock in the Keys. Now wait, how did we get so lucky?