March Post

Okay, surely I can handle a monthly post, right?

Some photos that I've recently taken prompt me to get back to this undertaking, which gives me some insight into my loss of interest in blogging: Apparently it's a desire to display my photos rather than a desire to write that prompts me to continue my blog. And since I've only just gotten back into picture-taking, I've only just gotten back into blogging.

Tom and I occasionally watch  an episode of a set of Great Courses photo-taking DVD's that he got me for Christmas, and that has re-inspired me to play with my camera. I needed a refresher on the basics, such as the relationship between aperture and ISO and shutter speed, and I'm getting it. It's too easy to take good photos with a digital camera, and I've gotten lazy with it. I've always had a good eye, and an observant awareness of light, and of composition, important qualities when one wants to take a good picture, but I can do better than that. Time to step up again!

Two recent occasions prompted me to do that.

Last week we ventured into Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts to see the exhibit "Sculpted in Steel," a departure for the museum in its display of cars and motorcycles. But appropriate it was, as these beauties were works of art, fully as stylish as they were functional. Tom loved it.

These photos were taken with my IPhone.

and he appreciated in ways that I couldn't.

The same evening we attended a Loreena McKennitt concert at the University of Houston Cullen Hall and then spent the night at the Hilton there on campus. It was a good afternoon and night, and an early celebration of Tom's birthday. 

Then on Saturday we visited, along with friends, Railean's Distillery in lovely San Leon, a place we didn't even know existed. Luckily, we have friends who are more with-it than are we, and who include us despite our lack of hipness.

 Kelly Jean Raelean, owner, proprietor, distiller, tour guide, and distributor of samples. Those samples led us to buy two bottles (the limit), one of vodka and one of coconut rum.

 I really like this shot -- note the female bartender, still and central in the midst of the excitement.

And, of course, we ended up at Gilhooley's,

where we were served by Boom-Boom, aka Chester, our great waitress:

On the Front Porch - and Off

Judy and Lonnie's Vist

Judy and Lonnie, she of my traveling friends, paid us an overnight visit over the weekend for a look at our new house and community, and for a long-overdue visit. After the requisite golf-cart ride (both around the neighborhood and over to Kemah), dinner at Gilhooley's (which we knew they'd love, and which they did), and a relatively-early night, Tom graced us all, the next morning, with a delicious boudain omelet "dressed" with a fresh-fruit-and-orange-liqueur topping.

Judy took this shot that morning:

and I caught her about to climb aboard for the trip home:

I hope that Lonnie was able to concentrate on driving home, given Judy's provocative (in Lonnie's stated opinion) attire.

Other Porch Doings
Man, these doves are bold, as well as prolific. Are they on their third set of babies this spring?

Annie and Papa (?) Dove Face Off

Another Sunset:

And some close-ups of our giant bird-in-paradise plant, flower:

and leaf:

Glenn and Anna's Visit

We had also taken a golf card ride to Kemah when Glenn and Anna were here the weekend before, stopping for lunch at Bakkus Taverna. We were taken by this Lotus (Note the license plate, too.), and Anna wanted a photo made to send to their son Daniel, a car buff. He was impressed, as was Tom.

Art, Barb, and David's Visit
No pictures, but we enjoyed seeing them on their day-trip over from Sabine Pass. Sitting on the front porch peeling and eating Tom's boiled shrimp, we caught up until it was time for them to run errands and for Tom and me to run to Baytown for a doctor's visit. That evening they went to the South Shore Harbor boat show while Tom and I met some of the CLS gang at T-Bone Tom's for dinner and live music. That was a good day.


I don't know why I wasn't inspired to take pictures of our guests during their visits. Well, actually, I guess I do: I suppose it is because I am not quite myself, nor have I been for more than two weeks, since I've been suffering, on and off, with a cold or allergies. Just when I think I'm getting better and can resume my normal activities, my coughing and sleepless nights resume, and I decide that I'd best just rest, momentarily regretful for dancing at T-Bone Tom's or walking through the neighborhood, causing a setback. I've finally decided to go to the doctor, which I will do tomorrow. I will be flying to California to see Elizabeth and Nathan next week, right after another busy weekend with more guests, so it's time to grab this thing by the throat and strangle it.