Pic Of The Day - 03.27.14

It rained again on Thursday.  I'm not complaining; we need it. 

Art In Nature

So... you remember me mentioning how I've been sneezing?  This has been going on for over a month.  Everything has had a green tint to it because the pollen had been piling up. 

Well, it rained on Wednesday and it rained hard enough to start washing away some of the pollen. I was out walking The Calvinator and saw a big puddle of pollen. 

Burn Baby Burn

I haven't been feeling well for the past month or so.  It's all allergy/hay fever related.  I've tried various OTC meds and Saturday I switched to Zyrtec.

No one told me how groggy it would make me but the commercials are factual...it clears you up.  So...what is the point of me telling you all of this?

On Monday, I meant to take a photo of The Calvinator and me watching Dancing With The Stars but I was so out of it when I got home, I fell asleep after I walked him.  So far this year, I have missed two days of taking photos and getting something posted.

Tuesday MORE than made it for it.  You see...

There I was minding my own business at work and I happened to look out the window just a bit before 12:30p.m.  There was black smoke to the north of the building.  I commented that it looked like something was on fire on I-10 because that happens from time to time but then we realized it was much closer, the fire was getting bigger and we could actually see orange flames!

It turns out an apartment complex under construction was burning and baby was it burning.  We could hear sirens coming from all different directions and it was causing traffic gridlock all through the neighborhood.

What's fascinating about this structure, is that it was built right next to to a cemetery and there had just been a news story about it!  Coincidence?  I think not.

I can honestly say that I have never seen a fire of this magnitude.  It was almost of biblical proportions.

You can read more about it here.

Pic Of The Day - 03.23.14

I was invited to a wedding reception for Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard.  They were recently married in a small, private ceremony in California.

The original plan was to have a small dinner at the home of John and Becca Cason Thrash but when the RSVP number started to swell, the party was moved to The Corinthian.

This is photo I snapped of them dancing to Etta James' At Last.  You can read more about in Shelby's column here.

Scenes From A Saturday Night In Houston - 03.22.14

The Diana Foundation Cirque du Diana Gala at the Omni Hotel.

Pic Of The Day - 03.21.14

So...on Friday, I met up with Elizabeth from TUTS.  I let her suggest a place for lunch and she suggested Canopy.  I loved the idea because I had never eaten there and wanted to give it a try.

It also worked well for my Try Not To Eat Meat On Fridays During Lent observance because...

One of the menu items was crab cakes with fried green tomatoes!  I ordered a Caesar salad to go with it but only ate half of the salad.  It was good and I would order it again!

Pic Of The Day - 03.20.14

I couldn't really decide what to eat for dinner so I drove around for a bit and ended up at Taco Cabana on Yale.  If you are what you eat, then I am fast, cheap and easy Mexican.

On my way home, I noticed the sunset while I was at Washington & Shepherd.  The clouds were catching the suns rays.

Pic Of The Day - 03.19.14

So...I'm WAY behind on my postings.  I haven't been feeling well.  I've tried some different sinus/allergy medicines and one of them really knocked me down.  I can breathe again but I just haven't been my perky self.  So...let me try to catch up.

This is a pic I snapped when I was walking The Calvinator.  You can tell by the blurred asphalt that he was speed walking that night.  I really was having trouble keeping him on the leash.

International Happiness Day

Happy Happiness Day!

Today is International Happiness Day which was started by the United Nations Foundation.  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement, "The pursuit of happiness lies at the core of human endeavors. People around the world aspire to lead happy and fulfilling lives free from fear and want."

The UN has teamed up with Pharrell to bring us 24 hours of happiness.  Each hour, a new video is unlocked on the timeline.  See how people around the world are celebrating being happy.

Spread the word and let's make today a #HappyDay

As I See It

So...
If there is a sign that states NO PARKING
and if there is a red line painted on the curb that states FIRE ZONE
you shouldn't park there or this will happen to you!

I snapped this photo from inside the parking garage when I was leaving work on Tuesday.

Pic(s) Of The Day - 03.17.14

A leprechaun was waiting for me arrived home on Monday evening.  And maybe it was coincidence but I noticed clover in the front yard on Monday.

Scenes From A Sunday (Brunch) In Houston

Victory Fund Brunch in Houston at Hilton Americas on Sunday, March 16, 2014

photo credit: Joel Kalmin

photo credit: Joel Kalmin

photo credit: Januari Leo

Pic Of The Day - 03.15.14

I was out walking The Calvinator and saw this azalea bush in full bloom.

Pic Of The Day - 03.14.14

Orchids scare me only because I don't know that I could take care of an orchid plant.  On Friday, I walked into Kroger and there some yellow orchids in the entry.

Pic Of The Day - 03.13.14

Haven't been feeling well or eating right.  The wind kicked up the other day and stirred up the pollen which caused me to start sneezing.  That lead to itchy, watery eyes.  

The one thing that baffles me is why it wears me out and wears me out.  After I walked The Calvinator, I took a nap which ended being a bit over 2 hours.  By the time I got to moving, I realized I was hungry and hadn't eaten.  So once again, I found myself in the drive thru at McDonalds.  This is a pic I took while I was waiting for my chicken nuggets. 

Don't judge me. 

Pic Of The Day - 03.11.14

Have you ever heard of Christmas in July?  OK.  How about Christmas in March?  Well, on Tuesday the group I work with finally got together to celebrate Christmas. 

Our gathering took place at Reef. We were in the private dining room which had a glass wall that has a view of tune wine rack.  It's quite the view. 

Pic Of The Day - 03.12.14

Spring hasn't really sprung yet but that doesn't stop the azaleas from blooming.  The Calvinator and I saw these when we were out walking. 

The Magic Continues

I know that Mardi Gras is over and I should be repenting and not thinking about Mardi Gras in 2015.  However, every now and then something will take me back to my favorite time of year. 

On Monday, I stopped by the little Starbucks on West Gray at Shepherd. As I was approaching the store I saw this window display in the store next door.  I was going to retake the photo but on second glance I decided I really liked the reflection.  That in turn had me humming Reflections by Diana Ross and The Supremes for the rest of the day.  Oy!

There's something magical about this photo. 

Pic Of The Day - 03.09.14

I think I may have posted some of these heads on Instagram before but I guess it was the gray sky and the gray heads that made me realize it really was a gray day.

Pic Of The Day - 03.08.14

If you like Tortilla Soup, and if you get the chance to buy it at Whole Foods, do it!  It's hearty and spicy.

Pic Of The Day - 03.07.14

Needed to catch up on getting photos posted on Facebook.  I knew that if I went home to do it, I'd fall asleep so I went to Starbucks on Friday night to get it done.

"Here's Your One Chance...

...Fancy don't let me down."  And she didn't let me down.

On Thursday (03.06.14) I received a last minute invitation to go to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Now, this may seem like a big deal to you but it was to me because Reba McEntire was performing AND I the ticket allowed me access to a private suite on Level 4.

It was a sweet deal because it was open bar, food and a bathroom.  Throw Reba into the mix and it was a fun night!  This wasn't the first time I had seen her perform at the rodeo so I knew that I would be entertained.  In fact, Reba has performed 19 times at the rodeo and to honor her, they named a scholarship after her.

I have several favorite songs recorded by Reba: The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia; Sunday Kind Of Love; Does He Love You; and Fancy.  Of the three, Sunday Kind Of Love is probably not high up on the most requested songs so I didn't expect her to sing it at the show and she didn't so I wasn't disappointed.

She closed out the show with Fancy and I'm glad she didn't do an encore because there is no way to top that song!

Calf Scramble

Reba

Pic Of The Day - 03.05.14

I spotted this at Hobby Airport when I returned from New Orleans.

Mardi Gras In New Orleans - 03.04.14

I've been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans when it has been cold.  I've been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans when it has been wet.  I can now say that I have been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras when it was cold AND wet!  And guess what?  I still had a great time.

After being at Orpheuscapade on Monday night, we ventured out on Tuesday morning.  I had awakened at 7:00A.M. and heard the rain outside.  I'm not sure what time it started but at 10:00A.M. when we walked down the street to meet up with the Saint Cecilia Society marching group, it was still raining.

Due to the weather, there were many last minute costume changes made.  For many of us, it was about staying warm and dry.

And this Mardi Gras started out a bit different.  I was staying in The Marigny.  There really is a sense of community in this neighborhood.  From what I could tell, many of the people who gathered to walk with St. Cecilia live in The Marigny.

We walked from The Marigny thru part of the French Quarter, to Jackson Square, to the river.  All of this time, a jazz band was playing music as we walked in the cold, pouring rain.

When we arrived at the river, the festive atmosphere took a turn to the serious side.  The music went from festive to solemn.  The faces stopped smiling.

Several people walked down to the river to scatter the ashes of four people.  While this was being done, the band played a dirge version of Just A Closer Walk With Thee.  It was a very emotional experience for everyone.

The rain continued and we decided we needed to get to a bar and get something to drink and to warm up.  The streets were nowhere near as crowded as they usually are on Fat Tuesday.  The bars were very crowded.  And it turned out to be an early evening for us.  We were back in The Marigny by 6:00P.M. or so.  And as I previously stated, it was still a fun time!

You can see more photos from the day on my Facebook page.

Krewe of Orpheus - 03.03.14

Several years ago I was invited to attend Orpheuscapade and realized that is the way to do Mardi Gras in New Orleans.  Yes, I have to lug a tuxedo to New Orleans but wow, what a fun time!  And this year was just as much fun.

What's great about this is that the parade comes to you inside the convention center.  While you're waiting there are bands playing.  Also, it is BYOB and BYOFood.  I think it is a bit on the comical side to see people all dressed in formal attire lugging ice chests, grocery bags and boxes of Popeye's Fried Chicken.

You can see more photos from the party in my Mardi Gras photo album on Facebook.