something deep & profound

Four years ago today, I rolled into town~not knowing a soul, having a place to live, nor a job to pay for it all.  

Dinner with Ann~2012

I'd say that Austin has treated me well~glad that I came to this place of warmth and swimming holes and two-steppin'.  Looking ahead to the next chapter.

Czechs & Balances

I have heard about this renowned bakery since moving here but had never driven by it.  While I've had a lot of kolaches here, I've never really understood all the raving.  (Mainly because they're served cold at lunches and are pretty much always meat based, so I picking at the dough.)  But!  Yesterday, I stopped at the above place and had a fresh warm peach pastry and now understand the appeal.

mini-break

A sunny nook in which to drink coffee and write in a journal.

While my clothes are in colour-coordinated order, I had never thought to do so with my books~my hosts inspired me!

The alarmingly large flower next to my guest pillow.

Ahhhhh.  Ran into a couple of students last week and they wanted to know what teachers did during the summer....we sleep, swim, eat, and read.  Lather/rinse/repeat. 

For Julie & Ryan

French nibbles for a French (sorta) film night

Refreshing to be out of town, even if only for a few hours.  Lots of talking and laughing, a little bit of shopping and coffees, and the spirits are renewed.

on the road

Buc-ee's is rather a staple of any road trip in Texas.  I will say they have the cleanest public restrooms that I've ever seen and they're just fun to walk through for the vast array of merchandise.  Heading to Frisco for a mini-break and catching up with a grad school friend.

There is really nothing better than driving fast through a summer's evening with the windows down and the radio blasting.

things are cookin' now

Felt inspired to roast some poblano chiles and turn them into chile rellanos!

The internet really needs to figure out how to add an aroma button to postings.

to sleep perchance to dream

Sleep is a precarious and precious thing~most of us don't even get close to the amount we want/need/crave;  whether it's a snoring spouse, bouncy pets/children, wacky hormones, or an active brain~the nights are too short.  

For three weeks now, I've been fortunate enough to be sleeping 12+ (yes, consecutive) hours per night.  Had no idea that I was so tired from the school year.  

Although, this bliss has come to a shrieking/thudding halt with the development and construction of the six lots behind my bedroom~it was lovely while it lasted.

field trippin'

Back to the UT's Blanton Museum to enjoy their free Thursday admission.  Will admit that I didn't enjoy the new Goya exhibit as it was mainly about the gore of war and bull fighting. 

But I found the other new exhibit Book from the Sky

to be fascinating. 

Is this art, or paint chips from Home Depot?

You KNEW that a shot of all the pennies would be here.

Gorgeous sunny June afternoon

Summmmmertime. And the livin' is healthy

Most days!   When it's in the 100s~cool crisp vegggies and ice-cold fruit is more appealing than usual.

the joys of internet dating

This may not necessarily be about the joys found in the day, but it is about the day.  Read this from All Over the Map a few years ago, and this passage sums up the past couple of weeks:

...dating online; there's no context for the person you're meeting in cyberspace, no longtime friend to assure you that he's a nice guy, not a psycho.  The process is much more emotionally fraught and time-consuming than it would seem, just browsing a Man Catalogue, clicking on the witty architect who loves skiing and Italo Calvino, and having him delivered right to my door.

I already know from numerous attempts that I'm not very good at meeting strangers on blind dates.  It's even worse than being in a small group and going around in a circle explaining what you want from the experience.  You show up for a simple glass of wine, and for the next hour a guy evaluates all the ways in which you don't measure up to his ideal female.  You walk in thinking that your various quirks and attributes~pug nose, edgy humour, smile lines, healthy ass~are all part of a package that makes you irresistibly loveable.  You walk out, just one drink later, with a magnified awareness of your many defects.  Eventually it all gets to be pretty defensive, not a great forum for showing what a giving, sweet woman you are.  You arrive at the appointed time having not bothered to brush your hair, and right off, your attitude is, You want to have a drink with me?  Well, fuck you.

There has to be a better way to find a partner, but I have no idea what it is.  I suspect it's not going to be a simple numbers game, a matter of sifting through enough online profiles....     ~Laura Fraser

midsummer

Thankfully, it is not midsummer for the break, just the first calendar day.  Kicked it off by having a delish ice-cream at the nearest Amy's.   And then, crossed the street to my BookPeeps to redeem a gift card.

Ended up with this gorgeous cookbook~it's pretty just to look at the photos.  Looking forward to trying most of the recipes (anything involving an oven is going to have to wait a few months.)

Incredible full moon last night~happy summer all y'all!!

summer life

The upside to noisy neighbours, hammering water pipes, or just insomnia is~that, in the summer?  It doesn't matter when one falls asleep or gets up.  Plus, the walking circuit to my nearest library and Trader's provides me with a nice 3-mile loop of city hiking.  Win, win, win.

Days with Dad

The parentals and I, summer 2015

This comes with a caveat that there are very random photos in this posting~after many moves, my photos are all over the place. 

Father's Day Car Show, Yountville 2000

Happy Father's Day to the man who taught me to grow my own tomatoes, imbued in me the value a life of in education, taught me how to read, how to ride a bike, that owning pets is a great thing, gave me two fun siblings and years of holidays and beach time with cousins.  This is the man who taught me how to think for myself and that great music is a must in life.   He has attended umpteen concerts (with me as a performer or conductor), bought me many great pairs of shoes, been an educational mentor, and sharer of many flavourful meals and meandering conversations.

Dunston brothers at Escobars, summer 1998

Shouldn't y'all be happier at Lucky Creation?

My parents thought my sis was living in Italy, hence the stunned expression when she knocked on their California door.  Christmas 2000

My MCHS choirs. 2003

With Grandma Hagen at Les and Steph's wedding, July 2002

With Uncle Jerry, summer 1998

Family.  Willamina 1976

Making lefse in Lodi, Christmas 1998

Thanksgiving at Bob and Ellen's, 1984

Hiking in Yosemite, 1977

A rather calm game of Old Maid at Bob and Ellen's, 1979

Just hanging out at the Pacific Ocean, 1971

Golden Gate crossing, summer ??

Half Moon Bay, summer 1995

Willamina, summer 1978

8th Grade Graduation, 1984

Oh look~it's the Liberty Bell!  East Coast, autumn 1994

Smithsonian, autumn 1994

Sharer of chocolate

Our beloved Cassie, summer 1992

My first car!!! Summer 1993

Grandpa Dunston, Willamina summer 1988

Rockin' the brown palette, 1980

I actually DID have a pony when I was little.
Minnesota, 1983

Bel Canto concert at PUC, 1992

Ghiradelli Square (in case you can't read the sign behind us), Summer 2000
   

Columbia Academy graduation, June 1988

Father's Day Brunch, PUC 1993

College grad, PUC 1992

November bdays, 1991

European conducting début, Venice 1995

Cheese!  Summer 1996

Freshly returned from college in England, 1990

Cousins being formal and normal, Cheryl and Andy's wedding 1990

Beethoven's Ninth

Westminster Choir College, June 2009

Thank you.