October 16, 2008 ~ Yep, It's Luckenbach again...

What can I say? It's our own little "Cheers". Everybody knows our name and they're always glad we came. Stopped by for a little songswap around the campfire. Well, WE didn't actually swap any songs, but heard some really good music. Don and Al probably swapped a lie or two. He's a funny guy. Al that is. And Don too! The guy w/the red jacket is Walt Perryman. He recites poetry, stuff that he has written. It's really good. The three by the fire are Jake, Annie and Shan. And last is Don and Al. It's always interesting to hear the how the different people have found their way to Luckenbach. Some are passing through, some are staying a while and some will stay forever. It always amazes me how the cast of characters has changed since the first few times I was there. Some that were considered "regulars" are now no where to be seen. Some have died, some have moved on and some have just disappeared.

October 8, 2008 ~ Oak Wilt

Oak wilt is killing so many oak trees in this area. Actually we were around Harper and Doss which is East of Fredericksburg. Or maybe West. Not sure. Anyway, it's really sad to see acres and acres of these huge old oaks that have been devastated by the disease. Some have been pushed over into huge piles and burned while others have been cut down. I guess in an effort to keep it from spreading. Some areas have been hit harder than others, but you can definitely tell where it is or has been.

September 25, 2008 ~ Luckenbach w/Walt and Davis

It seems as if we are having a recurring theme here, Luckenbach... It just happens that where the good music is on a regular basis. What can I say? And this night certainly didn't disappoint. I met Davis Raines when I was living in Austin going to massage school. He and Walt and I believe Sam Baker played at the Saxon Pub and I was instantly hooked. You owe it to yourself to check Davis Raines out. And when you get all three of them together, WOW! It's a show you won't soon forget.

September 16, 2008 ~ Bengt and Steffen

After the Fandango, Bengt and Steffen came to visit and stayed the night at our place. We enjoyed taking them to a few of our favorite spots ~ Castell, Joe's Bar in Llano (the coldest beer in Llano County!) then stopped for pizza at Stonewall's which is conveniently located a few doors down from Joe's. The next day they were off to have lunch w/Gary P Nunn at his house. They love GPN!

September 12, 2008 ~ Mike Blakely's Fandango

This was the 6th Annual TexAmericana Fandango and also Mike's 50th birthday. So it was only fitting that this year's lineup was one of the best ever. Friday night was Jeff Posey, W.C. Jameson, Steve Fromholz and ended w/Mike, Thomas Michael Riley and Tommy Alverson. What a show they put on! They were having a great time on stage and it carried through to the music. The great music just continued on Saturday. Luckily, Hurricane Ike didn't affect the festival like they thought and we didn't get rained on while camping!!!!! Of course, Guy Clark was fantastic. Our friends, Bengt and Steffen were in from Sweden. We met them at the 4th Fandango and they have been coming back ever since. Great guys. It dawned on my early on Saturday that there was a candy called "Mike and Ike". It became my mission to find a box or two of the stuff. You know because of Mike's birthday and Hurricane Ike. What a coincidence, huh?

September 10, 2008 ~ YIKES!!!

Don found this guy under a bush outside our bedroom window. We thought something was wrong w/him as he would just lay there when Don was pushing him around w/a stick. Like he was hurt or something. However, after we left him alone for a while Don went to check on him, he was gone. Not really what I want hanging around the yard.

August 31, 2008 ~ Luckenbach and Bodie Powell

Decided to make our way to Luckenbach for the Saturday night dance. It was good to see/hear Bodie again. Enjoyed visting w/Christie, Jason and Marge. Unfortunately, Donna wasn't able to make it. She was in the hospital w/another little setback. I really miss her.

August 23, 2008 ~ Sam Baker and Joe Ely ~ Luckenbach, TX

All I can say is what a great night of music! Sam Baker started the night off and I can't say it just got better, but it definitely maintained. The crowd was small and very attentive. Romi Mayes was there as well. We met her 2 years ago at the first Stingaree Festival in Crystal Beach. She is from Canada, but we like her anyway. It was a fun night and got a lot of good shots and made some great contacts w/the guys from Radio Free Texas. Reed and Cynthia came down for the concert and stayed the night with us. Don and Reed together can be the shits sometimes....

August 10, 2008 ~ River City Grill

What could be more perfect than ending the day kicked back on a deck overlooking Lake LBJ and listening to your favorite band? Yeah, I can't think of anything either...

July 31, 2008 ~ Blaine's Pub

We decided to make a road trip to San Angelo to see Bobby Duncan. Donovan was going to be there so it just seemed like the thing to do. Left Kingsland around 1 or so. Drove the Jeep with the top down. It was probably the hottest day of summer so far and here we are w/no protection from the sun. Needless to say, a cold beer was just what we needed after driving 3 1/2 hours in the hottest part of the day.

July 23, 2008 ~ Caden and the Llano River

These are from the day we took Caden down to the Slab in Kingsland to play in the river. There isn't a swimming pool here, so this area serves that purpose. You see a variety of people when you go. Caden had a good time climbing into the little rapids and floating down. I think we were there for about 2 hours. He was a tired little boy when we left!!!

Dallas World Aquarium ~ July 22, 2008

A few of my favorite pics from our trip w/Caden. The leaf fish always fascinates me.

Sam Baker at Mean Eyed Cat ~ July 7, 2008

Remember when I said contrary to how it seems, we don't just sit in the river drinking beer. We also go hear lot's of live music. And drink beer. I think the Mean Eyed Cat in Austin is one of the coolest bars I have ever been in. It's really small, but has so much fun stuff to look at. It was named after a Johnny Cash song. And the strange thing about the bar is that it actually smells good. Like peppermint. At least when we were there. I strongly recommend this place. It's on 5th St. just off Cesar Chavez.

Forgotten camera and Band of Heathens ~ July 6, 2008

The Band of Heathens played at River City Grill in Marble Falls. I had to work and thought Don might bring my camera when he came over w/Reed and Warner. Not so. Had to take pics w/my phone camera.

June 12, 2008 ~ Flies and Ants

When we first moved in to our duplex, we would sit outside in the mornings enjoying the outdoors and planning our days' activities. It was still cool enough that it was enjoyable, but we had to fight the flies. Don would swat them w/the flyswatter and the ants would carry them away. Ants are pretty fun to watch. It's amazing how strong they are. They would pick the dead fly up and carry it down (literaly) the side of the porch to wherever they go. All working together. Be the ant.... Proverbs 6:6

Memorial Weekend ~ Cushing, OK

One of Don's very best friends, Pat Elder, invited us to his house for a Memorial Day party. Don and I walked out to look at his garden and witnessed a small part of the food chain in action.

Backtracking...

So now you have witnessed procrastination at it's finest. I've been taking lots of pics, just not doing much w/them. Until today. So here we go....

Caden

This is the good life...

Contrary to how it may seem, sitting in the river drinking beer really isn't the only thing we do. It may be the best thing, just not the only thing. Actually, Tuesday was the first time we have been back to Castell in a couple of weeks. It was quite the challenge to get the camera set up, press the shutter release and get back into the frame, without falling down. Needless to say, it doesn't take much to entertain us. On this day, the river was really flowing and much cooler than the previous times. Still a good day. Wish you were here....

As A Man Thinketh... A Man Drinketh