Mozart's And Chasing Criminals

Well, we've had an interesting week.

A few days ago Toby and I went downtown to do a little Christmas shopping for Lucas at the bike shops. We chose to park at a central location and just walk to our destinations. It was a beautiful, warm day and we were trying to kill two birds with one stone by getting our exercise in too.

On our way back to our car we witnessed someone hit a street light pole. Ran right into it as he rounded the curve from off of Lamar. Tore half the front end off his car but he didn't let it stop him he just kept going.

He hit the light post so hard that it fell slowly to the ground almost taking out a truck that was coming through.

I was still standing there in awe watching the traffic stack up because the pole was blocking the roadway when I noticed Toby had taken off running. Luckily, the guy got caught at the light and Toby was snapping pictures of the guys tag. Destruction of city property and then running is no bueno.

When the guy noticed Toby was getting his tag # he got out of his car and confronted Toby. I got a little nervous because I don't trust people and Texans love to pack heat. I think Toby was intimidating enough with his serious demeanor and neck tattoos that the guy backed off, got back in his car and took off. He knew he was guilty and there were a lot of people that saw him do it, so defending himself was futile. He was driving a BMW, they must be tough cars because I have no idea how that car was still driveable.

Anyway, Toby called the police and reported the crime. While we were waiting for the police to arrive,  I was standing there watching the drivers getting really annoyed at not being able to get past the road. You learn a lot about people watching them in distress. Some were trying to drive their trucks over the light post, some were taking theirs and other lives in their hands by getting around it in the oncoming lane. There was even a lady bus driver that got out and attempted to pick it up and move it out of the way with her bare hands. Petite woman too.

Finally, the officer got there and took our report. Toby did his good deed for the city and was the hero of the day.

The next day we went out to eat at Uncle Julio's downtown and then to see the holiday lights display at Mozart's Coffee House. Skye had seen it on her twitter feed and thought I would enjoy it. She knows how much I love the Christmas season.

It was very festive......

It's right on Lake Austin so we sat outside on the patio while me and Skye ate some yummy chocolate mouse for dessert...

I love this picture of me and Toby. It makes me feel like he looks as old as I do with him old man spectacles on...

Toby drove us by the Capitol on the way home. Me and Skye loved looking at the city all lit up at night....

I also took this picture the other day of the fall colored leaves.....

It's been an eventful week.

Our Thanksgiving Week

For the past ten years, ever since we moved to Texas, our Thanksgivings have been anything but Traditional and usually very eclectic. What we do differs from year to year.

This year Lucas arrived in the days before Thanksgiving. Emily had to work, so was not able to come with him, so it was just him.

Lucas has such a pleasant personality and such positive energy that he's always a joy to be around.
We had a lot of fun and kept busy the whole week.

Lucas and Skye took the bikes to Walnut Creek one day....

Then we spent a couple of nights building a fire. Lucas was in his element, with the fire. He jumped the fence into the greenbelt to rustle up some firewood. He spotted these grasshoppers on the other side of the fence....

He was throwing the firewood over the fence to me and Skye and we dragged them to the pit. Bo was having a blast grabbing them and chewing on them too. Made me wonder why I've wasted so much money on chew toys all these years.

We all enjoyed some beers by the fire while we chatted away about memories, life experiences, and just about anything that came to mind. I don't have many redeeming qualities, but I love the way I raised my kids to be open and honest with me. I didn't have that availability when I was growing up and I believe it really makes a difference in the dynamic of a parent/child relationship.

On Monday Toby took off work so he and Lucas could go ride the 'technical' trail at Brushy Creek. After they were done, they called me and Skye to meet them at Baby A's....

On Tuesday they all went to the movies to see Justice League. Mom stayed home and enjoyed some peace and quite while they were all gone. I even treated myself to a Coke Zero and those addictive Hershey's chocolate covered cherry kisses.

Here's a pic Lucas took of Skye sporting her new purse Lucas and Emily gave her for Christmas...

As usual it was sad to see Lucas go, but we had a really good time with him and that I am grateful for.

Toby and I decided that we would go eat our Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving eve, instead of fighting the crowd's on the day. I always like to get ahead of the game when it comes to traffic and crowds of people.

Skye took this picture of me and Toby. Toby is wearing the new shirt Lucas and Emily got him for Christmas. Skye said he looks like a white suburban dad in it. I have to admit it was nice to see him in something other than his black, drab attire which he sports on a daily basis.

On Thanksgiving day we went to the park. Toby and I walked while Skye rode her skateboard. It was so quite and peaceful there. Not a soul around and it was a beautiful day...

There are a couple of farms that butt right up to the park. It's one of my favorite things about this park..

Skye taking a photo of the old house on the park's property...

When we got home we watched a movie. It was a good Thanksgiving this year. Lots to be thankful for.

Surprise Hike

Yesterday, Toby and I headed to Roy G. Guerrrero Park after first stopping in for a tasty lunch at Donn's BBQ on 969.

We've been to this park before to check out it's Secret Beach, but we had never hiked the trails.

Luckily, the trail head a nice big trail map displayed. Unluckily, it showed a portion of the trail being closed due to bridge maintenance. We decided to take our chances and  hike the loop anyway.

Even though the day was not hot, it was a nice shady trail that gave it a really autumn feel....

We came upon this big tree with a cube hanging from it...

I assumed it must be some kind of  'art' because next we came upon this artistic looking bench made up of different tiles of children's artwork....

Then Toby spotted the surprise. We could see downtown through the trees. Apparently we had walked all the way to Lady Bird Lake...a.k.a Town Lake...

We kept walking along the trail...

Until we finally made it to the Lake....

 Downtown looked so small from this vantage point of the lake...

We headed back to our car. I didn't pictorially document the part of us illegally crossing the DO NOT CROSS barrier at the closed bridge along the trail. From the looks of it, we weren't the only ones who had been doing it though, so I guess that makes it okay?

It was an enjoyable hike.

Look What's New

This week Toby and I headed downtown to the Whole Foods so I could grab some more fresh turmeric. Whole Foods is the only place in Austin I've been able to find it fresh.

I figured it would also give us a nice city walk, and I wanted to check out the new Austin Central Library. Being an avid reader, I always enjoyed libraries. As a kid, reading books and going to the library was one of my favorite activities.

Mobile always had very nice libraries so I was a wee bit disappointed when we moved to Austin and their libraries were a bit substandard, in my opinion. Call me a library snob, I suppose.

That, toppled with the fact that my daughter and husband do not share the same affection for the library, it's been awhile since I've blessed a library with my presence.

Austin outdid itself with the new Central Library. I was beyond impressed. The amenities were astounding and too many to mention in this post without boring a non-library type. Even Toby was impressed and said it was a place he could see himself sitting and reading a book at the window...

There is a lot of construction going on around the library. Expensive condos, I'm sure...

There was even a few outdoor sitting areas....

Toby said these chairs look like lips...

 There was also some sort of little art trail that we decided to save until our next trip downtown...

Also, some kind of interactive book trail, that I plan on looking into later...

I love this picture of the little old man and lady sitting on the bench. You don't see many old folks in this fast paced, young people city so it was refreshing to see. This is probably going to be me and Toby one day....

If you're a fan of the library, you certainly don't want to miss a trip to this beauty.

On a different note, it's been like spring around here for the Monarchs, moths, butterflies, bees and bumble bees...

 

Also, pretty blooms and sunsets....