Here's a video I made of a surprisingly emotional morning
spent exploring the historic East End of Galveston Island.
I can't really explain in words . . .
so please watch.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Crow's Feet
Crow's Feet.
According to every website I've Googled, Crow's Feet are to be avoided at all monetary and physical costs. Those tiny (and not so tiny) lines that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes are not just signs of too much sun, or smoking, or genes. They are a horrifying badge of obsolescence: old age. *Cue the crickets, ticking clock, and creaking casket lid.* Outrageous claims and prices abound from 'scientists' and aestheticians mercilessly preying on those who would rather be bankrupt or risk slight deformity than show a wrinkle, crinkle, or crepe.
Yes! Inject botulism under your skin. Nevermind that you most probably will exchange those crinkles for a smooth frozen stare that will scare your grandchildren right out of your arms. And you'll need to keep after it just like that crabgrass in your garden.
Yes! Purchase this serum--doesn't that sound more valuable than 'oil' or 'creme' (with an 'e'!). It instantly erases (the appearance of) 'fine' lines. Nevermind that you'll be right back in the same wrinkle as soon as you run out of serum, or money.
What's a little crinkling have to do with anything, really. I don't think my home girl Heidi Klum would mind my pointing out that she shows the most adorable little Crow's Feet every time she smiles and waves goodbye to the designers on Project Runway. They happen to the best of us.
Yes, I spent entirely too much time in the sun. Before we knew sunbathing was dangerous and could precipitate deadly cancers, I trekked to the beach or the pool with abandon. When I was little, my mother used to say, "You look a little pale. Why don't you go out and get some sun?" I still work in the yard every chance I get, but now that the cow's out of the barn, I grab a sun hat. Yes, I smoked Benson and Hedges Menthol cigarettes in my 20's and 30's. Who knew that along with looking 'cool,' I was also investing in receding gums and facial grooves?
But, hey--I've also spent the majority of my life with a smile on my face. A big, open-mouthed, toothy grin if you must know. I experience joy and peace that have bubbled up from a heart that was healed by The Great Physician. God has given me dear, faithful friends . . . and a funny, loving husband . . . two healthy, bright sons . . . a new, kind daughter and a grandson who blows me totally off course.
Not long ago, I heard Cecilia walk in the door with Daniel. There were whispers that I could barely make out as I stood at the kitchen sink. "GiGi." "Give them to GiGi." Cecilia peeped around the corner and encouraged Daniel ahead. He came toddling toward me in his red fleece aviator cap and puffy grey vest, cheeks rosy from the early spring breeze. In his dimpled little fist, he was clutching a priceless bouquet of 4 delicate white flowers that he and C had harvested from the grass on their walk. Actually it was 3 1/2 blooms by the time he reached up to me with a chubby-cheeked smile, called my name, and turned loose of his treasure. The name of these flowers?
Crow's Feet.
Personally, I'm siding with Erma Bombeck. I'd rather have laugh lines than worry warts.
According to every website I've Googled, Crow's Feet are to be avoided at all monetary and physical costs. Those tiny (and not so tiny) lines that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes are not just signs of too much sun, or smoking, or genes. They are a horrifying badge of obsolescence: old age. *Cue the crickets, ticking clock, and creaking casket lid.* Outrageous claims and prices abound from 'scientists' and aestheticians mercilessly preying on those who would rather be bankrupt or risk slight deformity than show a wrinkle, crinkle, or crepe.
Yes! Inject botulism under your skin. Nevermind that you most probably will exchange those crinkles for a smooth frozen stare that will scare your grandchildren right out of your arms. And you'll need to keep after it just like that crabgrass in your garden.
Yes! Purchase this serum--doesn't that sound more valuable than 'oil' or 'creme' (with an 'e'!). It instantly erases (the appearance of) 'fine' lines. Nevermind that you'll be right back in the same wrinkle as soon as you run out of serum, or money.
What's a little crinkling have to do with anything, really. I don't think my home girl Heidi Klum would mind my pointing out that she shows the most adorable little Crow's Feet every time she smiles and waves goodbye to the designers on Project Runway. They happen to the best of us.
Yes, I spent entirely too much time in the sun. Before we knew sunbathing was dangerous and could precipitate deadly cancers, I trekked to the beach or the pool with abandon. When I was little, my mother used to say, "You look a little pale. Why don't you go out and get some sun?" I still work in the yard every chance I get, but now that the cow's out of the barn, I grab a sun hat. Yes, I smoked Benson and Hedges Menthol cigarettes in my 20's and 30's. Who knew that along with looking 'cool,' I was also investing in receding gums and facial grooves?
But, hey--I've also spent the majority of my life with a smile on my face. A big, open-mouthed, toothy grin if you must know. I experience joy and peace that have bubbled up from a heart that was healed by The Great Physician. God has given me dear, faithful friends . . . and a funny, loving husband . . . two healthy, bright sons . . . a new, kind daughter and a grandson who blows me totally off course.
Not long ago, I heard Cecilia walk in the door with Daniel. There were whispers that I could barely make out as I stood at the kitchen sink. "GiGi." "Give them to GiGi." Cecilia peeped around the corner and encouraged Daniel ahead. He came toddling toward me in his red fleece aviator cap and puffy grey vest, cheeks rosy from the early spring breeze. In his dimpled little fist, he was clutching a priceless bouquet of 4 delicate white flowers that he and C had harvested from the grass on their walk. Actually it was 3 1/2 blooms by the time he reached up to me with a chubby-cheeked smile, called my name, and turned loose of his treasure. The name of these flowers?
Crow's Feet.
Personally, I'm siding with Erma Bombeck. I'd rather have laugh lines than worry warts.
Galveston Getaway: The Galvez
Celebrating 100 years, The Galvez opened its gracious doors to Steve and me
for a mid-week Galveston, TX getaway in April.
Just 90 minutes from our door to the Gulf of Mexico,
across Galveston Bay on the Causeway,
and there we were.
I grabbed my camera to explore.
Want to come along?
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| Tuesday Afternoon |
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| Welcome |
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| Front Desk |
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| Brass and Classic |
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| Bathing Beauties |
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| The Back Door |
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| Bernardo de Galvez watches over the entrance to The Spa |
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| Butterfly Iris |
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| Bird of Paradise |
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| Palm in Bloom |
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| Island Icons |
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| Oleanders Are So Galveston |
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| Pink Oleander |
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| Oleander in White |
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| Murdoch's Souveniers Across Seawall Blvd. from The Galvez, Murdoch's was built on a long pier extending out into the Gulf. As a barefoot child in the '50's, I walked Murdoch's old wood floors-- worn smooth from sandy tourists' feet and insistent Gulf breezes. Rebuilt after a devastaing direct hit from Hurricane Ike in 2008, Murdoch's welcomes yet another generation of wide-eyed beach lovers, eager to explore giant shells and other magical gifts from the sea. |
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| The Galvez Plans for this hotel were in the works in the late 1890's. The Great Storm of 1900 decimated Galveston Island. (fascinating read: A Weekend in September, Weems) Within 4 years, the SeaWall was completed; by 1910, the grade of the Gulf side of part of the island was raised 17 feet--remarkable! The $1million Hotel Galvez opened shortly thereafter. |
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| April Grey Gulf and Sky |
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| The Galvez on Galveston Island, TX |
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| Restaurant at The Galvez |
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| Honeysuckle Pillar |
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| Peace |
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| Respite from Gulf Breezes |
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| The Galvez April, 2013 |
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| Poolside |
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| Grey Flight |
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| Just Add Sun, Please! |
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| Bird of Paradise |
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| Show-Off! |
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| Overhead |
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| Carpet with Border |
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| Emerge |
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| Breathtaking |
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| Hibiscus |
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| Gentle Filters |
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| Palm I |
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| Palm II |
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| Lobby Echoes |
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| Sculpted Sails |
One hundred years, and still a gracious, quiet, elegant hostess.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
32 + One to Grow On
Happy Birthday, Will.
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| Jo and John Monday, Cecilia, and Uncle Doug with the Birthday Boy. |
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| Brunch--our favorite meal. |
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| A Skype call from Switzerland-- cousins call Willy B. |
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| Chris and Marisa hold Zoe and Mia for a long-distance visit, complete with birthday serenade. |
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| Daniel impresses his little cousins with "monkey lips." |
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| More giggles--more monkey lips. |
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| Papi, Josie, HeyYea, and Dodo enjoy the show too. |
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| Mamae and D |
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| Josie always brings presents! This time it's bath squirters. |
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| Little Man shares with Dodo. |
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| "Josie, who is this one for?" |
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| Gigi gets a special delivery hippo. |
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| Daniel saves the best one for Mamae. |
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| Will reads the explanation of his gift. |
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| Cecilia's delighted too: 2 tickets to a matinee performance of Peter Pan by The Houston Ballet plus babysitting. |
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| Papi and Daniel becoming fast friends. |
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| Josie and friend |
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| Dodo gets a big smile . . . |
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| . . . and an octopus. |
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| Time to move some furniture. |
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| "What's all that fire, Papai?" |
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| 32 candles plus 1 to grow on |
May all your wishes come true, son.
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