One question, one answer

A cool new mural in the neighborhood.

If music be the sound of love . . .

We went to a Valentine's Day party at the home owned by two of our good friends and this band was playing. The three musicians you can see here are all Austin all-stars, which is saying a lot in this town.

Yes! They got married!

Two of our friends were the first same sex couple to get married in Texas. We went to their party the other night after they got their license. They have been in a committed relationship for over thirty years and have two fine children.

Booked

I usually confine my reflection picture collection to other blogs but I thought I'd share this South Congress portrait of both of us in the window of South Congress Books. They sell vintage books but also music posters, art and artifacts. 

Ain't gonna study war no more

This band at a recent Farmers' Market was belting out an old protest song. They were good players.

Say Cheese, Please

On a stroll down South Congress we saw our friend Mike Thompson trying a sandwich at this trailer and ask him to pose. He said he was going nearby for some new ink and his daughter in Oklahoma had turned him on to this place after having seen it online.

Keepin' it Weird, Live Animal Edition

We were walking down South Congress on a pleasant day in early February when we noticed two horses tied up in front of a shop. They were right beside this car which has been there a while promoting the shop I guess. FFP showed the long view yesterday of this same shot. Just shows how a change in POV can make a shot very different.

Modes of transportation

Yeah, well, it's still Texas. Keeping it weird, guys.

Hey Cupcake!

This iconic food trailer is still around and its customers are having a sweet time!

Buskers on Congress

This jolly group was playing a good rendition of "Salty Dog" the other day. From their body language, I think that their dogs had already heard the song a few times.

Pescado Veracruzano at Fonda San Miguel

Here is another of my dishes that I might ask for on my last meal -- Pescado Veracruzano at Fonda San Miguel. How I love this fish dish.

Carpaccio delishioso.

I thought that I would treat you to a look at one of our favorite dishes - Carpaccio at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. This version is the best example of this dish we have ever seen. Cut from the very tip of the tenderloin.

There are many stories in the city.

I love looking at downtown from a balcony at night. This was shot on a perch about two blocks from where we live one recent night.

Keeping it tree-weird

I love Austin. No place else in the world would make a curb cut to save some scraggly little tree like this one. This photo speaks a thousand words.

I love downtown Austin

For Valentine's Day, I thought that I would put up a photo of the downtown Austin that I love. I snapped this shot walking east on Fourth Street on a recent afternoon. I enjoy seeing how some of the new buildings look when they are juxtaposed. 

Go: Organic Orchestra

This is about the most eclectic orchestra you can imagine. It sounded wonderful in the atrium of the Blanton Museum.

A toast to the singer and to life!

Our friend Bernie Siben was playing at the Brass House the other night and Linda raised a toast to him.

Golden dancers

The Ballet Austin II dancers did a fine job of performing a work created to express their feelings about discrimination and bullying in schools. It took place inside a golden-hued artwork installation at the Blanton Museum.

The Grant Clan Band

This band called the Grant Clan played at a party for two wonderful people who were having their 70th anniversary party on a recent Sunday. All of the guys in the band were nephews of the couple!

Beauty and the bass

This lovely lady was playing bass in the Organic Orchestra which played at the Blanton Museum on a recent Sunday. They had an eclectic group of musical instruments, that's for sure.

Looking out our back door

Here's the view from our gym's balcony. Lots of construction in the neighborhood and more to come! Check out the new bridge in the right middle of the shot. Just to the right of that with the two cranes is the new central library.

Gunfire -- and it woke me up!

Back on the morning after Thanksgiving last year, a deranged man shot up the Federal Courthouse. They still have not fixed the glass in the guardhouse window. UPDATE: As luck would have it, they started working on a fix this morning.

Shake it!

This little dog got all excited when I tried to take his photo.

Gig 'em!

Here is the Aggie Band in the same parade as I showed yesterday.

Hook 'em!

The Longhorn Band marched in the parade for the inauguration of the new Texas Governor.

Slated for extinction.

These trees will be cut down because they are effectively dead and are a hazard. The city has to put signs up about plans to remove them.

A boat, not afloat

We saw this abandoned boat on the trail a few days ago. From its condition, I don't think anyone will be using it anytime soon.

What Would You Miss?

It is the first of the month and as usual it is theme day for City Daily Photo. The theme is: "If you had to leave forever the city from which you usually post, what would you miss most?" We figured if we had to leave, it would be together so what we'd miss most would be the lawn. Yes, the great lawn of Zilker Park on a day in January when no jackets are required and the skyline gleams on the other side of Lady Bird Lake as we make our way on one of our walks in our neighborhood. See what other City Daily Photo sites did with the theme here.