Say whee!

This family was having fun getting its photo shot one recent evening.

Full moon, but not in June.

Now this is a full moon. It went behind the clouds right after I shot this photo from our balcony.

Spiderman

I was walking through our apartment one day and this was what greeted me in the bedroom. It was a window washer, of course.

The Republic is No More

In the Texas State Cemetery, there is a circle of stones with quotes from Texas Historic figures. This one from the last president of the Republic of Texas, Anson Jones, is amusing.

The lone star of Texas, which ten years since arose amid cloud, over fields of carnage, and obscurely shone for a while, has culminated, and, following an inscrutable destiny, has passed on and become fixed forever in that glorious constellation which all freemen and lovers of freedom in the world must reverence and adore--the American Union....The Republic of Texas is no more. 

Some Texans never really admit we joined the 'glorious constellation' and some forget that we had that bloody foray into the Confederacy. By the way, have you ever heard of Six Flags Amusement Parks? They began in Texas and the six flags were those that flew over this vast land: French, Spanish, Mexican, U.S. and, yes, the Confederacy and Texas Flag when we were an independent nation from 1836-1846.

A 9/11 Memorial

Sometimes on our walks we take a turn through the Texas State Cemetery on the East Side. On a recent visit, we discovered this 9/11 Memorial with a piece of twisted debris.I think FFP is saying, "I never noticed this before."

Hot Rod

Every year in the Spring the club where I play tennis has a car show. I'm usually playing while they set up and snap a few pictures after my game. This truly looks like a hot rod with the flame paint job.

Lines, lines, everywhere a line!

Voodoo Doughnuts have come to East Sixth. Already getting a line out the door.

That's good to know!

Walked by the fire station in Old West Austin the other day. Good to see that the fire danger is low.

Heading for the station.

Going places on Amtrak. The station is just around the corner from where I shot this photo. It's fun to think of being on that train with some good books and Linda by my side.

Turtle takes his ease

This turtle found a nice spot on a limb where he was catching some sun the other day.

Looming library

Soon we will have a state-of-the-art library near our home. It will be so impressive when it is done.

Deconstructed salad -- so good

I had this salmon salad for lunch at La Traviata the other day. It was as good a salad as any I have eaten anywhere in the world. Delish!

Four lives lost

Four young lives were snuffed out during SXSW in 2014. This memorial is near the place where they were murdered by a drunk and high driver. 

Bloody Mary is a girl I know. . .

Our friends at Fixe have concocted a new Bloody Mary. Love that bacon and okra garnish!

Hasta la pasta!

I took this photo of our friend Marion Gillcrist the other day for a column I wrote on her. She runs La Traviata Restaurant here in town.

Wedding bells are ringing out

This trio of beautiful folks were enjoying the afterglow of the guys getting married. We all went on a riverboat cruise to celebrate.

Merrily, merrily, merrily.

This paddleboat was headed downstream around 11:00 one recent morning.

Bronzed catfish

One of my favorite dishes at Threadgill's. Linda is having the oysters in this photo.

Bumped bumper

Oops! Saw this at Bowie Street the other day. Not a good thing.

Pennybacker Bridge

Austin's iconic bridge is quite a sight at night from the water.

When Irish eyes are smiling --

Street art can be well done at times. Saw this little guy on St Patty's Day. 

What the market will bear. Or is this unbearable?

If they'll pay it, you can charge it. Or something like that. SXSW means a lot of cars downtown looking for parking spots.

It takes all kinds of music

to make SXSW happen. If you want a certain kind of music, you'll find it here.

50 Shades of Green

We never did figure out what Chive was. They had a presence in our neighborhood during SXSW.

Well that explains it!

There are plenty of these folks in Austin. 

One of each, please!

The dessert buffet at Fonda San Miguel is always a delight.

Easter, Austin-style

Another colorful display in Clarksville. 

Street of Dreams

Bowie Street did not become David Bowie Street. Hey, can't win em all.

Dogs like pastries, mom!

These cute dog was wanting to visit a pastry booth at the Farmers Market the other day.

Simple Home

Today is theme day and it spite of it being April 1 the theme is 'The Beauty of Simplicity." I believe the idea of the contributor who came up with it was to focus on one subject and present a picture with simple lines. I have chosen to show instead an object meant to be, in and of itself, simple and beautiful while being useful. (It is a 270-sqaure-foot home model.) It is meant to be stacked and integrated with other such homes. Supposedly some time in 2016 people in Austin will be able to own these. (See the Kasita website for details.) See the City Daily Photo theme day gallery for other interpretations of the theme.