November 9, 2009

Fifty Years Ago Today

My favorite bride and groom! My parents got married on November 7, 1959. Even though we lost Daddy about 18 years ago, it's still a day to celebrate. Mom is having a big get together with her mother, sister and brother this weekend in Midland. She's pretty excited -- said something about lots of food, wine and Tuna Christmas. The kids will all get together with her over Thanksgiving. And yes . . . we do give Thanks.

November 4, 2009

Cafe del Sol

We call it our other kitchen. Everyone needs a place to pop in for a quick comfortable meal, and this is ours. We've been enjoying suppers at this little Mexican restaurant for so long that we feel like it's just an extension of our home. No need to look at the menu. It's like opening our own refrigerator. We already know what's in there.

The second table from the end on the left as you walk in? That's ours. The staff knows us so well that they can start bringing our drinks before we even order. They ask about our kids, and we ask about theirs. Jenny and Jaime tease Mike about his order because it's always the same. We all laugh together.

No fuss. No frills. Just plain old Tex-Mex food. We feel like part of the family here. That's why we keep coming back.

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” -- James Beard

October 28, 2009

We Otter Have a Good Time
Houston's Downtown Aquarium has the most amazing carousel. Instead of horses, children of all ages ride on otters, seahorses, dolphins, and alligators.

After covering an event in their ballroom the other day, I took a walk through the park area and couldn't go past this guy without finding a way to take him home with me. He reminded me of my youngest son who, when he was little, could always find a way to play -- wherever he was. Just like an otter.

I miss those days. I really really miss those days.

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." -- Albert Einstein 1879- 1955

October 27, 2009

In Every Game -- Proud and Ready to Win -- Americans All

This is a composite panorama, constructed from six separate photographs. It looks awesome if blown up large enough to see the details, and the original is well over five feet long.

This weekend our team played on the visitor side of the stadium, and for a while the sun shined brightly on our boys in blue. They gave the powerhouse state champions quite a run for their money. Mustangs, your day will come. As a team you've got what it takes. Discipline, honor, class, leadership, talent, and determination. You will win on the bigger field-- be that the playoff field or the field of life.

“Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn't give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.” - General George S. Patton 1835-1945

October 26, 2009

Every time I see a Lacrosse sticker on a car in our community, it makes me smile.

Perhaps there's a delusion of grandeur at work, but I like to think of myself the mother of Lacrosse in Katy. There’s a history I’d like to share.
First . . . This is Stuart. He’s a senior and one of the captains for Taylor Lacrosse. I was so excited to get to shoot a session with him and his co-captain, not only because I’ve watched Stuart grow up since elementary school, but also because I’ve watched the Lacrosse program grow from its very humble beginning.

It all started in the summer of 2002, when on a whim I picked up a cheap little plastic ball and scoop game at Target. My intent was to find something for our younger kids to play with in the backyard during the long summer months. Instead, our middle son, Nathan, and two of his friends going into their senior year of high school took that toy out into the cul-de-sac. They turned it into a full-contact blood-sweat-and no-tears sport.

Before long, they were talking about Lacrosse, wondering what the game really was. While the Houston area had a few Lacrosse teams scattered about, there was nothing in Katy. Nathan started researching the sport. He learned the rules out of a book and even contacted the US Lacrosse organization which helped locate and recruit a very fine coach.

The first season out, our little team looked like the ragamuffin Bad News Bears version of a team – just proud that everyone had a blue jersey and helmet. There were hardly enough players to fill all the positions on the field, so nobody sat on the bench. We had no subs. Everyone played the whole game.

It was brutal.

Eight short years ago, our town had only heard the word Lacrosse. Today we have at least three club teams on the high school level and a thriving junior high club program. Taylor students have gone to college on full lacrosse scholarships. Countless talented athletes who don’t get to start on school sponsored football, baseball, and soccer teams have a place to participate and shine. I even hear that a girls’ team has formed recently. A prestigious subdivision called Firethorne has even been built around a lacrosse field. Look it up!

Surely, Lacrosse would have made its way to Katy by now without my "help." Still, I like to think that my $5.00 impulse purchase from Target, in the hands of a natural leader whom I had the privilege of raising for a few very brief years, has made a positive impact on our community and on the lives of a number of young athletes.

Yep! Every time I see a lacrosse sticker on a car, I have to smile.

October 25, 2009

Is it Fall Yet?

Rough Weekend. Moving Forward.

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -- Japanese Proverb

October 23, 20

Can't Pick a Favorite

It's just too hard to pick a favorite shot from my senior session with Lauren. What a beautiful girl. Fun day too.

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are." -- Marianne Williamson

October 22, 2009

Hammers & Strings

“Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” -- George Bernard Shaw

October 20, 2009

At the Park - Generation to Generation to Generation

"Play by the rules, but be ferocious." -- Phil Knight, founder of Nike

October 19, 2009

The Night the Lights Went Out

An entire bank of lights at the stadium went out this weekend, and it made quite a challenge out of shooting the fourth quarter of our high school game. Action shots were a little bit touch-and go, but I did take advantage of the dramatic lighting effects.

"Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity." -- Oprah Winfrey