Noes

No street parking on my block for three weeks starting tomorrow because of the viaduct closure? The viaduct is like 5 blocks away. Makes no sense. So I emailed the city asking what's up. 

So Pretty

Tiguan so pretty with new wheels and a wash!

Working on a Painting

A small one... Just 9x12

For my masculinity series...

80 and Sunny

A third day of 80+ degree temperatures in Seattle! I definitely brought the Texas weather back with me (minus the storms). 

But... Signs are pointing to a formidable La Niña coming around August or so, which would mean lots of cool temps and rain in the Pac NW. The east coast would get lots of snow and an active hurricane season. Lucky them. We shall see what transpires! 

Thorns

Love how Rocco thinks it's a good idea to sniff thorny plants. 

Austin, TX

I had such a good time in Austin! Live music and BBQ every day. A few too many Shiner Bocks. Two-stepping. And a fire pit or two.

Beer in the fridge at Lone Star Court!

One of the fire pits right outside of my hotel room.

I took the photo after eating my ribs... Just couldn't wait. 

Made a trip out to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Walked up to the Texas State Capitol building in downtown Austin.

Saw Dierks Bentley and Kacey Musgraves perform (after witnessing Matthew MacConnaughey auction stuff) at ACL.

Headed over to Zilker Park Botanical Garden and got lost in a beautiful place :)

Spent a lot of time in the South Congress area just waking around and drinking iced turbos from Jo's. I also spent a couple hours hanging out on the Congress bridge to see the millions of bats fly out at dusk. That was cool. Lots of people had blankets and just chilled in the park waiting for the bats. Others, like me, stood on the bridge. Still others paddled in the Colorado River on kayaks or in boats. 

One of the highlights was going to the Broken Spoke to hear Dale Watson (pictured above) play. I two-stepped with a nice gentleman from Midland, TX all night and had a great time.

The man from Midland recommended I go to Gruene Hall so that's what I did the next day. I saw another band play and had a cold Dos Equis. That place is like a chicken coop. Very cool vibe and I will be back!

Tires Trying Tried Tired

How does one go about buying tires for a car? If left to my own devices, I decide based on the design of the tread pattern. 

I like the diagonal repetition of lines but I also like some kind of triangle in there. Oh, like argyle. Are there argyle tires? I would like that. I like the lines that have a heavy weight and are not super fine. Some pattern designs are so boring. Some look too shallow. I don't like the shade of black on some tires, but that could be the web site photography... I wonder if the tire people will think I'm crazy? 

I don't know anything about tires 🙃 (upside down smiley face)

70 Degrees and Sunny Sunday

Took my blades to Greenlake....! Gotta watch out for sticks, twigs and pine cones :)

It's so nice here. Lots of walkers. Lots of joggers and strollers. I spotted a couple long boarders. And there was one other rollerblader... This older guy who was also using ski poles. 

Some people are just chilling on the grass and others have pitched hammocks for a snooze. There are also people fishing and sailing toy boats. At some point I passed a kayak and boat rental place (future trip!). I really love Greenlake. 

New Lamp

Remember when my beloved CB2 ghost lamp sparked and smoked? Well I'm afraid to turn it back on (even though I did get a fire extinguisher!) so I had to get a new lamp. I just need that calm mood lighting at night, you know?