Sunday Morning Musings: Hurricane Ida and the Moving Transition

There’s a hurricane–or “would-be” hurricane out in the gulf.  Her name is Ida, and she has come into the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan coast.  Check out the latest information on Ida at weather.com.  This is the first named storm to come into the gulf this year, but, of course, we all remember the horrible ”I” storm [...]

Funeral for a Pine

I’m not religious and I don’t mind admitting it.  I’ve never had any meaningful conversations with god or felt any kind of emotion enveloping me when I enter any kind of church, temple, or mosque, be they a small roadside chapel or a huge medieval cathedral.
On the other hand, I can feel a spirit in [...]

A Glimpse of Galveston 10 Months After Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike hit on September 13, 2008, just a little more than 10 months ago. Preparing for the storm to come through Houston, going through the dramatic ordeal first-hand, and waiting for life to return to normal afterward are experiences I won’t forget.
But in these past 10 months, I haven’t gone to the coast, where [...]

Last Christmas Cactus Bloom of the Year, For the Sultry Days of Summer Are upon Us

How do you like my new banner photo? It’s not so easy to take (or find) long, horizontal photos to fit. I’m sure some of you will recognize the jogging trail that goes for three miles around Memorial Park, with the golf course just visible inside. The bluebonnets from the previous banner [...]

After the Rain and Flooding–A Long Drive Home

With the main entrances to I-10 West still closed at evening rush hour, it seemed like there was only one or two ways to head in that direction.  After maneuvering my way on crowded streets in the courthouse area, I finally got back on Washington near the Post Office.  Why, oh why did my old [...]

Heavy Rains Roll Through Houston Area Overnight, Some Missing in Flood Waters, White Oak and Buffalo Bayous Very High Downtown

After leaving home late this morning, when the rain seemed to finally have stopped (It was dry enough that I finally got Annie outside to pee; an earlier, unsuccessful attempt at the usual time only got us both wet), I made it to work without any problems, except for slow traffic.  Although the major ramps into and [...]

Late Afternoon Rainstorm Darkens Downtown Houston’s Skies

The afternoon of the last day of the work week got eerily dark as a front came through downtown Houston around 4 PM. It took awhile for the lights with night sensors to turn on. For a few minutes, there was so much darkness that came with the thunderstorm that it could [...]

A Walk to the Park with Annie

What great days we have been having here in Houston since I got back from Colorado–nice clear afternoons with a cool breeze. Annie and I took our walk through part of Memorial Park, starting out just at 5 PM. In my pocket, I carried my new little camera (Nikon Coolpix S230) to try it out [...]

Snowy Denver Trip Brings a Change of Pace

Over the past few days, a work-related conference took me to Denver . The trip was busy, fairly tiring, but overall worthwhile.
I hadn’t been to Denver since going to see Fleetwood Mac at Mile High Stadium back in the late 70s. Plus, the day after my arrival, the city was hit with what everyone there [...]

Holiday Gifts For You (From Triptotheouthouse)–Wishing You All A . . .

The thermometer says 48 degrees this morning, probably not very crisp for some of you in the more northerly climes, but a mighty big change here in H-town from the 80 degrees that my car thermometer read about 7:30 last evening.
With my green sweatpants and red jacket, I probablylooked a little like one of Santa’s [...]