Something tells me I’m going to love her forever

Look who I got to meet today!  The lovely and talented Miss Ellie Jo!!!   She really is quite lovely, as anyone can see.   She’s also quite talented in that THE GIRL CAN SLEEP. Multiple dogs barking.  Doorbell ringing.  Clothes off.  Clothes on.  Roll her on her side, on her tummy, on her back.  Jiggle her.  Blow softly in her face and whisper…

Renewed life, transformed bodies

I’m back with Part II of our transformation saga!  (Click here to read Part I.)  My friend Karen shared some of her precious chrysalises with me so that I could document their progress.  What an amazing process to behold! This whole experience has been an illustration of Revelation 21:5 for me:  He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things…

A butterfly’s best friend

If you were a Monarch butterfly making your way through Danbury TX, you would be wise to stop at Karen’s house. Unlike anyone else I know, Karen is a butterfly BFF. Right now a monarch population explosion is taking place in her backyard, and she’s doing her best to help them thrive. Eggs, tiny caterpillars and fat striped caterpillars abound. It’s a delicate business,…

This bridesmaid is going to light up the room

Ashton’s twin brother is getting married in a couple of weeks!  As all wise bridesmaids do, she tried on her dress and let her mom practice doing her hair and makeup to make sure everything is ready for the big day.   Then it was time for our photo session on the back porch, so Ashton’s dad came in to help her into her…

So lift your voice with timbrel and lyre

These are my favorites, The Oh Hellos. Austin. Birmingham. Atlanta. Asheville . Floydfest. Nashville. Louisville. Indianapolis. St. Louis. Memphis. Bellevue CO. Four Corners Folk Festival. Boulder. Lockn Festival. La Jolla. Santa Ana. San Luis Obispo. LA. Fresno. Seattle. Eugene. Portland. George Fox University. Reno. Sacramento. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Oklahoma City. Walrus Audio. Columbia. Kansas City. Des Moines. Omaha. Daytrotter. Minneapolis. Green Bay. Madison. Chicago….

Created to do good things

Trust me. This is a guy you want to get to know (if you’re one of the few people in the world yet to become his new best friend). Terrell Powell (or Terry if you’ve known him since elementary school) is a terrific, prolific artist based in Austin but often found at art shows across the nation.  I had fun catching up with him…

The life of the party

Care to guess why this lovely lady is smiling so radiantly? Because she’s the Birthday Girl, that’s why!  And if you’ll promise not to accuse me of fibbing, I’ll tell you what milestone birthday she’s celebrating on this very day. 90!   As long as I’ve known Pinky, she’s had this beautiful hair color, but once it was bright red.  I’ve heard stories about…

You’re gonna need sunglasses for this one

I hope you love yellow because you’re about to be blinded by it!  SOOOO much light and hope and love and joy are going to pour out of your screen and into your heart. This past Sunday, a thoroughly amazing flood of support swept through the Brazoria County Fairgrounds auditorium as hundreds (thousands?!) showed up to share their time, talents and treasure with Demi’s…

Let your light shine

Some people make a difference just by coming into the room, like sunlight or a sweet breeze streaming through a window.  It seems Demi Lynn Smith made that sort of difference wherever she went, and she only needed three years to change every person who crossed her path. Demi was born with a rare chromosonal disorder and passed away suddenly this past December.  Her…

Walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers

I don’t have much of a story to tell you today, but I wanted to share some of the details I spotted at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.  Just pretend you’re strolling slowly along the trails with my mom, dad and me. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.  Thank you, Lady Bird! Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so…