eiffel tower

Did you really believe there would be a trip to Paris without a photo of the Eiffel Tower?

The one in Paris, Texas is not nearly as exciting.

texas version

au revoir

Farewell to summer vacation in Europe with a toast of brut cuvee. This sparkling wine is made in the Champagne method by Bernard-Massard Winery, which is not allowed to use the trademark designation. We enjoyed a tour of the cellars and sampled flutes of various wines. It's back to Texas wines as we leave with memories of Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Germany.

Caves Bernard-Massard
6773 Gravenmacher
Luxembourg
8.27.2011

hymnal

St. Gangolf Church on Market Square
Trier, Germany

Tonight is the Gala Dinner for the World Championship Benchrest Shooting Competition. The wives have visited Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Germany while the husbands shot.in Volmerange-les-mines, France. The three USA teams came in first, second and seventh.

foie gras de strausborg

The French city Strausbourg in the Alsace region is famous for foie gras with a bouquet of subtle tastes and aromas appreciated by gourmets - but goose liver is still goose liver.

pont saint georges a metz

Saint George Bridge. Moselle River
Metz, France

A picturesque town in northern France. The weather has cooled to 74 degrees but humidity is still 85%!

breakfast in brussels

grote markt

After an early and long bus ride, we arrived in Brussels, Belgium. The Grote Markt or Grand Place is the central square of the city and is surrounded by guildhouses, the town hall and Maison du Roi -- all old and elegant buildings dating from 1698.

garcon

Lunch in Paris

louvre

Helpful Hints:

Do not book your trip to Paris during high season when the Europeans are on vaction. Avoid the 90+ degree heat wave when humidity is 80+ percent. Watch out for pigeons which might "decorate" your 2-day blouse on Day One!

dutch tulips

I am unsure of the day or time but know I left on Wednesday at 6 a.m., enjoyed the sunset over the Atlantic from KLM Flight 9357, saw the sun rise from the same airplane, briefly glimpsed tulips at Amsterdam's Schipfol Airport and finally after many hours and miles arrived in Luxembourg.

sunflower

sillas de santa fe

From the archives:
Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat
50 Mt Carmel Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico
09.16.2006

high octane

Is the best coffee on the interstate transported in a tanker with a flammable hazardous material placard? Makes one wonder. If you need a morning kick start, maybe he makes home deliveries.

I-40
Memphis, Tennessee
8.10.2011

beale street

We ate famous barbeque ribs with dry rub at Charles Vergos' Rendezvous Alley (near the intersection with General Washburn's Escape Alley). To get there, turn down the alley in front of the Peabody Hotel. Afterward, we strolled down Beale Street. Touted as "home of the blues" it reminds one of Bourbon Street, 6th Street and the Depot District. A balmy evening of 95 degrees was not conducive to to street-walking and a "call-a-cab" frozen drink at Wet Willie's was not enticing. We retired to the air conditioned Hilton.

elvis is in the building

It's Elvis Week in Memphis and there are Elvi everywhere in the Hilton Hotel for the competition tonight. Some of them (see my facebook) weren't even born when Elvis Aron Presley died in 1977 but this Elvis might really be the genuine 76-year singing star.

dead elvis week

Tonight's concert kicks off what local Memphisites call "dead Elvis week" marking the 34th anniversary of Elvis' early passing at age 42 on August 16, 1977. Unfortunately I won't be able to participate in the candlelight vigil, 5K run or the Elvis tribute contest. Perhaps I can glimpse some Elvis impersonators when we eat BBQ on Beale Street tomorrow night.

AUGUST 8, 2011

ducks at work

After a hard day's work (11 am to 5pm) swimming in the marble fountain in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel, the ducks are summoned by the Duckmaster, follow the red carpet to the elevator, ride to the rooftop and retire to their quarters.

Peabody Hotel
146 Union Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee

summer time

From the archives:

Remember those summer nights with a cool breeze off the lake? when the boat dock was actually in the water? when the temperature at night was below 85 degrees and there hadn't been 35 days over 100 degrees? when clouds usually brought rain?

guns up!

Nephew Tye is the latest family member to graduate from Texas Tech - Class of 2011. Veterans may wear camouflage stoles with their robes and mortar boards.

a sculpture with no name

In 2001 the Museum of Texas Tech commissioned noted sculptor Horace Farlowe to create a sculpture for the west entrance of the Helen Devitt Jones Auditorium and Sculpture Court. Made of Texas pink marble, it's described as "architectonic" which I guess means spheres and slabs.

shadows on the patio fence

Subtitle: It's hot and I'm too lazy to seek photographic opportunities.

Happy Birthday, Suzanne.
Did your cake this year have ballerinas?
From the family album -- Aug 3, 1954


AUGUST 2, 2011

in memoriam

Throughout the centuries and across many cultures, black drapery is the symbol of mourning. The Texas Tech community honored long-time sports Jack Dale by draping Will Rogers in black. Joyous celebrations usually find Will and Soapsuds festooned in red.

pointed advice

From the archives:
"don't squat with yer spurs on"
derelict building in Buffalo Gap, Texas
04.12.2011