sad

 

I was one of Sandy's entries in the 8th Annual "Putting on the Dog" photography exhibit; unfortunately we weren't selected.  However, she did have a Brittney Spaniel's photo accepted.  Watch for the exhibit coming in June at the International Cultural Center.

the ladies of paris on broadway

 

Broadway was once the shopping hub in downtown Lubbock but today there's little to attract customers.  Lester's was once a busy jewelry store; now it is storage - likely for the wig shop next door.  These ladies look as if they are missing the diamonds and pearls.

 

Lester's

1014 Broadway

Lubbock, Texas

no more rain dances, please

 

This is officially the wettest May on record in Texas and with today's 2+ inches (and it's raining as I post) Lubbock has probably broken the 1941 rainfall record and now rates as the wettest May ever.

 

Lakota Dancer

Crazy Horse Monument

South Dakota

6.9.2015

trinity

 

Although built over 300 years ago, the Mission San Francisco de Asis sported fresh adobe.  Each spring, the parishioners gather to mud a new layer of adobe on the walls with a mixture of mud and straw. The work is called “enjarre”, or re-mud. All God's creatures -- and buildings -- welcome spring's renewal.

 

Mission San Francisco de Asis

Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico

5.22.2015

 



azul de taos

 

No trip to Taos or New Mexico would be complete without the obligatory "adobe" photo.  Tradition has it that blue stops evil spirits from entering the home and dates back to early settlers. Another story relates the color to Our Lady of Guadalupe who appeared to the faithful wrapped in a blue robe.  The blue on this door is probably to keep the turistas away since the casa is near the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church, a site with many visitors like me.

 

Ranchero de Taos, New Mexico

5.22.2015



a walk of tribute

 



Memorial Day weekend in northeastern New Mexico attracts motorcycle enthusiasts - and 20,000 are expected to rumble at the rally in Red River.  The Viet Nam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire is site of a flag retirement ceremony and candlelight vigil for those who didn't make it home.

Viet Nam Veterans Memorial
Angel Fire, New Mexico
5.22.2015

snow-covered Spanish Peaks

 

The Highway of Legends is one of the most scenic and historic drives in Colorado rising to Cuchara Pass on the shoulder of the Spanish Peaks. The 82-mile two-lane highway connects Trinidad and Walsenburg with scenic views of volcanic formation, lakes and historic communities. .  La Veta is situated on the eastern side of La Veta Pass through the Sangre Cristo Mountains.  Just south of is the foot of the West Spanish Peak.  Today as we crested the peak there was still snow on the ground.  It was a great day trip with lunch in Cuchara.

 

Highway of Legends

Cuchara Valley

La Veta, Colorado

la favorita

 

On the way to Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos Church and the Talpa cemetery, we passed Paul's Bar.  Turns out this place was the most photogenic place on this leg of the trek.

 

Paul's Bar

SH 518

Talpa, New Mexico

next door

 

The pointing finger tells the shopper to go next door for groceries, hardware, even beer and wine.  Alas the store next door as well as the adjacent clothing store have been closed since 1988.  The store stands as if the owner closed up and will return in the morning, with merchandise gathering dust.  Tony Marchiondo came from Italy and settled in Raton because the weather was similar.  He opened his business June 1, 1913 (says so right on the door) and the store closed in 1988 - probably when there wasn't a family member to run it.  The windows are a tribute to Tony's family and his patriotism.  Seven sons served at the same time in World War II; three daughters worked in the business. The Marchiondo Building, erected in 1882, houses the New York and Golden Rule Stores and is a contributing building to the Raton Downtown Historic Building.  My fears that this neat place might just deteriorate were lessened when I discovered that Marchiondo Stores is now a non-profit corporation, whatever that means.

 

7 sons served in WWI

3 daughters worked the store

 

Marchiondo New York and Golden Rule Stores

120-124 First Street

Raton, New Mexico



rainbow
 

 With today's high at only 60 degrees, the Rec Center moved swimming indoors to the Aquatic Center.  The only rainbow visible amid the clouds and drizzle was in the water fountain.

 

Texas Tech Rec Center

Lubbock, Texas



body shop

 

This body shop is in need of some repair itself.  If it weren't for the lettering on the overhead door, the only other clues to the business would be the carcasses of car chassis strewn around.  The place doesn't seem to be in business -- just another vacant spot on the east side.

 

619 27th Street

Lubbock, Texas

pink tulips arrive
                             awakened from winter’s sleep
                         perfection's allure

Haiku by Albert

jack

 

Jack is currently a student at Texas Tech but his Afro is a throwback to the '60s when hairstyles were political statements.  I don't know Jack's beliefs but his eyelashes are to die for.

 





sandfighting

One would think during a wet May with record rainfalls, a farmer wouldn't have to "sandfight." After a  hard rain, the surface quickly dries off.  When the wind blows (like today's wind advisory) the top soil will blow.  If you look closely, you might be able to "row" (or see) the tender leaves of the baby May cotton seedlings.  Sandfighting is done to keep the young plants from getting sandblasted and hopefully save the stand. Sandfighters are plows with small rolling blades which dig into the soil and break up the smooth surface and prevent the sand from blowing. The South Plains has bigger gamblers than those found in Las Vegas.

Fortenberry Farms
Lubbock County, Texas

flower dog

 

I wasn't the only one shopping for flowers today at the garden center.  Lenny the whippet admired the geraniums.

 

Little Red Riding Hood

Lubbock, Texas

texas proud

 

Even the sheds in Texas display the Lone Star!

 

Comal County, Texas

5.1.2015

inside the greenhouse

 

The Texas Tech Greenhouse was constructed in 1973 and the complex currently consists of eight glass and aluminum National Greenhouses, a steam drying facility and a plant laboratory with 7 growth chambers, and standard laboratory equipment. The greenhouse complex has 4 research houses with high intensity lighting and automated temperature control to support the estimated $3,000,000 of research conducted for federal, state and private grants each year.  In addition, the three teaching compartments house an interior foliage collection along with plant production facilities to support the laboratory experiences of students.  If you have not strolled through the Greenhouse gardens, it's worth a trip.  On a sad note, Linnaeus the Greenhouse Cat is missing.  He's been know to roam and has been picked up previously by campus police.  However, this absence has been long term.

 

Texas Tech Greenhouse

Lubbock, Texas

May God shelter your soul,

kind love, and sympathy.

 

New Braunfels Cemetery

Peace Avenue

New Braunfels, Texas

5.1.2015

bird in the window

 

From the alley, it appears that the chicken wire on the Henne warehouse window holds a bird captive.  On second glance, it's a broken pane.  The alleyside of Henne Hardware was much more interesting that the side on San Antonio Street, although the two-story building retains some of the ornamental Victorian embellishments.  Louis Henne began the Louis Henne Company in 1857 at the age of 17 upon the death of his father, expanding the family tin-smithing operation into general hardware and mercantile. The downtown store was built in 1893.  Evidently this mid-20th century sign didn't fit the Victorian architecture so now it resides in the alley.

 



Henne Hardware
New Braunfels, Texas
5.2.2015

through the scale house window

 

My grandfather W O, Fortenberry purchased the gin at New Deal (then known as Monroe) in 1929.  He sold the ginning business in 1952 to devote time to farming and oil interests.  The gin operated as New Deal Gin for many years then shut down and the place was vacant.  This year my nephew purchased a portion of the original gin land, including the scale house and gin building.  The scale house, which was also the office, still has the original walk-in vault and the Fairbanks-Morse scales.  The scales just need to be recertified to be used again.  The Fortenberry legacy lives on.

 

Fortenberry Farms

New Deal, Texas

close only counts in horseshoes and grenades

 

Riley's Tavern

Hunter, Texas

5.1.2015

she said yes

 

As I drove up to Dry Comal Winery, I noticed an interesting tableau on the front lawn - empty wicker chairs, a lace-covered wine barrel, wine and cheese.  After I parked and walked over, a young couple wandered up, arm-in-arm.  I chatted about what a picturesque scene this was and the young lady answered, "He just proposed to me here" -- about an hour and a bottle of wine ago!  As an impromptu engagement gift, I offered to take photos of Chris and Cara.  I also received an invitation to the wedding -- as photographer!

 



 

Dry Comal Winery

New Braunfels, Texas

5.1.2015

cinco de mayo

 

Mexico's victory over France - May 5, 1862.  Just another reason to celebrate and drink cerveza!

 

Yard Art

Gruene, Texas

5.2.2015

watchful observers

 

I think the best time to visit an urban downtown without the hustle and bustle is Sunday morning.  I did just that on Sunday in New Braunfels.  I'm sure that when the Spass Walking Tours offers a stroll through the past, they didn't mean the alleys.  But I sometimes find the alleys more interesting than the streets.  As I wandered the backside of buildings built around the turn of the century (1900s that is), I was alone except for these two feral cats who kept an eye on me as I walked behind the McAdoo Seafood Restaurant, housed in the former 1915 Post Office.

 

New Braunfels, Texas

5.3.2015



bloody mary

 

Judging by the number of Bloody Marys bartender Renna concocted, either Renna makes a great drink or the bikers had a bad Friday night.

 

Riley's Tavern

Hunter, Texas

Today's jaunt was historical in nature.  Riley's Tavern advertises being the "oldest bar in Texas" by virtue of receiving the first liquor license - No. 0001 - issued in 1933 after Prohibition was repealed.

 

 

The oldest building in Hunter is home to Riley's.  It was built in 1895 as Galloway's Saloon.   I felt it appropriate to visit the establishment and sample the wares.  Population of Hunter is less than 50 souls and the number of Saturday afternoon customers at Riley's matched the number of inhabitants.

 

 

Riley's Tavern

Hunter, Texas

FM 1102 and 2439







guadalupe river

 

It's great weather for a nice drive along River Road to Canyon Lake.

 

Guadalupe River

New Braunfels, Texas