Don't leave your butts behind!

Arrived in Sherman Texas and the beautiful turn of the century home of the “brick mobile” artist and sculptor, Mark Monroe. H.B. was delighted with the carpet and squirmed and wiggled her way into our host’s heart instantly. Having not eaten since the sammy in Austin 5+ hours earlier we set out for late din. Ate delicious pizza at a pub and traded stories of our Houston parade event (he drove the lovely “cow goddess” and an ex student drove the brick mobile.) We then returned to his home where he gave me a tour of his sculptures, work done, in process and to be done (in restoration.) Thought I caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye and asked if his house was haunted, his affirmative reply took a split second and led to an hour or so of ghost stories (about Henrietta) before bed. Yikes!

After vancamping behind what turned out to be a tiny neighborhood fire department (#11) and a bike ride around the sweet and artsy hood,(HB. happily in tow), we went to “once over” coffee shop for a cuppa and laptop catchup. Was struck with how friendly and “down to earth” everyone was. Many noticed the art car, a couple asked questions, but most took her in stride. I think that said alot about the  level of awareness and accptance in Austin that the bug was less remarkable here than (art car mecca,) Houston. Interesting. On the advice of barista, we took a short walk down Congress and met a toastmaster acquaintance for a sandwich at a food trailer downtown (Chez Remy) where we split a french sandwich (on perfect bread) with cornichons as the pickle of choice (bien sur.) Lamented the heat, humidity and the fact I had to go load up the bug (and couldn’t take more time to explore!)

After a welcome, cool dip in springs I dashed off to toastmasters meeting here in Austin. My favorite speech here was an “audience participation” story telling that revealed “how may friends you will have when you die.” a potentially morbid subject dealt with in an entertaining way! I really enjoy the subtle differences among clubs. This one combines grammarian with Um-ah counter and has a “listener report” (where members are quizzed on what they learned from speeches) they also have a yearly banquet in which they award a community member for their communication skills and positive affect on the community. Terrific idea! They too have an “after meeting” they call p.m.s. (post meeting social?) and go to the “Hula hut” next door to enjoy each others company. I had a cold adult bevy there, great conversation and then went to Saxon pub to enjoy some terrific music (Jack Wilson) I held phone up for neighbor Brian Chodorcoff and supported the band by buying a c.d. Opted not to drive the 70 mi. round trip to primitive campground and was led to park in a sweet nearby neighborhood where I found a large, well lit lot behind firestation #11 and slept like a log in the van for the night.

After a good bye to “Cat” and babies, shifting the van load, securing sagging clothing rack (thank you Natalie) and hooking up the van I was ready to hit the road, almost. Kate (from Chatanooga) arrived, just in time to offer me some “ex-local” advice on where to go in Austin! Among the suggestions were Zilker springs and Saxon pub Perfect timing…

Monday night I took in a Toastmasters meeting and really enjoyed an award winning speech on “body language.” It was both informative, riotously funny and wry at the same time. Great delivery, movement and surprising use of celebrity “illustrations” really made it funnt! The group was welcoming and invited me to join the group for a bite afterwards. Had I not planned to return to help with dinner, I would have taken them up it. I prepared a hearts of palm, artichoke, tomato, jicima, zucchini salad (with medicinal quantities of garlic, oops! never talk while you are chopping up elephant garlic!) Sat with Dave and reviewed trip plans, tried to work out e mail bugs and enjoyed a few more laughs before retiring.

Flowers and watermelon of course 🙂 Went to flower market and bought a joyous variety of blooms and a trip to grocery to get the sweetest watermelon I could find to cut into big juicy bites for the fridge for my hard working and busy hosts, Dave and Harlene.

After meeting John Runnels and Louise we drove up to Orange show to collect some gas money, say Goodbyes (and thank-yous) to Jewlz et al and return the “really big (foamcore) check” I won in “97. I took Natalie to yummy Thai lunch (with cash winnings) we enjoyed feast and conversation in the cool and empty restraunt. She described her well rounded counsel of advisors for her fine arts degree which included a sculptor, architect, techie, poet. All reflect some area of interest/ aptitude and provide expert perspective and insightful critique. I sat in admiration of her openness to collaborate, her fearlessness in regard to learning and strethcing, her flexibility and of course, her brilliance.

Museums closed but got to see amazing art anyway. Was invited to “mother dog” studios where I enjoyed Louise’s amazing etchings of moths. Really delightful, iridescent, mystical and sublime (which left me longing for more light in the studio so I could really get a good look at them!) Next was Natalies dear friend and mentor, John Runnels, who works in several mediums (including cigarette butts!) saw early graphite, charcoals as well as newer photos (mostly nudes) assembleges (“when dad died we lost a library” “pamela”) I was especially honored that he shared some of the backstories, inspriations, poetry and captions and I got more than a superficial understanding of his depth and talent. Lastly I saw our common denominator (cigarette butts.) I was delighted to see how he has used them in “smoking chairs,” lights, tables, Tobacco road (houses) frames, brushes (“brushes with death”) and a large (amazing) flag (“ignited states of America”) His next large piece is a bed (with quilt and pillow) for the “Marlborough man” and “Virginia slims” Wonderful!

We all arrived at the awards site, relieved to find commisary with cold beer, dogs, bbq and s.o.s. We mixed and mingled and waited, and waited for judges and results to arrive. Natalie had a game of “tag” with young man (popcorn cart.) I visited with Paulette (Mermaids’ don’t cook) Rex (Chewbaru) Don (Carpe noctum) and sat also with the “Sashimi” fellows who relayed stories of Physics, string theory and serving Richard Fineman tea. Mayhem broke out when it was announced that a winner had “41” on bottom of chair (a sham) and one savy artist ran up front to claim the prize (Natalie then rushed up to struggle prize seat from the 1st) an improvizational open mike followed with many getting up to tell their favorite silly joke or pun. At last awards were given. I don’t recall all of them but here are a few: Randy (a little bit of nonsense) took peoples choice and one other, Queen Becky (optical illusion) Freedom of speech award (to rabid smokers rights woman from Kentucky) “Pop” car, “bat man,” “Heaven and Hell” (Chris Hubbard) and yours truly won a 2nd place trophy. Returning to Montrose around 9 we ordered to-go and I had the pleasure of chatting with Harlene while Dave went and got….

It was “up and at ’em” Sunday a.m. making Greek omelettes for the “fish men” Richard (designer) wore a t-shirt that proclaimed “fish controll my brain” indeed. David’s said simply “CREW.” After shaking off cobwebs, and donning my white parade gloves- I was off to line up. Parade slated to begin at 1, my # 181 was scheduled for 10 a.m. I parked in line and took camera to capture as many photos as I could of cars within a few “Texas Blocks” of my car (will upload soon) Lovely vw bus in front of me (dedicated to peace) made it irrestible to offer them a bumpersticker. They chose one of my favories: “who would Jesus bomb?” Having forgotten my hat (doh) I was well on my way to a sunburn by the time parade began (close to 2) Well worth the wait however with what seemed to be record crowds in Houston. It was a terrifically hot and humid day which made it even more special that so many had chosen to come out and see the parade. I was directly behind “Freegle 2” which appeared to have some kind of issue which made it necessary for them all to jump out and pop the clutch to keep her going (which was done with enthusiasm an aplomb by the 1/2 dozen 30 somethings atop.) 1/2 way through the parade one of the crew jumped ship and sought the creature comforts of the bug and took over the waving from the front seat (and navigated us to the awards ceremony site.)