Beasily's Corner

Where we'll be

2010-10-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Every year, come Thanksgiving, I know I'll be at my farm. This year we almost changed our minds but the the farm is where everyone wants to be. It's a very humble little place in the Texas Hill Country but for some reason when people drive through that gate, that peaceful, easy feeling comes over them. My kids love it and the grandkids love it even more. Nieces and nephews come for this one long weekend of family, fun, and surprise.

Of course, there is the usual turkey, dressing, football games, and hayride but, sometimes we get a wild hair and head to Fredericksburg or Llano to shop and dine, Luchenbach to buy souvenirs or to Enchanted Rock (in the pick above) for a great way to walk off the pumpkin pie!

Not far away (and where some of our visitors may be lodging) is Lake Buchanan fed by the Colorado River. At the north feed is the Colorado River canyon, home to 25 wintering bald eagles. Kayaking along that stretch takes you past waterfalls and the eagles. Just as the river stretches into the lake, there is Fall Creek Vineyards with award winning wines, wonderful patio for picnicking, and a play area if children are along for the trip.

For those who came last year, you know the bunkhouse was the project so we could sleep more people. A few weeks ago, we had a freak storm blow through and take half the porch roof off. So, from now til T-day, we'll be scouring Craigslist for material and completely rebuilding the porch. *Sigh* I though we might skate till Thanksgiving without a big project. I hope it's not becoming ANOTHER Thanksgiving tradition!!!

Small Spaces

2010-09-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

I planted a very large garden in the raised beds and mulched them heavily to retain moisture (thank you SO much, Mom, for teaching me this!!!) Although we've been living 2 hours away from the farm and visiting for short visits each week, the garden grew very well through the hot dry summer. Two large pumpkins, lots of squash (several varieties) and several bushels of tomatoes! I share the garden with armadillos, raccoons and deer and it still provides food for us and our neighbors!!
I really miss the meditative effects of gardening so I have moved containers to the RV park we live in when away from the farm (and making a living). We are growing tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, basil, and salad greens. Everything is coming up very well. I hope to be able to bring more containers for more gardening (without causing problems with the RV park manager!).
It's like living in a small apartment (with low mountains, creeks, trees and wildlife of the animal variety) all around. I hope to show urban dwellers how farming in a small space can still provide organic veggies and the comfort of gardening.
I'll end this now so I can go have a slice of apple, pecan cake purchased at the apple orchard down the road. Until next time!

What can you do with zucchinis?

2009-10-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in the life of every gardner when ONE vegetable is extremely prolific. This fall it's been zucchini squash. I have blanched and frozen lots and lots, baked zucchini bread and muffins, grilled it, fried it, steamed it, and it is still coming!! I don't have the heart to pull it out of the ground. I am looking for suggestions, recipes, funny stories, on what to do with all this zucchini.

I'll start by way of a mother's day card my daughter sent. It went something like, "Mom, in the cereal box of life, you're the prize!" with the inside saying something like "At least that's what I would think but you never let us eat stuff like that!"

I was thinking I could dress one up in a pirate suit and give it to the local church as Larry the Pirate Who doesn't do Anything, or carve it like a pumpkin and put a skinny candle in it. What would you do it you had a lot of zucchini and throwing it away is not an option?

No time to garden but I want organic veggies

2009-09-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

My son lives in an apartment in the middle of Houston, travels a lot, and is busy running his own business. He still wants to eat good, fresh, organic produce. Hmmm...... Today's blog addresses his dilemma as well as that of many others either no time or space for growing your own. There are several ways besides going to whole paycheck natural food store to get the produce you want.

Farmer's markets are springing up all over the nation in large cities as well as smaller communities. You will find a good variety (at least from May to October) or something like that for most markets. They usually coincide with peak harvest times although I read, recently, that several markets are continuing through the winter selling either easily stored vegetables, home preserved, or pre-cooked. I love market days. No two markets are alike not even markets held in the same place from week to week. As the seasons go, so go the markets.

Another excellent way to get your vegetables and fruits is to become a member of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, called CSAs. This concept came to the U.S. from Europe and Japan in the 80's and is spreading rapidly in the U. S. and Canada. The center of a CSA is a farm that grows a variety of foods, some organic, some not so check before you make your decision. The members pay a monthly fee, which helps sustain the farmer with regular income, and the farmer, in turn, either delivers or arranges weekly pick ups to or by the members of the pickings of the week. This gives the member a fresh variety of locally grown vegetables. Some CSAs ask their members to donate a day of their time to work in the garden. It's a nice added benefit for both the farmer and the members.

One other way for a city-dweller to get some fresh veggies is to become part of a neighborhood garden or seek out Urban Harvest to see where they have gardens that need members. These neighborhood or community gardens vary widely from community to community but usually require input from all members so they can reap the harvest.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, there is a large county park where the Little Maumelle and the Arkansas River meet. Community members can request a "plot" where they can fence it, raise whatever they want, however they want to grow it. Some people bring small tool sheds to keep their gardening supplies handy.

If you are interested in any of these options of obtaining fresh vegetables and fruit, here are a few links to look at:

http://localharvest.org This is a website where you can look up CSAs, Farmers Markets, and more

http://www.urbanharvest.org/ Houston, Texas organization for community gardens

And my son? He found a great Farmer's Market on Richmond he likes to frequent when he's in town. When he comes to see mom? He can pick whatever he wants from her garden!!

An unexpected hummingbird

2009-09-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was walking from my garden to the porch where, in season, the hummingbird feeders hang to feed the little visitors. They leave the hill country in mid-August. I take the feeders down, clean them up and store them for the spring migration. This is mid-September and the feeders are put away. I have a garden below the feeder hooks that have red-flowered salvia and autumn sage. I saw a lone hummingbird, hovering from flower to flower, drawing sustenance from what was there. I was wondering why the bird didn't fly with the others or why it showed up at this time. I went inside so it could feast in peace. I didn't want to scare it off. We've had a drought so I don't know how many natural feeding areas they have between here and their southern home.

Sometimes, I am like that hummingbird, not quite in step with everyone else. I'm not flying with my charm (group of hummingbirds). I flew away from them to the hill country and am in a spot where there are more mockingbirds, wrens, and other birds (including hawks and owls). I feel out of step and not sure if there are any hummingbirds around me. When I walk into a cafe or sit down at a table for the local fund raiser, people look at me and keep up their conversations.

I've been in this position before and it takes quite a while to find a place where you fit in. I feel awkward and inadequate. Sometimes, others come in our midst that look a little lost, out of place. It may be church, synagogue, school, or community activities. It's hard being "out of step" so, if you see someone looking a little uncomfortable or out of place, don't just look and turn the other way pull out a chair and start a conversation. Your other friends will follow your lead.

Garden space - What do you do with all these vines??

2009-09-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of great veggies and fruits that grow on vines. If you leave them alone, they'll take over the whole garden, yard, lawn furniture and children if they're still long enough!!! What can you do? The answer is TRELLIS. Trellises, come in all types of designs made of all types of material. I'm going to show you some from other sites and I'm going to show you some of my "repurposed" trellises.

You can find easy designs on trellises all over the Internet. Being the "getting back to hippy roots" type of person, I really like Mother Ea rth News and Grit magazine sites. They have awesome do-it-yourself articles, videos, and instructions. The trellis to the left holds about 20-30 snap bean vines. This is from the Grit article found at: http://www.grit.com/Do-It-Yourself/Garden-Trellis-Design-and-Construction.aspx. This photo doesn't show the trellis design. That will come later.

Trellises can be purchased, kits built, they can be simple and functional or elegant. Many garden centers have some sort of trellis or vertical growing apparatus. You can also, use 2 or 3 -1" x 2" x 10 ft boards nailed to the back of a sheet of lattice burying 2 ft of the 10 ft board in the ground for support (or nailing them to the side of your raised bed.

In addition a really cool design using the same idea as above is the frame and rope or frame and twine trellis. These are great because you can get quite a few plants on the same trellis. Not only that but you can use the top of the trellis to frame out a "cold frame" or plastic crop cover to protect your garden from cold weather.

As I said earlier, I would show some of my repurposed trellises. I found the main part of this trellis in the back acreage of our property when we started a clean up project. it's an old bed spring (sort of beat up) but the vines are loving it!!! In this photo they you don't see them growing but it's nearly covered now. You'll see a large branch makes up the "frame" of the bed. We have a lot of health thinning on the back property so, we will have lots of wood. Why not use it for this?

Mesquite trees are known to leech or use more water than other plants so they aren't the best thing in the pasture. So, we took down the mesquite saplings. Some are used to reinforce barbed wire fencing. I saved a few for a special trellis. I made a tipi and wove twine in a net. This was the beginning. later my husband took the twine off and put old chicken wire (poultry netting) around it (with one side open as an entrance). The idea is to have the vines climb up the outside and close in the tipi. It's a fun place for kids to play or if you don't have kids, you can grow some sensitive plants in there that could use a little bit of shade. As a master gardener said at a program a few weeks ago, "When the seed packet says 'full sun' I don't think they had the blazing Texas sun in mind!". Some plants that in most parts of the country can handle full sun might need a little shade to keep from burning up!

Trellises save space, keep the garden space neat, and make harvesting a whole lot easier!!

Join me for the next blog on organic additives..

Raised bed gardens (also known as "no-till" gardens)

2009-09-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

Raised bed gardening, sometimes referred to as no-till gardens (more on that, later), are a great way to garden. I'm going to discuss a little about the philosophy and go into details of creating. I'm big into organic and no chemical contact with food plants so, I'm anti-railroad ties and telephone poles as well as anything that is treated with a toxic chemical that could leech into the ground and food. That said, what can you make a raised bed garden out of? landscaping timbers, boards (cedar or other slow rotting boards), cement blocks or bricks, I even have the trunk of a downed tree as part of a bed! You want something that is either 12 inches high or can stack to that height.

Before any of that, you need to scout out a location. It needs to have full sun, good drainage (if not, we'll tell you what to do about that), and room to maneuver. You don't want to walk in your raised beds so don't make them longer than twice the length of your arm. Four foot by eight foot is a good size. You only need 3 - 12" by 8' boards; two for the sides and one for the two 4' ends. You can have smaller or larger, it depends on how much work you want to do and how much room you have.

The next thing you need to do is prepare the ground where you want the garden(s). You will notice in the two pictures above, one has grass around the sides of the garden and the other doesn't. I prefer to have mulch, straw or gravel (with plastic or cardboard underneath). After all the work you will to do have an easy garden, you DON'T want grass growing up into the raised bed! So, map out your area and cover it with heavy plastic (poke holes for drainage), layers of newspaper or cardboard. This smothers the vegetation and keeps grass from taking over your garden.

Then put your frame on top of it. You will then surround the frame with the material you choose to create a path or work area around your garden (covering the vegetation smothering matter. For good drainage, you might want to put a few inches of pea gravel, granite gravel or some type of material that will accommodate drainage. Then fill with good composted soil. (ok. read all you want. There are others who say peat, sphagnum, etc. but that does NOT work where I live!).

You are just about ready to plant! This is the big decision. What to plant??? Remember, there is a small area and you may need to eliminate some choices. It's a good idea to poll your family members to see what they'd really eat before you buy the seed. Otherwise, you'll end up like me with a row of radishes that only I would eat!!

For your first time around, you may want to go to a local organic gardening nursery and buy some plants to put in the garden. Whether plants or seeds, as soon as there is green above the ground, cover the ground with a light layer of mulch (Spring/summer - light in color like straw, fall/winter - dark in color to absorb the warmth of the sun). This mulch (not too much) will help keep the moisture in and keep your garden bed easier to maintain.

That's it for today!! Next time we'll cover vining plants and trellises.

Small time gardening on the cheap and easy

2009-09-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

Soil Bag gardening is an easy way to have some delicious veggies without tools or large yard. Just buy composted soil in bags, lay the bags out, open them up and plant the seeds. Don't forget the water and sunshine and you are good to go!!! For more on Soil Bag Gardening see: http://urbangardenproject.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/no-space-for-raised-beds-no-problem-soil-bag-gardening/

You don't have to buy a lot of composted soil if you want to do bag gardening. In other countries where there is very poor soil, they've developed a system for composting in a bag and then planting in the compost. Here are a few photos to give you an idea:

This is a rather nice looking one. You can grow out of the small holes. Just compost soil, leaves, grass clippings, food scraps, newspaper (avoid color printed pages). Keep it in a sturdy bag. When ready, poke holes in the bags, poke seeds in the holes, and there's your garden!!

This one gets the job done, too. These can be done in yards, on patios, balconies, just about any place they can get sunshine.
Be sure to use sturdy bags or double or triple the bags to hold the soil. Soil can become quite heavy and push on the bags.

http://www.cowfiles.com/gallery/grow-it-global-ugandan-farms

Here are some additional sites for information on Soil Bag Gardening:

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/4396/try-soil-bag-planting-for-no-dig-beds

http://containergardening.about.com/od/vegetablesandherbs/ss/LettuceBag_4.htm

http://containergardening.about.com/od/vegetablesandherbs/ss/LettuceBag_4.htm

No equipment? Not much space? Try no till beds

2009-09-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

If you live in an apartment or are physically limited create a raised bed table. These items can be purchased or created from scrap wood.
These raised beds save your backs, knees, and space. Made with care or store bought tables can look attractive and enhance your deck or patio. If they look nice, they should be ok for an apartment. Wheels on the legs make them easily movable.

You may think that you can't grow much in these raised beds but a 2'x 6' table gives you 12 square feet of garden. Follow the square foot garden philosophy and you will be able to feed your family some great veggies!

If this is too much work for you, check out my September 3, 2009 post for some cheap, easy (very easy) gardening solutions. Still too much work, I also have a link to Local Harvest to find CSA farms and local farmer's markets for good fresh veggies, close to home.

Instructions for Life (or recipe for cooking up a good life, as my husband says)

2009-08-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Follow the 3 Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone every day.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then, when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of life.
In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

This is not mine but passed to us by an unknown source and held for years.

Life without the Arts

2009-08-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

I can not imagine life without the Arts. Not experiencing the visual and performing arts either as a participant or observer is like not having use of your 5 senses. I am thankful for parents who not only encouraged exploration in the arts but took time, money, and involvement to make sure we experienced the arts. My dad will soon be 85 years old and loves singing. He not only loves singing, he sings. He not only sings but he encouraged and sang with all his children.

It's not about talent. I have children who are not strong in certain arts but they love them anyway. I think it is wrong to tell them they are not good enough in that art to express themselves in it. If it brings them joy. If it brings ME joy, I do it. You may not be a concert performer or have your artwork displayed in a museum but if it brings value to your life, do it.

Arts do more than simply develop persons' ability to perform, it develops and stretches their brain in different ways. It works eye hand coordination, timing and balance. In music, you learn a different language - the language of musical notation.

Even if you didn't have the opportunities as a child or if you were forced and it wasn't pleasant for you, give your child a gift of the arts. Be an advocate in your home, your schools and cities. The arts are a vital part of learning. Make sure money stays in the schools for the arts.

Stop and ask yourself, what have I done with and for the arts, lately?

Does it make sense to work free to keep up skills?

2009-07-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

With the economy in the shape it's in and many people out of work, does it make sense for out of work people to work for free to keep up their skills? Also, does it make sense to work extra hours without charging? Many people feel the pressure to work extra hours to stay ahead of the pack and to keep their jobs. Companies that are taking advantage of this fear need to be aware that it is illegal for commercial companies not to pay workers.
Government and non-profit agencies are not covered by the labor law restricting non-payment. If you're unemployed or need to add much needed skills to your resume, volunteer for a non-profit, preferably one that is recognized and whose director is willing to write a letter of recommendation. You will find it rewarding in many ways, not just resume building.
With the local, county or parish, and state budgets suffering, there are many government funded projects that could use your assistance such as schools, libraries, parks, museums, and childrens' programs. You never know...you could be setting yourself up for a pleasant career change. In the very least, you are increasing the size of your network and you never know whose brother-in-law or neighbor may be looking for a new hire with your skills!

This blog was triggered by reading an article:
Crisis spurs people to work for free by Michelle Nichols -- Reuters | 07/14/2009 8:09 PM

Sunday Morning Drives

2009-03-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning drives are my favorite way of relaxation no matter where I am. My husband and I load the dog and head out. We check the map and decide or choose our route somewhere along the way. I'm going to post about these drives each week. I have photos and catching up to do but after that it will be weekly. I hope they interest you enough to try some exploring on your own. Get a good map and don't be afraid to turn off the main road. You'll be amazed at what you see.

One of my favorite places really close by is Hwy 29, east of Llano Texas (about 1.5 hours from Austin, Texas). Along the side of the road is an eagles' nest that has been in the same tree for nearly 10 years. Every year, the same eagle couple winter there, hatch eggs, get the eaglets ready to fly and then head north. It's an awesome sight to see.

On down 29, you have a choice of direction. At Fuzzy's Corner, where Sam's Dam Ranch is located (nice plants), you can go to the left past Lake Buchanan (pronounced Buck-an-un) to the tiny community of Tow (pronounced the same as Cow). From there, you can go to Fall Creek Vineyards located on the banks of the Colorado River where it meets the lake. They have some nice wines, a picnic area and kids play area. It's a nice stopping spot.

If you decide to continue on, you'll cross the Buchanan Dam over the Colorado where Lake Buchanan ends and Inks Lake begins. Inks Lake is a great place to swim and boat. Lake Buchanan is better for fishing. Inks Lake State Park, located on Inks Lake is a popular family camping spot. Up the park road, you'll see Falkenstein Castle, a real castle and private residence. It is available for weddings and there are a few spots you can take pictures of it along the park road. On past the castle, is Longhorn Caverns State Park. A nice place to tour on a hot day. They also have Sunday brunches, reservation encouraged, as well as concerts in the caverns.

Usually by then we circle back home to get chores done and think about where we want to go next Sunday.

Catch on Film and Release

2008-11-10T19:25:00.001-08:00

The wildlife around here is just awesome to view. Although we own guns, we don't kill animals; we target shoot. The only kind of wildlife shooting we do it on film or digital camera. We have deer that feed on acorns in our back pasture and drink from our stock pond. For people who have problems with deer in their gardens, fertilize with donkey manure (horse manure works, too). Deer won't feed in areas where there is donkey or horse manure.

We had two hawks that roosted in one of the oak trees by the pond. It's really cool to watch the birds and nature interact. I hope the hawks eat moles. They burrow a lot. They don't damage gardens but create soft spots in which large animals can sink.

I have put away the hummingbird feeders till spring, am cleaning up the birdhouses and storing it all until spring. I've pulled out the bird feeders and am cleaning them up for the migrating birds. There are less insects as the weather gets colder so, I put out feeders for the winged critters.

As the weather gets cooler, I look forward for the changes in nature. Each season has wonderful things to enjoy. The bald eagles are here, nesting in the area. It's a great time to do some photo-hunting. There is a nest outside of town that has been the winter home to a couple of eagles. Each year, they give birth and teach their young to fly before heading north mid-spring.

Oh, well. Better get ready. After a week of traveling, we'll have to be ready for the crowd coming at Thanksgiving. Bonfire, hayride, food, food, food and playing are what we do Thanksgiving weekend.

Life in the country

2008-11-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

I love my little place in the country. We've been inundated by butterflies. The weather is turning cooler so the deer seem to stay out a bit longer. This morning was the first day of deer hunting season. I lay in bed listening to the hoo-hoo-hoohoohoooooo of an owl in the tree by the well. Also, listening for the start of the season. Thankful that I heard no shots, I got up, fixed breakfast and started my day. It was a glorious fall morning. The post oaks are starting to turn yellow, the poison sumac turns red. We still have wildflowers blooming. The butterfly to the right is one of many that have enjoyed the late-blooming flowers.

As I was puttering around the house, I heard Harold (my husband) yell, "Laura, come quickly. COME NOW!" I headed out the door, rounded the corner and he was by our "blue barn" doors. He said, "Get Buddy (the dog) in the house, NOW." I put the dog in the house and hurried back to see what he was behind the door. I asked if it was a racoon? No. Snake? No. By then, I'd rounded the door and there at the entrance to the building, sheltered by the partially open doors was a doe. She was dead. We looked for entry wounds and didn't see any. After looking her over, we decided she'd gotten hit by a car or truck and ran. She was so beautiful.

Harold got the tractor, took her body to the back pasture, dug a hole with the tractor and we placed her in and covered her. I hope that's the last one I have to care for in that manner. I like taking pictures, and watching them from my porch or treehouse but, I'm not a hunter. I have nothing against hunters as long as they are going to eat the meat. I just don't like wasted life, animal or human.

Life on a Fast Train

2008-09-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

WOW! I can't believe it's been so long since I blogged last. I've been at this contract for over a year and it's been a wild ride. I've been in a year of constant study, activity and questioning. I need to look up from my cube and see what's going on in the world. I won't go into politics here but suffice it to say, just because a candidate has a vagina doesn't win the women voters as well as youth doesn't pull in the young. Both groups are hard sells and the candidate has to have substance. 'Nuff said.

I have had little time to read for pleasure or watch my beloved foreign flicks but that is going to change. I've started reading again and LOVE reading Amy Tan's work. Just finished Bonesetter's Daughter. I love her characters. They show the depth and complexity of people no matter their outward appearance.

Off to work. Feels good to start up, again.

Where do you go?

2007-10-18T12:59:00.001-07:00

In India, one of the curiosities was sanitation. There were many ditches with raw sewage and there are many houses that do not have indoor facilities. There are many modern homes and lots of modern hotels and office buildings. Many are definitely NOT what you would see in the U. S. (that doesn't make it bad, just different). Anyway, talking about going (you may wonder why I would talk about this but if you had experienced what I did, digestion-wise, going is often on the mind of visitors!). In the office building where I worked, there were bidets in the women's water closets. That was interesting. You figured out just how nice it was when you felt the tp!

When we went to Mysore, the restaurant where we ate had the unusual toilet you see at the right. For the many times I had to squat in the woods while camping, I was thankful because I had to do that with this contraption. The corrugated sides are where you place your feet, then you get situated, squat and go. They also provided a faucet and pitcher for any additional cleanup that might be required.

Speaking of going. Many people traveling on the road didn't think anything about pulling over, unzipping and letting it fly! Without trying to be discrete or worrying about gender. When you had to go, you go and it doesn't matter where.

I have quite a few NICE photos to post and will post over the next couple of days. I have moved their home to a place that allows for better description interface. Until then!

Elephant Man

2007-10-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

You may know him as Poppy or you may know him as Uncle Harold but I BET you don’t know him as an elephant rider!!!

Yes!!! That’s him on the elephant!! We were at the King’s Palace in Mysore. They were preparing for the 15 day festival of Desera. This is a very big thing here in India. At Mysore, the last day of the festival, there is an “Elephant Rally”. At Mysore, the king used to ride the lead elephant. Now they have a statue of the king riding a HUGE bull elephant with long tusks. They have beautiful metal dressing on the elephant. The other elephants, including the one Poppy/Uncle Harold rode, follow along in a long procession like a parade. It’s called a rally.

While in Mysore, we went to another palace, Tipu Sultan’s summer palace. Many people come there to see the grounds where Indian history was made. There were tour buses near the entrance. One bus had been left open (door and windows). We saw lots of monkeys around the outside. Then we saw one monkey go inside!! It came out with an apple!! Then it went back inside but didn’t come out. Someone noticed people looking so they went and banged on the bus. SIX MONKEYS CAME OUT!!!! They were in there going through people’s bags looking for food!

Here’s a picture of two of them. One with an apple and one with a bag of chips:

More next time on elephants, thatch huts, and grand palaces!!

Even though I'm here, it''s still work

2007-10-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

I am in India as part of my job. I am a technology trainer. After working with our team for less than 2 months, we prepared training materials for web-based and face-to-face classes and 4 of us are traveling in Asia, training.

It's very interesting just getting to work! The driving rules are a bit different with very few traffic signals. Sometimes there are traffic police directing traffic at intersections but that isn't very often. Take a look at the video: Driving India to see what it looks like from a bird's eye view then imagine being a passenger. Thankfully, the company provides a car with driver or I don't think I'd make it! This is a city of 7 million people and the roads are just not quite able to keep up with the demanding pace.

The fellow standing with my husband is the doorman at our hotel. Many of the employees wear the older uniforms and there are some really interesting ones. I'll try to get more and upload them to my snapfish account.

For those who wonder, yes, there are cows (not just Brahman) that wander the street. In the evening on my way from work, we usually pass cows that have been tied up for milking. I asked the driver who's cows they were and he said they were no one's in particular and that anyone is free to milk them.

There is a traffic circle with a 4 foot wall. A cow grazes there by standing in the road and eating off the top of the circle! It's an adventure getting around but I've not seen a wreck or been in one, yet!

This weekend we'll get to get out in the countryside for a bit and see things away from Bangalore.

Response to email questions

2007-10-07T21:08:00.000-07:00

I get some great emails with questions about my trip. Rather than re-writing, I thought I'd cut and paste my responses to one of my emails. (More photos this evening).

How are things besides little sleep?

It is a beautiful country with very hospitable people. It's very quiet (as long as there aren't Americans around!!). I don't know if you've traveled in Mexico (away from the border) but it reminds me a lot of Mexico. Rich and well to do or very poor. It shows in the street maintenance, buildings and such which is very sad. The people in general are very kind and gentle.

Have you done any sightseeing?

We went shopping and sightseeing but our driver took us to places where he is paid in advance to take us. I am now armed with names and addresses of places that are better to go to and the driver will then be required to take us there. We toured the Bangalore Palace (very sadly in disrepair) and toured around the city. The state government is close to a state of colapse and there were buses and buses of protestors outside the congress. (That was cool - kind of exciting). While shopping we were invited to tea with the owners of the shop. It was very good. We will go to Mysore this weekend which is slower, more peaceful and more beautiful than Bangalore. Bangalore was not prepared for the HUGE growth. Mysore hasn't had that kind of growth so it still retains it's more pastoral feel.

How's the food?

The food is VERY good. I've been "educated" by the people that I've talked to on the subtlties of the regional foods. There's SO much to try and so little room in my pants!!!! I actually haven't eaten too much, though. Yesterday we only had one meal. It was very very good. It's nice to sit in a restaurant that doesn't attempt to rush you through your meal. You can really enjoy what you are eating. Today, we'll be going to MG (Mahattmah Ghandi Road) where there are even more varieties of restaurants and shops! I have an extra long day tomorrow due to the early morning live meeting so I'm taking this afternoon off to shop.

Out and about Bangalore

2007-10-07T06:02:00.000-07:00

Today we went for a drive around the city. Bangalore is a very busy city (and the driver told us it was so slow due to everyone being off work!). I can't wait to see what it's like during the work week. The juxtaposition between the daily life of the poor and the high tech industry is amazing. The people are warm and hospitable. This will be short. Harold wants to go for a walk.

The picture is of the gardens and pool outside our window.

We're off to India

2007-09-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

It looks like we have gotten approval to go. Harold and I will be in Bangalore staying in the Leela Palace (at right). This photo is from their website. I will try to post my own photos as well as comments about the trip. It won't be daily since I will be working but there should be a few entries before we return.

On the way back we will be staying in London for a few days. We've never been so we're excited about that, too.

Maps and directions

2007-06-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Asher brought up a good point when he mentioned maps and directions. SO, here goes. The major roads that go through Llano are Hwy 16, Hwy 29 and Hwy 71. If you are familiar with Austin you know about Hwy 71. Hwy 29 crosses Hwy 35 north of Austin through Georgetown. Hwy 16 runs down to I10 through Fredericksburg and Kerrville.

From Llano's crossroads, 16 and 29/71 take 29/71 west. Three miles out of town, 29 and 71 part ways. You need to take 71 northwest (the sign says Valley Spring & Brady). Eight miles from the split is CR 408 (just before getting into Valley Spring). Turn right.

The road goes around the side of the house at the intersection in an L shape (not visible on the map). Follow the road as it winds through some pretty cattle country, across dips, round curves, and across 2 cattle guards (which, for you city folk, are a series of metal bars in the road to keep the cows from getting out).

After the second cattle guard, there is a red dirt road to the right. Don't take it, take the next one - Valley Ranch Cir. (Yes, it's marked). From the house on the corner, go two down - you'll see the windmill, it's the only big one on our road. Pull through the gate and park in the gravel parking area or someplace north of the house. It's about 7 miles from the turn-off to our gate.

Here are some maps that might help:

Little House in the Hill Country

2007-05-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

Spring has truly been Spring in the Hill Country. Lot's of rain and cool weather extended the wildflower season beyond the usual. Our pond is full and is looking really good. The windmill is now pumping enough water to keep the pond topped off. One of our favorite activities is to kayak around in the pond in the early morning or evening.

Nothing beats lazing around on a hammock. We have three. One has it's own stand. I'll see about finding a nice shady spot by the creek for the other two (but we have to use a weedeater to get there). There's usually a slight to brisk breeze blowing to fan you while you rock. Speaking of breeze, Jonah and Trenton have enjoyed flying the kites in the front "yard". We have 2 kites (and should have a couple more if we can find them!).

In the city, it's hard to imagine what they mean in the song, "the stars at night, are big and bright..." but here, they are beautiful. We have a telescope (need to read the manual) but even looking with the naked eye is beautiful. Night sky and night sounds make for a great nightcap.

The "big" town of Llano is the closest town (being defined, government, hospital, grocery store, hardware, restaurants and hotels). There are antiques shops, museums, the RIVER, parks and activities. There seems to be a festival going on nearly every week.

It's definitely a place where you can play hard or just kick back.