Kgil's Blog

One of my last weekends in Texas!   I spent time with my friend in San Antonio and got caught up on all the latest gossip...too good to share on the internet.  We went to a fantastic arts festival in downtown San Antonio.   Live bands, artists, poets, performers - really incredible and the weather was perfect.

After the festival, some friends came in from San Marcos and hung out a bit.  An absolutely magical night!

My first visit to the windy city.  I spent the weekend in full Irish mode.  I had an Irish breakfast, Guiness cupcakes, and yes, the cat had it coming!   The southside parade is well known in Chicago and lasted most of the day.   Thanks to the hospitality of Dyan's friends I felt completely pampered the whole time.  I was introduced to my newest addiction - Guitar Hero!!!

Andy is a friend from Japan who moved back home last summer.  He lives in a cottage on a few acres of land.  Two ponds and a lake within walking distance.  I am lucky to have friends from all over the world but always say you don't know someone until you see where they came from...Andy took me to his childhood home on a nature perserve.  I was a bit out of my element as there was ice everywhere and snow, lots of snow.

We share a love of the outdoors.  I jumped on ice, hiked through snow, stumbled more than once and saw Lake Michigan ice cubes.  This is all very exotic for a girl from Texas.

My friend got tickets to the BBQ cookoff.  For $30, it was all you could eat, all you could drink.  After a gorgeous plate of BBQ,  an assortment of libations, and a live band the night kicked up...great fun!

Why can't I pass up an animal without taking a picture?  I am especially fond of animal costumes...I'm not proud...I know I have a problem.  The bunny is an angora bunny...the owners shave the bunny, spin yarn and make stuff....and yes you can make stuff from cat hair!

A little family history...my great grandfather was city architect for Houston in the early 1900s.  He built this house for my greatgrandmother, my grandmother's mom.   I remember going to this house for dinner and family gatherings.  Granny died in the 80s and the family sold the property.  It is a miracle that it has not been torn down.  The latest rendition of the property is a jazz club.  I went in to see what was left of the house I remembered...this is a special place and I am glad it is still standing.

These are the ultimate nachos...this plate must weigh atleast five pounds....four types of meat and four types of cheese all the fixin's and don't forget the cheese surcharge!

My first Saturday night back in Texas.   I met up with friends in downtown Austin at a local gallery.  This gallery gives out plywood hearts to the community to design/decorate.   The hearts are then put on display in a silent auction that raises money for the gallery.  My friend is an art teacher in Austin, she had a whole wall of her students' work.  Pretty exciting.  Everyone walked away with an original peice made with love.

My grandma has broken free from senior living!  She went out and bought a house and has finally agreed to live with my aunt.   After years of  testing the senior circuit, after her husband died - downsizing from the big house and moving into a highrise downtown, setting up house in a senior apartment complex,  and the final straw the ultimate senior community, offering all things senior -  she has worked it out to live with my aunt - and return to the not so senior world.

This is a big step for her and I am really happy and excited for her and the home my aunt will make and her family will have to share with her.

I had a lovely brunch a few days before I left for Texas.  These people are why I continue to return to Tokyo.  We had  brunch at an English pub.  I handed out sweets from Australia, carmel koalas...snow falling outside, cozy pub inside...perfect!