Monday, May 25, 2009

Standard Parti Poodle Puppy Retreiving

Here is a video of my standard parti poodle puppy retrieving. Named Schatzie, German for sweetheart, this was taken May 24th, 2009 after his first full bath. He is a parti poodle. This means he is partly one color and partly another. They are German dogs bred to be in the water retrieving as he is demonstrating here in my front yard in Leander, Texas. Many people do not know that this coloration exists in purebred poodles because poodle clubs began disqualifying parti colored poodles some time ago. The parti poodle can not be shown in AKC conformation classes. However, they can be shown in UKC conformation classes. Parti poodles are now experiencing a comeback. I think they are beautiful and remind me of paint horses. I had a black standard poodle years ago. A great dog, super smart, obedient and calm. I had him out on the farm. People were not real familiar with standard poodles so I'd tease them that I fed him Miracle Grow. What I like about poodles is that they are hypoallergenic as far as that goes in dogs. Poodles don't shed per se. They do shed but the hair stays in their coat. Hence they need brusing but they don't get tons of loose hair all over like many long haired breeds do.

Schatzie's was a planned birth. Please neuter and spay your dogs (and cats) and encourage others to do so if they do not intend to breed, show, etc. There are free & low cost clinics in the Austin, Texas area. Let's have planned cats and dogs and cut down on or eliminate unplanned, unwanted pregnancies that result in homeless animals, overburdened shelters & numerous animals being euthanized because they can't find homes. I have adopted many abandoned and homeless animals. Our German Shepherd "Keeton" was left tied to a tree when his owners moved away. We found him through Blue Dog Rescue.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Organic Artichoke Plant

This is a picture of my organic artichoke plant budding out in my organic front yard garden in Leander, Texas. Yes, I do own the book Edible Estates: Attack on the Front Lawn and my front and back lawns have been extremely minimized. I planted artichokes in one of my front yard garden beds & am so happy it is finally bearing fruit!! I am a Native Texan and after almost a lifetime of gardening in Texas this is my first time growing artichokes. I just never have run accross plants for sale until I saw this at a local nursery in Leander a couple of years ago. I love to eat them- they are a delicacy. I hardly ever get sick, but when I have over the past decade, I have found that I get a craving for artichokes and eat a steamed one while soaking in my garden tub! LOL They seem to have a curative power over me! Ahhh, the magically delicious and delectable globe artichoke! I want more in my life and in my garden.
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Friday, April 10, 2009

Live Music & Wi Fi & Food in the Texas Coastal town of Corpus Christi, Texas

I am down visiting the humid Texas coast in Corpus Christi at Starbuck's on Staples near Weber not far from Ocean Drive drinking hot herbal tea. Some people come to Austin from dry climates and say Austin is humid. For those folks I say- come to Corpus Christi- I guarantee you your hair will do funny things and your skin will feel clammy. BUT- plants will grow like crazy, tropicals will thrive all year. Citrus, papayas, roses, Hawaiian Ti plants, bougainvillea, avocado and others grow happily huge with the extremely rare freezes here.

Here at Starbuck's, live music will begin soon- 2 acoustical guitars. One guitarist is playing now very nicely. Hoping other will play soon. A small crowd is here. Beats hangin' all day at the in-laws!! Now both have played several times each. They are both very good. I am impressed! Free live music, paid Wi Fi and a nice cup of tea...Yes, this is the life.

I had to go find Wi Fi which is very hard in Corpus Christi. You see, Corpus is for the most part like stepping back in time 20 years. They just never catch up. We are so incedibly spoiled in the Austin, Texas area- there is free Wi Fi on every corner, multiple live music venues any time of the week, lower humidity, etc., etc. I had to pay for internet here but was glad to find it. Don't count on Corpus Christi's Schlotsky's having Wi Fi, & at McDonald's you have to pay for it too. Aqua Java does have free Wi Fi at 320 Williams St. #C (361)882-0865 downtown near the Executive Surf Club and Water Street Oyster Bar.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Old Meets New at the Leander, Texas Rail Station

The Leander Train Station in Leander, Texas was the site of a Capital MetroRail Open House Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 to show off its sleek, new commuter Swiss made trains. The old Austin Steam Train came by on its run to Bertram during the Open House. It was like the meeting of the old and the new. The new commuter rail service will start running March 30th, 2009.







The old Austin Steam Train meets sleek new Swiss Trains at the Leander Train Station Open House in Leander, Texas






Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Ethiopian Food in Austin Texas

I have eaten at Astor's Ethiopian Restaurant in Austin, Texas a couple of times. Located at IH 35 south of 38th at the corner of Dean Keaton. 512-786-9524 right by UT. Another restaurant I want to try is:

Karibou Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar
1209 E. 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702

512-320-5454

EthiopianRestaurantAustin.com

RECYCLING Electronic Gear

Radio Shack is RECYCLING electronic gear. Trade-in used, working small electronic items thru RadioShack.com and get a gift card to spend on new electronics. RadioShack.com/tradein