I’m so excited! Ballard Designs, a home furnishings and décor store, opened January 21, 2023, at the Arboretum (right around the corner from my office). It’s located where the previous Gap store was in the center, right across the street from Juliet Italian Kitchen and almost next door to Chico’s. Their address is 10000 Research Blvd., Ste. 106; this is the first Austin store! 512-879-4485.      Ballard’s has more than 11,000-square-foot in their new store, and carries classic designs with a European influence and also offers walk-in design services. They carry indoor and outdoor furniture, bedding, towels, lighting, drapery and everything needed for the house! I’ve been in the store twice already and found a glass top coffee table and lamp I really like! Just ordered today and hope to ... 01/31/2023

I’m sitting in my home office and listening to crashes all around me of branches snapping and falling to the ground. Austin is having an ice storm and the trees are taking a beating! This started Tuesday and escalated during the morning hours. Sounds like could continue until Thursday late afternoon.A large branch fell on my pool cover and I’m hoping it didn’t rip it! Branches are snapping on so many of my trees out front and several have fallen on my neighbor’s yard and theirs have crashed on my roof!     I have not lost power yet, so am grateful as my daughter lost theirs. I decided to take a warm shower, make a Baily’s and coffee and sit in my office to see if I hear anymore loud crashes! Is it too early…..Naw…it’s that kind of day! 02/01/2023

El Arroyo is an iconic local spot in Austin. They make the best hand-squeezed margaritas and serve Black Angus beef tacos (along with many other Tex- Mex offerings) and have since 1975!A quirky marquee is out front on the corner of West 5th and Campbell. Every day they change their bill board with a new pun (everything imaginable).       They encourage you to submit your pun on their website and of course have permission to post them. It’s one of those “Keep Austin Weird” things that we all in Austin love!They post them on Instagram because everyone loves them. Our own Myrl Jeffcoat follows them as well as Kathy Streib and Endre Barath, Jr.! We all need some laughter or a chuckle each day! It's fun checking out the new pun each day.                                 Hope you enjoy these! ... 02/03/2023

    It’s been 40 months (3 years and 4 months) today, since my Geno slipped away. This past week there have been several reminders how fleeting life can be. Grant Schneider left this earth, his family and friends as well as some local, Austin family members. Those left behind are dealing with grief from some unexpected deaths of their loved ones. I feel their pain. This photo is from one of many trips we took to Italy. Our favorite restaurant is Restorante Sibilla since 1720, outside of Rome in Tivoli. “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.”—Leo Buscaglia   01/30/2023