land of enchantment

Aaron and I drove to New Mexico in late June. I mentioned the giant grass-hopper sighting we had on the way there.  What I neglected to tell you about was all the other wildlife we encountered.

Somewhere between Ozona and Fort Stockton, we came upon Paisano Pete, the Roadrunner.  He was just about the biggest roadrunner I've ever seen.  He seemed friendly enough, at first. But when it was time for us to be on our way, he became a bit pesky...

   

... meep meep...

After Aaron snapped this picture of Paisano Pete trying to make off with his wife, he dropped the camera and rescued me from what surely would have been a tragic ending.

Whew! That was close!

Later that afternoon, we visited Carlsbad Caverns and loitered around a cave entrance in hopes of seeing hundreds of thousands of Mexican Free-tail bats fly out for their nightly feeding. The park rangers call it "The Bat Flight."  Doesn't that sound so thrilling?

Come witness the spectacular Bat Flight!

I was particularly excited because I've tried unsuccessfully several times to witness this same bat phenomenon right here in my own town.  Unfortunately for us, nature did not cooperate and the New Mexico bats didn't exit en mass that evening.  Foiled again!

But we did see this giant fly.

(The bat is for scale.  It's not a real bat.)

But wait, look! A big bat head is biting Aaron!

{thinks to self Why is all the wildlife on this trip unusually large?}

The next day, we visited the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. While we did expect to see wildlife there (duh), I did not expect to see any creatures outside of their faux natural habitats.

But then there was this.

I wouldn't have been so surprised if this was a normal moth.

But, obviously, it is the elusive Enormous New Mexico Desert Wall Moth.

The highlight of our trip to New Mexico was attending my cousin's wedding. The ceremony was held way up in the mountains of Pecos National Forest, in a grassy field surrounded by magical Aspen trees.

It was beautiful.

Summer sun tinkling down through the Aspen leaves

cool mountain air

electricity of impending late-afternoon mountain storm

Love and Kissing and Mariachis

and then this butterfly landed on my sweet Aaron

wild and free to land anywhere it pleases in all of this glorious creation

and it chose Aaron.

{even fellow-wedding-goer-dude was impressed}

I think, for just a moment, it was contemplating slipping into that pocket.

But it fluttered away.

Then I thought of this quote from Charles Dickens

I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free.

Mankind will surely not deny me what it so willingly concedes to the butterflies.

I painted that quote on a coffee table I had in college. I loved that table. My Dad and I made it together before I moved to Austin, especially for my college apartment.

I wish I had a picture of it. I should look for one.

Back to oversized wildlife spottings.

Now this last thing is actually the first thing we stopped at on the trip. And it's not exactly wildlife.

But it used to be wildlife. And it was big.

Although it is officially the The Deer Horn Tree, Aaron advised that it is not exclusively deer horns. There are antlers and skulls from other horned wildlife.

Isn't it kind of weird? And also interesting?

and slightly scary?

The end.

if you feed a longhorn lavender

When Aaron asked me what I wanted to do on Saturday, I'm pretty sure he was not expecting to find himself frolicking in lavender fields.

I think he was looking for an answer more along the lines of

a) purchase a new mattress
b) chores that are long overdue
c) hat/cap shopping at Academy, because a man can never have too many hats (...?)

Really, we didn't frolic. Aaron did take me to a lavender farm, though.

It's somewhere between Wimberley and Blanco, which makes for a lovely drive.

At the farm you can cut, snip, pick and smell your own lavender.

After all that hard work to harvest your basket of lavender love, it's nice to sit on the double-seater swing under a big oak tree with your soul-mate while enjoying your lavender ice cream and gazing out across the rolling hill country. Just then, a gentle longhorn may wander over. And if you hold your ice cream out, he might come close enough to sniff it then snort into it deciding he's not in the mood for ice cream. Suddenly, you may lose your appetite as well.

But you will be simply satisfied with the fruits of your five-minutes of labor.

who did see that

We've had another impossible-to-see grasshopper sighting.  Aaron spotted this katydid hidden in a lavender plant. Can you even find it in the picture? It's like one of those hidden pictures in the back of a Highlights magazine.

It's always so funny to me how this happens.  We're walking along, and Aaron doesn't even stop or look down, he just keeps walking and says see that katydid? And I'm like what? where? in the sky 10 feet in front of you?

And he says No, right there, buried deep in the foliage of that plant we passed 6 paces ago.

And he'll stop and reverse to the spot and show me.

And I'm not kidding, I had to get on my knees and part the Red Sea to see this katydid.  I just stuck the camera into the jungle and hoped I was getting a picture of it. Then I spent the rest of the day saying katydid.

Aaron: Did you throw that trash away?
Angela: No, but katydid.

Aaron: What movie did you rent?
Angela: I don't know, but katydid.

Which inevitably turned into Sadiedid because, well, duh.

Aaron: Do you want some lemonade?
Angela: No, but Sadiedid!

please tell me you just spent 10 minutes over at the Highlights website doing one of those Hidden Pictures... because idid!

peeled like a banana

This is a grasshopper.

Let me tell you a story about this grasshopper.

Picture if you will: It’s mid-morning, the sun is bright, the clouds are fluffy and the New Mexico state line is only a few hours away. Aaron and I are zooming along, nary another motorist on the open road, I’m jabbering about something very important, like how I think I’m past the awkward stage of growing out my hair and I’m actually starting to like it again and it looks pretty normal in a pony-tail and I think I can even do a French braid without all the too-short neck strands sticking out, but is a French braid okay for a 31-year old or is that only for tennis players and small people, when all of a sudden...

EEERRRRRRT just like that we have screeched to a halt on the side of the road.

At first I thought Aaron was going to turn to the back seat and exclaim to the duffel bags and snack cooler “If you kids don’t stop fighting I’m going to turn this van around and nobody gets to meet Mickey Mouse!”

But then I realized we were quickly reversing along the shoulder of I-10.

I don’t know exactly how far we reversed, but I’d say from previous word problem experience, that given the time it takes to alarmingly decelerate from 75 mph and reverse back to the point you began to decelerate, it was about, oh, maybe, I don’t know, like a quarter mile? A hundred yards? I really have no idea.

I do know it was long enough for me to say something along the lines of whatarewedoing whathappened what’sgoingon iseverythingokay ohmygosh isthereadeadbodyrolledincarpetonthesideoftheroad what’shappening didsomethingflyoffthecar didweforgetsomething?!

Please note that up to this point Aaron had not said A. Single. Word.

Luckily, just before my bulging panicky eyes pop out of my head and my neck breaks from whipping my head around to see out of the car in every possible direction to find out what has caused this sudden backwards driving down the Interstate, the car comes to a stop and Aaron undramatically says "see that grasshopper?"

WHAA?

So yes. Aaron spotted a grasshopper while driving 75 mph. A grasshopper which God wonderfully and strategically created to blend in to its environment. Are you surprised? Because I wasn't. And then Aaron was able to reverse to the exact spot and see it again! I know objects in mirror are closer than they appear, but really Aaron just has Eagle eyes. Regarding this talent, he says "just look for something that doesn't belong."

After the grasshopper inspection and photoshoot we were back on our way and I decided to play the spot-things-on-the-road-that-don't-belong game. Only my version consists of enthusiastically hollering out what I see. Things like PIECE OF TIRE!  SONIC BAG LITTER!  STRAY TRAFFIC CONE!

I kept asking Aaron if he had spotted each item before I yelled pointed it out. But he was busy concentrating on not running over all the helpless little ants crossing the road.

ON THE BOOKS

My Mom invited me to go to the Texas Conference for Women with her in Houston last Thursday. It was a fun day together.

My Mom arrived in Austin Wednesday evening, and Aron took us to dinner. We lingered long over conversation, soup (imagine that!) and sandwiches. Aaron even snuck away and returned with a brownie for us all to share!

We took a shuttle bus from Austin to Houston - which was fun because we watched movies and watched the sun rise as we drove through Giddings (one of my new favorite places, by the way, since Aaron and I spent some time there on a recent roadtrip) and the rest of the foggy morning along Highway 290. Then as we got into Houston, at rush hour, we had fun peering down into commuters' cars from our perch in the big shuttle bus. It's a different perspective when you're up that high. Makes me wonder what all those people are thinking about, praying about, fretting about, and thankful for as they drive to wherever it is they're going.

The conference was pretty neat. Isabel Allende was a keynote speaker, and she held a book-signing after her talk. That was special because my Mom and I have swapped Allende's books and both enjoy her writing and stories. At the conference, Momma bought Allende's most recent book, The Sum of Our Days. It's Allende's memoir and I can't wait to read it! She's had an interesting and inspiring life overcoming great hardships and tragedy, but "by no means without humor, mirth and wisdom."

Suze Orman was also among the speakers we heard.

Seeing Suze Orman live was one of those things that's just interesting to experience. She is a smart lady and has some good advice for money management.

What I find fascinating, however, is that even though she is billed as this financial guru - what she is really good at is performing. I don't mean that in a bad way - I just mean, there are tons of other people as smart or smarter than Suze Orman, who will give you the same advice as Suze Orman. But only Suze Orman will give it to you standing on a stage in a hot-pink jacket with her polished, commanding appearance, practiced words and anecdotes, and a flurry of urgency.

To me, her success came not from her ability for money management - but from her ability to be a dynamic leader. I guess that's what makes many people successful - they are so naturally influential and motivational, they can't help but share their interest in a way that eventually makes them "famous" for it.

Anyway, I enjoyed hearing and seeing her speak. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some money I need to defer to my 401K.

ROUGHING IT

Aaron and I spent last weekend camping on Lake Whitney with family. We could not have asked for a more beautiful weekend to be outdoors.

This is how I prepare for a camping trip. Please do note my fancy chef hat, courtesy of Aaron.


This is how Aaron prepares for a camping trip. Also, please do note how Sadie prepares for a camping trip.


As you can see, we take great care of the very important camping preparations. As long as you have cookies and fishing gear, who needs a tent, sleeping bag, folding chairs, or deodorant? Not us! Oh, I'm kidding. We took folding chairs.

This was my first time camping in a camper. It was fun, and the best part was the symphony that happened when most everyone in the camper was sleeping. It was magical.

Some highlights from our weekend: Daryl drank a cup of straight Aunt Jemima syrup on a dare - except he would have done it anyway. Janet bargained with the kids to not talk about poop for at least 20 minutes… no such luck. Trisha wore her high-school letter jacket for the first time ever. Ronnie cooked the meat and was the hero. I got to shake the Bisquick Shake & Pour pancake batter. Aaron caught and cleaned a catfish. Jarod taught us all how to play the deceivingly complex game of Bag-O. S'mores!


We also held a funny face contest. Who was the winner? You be the judge.


A few more pics.

PLAYING WITH A PTERODACTYL

I got to spend one last weekend in Florida with the Robertsons before they move back to Texas. (Yay for Texas!) It was a nice, low-key weekend enjoying the Florida sunshine and one rosy-cheeked little girl.

I am amazed at how much Reid has grown and changed since we last played a month ago. She still sounds like a pterodactyl when she hollers, just like she did when she was a newborn. But it's a very happy pterodactyl. One excited by shiny things and squeaks and rattles. And very very ticklish. If you've never heard a pterodactyl giggle, you should go find you one and squeeze her little legs until she squinches her eyes closed and bursts into a laughing fit.

Then go play dress up with her.

YOU PEOPLE WORK ON COMMISSION, RIGHT?

I recently spent a few days in Los Angeles. I was there for work, but got in some sight-seeing and even frolicked in the Pacific Ocean a bit.



Although I did not run into Johnny Depp on Sunset Blvd., I did spot Justin Long having lunch with friends at the L.A. Farmer's Market.


And I did find Godzilla's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the famed Chinese Theater.


While I enjoyed staying in a fancy hotel in Beverly Hills and hanging out with the friends I've made in this group I meet with twice a year, and I did think of Pretty Woman about 294 times in the three days I was there and sang "Wild Women Do" in the shower, I was really glad to get home to my regular life.

JUICY SALTY BITTERSWEET

I visited Casey and Renee' in Florida last weekend. We had a great time meeting pirates, enjoying a juicy steak dinner prepared by Casey, putting together Little Girl Robertson's room, and spending the day on the beach (the beach!). Isn't Renee' the cutest little preggo person you've ever seen?! She can pull off the two-piece bathing suit better than most non-pregnant women!

The thing about spending time with the people I love the most but don't see often is that when we part, I have several days of heaviness in my heart until I adjust again to not having them at arm's length to hug and laugh with, to seeing their sweet faces and expressions, to hearing their voices for days at a time. I get spoiled with being near them. The same thing happens to me every summer after my annual girls' trip. I come home and even though I've had the best time, I'm sad for a day or two and Aaron has to put up with my moping and give me lots of extra hugs.

I've coined this phenomenon The After Taste. It's like when you get a taste of something really sweet and you enjoy it immensely, and once you swallow it the taste lingers and makes you want more. The taste hangs around reminding you every second of what you're missing; which makes you kind of sad. And it takes a few good tooth brushings for the taste to be subdued enough that it gets back to being something you just long for and look forward to and have wonderful memories of.

My After Taste is proportional to how much I enjoy myself and love the people I am with. We're now going on three days of After Taste with no signs of letting up. Maybe I need to have a garlic and red onion salad for dinner.

LITTLE AUDREY IN THE BIG CITY

Washington, D.C.

IN ROOM DINING

I had the pleasure of staying a the W Hotel in Dallas for a few nights recently. I arrived late Thursday evening, valeted my car, checked in, found my room, jumped butt-first onto each of the full-sized beds to test the fluffiness then proceeded to order room service for dinner.

Room Rate: $235

Valet Parking: $24

A big juicy burger and fries delivered right to my door on a neat tray with personal-sized condiments: $35

Savoring every bite while sinking further and further into the cloudiness of that big bed and thinking "Why, I might just fall asleep right here with ketchup on my chin and share the covers with this beautiful burger all night.": Priceless

GIRL TIME

This past weekend Kristen, Zoe and I went to Dallas to hang out with the girls and Heather before baby Kennedy is born. Heather is beautiful, as always. We had a really nice time; gabbing, Pretty Woman, games, playing with Zoe, wine (except the expecting Mom, of course), the most Lovely women in the world for company. . . what more can you ask. We are excited to welcome Kennedy Renee' into our circle.


I have to note, Heather is only in her pajamas because we remembered to take this picture right before we all headed home on Sunday. So the travelers HAD to get out of our pajamas.

WHERE HEAVEN AND THE MOUNTAINS HOLD HANDS

If Wimberley is Where Heaven and the Hills Hold Hands; then Purgatory mountain at Durango is where Heaven and the Mountains Hold Hands. I love that place. Even when it's below freezing, I have a warm and fuzzy feeling inside from the one-thousand good memories I have of spending time there; from being a little kid with my brother and sister to seeing my sweet sister-in-law learn to ski (and become a pro at it) to having a smooch with my hubby at 11,000 feet. It is one of the top three places on Earth I long to be.

Aaron and I had a nice trip with my Mom and Dad. We skied three wonderful days. . . beautiful weather, almost perfect snow conditions (I would say perfect, but when you've skied fresh powder, it's hard to say anything is perfect if it's not fresh), and the best company. We had a little tournament of Spades one night. I won't say who dominated; I wouldn't want to embarrass anyone.

One night, all of the Snowcats came out and parked in front of our condo. There were probably seven or eight of them. The drivers all got out and disappeared for about an hour, and when they returned, I watched them all take-off and crawl up the mountain, like a little army in the moonlight. I watched them peel off one by one to their assigned trail, and followed the glow of lights floating up so high.

I concluded it would be okay to be lost at night on a mountain because at least you would be able to see well as the moon reflects so brightly off snow; and you wouldn't die of dehydration because you could eat snow; and you would be able to hear any bogey-men or bears approaching because snow crunches when you walk. Plus, if you were wondering what direction to go, just head in the direction of Down, duh.


ATB also spent some quality time admiring the scenery from the window. I wonder what types of important conclusions he came to while contemplating the snowy mountainside?

SUMMER TOUR 2007

Summer Tour 2007 was a success. More pictures to come as soon as I gather them all.

complete with Tour tees



a gnome to watch over you


a really old mountain range


20 hours of car time


there's a big white house up here on the left

PITKIN

We spent a wonderful week in Pitkin over the Fourth of July. Aaron fished and fished and fished; Angela read and read and read; we relaxed, spent a day on Blue Mesa lake, watched fireworks, ate S'mores!, hiked, jeeped, napped, and played with our favorite niece, and the rest of the family too!