back in austin this week. sunshine, rain, sunshine, rain. luckily i'm well away from all the flooding. came home, though, to find the grass in the backyard three feet high and the dogs trooping through with only ears and tails visible. that would have been comical if we didn't have to worry about snakes in the area. so i finally had a chance to cut the grass on friday night -- yes, friday night in the dark; yes, it was probably not the smartest idea, especially because i was too lazy to go back inside and turn on the porch and motion lights when it got dark, but hey, i did it and no harm done. i raked up an entire trash can of clippings and the dogs seemed amazed to be able to see their paws.
had to clean out and organize the old office yesterday. my sister is coming to visit for just over a month and i needed to make room in the guest closet. so i tossed and piled and moved furniture, and came across my wonderful valentine's letter, though i only read a few lines, opting instead to let that emotional landslide happen later in the day. anyhow, i cleaned and set up my desk and now the office has my stamp on it. it looks like my room now. and i hate it. i fucking hate it. the only thing i like is the pen sketch of downtown el paso that i put in my old diploma frame and hung on the wall. i'm hoping it will help me to keep my dreams close.
spent the rest of the day with a couple of friends in austin. we met up at a azul for a drink and then went mrs. bea's bar on east 6th for the jesse canales classic car show and barbecue benefit. mr. canales is my neighbor across the street and has been in the hospital for nigh on 2 months for a heart condition, complications from surgery due to diabetes, etc. his wife belinda is very sweet and served me and my friends our barbecue plates even though i'd lost our tickets. (it may have helped that i removed a live tarantula from her front door the other day.) the food was good, the cars were sweet, the beer was COLD, and the jukebox inside was playing music circa el paso 1975. i'm entertaining the idea of making it a permanent part of my austin writing life.
we went swimming after, drank and stayed in the water 'till eleven, then went to magnolia for oatmeal. overall it was a great day but that drive home was looooooong. today is a day for rest, hope, and renewal. may your day hold much of the same.