Spamalot!

"Camelot!"
"Camelot!!"
"It's only a model."

As part of my indoctrination into the Stewart clan, I was raised on various staples including Army of Darkness, the Adventures of Baron von Munchausen, Major Payne, and...


Monty Python.

Needless to say, when TravelZoo offered a deep discount to see the Broadway production of the Holy Grail (Spamalot!) with its campy and lewd humor, I jumped on the chance to go.  "Dragging" along my best friend who shares and equal love for this humor also didn't hamper the impulse and last minute decision to go.

I was thoroughly impressed.  Loved the ad lib that occurred.  Sang loud at the very end with the entire audience.  And laughed at all the lewd gestures, references, and innuendos.  While, I probably won't see it again (there are too many other Broadway shows I want to see) I will recommend it to anyone who appreciates British humor and think back on those 2 1/2 hours fondly.

Although...I wish they hadn't discontinued the rabbit with big pointy teeth.

Dumbledore is 2

My big, fat, orange fur ball is 2 today.  Happy birthday, Dumbledore. 

Oh no!  I'm turning into a crazy cat lady.  Run away!

Fort Worth Zoo

Today, despite the 100+ degree weather, I went to the Fort Worth Zoo with dear friends.  I took along my DSLR and learned that I still have much to learn to get the shots I want.  As it is, I missed some amazing shots (cheetahs chasing each other get a squirrel one had killed) and had the wrong shutter speed for others (leaping lemurs).  I also ended up with a surprising number of robotic dinosaurs (but that was the entire reason for today's adventure).  I have selected a few of my favorites to share (without editing).

Candyland

 What do you do on a hot summer day after you have spent $14 at a Candy Store?  Photograph it of course!

Not only are cigarettes disgusting, so are their candied counterparts.

 

 

Ah...the sweet memories.

When a Sugar Daddy just isn't good enough.

Did these always have a minty after taste?

Smells better than it tastes and tastes worse than I remember.

Under a Rock

I can't help it!  Every time I hear this lyric from Mumford & Sons...

Roll away your stone.  I'll roll away mine.  Together we can see what we will find.
 
I can't help but think of this commercial.  Definitely some good marketing for GEICO.

What are some songs, quotes, lyrics that do the same for you?

It's CRAZY

On Friday, my mother and I ventured into Weatherford to pay a visit to the chiropractor.  Normally, we stick around Weatherford and explore the antique shops located around the square.  This visit, we decided to shake it up instead.

We ate at Yesterday's and the few shops we stopped in knew exactly where we ate by our Styrofoam cups.  Then, we decided to drive on west to Mineral Wells to test the famous Crazy Water.

Sadly, Mineral Wells is mostly dead but we did find the Famous Water site.  As you walked in, there were three water spigots that you could try out.  Here is my opinion of the three I tried:

No. 1-Delicious and refreshing
No. 3-a little salty but not bad.
No. 4-Whoa! 

As soon as I tried No. 4 and made a face, I rushed to the ice cream counter and ordered myself some Amy's Ice Cream.

Needless to say, it was an experience but one that I won't repeat anytime soon.

Lights

"A little light in the dark night
A faint voice is calling you
This way! This way!
This flickering, wavering little voice
Like dew, like a bonfire
The voice of insects
the sound of the water
You can never lose them
once you've heard them..." 

~ Natsumi Mukai

***Photograph taken June 3, 2011 in my father's backyard in Fort Worth.

Wetlands

"Base your happiness on one thing and one thing only: freedom. Choose freedom, not suffering. Create a life of freedom, not wanting. Have some really good coffee and listen to the red-winged blackbirds in the marsh. Ignore the mosquitoes." ~ Laura Munson; This is Not the Story You Think it is...A Season of Likely Happiness

Driving down 287 south towards Midlothian, I pass this little wetland daily during my commute to work.  Over the past month, I've noticed more cattails popping up and redwing blackbirds flitting about.  Since I had a teacher workday on Saturday morning, I decided to pull onto the shoulder, get out of my car and take it in.  Unfortunately the lighting was not right and the blackbirds took flight so the photos I got were not remarkable by any means.  I will just have to come back a sunset and try again.  It was a beautiful way to start the day and I didn't realize the area was as big as it is.

***Photographs taken June 4, 2011 during my morning commute to work around 7:20 a.m.

Sunsets and Thunderstorms

The clouds changed quickly as the storms roiled and grew.

You can tell that there is hail in the clouds.

The grass showing the most recent raindrops.

Basil ready to run at the next crack of thunder he hears.

***Photographs taken May 11, 2011 after one band of storms rolled through the area and another band was forming to the west.

Can you spot what's wrong?

Look at this photo.  Can you spot what is wrong?

How about a closer look?

Subway...Eat Fresh

I'm lazy.  Not lazy as in sit on the couch all day.  No, I'd much rather be out and about than that.  Lazy as in I hate cooking for one.  Most nights my dinner consists of cereal, eggs & toast, leftovers from other places, and so on.

Needless to say I am thrilled that not only has a Subway opened up less than a mile from my house BUT it has gluten-free sandwiches.

Since discovering my gluten intolerance back in 2005, I've sampled many a bread and discovered them to be stale, hard, flaky, <insert adjective here>.  I am happy to inform that Subways are not.

Next time you go to Subway, may I suggest that you make your sandwich gluten-free (if it is offered)?

The Lorax has been busy

In the last two weeks, the Lorax has remained focused on the garden for the fall while I have been swamped with paperwork and end of the year commitments.

First, he put together a reflection journal that the students will get a chance to take home with him.  They will journal about a way they experienced nature with the Lorax that afternoon and bring him and the journal back to school the next day.

Then, he transformed the "Rock Star Hall of Fame" mirror to a garden oasis that will hang on the wall outside my room next to the photo wall of garden happenings.

Finally, he found a brand new garden hose that was donated by the school guidance counselor for next year!  This is the first tangible donation I have received for the garden.

Remember, if you'd like to donate, there are still many ways you can.  Just let me know and we will find what is best (from monetary donations, advice, to physical grunt work in the middle of summer).

Reflect

Take time to reflect.

No matter how busy the week is or has been, how many deadlines are impending, sit and enjoy the beauty of nature.

"All things are artificial, for nature is the art of God." ~ Thomas Browne.