I’ve talked about coming to Austin for years, every since my friend Carl’s sister Michele stayed with me in Ann Arbor. So, here I am in Austin, staying with Michelle and her husband Marshall, in their beautiful condo on the northwest hills of Austin. Unfortunately, its colder than I’d hoped and I’m back to my “winter” clothes.
First, we decided to visit the Lady Bird Wildflower Center, despite the cold weather. Not many flowers are in bloom, but the bluebells are just starting, and the center itself is very pretty with its stone archways and buildings. And, a lovely gift shop —with me adding another bird to my collection, this one in stone. The funny thing about this collection is that it sits on my bedroom window sill, so basically I am the only one that ever sees it. And yet, the collection is one of my favorites.
Next was the Central Market, the upscale store for the HEB chain. The cafe was more like a restaurant, with delicious food. On our way home, we stopped at Mayfield Park, with its peacocks and beautiful gardens. Nearby is the army base, and because they’d been shooting guns that morning, the peacocks at the park were now up in the trees. The gardens were blooming (not wildflowers, but perennials) with tulips, daffodils, snapdragons and more, including some I’d never seen.
Michele and Marshall’s friend Carolyn was coming for dinner so I helped Michele make a pumpkin pie for dessert. It was really a fun dinner, with interesting conversation. I am so lucky.
What I learned today: 1. peacocks fly up to trees; and 2. I really, really don’t like big grocery stores — too much stimulation to all my senses.
