Speeding through Texas

Trying to beat the hurricane to Houston, I drove like the wind for 15 hours from New Mexico to Houston. Unfortunately, I got caught speeding.

The Texas State Policeman who stopped me was very serious, polite and scrupulously into following an obviously precise procedure. Not at all like the fat, sloppy and practically illiterate cops you see in the films.

By the way, if this happens to you, be prepared to follow this police person into the town to pay the ticket. You have to produce cash to buy a money order, which you then make payable to the name of the judge...yes, the name of the judge. When I mentioned that this sounded a bit corrupt, he answered me with "That's the procedure, m'am."

Can you imagine writing a payment for a ticket directly to a judge in Amsterdam, London or Paris?

Whole lobster dinner in Houston

My friends - David & Ricki Steele - treated me to a delicious lobster dinner at their home. I'm not kidding, check out the size of this lobster! I ate the whole thing...ymm-mmmm.

Quail Run Warrior Woman & Bearskin

While visiting my family last week, I got together with a dear friend - Bernie - warrior woman. She inspires me with her wisdom and fills me with friendship that only time can grow.

When I see the bearskin hanging on the wall, it reminds me of my mixed heritage and roots from northern New Mexico.

Brazilian artist Winston

I was privileged to see the inner sanctum of the Brazilian artist - Winston de Freitas Maciel - more commonly known as just "Winston". His work is colorful, emotional and reflective of the personality of the painter.

After spending a few days in his company, I realized that he was enormously creative in the most life’s-romance sense of the word. His work charmed me so much that I bought one of his self-portraits for friends of mine who are hosting me on this trip.

The Magic of St. Louis

Stopped in St. Louis over 4th of July weekend. The view of the skyline from the car as we cruised over the bridge was breathtaking.


Loved the St. Louis Children's Museum Magic House in Kirkwood where they are teaching kids how to build sand castles as a summer project.