Monday, December 31, 2007
NEW YEARS EVE FIREWORKS
For new folks: although there should be a cool wind blowing from the North by then, tonight, from the top of Musket Rim, you can see almost a 360 degree view of fireworks displays all over the area. Last year we saw at least a dozen, though most are pretty distant. Happy New Year.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
ICE SIGHTED IN SPANISH OAKS
Winnipeg's arctic breath blows through Fargo, breezes through Minneapolis, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma before becoming a kiss for Spanish Oaks. Witness above, taken this morning at a leaky construction site.
(If it reaches Galveston, it'll be caught on a glass and mixed with Tequila, said a spokesperson for Glen Campbell.)
Our crack team of investigator claims there is no truth to the rumor that the east gate guards will be burning untaken phone books to welcome us home in these circumstances.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
SETTLER MEMORIES
As I trotted Miss Jessie around the
As we circled lower Musket Rim, I felt genuine nostalgia. (Not bad, in a new development.) Terri and I can't decide if we were the 11th or 14th owner in place, but that's early, either way. January three years ago (almost) we drove 1500 miles south on 35 from -14 to 52 degrees.
We miss the Duncans, Dick and Teresa, aka Duncan2s, since Art and Laura Duncan live right across the street. I miss Reilly, the sweet leaning dog; the kids; Dick, so cool and freindly in his Porsche, with just a hint of conspiratorial hijinx about him.
We miss the LAYS, Jim and Heather and precocious Madison, and coco, the SUV death-defying wiener who owned the street.
We miss the Calloways - The Undertaker - and his beautiful black Bentley. I was going to do what it took to mooch a ride. Arm wrestle - whatever. (Ouch!) But he and his semi-shy real life way were a neat contrast to his professional career. And of course his Great Dane...
We miss the horses on the property not technically S.O. but across from the Adams-Werners, where the little tiny horse and bigger companion could be coaxed to come sniff Jessie, causing serious wig-wag.
We've filled some of the homes with new faces and haven't yet bonded with them out of sheer numbers and fewer organized meet 'n' greets, but notice that EVERYONE waves - it's a real friendly place and we are happy to have found this special slice of Texas Heaven.
Closer to home, the two lots to our right are being developed - one at 8500 Square feet, is quite the deal; the closer one is awaiting concrete foundation. And the lot immediately above us is scheduled to start any day.
So far I've been remarkably able to dodge loud noise while recording commercial demos in my studio... very fortunate in that regards.
They say change is constant - the state of entropy in the universe is a constant and it's easy to see even in this macro example.
To the new, welcome! Let's hear more about you and your interests... to the old who might see this, we miss ya! And to those I left out, it isn't for any reason than we didn't get to know you as well as we would have liked.
Best wishes to all.
'hoodthis AM, as Donald Abrams puts it, I got to thinking fondly of those who have left us for greener pastures or work demands.
As we circled lower Musket Rim, I felt genuine nostalgia. (Not bad, in a new development.) Terri and I can't decide if we were the 11th or 14th owner in place, but that's early, either way. January three years ago (almost) we drove 1500 miles south on 35 from -14 to 52 degrees.
We miss the Duncans, Dick and Teresa, aka Duncan2s, since Art and Laura Duncan live right across the street. I miss Reilly, the sweet leaning dog; the kids; Dick, so cool and freindly in his Porsche, with just a hint of conspiratorial hijinx about him.
We miss the LAYS, Jim and Heather and precocious Madison, and coco, the SUV death-defying wiener who owned the street.
We miss the Calloways - The Undertaker - and his beautiful black Bentley. I was going to do what it took to mooch a ride. Arm wrestle - whatever. (Ouch!) But he and his semi-shy real life way were a neat contrast to his professional career. And of course his Great Dane...
We miss the horses on the property not technically S.O. but across from the Adams-Werners, where the little tiny horse and bigger companion could be coaxed to come sniff Jessie, causing serious wig-wag.
We've filled some of the homes with new faces and haven't yet bonded with them out of sheer numbers and fewer organized meet 'n' greets, but notice that EVERYONE waves - it's a real friendly place and we are happy to have found this special slice of Texas Heaven.
Closer to home, the two lots to our right are being developed - one at 8500 Square feet, is quite the deal; the closer one is awaiting concrete foundation. And the lot immediately above us is scheduled to start any day.
So far I've been remarkably able to dodge loud noise while recording commercial demos in my studio... very fortunate in that regards.
They say change is constant - the state of entropy in the universe is a constant and it's easy to see even in this macro example.
To the new, welcome! Let's hear more about you and your interests... to the old who might see this, we miss ya! And to those I left out, it isn't for any reason than we didn't get to know you as well as we would have liked.
Best wishes to all.
Friday, December 14, 2007
DOG-GONE IT
Well, I'll try one more time - the 20th - to load the Dog Day pictures... they show in preview but not on the web. Go figure. Nope. Doesn't work.
Reminds me of the time a friend and I tried to take an IQ test at a mall - the machine cost a quarter. It took the money but gave no test or refund.
We later found another with the exact same problem.
It dawned on us we failed the test.
About the dogs, there must be a bug in either photoshop or blogger - and I suspect blogger since the slide show works just fine in preview mode, so it obviously loads and plays, just not to the world.
Frankly, it's just a pack of dogs and some owners... not world class photography - but I am certain the owners would enjoy the pictures.
Reminds me of the time a friend and I tried to take an IQ test at a mall - the machine cost a quarter. It took the money but gave no test or refund.
We later found another with the exact same problem.
It dawned on us we failed the test.
About the dogs, there must be a bug in either photoshop or blogger - and I suspect blogger since the slide show works just fine in preview mode, so it obviously loads and plays, just not to the world.
Frankly, it's just a pack of dogs and some owners... not world class photography - but I am certain the owners would enjoy the pictures.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Back
We arrived back Monday evening after a long 2000 mile 3 plane ride from the Grenadines. Missed the storm in Puerto Rico too.
That's why we were away for the big 'do' which sounds like it was super - welcoming new neighbors on the 6th.
So we've been in a bubble... does anyone have anything to contribute to the blog for the past week?
A Bulldozer - a big one - was attacking the lot next to ours when we left - so far so good - boy, that's when you get your fingers crossed! We expect the one for the lot above us momentarily. Civilization.
That's why we were away for the big 'do' which sounds like it was super - welcoming new neighbors on the 6th.
So we've been in a bubble... does anyone have anything to contribute to the blog for the past week?
A Bulldozer - a big one - was attacking the lot next to ours when we left - so far so good - boy, that's when you get your fingers crossed! We expect the one for the lot above us momentarily. Civilization.
Monday, November 26, 2007
REACHING OUT
Amanda Tennant writes:
Last year, Lori Bales asked residents in the neighborhood if they were interested in sponsoring families through The Christmas Bureau. Our family signed up immediately and Lori was sweet enough to go the Christmas Bureau Agency in North Austin and find a family for us to sponsor and I believe for 11 other residents living in the neighborhood.
But because of life changes and family commitments, Lori is unable to do that again this year so I will be going to the agency next week and will be selecting a family to sponsor but wanted to let our neighborhood know that I am more than happy to select families for those interested and can bring back the information to them (the same way Lori did last year.)
You can reach Amanda at the email address below.
atennant@kw.com
Last year, Lori Bales asked residents in the neighborhood if they were interested in sponsoring families through The Christmas Bureau. Our family signed up immediately and Lori was sweet enough to go the Christmas Bureau Agency in North Austin and find a family for us to sponsor and I believe for 11 other residents living in the neighborhood.
But because of life changes and family commitments, Lori is unable to do that again this year so I will be going to the agency next week and will be selecting a family to sponsor but wanted to let our neighborhood know that I am more than happy to select families for those interested and can bring back the information to them (the same way Lori did last year.)
You can reach Amanda at the email address below.
atennant@kw.com
Sunday, November 18, 2007
DOG PARTY IN THE GROVE, MORE 'N' 30th ATTEMPT
Boy, you can tell how the development is growing by the number of dogs and owners at this years dog bash. If all goes well - and this is a first for this blog - there should be a look at the party below. Hope you enjoy it. Uhhh... the mystery continues: despite blogger's assurance that it's there, I see nothing. I'll try from time to time to reload it - it DOES exist on my computer archive - but I suspect there's an issue at the blogger home office. Apparently I am not alone - Blogger admits uploading video trouble. I will keep trying just to see it through. At least now there's a load size indicator. That's new. I am hopeful. Ah, but the dreaded processing video follows... and appears to be the hangup. I try again - the 20th time? I wonder if they have a team on this or just one savant with Jolt cola? - who might have had a bad attitude having to work over Thanksgiving (do they have Thanksgiving in India?) These guys should have a look at YouTube. Probably a lot more complicated than it seems: Load file, play file. Or maybe the conversion means lower the resolution (I already did that, to almost-cheese!) Wouldn't you think, as fast as YouTube is growing, that this would be a priority? Well, on the 14th try it loaded right quick. Now we go through the processing part. Place your bets. Results below. In honor of the dogs, I won't let go of this bone. I realize I can load into YouTube and link to that, but in this case I am stubborn as a junk-yard dog. It's a damn SLIDESHOW, not even a video! Should be a piece of cake! Now this is getting to me. I refuse to be beaten. I'm up to about 30 attempts, changing things in the HTML, experimenting, seeking similar HELP stories online.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE, WITH THE SOUND OF MOOSIC.
This just in... the picture taken today. Not black deer! Thanks to the Fullertons for the picture! Apparently they were headed to fish camp... uh... hook 'em.
Monday, November 05, 2007
RARE BLACK DEER SIGHTING!
During our walks thru Spanish Oaks we have seen on 2 occasions a Melanistic (black) deer. He is a beauty. Both times we have seen him over by the new section, and normally with a several does. I have attached an article that talks about how rare they are.
Best
Stu Fullerton
4709 Malaquita Br.
Dark Deer
The opposite of albinos, melanistic deer can be found in a small segment of the Hill Country.
By Ben Rehder
Use the phrase “albino deer” in a conversation, and most people will know you’re referring to a white deer, one without any pigment in its hair or skin. But mention a “melanistic deer” and you’re likely to receive looks of uncertainty — even from experienced hunters, hikers and campers. It stands to reason, because these unusual deer are even less common than their albino cousins.
Simply put, a melanistic, or “black,” deer is one whose body produces excessive amounts of the pigment known as melanin, resulting in an animal that’s much darker than we’ve come to expect. Unlike albinism, which is an all-or-nothing proposition (albino animals are either white or they aren’t), melanism is a continuum, with deer that range from chocolate brown to jet black.
While melanistic deer are quite rare across North America, Central Texas, by comparison, has more than its fair share. In fact, according to John Baccus, director of the wildlife ecology program at Texas State University and an 11-year researcher of melanistic deer, there are more black deer in an area comprised of eight Texas counties (Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis and Williamson) than in the rest of the world combined. Still, don’t expect to step out your back door and see one.
“Even though we have more melanistic deer here than in the whole world,” says Baccus, “they’re still extremely rare. It’s the rarest of the white-tailed deer, even rarer than the big-antlered deer. I get the harvest records every year from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and generally, there are fewer than five of these melanistic deer that are harvested in any given year.”
The question that immediately springs to mind is, What causes melanism? Nobody knows for certain, but it could be that the mutation offers a survival advantage in heavily wooded riparian environments.
Baccus says, “All of these [melanistic] deer have been associated with a drainage in which you have greater subdued light from the trees in the area. A deer that’s darker in color would get a certain degree of camouflage from the dark shadowing.”
Indeed, you might hike past a melanistic deer and not even realize it. Baccus remembers one black deer that his team spotted in Lakeway, near Lake Travis. “This was the middle of the afternoon, bright sunlight, and this deer was back up in some cedar trees. The only way we knew that deer was there was because one of the students picked up on the glistening from the wet nose.”
For hunters, a melanistic deer represents a true once-in-a-lifetime trophy. Even in Central Texas, most avid hunters have never spotted, much less harvested, one. Austin resident Steve Deis is one of the lucky ones. Hunting on a large ranch just minutes west of Austin, he bagged an eight-point melanistic buck on Christmas Day in 1998.
“I’ve always looked for things that are a little unusual,” says Deis. “I didn’t want a normal white-tailed deer with 10 points, I wanted something different, and I guess this was my Christmas present that year.”
Best
Stu Fullerton
4709 Malaquita Br.
Dark Deer
The opposite of albinos, melanistic deer can be found in a small segment of the Hill Country.
By Ben Rehder
Use the phrase “albino deer” in a conversation, and most people will know you’re referring to a white deer, one without any pigment in its hair or skin. But mention a “melanistic deer” and you’re likely to receive looks of uncertainty — even from experienced hunters, hikers and campers. It stands to reason, because these unusual deer are even less common than their albino cousins.
Simply put, a melanistic, or “black,” deer is one whose body produces excessive amounts of the pigment known as melanin, resulting in an animal that’s much darker than we’ve come to expect. Unlike albinism, which is an all-or-nothing proposition (albino animals are either white or they aren’t), melanism is a continuum, with deer that range from chocolate brown to jet black.
While melanistic deer are quite rare across North America, Central Texas, by comparison, has more than its fair share. In fact, according to John Baccus, director of the wildlife ecology program at Texas State University and an 11-year researcher of melanistic deer, there are more black deer in an area comprised of eight Texas counties (Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis and Williamson) than in the rest of the world combined. Still, don’t expect to step out your back door and see one.
“Even though we have more melanistic deer here than in the whole world,” says Baccus, “they’re still extremely rare. It’s the rarest of the white-tailed deer, even rarer than the big-antlered deer. I get the harvest records every year from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and generally, there are fewer than five of these melanistic deer that are harvested in any given year.”
The question that immediately springs to mind is, What causes melanism? Nobody knows for certain, but it could be that the mutation offers a survival advantage in heavily wooded riparian environments.
Baccus says, “All of these [melanistic] deer have been associated with a drainage in which you have greater subdued light from the trees in the area. A deer that’s darker in color would get a certain degree of camouflage from the dark shadowing.”
Indeed, you might hike past a melanistic deer and not even realize it. Baccus remembers one black deer that his team spotted in Lakeway, near Lake Travis. “This was the middle of the afternoon, bright sunlight, and this deer was back up in some cedar trees. The only way we knew that deer was there was because one of the students picked up on the glistening from the wet nose.”
For hunters, a melanistic deer represents a true once-in-a-lifetime trophy. Even in Central Texas, most avid hunters have never spotted, much less harvested, one. Austin resident Steve Deis is one of the lucky ones. Hunting on a large ranch just minutes west of Austin, he bagged an eight-point melanistic buck on Christmas Day in 1998.
“I’ve always looked for things that are a little unusual,” says Deis. “I didn’t want a normal white-tailed deer with 10 points, I wanted something different, and I guess this was my Christmas present that year.”
Sunday, November 04, 2007
RANDOM THOUGHTS
I wonder how the open houses went? I do know certain large/high-end agents in the vicinity didn't even know about it!
If, as I don't, you also don't take the back road often, you might be amazed at the progress back there! One question is what that pad is - for want of a better description - on the west side? It looks industrial, like a refueling station. Appears permanent too.
There are a lot of visible deer back there at night. Invisible deer are there full time.
It's also good to know there apparently haven't been any new accidents at east entrance/exit and 71 in quite a while!
If you haven't discovered the shop that sells gourmet meals - I think it's called Anja's... in the lower shopping center (the one with Lowes) be sure to check it out -it's almost at the end of the road as you drive west inside the development... the food is very good! We also look forward to new quick restaurants in the HC Galleria!
Interesting to note The Smashing Pumpkins playing at The Backyard - back in, I think it was 1998, they played downtown for free in Minneapolis, and must have drawn 60,000 or more.
If anyone is into what is called high-end audiophile gear, I am too, and would love to form a group of Oakians to visit each other's rigs to enjoy some music... from time to time. Please allow me to pimp myself - I now write reviews for an online mag called UltraAudio: www.ultraaudio.com
Contact me at rwood24@Austin.rr.com if your midlife crisis took you to music instead of the dark side.
If, as I don't, you also don't take the back road often, you might be amazed at the progress back there! One question is what that pad is - for want of a better description - on the west side? It looks industrial, like a refueling station. Appears permanent too.
There are a lot of visible deer back there at night. Invisible deer are there full time.
It's also good to know there apparently haven't been any new accidents at east entrance/exit and 71 in quite a while!
If you haven't discovered the shop that sells gourmet meals - I think it's called Anja's... in the lower shopping center (the one with Lowes) be sure to check it out -it's almost at the end of the road as you drive west inside the development... the food is very good! We also look forward to new quick restaurants in the HC Galleria!
Interesting to note The Smashing Pumpkins playing at The Backyard - back in, I think it was 1998, they played downtown for free in Minneapolis, and must have drawn 60,000 or more.
If anyone is into what is called high-end audiophile gear, I am too, and would love to form a group of Oakians to visit each other's rigs to enjoy some music... from time to time. Please allow me to pimp myself - I now write reviews for an online mag called UltraAudio: www.ultraaudio.com
Contact me at rwood24@Austin.rr.com if your midlife crisis took you to music instead of the dark side.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
BOB SCHNEIDER AT GALLERIA
Later he told the appreciative crowd that he "lived about a mile from here" and that "today he found a tarantula in his garage and "he preferred the people-to-spider ratio of the audience."
Saturday, October 27, 2007
THE MALL THE MALL THE MALL
Hill Country Galleria is now OPEN! Obviously not all stores are in yet, but the movie theatres are (that's the spelling... Canadian, British, and now, Bee Caveish!)
DILLARDS pre-opened last week.
Last night the town council... no, CITY council, gathered to open the new City Hall with a ribbon cutting ceremony, food, fireworks, and general sighs of relief. See the BEE CAKE above which was wonderful!
It's the 20th anniversary of Bee Cave, though the indians go back hundreds of years.
REAL ESTATE
Tomorrow the gates of Spanish Oaks will be thrown open to Those Who Wish To See The Homes On View. If you are an owner you should have received word of this by email. If not, you aren't opted in.
Monday, October 22, 2007
NEW BULLETIN BOARD (update)
COMMUNICATION.
There's this blog, which I started, in order to get better communication going among residents. Especially as the west side develops, I think it serves a purpose. To clear up any possible misunderstanding, the blog is mine. I do it, edit it, choose what's on it. I see this blog as maybe a little more lighthearted than THE NEWS. It's open to the world.
If you wish, you can start a blog too - they are free.
We also have an HOA opt-in weekly (almost) E-newsletter. Material on this goes through the HOA BOD, or at least PAM.
However, there now seems to be an unfilled area - and so we are opening a page on the HOA website as a BULLETIN BOARD forum for your needs, comments, whatever. Once it starts up (your input will be the content) we can see how it goes, and what you want next.
Since anyone can post, once they access the site, there will have to be rules of civility, and posts will be pulled if they violate the 'rules.' The rules will come down from above... and will be on the site when ready. Stone tablets are being prepared.
Meanwhile I'll get the forum up and ready and will let you know when 'the doors open.' It all depends on how easily the forum program integrates into our website program and the server.
There's this blog, which I started, in order to get better communication going among residents. Especially as the west side develops, I think it serves a purpose. To clear up any possible misunderstanding, the blog is mine. I do it, edit it, choose what's on it. I see this blog as maybe a little more lighthearted than THE NEWS. It's open to the world.
If you wish, you can start a blog too - they are free.
We also have an HOA opt-in weekly (almost) E-newsletter. Material on this goes through the HOA BOD, or at least PAM.
However, there now seems to be an unfilled area - and so we are opening a page on the HOA website as a BULLETIN BOARD forum for your needs, comments, whatever. Once it starts up (your input will be the content) we can see how it goes, and what you want next.
Since anyone can post, once they access the site, there will have to be rules of civility, and posts will be pulled if they violate the 'rules.' The rules will come down from above... and will be on the site when ready. Stone tablets are being prepared.
Meanwhile I'll get the forum up and ready and will let you know when 'the doors open.' It all depends on how easily the forum program integrates into our website program and the server.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
DOG PARK?
Tanya Streeter asked that I send an email out to our opt-in list, which I did. Perhaps you saw it - asking about the interest for a dog park on property somewhere?
Well, I apparently shouldn't have used THAT medium for THAT communication, so allow me to apologize if anyone was offended beyond the officialdom. This blog is more appropriate for those things - the opt in email is more of an organ for the HOA. And the HOA hadn't been involved up front.
I'll now muzzle myself and won't write what I am thinking, sparing you all.
"Don't forget to email Tanya Streeter tstreeter@austin.rr.com to voice your support for the proposed Spanish Oaks Dog Park. The only way it will happen is if we all keep asking for it!"
If that.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
DESIGN REVIEW QUIZ
Does this house violate or ignore Spanish Oaks guidelines?
Pro:
No trash container visible from street.
No basketball hoop.
Indigenous plantings outside of house envelope have been left intact
Earth tones or darn close. (Gold comes from earth; white is apparently exempt.)
30 foot height limit (from street).
No dogs off leash.
No antennae.
Con:
20 cycle note from twin stack organ pipes causes earthquakes, disturbs neighbors, and makes dogs bark within 5 miles.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
PERFECT YOUTH
He won't appreciate it till later in life, but this could be one of the best days. Carefree at sunset, waiting for the big one. It really doesn't get any better!
ENOUGH TO MAKE A BIRD CHIRP!
Today's inspirational picture via telephone-cam offers the glory of another Hill Country Sunrise. Streaks of ragweed pollen are visib...no, wait, that's not it.
OPEN HOUSE FRENZY
In a roundabout way, we learned of the plan; even though this is a partnership with the HOA, as far as I know, the HOA didn't. At least we the people didn't. It's a lot like the government today.
The Spanish Oaks Sales Office, partnering with the Homeowner's Association, will be hosting a series of three community open home events.
Kid Kool-Aid prices will be set at $5/glass. Whoa. There I go again.
Sunday, October 28th.
Sunday, November 18th.
Sunday, December 16th.
All are 11A-2PM.
Food by MariLou's truck. Sorry. I couldn't help myself.
All listing agents within Spanish Oaks have apparently been invited to participate.
There won't be signs at 71 and it seems this will be restricted to lookie-lous who sign up in advance via the Realtors. Note to the right on the blog you can access all homes for sale here to snoop pricing.
The Spanish Oaks Sales Office, partnering with the Homeowner's Association, will be hosting a series of three community open home events.
Kid Kool-Aid prices will be set at $5/glass. Whoa. There I go again.
Sunday, October 28th.
Sunday, November 18th.
Sunday, December 16th.
All are 11A-2PM.
Food by MariLou's truck. Sorry. I couldn't help myself.
All listing agents within Spanish Oaks have apparently been invited to participate.
There won't be signs at 71 and it seems this will be restricted to lookie-lous who sign up in advance via the Realtors. Note to the right on the blog you can access all homes for sale here to snoop pricing.
LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD
I am kidding a little. This item ran in the American Statesman Friday and was carried all over Texas. Tim is a local resident in S.O.
One of Texas' favorite sons would be turning 100 next year. And although Lyndon B. Johnson isn't around anymore, everyone is invited to celebrate his life and legacy.
A year of symposiums, exhibits and activities in Texas and Washington, D.C., will cover Johnson's boyhood in the Hill Country, his time in Congress, his presidency and the continuing impact of his policies. Johnson's birthday is Aug. 27.
'It is my hope that this ... celebration will rekindle in all of us the commitment to righting the wrongs that still exist in the country my grandfather loved,' said Nicole Covert, a granddaughter of the late president, unveiling the logo for his centennial birthday celebration with creative director Tim Sabo.
While blogging about the Johnson's - next weekend is the annual Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center plant sale. We'll be there looking for the species cantkillium deerdonteatthemisis.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
COYOTES
Our home faces the Preserve. The other couple of days we heard coyote yips and howls from that general direction. I'm just writing this for those who might be inclined to leave little Muffy the dog out behind an invisible fence when you aren't around, especially in the evening.
When we lived elsewhere we saw a pack of coyotes run by the house one night. They can be silent and move very quickly.
When we lived elsewhere we saw a pack of coyotes run by the house one night. They can be silent and move very quickly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)