Thursday, March 20, 2008

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Such schlepping around as was never before today experienced. First of all, mmmm....sweet, sweet mullet and tackle...





Then we went to the world's most boring place. I'm sorry, but I don't like to trundle around in a group, banging into each other and praying for the excursion to be over. There were some highlights, however: 1. we ate a paper cone full of warm candied pecans and 2. there were many delightful birds doing delightful birdish things. I caught up with this feller taking his afternoon nap:




Hedgehog stoically posed with the perp penguin:



And she played in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, so that I could capture in a photo the ubiquitous idyll of the child in the waves:





She watched an elderly man surf, and then pretended to do it herself:




Then M-I-L took us on a tour of the Victorian mansions of Galveston, except that she got lost and we ended up at the bootleg package store (click to see the sign):



and here:



Then we had our third command performance extended family meal of the day, and I almost dozed off over my beans. It turned out I didn't even need prescription tranquilizers--the conversation did it for me. Hedgehog was shockingly rude and announced at the table that she was bored and could she be excused? I forgave her because she had been so well-behaved all day. And besides, I felt the same way...

14 comments:

Skeeter said...

Just love the birds. Got a few here that insist on announcing the arrival of sunlight no matter how ready *I* am for it. Those warm Gulf waters, that's a blast to stomp around in the water! If only Hedgehog would take my spot in the Corporation for a few hours, I'd gladly trade for some time in the splash around in the sea :-) Happy Visit!

Sarah said...

Looks like you are certainly covering lots of ground in texas. And a day with a beach in it, isn't all bad. Good luck surviving the last of the trip, and the MIL. I'd be fighting back in some of the situations, if I were you... I've yet to learn the tact of keeping my mouth shut in situations that piss me off with people I'm not quite fond of. I'm impressed with your level of composure over yesterday's purchase.

I'll think happy thoughts for you as I enjoy a cup of the coffee you gifted me.

--Sarah

Anonymous said...

Secret Granny here: I have your package all ready to be shipped, but I'm goin to wait until you get home!!!

Suzanne said...

Hi Sweetie! I wrote down on your other post, but will write here soon. I'm trying to play catch-up. Glad you're still alive and kickin' in Texas!

XO

Suzanne said...

So if anonymous is "Granny," Granny, we know it's you! Knock it off!

XO

Cece said...

You should have asked MIL if you could stop off at the bootleg store for a brew! You want to hear something funny? I was trying to type this comment and Forrest was trying to talk to me at the same time. I wasn't looking at him, so he grabbed my head with both his hands and turned my head so that I was looking at him. LOL. Nathan does that too me all the time too. I guess they want to make sure I am paying attention.

Knitting it Out in an Urban Zoo said...

Wow, you are a brave and strong woman. Hedgehog is adorable and I don't blame her one bit for being bored...at that dinner.

Lisa said...

I am so sorry that I am not in Houston to rescue you....Hedgehog would be more than welcome to walk Onyx and play with the cats to get away from the in laws....

Anonymous said...

Honestly, you're lucky it was a bootleg package store. More typically in Galveston people just wander up to your car at stop signs offering crank.

Hope you fed some sea gulls some french fries...

And that you're all still okay.

I remember my parents recovering after summer trips home to the midwest by immediately blasting Nina Simone. Who is so obviously the antithesis of/antidote for all my relatives on both sides.

I highly recommend it.

XO

A

Anonymous said...

Sorry to be cryptic.

That "A" is for Allison.

I think you'd have known?

XO

Skeeter said...

Best wishes! Looks like the weather is going to be great there.

INNER VOICES said...

hmmm... so... not missing much by not going with you all then... good.

Unknown said...

Leah! Where are you...I came by to check in. And thought there would be a new post. Are you still out there with MIL? Ok..just checking!
Hugs,
Robyn

Shutterspy said...

Awww. I like the macaw.

We used to have one just like that at college.

Thank you soooo much for your comment on my blog! :-D