Long Hollow

Where seeds of thought have room to grow

recent posts

about

Realtor, writer, blogger in Austin, TX

Category: My Country Life

  • Princess Josie, Country Dog

      While my son and daughter-in-law have been traipsing through castles in Germany, we've been lucky enough to hobnob with a princess this past week – Princess Josie, our grandpuppy.      Belle's had mixed emotions about it. She's always loved Josie, but has gotten used to being an "only" puppy since Max passed away.…

  • The Great Austin Ice Storm of 2015

         This past Thursday – the morning of the Great Ice Storm – I slept in, made myself a delicious veggie omelette, then took the girls (Belle and my grandpuppy Josie) for a long walk through the hollow.   It was cold, but the cloudless sky was a brilliant blue and the sunshine was…

  • I’m Still Here! (and other sweet!s)

    I took advantage of the "icy roads" warning yesterday and just huddled inside my toasty warm house, not even venturing down the highway to see my mom. I was probably being over-cautious, but when the roads you travel are twisty and hilly, and not made to resist icing, it's better to play it safe than…

  • Treasure Boxes and other sweet!s…

      I drove Tom's truck to Houston on Saturday. The kids and I made a one-day trip there to continue sorting through things at my parents' house, my childhood home, where every square inch and every random object holds a special memory.  What to keep and what to sell from a lifetime of memories, when…

  • There’s water in the ponds!

      Despite my gratitude for rain while we're in this drought, it's really tough for me to embrace day after day after day of the constant cold, wet stuff like we had earlier this week.  I was so happy when sunshine finally returned Friday afternoon. But now I'm ready for more rain. Those four days…

  • Austin Winters and other sweet!s

    I just heard on the news that the first 15 days of January here in Austin set a record: so far it's officially the 10th coldest winter since 1897.  People who live up north, who have to live with snow from November through March, will probably laugh at that. I'm sure they think what we…

  • New years, new phones, birthday wishes, and other overdue sweet!s

        First of all… Happy New Year! I can't believe this is my first post of 2015. I have had so many ideas for posts, but alas, no time to write or publish them. Have you picked a word for 2015? I have, but I'm going to save it for another post. I hope…

  • Surprise! and other Christmas sweet!s

    Wednesday afternoon a friend and her husband braved our dirt road to deliver a huge bag of Christmas goodies to my family. They do this every year. Seriously, they're crazy! They give each of us something and there are always lots of cookies and other treats. We've just learned to accept the gifts with gratitude.  But…

  • Perseverance, Christmas Parties, and other sweet!s

    On my way to a friend's Christmas party last night, I stopped to buy a bottle of wine. It didn't take me long to find just the right one: Perseverance. I had no idea if it was any good, but I loved the name and it was affordable. That's the kind of wine afficianado I…

  • Blessings in Disguise…

        Mama and I were visiting in her room yesterday when the sound of Christmas carols reached our ears, even over the high volume of her roommate's television. I stepped into the hall. It was coming from the dining room.  She wanted to go listen, so a couple of aides helped get her situated…