Justin Boots

For Christmas, I got a pair of Justin Boots--nothin' fancy, just good ol' sturdy cowboy boots from the Fort Worth based company that's been around since 1879 (OK, Justin, like four other well-known brands, is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, but...) Man are they comfy. When I get to visit a real city, like New York or Paris, where everyone walks, I'll be wearing these.

Christmas Day

The beauty of Christmas Day at home is that it could be anywhere. We just happen to be in a small apartment in Fort Worth Texas, but we have a tree, presents, a fire, food and each other. And we can telephone our families.Really, though, Gwenny's sixth Christmas was the best, full of those simple pleasures that make memories. To me, those memories were always associated with smells, flavors and sounds--fresh pine, peppermint, gingerbread, cloves, tangerines, egg nog, Ave Maria, Adeste Fidelis--and just having time to goof off and make stuff. I mean, what eles is there?

Christmas Eve at the Zoo

As we used to do in Cincinnati, we spent Christmas Eve at the zoo. Our favorite part is Texas Town, featuring Texas animals, geography and ecology.
The zoo has tricked out the exhibits in a Texas theme, housing the animals in clever recreations of old weathered buildings and such. Yeah, it's a little over the top, but it's amusing.

Our New House

Amidst all the other holiday shopping, festivities and relaxing, Lloyd and I bought this 2,300 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 1970s ranch house with a swimming pool. Happy holidays to all the hard working realtors, roofers, home inspectors, mortgage brokers and insurance agents who made this happen while everyone else was taking the week off.
What color roof shall we put on it? I'm thinking gray.

True Believer

Gwendolen explained how there's one Santa for each state. Duh. One Santa couldn't possibly get to everyone in a single night.

Girls in Red Dresses

For the second time this season, Charlotte's parents, Azilee and Rob, invited us to a fantastic holiday party. This one was called the Sugar Rush and was a fundraiser for Kids Who Care, a children's theater group, followed by their musical production of The Christmas Carol. The party was fun and their Carol was terrific. The main roles were played by professional actors while teens enlivened the script with extra Christmas songs and dancing.
I don't know whether it was because this production was especially good, or because great works of art continue to surprise you long after you think you know them, but I felt the meanness and misery, as well as the merriment, of Dickens' familiar story more intensely than I ever have before. I shed real tears.
Again, I can't post a picture, but here are Gwendolen and Charlotte enjoying each other's company.

Hulen Mall

Although I did all my shopping on line, Gwenny and I went to Hulen Mall on the Saturday before Christmas just to take in the holiday sights and sounds. For the first time, I got to witness the full demographic spectrum of Fort Worth: 45% white, 30% Hispanic, 20% African American, 5% other. There were so many families just out for a stroll, and very few of them toting shopping bags, that it felt like Hollywood Blvd on a Saturday night,

Munchkins

I was so excited when the invitation to Dickies Holiday Party came: cocktails, dinner and dancing at the Fort Worth Club. Unfortunately, it was the same night as Fort Worth Academy's production of the Wizard of Oz...starring the kindergartners as Munchkins. They were pretty darn cute, but I would have rather been at the Dickies party.

Wendy the Mouse

A mouse is a good pet for a five-year-old. Named after my mother, who's also Gwendolen's namesake, Wendy is little and cute and can be picked up and petted by little hands. Gwenny loves her.

The Dance Class

On Wednesdays, Gwendolen takes a modern dance class taught by Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth. When I start my new job in January, I'll really miss my weekly hour hanging out with these girls' moms.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Never underestimate a mother's love. I not only took Gwendolen to Casa Manana's production of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (a riotous good time, to be sure) but bought her the plush reindeer she coveted as well. I can't wait until Gwenny develops a taste for opera.

The Nutcracker at Bass Hall - Thanks Ellen!

Naturally, it's forbidden to take pictures of the show, so here's a pic of Gwenny and me in the lobby of Bass Hall. It was a splendid production with glittering sets and a lot of clever pantomime in the first act.
Yes, I know the Nutcracker is pure kitsch and its only reason for being performed year after year by ballet companies across the country is to make money. But it's always enjoyable and can you think of a better way to introduce a five-year-old to the performing arts? "Mom" Gwenny whispered in my ear, "we recognize this song."

Armadillo Races

An armadillo race consists of two contestants blowing on armadillos to make them move forward. They're not known for speed.

Chicken Dance in Cow Town?

"Feel like German food?" asked Lloyd as I sat at the dining table knee deep in fake fur. (I was busy making mouse, bear and wolf hoods for Gwenny's school play.) I loved Edelweiss the minute we walked in. The decor was "Bavarian Chalet tricked out for Christmas" and reminded me of Munich. The beers were huge and the food way too delicious. Best of all was the music: an oompa band with accordion, keyboard and Eidelwiess' owner, Bernd (pictured), belting out German drinking songs and Bing Crosby Christmas carols. Little girls, including ours, took to the dance floor. By the time I ordered another stein of hefe weizen and we danced the Chicken Dance, I felt like I hadn't had so much fun in years.
Here's Gwenny in the mouse hood.