The Visible Woman...August 5, 2000

Saturday

August 5, 2000

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of they tiny pushes of each honest worker.."

Attributed to Helen Keller, unverified. Chalres L. Wallis, The Treasure Chest

and what country is that??

Meta: I keep posting then changing entries. So, no, you aren't crazy. Well, maybe a little crazy for reading this.

duty

The eXtreme dog walking team did the greenbelt near the parents' house. Not much action. One jogger, one walker with a clipboard, some dog walkers. A bird or two. Nice having all that nature there, though.

We give the parents (all four of them) some time and attention. Lunch. Show FFP's folks the parents' house.

FFP's parents are always amazed at the size of portions in restaurants. Kerby Lane on 183 is no exception.

Mom and Dad show FFP's parents family 'heirlooms' and other possessions. A quilt made from tobacco flags, a truly awful lamp. My mom's miniature houses and dioramas. The other day a truly awful orange vase (so awful it bordered on wrapping around to cool) was accidentally broken. Can't say as I was sorry although it wasn't me who did it...Dad bumped it with a box.

I'm always amazed when we drive FFP's dad through the Austin hills. On 2222, he comments that they used to get out of the wagon so the horse didn't have to haul them up the hill. He struggles to identify the 'hollow where all the buzzards used to roost.' This after he told about a place his sister's family had in the thirties where rattlesnakes were everywhere.

We saw 'Blood Simple' this evening. The new digitally remastered and re-edited version. Brilliant movie, I think. That Sixth Street apartment is a cool location. Of course, you'll notice you hear Mexican or cojunto music during that part. Well, I guess they just used the ambiant music there then, before Sixth Street became a hangout for the barely legal, when it was a street that was barely gentrified and had cojunto bars and a calm little life.

Ate at Fonda this evening. Crowded. We were standing in the bar...no place to sit and wait even. Sea of smartly-dressed people with good physiques. I went to the restroom. The restroom at Fonda is too small for the restaurant. One of the two stalls was, thankfully, empty. But the sink area was occupied by a woman and three small boys. The oldest was certainly old enough to take his brothers to the Men's room. The woman chatttered away as they washed up, spattering water far and wide (drops hit the floor I could see at the edge of the stall). "Justin, Jordan, Jack!" she implored. "Justin, Jordan, Jack!" one small voice retorted. "Couldn't think of any other J names?!" I muttered sotto voice. Really, I don't have high hopes for these children. The woman sounded so pleased with herself. For what? For creating that naming series?

FFP wangled us a table. Good one, too. Food was great as usual. It's August. Why aren't people on vacation? I mean traffic has been light and everything. Geez. Why is everyone at Fonda? Ever had a chilled chile relleno? With a walnut sauce? It was amazing. Maybe that's why everyone is there?