Author Archive

I’m afraid of my garden.

A more accurate description, I guess, would be that I am afraid of the mosquitoes in my garden. All the rain that we’ve had over the last three months has provided me with a healthy, robust garden in full bloom here in the heat of mid-August, but has enabled tiny blood suckers to create thriving vampiric colonies beneath the wide, shady leaves of my caladiums. I can’t venture out there for even a moment without being set upon by throngs of the vile creatures — my legs and arms riddled with swelling welts.

Earlier this week, Dallas County Health and Human Services announced four new cases of West Nile Virus in four different city zips. You remember West Nile, right? Don’t confuse it with that twenty-four hour East Nile bug.

No, no.

That West Nile will mess you up.

Now, I’m not what you’d call an organic gardener, but I do try to be mindful of the chemicals I put into the world. As such, I don’t normally hit the garden with toxic agents. I’m all about the earthworms and the butterflies. I’ve got lots of birds out there, too. Don’t want to poison them, y’know?

I like birds.

Got no beef with them.

But the ’skeeters?

Them’s gotta die.

I’ve bombed the garden three times this summer.

And they keep coming back.

I’ve got the garden of the living dead out there!

You think holy water might work?

Ever since I bought my Nano, I have become a podcast junkie. I listen to a lot of music on it (e.g. Oingo Boingo, Moxy Fruvous, Celldweller, etc.), but by far podcasts are what I find myself listening to the most. I’ll have Fear the Boot on while scrubbing dishes, or This American Life will be helping me through the dog wash. But when I want to sit in the garden and enjoy a quiet moment it is the Texana Review that I queue up.

The Texana Review is “…a growing collection of news and information for, of and about the Lone Star State.”

Ed Blackburn, the host of the podcast, has this wonderful Texas tone to his voice that reminds me of Saturday night sitting on the porch eaves dropping on my dad and his buddies telling stories on each other. Ed brings a marvelous craft to the stories he tells, the news he reports, and even the recipes he shares.

Those are his father’s recipes, by the way.

My father cooked, too.

Ed breathes Texas.  He plays right into several of my passions… story telling, cooking, Texas history… His recent entry on “One Ranger” made me run out and buy the book.

His episodes are short - almost painfully so - and always leave me wanting more.

Dad’s stories had the same effect on me, too.

The Texana Review can be downloaded from Ed’s website as well as on iTunes.

It’s that time again, mon frere!

That’s right, this is it.

Tax Free Weekend is this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - August 17 - 19.

Now, this whole thing started as a way to make back-to-school affordable for families. This explains why items such as shoes, pants, shirts, and - this year - backpacks are on the list. I don’t quite understand why pajamas are approved for State sales tax exemption, though.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to school, but as I recall sleeping in class was frowned upon. I always had to sneak my naps. Showing up in PJs is rather telling regarding one’s intent to sleep, don’tcha’ think?

I find it puzzling that bicycle helmets are excluded. When you think of how many kids ride their bikes to school, it seems organic that we’d want to protect their brains. I mean, what good’s all that fancy book learnin’ if the student receives some kind of traumatic brain injury.

As a man without children, I appreciate that I get to buy my sneakers sans sales tax each year at this time. It’s a tradition here. But, Governor Perry, could I prevail upon you to add beer and cigars to the list?

That’d be great.

I’d be awfully appreciative.

This season of Shakespeare Dallas concluded last month. It was a rainy one for the festival. According to their website, more than 90% of the 2007 season’s Shakespeare in the Park was affected by rain.

Those June and July showers seem so far away.

The theater company has raised more than $40,000 to offset losses. Good for them!

I didn’t get to see their productions this year. I had rather looked forward to the shows, but schedule and weather never quite worked out.

I love Shakespeare in the Park. I have seen some wonderful productions there.

I started attending regularly back in 1986 when I saw their production of Edwin Booth’s Hamlet, a retelling of the Hamlet portrayed by the famed 19th Century Shakespearean actor and brother of the Presidential assassin. It was a stunning performance, hooking me forever on the Bard’s tragedies.

An even stronger production followed in 1987. Neither before nor since have I seen such a powerful presentation of King Lear. Earle Hyman, from the Cosby Show, played the title role. He was amazing. He’s defined Lear for me.

Of course I saw those over at the Fair Park Bandshell. It was a great place to see a show. I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive Starplex.

Since then, the festival has given us a number of fine performances over at Samuell-Grand Park more than our fair share of Romeo & Juliet. In the last seven years, they’ve given four productions of the star-crossed lovers. Really, who needs that much teen angst?

Gotta love the festival. Plus, you get to bring your own picnic complete with adult beverages. Sweet!

I hate that I missed the shows this year. I’m hoping for better weather and less Romeo next season.

UPDATE: Man, I’m in luck! I just learned that Shakespeare Dallas will be presenting MACBETH at Samuell-Grand Park this fall! Hot-diggity!