Dallas Blooms 2023 - Opening Week

 Mister has the day off and this week was the opening of Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum.  We have early entry and are off for a day together.  First stop is at a new to us coffee shop - Ascension.  I say new to us, but really, it's just the location.  All in all --- good coffee but the "system" needs tweaking.  We'll try again.  Now, off to the gardens.  This post will be mostly pictures, with just a few words.  Enjoy the eye candy.  Oh, I was here last week so you can really see the difference in the grounds.  Here is the LINK to that day.

Arboretum JUST BEFORE Everything Blooms

 Last week, the Elders (LDS Missionaries) stopped by and as we were heading out the door, we only chatted on the doorstep for a bit.  I mentioned that I would be happy to take them to the Arboretum on the "P" day.  Today is that day.  I am meeting them at 9:30 for a walk through the gardens.  Come along and check out the "pre-Dallas Blooms" pretties with us.  Two weeks from now - it will be amazing.  First stop - memory moments to share the story later.

Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade 2023

Going to the Annual Oak Cliff Mardi Gras parade is starting to become a tradition for us "if" I am in town.  This year --- no February quilt retreat and, thus -- no conflict.  Making the trek down a bit early in order to locate a parking spot has us checking out Hola Cafe for some coffee.  It's good and with a warm cup in my hands, I'm ready to explore a bit.  There are several areas of Oak Cliff that we visit - one being the Bishop Arts District, which is super close to where we are today.  This is just a few roads over and the area has so much character that I'll share a few images.

Mister had to back up and check out the window for a second look.

The parade route goes right down Davis street and Davis Street Espresso is usually not open on Sundays, but today they have the window open and are serving beignets.  Why not?  It IS a Mardi Gras parade so we might as well get as much "New Orleans" out of it that we can.

Let the parade begin - I'll just share images with few comments - 

The ZOO!!!!!

and they picked a dinosaur??  Goodness.

Girl Scouts and cookies - 

This band was a ragtag and they looked like they have a blast together.

This little one was just so cute as he watched everyone go by.  He was across the street from us.

Here come the Minions!!!  Love it so much.

Hey, it's Gru.

The Sheriff's Posse - 

Oompa Loompas

At this point the older couple next to us (who REALLY wanted beads as they had never done this before) were about to leave, so a quick selfie for us and then all of our beads went to them.  We continued watching and collecting and had another chance to make two small children smile.  They arrived near the end of the parade and the bead throwing was about done.  It's fun to collect them and just as fun to give them away.  Another parade in the books and we're off for more day together.  Keep on smiling.

Lubbock Weekend & Drive Home - Just Us Two

 The drive home begins today, but first --- Coffee!  I've found what I think will be a unique shop here in Lubbock.  It is He-Brews and a bit out of the way, but worth it.  As we approach, we spot prairie dogs all over the place.  

Lubbock - Family Time and Weekend Fun - Saturday

 Round two of the swim meet starts today, but first, we have a bit of time to explore.  Our first stop is at the Buddy Holly Plaza.  Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holley was born in Lubbock on September 7, 1936 to Ella Pauline (Drake) and Lawrence Odell "L.O." Holley.  The youngest of four children, Buddy grew up in a musical household, with his mother and siblings singing and playing instruments.  Buddy showed  musical aptitude, taking violin, piano and steel guitar lessons.  He took up the acoustic guitar after his brother, Travis, bought a $15 Harmony model.  Buddy, with other young Lubbock "pickers", formed several country groups.  In 1955, he saw Elvis Presley in concert and was impressed by Presley's rhythm and performance style.  Buddy and his friends were opening for big country acts at The Fair Park Coliseum when Eddie Crandall, an agent and manager, saw a performance and helped Buddy broker a Decca recording contract.  Buddy's last name was misspelled on the contract:  "Holley" became "Holly".  Buddy's relationship with Decca was short-lived as his early recording sessions failed to produce a hit.  In 1957, Buddy and his new band, The Crickets, began working with producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico.  On February 25, 1957, they recorded "That'll Be The Day", the first of several hits on the Brunswick label.  Their success led to the band to tour widely in the U.S. and Canada.  In 1958, Buddy Holly and The Crickets toured England.  The group had a profound influence on rock and roll in England - from their sound to Buddy's distinct look.  On February 3, 1959, during a three-week tour of the Midwestern U.S., Buddy's chartered plane crashed after takeoff due to bad weather.  There were no survivors.  Buddy Holly was 22 years old.

Lubbock - American Windmill Museum

 Deserves its own post - I LOVED this place.

Lubbock - Family Time and Weekend Fun - Friday

 A last-minute opportunity came up Tuesday and we quickly arranged schedules to take advantage of it.  Leaving town on Thursday after Mister finished work, the crazy drive to Abilene took place.  It was CRAZY for the first hour as we simply worked our way out of the Metroplex.  Icemageddon was working it's way out and the roads were thawing, but slushy.  We were in solid rain until we hit Weatherford and it magically stopped when the weather guy said it would.  I know, right?  When are they EVER that accurate.  At any rate, things picked up after that and the roads were dry the rest of the way.  Hallelujah!!

Early the next morning, everyone is up and moving.  We still have the drive to Lubbock, but my sweetie has a bit of work to do first.  Once Jen and Louis leave, I'm ready and just waiting on my love.  Grace comes to visit while I wait.  Times like this do make me want a cat again, but the hair everyone just does me in.  Someday I'll be ready to tackle that again, just not yet.

We get on the road just a little after 8 and point the vehicle north to Lubbock.  This is a first time visiting the city for both of us.  The view?  Lots and lots of generator windmills.