many things to tell

Making great time down I-35 yesterday, until I hit this solid parking lot about three miles outside of San Marcos. Someone had the bright idea to shut things down to one lane and it took me an hour to get to Cate's office. I was fuming, driving from the freeway to the access road, and back again.

But things were much nicer once I reached my destination. We lunched and chatted, and Cate gave me a lovely card and gift certificate to the Paper Bear. I bought a new journal, some peppermint soap, citrus spray, an eye pillow that smells of lavender and mint, and lots of those candy bars named for musical pieces. We really had a grand time, and I will miss going to down to visit. Cate is someone I feel as if I have known forever, and can just talk and talk with. Hopefully she can come out to the Czech Republic sometime.

Back to Austin, where I played cards in Metro, and met up with Brigitte and Gene. We wandered down to this bagel place downtown, that serves Russian food in the evenings. I had tea and dessert, and it was a very odd but pleasant place. Rented Zert, based of the Kundera novel and it was very good. I like Czech New Wave films.

it's always this way

Dear self,
Would you like to tell me why you can't calm down anymore, why you veer from edge to edge and back again all day long? Why you can't sit still and why you can't finish anything, not even a book? Because I'd like to know these reasons you might have, and what the hell I need to do about it. Because I have this belated sense of responsibility for your sanity.
-yourself

(no subject)

Absolutely fabulous dinner at Ray's Steakhouse this evening. The headwaiter reminded me of mobsters and dining rooms in fancy establishments on film. Ate one of the best steaks ever. My grandmother and aunt are visiting, and it's been ages since I last got to see them. They are exactly as I remember, especially my grandmother. She is beautiful the tradition of Texas women, with perfectly done hair and soft hands that are quite adept at baiting a hook and cooking. There are many things about her that I want to be when I grow up.

My grandmother gave me a pair of earrings that my grandfather had once given to her. It means so much to me, to have a little something of his love for her. While packing my things, I found a letter he wrote to me once, a long, long time ago. I miss him, still. I can't help but think he would be vastly amused and pleased with what I am doing now.