Winter storms in Texas
…. chilling and yet humorous effects - lucy
Pretty much sums it up here in Texas
We’ve made it through another winter storm here in Texas! I must have received at least 50 texts about the impending weather, yet by Monday morning, there were no significant updates. Regardless, we were prepared and plants were brought inside and tucked away in the garage, and heaters were cranked up to keep everything warm.
In the Coastal Bend area, we see an influx of what they call “Winter Texans,” who escape their sub-zero homes up north. I can’t help but wonder what they think of our frequent warnings compared to the actual weather. Heck, with temperatures expected to climb back into the 70’s next week, it’s hard to take the alerts too seriously!
The social media posts about this storm have been nothing short of hilarious. In Nashville, bar patrons cheered as a canoe filled with people coasted down a hill, captioned: “We made it to the bar!” In Austin, I saw someone snowboarding in the streets while being pulled by a car. But my favorite by far was a person riding on the bottom of a plastic folding table, reminiscent of the cardboard boxes we used to ride down hills in the summer.
Just as northerners complain about shoveling snow off their driveways, I find myself grumbling about hauling all my plants indoors. Such is life in Texas during winter!
Art
Kitchen Window Oil on canvas 40”x50”
Exhibition Details: Herman Maril: Legacy of an American Modernist
January 30 - March 7, 2026
Location: LewAllen Galleries
1613 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tomatoes on a Plate Oil on canvas board 5”x7”Collection of the artist Lucy Nye NFS
Sitting on a paper towel and painted during the January 2026 painting challenge.
One more…
Thoughts, Humor and Misc Items
From writer/artist/publisher of Plein Air Magazine, Eric Rhodes talks about our goals for the new year. ‘He was intentional about not becoming a couch potato.’ He writes on to say ‘The people who stay alive – truly alive – are the ones who have mastered the art of reinvention. You need to be willing to be terrible at something new. Being a beginner is a superpower!’ Rock on!
Found this off Instagram:
Good list to follow from @robdanceofficial on Instagram
- ‘Never regret an adventure – see the world’ – Lauren Hutton
- Most interesting man that ever lived is the Dos Equis man. Can you measure up to being that man? The Most Interesting Man in the World is an advertising campaign for Dos Equis beer featuring actor Jonathan Goldsmith as a bearded, debonair older gentleman with voiceovers that were both humorous and outrageous. The advertisements began appearing in the United States in 2006 and became a popular Internet meme. And he is back!
- “The Dash” by Linda Ellis is a popular poem about a person speaking at a funeral, focusing on the small dash between the birth and death dates on a tombstone. It emphasizes that how one lives, loves, and treats others during their life—the “dash”—is far more important than material possessions or achievements.
The Dash
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
So, live up your dash and make it count!
Products
This innovative 2-in-1 tumbler combines your favorite drink with a built-in blow horn, giving every fan — moms, dads, kids, and superfans — a fun, unforgettable way to cheer louder than ever. LoudCup goes wherever the excitement goes — lightweight, durable, and made for real game-day energy. Bring it to: Games & tournaments, school events & pep rallies, tailgates & team parties, concerts, festivals & celebrations. From moms cheering on their kids to super-fans hyping up their team, LoudCup makes every celebration louder, prouder, and way more fun.
Pasta – discovered the best of store bought type
Pasta Abbruzzese di semola di grano duro – Capellini – was a recent gift and by far the best store-bought pasta I have ever had. Have an order coming in from our friends at Amazon. Rustichella d’Abruzzo Capellini Angel Hair Pasta (Pack of 3), 500g Each - Classic Durum Wheat Pasta from Italy, Perfect for Soups & Light Sauces
Rustichella d’Abruzzo is a premier Italian artisanal pasta manufacturer established in 1924 in Penne, Abruzzo, by Gaetano Sergiacomo. Known for its commitment to traditional methods—including bronze-die extrusion and slow drying—the company was revived in 1981 by Nicolina Peduzzi. It is now globally recognized and led by the third generation of the Peduzzi family.
Transparent Tracks captures your memory
A special place forever framed. Bring your memories to life while adding a unique touch to your room, living area, studio, etc.
And….
Neil Diamond’s song ‘Sweet Caroline’ that starts with “Where it began…”
Sorry I have Neil Diamond on my mind after seeing Song Sung Blue movie.
In his final weeks before passing in September 2025, Robert Redford recorded a personal, reflective message for his grandchildren emphasizing nature and self-reflection: “This world can overwhelm. But if you slow down and sit under a tree long enough, it’ll tell you everything. And if you forget who you are, draw something. Or go walk alone. Nature remembers you”.
The message, which surfaced in early 2026, was characterized as a parting piece of wisdom focusing on connecting with the environment and, in some reports, also included the guidance to “Be brave. Be kind. Make art”.
Key Themes: Nature, solitude, creativity, and resilience.
Context: Shared as a final, thoughtful message to his family.
Legacy: Redford, a noted environmentalist, was 89.
One last funny:
Michael McIntyre celebrates 25 years of stand-up comedy with a one-off comedy special, filmed at the iconic London Palladium. Filled with Michael’s hilarious observations of everyday life, and featuring never-before-seen material, this is a comedy night to remember as he marks this very special milestone.
Silent Letter Day
Have a fun filled and humorous weekend. Hug a friend!!
Tootles