Baba Yega and Sunshine

This is the view I had from my blanket in Hermann Park. This is why I love Houston.

For a city that can be plagued by the most distressing adjectives and the unfortunate association with petroleum economy, it certainly has the best fall, winter, and spring.

Today, I had the pleasure of sharing a wonderful brunch with Renu, Dowin, Lindsay, and Kay ay are aye tee ayche (he likes to spell it) at Baba Yega. Like Houston, Baba Yega is made up of a seemingly unwieldy patchwork of parts, is defiantly cheap, and is absolutely delightful in the fall. We were ushered to the second level which looks into the oak and palm shaded courtyard and its merciful and beautiful fountain. A nice breeze swept its way through the wood floors and conversation. We must have eaten ourselves silly with the omelettes, quiche, smoked salmon, bacon, but our collective creativity gave way to a novel Houston experience.

"Yeah....we should go to the park."

And thus we went as a matter of course, after of course a round of mimosas. These are the days that I covet. Plenty of sun to bronze and warm the skin, awkward water foul wandering about, and the music of ticklish leaves vibrating with the autumn zephyr. Sigh.

The hours slipped by under the oak canopy by Hermann park lake. I didn't clutch to my James Baldwin novel as closely as I thought I would; it was simply to gorgeous to ignore such beauty around. Instead, I only made it through a couple dozen pages and spent the rest of the time gabbing it up with my favorite South Indians, Nashvillian, and the premier Blackmanophile this side of the NBA.

KC and I were later joined by his petite amie and her incredibly high energy Jack Russell Terrier that I inadvertently christened "Fancy" versus his more aptly designated name, "Turbo." Relentless this little bugger was. Every dog that passed, Fancy felt that it was his personal responsibility to fervently demonstrate his enthusiasm with the most remarkable display as follows.

1. An imperceptibly quick turn and subsequent silent glare to confirm the presence of a fellow canine approaching on the walk.
2. The most tense and spring-loaded launch from his hind quarters that would with a torrent of barking that would make any White House spin doctor green with jealousy.
3. Subsequent vain attempts a quieting and calming Fancy followed by apologetic smiles and shrugs from our blanket.
4. A good laugh and repeat.