Laguna Gloria, Austin Texas
Photography, The Pea | Posted by Jannie on 10 January 2011 @ 1:18 PM 40 Comments
One time a girl and her mother stepped out of a Honda
in Austin, Texas onto the grounds of a castle in Spain.
Or was it Italy?
The Mother gets those romance lands all mixed up.
Anyhoo, the Girl and The Mother
lunched on linen (or at least pretended to,)
then strolled the grounds with parasols
down the statued path
through the gazebo garden
past wide palms
and ancient oaks
to the marsh at the lake.
(Marsh left to your imagination.)
And eventually back to the Honda again.
This Honda… (You’ve seen it before enricing my her life.)
(’cept these days I, whoops — I mean “The Mother” is back in a Toyota.)
After The Mother posts this she will lunch,
then Google the chords for “All Along The Watch Tower,”
which she is excited about learning on her blue Pignose guitar,
the guitar The Child was playing in this photo when she was 5,
the guitar The Mother got when she was in The Funsters band.
The Mother is thinking those chords might come in handy
for a new song she is writing called “Banana Seat Bicycle.”
Then The Mother will head out to lop 10 small tree branches to
start making table centrepieces for the big gala next month.
(That last part is the God’s-honest truth!)
(More in a future post, on what may end up being 60 centerpieces!)
See y’all later, my Cuties!
xoxo
* Laguna Gloria Museum in the heart of Austin, Texas — formerly a private villa, now a gallery and art school. (Lovely pix to see by clicking that link.)
All these broken-arm girl photos taken at Laguna Gloria with The Mother’s iPhone 3GS, June, 2010. Child was then 8.
xoxoxoxo
On 10 January 2011 at 1:37 pm
Aimee said,
Love your photos of “Spain/Italy” ~ magical
On 10 January 2011 at 1:40 pm
Eric Alder said,
I remember banana seats – standard issue on Schwinn Stingrays when I was a kid! Everybody had them! Fun pics – I’m loving that cast! So colorful! It would almost be a shame to take it off.
.-= Eric Alder´s last blog ..It’s Easy =-.
On 10 January 2011 at 1:57 pm
Alessandra said,
Wow, what a stunning place, it seems a lake in Italy indeed!
On 10 January 2011 at 2:13 pm
secret agent woman said,
Um, what’s up with the rice?
.-= secret agent woman´s last blog ..State of Emergency =-.
On 10 January 2011 at 2:30 pm
Jannie said,
Aimee!! Hey, what’s up?/ You playing your guitar and singing with that gorgeous voice lately? I imagine so, you have that music thing in you. Yes, it was so magical to be there. Looking forward to a revisit on a day warmer than today. Brrr, in the 40s — well, make that about 7 degrees C, for you.
He, Eric, I can’t exacly remember if I had one or not. I think no. Mine had a big triangle seat, I think. When I finally got a bike. I have no bike a the moment, pity. Lovely way to see the world. When that cast finally came off she was quite relieved!! We kept it for her collection, of course!
Alessandra!! You know the REAL Italy, and have all your life, of course. I imagine one day I shall too. You Europeans know how to do things up so cute and pretty. And you know how to COOK!!!
btw, I miss your link in your name, I really do. xoxo
Secret Agent Woman, I ate that rice in my annual ritual blood cleansing the first Sunday in August, mixed with 15 lbs of sauteed spinach. Then tossed some butter at the full moon.
xoxooxox
On 10 January 2011 at 4:04 pm
Lance said,
Me? A cutie? Awww…you are SWEET!!!
That mighty oak tree…looks kind of scary! Maybe if you played the blue guitar by the mighty oak, I might not be so scared. (oh, and take pictures when you do!)
xoxo
On 10 January 2011 at 4:50 pm
Moondustwriter said,
Jannie – You have story teller in you. What a sweet tale all the way to the rice. Love how modern day is integrated into your story.
Can’t wait to hear “the Banana Seat Bicycle song”
It will be a winner
Hugs from the Moon
P.S. What- 60 centerpieces? This is some shindig
.-= Moondustwriter´s last blog ..Love and the Moth Man microfictionmonday =-.
On 10 January 2011 at 5:17 pm
Dr. J said,
What a lovely location!! So many lessor known spots can be so much fun to visit! Especially when seen with the eyes of a child
On 10 January 2011 at 5:31 pm
G said,
I must admit, that is a fantastic shot of you styling and profiling with the Honda and Uncle Ben’s rice.
Excuse me if I say this with the utmost respect to you as a personr.
WOOF!
.-= G´s last blog ..Fun- Diversión- Family- Familia 3 =-.
On 10 January 2011 at 7:28 pm
sheila said,
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!! And man, kelly’s so young in that guitar pic! Sucha sweetie she is. Just like her mom.
On 10 January 2011 at 7:28 pm
sheila said,
p.s. I had a banana seat bike. lol. loved that ol bike.
On 10 January 2011 at 8:09 pm
Mama Zen said,
That looks like a gorgeous place!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..Totem =-.
On 10 January 2011 at 8:25 pm
Lynn said,
What a fun day that sounds like. Mom and daughter fun – can’t beat it.
On 10 January 2011 at 10:36 pm
Patricia said,
Wow what a place to visit at 5,8 or 9 and with your mum! Lovely pictures and story
60 centerpieces will you share them with us? what a big job…a fundraiser I am sure of it and probably for a school?
Happy days and neat post – I enjoyed my garden walk with you two Thank you
On 11 January 2011 at 12:16 am
desk49 said,
It looked like a wedding
was about to take place.
In the land of memories once held
You walked through the grounds
And looked all around at all
the story’s it could tell
Still you drove home in that car
that you owned holding the memories
in which you now dwell
.-= desk49´s last blog ..Pax War- Short Story Page 2 =-.
On 11 January 2011 at 12:19 am
Jeanne said,
Jannie,
Beautiful, interesting pictures as always when you travel to Spain. I mean Italy.
The pictures in the link are beautiful too.
What a lovely place!! Thank you for sharing with those of us unable to travel overseas. LOL
Jeanne
P.S. I had a green with black trim bike in the 1970s. It had a banana seat. You just made me think of it. It was called the Dill Pickle. I kid you not. That name was painted on it when we got it in the store. It was a Huffy. My poor parents put their collective feet down and said NO to the other bikes that I liked better. I’m pretty sure they cost about 3 times as much as the Pickle. While initially disappointed with the Dill Pickle (which truly was an awful shade of green… a bit like pea soup), I got good use out of that bike.
On 11 January 2011 at 2:49 am
Barbara Swafford said,
Happy New Year Jannie,
Beautiful – the place, Kelly and you. Looks like you had a marvelous time. I love those grand places. They feel so regal.
P.S. Looks like Kelly is following in her mom’s footsteps. Cute!
On 11 January 2011 at 6:21 am
G-Man said,
It looks so Tropical where you live!!
I’m so glad that you are back to ’singing’ for your donuts and beer…..
On 11 January 2011 at 7:55 am
Alessandra said,
Every place has his own beauty, here’s my link
Love.
On 11 January 2011 at 9:25 am
Jannie said,
Dearest Lance, oh yes, you are among the cutest on the planet — especially in tiara mode! Hey, Lance, how about a video of me on my blue Pignose by that tree, singing and playing? Not today tho — it’s a tad chilly out. Brrr. That guitar has a built-in amp run off a 9V battery. Cool, eh??
Dearest Moondust Writing Maven, ahhh yes, I thought a story strung amongst these pix might amaze and delight.
And Moon, where are the kids on banana seat bicycles who used to fly past your door?? The song is still developing, but I really LIKE it — it’s basically about youthful memories. (I think) Jan Brady springs to mind as a character in it. 
Well, they are hoping for 600 peeps, 10 per table. But it could be from 300 to 600. February 12th. Luckily, I have a big posse to call in for a centrepiece decorating party here in our room that is still unfinished — perfect place to work with gold spray-paint, and such.
Dearest Dr. J! Yo! Yes, there are some sweet places here in Austin. I think you’ve been here, right? And my eyes never did make it to the grown-up stage, TG!!
A kid forever, shall Jannie be!
Dearest G — and I’ve lost weight since then, and toned up my tummy too. I’ll have to get Kelly to take an update.
No but seriously, I blush, pinker than my shirt.
Dearest Sheila, ahhhhh thanks. Kelly was rocking out in that pic! So glad i didn’t sell the Pignose as I once thought I might — too much history in it. I need to dip deep deep into my subconscious to try and remember if I did have a banana seat bike. I’m getting sleepy, verrrry sleepy…
Dearest Mama Zen — it really is and I haven’t even shown you guys 20% of it.
And it’s 100% FREE to stroll the grounds. And there are peacocks there too.
Dearest Lynn, back in the broken-arm days I was always on the look-out for things to do that did not involve swimming, and that place was a great little stop along our way. I’ll take you there when you come visit us!!
Dearest Patricia — yep, school fundraiser indeed, you astute one. As I mentioned above, I’m calling in a decorating posse. Not sure if we’ll get to the full 60, but if we do the school will rake in some cash. We hope! And YES — I will indeed share them with you all. They’ll be in pots, with tea lights, and strung with sprakles and such.
Dearest Ellis, yes, beaautiful weddings there. I am thinking of booking Kelly’s there. Let’s say, when she’s 30? Car dealer hubby sold that van out from under us, but we are liking the Sequoia. In interim we had a Lexus. Never a dull car moment for us Funsters.
Dearest Jeanne, of dill pickle bike fame…. LOVE that image!! And can imagine you flying down to the store for popsicles on that ride! Thanks for sharing. I think the song will be fun, nostalgic and not without an air of ass-kickingness.
So glad you could join us in Italy. Will be so fun to go back and take more pix.
Dearest Lovely Barbara Swafford.. Hey, Happy New year to YOU too. Always such a treat to have you pop in. Yes, so regal to be swept away in time and place in those beautiful places. I remember the Biltmore in Asheville, NC when Kelly was 3 months old — AMAZING!! Yes, Kelly loves writing songs, singing and playing too. She takes both guitar and piano.
Dearest G-Man, hey! Yes, Austin is semi-subtropical, I think. Most palms make it through our occasional freezes. Yes, you never know what header Jannie will put up here, fun to resurrect the olde one with my blue and salmon sky, whooo-hoooo.
Dearest Alessandra — YAY, YAY, YAY, YAY, YAY!! I can click right over to your blog now, whoooo-hoooo!! Just a little thing, but in the life of a busy blogger, little short-cuts mean so much. THANKS!!!! I am off to click your link now. Well, after a bit more coffee….
xoxoxooxoxo
On 11 January 2011 at 10:37 am
Talon said,
Ah! Banana seats – the ultimate in cool biking back in the day! Can’t wait to hear it, Jannie!
Sounds like you’re working your usual magic with the centrepieces!
xxx
.-= Talon´s last blog ..Chill =-.
On 11 January 2011 at 10:45 am
dustus said,
The pea! She looks like she was born to play guitar
On 11 January 2011 at 1:14 pm
vered | blogger for hire said,
Wow, that’s amazing! It IS like stepping into a different place and time. Lovely photos.
On 11 January 2011 at 4:53 pm
Alice Audrey said,
Wow, look at that palm! And the oak! And the Mediterranean view! Tell the that isn’t Austin right now or I will be so jealous.
On 12 January 2011 at 2:40 am
SnaggleTooth said,
I would’ve prob said “Mediterranean” Castle too If I didn’t know- Cool looking anyway- n the gardens so green!
I’m enthusiastic about the garden due to the blizzard we are seeing out the window tonight. Everythings cancelled across the state already for school n activities. I’m guessing stores will be hard pressed to open too.
Kelly looks so graceful, even with her arm bound.
Cute snubby- very small. I haven’t played my electric in ages- Ibenez black n white- or the elec violin, or mandolin either! Elec bill too high lately with elec heat to plug in the 200 watt amp… but I miss them!
I had 4 bikes at once as a teen, cause I built 3 from spare parts! 2 with banana seats, one funky with a high sissy bar n mis-sized wheels! I sold it tho. Sometimes, wierd is good…
.-= SnaggleTooth´s last blog ..Piling n Island =-.
On 12 January 2011 at 3:01 am
joanny said,
A magical enchanting journey you took us on while the young future star dazzled us with her presence in almost all the pics. Pink ears and a tiara holding rice — and a nice pic of you as well. So a celebration is coming up with fancy centerpieces looking forward to what you create…
joanny
On 12 January 2011 at 9:59 am
Jannie said,
Hey, Dearest Talon! I was just strumming my blue guitar here and working a bit on that song, which is really not work. It’s play! You might get to hear it before too long, the first draft, anyway. And ahhhhh, you are so sweet to say “working my magic.” Wish you’d be here for the decorating party on the 29th. YOUR magic would weave whimsied wonder and smiles, I know.
Dearest Dustus — she really was. And piano. And drums. Bass someday, maybe?
Goes off singing in head “I got the music in me…” Who sang that anyway? Ella?
Dearest Vered. Who needs to fly off to Europe, when we have hints of it here and there right in Austin?
Dearest Alice Audrey. No, that is not Right Now. Today is cold, iPhone says currently it’s 31. DEGREES!! As in, just below freezing. Funny, cause a week ago it was in the sunny 70s. Anyhoo, it would be really fun to get Kelly back there for a winter shoot. And Why The Heck Not?? (see this post of Tess’…) http://theboldlife.com/2011/01/50-quotes-inspire-dreamers/ A Friday would be good. Go back to Umlauf Gardens too… http://www.janniefunster.com/2010/07/06/little-loves-a-poem/(Please forgive my lazy jan’s coding?)
Dearest Snaggle, Oooo, Mediterreanean is one of my favorite adjectives! I saw your storm on tv this morning!! Wow, fun. But I guess you don’t get paid for that day, eh. …. Yes, Kelly very graceful. It’s neat to see her incorporate some of her gymastics moves into daily life now — lovely hand presentation and backwards walkover mode of travel.
…. Electric violin. Love to have you play on Banana Seat Bicycles. Yes, plural now, I think, as per my so far singing “Where are the girls on banana seat bicycles?” and “Sometimes I dream of banana seat bicycles…” Will have to listen to what the song wants to say … Yes, snubby small, but heavy. I play to sit, ’cause of shoulder strain from the guitar. I’ve heard of a special strap that redistributes the weight better. Probably ’spensive, tho. ….. was wondering about your electric bill today. yes, weird but seriously true — I was. 
Hope you’ve lots of blankets?? Cold here too. …..SISSY BAR!! I had not thought of that word in years and years. Oh boy! This song is gonna be fun with all the imagery you guys are giving me. ….. Wow! Jim could use a good mechanic. You do cars too, as well as bicycles?? ….. And did you wear rainbow striped toes socks in Adidas sneakers on your bikes? 2 Marcia Brady pigtails?? ….. Bring mandolin to Austin too, thanks. Oh yes, weird is oh so very good sometimes!! 
So very very good.
Hey, Dear Joanny, ahhh, so glad you enjoyed the journey. T’would be very lovely to have you for the decorating party on the 29th too. The basic plan in my head is… spray-painted and sparkling bare tree branches in pots, “trunks” wrapped in some kind of golden foil, tea-lites in sand in pots, and artsy things hung high on branches. Maybe spray-painted terracotta pots, with the kids’ handprints on? Any arsty additional ideas from you on that?
From anyone?
xoxoxoxo
xoxooxo
xoxooxo
On 12 January 2011 at 10:14 am
Aimee said,
Jannie,
I sure am keeping up with the guitar and singing. Happy New Year by the way. 7 c sounds like spring to me ha ha! Yesterday it was -21 c here, big time bhurrr!
On 13 January 2011 at 8:48 am
nessa said,
I so enjoyed coming along to fantasy land. i feel like lounging in a toga now.
.-= nessa´s last blog ..In Case You Were Wondering =-.
On 13 January 2011 at 2:26 pm
~ Bern ~ said,
I had a banana seated bicycle. A red schwinn. I hope some kid is still riding it somewhere in some culturally advanced society. I look forward to your songs release. Very Beautiful oak tree for sure. Sturdy and Strong, knowing that nothing goes wrong.
On 13 January 2011 at 3:03 pm
Sara healy said,
Jannie — I love the photo shoot at the Italian Villa and the story of the mother and child visiting it.
You sound happy, like you’re having fun! Wooden centerpieces, old chords for a new song and a busy mom…what could be better:~)
On 13 January 2011 at 3:38 pm
Glenn Buttkus said,
It is good to see BB with the proper
name placard at his desk.
My first bike had no seat at all,
and the top bar was hack sawed
off so that my little sister could
ride it as well, which really irritated
me. My Dad wrapped the seat pipe
with a ton of duct tape, and it could
be sat on, but it was hard to
disengage from. Just when some of
us think you have shown us everything
cool surrounding Austin, you come up
with some other place, thing, or event.
The Austin Chamber of Commerce needs
to send you money on a regular basis.
Thousands upon thousands of Pea
images it seems; enough to fill up
five coffee table photo Albums.
.-= Glenn Buttkus´s last blog ..In The Hour Before =-.
On 13 January 2011 at 5:20 pm
Jannie said,
yo im jannie
On 13 January 2011 at 5:21 pm
Jannie said,
Hey, that was Kelly!
Quit funnin’ around, Kelly!!!
On 13 January 2011 at 5:31 pm
Jannie said,
now, back to our regularly scheduled comment response…
Dearest Aimee, great about the music! I bet you will always keep at it.
Dearest Nessa — well — hi! Welcome back. I have an extra toga — help yourself, it’s behind the cabana door.
Dearest Bern — howdy! I saw you over at Liara’s of course. Are you not in a culturally advanced society where you are??
Yes, trees are very very AWESOME!!
Dearest Sara, haven’t worked as much on the chords as I planned. I’m still writing it in C, then will transpose up the neck to B. Or possibly A at the 5th fret, and capo to Bb, I’ll see where the song takes me. Old chords for a new song reminds me of L. Cohen’s CD title “New Skin For The Old Ceremony.”
Geez, dearest Glenn, it sounds like you got the raw bike deal. Ouch. My first bike ended up in the ditch and I in the other ditch. Not a fun event. I still have a crunching sound in my left hip over that day.
kootchie-koochie-kooo!!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
On 13 January 2011 at 6:20 pm
LL Cool Joe said,
Your posts are always so much fun, and your photos are always so big!! It’s cool. They all look lovely.
What a great looking guitar!
.-= LL Cool Joe´s last blog ..Its back- but Im still late! The first Scavenger Hunt of 2011 =-.
On 13 January 2011 at 6:36 pm
Alice Audrey said,
I think a follow up photoshoot is a great idea.
Dang. I keep getting page load errors.
On 14 January 2011 at 1:07 pm
Chris said,
How can we forget the broken arm of 2010?! Ahhh. So nice to see you again, Jannie. It’s been a long fall and winter, but here we are. Lovely photos and fun words, as usual. I’m gonna poke around a little more… xxoooooxx
On 15 January 2011 at 7:47 am
Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. gosh BB Blue Bunny .. the boss! Pretty upmarket he looks at his desk .. the Italian Villa look alike gallery et al .. looks a wonderful place to spend a few hours in .. so glad the rice packet is holding up .. must be one of those magic ones = it never runs out?! Lovely pictures of the pea .. good to see .. and BB has changed his pics just above here I see – must be a bunch of red roses for Hardwick?! Cheers .. looking forward to the next instalment .. big hugs from here Hilree xoxoxo
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Guide Books- Queries – Publishers and Authors- Mariana Starke- Baedeker- Murray- Ward & Lock- Wainwright late 1700s to mid 1900s =-.
On 15 January 2011 at 9:44 am
Jannie said,
Ll Cool Joe — 790 px wide, or bust!!
I do like ‘em BIG. And my friends in the sidebar, and BB up top keeping us all in line! 
Yes, loving my PigNose. Kelly had played wiht it when she was littler and roughed it up a bit. I recently had it refurbished, yay! Was going to sell it, but i think I’ll keep it. Forever. And ever. And ever.
Alice Audrey! You getting page upload errors on MY site? Shoot, if so. yes, photo re-shoots would be cool for each and every post I’ve ever put up here.
Wow Chris, you look more and more like your beautiful mother in each photo. Your skin is really glowing! you using glycolic peels?? You still running? Working your abs? Being Super Mom?
yes, and may that be the LAST broken arm ever!! Hope you had fun poking around?
DEERIST HILREE!!!! Hi, how are you? I have missed you so. You are a very miss-able person, you so sunny and funny and nice. The3 magical rice packet. And me — still out there posing by the van, the “other” Jannie. Big big hugs to YOU, now and ever!!
xoxoxoxo
xoxooxxo