grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Pray for Houston. Pray for Texas.

By

Pray for Houston

It’s a new morning, but it’s difficult for me to write about the plants in my garden or the beautiful weather we are having in Northwest Arkansas when the pictures and stories coming out of Houston are so devastating and heartbreaking. The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey continues to wreak havoc. Pray for Houston. Pray for Texas.

I lived in Texas longer than I’ve lived anywhere. I went to college in Waco. Texas is my other home, so yes, I have a soft spot for the place and people. I suppose that’s normal.

As rain continues to fall and water continues to rise, the situation becomes even more dire. For those of us watching from our dry, safe homes, we can help by donating money to legitimate groups like the Salvation Army. Always be mindful of scammers always trying to part a good-hearted soul from his money during unfortunate situations. NPR curated this comprehensive list of charities helping hurricane victims. (Still, check them out first.)

Do what you can even if that only means sending good vibes to our Texas neighbors. Because it’s a new morning. Because we are all neighbors in this world, in this life.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Pray for Houston. Pray for Texas. #HurricaneHarvey[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
Cat Stevens, Morning has Broken

Home from Texas.

By

home sweet home

When I was a kid, Momma always said “Home again, home again, jiggity jig,” whenever we pulled into the carport. Actually, she still does, and so of course, sometimes I do too. After a week in Austin with my daughter, it feels good to be home from Texas.

But Austin was fantastic as Austin always is. I felt a tinge of nostalgia driving home, and realize there are definitely things I miss about living in Texas. Things that are uniquely Texas. A feeling more than anything else.

Continue Reading

Blue and the Bluebonnets

By

Blue and the Bluebonnets, Austin, TxMeet Blue. Blue belongs to my daughter, Kelsey, and she belongs to him, and they live in Austin where the bluebonnets are in full bloom. It’s a great relationship except for the fact that she broke her ankle and he’s a puppy with tons of energy and they live in an upstairs apartment and she’s in law school and I’m sure you can understand why I might be in Austin for a few days. While there’s never a good time to have a broken ankle, it worked out well for me considering the bluebonnets.

So Blue and I go for walks in the bluebonnets.

U.S. News and World Report named Austin, Texas the #2 place to live just ahead of #3 Fayetteville, Arkansas (where I live). I’m pretty sure the bluebonnets pushed Austin ahead of Northwest Arkansas. Bluebonnets and Tex-Mex food, no doubt. And, of course, all of South Congress.Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!