The 6th Annual Heights Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt

Dust off you bikes and get in gear! This is what we all love about our neighborhood, Houston Heights...there is always something interesting and entertaining happening. Here's information from Donna Bennett, Chair, 2011 Heights Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt:

The 6^th Annual Heights Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt is scheduled for Sunday, October 2, 2011. This is a fun way to explore your neighborhoods on 2 unique routes! Riders can choose between a 20 mile ride and scavenger hunt, and a shorter 5-mile ride and scavenger hunt perfect for families. Pick one route or do both!

The Rally starts and finishes at Marmion Park, 18^th Street and Heights Boulevard. THIS IS NOT A RACE! Bicycle helmets are required for every rider to participate. Each rider receives a rally map, rally card and scavenger hunt clue list. Prizes are awarded to the riders who correctly identify the most mystery sights along the route. To be eligible for prizes, the rally card must be validated by a rally volunteer at the Official Bike Rally Check Point & Water Station on the route.

After finishing the ride, return to Marmion Park by 4 pm to turn in completed Rally Cards and Clue Sheets. All riders are invited to celebrate at Marmion Park for the Post Ride Party. Enjoy entertainment, fabulous door prizes, and great refreshments!

Don’t miss the Awards Ceremony at 4:30 p.m. You must be present to win!

All proceeds from this event benefit Houston Heights Association Community Projects.

For more information or to register, visit www.houstonheights.org or call 713-861-4002 extension 6.

P.S. I'll remind you later with a link in the right-hand column of this blog.

Dog Days of Summer

These are the "Dog Days of Summer" and even the dogs want to stay indoors! Stay as cool as you can.

Morning Walks

This extraordinarily large Sycamore leaf, which Tall Husband had framed recently, was found on our neighborhood walking trail. Just for comparison, note the leaf tucked beneath the frame. It was found last year on the same tree...and we thought it was large. The framed leaf is 12" x 12".

Early morning walks along a wooded trail are magical. Everyone else is still sleeping, so you have the cool, dewy world to yourself. Your senses seem keener...eyes and ears are sharper; the smells from the forest floor rise up to greet you. You see, smell and hear things you would have missed, had you waited for the sun to climb a bit higher in the sky...like this gigantic Sycamore leaf that was just within reach.

Puppy Love

Scooter took us to the dog show. He didn't want to sit still to watch the competition but wanted instead to check out the real action. He found Ian and Wilson, the cutest and smartest little Westies. These adorable dogs have made commercials and Wilson is an agility champ.

He looked up to a handsome Great Dane.

Scooter checked out the local real estate.

He backed away from this exotic creature...not sure of its species. This is Midas, a Chinese Crested Dog.

He cast a curious glance at the two cuties (above and below) in clothing. (Slap me if I ever get this silly.)

Scooter thought a scarf was acceptable, though.

Scooter couldn't get close to this precious pup, as she was on the move. (I know, the photo is blurred because she wouldn't sit still but I had to show her!)

Scooter (left) is smitten by this petite charmer, "It's just you and me Babe and there's a little pink cottage waiting for us over on aisle D" (Translation from Dog Talk.)

Design a Bathroom Around This

And they did. Our tiny guest bathroom with its original clawfoot tub is a little masterpiece, making our two Cote Bastide wall hooks at home.

Note: We had been saving the two wall hooks for two or three years...not knowing where we would use them.

Smile...when it's time.

I was looking at an on-line magazine, Rue, and in a photo shot of a Swedish designer's home was a gold framed mirror, leaning against a wall,with this hand written in black on the mirror: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." I googled this and found that it is a quote attributed to Dr. Seuss. The old guy was deeper than I knew. I think that is what you and I do, after the passing of some time...smile.

At this stage of my life, I have a lot to smile about.

National Take Your Dog to Work Day

Scooter heard that today is National Take Your Dog to Work Day and is getting ready to go to work with Tall Husband.

Come on Mom and turn on the water! You know dogs don't have opposing thumbs...if we did, you would be going to work with me today.