For a third year in a row, I participated in the Carver Museum’s 100% Fundraiser. We local artists pick up art supplies from the museum, decorate the canvas however we please, then return them for a silent auction.

Every time I see my submission, all I remember is how I had the flu while doing it.  I marvel it looks this good!

For some reason, my painting, which I titled, “She Sees Her Target,” was given the lackluster title of “untitled.”

Yet, the real point of this whole endeavor isn’t to placate my ego, but to raise money for the museum’s educational program.
I’m happy to report that at least one person, my supervisor, bid on my painting; so at least my feverish efforts weren’t in vain.

One of my cousin’s roommates had the ultimate birthday party, mixing a crowd of capoeiristas, samba dancers and musicians, and pagode musicians and singers. I had the perfect gag gift: a partially-filled canister of pillow packs of lubricant. Every February, I get a donation of adult goodies from La Rouge for the Austin Writers Roulette. I’d given away all the vibrating cock rings and genitalia-shaped chocolates; so this was the perfect opportunity to off load the rest. Besides, since three bachelors live together, I figure, if nothing else, they could upgrade their self-serve.

My cousin, in the middle, suggested we take this dreadlock-centric picture. How often do a group of people purposely turn their backs to the camera to show the beauty of their natural hair rather than smiling faces?

We were all still reeling from the untimely death of Prince. I’m glad this woman paid tribute to His Royal Badness. 

Another charismatic friend, who’d just gotten off from work and had no chance to change, took the time to pose!

I’d hoped the Blackzilians (Black Brazilians) group were based in Austin, but they’re located somewhere in Florida. At least this capoeira teacher lives here!

As expected, toward the end of the night, the birthday boy gathered his pagode group for a live performance.

Although I’d attended many opening receptions at Art on 5th, I’d always appreciated their Dr. Seuss collection. Now, I had the opportunity to celebrate the man himself.

This event highlighted the “taxidermy” collection, most of which has been a part of the gallery since I’d been visiting years ago.

Even The Grinch looked pleased with how well things turned out.

The Knotty Problem of Capitol Hill.  I liked this piece since the bureaucrats have mad math going on.

Booby Trap. The simplicity of this message is genius. 

Cuddle Fish. Even anthropomorphic animals easily conveyed universal emotion.

Controversy was another aspect of Dr. Seuss’ work.  I’m not sure if this illustration was meant to depict the “Great White Hunter” since I was far more captivated by the this character:

Was this supposed to be a black man or just another anthropomorphic animal?

As many people who filed past and lingered at this “taxidermy” collection, I felt like a patient hunter, waiting to shoot–my camera, that is.

I vied through the crowd, smiled and gently persuaded other people out of my shot.

Unlike real preserved animals, these fictitious animals had both charm and smiles.

At one point, I was so taken in by them, I had to remind myself that no animals had actually been harmed.

Yet, luring in the observer with features that seem so lifelike was definitely part of the artist’s intention.

These animals looked as if they could have existed. Or they could have been some extinct predecessor that gave rise to a more biologically successful species.

Yet, there was a distinct lack of fantastical plants and insects, two of the most biologically successful organisms.

Perhaps I’m reading too much into the Dr. Seuss-inspired taxidermic collection of mammals, birds and fish.

Thanks to another niece’s birthday, I gathered supplies to make a gift. Since she’s a freshman in college, I researched some DIY ideas and chose to make designer bulletin boards. For the first time ever, I used a spray adhesive and bought four 12″ x 18″ pieces of colorful fabric for less than $2 each. To make this little project even more convenient, I bought a four-pack of 6″ x 6″ cork boards.

Using my trusty piece of chalk, I outlined a simple pattern to cover the boards. Fortunately the day was warm since I wouldn’t dare use spray adhesive inside. I covered the surface of my portable metal drawer, which I keep outside, with newspaper and sprayed each board and its fabric, flipped the board and pressed down the edges of fabric as smoothly and quickly as possible. I set each one on the edge of a flower pot; so they dried in the sunlight.

They turned out beautifully. Now that she has two part-time jobs, my niece will have four stylish spots to post her schedules and all other important notes…providing she cares to be ol’ school!

Perhaps the highlight of tutoring math at a local middle school was the day I chaperoned the 6th graders on their field trip to the Austin Nature & Science Center and Zilker Park.

One of the special ed teachers and I had a dirty dozen of students to keep track of while we toured ANSC. We sat on some logs, listened to our guide, who solicited a list from the students, of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things that made up the surrounding ecology.

Then, she gave every student a net and asked them to capture some biotic things. Students loosely paired up, swinging those nets more wildly than the native fauna warranted. The guide incorporated some big finds into a jar. At the conclusion of the netting activity, students released whatever they had captured and returned their nets. Our guide talked about the animals, mostly insects and spiders, contained in the jar.

In between activities, we waited near a relaxing pool of water that had a waterfall. How wonderful it was to witness students’ attention captured by nature rather than an electronic device.

We then entered a circular room, sat on a carpet and discussed the difference between a food chain and a food web. We reviewed the ultimate source of energy, which is the sun. Producers, such as plants, capture solar energy and consumers obtain energy through eating producers and/or other consumers.

The first consumers introduced were Madagascar hissing cockroaches, which some adventurous students petted.  I opted to feel my own fingernails since they were made from the same keratin as cockroach exoskeletons.

Next, a frog, who was stereotypically jumpy, was passed around while remaining confined in his cage.

The turtle appeared comfortable enough to stay out of his shell as students touched it.

The quail remained caged although I would’ve loved watching its attempt to fly to freedom.

The last time I saw crawfish they were served up on a plate. At this point, I could’ve embedded myself into the food web.

As soon as the ferret was taken out of its cage, I smelled its signature musk.

This beautiful milk snake had a protective pillowcase that matched its rich burgundy color. Talk about fashionable accessories!

After reviewing what eats what in the food web, we entered the nature hike area. I loved how these 6th graders looked so at home in nature, which seemed to have a calming effect on them.

Imagine stopping to literally smell flowers rather than check an electronic device.

At one point, we visited an aquatic habitat and some students captured tadpoles.

One student caught this dragonfly larvae.

Most, however, simply mucked around the perimeter.

For the second half of the field trip, we ate lunch at Zilker Park.  

Many of the trees had kites stuck in them from the kite day celebration the day before.

Many students played soccer–or at least ran around kicking a soccer ball.

Others amused themselves jumping around on the rocky outcropping.

A few tried their hand at sand volleyball.

As much as we all enjoyed the outing, it’s a shame field trips such as these are rarities.