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The Porcelain Dragon stretched 110 feet made from 15,000 bowls, spoons, and cups … all tied together by hand.
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… to be continued ..
Chinese Lantern Festival, Dallas 2012 (3)
Category: Texas
Chinese Lantern Festival, Dallas 2012 (2)
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🐼 Pandas & Peaches 🍑
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National Public Gardens Week 2024
The word ‘garden’ refers to a small enclosed area of land, usually adjoining a building, commonly referred to as a yard in the U.S. It is usually a planned space set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature and often incorporates both natural and artificial materials in their surroundings. The first notable event related to gardening in the U.S. was the founding of the American Public Gardens Association — the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture that works together with members and other organizations to strengthen and shape public horticulture by providing the tools and support needed to plants creatively and sustainably. They were formerly known as the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta.
The American Public Gardens Association initiated National Public Gardens Week in 2009, in partnership with a large gardening supply company, Rain Bird, to increase public awareness of the educational resources public gardens provide to local communities. It aims to highlight programs about important topics such as plant conservation, water conservation, the preservation of green spaces, and home gardening.
The organization’s members include botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, museums, colleges and universities, display gardens, and research facilities, all of which are expected to unveil projects that emphasize their importance and effort as community connoisseurs and catalysts for environmental change throughout the week.
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/national-public-gardens-week/
Beautiful Colors of Spring (10)
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Texas In Spring 2011
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National Concert Day 2024 🎸
⬆ U2 – THE JOSHUA TREE TOUR 2017 ~ DALLAS, TEXAS ⬆
Live Nation Entertainment, which initiated National Concert Day, is a merger between two original companies. In 2009, the first Live Nation, a concert promotion firm, and a ticketing company, Ticketmaster, reached an agreement to merge. The new company received regulatory approval and was named Live Nation Entertainment. Although the merger was first approved in Norway and Turkey, several fans, artists, and regulators opposed it, with The United Kingdom’s Competition Commission ruling against the merger. However, on January 25, 2010, the United States Justice Department approved the merger, pending a few momentarily prohibitions, and Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. was established.
Live Nation Concerts is currently the largest producer of music concerts in the United States and internationally — producing over 20,000 shows annually for about 3,000 artists globally. It also owns and operates many entertainment venues and acts as a music recording label. National Concert Day was established in 2015 and held for the first time in May. It was a day to honor the commencement of the summer concert season, as well as the musicians, record companies, tour managers, and everyone else who works to ensure that fans enjoy live music. Live Nation held a concert at Irving Plaza in New York City during the first year of the holiday. That year, they also held a Kickoff to Summer Ticket Sale, offering more than a million concert tickets for $20 National Concert Day tickets.
Chinese Lantern Festival, Dallas 2012 (1)
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In November 2012, Kevin, Katelynn, Sara, and I went to the Chinese Lantern Festival in Fair Park, Dallas. We arrived early. So, we still had time to walk around Fair Park. When the State Fair of Texas is over, that place looks very empty. But the Texas Star® Ferris Wheel is there year-round. Katelynn posed for some photos. When we came back to the Festival entrance area it was almost time to go in. …
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… to be continued …
Flying From Dallas Love Field, Texas To La Guardia, Queens, New York ~ 2021
I have to travel to close on both of the houses. Eventually, everything fell into place. Our buyer got approved for purchasing our Dallas home, about a week or two ago. And we got approved for purchasing the home in Watertown, Connecticut, a few days ago. The puzzle pieces all came together. And now, we have the big picture.
So, it was time to fly to New York City. Wow, I still can’t believe we will live only two hours away from the Big Apple. Anyway, when I arrived in Dallas Love Field, I was overwhelmed a little bit, at first. I’ve never been flying by myself. So, this was interesting. After some help from the airport team, I figured it out and was glad, when I arrived at the gate. Kevin told me to purchase a water bottle and a snack to hold me over until I landed in New York. Which was a great help at the approximately 3-hour flight.
Once I arrived in La Guardia, everything was “easy-peasy lemon squeezy”. There was a bit of a walk to get to the exit. But it seemed to go quick. Kevin was waiting right there to pick me up in time. It felt good to be back in New York, after almost four years, when we visited the city for the first time. The city looked as good as always. But we still had another hour to drive to get to Danbury, Connecticut. ….
… to be continued …
~ 05/05/2021 ~
From Texas To North Carolina And Back To Texas ~ 2004
After Kevin and I had most of our stuff settled in Texas, it was time to pick up Katelynn in North Carolina. On that trip, we picked Interstate 20 and Interstate 55 to see the deep southern states. Instead of driving through Arkansas and Tennessee, we drove through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
By Vicksburg, Mississippi we crossed the mighty Mississippi River and made a short stop for some photos. The February sunset was reflecting on the river. It was beautiful. That night, we stopped for a rest in Jackson, Mississippi.
The following morning, we still had so much driving ahead of us. I didn’t have a driver’s license at the time, Kevin had to drive the whole way. The last 200 miles were painful. But we made it by the evening. And we both could hold Katelynn in our arms again.
Two days later Kevin, Katelynn, and I took the original route back to Texas. It was a tough 18-hour trip through North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas. Katelynn made her first trip across the Mississippi in Memphis, Tennessee, crossing into West Memphis, Arkansas. From there, we still had about seven more hours. At 2 am, we finally made it home.
Beautiful Colors of Spring (9)
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The Possum Kingdom Complex is a grouping of four wildfires that have consumed about 148,000 acres (600 km2) in Stephens, Young, and Palo Pinto counties. The complex consists of the Possum Kingdom West Fire (90,000 acres), Possum Kingdom East Fire 11,000 acres (45 km2), Hohertz Fire 40,000 acres (160 km2), and Jackson Ranch Fire 7,000 acres (28 km2). The fire destroyed 166 homes and two churches. 600 more homes were threatened. Possum Kingdom State Park was closed on April 15. Ninety percent of the park was involved in the fire. 450 firefighters, three helitankers, and three helicopters fought the fire along a 270-mile (430 km) fire line.
On August 30, 2011, another outbreak of wildfires ravaged the Possum Kingdom Lake area, continuing well into September and destroying 39 homes by the time of containment.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Texas_wildfires
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State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas: The Fair Park At Night ~ 2012 🎡
We spent the early evening hours at the State Fair as well. The fair actually looks much prettier, when it is dark outside. All the lights come on, and the light parade passes through the park. Big Tex and the Texas Star Ferris Wheel come to full glory, and the statues are in their great spotlights.
~ THE END ~
Eeyore’s Birthday 2024
In 1926 a classic was born, A. A Milne published his collection of short stories, depicting an anthropomorphic teddy bear, Winnie the Pooh, his human friend, Christopher Robin, and a mixed collection of other animals, most notably on this special day, Eeyore. The animal that inspired such a great charity initiative in Austin, takes his queues and overall character from the unfortunate disposition of the stuffed donkey that he was modeled after, a long, heavy head and neck, leaving the stuffed donkey looking quite sad and depressed as the weight of both head and neck constantly had the donkey faced down at the ground.
The celebration of Eeyore’s “birthday” in Austin, Texas is unique to the area. Originally, the event was set up to distract students from “Dead Week,” however, over time the birthday party has grown into a massive charity event. The first time Austin celebrated Eeyore’s birthday, there was little more than a trash can filled with lemonade and beer, however, when the party moved from Eastwood Park to Pease District Park, Friends of the Forest Foundation, a non-profit that supports local charities took over the production and management of the event.
My First Trip To Texas 2004🤠🌵
Kevin, Katelynn, and I spent two weeks at my in-laws house. We had to wait for some paperwork before we packed the pickup truck and moved to Dallas, Texas. Katelynn stayed with her grandparents for the next ten days in North Carolina. This was tough, being without her and half across the country. Kevin and I drove from Valdese, North Carolina to Benton, Arkansas on the first day. We made it through Little Rock and stayed near Interstate 30. From there, it was only another 4-hour trip to get to Dallas.
I brought the snow from Germany and North Carolina to Texas. When we woke up and were ready to leave it began to snow. And it didn’t stop until late afternoon. Dallas was covered in a thick wet snow blanket. The next morning it was all gone, again. For the weekend, we stayed at our sister-in-law’s place. But on Monday, Kevin and I were apartment hunting. And it didn’t take long to find one. Since I was here on a Visa, the apartment complex did a background check on me, and 24 hours later, we could move in. Kevin was also job hunting. And we both went to job fairs. One was in Wichita Falls, which was another two-hour drive away. But everything counted. In these first eight days, we got a lot of things established. After three weeks, it was nice to have our own place, again. Finally, we could bring Katelynn home.
… to be continued …
Beautiful Colors of Spring (8)
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Spring in our Texas Backyard 2011
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State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas Texas: The Texas Discovery Gardens 2012 (4) 🦋
The Butterfly House in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
… to be continued …
Beautiful Colors of Spring (7)
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Our backyard in early Spring 2011
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State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas Texas: The Texas Discovery Gardens 2012 (3) 🦋
Flowers, fruits & soon to be butterflies
… to be continued …
National Farm Animal Day 2024
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A variety of animals have been domesticated and raised on farms for food. They provide eggs, milk, cheese, meat, wool, leather, and other products. Most farmers raise their livestock responsibly. Providing a quality environment for them to grow benefits the animal and the farmer, too. Farmers invest in their livestock from the time they’re born, providing nutritious food, and ensuring robust and healthy development. They also provide ideal conditions for their breed. Farmers are continually educating themselves about the livestock they raise so they can provide them with the best care possible.
Resource: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-farm-animals-day-april-10/
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State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas Texas: The Texas Discovery Gardens 2012 (2) 🦋
While the big crowd was at the State Fair, we enjoyed being in the spacious Texas Discovery Gardens on the Dallas Fair Grounds.
… to be continued …
State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas Texas: The Texas Discovery Gardens 2012 (1) 🦋
Every time, we visit the State Fair of Texas we can’t miss out on the Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park. The girls love to see the flowers outdoors and the Butterfly House. This year, they had a special treat for Katelynn at their expo: Snakes, spiders, and bugs. Katelynn loves all these creepy crawlies. There were some venomous snakes and hairy-legged spiders. Not to forget to mention the cockroaches. Thank goodness, they have been locked in their terrariums. I like them much better when there is a protective glass between those critters and me.
… to be continued …
Beautiful Colors of Spring (4)
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A walk in The Colony, Texas ~ Spring 2010
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State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas: A Stroll Through The Fair 2012 🎡
We walked on the fairgrounds to look at some sculptures and walked to the Texas Discovery Gardens. Big Tex celebrated his 60th Anniversary at the State Fair of Texas. Unfortunately, 13 days later he burned down to his frame. He had an electrical short in his wiring, which moved his jaw. It was a sad day in Dallas’ History. The following year, he was rebuilt.
… to be continued …
State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas: Automotive Building 2012 🎡
It was the first weekend of October when we visited the State Fair of Texas in 2012. And it was chilly. Most of the time, we avoided the wind and walked into buildings. Since the Automobile Building protected us from the chill, I captured photos of the Mural on the walls along the Esplanade Fountain in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas.
History of the Automobile Building:
http://www.texasescapes.com/DallasTexas/Dallas-Texas-Fair-Park-11-Automobile-Building.htm
… to be continued …
A Day In Downtown Dallas, Texas ~ 2011
In November 2011 I met with a friend and her son from Germany in downtown Dallas. This allowed us to do some sightseeing in town. We looked at several buildings like the Fountain Building, the Bank of America Building (the tallest building in Dallas), the Old Red Dallas County Courthouse, the Comerica Bank Building, … etc.
I always wanted to go to the Sixth Floor Museum by Dealey Plaza. In the museum, we were not allowed to photograph. But it was interesting to look at pictures, read history, and watch videos of Kennedy’s Presidency until the assassination at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas on November 22, 1963, and the aftermath. No matter, how often I watch those videos I always become a bit sentimental.
The Alamo Day 2024
The Alamo (initially called the Mission San Antonio de Valero) was constructed in present-day San Antonio by Spanish immigrants in 1718. Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna led an assault on the Alamo Mission on February 23, 1836, after it had been seized by insurgent Texan troops in December. Around 1,000 Mexican troops stormed the improvised fort and began mounting artillery.
The two forces exchanged gunfire over the following two weeks, although there were minimal losses. Even though they were significantly outnumbered, co-commanders William Travis and James Bowie insisted on staying put. Doctors and farmers were among the volunteers guarding the Alamo, including Davy Crockett who was a member of the Tennessee militia. On March 6, just before daybreak, the last onslaught occurred. The north wall was broken, and Mexican forces surged into the enclosure, rousing many of the Texans within. The fight spanned 90 minutes, with considerable hand-to-hand action involved.
Bowie, Travis, and Crockett were all killed, however, accounts dispute as to how and when they were killed. Some Texans are said to have surrendered, but Santa Anna ordered the execution of all detainees. Only a few people, primarily women, and children made it out alive. Some hundred Mexicans are said to have died, according to historians.
From March through May, Mexican soldiers controlled the fort, however, on April 21, Sam Houston and his men overcame Santa Anna’s army at San Jacinto. They screamed “Remember the Alamo” as they stormed, and Houston’s triumph ensured Texas independence. Texas was annexed by the United States almost a decade after in 1845.
The U.S. Army stationed troops and supplies in the fort for many years after that. The state of Texas purchased the Alamo in 1883 and eventually acquired the property rights to the surrounding lands, which totaled about four acres. The Alamo attracts roughly 2.5 million visitors each year and remains a national symbol of perseverance and resistance.
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/alamo-day/
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Speaking of the Alamo: A funny anecdote happened to me when we visited the Alamo in December 2014. Kevin, Katelynn, Sara, and I were waiting in line. When it was our turn, I opened the door for the girls to go in first. There was a breeze, and the German flag was just at the right height to smack me across the face. It was as the flag wanted to say: “Girl, you are German! Embrace it!” I almost had to fight my way into the Alamo, because I was trapped in the flag. Some visitors caught my attention and began to laugh. When I mentioned I was German, the laughter became even louder. In the end, I figured out how to get out of the situation. And we all had a good laugh. 🇩🇪
Addison Kaboom Town, Texas 2011 (3)
Fireworks in Addison, Texas 2011
~ The End ~
Addison Kaboom Town, Texas 2011 (2)
When the sun disappeared behind the trees, it was time for the air show. It was also a little bit cooler. And the girls became a bit more active outside the water fountains. Katelynn had the chance to hold a cockatoo on her shoulder. That bird looked almost bigger than her. Sara enjoyed hanging with her daddy and munched herself through the cooler. Everything, that could keep her cool, she went for it. Katelynn came back with a lightsaber before it was time for fireworks.
… to be continued …
Addison Kaboom Town, Texas 2011 (1)
Kevin, Courtney, and I went with the kids, and a stroller full of cooler, blankets, and towels from a parking garage to the Addison Circle, which leads to the entrance of Kaboom Town. Addison opens the gates around 4 or 5 pm. The earlier we show up, the better the chance we get a decent spot. It was a very hot Independence Day weekend. So, we adults decided to pick a shaded spot under a couple of trees close to the water fountains and the bathrooms. Once, our blankets were laid out, the girls wanted to play in the fountain and cool off. There was still plenty of time for the airshow and fireworks. By the time the sun is behind the horizon, the kids can rest and watch the shows. It didn’t take long until Sara was hungry and wanted to eat a sandwich. Thank goodness, we always bring our cooler with us. Katelynn rested with her Dad on the blanket for a little bit, before she decided she was hungry, too.
… to be continued …
Abraham Lincoln’s 215th Birthday
Happy Birthday to the 16th President of the United States of America!
The Liberty By The Lake Fireworks In The Colony, Texas 2011
Liberty By The Lake 2011
The Independence Day Parade In The Colony, Texas 2011
In 2011, Sara was old enough to take her to her first Independence Day parade. It was very warm the whole weekend. But we were prepared. Plenty of water, sunscreen, and sitting in the shade helped tremendously. Katelynn and Sara both enjoyed the parade’s colors and candy. There were parrots, pirates, landmarks, Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, the Fire Department & Police Department, and so many flags. It was a wonderful event to see people from the community celebrating the 4th of July.
National Texas Day 2024
Texas Day was first celebrated in 2017 after it was created online. At first, this holiday was seen as unnecessary as the date was not related to any key moments in Texas. However, the holiday is still regarded as another day to celebrate the Lone Star State. ‘Texas’ is a name derived from ‘taysha,’ a word in the Caddoan language, meaning ‘friend’ or ‘ally.’
Texas has a funny history. It has been territorialized by six different countries: France, Spain, Mexico, the United States, the Confederate States, and the Republic of Texas, for over three centuries. For nine years (1836 — 1845), Texas was an independent country. It joined the United States as the 28th state on December 29, 1845, and its capital city is Austin.
The armadillo is the state’s official animal, and its official flower is the bluebonnet. Its official sport is Rodeo, and its official dish is ‘Texas Chili,’ a red stew dish made with dried meat without beans. Being one of the largest and most populated states in the United States, Texas has a population of over 28 million residents and a land area of 268,596 square miles. The current Texas governor is Greg Abbott. It is famous for Rodeos, special Texan B.B.Q.s, live music, hot weather, Dr Pepper, and its large size. The state brags about its Whataburger, state fair, beautiful sunsets, and sports teams.
Everything’s bigger in Texas! 😉
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/texas-day/
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In June 2011 (3) ~ “Dinosaurs Unleashed”
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“Dinosaurs Unleashed” was a dinosaur expo at the Fort Worth Zoo in Spring/Summer 2011
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~ The End ~
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In June 2011 (2)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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… to be continued …
Take A Walk Outdoors Day 2024
There is no evidence of how this holiday started, but we assume it was established as a way of reminding people to stay active. This is especially applicable in the modern world driven by technology as it is. We tend to spend a major part of our day sitting in front of a monitor. The idea of walking is a significant part of human evolution as we separate ourselves from other animals by walking without our hands.
The Romans came up with the concept of a mile by walking. In their estimation, a thousand military steps were equivalent to a mile. Through the ages, long-distance walking developed into a competitive sport as humans liked to exhibit their outstanding feats of achievement. In the latter half of the 19th century, this became a popular sport in America as well as Europe. Germany boasts of the oldest surviving walking club, Black Forest Wanderverein, which was set up in 1864. The first race walk in the U.S. took place in New York in 1911. Even before that, there is a record of race walks being an official sport in the London Olympics of 1908.
Today, we are familiar with various forms of walking such as race walking, speed walking, brisk walking, power walking, marathons, and so on. Walking has even become a mode of worship. For example, thousands of people marched to Camino de Santiago in 2015, inspired by the movie “The Way,” which portrays an American father walking along the same route in France in search of his estranged son’s body. Who knew walking could have such a glorious history? If you have a daily ritual, like getting your morning coffee, reading a book, listening to music, or sipping wine, club it with a bit of walking. This way, you don’t have to find an extra slot in your busy schedule for a walk. Think about it.
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/take-a-walk-outdoors-day/
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In June 2011 (1)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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… to be continued …
Winter Wonderland (6)
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Texas Snow Day In January 2011
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Kids Colony II Playground (Phase I), The Colony, Texas 2011
In 1993, residents and businesses in The Colony came together to build a playground. There was lots of planning, fundraising, scheduling, and building – all done by volunteers! This little town in Texas made a great effort and the result was a community-built playground named Kids’ Colony. The years and hot Texas sun took its toll on the expansive wooden structures and the process began to replace the beloved playground. In 2011, Phase I of the rebuild of Kids’ Colony was completed with the addition of a nature-themed play structure, pavilion, picnic tables, and benches.
World Basketball Champions 2011: Dallas Mavericks
On June 12, 2011, the Dallas Mavericks won the Finals 4:2 against the Miami Heat in the Kaseya Center in Miami. Three days later, on June 16, 2011, Kevin and I went to Dallas and saw the Dallas Mavericks Parade. Unfortunately, we had too many people in front of us to capture decent photos of the players and the parade. The Dallas Mavericks team waited 31 years for this victory to become the World Champions in Basketball.
Later that month, Dirk went to our hometown where he got his own parade and waved from the balcony of our Würzburg Residence. From 1984 -1987, I went to the same school as Dirk. Here, Dirk was six, when he started 1st grade. Who would have ever thought that this kid would win an NBA championship many years later?
A Walk At The Cottonwood Marsh Trail In Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA), Lewisville, Texas ~ 2011
Texas Spring At The Cottonwood Trail In LLELA
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In October 2010
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Forth Worth Zoo 2010
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State Fair of Texas At Fair Park, Dallas, Texas 2010
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State Fair of Texas 2010
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Christmas Season (Part II) 2006 – 2007
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2006
In the Christmas Season of 2006, Kevin, Katelynn, and I visited California. Since we celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Kevin’s grandparents in Anaheim, we stayed an extra day to go to Disneyland.
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2007
In December 2007, Kevin installed his first outdoor Christmas tree made of Christmas light chains. Everything was held up by a PVC pipe.
🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅
… to be continued …
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (4)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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~ The End ~
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (3)
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Fort Worth
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… to be continued …
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (2)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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… to be continued …
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (1)
🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧🐾🐒🦍🦧
Fort Worth Zoo
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… to be continued …
American Heroes: A Salute To Veterans In The Colony, Texas
American Heroes is a FREE weekend celebration honoring America’s heroes with live music, remembrance ceremonies, carnival, fair food, car/truck/bike show, and the best patriotic fireworks display in North Texas!
We salute you and thank you
for your service to our country!
The photos are from the festival in 2015. In Connecticut, I miss having a Veteran’s Festival close by. Watertown still celebrates our Veterans in the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Oakville has a ceremony at the Oakville Town Green. However, we don’t have 5K Runs, carnival, live music from famous artists, and fireworks.
Texas Discovery Gardens At The Fairground In Dallas, Texas 2009 🦋
Texas Discovery Gardens is a 7.5-acre native garden and butterfly house in Dallas, Texas
Texas Arbor Day 2023
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Arbor Day celebrates planting and nurturing trees, and all the ways trees enrich our lives and stabilize the environment. Historians trace Arbor Day’s origins back to the fifth century when Swiss villagers gathered to plant groves of oak trees. Adults turned the event into a festival and children were given treats as a reward for their help planting trees.
Arbor Day first appeared in the United States in 1872. J. Sterling Morton is credited with guiding this country’s first Arbor Day resolution through the Nebraska Legislature that year. Residents of the Great Plains recognized how much trees could do for them, and they enthusiastically embraced Morton’s vision.
President Theodore Roosevelt was a strong supporter of Arbor Day. Early in the 20th century, it was becoming clear that the nation’s forests were being exhausted by cut-out-and-get-out timber harvesting. The science of forest management was emerging, and the government was moving to suppress wildfires and plant trees. Roosevelt sent a letter to the children of the United States in which he wrote, “A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as hopeless.”
In Texas, Arbor Day first appeared in Temple on Feb. 22, 1889. W. Goodrich Jones led the citizens of Temple in a mass meeting to call for a tree-planting campaign along the streets of the city. One year later, the first statewide observance of Arbor Day was held in Austin. Through the efforts of Sen. George Tyler of Belton, Feb. 22 was set aside by law as Arbor Day to encourage planting trees in the state.
After the original Texas Arbor Day law expired, the state continued to observe Arbor Day by proclamation of the governor, usually on George Washington’s birthday. In 1949, the Texas Legislature adopted a resolution designating the third Friday in January as Texas Arbor Day.
In 1989 the Legislature passed a resolution moving Texas Arbor Day to the last Friday in April to align with the traditionally observed national Arbor Day. Today, the official Texas Arbor Day is held on the first Friday in November. Still, thanks to the diversity of this state, Arbor Day can be celebrated in Texas communities anytime throughout the fall and winter planting season.
Resource: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/news/2022/10/arbor-day
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Bill Allen Memorial Park, The Colony, Texas ~ 2008
With more than 48 acres of natural landscaping consisting of two playground areas, two basketball courts, a pavilion, an amphitheater, a pond, and a newly expanded disc golf course, Bill Allen Memorial Park is perfect for the whole family.
Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas 2007
In May 2007, Kevin graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Keller University. The ceremony was held at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. After the ceremony, I was able to capture a few photos of the Resort, which resembles the Alamo and the San Antonio Riverwalk.
Prehistoric Site In Lewisville, Texas ~ 2006
Since I read a book about Native Americans when I lived in Germany, I wanted to visit the marker where the prehistoric site of Clovis-aged people fire hearths had been found in 1951 due to the excavation for the Lewisville Lake Dam, which contained Hackberry seeds, fish, birds, tortoises, rabbits, squirrels, mussels, and bigger animals like mammoth, bison. wolves. coyotes and several more. The first investigation took place between 1951 and 1957. The second investigation was between 1978 and 1980. Due to the severe drought in North Texas, the site was more investigated in the late 70s. In 2006, I found the marker. We had an extreme drought that year as well. But the site was still covered by water.
Texas Bluebonnet
Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names, depending on region, include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black-veined brown. It is amongst the most familiar of North American butterflies and an iconic pollinator, although it is not an especially effective pollinator of milkweed. Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm (3.5–4.0 in). A Müllerian mimic, the viceroy butterfly, is similar in color and pattern but is markedly smaller and has an extra black stripe across each hindwing.
The eastern North American monarch population is notable for its annual southward late-summer/autumn instinctive migration from the northern and central United States and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico. During the fall migration, monarchs cover thousands of miles, with a corresponding multigenerational return north in spring. The western North American population of monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains often migrates to sites in southern California, but individuals have been found in overwintering Mexican sites. In 2009, monarchs were reared on the International Space Station, successfully emerging from pupae located in the station’s Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus.
Jumbo, The Mammoth Sculpture In Fair Park, Dallas, Texas 2006
Jumbo, the Dallas Mammoth by sculptor Tom Tischler
was modeled after a fossil excavated in Dallas.
Mammoths roamed Texas until 10,000 years ago.
Texas Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
The pecan, Carya illinoinensis, is a member of the Juglandaceae family. Juglandaceae are represented worldwide by seven and ten extant genera and more than 60 species. Most of these species are concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere of the New World, but some can be found on every continent except Antarctica. The first fossil examples of the family appear during the Cretaceous. Differentiation between the subfamilies of Engelhardioideae and Juglandioideae occurred during the early Paleogene, about 64 million years ago. Extant examples of Engelhardioideae are generally tropical and evergreen, while those of Juglandioideae are deciduous and found in more temperate zones.
The second major step in the development of pecan was a change from wind-dispersed fruits to animal dispersion. This dispersal strategy coincides with developing a husk around the fruit and a drastic change in the relative concentrations of fatty acids. The ratio of oleic to linoleic acids is inverted between wind- and animal-dispersed seeds. Further differentiation from other species of Juglandaceae occurred about 44 million years ago during the Eocene. The fruits of the pecan genus Carya differ from those of the walnut genus Juglans only in the formation of the husk of the fruit. The husks of walnuts develop from the bracts, bracteoles, and sepals, or sepals only. The husks of pecans develop from the bracts and the bracteoles only.
Resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecan
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
Mockingbirds are one of the most commonly noticed birds in the state of Texas. They are either applauded for their audaciousness or cursed for their persistence in nocturnal singing or in the defense of their territory. Insects, fruit, crustaceans, and small vertebrates make up the mockingbird’s diet. The fact that they enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables hasn’t exactly made them gardeners’ friends either, although they do eat lots of insects.
Mockingbirds are found in just about every habitat type in the state. The males’ territoriality and constant singing and displaying during the breeding season make them the most noticeable bird in Texas. Often this territoriality takes the form of early morning singing sessions or diving attacks on other animals or people!
Unmated male mockingbirds sing more than mated ones, and only unmated males sing at night. Both sexes sing in the fall to claim winter feeding territories. These areas are often different than their spring breeding territories. Mockingbirds mimic 50 other bird songs. They have also been known to imitate other sounds they hear such as rusty hinges, whistling, cackling hens, and dogs barking so expertly that even an electronic analysis could not tell the difference between the mockingbird and the original. Scientists have found that female mockingbirds are attracted to males that can make the most different sounds.
Downtown Dallas In December 2004
Tanja's Little Corner of The World 