September Rains and the Aquifer

Since Labor Day the San Antonio area has had almost 17 inches of rain; we’ve set a record for September rainfall and with more rain in the forecast this may be the wettest month ever for us. Everything is green and blooming profusely! While the rain is an inconvenience no one complains, ever. We take it thankfully when it falls.

An added benefit is that the Edwards Underground Aquifer has risen over 30 feet at the test well and the local springs are flowing again.

Yesterday evening I checked on the Blue Hole (the original headwaters of the San Antonio River) and yes, there’s water flowing from the spring! However, it wasn’t its usual blue color possibly from mud that had collected in the basin prior to the spring’s activity. Still, it is fun to watch this crystal clear water flowing downstream to join the current SA River.

Spanish explorers and priests reported this area as being sprinkled with many springs, some of which rose up many feet into the area before releasing their water to flow downstream. They described the area as being an oasis and very beautiful with all the vegetation and trees.

The San Pedro Springs are also flowing very nicely and the water is very clear. I noticed water in one of the lesser springs in the park, too. The springs in this area attracted the Native Americans before the Spanish explorers came to the area. Somewhere around the San Pedro Springs the city of San Antonio was established in 1718 – 300 years ago.

Normal appearance of Springs – April 26, 2014

Colors and Patterns: Tiffany Glass Panels

I’m sure that it was the colors and patterns in stained-glass that first attracted me to them as a child. I enjoyed those hours in church when there was stained-glass to study. Pictures of the disciples, of Jesus carrying a lamb, and Paul’s conversion gave life to my Sunday School lessons. My grandmother’s quilts with their colors and patterns also kept me focused as I memorized their lines and etched their names on my memory.

This trio of stained glass panels are owned by the Museum of Fine Art in Houston, Texas and are displayed in their American Art exhibit. They were crafted in the Tiffany Studios in 1905. Per the display description,

At the turn of the 20th century, Tiffany Studios became renown for pioneering the use of opalescent glass in a range of luminous colors, patterns and textures that revolutionized the medium of stained-glass windows…This window was likely a specialy commission for a residence, where it would have been installed on a stair landing to let in changing color and light as the sun moved throughout the day.

The details are exquisite and reflect the craftmanship associated with the Tiffany Studios. I wondered if this commission was for installation in a new home or perhaps a gift from a husband to his wife and would love to know more of the story and see a picture of it in that house. I can just imagine an elegant woman with upswept hair in a soft Edwardian dress pausing with her hand on the newel post and admiring the light illuminating these delicate iris as she climbed the stairs.

The Hat of Intrigue

This hat is absolutely stunning, the pictures just don’t do it justice! The first time I saw it I marveled at the color and this beautiful bow/flower/feather arrangement on the back and the delicate beaded trim. But it was the underneath that really caught me by surprise.

The pleats on the under side of the brim are the finishing touch of a custom made hat. The workmanship is incredible on the entire hat. Sadly, it does appear to have some slight signs of wear. Although that is what intrigues me – why would a hat this well made and incredibly stunning have been worn so much?

My thoughts are that it was custom made to match an outfit. Can’t you just see it paired with a matching outfit and dyed to match shoes? Which makes me think it was for a wedding, but would it have been for a bride, mother-of-the-bride, or an attendant? And, the myster of the gentle wear of it leaves me clueless. For now I have to wonder and day dream a little about the woman who wore this elegant hat. Perhaps some day a short story will come to me about her.

Prickly pear cactus: formidable or user friendly

An early morning walk at a nearby park reminded me of two things. First, that it is August and everything is pretty much dry and brown as it usually is by this time of summer. The scenery along the trails is rather blah except for the occasional color of prickly pear fruit.

IMG_7048[1].JPG — Fruit – with some kind of bug on it!

These colorful bulbs gave me my second reminder: the usefulness of the prickly pear cactus. Long before the Europeans came to the Americas Native Americans were well accquainted with the many varieties of prickly pear and the usefulness of the fruit and the paddle like leaves known as nopales.

The paddles and fruit are edible and are commonly used to make a variety of dishes as well as soups, beverages, jelly, and candy. Obviously, the small spines must be removed first (which is not easy!). The small, tender paddles are known as nopalitos and are enjoyed locally with scrambled eggs, although personally I don’t care for them! In extreme drought when grazing grass is not available ranchers will use a torch to burn off the stickers and spines so cattle can eat the cactus.

The pulp and juice are believed to have medicinal qualities and are used in Mexico for treatment of wounds and ailments of the digestive and urinary tracts. A type of scale insect that lives on the paddles is harvested to make the cochineal (red) dye that is commonly used to manufacture makeup and as a natural red food coloring. Check the ingredients label the next time you eat something red and you may see “carmine” listed! At one time cochineal was so highly prized that its price was quoted on the London and Amsterdam Commodity Exchanges (per Wikipedia).

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There are way too many varieties to even count, much less discuss here. But do remember that they all have stickers of some type which makes them very formidable. I prefer to stay well away from them!

Gaslight-Baker Theater

This 1920’s theater is still serving the community today as a live performance theater. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a part of the Caldwell Courthouse Historic District. Click here to read more about it’s long history.

Fun with multi-use

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Everytime I see these water troughs planted with flowers I enjoy the creative use of an item for a different purpose with stunning results. I think I need to visit a feed store and pick up one – at least a little one.

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I suspect that these periwinkles may not look as perky after sitting in the 100+ degree heat we are having. But they were eye catching when I saw them a few weeks ago.

Esperanza = Hope

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The vibrant yellow blooms of esperanzas always delight me when I see them. Tecoma stans are a hardy, drought tolerant shrub that is also known as yellow bells.

It’s easy to see how they got their Spanish nickname. Esperanza means “hope” in English and the color yellow is associated with friendship. And, they truly are very uplifting to see!

The Unexpected

It was time for a long overdue day trip for this gal. I left home with only one address queued in my phone, my destination was the Caldwell County Courthouse. Other than that I had only ideas of what to do, no plan. But so it usually is with me, the day will just happen. And happen it did!

I had the courthouse in my sights and was crossing the street to it when I glanced to my right. Whoa! There was what appeared to be an old theater, I was distracted. Before I really checked out the theater there was another building calling to me, a library. Lockhart was already surprising me (and, yes I’ll share my finds on Doorway Into the Past very soon. The best was yet to come.

Driving into town I had seen a sign pointing down a side street that indicated a post office was nearby. So before I left town (much later after I arrived) I drove down that way just in case it might not be a new post office, but one from the New Deal era. And, maybe, just maybe there would be a mural in it. You never know.

The Post Office didn’t disappoint me on the outside nor on the inside. As I walked in the familiar vestibule arrangement brought back a rush of memories. Without hesitating I knew to look to the right for the mural.

I don’t have any definite information on the mural yet as there seems to be some conflict as to the name and the artist. The Post Office has a simple marker on the foundation that reflects 1935 as the date of construction. The Post Office was very crowded at that time and I wondered how many of those people knew that the mural was there and its significance. Perhaps they wondered why this strange lady with a smile on her face was making pictures!

The details are captivating! You just to have to remember to expect the unexpected.

Art Deco Friday – or is it Art Deco?

IMG_6601_edited-1 — *Noritake, Sterling Cove*

No this isn’t really an Art Deco style china pattern, but it is quickly becoming my favorite just because it reminds me of the 1920’s and 1930’s styles commonly referred to as Art Deco. The gentle swirls on the rim and graceful lines could have put this china on the Great Gatsby’s elegant tables, couldn’t it?

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In truth the pattern was manufactured from 1986-1999. I have a few place settings, a gravy boat, and a set of salt and pepper shakers that I treasure just for its creamy, neutral color and classic lines.

Antique Pianos

Keyboard of a square Steinway in the Menger Hotel, San Antonio

My love of pianos and piano music always pulls me to take a second look at any piano, but especially at the antique ones. I especially love the square pianos, probably from childhood visits with a neighbor, Miss Robbie, of my paternal grandparents who had one in her antique filled living room. These are a few that I’ve encountered recently, enjoy!

Square piano in the Menger Hotel, San Antonio Texas

Detail of foot petals, Menger Hotel Steinway

Square piano of German origin, Guenther House, San Antonio, Texas The detailed carving is exquisite!

Square piano in upstairs hallway, Villa Finale, San Antonio, Texas. My inquiring mind asked how this got upstairs as the stairway was small and winding. The answer: hoisted up over the second floor porch railing and rolled through the door into the hallway. If it ever goes out it will have to be via the same method!

Grand piano in the parlor of the Edward Steves Homestead, San Antonio Texas. (Note this may not be an original period specific piece, still it is very lovely)