travel

Sculpted in Steel: Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1929-1940, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

/ The Coastal Crone / 52 Comments

On a recent trip to Houston we visited the Museum of Fine Arts as part of birthday celebrations for Husband and Son.  While many exhibits prohibit photography, Son was able to take photos of one particular current exhibit; here are a few that he took.

Sculptured in Steel: Art Deco Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1929-1940

art deco 3One would have to have the proper clothes to drive around in this one as the vintage poster below (part of the exhibit) illustrates.

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art deco 5This one reminded me of a convertible version of an Airstream travel trailer.

art deco 4 (2)This Indian Motorcycle Chief, 1940 was Husband’s favorite.

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People were even dressed fashionably in advertisements back then.

art deco 2Husband liked this KJ Motorcycle, 1930 and so would Batman.

art decoHusband and I had a great time imagining what it would have been to ride around in this Twelve Model 1106 or to have been chauffeured around in it.  Either way,  champagne would surely have been appropriate!

Model 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan, 1936This photo of Model 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan, 1936 was taken from the museum’s website.

Model 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan (detail), 1936

This is the inside of the Model 810 “Armchair” Beverly Sedan, 1936 and also from the museum’s website.

The exhibit will be at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston through May 30.

MONDAY MADNESS: Wake up! It’s Monday!

/ The Coastal Crone / 32 Comments

 

1987 06 New Orleans 019

DO YOU HAVE A CAPTION TO SUGGEST?

Suggested so far via comments:

“Loving life!” – Eric Tonningsen

“Elegantly simply sleeping platforms. I do adore them. The waterbeds were fine, but darling they were so ‘last year.'” – Belocchio

“Just for once, I would like to see you get the  gazelle in the morning.”– John W. Howell

“Why does SHE always get the top bunk?” – crowingcrone

“Can you keep it down to a dull roar please, we’re TRYING to sleep…” – clinock

“Wake me when its over!” – oilpastelsbymary

“She always gets the best spot!” – Andrea Stephenson

“Sweet dreams!” – Virginia Views

“Superbowl and Marti Gras in the same week is just too much!” – philosophermouseofthehedge”

“You just HAD to complain about the thread count on the sheets at the hotel, didn’t you?” – WriterinSoul

“Wake not a sleeping lion – which apparently means (Don’t ask for trouble.  It’s safer to leave things as they are) – Chez Shea

FRIDAY FOTO: Monterrey, Mexico, June 1991

/ The Coastal Crone / 35 Comments

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In June of 1991 Husband and I took a train from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to Monterrey, Mexico.  The cars were not air-conditioned except for the club car where it was cool and the cervazas were cold.

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Husband reluctantly  posing for me between cars.

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View of Saddleback Mountain from the roof of our hotel.

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Neptune Fountain at the Gran Plaza or Macroplaza

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Faro del Comercio (Lighthouse of Commerce), a column 230 feet high and 40 feet wide erected to commemorate 100 years of the founding of the Monterrey Chamber of Commerce.   At night it was lit by laser.

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Note the admonition on the building to “Vote like this – PRI – on July 7.”  The  Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) continued to hold political power in Mexico for seventy years until 2000 when Vicente Fox with PAN (National Action Party ) was elected President of Mexico.  Today the PRI has gained back some power with the election of President Enrique Pena Nieto.1991 06 Monterrey Mexico 016

The Bishop’s Palace sits on a  hill in heart of the city.    Built in 1787-90 it was involved in the Mexican-American War as U.S. forces under General Zachary Taylor stormed up the steep hill  and overwhelmed the Mexican garrison at the top on September 22, 1846.  Now it is a museum – The Regional History Museum.  One can drive or walk up to it.  We walked and the view of the city was worth it.

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Courtyard inside the Bishop’s Palace

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The white in the distance is a cemetery.  Beyond that is the industrial part of Monterrey.

FRIDAY FOTO: Espinazo, Mexico

/ The Coastal Crone / 22 Comments

In the fall of 1989 as part of a class that I took on Mexican folk medicine, I went to Espinazo, Mexico to celebrate anniversary of the death of a curandero(healer), El Nino Fidencio.  He died in 1938.   All the photos were taken with a disposable camera.

Espinazo railroad stationRailroad station in Espinazo

Boys coming into townBoys coming into town

Shared cigar with this man.This man said he had worked on a ranch in Texas;
I shared my Swisher Sweet cigars with him.

group042A group fidencistas coming into Espinazo for the festivities;
they carry a banner with Fidencio’s photo.

Still celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Texas but maybe next year in London!

/ The Coastal Crone / 19 Comments

Crone and Son 1995

Crone and Son in London, May 5, 1995

Twenty years ago Husband, Son and I spent Cinco de May in London

and celebrated at the Texas Embassy Cantina with margaritas and mariachis.

Since then every Cinco de Mayo I say, “Next year in London!”

Alas, another year has passed without returning to London.

In 2012 I wrote a post about celebrating Cinco de May in London.

Here is the link for those who missed it and may be interested. https://coastalcrone.com/2012/04/15/next-year-in-london/

Unfortunately, as far as I know the Texas Embassy Cantina  is closed, but I would settle for another trip to London.

TEXAS HALLOWEEN TREATS

/ The Coastal Crone / 20 Comments

2014 10 05 Shiner Halloween 01

Photo by Husband

Trick or treat!  Wine or beer!  Wine is usually my choice, but when Husband opens a nice lager or ale and pours it into his pint glass, I have to sample it.  He bought a variety six-pack of Shiner beer from Spoetzl Brewery brewed in  tiny Shiner, Texas.  They were all good, but I preferred the Bohemian Black Lager and the Prickly Pear.

Bohemian Black Lager
Premium
Pale Ale
Prickly Pear
Kosmos
Bock

Many breweries bring out specialty brews for fall.  Perhaps we will try a pumpkin brew next time.  You can check out Shiner and the brewery on their website or if you want a personal tour of both check out this blog, Tales and Travels of the Tin Man, who shared his visit to both.  Cheers and Happy Halloween!  Prosit! (Enjoy)

WOULD YOU TRAVEL WITH YOUR AUNT?

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Cover of “Travels With My Aunt,” by Graham Greene,The Folio Society edition with introduction by John Mortimer

Henry Pulling, the main character in Graham Greene’s 1969 novel, “Travels With My Aunt,” chose to travel to Paris with his septuagenarian Aunt Augusta.  The book begins in London at the funeral/cremation of Henry’s mother, Aunt Augusta’s sister.  He had not seen her since he was a child. Graham Greene, author of darker novels – “The Power and the Glory” for example – actually had a lighter side to him as displayed in this funny novel.  Check out two of my posts, Graham Greene and the Anglo-Texan Society  and Next Year in London!

Henry, who never married, had retired early from a bank due to bank take-over and spent  his days quietly cultivating dahlias.  When Aunt Augusta invites him to travel with her first to Brighton and then to Paris and Istanbul via the Orient Express, he accepts.  Henry is rather shocked at his aunt’s frank attitude toward sex at her age and is not sure if what she carries across borders in her luggage is legal.  Travel on the Orient Express awakens Henry’s passion when he meets an unconventional young woman.

Oh, yes, before they set out on their travels, the police take away the urn containing the ashes of Henry’s mother because they suspect it may contain a strong mixture of cannabis. The adventures end in Paraguay.  It is pure entertainment all the way!

Illustration by John Holder

Henry, Aunt Augusta and Wordsworth -Book illustration by John Holder