Blanco Buddies

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Our friends Tammy and Wendy from Blanco (we first met them on our trip to the Galapagos(2019)) have come into the city to stay overnight with us this Wednesday. They've brought their cute little dog "Archie" with them and, while he has the run of things when we're around, they have a big cage for him when we're out and when they're sleeping overnight. He's a well behaved very happy little lap dog. They have a like minded cat they've left at home. Our cats haven't come with us this year so Archie has the run of the place.

They have made a reservation for dinner at the Red Ash — a very posh, very expensive upscale Italian/Mediterranean restaurant with an open kitchen downtown on 3rd near Colorado. We take an Uber there as none of us want to be driving (and parking downtown might be a drag). We meet a couple waiting for doors to open; they don't have reservations. They've been told that if they get there early they might be able to grab a stool at the bar or perhaps overlooking the open kitchen. We wish them luck and later, as we're heading out, I find they were lucky and did get a place at the bar. I can't recall the "pull" that Tammy and Wendy have to have gotten us in; but, I understand that reservations are very hard to come by. However, they often come here. They seem to know the house manager who comes around to talk with us.

As my birthday has just recently passed by they've also made a bit of a fuss with a candle on a dessert for me.

There are so many things we might do after dinner. We end up at the ABGB (Austin Beer Garden and Brewery) to catch Warren Hood. This is only a few blocks from our home, aka La Casa, and we've been a couple of times already. Warren Hood is a violinist (or should I say fiddler?) and singer who plays here as a residency every Wednesday; he has a full band with him. Interesting music, a good house, and lots of dancing.

Back at our home we play some guitar (Kate travels with hers), sing some songs, tell some stories and play with Archie before toddling off to bed. We have a three bedroom/two bath cottage so there's lots of room for all of us.

It was a fun evening with friends who we really enjoy. Tammy and Wendy lean far to the left, as we do, and are actively involved in organizing and protesting the chaos No.47 has unleashed (e.g., see the Tesla Takedown in March). They have plans to come see us in Ontario in late June/early July.

Ps. 2025/08/05 Tammy and Wendy aren't able to visit us in Ontario over the summer. The chaos at the border means that anyone who doesn't support the "Commander and Thief" will be hassled and often may be detained for no good reason. They are afraid they will be targeted. By the same token we believe we cannot cross the US border anymore. What a sad state of affairs.