Houston with Cousin Charlie and Jan

 1/22/24 - I've been staying with Charlie and Jan since 1/18 and I've been really enjoying myself, as has Zoe.  It's been really fun getting to know them better as other than occasional Thanksgivings and special events, I don't see them very much.  They have a lovely and spacious home in The Woodlands, which is a jumbo development, turned city.  Zoe LOVES to be able to run around and do some zoomies.  Literally, once we came in the house, she said Hi to Charlie and then she started zooming around.  She makes it very clear to me that she prefers room to move indoors!  Charlie and Jan are super laid back, Charlie is a fabulous cook, they are easy to talk to, they really enjoy having Zoe here, and Zoe seems to really like both of them.  Charlie has said several times how it seems like Zoe enjoys being pet, though that has not been my experience mostly.  

Finding the sun!

Sweet Chili-Lime Grilled Salmon with Farro with Tomatoes.  😋

The chef is ready to dig in

OMG!  That was fabulous!!!  The salmon was cooked to perfection.  (I usually overcook it.  😏)

Jan made this wonderful apple crisp!  Yep, that plate was cleaned too!

We left Zoe behind when we went out for lunch on Saturday to a yummy, authentic BBQ spot.  Since Zoe is always a bit anxious I decided to try giving her a gabapentin pill that I have from when I first got her and they had her very drugged since she was so scared.  Normally when she's left behind she doesn't get in any mischief, but this time, I had just gotten a package of dental chews and she ate 11 of these!  Thankfully she didn't eat my KIND bars and the other 12 of the dental chews (in a separate bag).  I don't know if she was relaxed enough from the Gabapentin to go searching for food, or if the dental chews were just too tempting and strong smelling that she couldn't help herself.  I'm guessing it's the former.  Jan, Zoe, and I then went to a park for a walk, and Zoe was very sleepy in the car, though totally normal when out walking around.  She had 300 mg of Gabapentin, so I think I'll have to try a lower dose in the future.  I now have some 100 mg, so I can start with 100 and go to 200 if necessary, but I think 300 is probably too much.  She was still ridiculously happy when we got home though.

brisket and pulled pork

The smokers

Walter

Drugged pup on the way to the hike

Cypress tree

1/21 - Charlie took me on a mostly driving tour of Houston since it was quite cold.   We went to the Eclectic Menagerie Park, which is a collection of steel structures.  Pretty cool.

Downtown Houston is nice and we were there on a Sunday, so traffic wasn't bad.  The highways around the city are pretty ugly with billboards and strip malls all over the place.  It's super flat and quite uninteresting, but I did enjoy being downtown.  There are some really nice homes that we drove by.  We went to the Menil Collection - free art museum and it confirmed my lack of culture and understanding of much art.  So much that I see, I just cannot understand why it's considered art.  Especially when they are untitled because then I have no clue what the artist was thinking.  We went to a photography display, which I wanted to see because I can understand photography, but not so in this case...  

More food!  This time Tex-Mex - also excellent.  I guess I'm eating well here!  Goode Company Kitchen & Cantina

My combo meal of chicken enchilada, tamale, carnitas taco

Jan's fish tacos

Charlie's carnitas

1/22 - Rainy day.  Now that it has warmed up (high of 60 today, vs 40 yesterday), it's going to rain for 3 days straight.  Zoe and I are happy to hang out and wait out for dryer days.  Since we have the opportunity to stay in a lovely home, it would seem crazy to head out in the van - at least for me and Zoe.  Hopefully we are not over staying out welcome, though I know they understand.  

1/23 - Another rainy day.  It keeps looking like we get a break and then I take Zoe out for a walk and we get drenched.  It is warm though!  We're going to go to a movie today - American Fiction.  I haven't been to a movie in forever, so I'm really looking forward to it and it looks like a good movie.  

The movie was great  - so many themes/issues going on in it.  I can tell I'm from small town VT as I was so excited with the format of this theater.  Each seat was a recliner and on it's own level, so no heads in your view.  It was awesome!  

Charlie made another wonderful meal of pork tenderloin and roasted veggies.

That evening we watched Barbie on TV.  I did fall asleep for a short bit, (rainy day, fire, wine...) but I enjoyed it and the point of it!

1/24 - And yet another rainy day.  We didn't do anything today, but I did many of my van chores, food shopping (they have a Trader Joe's within walking distance!!!), and getting things packed up again.  And then Charlie cooked Kung Pao Shrimp for dinner and Jan made a Texas sheet cake.  Yum!

The chef hard at work

Kung Pao Shrimp

Just 'cuz

I spent some time looking at my road atlas and was getting excited about finally getting out west and doing this part of vanlife.  I'm looking forward to seeing new landscapes and national parks (even though I can't do much with Zoe) and drier/less humid air.  

1/25 - I woke up this morning feeling anxious again.  I guess each time I start the journey again after a brief respite, I get anxious about all the little things.

Finally a beautiful day!  Warm and sunny and I'm leaving...  Zoe and I so enjoyed our stay!  Though they wouldn't say so, Charlie and Jan are probably happy to have their house to themselves again, without my clutter in their entryway and taking up portions of their counter (though there is plenty of space!).  Their house is so organized and neat, that I felt like I was messing it all up.  I know they are going to miss Zoe though.  And Zoe will miss them and their spacious home.  Though she doesn't want me to leave her and was hesitant to go back in the house after packing up, she seems depressed in the van.  Hopefully she just settles in and gets comfy, but that's not the sense I get.  😕

Off to Austin!