today is today, today is a good day

Reflections are written and delayed posting not a reflection of current status, but a window into a past moment.

Every day and every moment we have a choice to make.

When the volume of need exceeds the capacity of response we have a choice to make.

Today I am riding that edge of more than can be done but today is today and today is a good day.

As we ride that edge, I look for any line, any space, anything that I can do to keep us on that edge a bit longer.


The potential to go tumbling down is there, miserable failure is a possibility but before we crash, before we tumble before we fail we will try.

I will try to alleviate suffering. 

I will try to create a system that is workable.

I will try to be at the forefront of humanitarian aid as we face new impacts of climate and social realities. 

Anahuac NWR Bird Rookery

In 2019 I had a chance to visit Anahuac NWR. With COVID-19 driving many of us to seek out activities that can be done safely with social distancing during the COVID pandemic. 

The Anahuac NWR Bird Rookery part of Anahuac NWR is a bit odd, its tucked many miles from the main visitor infrastructure but it has some great short trails to get you into the lowlands where the gulf of Mexico and the State of Texas blend together.

The first parking area will put you at the live oak trailhead. The area is well paved, easy for my sedan to navigate. Its buggy, I suggest you bring your bug spray. The total length of the trail is less than 1/2 a mile and you will move across a diverse set of landscapes ending at a waterway where you can feel far away from everything.

The second parking area you will come across puts you at the Rookery trial head. This trail is better developed (Fewer bugs), longer perhaps 1- mile with an equally diverse set of landscapes, ending at a large field that is half marsh, half solid land. This trail is a birding dreamscape. We saw a couple out looking for a few feathered friends who were on their trips back north.

I think that I most enjoyed was the water crossing at the very start of the trail, so many fish, birds, and turtles to be seen. We easily lingered for 30 min spotting these animals as they enjoyed the warm sun and cooler water.

We coupled our trip to this part of the refuge with an afternoon on Bolivar flying kits and enjoying the gulf.

The total trip from downtown Houston and back was 9 hours. A great chance to get out of the city for the day.

Explore Houston - Lawndale/ Wayside

As transplants to Houston, we are excited to take some time and explore parts of this diverse and dynamic city.

Last spring (2019) we spent a day in the Lawndale/ Wayside area, very near the U of H campus.

This day activity that can be done with social distancing during #COVID-19

First stop: Kickin Kombucha https://www.kickinkombuchapickup.com/ This local Kombucha brewer is yummy and the staff is exactly what you would hope, passionate about the product, helpful if you have questions and always have something unique to share while you are picking up your order.

From there a quick drive about 1.5 miles brings you to Smither Park https://www.orangeshow.org/ I am not sure I have words to describe the incredible visual pleasure of this park but I hope these photos give you a sample.

From Smither Park, we walked the very short street/ parking lot to Fonde Park that connects to the Brays Bayou Greenway Trail.

The Bluebonnets were out and the trail itself is in great shape. The Bayou still shows signs of construction, rehab, and rebuild after Hurricane Harvey.  We walked about 1.5 miles before turning around and heading back to our car.

Total Time on this trip from departure downtown to return was under 3 hours.

Looking for more Houston activity ideas? Check out Its not Hou's post about COVID activity: https://itsnothouitsme.com/2020/03/24/10-ways-to-stay-active-during-covid-19-in-houston/