My backyard trees seem to be a hub for nesting birds. Recently, while watching mama birds prepare their nests and then tend to their tiny chirping babies, and, eventually, watch their brood fly off, I couldn’t help but compare it to myself and other empty-nester moms.

This cycle in nature is not unlike our own, except we get a bit …

Continue Reading >>

Rick Norsigan is the current rock star of flea-market fanatics. Ten years ago, he bought 65 old negatives at a garage sale for $45 in Fresno, Calif.. They are now believed to be the work of Ansel Adams, worth $200 million.

Debbie Shepherd does not have tales of that magnitude, but she and other local treasure hunters have many stories …

Continue Reading >>

Party like a bark star… Mike and Christine Ho, along with Harvey and Mary Beth Cody, co-hosted a doggie birthday party inspired by the Codys’ Shih Tzu, Cookie, and the first birthday of Cookie’s four puppies. Pups Maui, Brownie, Lola and Chip frolicked with eight other canine friends. Frisbees, balls and gourmet dog biscuits gave them a doggone good time while the …

Continue Reading >>

Stockton, age 11
German Shepherd
Hedwig Village

While I was at doggy daycare last week, playtime was exhausting. You know, this Texas heat is a killer. Anyway, my buds and I were chatting at the water bowl, and one of the younger pups asked us old guys how we became so wise. I started to take offense because, really, I …

Continue Reading >>

With a stronger and faster lineup entering the 2010 football season, the Bellaire Cardinals should be a much-improved program under second-year head coach Trey Herrmann.

“The thing about last year‘s three-win season was that I didn’t get the job until July, and then I still had to hire a staff,” said Herrmann. “Having a full season under our belt …

Continue Reading >>

Baseball’s got competition as America’s favorite pastime. The recent World Cup elevated many Americans’ mild interest in soccer to infatuation. And as soccer is played in more countries than any other sport, there are many opportunities for local soccer fans to play their sport overseas.

Little League baseball, softball or youth football players would be hard-pressed to find as many …

Continue Reading >>

It’s Diez y Seis de Septiembre (September 16) this month. The holiday celebrates Mexico’s call for independence from Spain in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued the famous grito, or cry for action. As a national holiday for Mexicans, one that is observed by many Mexican-Americans, it’s a day of celebration and food. And, since it’s also …

Continue Reading >>

I never thought much about how my children thought of money until, one day, my 5-year-old son brought home a playmate who walked into our middle-class home, took one look around and proclaimed, “How can you live in such a dump?”

While I realize that there are a range of living styles, and that mine does not involve a dedicated …

Continue Reading >>

Houston’s connections with Japan run deep. We have Houstonians studying in Japan, Houston-Japan marriages, Houstonian military personnel stationed in or on missions in Japan, and, of course, a whole Japanese-Houstonian community to draw from.

This month, because of the number of responses to our call for stories, we decided to do a little survey of our Japanese travelers and give …

Continue Reading >>

Oompa Loompas in Spain

I had the opportunity this summer to travel to Spain and learn about the Spanish language and culture through my participation in Learning Programs International (LPI), a study-abroad program open to U.S. high school students. I lived in Spain for 18 days with a wonderful family who spoke absolutely no English. Living in Spain was a …

Continue Reading >>

If you think the only way to know the scoop on college-campus living is by having your college kid accept your neighbor’s Facebook friend request, think again. The Buzz will have you covered. This month we are introducing our college bloggers from your neighborhoods. Their mission is to post weekly stories on our website – from Palo Alto, Calif., to …

Continue Reading >>

Boosting school spirit
Memorial High School’s Booster Club will kick off its annual Spirit Fiesta 6-8 p.m. Sept. 21 with an evening of shopping and cocktails at Tory Burch in the Galleria. Tory Burch, a women’s boutique, will give a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the booster club, which supports students in extra-curricular activities. Gearing up for the shopping are co-chairs Angela Poujol…

Continue Reading >>