Our Cat Grayson, 2001-2010

Grayson, the proud white and tan cat from the banks of Grace Lake,MN passed away early on February 15. His extensive femur bone injury due to a tragic ceiling beam fall—the last of his many legendary household explorations—proved too much for the medical specialists. Grayson is remembered by his saviors Kata and Judson who rescued him as a kitten from the cold Minnesota wilderness; his human parents Ben and Toni, two traditionally non-cat people who eventually embraced the feline species; Macy his Minnesota Maltese sister; and his Weimaraner half-brother Berlin, who is still searching under the bed for his arch rival. Grayson would represent the best and worst of the Aughts. He was partisan and selfish at times, but surprisingly loving and unpredictable in the best of ways. He will be missed.

Visiting the Spanish Empire in America

Mark Twain liked San Antonio. The author famously rated it as one of only four unique cities in the United States -- the others being Boston, New Orleans and San Francisco. He touched on a complaint about many American cities that apparently was valid even a century ago: one place was not much different from another.

San Antonio's rare unique factor lies in its historical roots. As a place where Spanish and English are heard on the street, it is a true cross cultural center. Often forgotten is the fact that the city belonged to the vast Spanish Empire in the American southwest, one that most American's seem to forget, especially since Boston and Philadelphia gobble up most of the attention we give to our country’s origins.

But if you look past the Alamo and the famous Riverwalk, there are still remnants of that old world. In the city limits rest a series of rarely visited ruins that look remarkably similar to those of ancient Rome or perhaps a rundown Tuscan village. There you’ll find the remains of old Spanish missions. These brilliantly flawed but also idealistic Spanish conceptions of "community”, are worth a visit and remembering.


Mission Concepción. Est. 1731




Mission Espada, Est. 1721




Mission San José, Est. 1720




Mission San Juan Capistrano, Est. 1731


Mission San Antonio de Valero, Aka The Alamo

Snowadelphia

Our loft neighbors and dogs playing in the courtyard.