A HAPPY BOY: BACK AT UT

John, on the balcony of Steiner Ranch Steakhouse

In case you've been wondering what Dear Hubby has been up to these past few months, other than unpacking boxes, hauling stuff to the thrift store, installing new flower beds, and consulting back in Houston, well, he's gone back to school!  Part of UT's continuing education department is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and they have something called the LAMP program, which John enrolled in several months ago.

View from the tower at Steiner Ranch

He attends lectures on every imaginable topic, enjoys weekly discussion groups, and, occasionally, even gets to go on field trips!  This past Sunday, Lex and I were invited to tag along on one to Steiner Ranch Steakhouse, overlooking beautiful Lake Travis in Austin.

Lex, tying John's Mimosa

The 5,200 acre Steiner Ranch, now the site of an elite housing development, was probably best known as home base to the Steiner Rodeo Company run by Tommy Steiner.  However, it actually began with his father, T.C. (Buck) Steiner, back in the 30s.  Buck had many irons in the fire, but his primary interests were rodeo, boots and saddles.

An unusual fire pit, which felt pretty good with those breezes coming off the lake.

His favorite business, Capitol Saddlery, turned out boots, saddles and tack which sold through the Sears and Montgomery Wards catalogs.  His boot shop of the same name, still in business until just a few years ago,  is a well-known landmark in Austin.

One of thousands of "MacMansions" now crowding the shores of Austin's lakes.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning, huh? (even if I do find it terribly depressing, to be reminded that all of Texas' wide-open spaces are quickly being replaced by weenie-wagging, water-guzzling housing developments)