Austin Day One

Well you are not going to believe it, but it is raining today in Austin. Which is a good thing if you live here, because they are having a drought this year. Happily, it is a warm, moist rain, and I am sitting out on the back balcony of my sister's home, looking out at the trees that surround the yard. It is just slightly warmer outside than in, as houses here are designed more to keep heat out and cool in. There is a tang of dry astringent tree we can't identify, somewhere between cedar and eucalyptus, but not as strong. I want to say cypress, but that is just a guess. It is peaceful and quiet here. After staying in my pyjamas until lunchtime, I grabbed a quick shower and Mardi and I walked down to the local coffee shop, and after a double Americano, I feel quite perky. I saw several things I want to take pictures of, to give you all a flavour of this neighbourhood, but I didn't have my camera with me. When it stops raining, I will go out on a little photo-journalistic exploration.
Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be in the mid 70's, which is about 10' above average, but who's complaining? We are going out to see some music tonight, at the Austin Singer-Songwriter's group here. We have way too many things planned for the amount of time I am here, and it is heavenly for me to just sit still and have no “to-do” list in front of me.
I'm still pooped, but today I have hope that I will recover.