Friday, May 29, 2009

Joe and Kasey Lansdale


I had the pleasure of interviewing legendary Texas author Joe Lansdale this week for an upcoming Austin Chronicle story, and learned a lot of his stories began as dreams. Here he is after lunch at Threadgill's with his daughter Kasey Lansdale, who is a singer/songwriter.

A full pickle day

A full day with Nicholas, starting with a haircut...

We finally found a way to avoid the tears--haircuts in a hotrod!

We made a stop at a local park for a quick slide.

On the way to Gymboree with a new doo (and lots of trucks).

Getting hand stamps after play with the 2-year-old crew.

When Casey came to town...


He wasn't here long, but my older (much older! heh) brother Casey briefly appeared in Austin this week. Here he is at the Frisco with cousins from different fathers Tim and Mike.

Should 'Waco' film get Texas incentives?


That's the subject of my latest Dallas Morning News SHOT IN TEXAS column. Your thoughts?

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

At the Gulfstream


A cool dude goes poolside.

I'm staying down here!

The Gulfstream at dusk.

In the pool with Mommy.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Beach!







We're at the Gulfstream on North Padre Island where my family used to own a condo. It's fittingly Nicholas' first trip to the beach. These are photos as he discovered the sand, surf and seagulls tonight. He took off down the beach and loved it all.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A Mother's Day poem

The artist

The artist never marries.
No kids to prod and poke.
Her hollow dog eats prime rib
as life drifts by like smoke.

Stumbling on perfect legs of clay,
She trails the anxious shepherd
high into hills above the city
where art and truth are severed.

She says this path is mine.
I must suffer, play, ruminate,
ignore your ocean eyes,
lest my words not propagate.

Golden child, he will not wait
For art for artists’ sake.
He lolls upon your lovely lap
and skips across the lake.

Thus I am the artist
you my finest pen.
Our greatest tale unfolds
each day anew again.

For Tiffany
Mother’s Day, 2009
Joe O’Connell