What's So Funny About Peace, Love & Understanding?

With apologies to Elvis Costello... and really has nothing to do with this collection of incense offerings at the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple located in southwest Houston.

This temple is yet another of the “hidden gems” around town that few locals know about. Which is quite a shame as it is a very peaceful and serene environment regardless of one’s religious preference.

Safety First

This rail crossing always amused me.

The White Oak Bayou Hike/Bike trail warrants its own short armed rail crossing as it intersects the tracks near TC Jester and W 34th St.

Twas the Day Before Thanksgiving…

Thanksgiving dinner is nothing without its desserts, and for desserts, one needs… sugar!

This is the site of the original sugar refinery for Imperial Sugar Company.

While still headquartered here (in Sugarland, of course), the refining is done elsewhere and this plant was shuttered in 2003. However, the slow process of demolition still reminds one of the time when sugar was king in this area, actually pushing cotton out as cash crop. Dating back to 1843, Imperial Sugar ground out its product to the masses making those Thanksgiving desserts possible and leaving its mark on southeast Texas.

mmmmm... desserts.

A Sign of Relief

Just a close-up glimpse of the Art Deco entrance to Houston's City Hall building.

Spreading the Word…

Words cannot describe Jim Sanborn’s “A,A” sculpture on the University of Houston campus.

Well… perhaps they do.

Snippets from different novels, poems and prose displayed in various languages including Arabic, Russian, English and Chinese are projected across the nighttime face of the university’s M.D. Anderson library.

Sanborn, an American artist, is most famous for his “Kryptos” sculpture displayed at the C.I.A. headquarters in Virginia.

The Wheels of Justice...

are missing.

Beer and Burgers Friday.

Today is a Daily Double.

The Petrol Station not only serves up an excellent burger, but they also have become a haven of craft beer knowledge. As the name states, it’s a converted gas station located in the heart of the Garden Oaks subdivision, but don’t let that fool you. While they might not have hundreds of taps on the wall or beer from across the globe, they offer an incredible rotating selection of craft beers.

I just might have to visit there this evening!!!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Hardly!!

This bit of creative welding is a gate on a downtown parking garage.

NOT the Golden Arches.

The arching waters of the Gateway Fountains in Discovery Green.

No... that's not the Love Boat docked in the background, just a glimpse of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The Steel Menagerie

If you ever drive south of town using US Highway 288, you really can’t miss the odd collection of sculptures occupying the freeway frontage just south of Loop 610.

The Eclectic Menagerie Park (what a great name!!) was created by the owners of nearby Texas Pipe & Supply Co. and is a collection from local artists that incorporated used steel and/or retired equipment from Texas Pipe.

The World's In His Hands...

This sculpture is part of the entrance to the Mickey Leland Memorial Park.

A collection of public art and green space, it serves as a living memorial to the late Congressman and humanitarian. Dedicated in 2000, the park is located on the original site of Leland and Barbara Jordan’s first office on Cavalcade.

Museum of Fine Arts

Opened in 1900, the Museum of Fine Arts – Houston is dedicated to preserving and displaying the arts from antiquities to the present. At 300,000 square feet of space and over 57,000 works of art I is also one of the largest art museums in the country.

Beer and Burgers Friday

For my money? The best burger in town is served here, at The Hupcap Grill. A very small place on the east side of downtown near the court buildings, is has been recognized several times by local publications as serving up a top notch burger.

I'm a simple man... with simple tastes, so I enjoy the basic cheeseburger. It's a fresh hand-formed patty on a homemade toasted bun.

I'm getting hungry.

Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

Some call it Veterans Day; some refer to it as Armistice Day, and still others, Remembrance Day. Regardless of its name, today is a day to remember those that served in the armed forces.

This is an image of the World War II Memorial located in the median of Heights avenue.

Making the Best of the Situation

This waterwall and collection fountain form the outside skin to perhaps the coolest parking garage in the city, the John P. McGovern TMC Commons located in the Medical Center.

Houston Fire Station No. 6

Travel just a mile or so east on Washington Avenue from yesterday's featured station and one can see its predecessor. When it opened in 1903, this jewel was state of the art, complete with hot and cold running water.

It was purchased and its interior renovated in 2004, but from my cursory glance looks to be empty.

Rough & Ready

Mechanic Hose Company No. 6 was one of the original seven fire stations taken over by the City of Houston in 1895. Originally equipped with a four-wheeled hose reel drawn by two horses, it is now the home for separate Engine and Tower Companies, as well as, a District Chief and Paramedic Squad.

Tune in tomorrow to see a bit of its history that still exists.

Aaaaaand... They're OFF!!

This morning was the Fourth Annual Houston Inline Marathon.

A perfect day for those taking the brisk six laps along Allen Parkway totalling the 26 miles.

I’m tired just thinking about it.

WALD sign

Located on the east side, this is a very visable part of the older warehouse district.

Beer and Burgers Friday

Crisp cool days...

Patio seating...

Seasonal craft beers...

It doesn't get much better than this. Now is the time of year that my favorite seasonal craft beer, St. Arnold's Christmas Ale, is being served through most local taps.

This day I located myself at the popular Heights area Onion Creek to sample this year's offering.

Full of Hot Air

This past weekend the NASA/Johnson Space Center was the host site for the annual Ballunar Liftoff festival. From hot air balloons to NASA’s open house, the weekend has become a one of a kind tribute to human flight.

My favorite part has always been the evening balloon “glows” as the over 40 participants illuminate the grounds with their propane fueled bursts.

Helen's Park

This gorgeous mosaic fountain is the centerpiece of an almost hidden gem. Privately funded by the estate of Houstonian Myron Williams and named for his late wife, Helen’s Park is a serene green space located in the Braeswood Place subdivision.

There are no sports fields, BBQ pits or children’s playground equipment here… just the sound of flowing water that begins at this fountain and continue through meandering manmade streams. Benches abound throughout manicured gardens, sporting seasonal colors, while shaded trellises and ivy-covered walls offer other spots to read or reflect.

Helen’s memory will certainly live on.

When it rains...

It was a very dry October. In fact, with only a “trace” of rain measuring .02” it was one of the driest on record.

Since midnight, my area of town has already received over 2” of rain with the promise of more on the way.

Today’s image of a storm drain cover reminds us where all that rainwater is headed.

November Theme Day – Public Transportation

This month’s theme for the worldwide City Daily Photo community is Public Transport. Today’s image is the Heights area Transit Center, just one of several sheltered waiting areas provided by Metro that that acts as a transfer hub for multiple bus routes.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants