Video Challenge: May 2026 A Day in the Life

On May 30, 2026, in celebration of 100 years of Route 66, Tulsa, Oklahoma attempted to set the world record for biggest classic car cruise. This is a little glimpse into that attempt. You can read all about it at the Tulsa Route 66 Capital Cruise site.

Make Your Month Different (May 2026)

May has come and gone. We've enjoyed some unseasonably cool(ish) weather along with some welcome rain. That's certainly different for these parts. How else was may different?

Firehouse Subs offered all Mikes a free steak sandwich. Fortunately, middle names counted, as well as different versions of Mike, like Michelle, for the ladies. I'm Charles Michael, Will is William Michael, so we chowed down on our free sandwiches while John had to pay for his! I've never eaten at Firehouse, so that was also different.

This is me enjoying a beer standing in the outfield of Baylor Baseball Stadium. Baylor is a Baptist university and alcohol has always been banned but lately they have been opening their facilities to others and those others allow alcohol sales.

The 'others' in this particular case was Mr. Willie Nelson. At 94, the life he loves is STILL making music with his friends. He attended Baylor briefly as a young man, coming from the small town of Abbott, just up the road from us. He was banned from performing on campus back in the early 80s. The current president invited him back to play for us. 

Route 66 is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary this year. Tulsa threw a big part and even set a world record! There were some interesting vehicles in the record setting parade. https://www.visittulsa.com/parade/ 

This is the Catoosa Blue Whale. It's a Route 66 landmark. Swimming is no longer allowed but they cleaned it all up for the Centennial. https://www.cityofcatoosa.org/page/blue-whale-of-catoosa/

There's my different May. I wonder what June will bring? Make sure you check out the other entries and join in next time.

Make Your Month Yours (April 2026)

 The theme for the month was Make Your Month Yours which seemed easy because I try to make all my months mine! It was a good mix of activities some related some not but here we go!

Any month that starts with the Pearl Bluegrass Jam is a good month. I try to get down there for a little bit every month.

I manage to make it to an FC Austin football match at least once a year. They lost this one but made it exciting at the end.

Another trip to Austin, this one with my favorite girl. We did a little shopping and saw a couple of my favorite improvisers do a show. 

Then the next weekend we went the other direction to see an exhibit in Ft. Worth. Afterwards, we visited this curiosity shop, called Oddity, that's been on my radar. It lived up to it's name. 

Our bluebonnet season wasn't great this year. The rain came at the wrong time. But our neighbor always has a nice patch in their front yard. Charlie obliged.

There we go, another exciting month of music, art, theater, DOGS, and everything in between!

Make Your Month Full of Fun (March 2026)

 I lost my dad on March 4. It pretty much set the tone for month. I tried to have as much fun as I could as he was a fun loving guy.

Amy and I took the dogs for a long walk at the lake. 

I started gathering old photos for the memorial service. There's some evidence of a life well lived and one full of fun, to be sure.                           

I remembered a photo hanging on the wall at the Pearl cabin that I wanted to use. It just happened to be Pearl Bluegrass weekend as well. The music did me well. 

I don't know if post-funeral cascarones are a thing, but they are now. 

Charlie is trying on her Easter wardrobe. She's ready for her close up.

Those are my five. It's going to take some time to settle in the new normal but we will do it. There's a big hole in my heart that will heal in time. And it was great to remember the good times with family and friends.

Make Your Month Colorful (January 2026)

 January was busy once again. I was lucky enough to find myself in Houston for the weekend visiting family and spent a couple of days at the Museum of Fine Art. That is the source of most of my colorful January.

We were staying with a cousin and she asked me to hang some art for her. This is some her father had collected from a Venezuelan artist. I thought they needed to stay together.

There was something about this one that had me looking for some time. I love the dog lying in the sun.

This is an homage to Water Lilies, it is made of Lego bricks. It is also massive. That stanchion in the middle is about 1m high.  

I still can't grasp how my reflection is not in this glass piece.

The main reason we were there was to visit a Frida Kahlo exhibit that had just opened. It contained several of her pieces as well as art inspired by her. 

A bonus pic of Meal Team 6 before we destroyed some crispy bottom dumplings in China Town.

There's my 5+. Happy to kick off a new year with new projects. Hope to see you all around.

In the Spirit of the Season (December 2025)

Happy New Year! Our holiday season was busy and full of spirit for sure!

The Waco Jazz Orchestra always puts on a great show. Their Christmas Holiday Spectacular was wonderful.

My wife and I joined a book club and our host held a end of year get-together at her home. I spotted this there. 

I spent a few days in Tulsa for our office festivities up there. I met this cheerful guy looking for his home.

Penney joined in on Christmas dinner.

And now there's nothing left but the cleanup!

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe holiday season. I'm looking forward to another year of fun prompts to keep us all going in 2026!

Thankful (November 2025)

I'll get some words in here soon. I'm travelling and at least wanted to get my photos in place. But allow these to be a place holder. 

I have a lot to be thankful for and appreciate the reminder to do so occasionally.

I'm thankful for warm sunny mornings in a place I love and thankful that my grandfather decided 57 or so years ago to buy some land for us all to enjoy for four generations now.

I'm thankful for this group of friends that started as a way to stay connected during COVID still get together twice a week in person or on Zoom to talk and learn.

I'm  thankful that I get to live in a small city that, through both Baylor and MCC, bring in fabulous music and arts. Winton Marsalis giving a free concert was really something!

And while our table is sadly getting less crowded, I'm thankful for the time we were given to spend with our loved ones. Hold on tight while you can.

And another thank you to my ancestors! My dad made a great decision to buy some land outside of town and I'm lucky enough to get to live there now. There is nothing like waking up in wilderness every day but still be close enough to town to get stuff done.

I'm also super thankful to be part of this group that PJ started so long ago now. It's fantastic to be connected even long distance to a group of people that share a love of photography and so many other things! I hope you have a great Christmas or a happy Holiday of your choosing!!!

Maybe I won't write anymore after all. Love y'all dearly!