Blog Archives

Earth Hour 2012: 8:30 - 9:30 March 31st (TOMORROW!)

3/30/2012

Did you know that Earth Hour is this Saturday, March 31st? I didn't. And I'm aghast that my city has done nothing to promote it. Though I've always participated in the past, I knew nothing about this year's observance until today when I got something in my inbox from KarmaTube. How can this be? Shouldn't MY city be participating and helping to spread the word? After all, even the Lorax is turning his mustache green for an hour! Let this be a heads up to those of you, like me, who were "in the dark" about this.....
The gist: No matter where in the world you live, turn off your lights and all non-essential electrical items from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. in order to show your solidarity with a planet addicted to high energy expenditure. Whether you're a global warming believer or not, you must know that we humans have lost touch with our Earth. As one org says, "Dare the world to save the planet!" with your participation. Watch the 3 min. video and /or read more about it here.

1 Comment

So who is Sippie anyway?

3/28/2012

0 Comments

More than one person has asked me why I use the name Sippie. Well, I may be taking a few liberties, but I figure that using the name will give me the opportunity to answer that question by introducing people to Sippie Wallace, one of the earliest (and best!) Black female blues singers in the U.S. Having started singing in church around 1917, Sippie Wallace was still singing well into her 80s (even after a stroke) when she toured with Bonnie Raitt. Bonnie's single "Women be Wise" had been a big hit for Sippie, and Bonnie helped secure her a record contract in the 1970s. Sippie Wallace was one of a kind... Love her! Take a listen:

0 Comments

Cenote is Open!

3/27/2012

2 Comments

March 25, 2012 at 8 a.m.
Cenote Cafe is open! It has been such a long process dealing with the City, but for the owners it is now finally and definitely worth it! Turning an old house (built in 1887) that hadn't been touched in about 35 years into a work of art was a labor of love, and there are many many people who made it possible.
There's a slide show here.

Owner Mary (at right) was so busy that first morning I barely got her to stand still for a photo. She's done a fantastic job of putting together the menu, selecting local vendors, picking out the proper kitchen equipment and serving pieces, ordering supplies and produce, and figuring out how to display everything.

Owner Cody never did stand still that first day at all, but I did get him to pose with Erica (friend, barista, and aspiring actress - she's great by the way) the following morning ...

Cody dealt with the contractors, engineers, designers, City of Austin Planning Commission, City Council, and inspectors ad nauseum -- the full list of city officials who made opening a small business in the City of Austin a far greater challenge than it should ever have to be. And he had his hands dirty in the reconstruction process the whole time. But he persevered for two full years! He and Mary both deserve a medal.

Cody and Mary told me that they'd like to write a book of their experiences to help other small businesses wade through the process, explaining (among other things) how the rules were changed on them mid-stream so many times that they lost count. Designs that were approved and built were then ordered to be changed as new ordinances were proposed. Suffice it to say, they're happy to help others just starting out.

The incredible Michelle (at right) designed the interior and executed the entire interior space at Cenote. From overseeing the tables and chairs, paint colors, designing the layout and flow of the serving area to the execution of the incredible mural, she is one of a kind. All this with a smile, too.

2 Comments

St. Paddy's Day poem (by me)

3/17/2012

0 Comments

One thing I've discoovered in me little life
Is that tall, handsome lads doon't need 'em a wife
'cause there's gerls hangin' on 'em and gerls hangin' aft
a flirtin' and singin' and makin' 'em laugh,
Rubbin' dem poor handsome feet in de evenin'
Gigglin' and blushin' -- a wee bit o' teasin'.

Nooow these handsome young lads, thar the envy of all,
All the OOLD Irish men, plain and not tall
who took 'demselves home the ferst beauty who smiled
wit' clear Irish eyes that left 'em beguiled.

"Oooo if I'd ooonly stee'd single," says the old Irish man,
"these gerls o' today, theey'd be kissin' me hand."
"Hmmpf!" says de wife, "Ya got blarney for brains
and noo shamrock to ward off yer age or yer pains.
Sure n' be-goren, ya doon't want dat life --
You'd wake some far mornin' allooone wit' no wife!"

So he nods and he gooes back to drinkin' his ale,
His thoughts off a wanderin' who knoows where the hell...

Noo meself, I don't envy the handsome young lad --
nope ... it's 'dem gerls who be with 'im I envy instead!

0 Comments

Barefoot College - I wanna go!

3/16/2012

1 Comment

Having recently joined Service Space, I am now blessed with many inspiring stories about people who are making the world a better place. This video is all about the Barefoot College - a concept whose time has come. Founder Bunker Roy explains the concept in this Ted Talk.

1 Comment

First Post!

3/3/2012

1 Comment

I didn't mean for the very first entry to be a sad one, but this is what's on my mind, very hard to get past it: I put my best friend of the last 12 years down today. Lame, blind and deaf, Sadie was around 14 yrs old. (I don't know for sure because she was a rescue dog.) Despite all that had gone wrong for her, she had the best attitude of any creature, human or otherwise, EVER. Full of love, nothing but love, she would have never ever have given up if it was up to her. I'm feeling mighty guilty... how do you know when the pain is really just too great? How can you know?
Her favorite pastime when she was younger and still had good legs was to sit in a chair by the pool, part of a daily ritual for several years running. I hope she's there now. RIP Sadie girl. I love you with all my heart.

1 Comment

Earth Hour 2012: 8:30 - 9:30 March 31st (TOMORROW!)

So who is Sippie anyway?

Cenote is Open!

St. Paddy's Day poem (by me)

Barefoot College - I wanna go!

First Post!

Sippie's Blog

Archives

Categories