As you may have surmised by now the Cadillac Pizza Pub is my watering hole of choice...the food is good, the beer is cold, and the staff is both cordial and "hawt"...& its also right across the parking lot from the house, so I can walk there and back, not be behind the wheel, not endanger anyone else, and not endanger myself! It has live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Its a great place to watch people, and a great place to meet people. Its not to big and not to small, although on weekends it can get pretty damned crowded - none the less its a great place to let yer hair down some, meet some folks, and generally enjoy yourself. Its family friendly to until about 9 or 10PM - has games to keep the younger ones, and some older ones, occupied while you do whatever it is you do at the Cadillac...the rule of thumb is all younger children out by 9 or 9:30PM...a position I wholeheartedly embrace...when it becomes a gathering place for people from all walks of life, and from all socio-economic backgrounds to meet and socialize.



You are just as likely to find a birthday party going on inside as a book club meeting. The music is likely to be "blues"
or "blues rock"...with an occasional pinch of acoustic jazz or hard rock just to add some spice to the place. If you're a sports fan you can watch your favorite team play ball on any one of the several TV's...lending credence to the idea that theres a little something for everybody at the Cadillac - which is one reason why it is my favorite watering hole...hell I am told there is even going to be a night for Karaoke...a pastime best reserved for others.



For a photo junkie like me the Cadillac is "da bomb". The great people and casual atmosphere make it a place I wanna be,
and the cold beer and good food make it a place I'd rather be, and many nights me and my camera can be found there...taking pics of the people and the bands, and generally just enjoying myself like everyone else...and frankly...its just a damn nice way to spend time...

Quinten Hope did acoustic at Cadillac Thursday night, will rock the house next Friday!

This last weekend brought more much needed rain to north Texas, and as thankful as I am to get it I gotta say that I was happy to see the sun come out on Sunday and the temperature rise to almost 60...I am told things will moderate though during the coming week with another chance or two of rain before next weekend...despite the bad weather early on things were buzzin pretty good at the Cadillac Pizza Pub over the weekend with Hash Brown on Friday night, and Wanda King there on Saturday night...seemed like folks wanted to get out and have a good time!...


Other interesting things to happen over the weekend included the announcement from the Clinton camp that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was indeed throwing her hat into the ring for the 2008 Presidential race...good for her!!!...I guess...maybe a better way of putting it is good for the Democratic Party...I guess...our political system is based on the idea that anyone who can qualify (under the law) can run for office, and she will, no doubt, qualify, so I applaud her exercising of her right to run...I admit (Republican that I am) that at first this announcement really got under my skin...but the more I think about it the happier I am...I believe in freedom of choice, and so for me Senator Clinton will be nothing more than another choice, and voice, for the Democrats to choose from...the question of course, is will she offer any solutions to the problems facing the country now, or will it be the same old dog and pony show that is always a part of the electoral process? We shall see...and I shall keep an open mind about it...I am not sexist by any stretch of the imagination, well...maybe a little...and this announcement is certainly no real surprise...but in my own mind I have already decided that party affiliation can have no place in the upcoming Presidential race, because as a country we have some real serious issues to face ahead and some serious decisions to make - and frankly folks the two party system is not going to get it done this time...this time we need to think "out of the box" a little and vote for the person who has the best chance of turning some of these problems around - even if that person is an independent or a Democrat...more about this another day...

Encore Art Reception at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte
this Thursday, January 18, 2007

A good time was had and disco was celebrated at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte in McKinney on Saturday night in spite of the cold winter weather.

Gallery guests were treated to wine, snacks, and lots of disco music, which kept everyone happy and warm.

Due to last weekend’s inclimate weather, Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte will present an encore debut of “Coming Full Circle” on Thursday, January 18, from 7pm to 10pm.

“Coming Full Circle” is a collaborative art exhibit from mother/daughter mixed media team Lois Thompson and Susan Hanson. Lois Thompson received her MA in Printmaking, and her daughter Susan Hanson, a 16-year McKinney resident, received her BFA in Art History. “Coming Full Circle” is the team’s sixth collaborative art exhibit. Most recently, Thompson and Hanson were guest artists at Cerulean Gallery in Dallas.

This talented duo has no limits to their creativity. Intaglio and digital prints; copper leaf and pastel; paper and metal; encaustic; oil and acrylic paints; found and vintage objects are among the mixture of media this team uses as together they create unique, expressive works of art.

Please be sure to join us in the gallery on Thursday, and don’t forget to wear your disco clothes so you can dance the night away under our disco mirror ball! Prizes for the grooviest costumes will be awarded.

Carmela Winery will be in the gallery on Thursday evening to serve you their very best wines. And just across the street at Cadillac Pizza Pub, Delta blues band, KM Williams, will be blasting out the tunes. Alternative Furnishings and Market Square Antiques will also be extending their hours on Thursday evening.

Co-sponsors of the reception are Hotel Whiskey Aviation LLC, Town Square Lending LLC, A Twist of Lime, Alternative Furnishings, BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, Carmela Winery, Market Square Antiques, and Market Street.

We look forward to seeing you at Galleria d’Arte on January 18, 2007, 7pm to 10pm - and remember, it’s never a party without a disco mirror ball.

For further information, contact Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte at 469-742-9509 or visit us online at www.carriegarner.com

Was out and about shooting some this afternoon...and saw this eerie sky...prolly the precursor to tonight's rain...

Happy New Year! Hello 2007, we're glad to see ya!

With the new year comes reflection, and a possible re-assessment of priorities and goals...more on all that later in the week...

Hash Brown at Cadillac on 29th...

MSM Trio at Cadillac on Thursday night...

The great turkey fry...one down and two to go...

Getting ready for Christmas Day here at the Gulch...

Miss Marcy at Cadillac on Friday night...

Christmas has come to McKinney...down on the square...

This last weekend was Second Saturday weekend in McKinney and downtown was buzzin'! If you have never been to one of these its worth the effort...

Saturday night at Cadillac...testing a new lens...

Shooting at the Gulch on Monday afternoon...playing with the possibilities...

Quinten Hope and guest performer at Cadillac Friday night...this is an awesome band...

Winter has arrived early to north Texas...but so far nothin but rain rain and more rain...we have already had the day's high though and temps are fallin, and snow to the west of here...my guess: It will be a non-event...

Ah yes...I knew it was to good to be true...we are gonna have a little winter this year...freeze is on the way... sometime in next few days...

From another adventure with Norm wandering around the countryside looking for interesting things to shoot...

No Kidding!

"Patchy areas of fog...some locally dense with visibilities below 1 mile along and east of Interstate 35...will continue through mid morning or 9 am CST. Take necessary precautions if traveling across the eastern half of North Texas this morning. If you do encounter any localized dense fog...always use low beams and allow extra time to reach your destination this Holiday weekend."

The view down the street towards the courthouse this AM...

As we go into this busy holiday season the guys in the little red house wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy time with families, but most importantly drink responsibly and drive safely...

Yesterday was a really nice day here, so Norm and I went on an adventure looking for cool things to shoot...did not find a lot, but some...

Hmmmm...Got film, got beer...looking for food...need sustenance....

Morning ritual: answer phone calls and check blog, drink coffee, smoke...

Somehow I do not think this is the whole story, but might be a good place to start...

Texas is a state steeped in rich traditions...and we take our way of life, our oil and our cattle seriously here...

Saturday nights = party time!

"Shelter from the storm"... the other night...

Found close to Princeton...

Relic from an old barn near Westminster, TX...

Out on Hwy 546...

More from the other day:

McKinney, Texas – November 2, 2006

Art Exhibit “Los Dias de los Muertos - The Days of the Dead” at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte

Los Dias de los Muertos, the Days of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

Celebrate this magical time as Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’ Arte welcomes back artist extraordinaire and gallery friend, Kim Lanus, with a gallery reception on Saturday,
November 11, 2006 from 7pm to 10pm.

Lanus has created a series of paintings that feature “Katrina,” her patron image of Los Dias de los Muertos. In addition to the “Katrina” series, Lanus will also debut several new paintings inspired by the famous Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo.

Lanus’ paintings are created on tin and wood in the old retablos and Italian style of painting. All pieces are sealed for longevity. Lanus’ collectors include former ABC anchorman, Sam Donaldson and President George W. Bush.

The gallery will be swaying to the sounds from salsa band, Watusi World Beat. Co-sponsors of the celebration are BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, D’Vine Wine, Main Street McKinney, Market Street, Market Square Antiques, and Poppy’s Garden Café. Admission is free, so grab some friends and join this lively celebration of the arts and the community.

For further information, contact Galleria d’Arte at 469.742.9509 or visit us online at www.carriegarner.com.

Shooting with Scooby Roo on Monday we found the coolest old rusted out Ford Truck...

Shooting at the old mill with Norm and Leslie last weekend:

Saturday Morning rambling: First of all Halloween is approaching and lets all remember to use good common sense when letting the kids trick or treat ~ a good place to start would be Scare on The Square - in downtown McKinney October 31, 2006 - 4 p.m. - 6 p.m...There will likely be all kinds of ghosts and goblins down there for the little people to enjoy! And its probably a lot safer than a lot of other places they could Trick or Treat...

Kiran and his daughter Kasie and I went over to Cadillac last night to eat a bite and drink a few beers, and I used to opportunity to experiment with some different ISO settings on the digi, and caught the first set of a group called The Neighbors Band - good stuff - go hear them sometime if you have a chance. Its all good when you can go somewhere, eat something, drink a few beers, and crawl home across the parking lot if you have to, and still get some decent pictures...makes for an all around enjoyable evening out...and ya don't even have to drive...

We have a new addition to our family. Kaylee June Marie Simmons is finally here, a little early and not without some difficulties, but both she and mom seem to be doing pretty well for now...

If you're looking for a good time go to Cadillac Pizza Pub!...If you're looking for a fun place to take the family for pizza, go to Cadillac Pizza Pub where kids are always welcome till 9PM...If you're looking to meet some new and interesting people and listen to some great music then go to Cadillac Pizza Pub...If you wanna watch Monday Night Football on widescreen and enjoy some brewskies with friends, then Cadillac Pizza Pub is the place for you...it's McKinney's newest, coolest, place to be...You just never know who you might run into down there...

McKinney, Texas – October 5, 2006

Art Exhibit “Tutto Bene!” at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte

Gallery owner and resident artist, Carrie Cameron Garner, takes center stage as her newest creations are debuted at an art reception "Tutto Bene!" Loosely translated, tutto bene means “it’s all good” so say arrivederci to your troubles and buongiorno to celebration. The exhibit debuts on Saturday, October 14, from 7pm to 10pm at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte in downtown McKinney. The full exhibit will be on display from October 14, 2006 to November 9, 2006.

The artist’s newest creations feature Tuscany-influenced images. Working in the oil sculpture technique, each of Cameron-Garner’s oil paintings embrace bold, rich colors and heavy textures. She cites the works of Cezanne and Van Gogh as major influences, as well as close friend and mentor, JD Miller, of Reflection FineArt Gallery in Dallas. Cameron-Garner also credits color specialist Liz Richardson of the William Merit Chase School as integral in developing her style.

To quote the artist, “Art is a passion…it’s my passion…it’s my escape. To watch a painting come to life on the canvas is exciting and almost magical.” Join us in the gallery to enjoy a glass of wine and to listen to the soulful sounds of The Quentin Hope Trio as together we share an evening filled with the excitement and magic of art.

A lifetime resident of McKinney, Cameron-Garner is also a co-founder of the LoveLife Foundation, an organization for at-risk children to which she devotes much of her time as well as to other charitable endeavors. A portion of sales from the evening with be donated to the Art Institute of McKinney Scholarship Fund for at-risk children though the LoveLife Foundation.

Co-sponsors of the celebration are Alternative Furnishings, BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, D’Vine Wine,
Main Street McKinney, Market Street, Orisons Fine Art & Framing, Poppy’s Garden Café, and Vim Studio.

For further information, contact Galleria d’Arte at 469.742.9509 or visit us online at www.carriegarner.com.

Cadillac Pizza Pub is open for business!! Located at 112 S. Kentucky Street in downtown McKinney, Cadillac Pizza Pub features scrumptious brick oven pizza, drinks, and live music. Be sure to join the excitement as McKinney welcomes its newest and HOTTEST spot, just off the square in historic McKinney.

Phone: 972.547.DUDE

More from Firewater...Has been a highly unproductive week photographically speaking...

October DPS Meeting:

We will be getting together on Sunday October 22nd at 2:00. Bring three
prints to share - Chris Regas will be joining us to discuss the classes he
offers and to participate in the photo sharing - Chris is a long time
professional B&W photographer who is represented by Afterimage and has work
in a number of museums across the US.

We will meet at DPS north - in McKinney

Thursday night at Firewater in Dallas...a gathering of the Dallas contingent of TPF...

McKinney, Texas – September 14, 2006

Alternative Furnishings Receives New Shipment....

Alternative Furnishings is proud to announce the arrival of its new shipment of unique, artistic home and office décor, such as architectural antiques and antique furniture. These items are hand-carved and hand-painted by the artisans of old.

Alternative Furnishings is located on the square in downtown McKinney at 100 E. Louisiana Street where you will find unusual antique architectural accents for your home.

As a result of this new shipment, Alternative Furnishings will sell wholesale to the trade as well as retail to the public.

BACKGROUND: Alternative Furnishings’ hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10am to 5pm and by appointment. To schedule an appointment please call 972.562.0716.

Some of the renovation work going on at the old Cotton Gin in McKinney..

A truly strange thing happened here in McKinney over the weekend...it RAINED! I say strange because we have not gotten a lot of that in north Texas for awhile, and drought conditions are rampant throughout the area...so this latest soaking rain was a welcome sight...it also brought relief from the oppresive high temperatures for a few days, something else that was welcomed...

An experiment in terror so to speak, just to prove that before there were digital cameras there were actually people who handmade prints...often times working many hours a day...

“The Living Language of Art”

Internationally acclaimed artist, Jenik Cook, will be celebrated at an art exhibit hosted by Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte in McKinney, Texas. Jenik’s exhibit premiers on Saturday, September 9, 2006, from 7pm to 10pm and will be on display through October 11, 2006.

Jenik is best described as a contemporary artist. She is a painter in the tradition of such visual theorists as Gorky, Kandinsky, and Motherwell. Absorbing and processing a vast range of material, from ancient languages to modern painting movements, her works convey a sense of confidence over her broad spectrum of experience.

Educated in Europe, the Middle East and the United States, and for many years an art educator herself, Jenik is an artist whose work speaks with a direct spontaneity that instantly registers an aesthetic buoyancy in the heart of the viewer. Her work is of a distinctive originality which combines a deep understanding of contemporary artistic techniques and values.

In July, 2005, Jenik was presented the Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Most recently, Jenik was awarded Italy’s Michelangelo Award for painting. The Michelangelo Award is presented annually to individuals from a variety of disciplines including painting, music and film.

Live entertainment by The Texas Gypsies, coupled with wine and snacks, ensures this to be a very special evening. Co-sponsors of the celebration are Alternative Furnishings, BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, D’Vine Wine, Market Street,

Main Street McKinney, Orsions Fine Art & Framing, Poppy’s Garden Café,
and Vim Studio.

For further information, contact Galleria d’Arte at 469.742.9509 or visit us online at www.carriegarner.com.

OK...its time to start blogging again...have been very lax as of late...



Taken on one my walks around town after dark...Go and visit Jim and his staff and have a great meal with live music on weekends...in the open air...

Well...heres something for us all to keep an eye on for a few days...Tropical Storm Ernesto...looking like its going to be first GOM serious storm of the season...has potential folks!

11 days in a row and counting over 100 here in Dallas area...now the tenth hottest summer on record...and still have half of August and all of September to go...our furkid has found the answer though...she has adopted her position of responsibility until cool weather approaches...

“Windows of the Soul” a huge success at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte

Though only his first professional art exhibit, Justin Hunt’s paintings were a smash success at July’s “Second Saturday” celebration hosted by Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte on July 9, 2006.

Co-sponsored by Alternative Furnishing, BLING!, D’Vine Wine and Poppy;s Garden Café, Galleria d’Arte welcomed over 450 gallery guests to enjoy Hunt’s “Windows of the Soul” exhibit. The exhibit was a sell out, with Hunt taking many orders for commissioned pieces. Painting subjects featured Willie Nelson, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, and Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash to name a few.

Galleria d’Arte is proud to include Hunt as a permanent, resident artist so a limited number of his works will always be available exclusively at Galleria d’Arte.

The gallery was buzzing with a wide variety of gallery guests –everyone from seasoned art collectors to first-time guests. The atmosphere was alive with super-charged energy and a contagious feeling of good cheer. Experience a “Second Saturday” art reception for yourself; “Blues N’ Booze“is Galleria d’Arte’s next reception on Saturday, August 12, and features original paintings by Jonathon Kimbrell of Napkin Art Studios. Visit www.carriegarner .com, and click on the “Current Event” section for reception specifics.

I wanted to invite you to a gallery opening we are having featuring some of
my Photography work and the work of 15 of my photography buddies "The Dead
Photographers Society"
The event starts at 7:00 on Saturday August 12th
Location: Hue Gallery is located in the old Mansfield Post Office, c. 1892.
130 N Main Mansfield, TX.

Drag races at Caddo Mills, 22 July, 2006...loads of fun...