03 Jun Texture Tuesday – Dedicated to Central Texas Flood Victims

With the rain behind us, the sun shining so brilliantly today, and the full moon rising, it’s still so hard to comprehend what happened here in Central Texas Memorial Day weekend. Truthfully, it’s very hard to focus on work or think about anything else. So it seems only fitting that I dedicate this week’s #TextureTuesday to all the families suffering the loss of family members and homes devastated by the 2015 Texas Floods.

Today, in between errands, I was struck by the amazing drawing done by an elementary student for this sign on the back of an Austin bus.  The 4th grade student captured in a colorful drawing the essence of what we all have heard and try to remember, the Texas slogan “Turn Around. Don’t Drown”.  Whoever thought that campaign up is a hero in my book because I know it DOES save lives.  It even saved mine, long before the slogan and AustinFloods.org was organized.

I was only in Texas less then a year when I experienced the historic flood of 1981. Whole Foods was just a tiny store on North Lamar and was flooded by the rising Shoal Creek. I had never heard of “flash floods” (because in New England and upstate New York we just didn’t have them, or at least, growing up, I didn’t know about them). While thankfully our family’s home in Austin is on high ground, in 1981 I did experience what it was like to try to drive through a low water crossing during a flood.

I was a passenger and the driver, a fellow jazz band member, had this big ‘ole Lincoln and he was trying to take me home after a long day of practice and we were crossing, none other than, the infamous Shoal Creek. All I remember hearing him say was “Come on Bessie, come on Bessie, now back up girl, back up!!” He called his Lincoln Bessie and she had stalled when the water started rising. And thankfully, Bessie backed up and we were safe. But that memory came back to haunt me this Memorial Day weekend.

Sadly, when a flood truly “flashes” in Texas, well, in a matter of minutes, sometimes people just do not have time to get to safety.  And I think that’s what’s so heartbreaking for us all to understand with this historic flood. It affected so many small towns, especially dear Wimberley, and almost all of Texas’ major cities.  My heart, love, and sympathy go out to all the families suffering profound loss of family members and property. I just can’t imagine that kind of devastation.

Many central Texans, and really people from all over the United States, have come together to help.  My dear friend Cynthia Bloom has put together this amazing benefit trunk show, “Reach Out To Central Texas Flood Victim”, THIS Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. that I’d really appreciate you coming to.  The poster is designed by her husband, James Retherford, and I don’t know about you, but I was incredibly touched by the beauty and sensitivity he put into creating this poster. I am very proud to be part of this important benefit to help raise funds for the families affected by the floods. And by shopping at this benefit, you will have the opportunity to help too!

50% of all sales from these four Austin artisans will go to Austin Disaster Relief Network.

Take a peek at what you’ll be shopping for during this important benefit THIS Saturday, June 6th, at 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The Benefit Trunk Show is being held at The High Road on Dawson (who donated the space) and posters are being donated by Abbey Printing. So many local businesses are trying to help and we are grateful!

Please check out each artisan’s website below. For more information, please see details on the Facebook Invite HERE.  Till then, please hug your loved ones, and if you cannot make the event, please consider making a small donation to HERE. Thank you so much! I really look forward to seeing you Saturday!  XO PG

Perfect for keepsake mementos is the incredibly heartwarming jewelry by Cynthia Bloom Collectible Jewelry.

Start off you summer with a gorgeous hat hand blocked by award-winning milliner, Laura Del Villaggio, of Milli Starr.

Spiff up your home for summer guests, or start your holiday shopping early, with luxury decorative pillows by Deborah Main Designs.

Photography by, and with permission, from, Gregg Cestaro.

And adorn yourself with more jewels by Beth McElhaney, of  Beth McElhaney Jewelry (formerly known as Personal Adornments Jewelry).

Photography and necklace by, and with permission from, Beth McElhaney.