Discover Dallas RE with Diana, Vol. 8

"Do something that scares you everyday." This is one of those sayings that I must say I really don't like. First of all, 2020 feels scary enough, so I am not looking for additional things about which to be anxious. Second of all, I am not someone who enjoys the adrenaline rush that comes from fear: no rollercoasters, skydiving, or fast cars for me--look, I won't even jump off the high dive! I guess you'd say I'm risk-averse. Recently Chris talked me into doing my first triathlon, something I've been afraid of for a long time. Now, true, it was a "sprint" distance, meaning this was not some epic event. But still, I will admit I was intimidated--even a little scared--about the idea of rushing through three events as quickly as I could and figuring out the transitions, and all of that. Something I didn't anticipate was the impact of feeling nervous on my ability to swim. When you are a runner, as Chris and I are, nerves are a plus on race day. You just take that extra energy and channel it right into your speed. The first event of the triathlon was the swim, and there I was, so nervous--and I certainly learned that this was not an ideal condition for a swim! When I jumped in the pool and got going on my 275 yard swim, it took a lot of effort to calm myself down and try not to breathe in a bunch of water. I moved on, of course, to the bike and then the run, and I got it done. I was proud of myself for trying an activity that was a stretch for me. Now I know that, if I want to, I can complete a triathlon. I'm glad I did it. Despite the positive outcome, I still don't feel the need to motivate myself through fear on a daily basis. My take: life is challenging enough. If I occasionally push myself beyond what's comfortable, then that's enough for me!

Neighborhood Spotlight: the Highland Park Village

The Highland Park Village--clearly--is not a neighborhood. Rather, it is a neighborhood center, and one that has been a huge part of my life, so I decided to make it this edition's Neighborhood Spotlight. Given the nature of the shops that populate the HP Village now, it can feel a little off-putting. Most of my Village time these days is spent at my beloved Starbucks. That said, I still love the beauty of the Highland Park Village. The Spanish-inspired architecture is timeless, and when the Christmas lights go up every year, it makes my heart happy. The Village of today is a very different place from what it was when I was a kid. When I was little, I was up in the Village pretty much everyday--at the Safeway with my mom; or at 7-11 with my brother, Ernest, after biking up to grab a Slurpee. There was an Oshman's Sporting Goods, where I bought, of all things, a backgammon set. Another favorite shop of mine was Shiner's, a gift store that sold all kinds of things that I needed in 4th grade, like clothes for my Snoopy doll. I had Snoopy Elvis and Snoopy baseball star. Loved that place!

But even when I was little, my mom would talk about how much the Village had changed and how its heyday was when she was little. I recently sat down with my godmother (my mom's best friend), Diana Clark, to talk about her memories of the HP Village. Saturdays, she and mom would each be given a quarter, and that would provide a day of fun in the Village: a BBQ sandwich from "Beef & Bun"; a movie ticket that got you newsreels, cartoons, and a feature film; and then you'd have a dime left to call home for pick up, perhaps after a Coke float at Skillern's. Why not walk home, I asked, given that they both lived close by. Well, all the walking we do these days was not the habit back then. Diana also recalled that, at Easter, you would see baby chicks and ducklings in the window at Nicholson Feed Store, dyed pink and yellow, ready to be presented as pets on Easter morning. Places change and evolve. The Village may be more Prada than Coke float these days, but our memories live us, and the HP Village will always be in my heart!

I know we all were bummed about the Texas State Fair not happening this year (but understandable--safety first!). Of course the Fair provides the annual opportunity for a Fletcher's corny dog.

Our fun friends Mark and Tricia came to a socially-distanced gathering at our home, and showed up with authentic Fletcher's corny dogs from the Golden Chick drive though. Goodness, they were yummy--just like the ones at the Fair! Grab one while they are available--through Oct. 25.

Stuff I Adore

*Candy Corn: This is one of those love it or hate it items, and I am on the Love It side. Few things say fall/Halloween like candy corn. Gosh, you nearly get a toothache, it is so sweet; and candy corn is hard to stop on once you get going on it. I try to limit my intake, but candy corn is a true treat of the season! A few years ago, Chris and I were up in Philly in October seeing my pal Missy. We stopped in (as one does in Philly) to get a cannoli, and we selected one that, in addition to the rich, creme filling, was lined in chocolate and--get ready for it--candy corn. Y'all, I was talking about it for weeks. It truly was a sugar bomb. But next time I go back to Philly, I'm locating that same candy corn-laden cannoli. *SMU Football: It's hard to make me happier than I am at Ford Stadium watching my Ponies (especially when we win). This season we are enjoying the Mustangs' 4-0 start to the season, and there are some very fun players to watch, including quarterback, Shane Buechele, and of course, wearing number 23, our summer 2020 intern, Brandon Stephens, who makes us proud every week. Going to an SMU football game is an old-fashioned pleasure: you grab a hotdog and a beer, take a seat, and then just cheer your heart out. This season, instead of a "kiss cam" or "dance cam," the big screen gets the crowd involved with an "air guitar cam"--very funny and fun. Good times on the Hilltop. Pony Up!

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