Lifestyle

The true meaning of Memorial Day – Discounts?

: Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 05-17-2015

Arlington National Cemetery by Andrew Bossi (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Formerly known as Decoration Day (the day to decorate the graves of the fallen), the federal holiday of Memorial Day was created in commemoration of those who died while serving in the United States military. Observed yearly on the last Monday of May, this year it falls on May 25th. But over the past 150 years Memorial Day has morphed into alternative connotations. Many Americans have come to accept that the new true meaning of Memorial Day is Discounts! For the past several years I have been a designer for a major American furniture brand. And while my skills are better suited …continue reading

The Best Friends Brunch, Delta Dawn’s big day!

: Lifestyle, TroysArt : Written by Troy Broussard : 02-27-2015

Most English Springer Spaniels are at home running through a grassy meadow or trudging through the marsh. But after Delta Dawn‘s big day at the aniMeals Best Friends Brunch I realize that her ideal habitat is a luxury hotel. I wrote a post a month back about the aniMeals Best Friends Brunch (Kick-off party for Best Friends Brunch – TroysArt.com). The Best Friends Brunch benefited aniMeals on Wheels, a division of Interfaith Ministries Meals on Wheels program. I found out about the charity through my friends, sisters Kristy Phillips and Wendy Phillips who, with Teena Davis, served as brunch co-chairs. The program was …continue reading

A kick-off party for the Best Friends Brunch

: Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 01-15-2015

I had a lovely evening a few nights back; I attended a kick-off party for the Best Friends Brunch. The Best Friends Brunch benefits aniMeals on Wheels, a division of Interfaith Ministries Meals on Wheels program. I found out about this worthy charity through my friends, sisters Kristy Phillips and Wendy Phillips who are serving as brunch chairs. Apparently administrators for the Meals on Wheels program learned of a need for pet food when questioning drivers about what they were learning on their routes. Seems program recipients were not finishing their meals in order to save a portion for their four-legged companions. …continue reading

How long can lights stay up after Christmas?

: Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 01-10-2015

Christmas Lights by Anthony92931 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

No, I did not erect Santa’s Village in the parking court, a manger on the patio, nor a heard of reindeer pulling a sleigh across the rooftop. This Christmas season I very tastefully hung a row of white lights along the edge of the awning over my front door. And with sunset before I get home from the office I have especially loved coming home to their soft white glow, and I can see to open the gate and to get my key in the lock. It seems colder and darker than ever at this point of the year and …continue reading

A few thoughts about Lisa Benitez

: Lifestyle, TroysArt : Written by Troy Broussard : 12-29-2014

Mark Moss, Troy Broussard, Lisa Benitez, Amy Evans, & Stacey Abbott, summer 2014, Koelsch Gallery, Houston, by Smilebooth.com

On Wednesday, December 31st, we will say goodbye to our dear friend Lisa Benitez, a day that should have been reserved to celebrate her birthday. Some would say that a funeral should be a day to celebrate her life, but how can one celebrate when a life is cut so short? I’ve known Lisa for 20 years, give or take a few–I met her through a mutual friend Johnny Hooks. And it seems to me that everyone in Houston knew her also as she trancended every group and socio-economic class in the city. She was able to touch lives professionally as well as philathropically. But most of all she touched lives as a …continue reading

Bah Humbug to Christmas Commercialism

: Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 12-15-2014

Is it just me or did Christmas seem to begin earlier than ever this year? Sure, stores started putting decorations out the week before Halloween which I find disturbing, but not unusual. Perhaps the number of retailers opening on Thanksgiving for Black Friday acted to set the Christmas clock forward. I guess this is my own bah humbug to Christmas commercialism… I found a Forbes Magazine study from 2011 that over $450 billion is spent in the USA in the month of December, much of that spurred by “holiday” shopping. And Wikipedia states, “The exchanging of gifts is one of …continue reading

Where is artist David Baum?

: Artists, Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-10-2014

Art by David Baum, courtesy of Malcolm Allred.

Twenty-two years ago I found myself spellbound in front of St. Louis Cathedral as I gazed upon the most expressive, colorful, powerful, and emotional artwork I’ve ever experienced. It was something I’d never seen before. Atypical of work found in Jackson Square, I thought that this body of work was as raw and guttural as Vincent van Gogh’s must have looked in its day. I stood there for a while but the artist was nowhere in sight. I camped there. After twenty minutes an energetic guy, my age, in paint covered clothes came sprinting up. His name was David Baum. I spent an hour with him; …continue reading

White Bucks after Labor Day?

: Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-07-2014

I recently posed a simple question to my friends on social media: “White Bucks after Labor Day?” And I got a assortment of responses. Etiquette maven Rachel Thomas Hale from Evangeline, Louisiana, simply replied, “Nope!” But Oscar nominated globe-trotter Pud Cusack responded, “Always!” Interior Designer and man-about-town Kirk Longmire of Houston quipped, “Yes, we live in the tropics. All bets are off!” Head of men’s talent for Kim Dawson Agency and professional stylist Gerald Frankowski of Dallas advised, “In the South it can be done until mid to late September.” While a friend from Jennings, Louisiana, Kelley Durham Carambat wondered, …continue reading

Flip Flops Are Disgusting

: Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 09-04-2014

Mother never allowed us to wear shoes that could be bought at a convenience store; and dad thought that open toe shoes on boys were effeminate. But while walking down the beach at Fire Island in leather soled shoes a decade back I came to accept the purpose for such footwear—and I bought a pair of expensive flip flops. Flip flops are fabulous for the beach or poolside, or as a shower shoe. But when did flip flops become acceptable everyday apparel? Sisterwoman and I determined that there are three techniques of walking in thongs: First there are the “Toe …continue reading

Second Life & Jake Wikifoo

: Artists, Lifestyle : Written by Troy Broussard : 08-18-2014

Jake Wikifoo, whose most distinctive physical attribute is a prominent proboscis, is an artist and art gallery owner (Galerie Wikifoo & Wikifoo Art Museum “WAM”) who lives in the city of New Toulouse—in a spectacular mansion across the lane from the Governor’s mansion. Behind Wikifoo Manor’s sprawling oaks, ornamental iron gates, fluted columns, and pink brick sheath is housed a world class collection of original art. Aside from art collecting, Jake’s interests include drunken carousing, boating, travel, architectural design, and hunting zombies. Mr. Wikifoo is an avatar who lives in the world of Second Life. Second Life is an online …continue reading