life in pecos

27 HOURS IN SAN ANGELO.

2010-08-05T07:39:00.001-07:00

DEL RIO-on the way home-LANGTRY,TX. Part 4.

2010-07-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

1. EW!!! This is a Vinegaroon. Before Lantry was called "Langtry" it was called Vinegaroon. Is this bug CREEPY or what? WE did not see this bug....I pulled the picture off the internet. Did you know that Langtry was NOT named after Lilly Langtry?
We stopped in Langtry about 45 miles out of Del Rio. It's a mile off the highway and I bet only about two dozen folks live there.
2. Judge Roy Bean-1825-1903 was an eccentric saloon keeper and Justice of the Peace. He called himself "the Law West of the Pecos"....thus every other visitor to OUR museum here in town would ask me all about him. I got really tired of it. But after all....the city of Pecos IS just a mile from the Pecos river and we DO have an exact replica of Judge Roy Bean's saloon.

Folks called him "the hangin' judge" but there is no evidence that he ever hung anyone. Tourists always ask to see the hangin' tree. Langtry had no jail so the Judge always just fined the hell out of vermin and violators and told 'em to git. Later in life he always gave to the poor and made sure that the schoolhouse had plenty of firewood in the winter. He died in his billiard hall in 1903 after some hard drinkin' in San Antonio. It's SO desolate there and easy to imagine what it must have been like over 100 years ago with no amenities. But at least train would go by there and brought supplies.

3. This museum is funded by Texas Dept. of Transportation and is free. I wonder how that works...our West of the Pecos Museum has to struggle with private donations and charges a small fee. The building is wonderful and has a small "cactus trail" out back.
4. The Judge died in his billard room that is attached to the saloon...I could almost feel him in there.
5. The legs from his pool table...hey....what happened to the 4th leg? I bet the lady who is inside the museum gets tired of people asking. Aren't they COOL?
6. Inside the original saloon.
7.The original saloon and billiard hall.
8. Inside the museum they have some display cases with Judge Roy Bean's walking stick (which has amazing teeny, tiny carvings all over it) and gun etc. In this picture Gene is looking at one of about six of these cool little windows that tell a story. See the little old fashioned phone ear piece? You listen to that and there is 3 D action in the window.
9. Really nice picnic area out fron of the museum. Wish it was in my backyard!
Read more about Roy Bean and his infatuation with Lilly Langtry etc. online....like Wikipedia or just google.

DEL RIO-The City Of....Part 3.

2010-07-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

I didn't take many pictures IN Del Rio because I was always holding the map and telling Gene where to go.
1. A pretty church.
2.&3. San Felipe Springs, the 4th. largest in Texas. There are 10 or more springs spread over a mile along the creek. It reminded us ALOT of the San Marcos River.
4. Gene checks the water temp....nice and not as cold as the SMR which is 72.
5. Another part of the springs/creek.
6. The house we are going to rent. It's very much like the house we owned in Kyle, TX before we moved out here to Pecos.
Other FAQ's:
Wolfman Jack broadcast from Del Rio in the 60's and 70's from AM XERF.
Del Rio has an international airport. It's continental Airlines that comes in from Houston.
There is a winery there and it's the oldest privately owned (still operating) winery in the U.S.
Amtrak Train-The Sunset Limited goes thru Del Rio back and forth from Los Angeles to San Antonio and then to New Orleans.

PECOS TO DEL RIO-Part 2.

2010-07-29T13:22:00.001-07:00

1. A limestone cave near Langtry TX. It is inaccessible and 300 ft. up in the air. On April 25,1875 Lt. John Bullis fought some Black Seminole Scouts near there.
2.&3. The Pecos River...it's HUGE here compared to where we live...it's about 12 feet wide here in Pecos.
4. A cool lookout over the river.
5. Big bridge...I'm afraid of heights and this creeped me out.
6. River again.
7.&8. Back to Eagle Nest Creek AKA Eagle Creek Canyon near Langtry. This runs south for 5 miles to the mouth of the Rio Grande River. This place creeped me out also.
9. Another ol' high bridge.
Stay tuned for the story of Langtry and Judge Roy Bean.

PECOS TO DEL RIO & BACK-in 37 hrs. PART 1.

2010-07-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

COOL CACTUS-
1. They quarry ALOT of rock around Sanderson and Langtry.
2. A big Century plant..at least that's what we call it. After it blooms, it dies.
3.&4. Saguaro Cactus-these are not native to Texas. They were brought from either CA, AZ or MX.
5. A flowering barrel cactus.
Here's the stats:
Pecos to Del Rio-3 hrs. and 45 min./238 miles.
Del Rio to San Antonio-2 hrs. 45 min./154 miles
Del Rio to San Marcos-3 hrs. 30 min./202 miles
Del Rio to Austin-4 hrs./232 miles
The trip over there was fine and rather pretty and interesting in some spots but pretty darn desolate after you leave Ft. Stockton...that's an hour into the trip. Better have gas and check the tires and fluids! It sorta creeped me out. We saw at least 6 or 8 Border Patrol trucks with their built in "paddy wagons" on the back. They didn't creep me out.
After Ft. Stcokton, the next town is Sanderson-population about 900.
Then on thru Langtry, home of Judge Roy Bean...more on him later. I bet there aren't more than 2 dozen folks living there.

MY CANTALOUPE IS BETTER'N YOUR'N.

2010-07-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

Cantaloupes are here. There are at least 6 sellers all along Hwy. 285 that goes thru Pecos on the way to Carlsbad N.M. (to the north) or Ft. Stockton (to the south). They also have watermelons...and some onions.
I have read that there will be none or just a few shipped out. They just didn't plant many at all compared to past years. So, don't expect Pecos cantaloupes in your local stores and for sure no Blue Bell Cantaloupe ice cream.
Last Friday was the Cantaloupe Food Show down at the local bank. I made a Cantaloupe "Pizza" and got too busy and forgot to take a picture. The crust was sugar cookie and it had a marshmellow fluff/cream cheese topping with pecans and toasted coconut and then fresh cantaloupe on top.

That's all the fruity news.

SANDRA'S GARDEN @ FONVILLE BUILDING.

2010-07-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

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Sandra and Abel are in Oaxaca, Mexico. She's wondering how her garden is doing that she left behind. We have had over 5" of rain in the last 15 days. That's more than we get in a year sometimes. Sandra's garden is doing great!

Scott Guest Takes Great Photos!

2010-07-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

1. Clcik on this to make it big and you can see their little tongues.
4. This is computer art that Scott makes with his photography.

PECOS PHOTOS BY SCOTT GUEST

2010-06-30T17:42:00.001-07:00

For the best viewing: click on 'em and make 'em big.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY RODEO WEEKEND.

2010-06-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

Out of town folks started arriving Thursday night: Scott, girlfriend Alisa and son Indy came from Wimberley. Gene was the only one to attend the rodeo that night...he scored a box seat with friends.
Friday C.J. and Kevin Higgins rolled in from Tom Bean (near Dallas). Earlier in the day whoever was already here went swimming at Balmorhea pool again.
Saturday Jamey's boyfriend Diego flew in from New York City.Scott, Indy,Alisa, C.J. and Kevin went to the museum. Gene grilled food in 108 degree weather. I DREADED going to the rodeo in that heat. BUT WAIT! What's that? A thunder storm just as we were leaving for the big event. The temps dropped 20 degrees, we got wet and it was the best rodeo ever! That morning Diego had been in NYC and gotten no sleep at all..by midnight he'd ridden in the back of a pick up truck (in the rain), seen the rodeo and learned to throw a game of horseshoes. He was exhausted but seemed to be enjoying everything.
Sunday morning Gene departed for Beaumont for his Monday interview. He was pretty bummed out about missing the end of everyone's visit...especially Diego's since he'd just arrived 24 hours previously. Scott, Alisa and Indy left. Jamey and Diego went off on an all day and most of the night drive to Balmorhea, Alpine, Marfa and Marathon. They had a great lightening show on the way home after seeing a pretty sunset...big skies!
Monday we made Kevin grill us some great fajitas before he and C.J. left. Jamey and Diego and I had some quiet time and a nice visit. Jamey and Diego went to the museum and that evening, just before sunset, they rode bicycles out to the old, old Pecos cemetery...there's not much there...maybe 6 or 8 headstones.
Tuesday I took Jamey and Diego to Odessa where they rented a car and are now in San Marcos/Austin area for a week or so.
PHOTOS:
1. Indy and Bennie are good friends.
2. Diego is SO tired. I hope he isn't annoyed I posted this picture...I think it's cute.
3. Jamey, Diego, Indy and George at the rodeo.
4. Kevin thinks the shrimp looks good.
5.&6. Food pictures- fruit, pasta, salmon and shrimp.
7. "Guitar Kevin" on our front porch.
8. Scott loves to photograph our hummingbirds.
I missed pictures of so many people and so many happenings. Where's C.J. and Alisa? We all sure laughed alot!

SHERIFF'S POSSE BARN BAR-B-Q.

2010-06-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

Food not so good. People watching....THE BEST!!!!

RODEO PARADE 2010.

2010-06-23T19:56:00.001-07:00

SMALL TOWN PARADES ARE FUN!!!!

GETTING READY FOR THE RODEO PARADE.

2010-06-23T19:35:00.001-07:00

1. Some people got tired of waiting for the parade to start.
2. George, Mary, Gene. We got a great spot next to the museum...lots of shade.
3. These kids were next to us and having a great time.
4. Maggie, the kid's dog.
5. Jamey, George, Gene.
6. Bessie Osborn and her son "Carl-the-plumber." This is in the museum courtyard right after the Old Timer's Reunion.
7. Zelma Canon and her great grandaughter. Zelma is President of the hospital auxillary where I volunteer and she volunteers at the museum...I love her very much.
8. An unknown Old Timer.
9. An unknown guy with Zelma. Zelma and Bessie are wearing these costumes because they sign in the Old Timers every year.
10. Mary has new rodeo shoes.

ONE WALL IS DONE. This is a very slow process.

2010-06-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

1. One wall stripped of fabric, batting off, staples pulled, mud applied, rough spots sanded, two coats of paint.
2. Ceiling leak is patched...pink when wet...turns white when dry. The ceiling is Gene's. The walls are mine.
3. Mud.
4. More mud.
5. Gene cut 2 layers of dry wall to cover an old window above the sink and then cover that with this crappy paneling. We were just trying to make it flush with the rest of the wall.

HERE GOES NUTHIN'...BATHROOM REMODEL-June 10, 2010

2010-06-10T08:53:00.001-07:00

A FEEDING FRENZY- MAY 2010

2010-05-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

We have 2 feeders and counted at least 14.
They're hard to count.
Wish I had a better camera.
My friend Scott takes fantastic hummingbird pictures with his fantastic camera.

PORT ARTHUR, TX. MAY, 2010

2010-05-29T19:17:00.001-07:00

Downtown all closed up, flat and green with lots of canals and a river, lake, cattle, tons of egrets, oil refineries, nice historical section, vietnamese, hispanic, african american. Population 57,000+
I could live there.
1. Queen Of Peace Statue- Queen of Vietnamese Matyr's Catholic Church, built in gratitude of city that welcomed them.
2. & 3. Eddington Court. First apartment building built in 1929- a conch shell wall front this place and is made of 6,000 shgells brought from the Carribbean. This place is for sale.
4. Rose Hill Manor 1906- Donated to the city in the 40's by an ex mayor and banker.
8. Lakeshore Dr.

GUATEMALA.

2010-05-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

My friend Steve drove from Cozumel to Guatemala. These are my two favorite pictures he took.
An artist friend Sandra is leaving Pecos and going to live in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Am I jealous?
Si.

DR. TOM GOES TO MEXICO.

2010-05-05T19:10:00.000-07:00

The medical care trip to outside of Chihuahua City was cancelled earlier in April due to traveling concerns regarding the violence in Mexico. They had gathered 40 to 50 volunteers and $100,000. in medical supplies. These folks have been going for about 30 years so it was very disappointing.
Just got a note from Dr. Pruett that eight people (including him) are flying by private plane (a King Air) to Guerrero, state of Chihuahua, Mexico for a short 3 day clinic. YAY!
Check out the airstrip. The note says: elevation per WAC chart is 6890'
official measurement per chart 3700'
onsite measurement comes to 4500'
whatever that means.

OLD PECOS-PRUETT PHOTOS.

2010-04-23T17:50:00.001-07:00

Tom Pruett sent me these pictures of his grandfather's lumber company in Pecos. He had at least five stores others in nearby towns.That's T.B. in photo #2 stamding on the left.
This cute little house was T.B. and Mamie's first home that used to be on the spot where our house is now. When they got ready build our house they moved the little 'un to the west a lot or two.

A PECOS REUNION. April 10th. 2010

2010-04-11T20:15:00.001-07:00

What a fine time we all had these last few days!! We had 6 overnight guests and about 25 folks here on Saturday afternoon. It's hard to express how delightful and kind ALL of these people are. My favorite overheard comment was: "I haven't seen you since 4th. grade!!!" Thank you to all attended and I hope we'll meet again.
Love, Mary

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENO!

2010-04-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

My darling Gene turns 60.
This is his birthday cake and dinner.
Left to right are: Dr. Tom Pruett, his best pal Buddy (both from Lake Jackson)- our Pecos pal George, Gene, our Pecos friend Peggy, Dub Martin from Center Point which is near Comfort, Ray Thompson from Dallas and Jan Arthur Delk from Austin.

A FEW BUILDINGS. TELL ME A STORY.

2010-03-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

1. Toone's Grocery.
2. Who can tell me anything about this building?
3. Pecos train station. The caboose was recently moved from the middle of the street over beside the train station and will be completely restored for educational purposes.
4. This is what's left of the Dr. Pepper bottling plant.
5. Lee's Lumber. I guess it's been there a long, long time. I was reading a 1948 newspaper and they were advertising a floor sanding machine for rent. I'm positive it's the same one we used 2 years ago to refinish our foyer floor. It's ancient, made of many parts...thus, we called it "Frankenstein" but Mr. Lee's son told us they call it S.O.B.

SIGNS OF PECOS.

2010-03-26T08:58:00.001-07:00

I love signage...even if it's old and falling apart. They are history and have stories to tell. TELL ME A STORY!!

SANDRA'S STORE & FARMER'S MARKET.

2010-03-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday was the first farmer's market from noon til 6 p.m...it will continue the first Saturday of every month.
Sandra bought the old Fonville Jewelry store on the old Pecos main street and is determined to breathe new life into that area. Her place is called The Winking Owl-www.thewinkingowl.com
Her shop features vintage kitch, beautiful paintings, jewelry, essential oils, organic tea, global imports and much more.
The organic food offerings were : yukon taters, red peppers, squash, tomatoes, butter lettuce, carrots, chevre cheese and the best steak I ever ate....REALLY! It's grass fed longhorn beef from the YT Ranch in Goldsmith, Texas. Very interesting reading www.ybeef.com That sirloin was worth every cent and more...and I usually don't even like sirloin cos it tough...this was totally tender and SO flavorful!!!

NEW DISPLAY @ WEST OF THE PECOS MUSEUM.

2010-03-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

The old dining room at the museum usually has revolving exhibits that you can go see at no charge. Dorinda did a great job with this Bottle Show. They only used about a third of all the bottles they have! There are soda bottles, ink bottles, medicine bottles, snuff bottles, alcohol bottles, Avon bottles and much more. Very interesting!

GENE'S SKIN CANCER.

2010-03-03T16:17:00.001-08:00

This blog is not scare or worry anyone...or gross them out. It's just to say: Hey, keep an eye on any weird or unusual changes on your skin.
The most common kind of skin carcinoma is Basal Cell and it's not malignant. We've all had those fried or frozen off...no big deal.
Gene's cancer is near his collarbone and is called Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and it's the 2nd most common and it is malignant. No worries, he's getting it taken care of pronto.
He noticed the skin change around Christmas and went to his dermatologist in January.
She took a biopsy and cauterized it.
Then she called and said he needs to go to a plastic surgeon (of which there is one in Odessa) to have more of it removed. He had that appt. today but turned out it was just a "meet and greet" appt.
The doctor said he will use a local anesthetic and the incision will be much larger than the tumor and the stitches will be large. He plans on making a football shaped wound about 4" long. There is a 95% chance it will over and done with then. If not he'll have to have more taken off and that would require a hospital visit.
So bottom line is to WEAR SUNSCREEN (which Gene has not done in the past very much) and if you notice anything different...get it looked at ASAP.
Alot of folks don't like to talk about their medical problems...it's personal... but Gene and I agree that as we age and health issues arise we like to tell people hoping that they'll be better informed...we sure got that message and idea in 2001 when his colon cancer was diagnosed.
Who wants to be in our colonoscopy club?
Love, mary

VALENTINE'S DANCE 2010 Benefit for Pecos Humane Society

2010-02-14T15:39:00.001-08:00

We actually had an evening out last night and it was a good time. This was the 3rd. annual Valentine's Dance at the Posse Barn to benefit the animals of Pecos. There was about 100 folks there and the band was EXCELLENT! They are from San Antonio and are called Billy Mata and Texas Tradition. Their music is in the tradition of Bob Wills. I've never wished so hard that I knew how to Texas two step. There was sand on the floor and everything. But we're good toe tappers so...had a good time.
1. Catclaw Honey Bath and Body products were for sale. Catclaw is a NASTY invasive cactus.
2. Nice boots...the person wearing them is a guy!
3. & 4. There was a silent auction which included photographs, 5. a turquoise and copper embellished cow skull-isn't it GREAT? wish it was mine, and 5. jewelry.
6. Our fearless leader Ruth Luster posing with Billy Mata.
7. George had a great time. I like his "whiskey smile".
8. Gene takes to the dance floor with Reecia to the only non-country tune. I think Reecia lead. The good news is they didn't fall down.
9. Bartender Dan who lives in Barstow and is a cowboy poet. He does readings and recitations at the big Cowboy Poet Fest in Alpine.
10. Doc and George.
11. G. & M.
12. Me and Nancy- she's president of the humane society.
13. The VIP table.
14. I love this posse barn sign/photo.
15. The Posse Barn. The Reeves Co. Sheriff's Posse actually used to be a mounted group but aren't anymore. The barn is THE local place to rent for parties. This was our first time there.
16.-17.-18. & 19. The band. My favorites were the pedal steel and fiddle player. I'm sorry now that I didn't buy one of their CD's.

I'LL TRY TO MAKE YOU SMILE...

2010-01-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

An ad from an old newspaper:
Reeves County Mercantile Co.-
They conduct a dept. store that is up to date in every respect. Handle everything the human mind can wish for and finally take care of the dead.

A story on a Pecos Alumni website....by Frances Powell class of '59
James worked for the soil conservation service for 35 years, his first station was at Pecos in 1959. He worked for Zach Dameron.
The first day he was on the job, Zach took him to Orla to a ranch owned by Fred Beckham. They were met by a mexican worker. James did not speak spanish but Zach asked about a cup of coffee. The worker went to a fire and got a coffee pot that had been well used, pushed the green scum off the top of the water in a nearby trough and dipped a pot of water.
He made the coffee and they drank it. Zach bragged on how good the coffee was but James decided he had enough after he saw two dogs jump into the trough to cool off.

KIUN Hotline:
Give-
old bag phone
500 barrel tanks
I don't know what these 2 things are but they sound funny/weird.

For Sale-
Dance tickets for Combre de Ojinaja"
Reefer trailer
4 T.V.'s...that's quite a few T.V.'s....are they stolen
----------------------------------------------

RIP Tuffy Skelton-another ol' cowboy rides off to heaven.

PAWS & HOOVES IS IN PECOS! UPDATED!

2010-01-23T12:26:00.001-08:00

This clinic is out of El Paso 211 miles away. Very reduced price services. The local Humane Society picked up much of the tab.
Ruth's Humane Society is so honored to sponsor their first visit. YES....Ruth is finally legit! We hope to have them come every 3 months. (Actually the Pecos Humane Society has been legit for over a year.)
News channel 9 from Odessa came to check it out.
I was so worried we wouldn't get much response. THEY CAME....THEY CAME!!!! Dogs big and small and a cat or two.
Friday we did 22 surgeries and today 15 by the time I left at 1 p.m. Some teeth cleanings and lots of vaccinations. Final surgery count was 40 animals!
1. The clinic van.
2. Dr. Amy looks like a teenager.
3. A cute dog.
4. Pecos' dog groomer Sheila and two of her big dogs...she has seven.
5. A funny dog.
6. MEET RUTH EVERYONE!!! This little dog's name is "Oprah".
7. Another cute dog.

CAKE OR DEATH??!!

2010-01-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

Drove to Dallas yesterday.
Six and a half hour trip= fine. Driving in downtown is a little nerve wrecking.
Downtown hotel= fine. It was a Sheraton I got for $70....C.J. stayed there with me.
Visiting with my friend c.j.= fine....She went to the show too.
Eddie Izzard show at American Airlines Venue= fine. This british comedian is sooooo funny.
I really liked taking the DART trolley to the show.
Drove home today and fought 50 mph winds for 5 hours. Don't know how the truckers and the old people driving RV's do it. Got to Stanton, a farming community 110 miles east of Pecos. The farms are red dirt and they were LOSING the farms. It was so dirty I really, truly could hardly see the interstate.
Sigh, I hate west Texas.
I killed alot of tumblin' tumbleweeds today.

CHAPEL AT ARTS & CRAFT CENTER SAN ANTONIO. JAN. 2010

2010-01-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART & CRAFT SAN ANTONIO TX. JAN. 2010

2010-01-20T17:33:00.000-08:00

This place is so great...it's an oasis in downtown. It was a Catholic School for girls built about 1850. It has absolutely lovely grounds that go down to the river in back. You can rent the chapel for weddings and then have the reception in the gazebo out back. In 1969 it was renovated and became the art center. They offer classes in pottery, weaving, sculpture, glass blowing etc. There is also a tea room that serves lunch.
1. A ceramic wall piece outdoors.
2. Tree ceramic.
3. It's the ART-O-MAT! These are refurbished cigarette machines that you buy art from. You buy a token for $5. and select what kind of art you want. I LOVE IT!!
4. A mosaic bench on the river.
5. Bird on the fountain.
6. Academy building.
7. Fountain.
8. Grotto.
9. Grotto

BLUE STAR COMPLEX SAN ANTONIO TX. JAN. 2010

2010-01-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

Blue Star is in old warehouses in the south part of downtown San Antonio. One of our pals from college lives there...or used to and she helped start what it is now. She also co-owns an art gallery/framing shop in La Villita along the San Antonio River downtown. There are alot of galleries etc. there.
1. They have a brewery at Blue Star.
2. A cute bicycle at the bike shop.
3. Great mural inside the new organic coffee place.
4. I like this piece of art very much....wish it was in our backyard. Gene hates it...so it's good it's not in our backyard.

SAN ANTONIO TX- JAN. 2010 Downtown.

2010-01-18T09:39:00.000-08:00

My sister Jane was visiting from Ohio so I drove to San Antonio and we spent the night downtown and had dinner with our two brothers.
1. View from the hotel.
2. This is the alamo viewed from the side. The 2nd building in the back is the actual chapel. It was fun to watch all the tourists from our hotel window.
3. Another view from the hotel.
4. I love this top hat that was in the floor of an empty building. I think it was the old Frank Sol uniform and clothing building.
5. I dunno....a neat building.
6. I dunno...another building.
7. Paris Hatters...been there since 1917 and is still open. We should've gone in. According to Frommers, Pope John Paul II, Prince Charles, Jimmy Smits and Dwight Yoakam are among the folks who have shopped there.
8.& 9. This building is next to our hotel...it's a federal building...used to be the post office...not sure if it still is.
We could've spent a few days doing downtown and taking lots more pictures...it was kinda cold. I grew up in San Antonio so alot of these places are fondly remembered. I got a kick out of seeing the old Walgreens where Gene's Mom worked the food counter for years and years. I remember they used to have dyed baby chicks of various colors in their window for Easter.
We didn't even walk any of the famous riverwalk. We only had a few hours and decided to do other things...like eat mexican food and look at art.

CHRISTMAS 2009

2010-01-07T08:44:00.001-08:00

1.& 2. Sunset near Balmorhea as we drove out of the Davis Mountains.
3. Kiowa Art Gallery logo on truck in Alpine.
4. Old car-Alpine.
5. Cozy Court Motel-Alpine.
6. I like this tree a-growin' in this alley.
7. Our boys, waitin' for Santa Claus.
8. Christmas dinner....dig in!
HAPPY NEW YEAR BLOGGERS!!!!

LA CALERA CHAPEL-TOYAHVALE, TX.

2009-12-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

This chapel is just outside of Balmorhea...in the now long gone village of Toyahvale. The chapel was built about 1902 and restored in 2003.
It is open 24/7 and no one ever vandalizes it.
It's a very "zen" place. PLEASE see the 2 old photos and read more about Mission Mary at www.caleratexas.org...apparently it never had any roof?!
Jamey and I lit candles and continued on to Alpine.

DEC. 20, 2009 Rosie and Randy's.

2009-12-22T18:49:00.000-08:00

Gene, Jamey and I went over to Rosie and Randy's to watch the Dallas Cowboys Game.
I didn't even take pictures of anybody.
I like their birds.
1. Burgers...yum!
2. 1 bird.
3. 2 birds...they look like bookends.
4. Hey Randy, you have a bird on your head.

DEC. 17, 2009 GIRL SCOUT TROOP #90-Christmas Party.

2009-12-22T18:31:00.000-08:00

This was the girls 4th year to have their party here.
1. A sleepy little sister.
2. Eating.
3. Troop leader Dorinda and helper Gladys.
4. Each girl made us a Christmas card.
5. Troop #90
6. The Girl Scout pledge.
7. I pledge allegiance to the flag.
There are ten girls in troop #90...three of them are new and had not been here to the house.
I made a little scavenger hunt for them. They had to go around and find five things (each) that I had hidden in the house....a pecan, a walnut, a red stone, a coin and a glue stick. Then they got candy for their five items.
They ate and then exchanged presents.
I made each girl polymer clay covered ball point pens in purple and gold...the Pecos Eagle colors. I'm annoyed that I forgot to take pictures of them w/ their pens.
Every year I make them a Christmas necklace. In past years they have had a santa, a crystal and I forgot what else. This year I made necklaces out of polymer clay and glued a "lucky coin" on the back....some were Dutch coins and some were German coins. You can see the necklaces in photo #6.
The party lasted 2 hours and everyone had fun.
Feliz Navidad!

TUFFY SKELTON...there are few of these kind left.

2009-12-11T18:31:00.001-08:00

Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Friday, April 18, 2003
Skelton chronicles 80 years as cowboy, soldier
By SMOKEY BRIGGS
Staff Writer
PECOS, Fri., April 18, 2003 -- If you were born in San Saba County in 1921 and lived to see the dawn of the 21st Century, you might live through a few incidents worth writing down.

Merle "Tuffy" Skelton was and did, and now the Barstow resident has written down more than a few of his experiences in a book titled, "Cowmen, Cowboys, and Soldiers I've Known."

He came by the nickname Tuffy honestly.

When he was five a sickness took hold of most of his family. One younger sister died. At one point one of his older sisters picked him up and said, "Well, it looks like little Tuffy is going to survive."

He has answered to Tuffy ever since.

The depression hit the Panhandle and West Texas hard. Tuffy's mom died when he was nine and at the age of 13 he struck off on his own.

"I stayed with an uncle of mine for awhile and went to California in the fall of 1935 and stayed the winter," he said. "I was doing anything I could get to do - I sold newspapers, worked on a hay bailer and put up flyers for grocery stores."

He graduated into cowboying early on and that is what he was doing when he enlisted in the U. S. Army two months after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Tuffy enlisted in Amarillo and went to basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., where he joined a lesser-known element of the Artillery - the mule-pack artillery.

"We used 75 mm mountain howitzers that were designed to be broken down and carried by mules," he said.

The mule-pack artillery belonged to the 1st Cavalry Division, which shipped for Australia and the Pacific Theater on July 3, 1943.

Tuffy and the division were part of three major campaigns in the Pacific: the Admiralty Islands campaign, the invasion of the Philippines, and finally Luzon in 1945.

Unfortunately for Tuffy and his fellow cavalrymen the unit's animals could not be shipped to Australia.

"They used the cavalry guys as dismounted infantry and we pulled the little 75's with jeeps until the jeeps got stuck and then we broke them down and carried them by hand," he said.

According to Tuffy it took 10-12 men to carry all the pieces for one of the 75mm howitzers and that did not include ammunition for the gun.

"We put them to good use through all three campaigns," he said.

Tuffy was discharged in December of 1945.

Two years later he was working for a Wild West Show back east.

"Actually I worked for three different shows - billed as rodeos," he said. "Cowboys were pretty scarce back in the part of the world. I rode rough stock with the show and we all worked setting up and moving to different towns."

That year he met his wife Ireta in West Virginia while working for one of the wild west shows.

They were married August 8, 1947 after knowing each other for all of 30 days. It was enough. They are still married after 56 years.

After getting married Tuffy moved his new bride back to Texas and went to work as a cowboy.

He worked as a cowboy until 1976 when he leased a place west of Toyah and operated it as a ranch until 2000 when he took up book writing.

"The book is primarily about my life - friends and people I worked with and soldiered with."

Tuffy was 22 months writing the book, which has been in print since the day before Thanksgiving this past November and is in its second printing.

"I never thought I did anything worth writing about but a nephew of mine got me started. He said we ought to have it in the family so I decided to write it down."

Eighty years of living, cowboying and soldiering lends itself to more than a few tidbits of history.

It was probably worth writing down and probably worth reading as well.

Copies of the book can be found for sale here in locally in Pecos or it can be ordered directly from Tuffy at Box 125, Barstow, Texas 79719.

THE LAST FEW SNOW PICTURES THAT I FORGOT TO POST.

2009-12-10T19:45:00.000-08:00

Click on this first picture of Willie and make it big so you can see his snow beard. It really is cute and funny.
My old cat Missy did not like the snow and made three attempts of venturing outside and taking a few steps and then turning around and coming right back in. But she eventually decided she should check it out.
This weather was very unusual for Pecos and we don't expect it again but you never know.
We had none last year....but the year before we had this much snow Thanksgiving weekend.
It's fun and exciting for a day or two but I sure wouldn't like it all the time.

DEC.4, 2009...two snows in a week.

2009-12-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

It might not seem like a big deal to you....depending on where you live...but it's a BIG deal for us.
I woke up at 1 A.M....nothing.
Woke up at 3:45 A.M. and there it was and 5 hours later it's still coming down a little bit.
At 4:45 A.M. Gene's boss called to say he should stay home. His boss was going to try it and he had a 119 mile trip in to Pyote...he lives in Iraan.
The dogs seem to like it O.K....the cats....NOT!

DUTCH OVEN CHOCOLATE SWAMP CAKE.

2009-12-02T15:06:00.000-08:00

This a backwards blog...go down to the BOTTOM of the pictures to begin...or not, and view the baking process from end to start.
Photos by Jamey.
This was fun project for the whole family.
10. Finished cake. We lost alot of the cherries because I forgot to spray the bottom of the dutch oven with cooking spray. This is like an up-side-down cake.
9. George holding the oven...and his dog Comet hangin' out.
8. Checking....pecans getting too brown....take it out NOW!
7. Coals....8 on the bottom and 17 on top make for a 350 degree oven..supposedly.
6. Coals....Gene and George gettin' them ready.
5. Top with butter.
4. Sprinkle pecans.
3. Sprinkle Coconut.
2. Add a can of Dr. Pepper to cake mix and spread.
1. Line the dutch oven with foil (easy clean up) and spread a can of cherry pie filling in bottom.
It's more fun to make the cake than eat the cake.

MARFA, TEXAS Part 3.

2009-11-28T18:59:00.001-08:00

Marfa is the home of the Chinati Foundation started in 1979 (by Donald Judd) with initial assistance by the Dia Art Foundation of New York City. It is on 340 acres that used to be Fort D. A. Russell. It is very minimalist ....a contemporary art museum established to preserve and present permanent large scale installations. The emphasis being on art and surrounding landscapes...showing how they are inextricably linked.
It's not my cup of tea art-wise...but interesting just the same.
The town has dozens of upscale, quality art galleries. So...I'd say that Marfa is more "cosmo" in ambiance than nearby Alpine.
People from all over the world...especially New York come to Marfa to visit or live.
1. This old laundromat has been turned into the Marfa Vacation Rentals. Each apartment has a different colored door. They are 2 bedroom and 1 bath with a kitchen and are located in a great central part of town. The pictures I saw online of the inside are really nice.
2. Nice Bike!
3. Street scene.
4. Get it and go!
5. Liberty Hall. They have music and theatre presentations here. It likes kind of like an old fire station...or something.
6. Hardware store...gimmee that wagon wheel for my backyard!
7. Someone needs to save this old house!
8. Old jail entrance.
9. Old jail...it now houses the county extension offices.
10. A fence made from ocotillo cactus limbs....very cool...very thorny.
11. I love old adobe buildings.
12. Another old adobe.

MARFA, TEXAS Part 2.

2009-11-28T18:44:00.001-08:00

1. G. & G. lounging in front of Marfa's excellent bookstore. I'm going to start a collection of these 2 boys lounging together all over...so far I have them in Cozumel and in front of the Ft. Davis Old Fort Country store. They do it well don't you think?
These other pictures are of the Hotel Paisano in Marfa. Jamey and I went there last summer and stayed one night in a lovely room with a huge balcony that overlooked the courtyard. It was built in 1930 and for the first 40 years was primarily used by ranchers who bought and sold cattle with each other in the hotel lobby. In 1955 the cast and crew of the movie "GIANT" (starring Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean) stayed there. It closed in 1970 and reopened in 2004 with 33 lovely rooms and suites.
2. Hotel entrance.
3. Hotel lobby.
4. Hotel sitting room fireplace.
5. G. & G. checking out the GIANT memorabilia room.

MARFA, TEXAS Part 1.

2009-11-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

George, Gene, Jamey and I went to Marfa today. It was a pretty drive and took about 2 hours. The cottonwood trees were brilliant yellow around Balmorhea. On the way, George took us to this place just outside of Ft. Davis. He just calls it "the rock pile". It's a bunch of granite rocks. We saw these freaky black grasshoppers with red wings...they made funny noises...they were pretty entertaining.
1. The place had nice picnic tables under shady oak trees.
2. Nice view huh? The rock pile is a few miles down the road on the way from Ft. Davis to Valentine.
3. Picnic anyone?
4. Some of the rocks are pressing right up against the trees...as if they tumbled down the hill...which they probably did.
5. Rocks.
6. Gene with a big one.
7. More rocks.
8. This is a great sign. "BY THEIR COURAGE-THE WEST WAS MADE!" I googled the stagecoach driver's names and found nothing on Mr. Waldy or August Frensell. But John M. Dean (1852-1909) was a lawyer who drove a stagecoach for 3 months (from Ft. Davis to Van Horn Wells) because he couldn't afford to open a practice yet. He later became a Presidio County attorney and land speculator. He was also a district attorney and later a state senator. We don't know if this rock pile was a stagecoach stop or just a landmark so they knew where they were going or where the hell they were.
9. Jamey checking things out.

TROPICAL CATS.

2009-11-16T07:57:00.000-08:00

1 A.M.....CRASH!!

2009-11-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

My ceramic hand painted cat that Jamey bought us in Ajijic Mexico!!!
I almost cried.
And Gene's "bronzed" baby shoes!
Are the ghosts restless?

GUADALUPE NATIONAL PARK. Part 3.

2009-11-07T19:25:00.001-08:00

1. It's a stick...looks like an animal skin....or a snake.
2. The Pratt Lodge kitchen. I don't know why I didn't get pictures of the fireplace and bedroom.
3. Gene exiting the Pratt Lodge. It's a rock house that was built in 1930 and used as a vacation place for the Pratt Family. They lived in Houston and he was an oil man. They lived there full time later in 1945 for a few years. Mr. Pratt donated about 5,000 acres to the park about 1960.
4. Entrance to the lodge. This was where we had a nice picnic. You can hike farther into the canyon...but we didn't.
5. Pratt Lodge.
6. This is a picnic table outside the lodge. It's a whole piece of rock.
7. Check out the roof.
8. More trudging along.

GUADALUPE NATIONAL PARK. Part 2.

2009-11-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

1. Crossing the stream...what the hell am I looking at?
2. A pretty tree...we got to the park after postponing the trip for the past 2 weekends. The colors were still great. There were alot of people there but everyone was spread out o.k. so it didn't seem so crowded. To see the colorful trees you have to hike into McKittrick Canyon...it's the only way to see 'em.
3. This is what the trail looked like. We hiked 4.8 miles....round trip. No paved areas, nothing but rocks and roots so you had to always watch the ground and then stop to look at the views. No restrooms...and no water. It was hard but the last quarter mile was REALLY rough....at least for me...I was pretty pooped by then. I even saw and heard some "in shape" younger folks complaining. We had to cross 2 streams on stepping stones and that was kinda fun.
4., 5., 6., 7. More pretty trees.
8. A ridge against a very blue sky.
9. Gene at the beginning of our trek. The weather was fine...not too hot.
10. & 11. Mary and Gene ready to trek and trekking.

GUADALUPE NATIONAL PARK. Part 1.

2009-11-07T18:35:00.001-08:00

This land is beautiful...yet not fit for man nor beast. Extremely barren. Cool to visit but why would folks GO there 100 years ago...or choose to LIVE there?
We left Pecos at 8 a.m. and got home at 4 p.m.
It took 2 hours to drive there.
1. El Capitan...the highest point in Texas. 8,085 feet. This mountain is part of the park but not near where we went.

These 2 chandeliers used to be in our house.

2009-10-31T20:56:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Weatherby was a big collector of art, antiques and other beautiful things.
When the house was donated to the museum the paperwork stated that all fixtures were to remain in the house....they didn't.
Mrs. Weatherby's daughter (Murdell Holbert) took them all and when she recently moved into a retirement home in El Paso she made a huge donation to the International Museum of Art.
Apparently none of her children or grandchildren wanted any of these things.
I can't help but be a little browned off about it.
The crystal chandelier in the foreground was in our foyer and the smaller one in the background was in the dining room.
There was one in the parlor also and even a chandelier in the bathroom.
mdp

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE GOING SATURDAY. Guadalupe Mountains.

2009-10-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

THE NORTH SIDE OF OUR HOUSE...AMAZING!!!!

2009-10-21T06:56:00.001-07:00

I am so excited I could just pop!!!
Last night I was finally able to make contact with T.B. Pruett's grandson in Lake Jackson and he sent me this photo!
It's even better than the last one.
And he is able to answer alot of my questions about our house.
What do ya'll think?

OLD FORT DAYS-FT. STOCKTON TX. PART 4. MISC. (10/17/09)

2009-10-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

1. Ft. Clark wagon.
2. chuckwagon.
3. army tents.
4. 5. & 6. Quilts. There were ladies quilting. See on #6 it has a square made by a Weatherby?! Their ranch is between Ft. Stockton and Pecos in a teeny town called Coyanosa.
7. stagecoach.
8. covered wagon.
9. teepees.

OLD FORT DAYS-FT. STOCKTON, TX. PART 3. WEAPONS (10/17/09) ETC.!!

2009-10-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you much about all these but there were actors there who could tell you everything and anything about them if you are interested in that kind of thing. I will say that them cannons is clean, clean....shiny CLEAN....and LOUD!!!
For more info on this event go to www.fortstockton.org or www.cityfs.net

OLD FORT DAYS- FT. STOCKTON TX. PART 2. PEOPLE! (10/17/09)

2009-10-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

1. There was a period baseball game and these are a few guys who were on one of the teams. They don't use gloves and always let the ball bounce once before they catch it...thems the old time rules.
2. Saloon folks having fun.
3. These 2 ladies were tatting....making lace. They were in a building with some quilters.
4. This was a laundress and she was very informative. See the little stuff hanging from her waist? It's called a chatelaine and it has thread, needles, thimble, scissors etc. She said that they would make starch by grating a potato and then let it dry in the sun....mix it with water and stir with a CANDLE...evidently starch from a potato and a little wax stiffened up your clothes real well! They also had washboards set up and kids were giving it a go....lye soap...yuck.
5. Buffalo soldier set up. These guys were from Ft. Clark Texas. Buffalo soldiers served all over Texas....Ft. Davis is also well known for their black soldiers. Incidentally, twelve different forts were represented by re-enactors!
6. A buffalo soldier telling a story.
7. I like this picture alot...you can't tell, but she was talking on her cell phone.
8. These vaqueros/banditos look ominous.
9. I loved this bagpiper!!
10. A mountain man.
11. These 2 look rather wealthy. Maybe a banker and his wife?
For more info about this event go to www.fortstockton.org or www.cityfs.net

OLD FORT DAYS-FT. STOCKTON- TX. PART 1. (10/17/0 9) ANIMALS! 9)

2009-10-17T12:50:00.001-07:00

Today is Ft. Stockton's Sesquicentennial and it was alot of fun! A real living history event.
This morning on the parade ground there was an opening ceremony with the Texas Camel Corps. who made a trail ride from Ft. Lancaster over the past 5 days.....down the Old spanish Trail....that's 80 miles. They educate folks on the historical use of camels in 19th century America. They helped settle west Texas and went as far as California between 1856 and 1866. They transported supplies before there were railroads here. For more info google "Camels in Texas." We didn't get there in time for the opening ceremonies but there was cannons going off, speeches, a cavalry drill, artillery demonstration and the Ft. Bliss Band.

The re-enactors really get into the show and have totally authentic period costumes. They even had a store selling costumes and accessories.

There wagon rides.
For more info about this event go to www.fortstockton.org or www.cityfs.net

Kay and Jim's last month.

2009-10-12T13:26:00.001-07:00

1. Valerie.
2. Jim and Kay.
3. Patty.
4. Good 'ol Batu...she's my favorite.
5. Sookie looks like the cat that ate the canary. I gave Kay this cat as an itty bitty kitten 12 years ago.

THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU!!!

2009-10-12T12:53:00.001-07:00

Saturday night we went the University of Texas football game. (No comments from you Aggies please.)
I'd never been to a college football game....I don't like football.
But it was pretty exciting because we got to sit in a private suite right by the press box. Kay and her Mom have a cousin who owns it. There were 10 in our group and then about 30 other folks.
We enjoyed an open bar, food buffet, a private restroom (no line, no waiting) and we got to park about a block or 2 away to the entrance.
U.T. played Colorado and won.
What crowds of people!!! And what crazy tailgate parties....there were hundreds.
1. Gene and Mitch. Mitch works in the grants Dept. at U.T.
2. C.J. and Jamey.
3. That's a BIG Texas flag!
4. The U.T. band....they made all kinds of cool precision patterns during half time.
5. That's a big drum...her name is Big Bertha.
6. Longhorn mascot Bevo.

AUSTIN, TX OCT. 2009

2009-10-12T12:41:00.001-07:00

We went to Austin on Fri., Sat., and Sun. to see Jamey. She was in that area for 10 days from NYC for a wedding. We stayed at Kay and Jim Wray's. Our friend C.J. was in town on business from Dallas so she came out there and visited too. It rained alot but they still need more. The Texas hill country is GREEN again after about a year.
1. Valerie and many labradors....2 are hers and her husband Mitch's. Kay and Jim have five.
2. Jim teaches Gene to play Wii games on TV.
3. This is Kay's pig Nadine.

THERE'S A DAMN CHICKEN ON OUR FRONT PORCH!

2009-10-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

I guess this dumb chicken WANTS to be eaten!
No wonder our house won't sell!
This chicken belongs 3 doors down...they are usually running up and down the alley out back.
The dogs go berserk and Harold the cat is afraid of them. Missy cat wants them but is too old to get them.
Stupid chickens.
Harold likes to camp out on the stairs when he is scared....he's scared alot.
Now that the evenings are cooler the cats like to get in these flower pots...I guess the sun warms up the dirt in them during the day. We have 2 pots and 2 cats but they both want in this same one.
Stupid cats.
The hummingbirds are all gone now.
I've seen a few monarch butterflies passing thru the yard.
Fall is here in Pecos.

IT'S OUR HOUSE CIRCA 1920's!!

2009-09-17T18:24:00.001-07:00

I was thrilled to find this on the internet today....click on the picture to make it big.
T.B. Pruett who built and owned the home is on the porch on the far right....the white haired man in the bow tie.
His wife Mayme is standing in the yard at the left...behind the bench...she looks like Ma Kettle!
Everybody else are his daughters and son-in-laws, son, grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

It's fun to see what is different about the house now and what remains the same.
I noticed that the foundation was open and now it's enclosed.
The windows on either side of the front door (and the 3 little ones above) are exactly the same....I always wondered if they were original...so, yes they are!
You can't see it very well, but there was a porch swing. We often have looked up on the porch ceiling and talked about the two BIG swing hooks up there. And wondered what the swing looked like and who sat in it.
The spindles that make up part of the porch railing are the exact same ones. They aren't in very good shape these days.
The floor of the porch and the front steps appear to be wood....now they are concrete and aren't in very good shape either.
And of course the siding was wood then and now we have ugly 30 year old siding (not wood) that is brittle and in terrible disrepair.
The windows that have the "X" pattern are still here too. Now they have a better weather proof layer of glass over them.
I'm dying to see what the back of our house looked like then. I know that my art room was a screened in porch.

I love this photo and sometimes wish we could keep this house and pour about $100,000. into it.
It's history and worth fixing up.

RAIN IN AUSTIN, TX LAST WEEK!

2009-09-16T19:50:00.001-07:00

48 Hours in Weed, New Mexico.

2009-09-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

1. George's dog, Comet likes to drive.

2. A pee break in Lincoln National Forest.

3. A wicked thistle plant with burned out trees in the background.

4. Lots and lots of BIG trees! The Forest Dept. leases land out to ranchers to run their cattle. How do they ever find them when it's time for round up? We saw lots of beautiful cows with babies...they have nice babbling streams and lots of green grass.

5.Bennie is "King of this Rock" on George's property.

6. A view 7 miles outside of Cloudcroft. The elevation drops 1900 ft. in that 7 mile drive. In fact I was kinda PUKEY alot...the roads are all so up and down and this-a-way and that. See that little thin white line way out on the horizon? It's not clouds....it's the White Sands National Park. It's the world's largest gypsum dune field....275 square miles of glistening white sand dunes. I'd like to go there....they have WHITE lizards!

7. Downtown Cloudcroft. Good shopping. Elevation 8600 ft. Population 762. This little village is about 22 miles from George's place...it's a very pretty 45 minute drive. I could live there.

8. Comet loves weeds in Weed.

9. Geno's campfire. There was lizard in the warm ashes from the previous night. See foreground....he found a horseshoe. George's sister, Nancy, takes her horses there from where they live in central Texas when she spends the summer or winter holidays there. She and her husband just finished a cute little temporary cabin. I forgot to take a picture of it. Eventually she and her husband will build a bigger house into the side of their little mountain...or big hill...or whatever ya call it.

10. This is George's trailer. The Faust property is 10 acres. George wants to build his house way up on the top of the afore mentioned mountain/hill. He said sometimes they get a foot or two or snow. While we were there it was in the 70's during the day and 40's at night....loved it!!

We saw deer, cattle, goats, hawks, wild turkeys and horses (one of whom chased George for his ice cream bar! The horses are loose in downtown Weed...population 20....there are cattle guards to keep them sorta rounded up. Weed has a few houses, church and a cafe where we had dinner one night. There were also lots of Weeping Willow, Aspen trees and apple orchards. It's funny to see signs that say "Watch for Snowplows".

It was a four and a half hour drive to Weed. I like Carlsbad and Artesia, New Mexico...I could live there. It was amazing to see the acres and acres and acres of pecan groves.
----------------------------
I drove 50 miles to the dentist in Kermit today. Then 25 miles over to Monahans to get my glasses fixed and then 40 miles back to Pecos....sigh.

Our dogs found a TURTLE in the yard this morning.

2009-08-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

The dogs were freaking out with their heads in and out of my Jack Bean vines.
I was afraid it was a SNAKE!
I looked in there twice and all I saw was a few rocks.
One of those rocks turned out to be this cute turtle.
Where did he come from? Are there others?
Will he stay?
His name is Howard.
My friend Lucy has quite a few turtles in her yard.
Is it a Pecos thing?

San Marcos TX & other tiny news.

2009-08-16T06:48:00.001-07:00

Photo 1. We have a Rufous hummingbird in our yard! This picture isn't actually him....I pulled this off the internet. They are so beautiful. I'd never seen one before. They are the feistiest hummingbirds and will tirelessly chase other hummers away.
Photo 2. Willie and Harold. Willie is not happy when Harold uses him as a pillow.
Photo 3. Gene, Toby, Bobbie and Dan enjoying dinner in Kyle.

Monday- Drove to San Marcos....took cantaloupes for everyone. Stayed at a run down Howard Johnson's for 2 nights. But it was inexpensive and the staff was nice. Took Toby out for Mexican food while Gene did his endoscopy/colonoscopy prep.

Tuesday- Got up early and were in and out of the hospital facility in 2 hours. Gene's doctor is pleased that we continue to come so far for his procedures. His colon looks fine yet very scarred. His esophagus is the same....Barrett's cell from top to bottom and once you get that it is irreparable but is controlled with anti reflux medicine for the rest of your life. If not taken care of, it turns into cancer. Multiple biopsies were taken but the doctor expects all to be well. Gene doesn't have to have a colon check for 5 years (YAY!) and an esophagus check in 2 years. Anyone reading this should have a colon check at the age of 50.... or if colon cancer runs in your family....at the age of 40. This is just smart, simple, preventative health care. It makes me mad that most doctors don't urge their patients to do this as a matter of course. In 2000 Gene was diagnosed with colon cancer (he had NO symptoms) and would not be here today if his doctor had not told him to get a colonoscopy. Do it....do it NOW folks!
Gene, Toby and I went out to dinner.
Visited with my friend Patty.

Wednesday- Had lunch in Kyle with 5 friends who were Gene's co-workers at the Kyle prison. It was fun to see them.
Went to Dan and Bobbie Guerra's and had a nice long visit and got to spend the night in their 5th wheeler. Bobbie and I went to the movies (Julia & Julie-great show) while Gene and Dan went to Austin to putter around in Dan's shop at the School for the Deaf where he and Bobbie teach. Toby came over for dinner. We were happy to see so much of Toby.

Thursday- Headed home and went through a driving rainstorm near Ozona. We had to pull over and put our suitcase in a trash bag. It was in the back of the pick up ya know.
------------------

We continue to get some rain in Pecos. A couple of tenths of an inch here and there. The lightening is beautiful.

I guess that's all bloggers.
Write me.
Love, mary

HISTORIC DISTRICT Etc...SAN ANGELO, TEXAS

2009-07-28T09:39:00.001-07:00

The Concho River runs thru town with many pretty parks, gardens and walking trails...population 100,000.
Eggemeyer's General Store is HUGE and wonderful...if you are familiar with San Marcos...it's like the Paper Bear but 10 times bigger!
Concho St. makes up most of the historic district.
Miss Hattie's Bordello was a hopping place from around 1900 to 1946 at which time the Texas Rangers closed the place.
It has Miss Hattie's cafe next door and both places can be rented for events.
The Cactus Book Shop is Elmer Kelton Central...he lives in San Angelo and in case ya didn't know he's the best author of western fiction ever.
This town is like San Marcos but much better in that it still has a small town feel. Even though it has a college the city isn't taken over by it like SWT in San Marcos.
I could live here...it's very pretty.
It's smack dab in the middle of Texas with nothing around it at all for miles.
It's very wooly (sheep) with lots of cattle and some horses.
There are 2 lakes nearby.

THE CACTUS HOTEL. SAN ANGELO, TEXAS

2009-07-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

In 1928 Conrad Hilton built this hotel.
It was one of his first Hilton Hotels and is currently one of the best preserved and has 14 floors.
The shops on the bottom level off of the lobby house an art gallery, 2 cake shops, a cafe, hair salon etc.
Five floors are "private"...hmmm....what're they doin' up there?
Two floors are apartments.
One of my favorite artists, James Gill lives and works in the Cactus Hotel.
There many offices on other floors...including: San Angelo Hospice, cultural affairs council, San Angelo Symphony, KCSA radio etc.
The hotel hosts many weddings and other gala affairs.

FORT CONCHO. SAN ANGELO, TEXAS

2009-07-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

Established 1867.
Built of mostly native limestone.
Had 40 buildings over 1600 acres.
At full strength supported 400-500 men.
In June of 1889 the last of these soldiers marched away.
Today it is one of the best maintained and restored forts in Texas.
It now consists of 23 original and restored structures.

ACTION RODEO SHOTS by Scott Guest. 2009.

2009-06-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

Rodeo Madness.
Scott is a good photographer.

BALMORHEA POOL. JUNE 2009.

2009-06-30T07:52:00.001-07:00

Photograph Credit Scott Guest.
1. Indy goin' off the diving board.
2. Gene floatin'.
3. Pool.
4. Kevin, Alex & Gene.

SCOTT'S HUMMINGBIRD PHOTOS.

2009-06-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

EXCELLENT job, huh?
Please credit Scott Guest for these pictures.
Taken at Weatherby House, June 2009.

RODEO ODDS-n-ENDS. 2009

2009-06-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

1. Gene in his rodeo sombrero...he was lucky enough to score a box seat ticket from a friend on Thursday night.
2. Colored drinks....we see these in Mexico all the time.
3. Rodeo truck.
4. O.K....so this 4th of July girl isn't making a cute face and the lighting/color is bad in my photo....but...she is one of my favorite things about rodeo. She rides her horse REALLY fast around the arena and a huge sparkler is shooting out the top of her flag.

RODEO RADIO HOTLINE:
Wanted:
Blue sequins. (oh COME ON. They sell them at the store and yeah, I just happen to have big shoebox of them in my closet.)
Anvil. (huh?)
Give: 15 kittens. (Poor, darling Ruth Luster!!!!! She NEVER gives up!!!!)
For Sale:
White cowboy hat, 7 pairs of jeans, 2 horse trailer, 3 yr. old llama, red roosters, ostrich boots, tony lama boots, justin boots, western shirts, alligator boots. (yep, it's that time of year.)

COWBOYS. RODEO 2009.

2009-06-29T08:25:00.001-07:00

1. Waiting for awards to be handed out.
2. In line for a cool drink...horses invited too.
3. A very small cowboy....take a close look at this saddle.
4, 5, 6 & 7. Waiting for the calf roping event. I've found out that it isn't called a "lasso" OR "lariat"....it's just simply "my rope".
8. Getting ready.
9. Rodeo officials looking at pretty girls.

BOOTS & SADDLES. RODEO 2009.

2009-06-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

RODEO WEEKEND 2009. FRIENDS & FAMILY.

2009-06-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

It was hot...but by evening at the Rodeo it had cooled down a bit and there was some breeze.
Scott and his son Indy were here for 3 days from Wimberley and the Higgins' were here for 2 nights from Tom Bean.
Debra was here for one night from Midland.
My local side kick Peggy was around daily.
We ate grilled sausage, shrimp and chicken....and local home made tamales etc.etc.
Played games one night.
During the day Saturday all the guys went out to the Balmorhea swimming pool.
Scott, Peggy and I hit an estate sale on Friday.
Gene went to rodeo every night: Wed.-Sat.
Indy went with him on Thurs. and Fri....and EVERYONE went on Sat.
I didn't take enough pictures....and some of them aren't very good.
Having company is fun.

1. C.J. and Debra at the rodeo.
2. Alex at the rodeo.
3. Saturday night dinner.
4.&5. Scott enjoyed photographing our hummingbirds.

C'MON-LET'S GO TO THE RODEO PARADE 2009.

2009-06-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

It's just a little small town parade.
No bands.
Lots of horses mostly.
The theme was "Pecos Bill".
He's the west texas version of Paul Bunyon.
He fell off a covered wagon when he was a baby and was raised by coyotes. He lassoed a tornado with his giant lasso made from a giant rattlesnake. He took a stick and dug the rio Grande. He rode a giant catfish....etc.etc.
Photo #1. is cute Hartley riding her horse "Tiny".
Lots of cute little kids on their horses. You can tell they were practically born in a saddle.
#6. is my favorite. This dog is no dummy. It was soooo hot....he was hitchin' a ride.
The last picture is part of the float I worked on. I drew the picture of Pecos Bill....not bad....but not great either.

45th. Annual OLD TIMER'S REUNION @ The West of the Pecos Museum. 2009

2009-06-24T12:26:00.003-07:00

1. My friend Julie Cannon and her Daddy.
2. Theresa Walker and Bobbie Avery. They are widow ladies from Barstow. I take a picture of them every year. They are always very sweet to me.
3. Cole Armstrong...probably the richest rancher in these parts. His nephew and wife (Scott & Regina) live across the street from us. Scott works out at the family ranch. He's in the middle...don't know the other guys.
4. Dick Slack. He's a retired lawyer among other thangs. He's 95 years old. His grandfather "Uncle Henry" was in the first Pecos rodeo and he lead off the parade every year for decades....EVERYONE knew Ol' Uncle Henry.
5. Merle "Tuffy" Skelton on the right...don't know the other guy. I just got done reading Mr. Skelton's book. He's cowboyed and cooked off a chuck wagon everywhere.
6. Zelma Cannon and Bessie Osborn register Old Timer's folks.
7. This band was REALLY good and fun to watch.
8. The band was REALLY, REALLY good...wish ya'll could've heard 'em....wish they'd come over to our house and play this weekend.

It's fun to watch the parade from the front of the museum with all the old folks....because everyone shows off for them. This one guy on horseback hollared at his old friend: "Where's your hoss?" The response was : "Fell off'n him long time ago."

Love, mary

HELLO....YAY!

2009-06-22T16:46:00.001-07:00

This is my Mother's plumeria that I inherited.
She grew it from a seed.
It is over 6 feet tall and hasn't bloomed in 2 years.
Mom would be thrilled.
YAY!

My car is FINALLY fixed.
YAY!
I have had no car for 2 weeks.
My bicycle and I are good, close friends now.
It's hard to find someone to work on a Honda in this town and since the battery was dead it couldn't be driven.
It's a long story....
A mechanic finally came over and showed Gene how to get it out of "park" so he could haul it 2 blocks to shop.
TWO blocks....haha....almost everything is within 6 to 10 blocks of our house....except Walmart.
YAY!

You can tell it's almost time for rodeo.
There were 3 horses and riders goin' down the street in front of our house yesterday...the dogs went bonkers.

I am helping my friend Sheila with her rodeo float.
This year's parade theme is Pecos Bill.
Do you know that tall tale?
It's like a west Texas Paul Bunyon.
Parade is Wed. morning...with the old timer's reunion before that.
YAY!

Rodeo is wed., Thurs., Fri. and Sat. night.
We'll have 7 guests this year.
Stand by for fun photos.
YAY!

Love, Mary

WEATHERBY HOUSE HAS HAD ALOT OF COMPANY..YAY!

2009-06-16T07:06:00.001-07:00

We have been having SUCH a good time this past week with all the visitors!
1. Dan and Bobbie Guerra with Winston-dawg. They are from Kyle and passed through here. They go RV-ing every summer and are on their way to Yellowstone Nat'l. Park.
2. Jamey relaxing on the front porch. She went home to NYC yesterday. We were so lucky to get to spend so much time with her.
3. A dinner party: Randy, Jamey, Bobbie, Dan, Peggy and Gene. Randy and Peggy live here in Pecos.
4. George is all packed and ready to go to Alaska! He'll be gone about 6 weeks. Safe travels George!!!
5. Garreth and Alison. They are here visiting from England and would like to buy land in the Davis Mountains. Check out the lasso and West Of The Pecos Rodeo sticker on the suitcase.
That's all the news from here.
Love, mary

The end of our Vacation in Cozumel.

2009-06-11T09:32:00.001-07:00

The last night of our holiday Marie and Jay invited us up to the Coral Princess for a lovely dinner. They stayed on the 7th floor and the views were spectacular and the room was fantastic. We ate the barracuda that Jay had caught on his fishing trip. A good time was had by all...THANKS MARIE AND JAY!!
1. Sunset.
2. Half an hour earlier.
3. A pirate ship.... lobster sunset cruise.
4. The jungle is thick on Cozumel.
5. Deanne and George check out the view. You can see the mainland from the island....Playa Del Carmen which is south of Cancun.

Cozumel May/June 2009 Odds-n-Ends.

2009-06-11T09:14:00.001-07:00

1.&2. Gene goes parasailing.
3.Our Mexican Elvis waiter at the Rasta Bar.
4. Marie and her and Alicia's birthday cake.
5. Big Bad George....enjoying his cuban cigar.
6. Jamey shows George how to properly apply #70 weight sunscreen.
7. Me and Gene.
8. A 10 piece band on the plaza. There is always free, live music on Sunday nights. This salsa band was great.
9. A clown on the plaza.
10. Gene and George peruse the fake tattoo book.

Cozumel Beaches...May/June 2009

2009-06-11T08:53:00.001-07:00

1. June 1st...Mary and Gene's wedding anniversary feet.
2. El Mirador on the east side of the island. We rented a VW bug and drove over to the other side a few times.
3. Jamey finishing a snorkel.
4. George checking out the fish.
5. Gene wishes a pretty, topless girl was in this chair.
6. George, Marlena, Gene and Jamey wiping out on the east side. This side of the island has a scary undertow and a very uneven rocky bottom so it's really easy to fall down...everyone did.
7. I look for this pet siamese cat every time I'm at Mescalito's...she's sooo cute and friendly.
8. Jamey contemplates....check out the yacht going by in the background. It's the only ship like it on the island and owned by the richest local familia.
9. Jay and Marie from New Braunfels TX. We had met them years ago and they just happened to be on Cozumel at the same time. They have the same anniversary date as us and Marie has the same birthday as Alicia.
10. The Money Bar....this is a great place to snorkel. It used to be call Dzul Ha and was just a tiny, funky beach club. A rich American bought it and poured a ton of money into the place and the ambiance just isn't the same....neither are the prices.

VILLA BLANCA HOTEL COZUMEL-May 31- June 6 2009

2009-06-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

We hadn't stayed at this hotel in 17 years.
It's right across the street from the beach, has 50 rooms, pool, hot tub and lovely grounds. The hibiscus etc. in Cozumel aren't just shrubs or bushes....they're big TREES!
One day a guy was harvesting the coconuts from the palms at our hotel.
There was a big fridge in the room and the remote controlled A/C was ice cold.
We had an air/hotel package....I think the rooms were about $55. a night.
George and Gene shared a room and Jamey and I shared a room....king size bed and a futon thingie....cool marble floors, huge marble shower.
1. You know I love iguanas!
2, 3 & 4....I like the statuary at this place.
5. Everybody likes towel swans! We also had a snail and a little dog one day made of washcloths.
6. Jamey by the pool.
7. Another "Ig"....I looked for this guy everyday and he was almost always in the same place....and I knew it was him cos he had turquoise paint on his tail.
8. Gene going into the hotel office to get fresh beach towels...he was a good "towel boy".
The mosquitoes were pretty bad...even in town.
It poured rain in the middle of the last night we were there.
Stay tuned for more Cozumel folks.
Love, Mary

San Augustine, TX May 29, 2009.

2009-06-08T10:07:00.001-07:00

San Augustine is very old and historical. It was established in 1832 and today the population is 2,475.
There are wonderful brochures listing 37 buildings to see. There are dozens of homes, churches, a drugstore, theatre, depot and a couple of log houses.
Gene's interview went fine...we are waiting to hear if they liked him. It's for a Science teaching position and he much prefers P.E.
Then...IF he's offered the job and IF the pay is acceptable we'll have to decide IF we want to move all the way over to the other side of Texas to a smaller town.
I fell in love with Nacogdoches...but it's about 40 minutes from San Augustine and that's too far of a commute.
We visited the site of Mission Dolores established in 1716. It's a sort of museum at the location of where this mission used to be....watched a video about it and saw artifacts that have been found there.
As usual I didn't take as many pictures as I should have or could have.
Bottom line....ain't much happenin' in San Augustine.
1. Bruce and Gene at a great seafood dinner back in Nacogdoches.
2. oops...the restaurant...i accidentally slipped these 2 pictures of Nacogdoches into my San Augustine blog.
3. This is the junior high school where Gene interviewed....it's very "Leave it to Beaver" and rather run down.
4. I don't know what this building is..it was empty....just liked the flag.
5. The Lewis Hotel...a future resource for African Americans. It was right next to the railroad tracks and catered to black folks passing through this segregated town...railroad workers and such. They are trying to raise money to restore it. I hope they hurry....it's very much worth saving and is falling down...or going to. It is one of the very few such buildings left.
6. Chamber of Commerce. Notice ol' Geno in his tie. The boy scouts meet here also and behind it is a pretty park.
7. I thought this was the old jail because it's right in front of the courthouse...but apparently it was Gov. James Pickney Henderson's house.
The courthouse is being restored so I didn't take any pictures of it.

That's all.
Love, mary

Nacogdoches, TX May 28, 2009

2009-06-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

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An 11 hour drive.
Stayed at The Fredonia Hotel in the historic district. It was built in 1955 and is being fixed up. They had a live jazz band (both nights we were there) out by the pool in a lovely courtyard. I didn't take pictures....cause I'm an idiot....and was too tired to remember to do it.
1. A tree at an old cemetery we went to.
2. One of dozens of tiny cemeteries around Nacogdoches. Headstones of some date to 1700's.
3. A very green and forested road...that's how it looks there....SO different than Pecos.
4. Old Stone Fort: built 1779 as a mercantile house. It served many purposes finally ending up as a saloon. Was dismantled in 1902, stones saved and building recreated on Stephen F. Austin University grounds.
5. A cool old door lock on a building in the historic district.
6. The doors of the string store. They had banjoes, autoharps, guitars etc. and kazoos, and harmonicas and an old dude in the back painting the most fantastic views of daily life in old historic Nacogdoches.
7. Town...they have alot of antique stores and crafts and glass and junque...almost all the old buildings are occupied....very unlike Pecos.
8. The Godtel....haha...get it? It's an old hotel and now houses Bible thumpers of some sort.
9. A mural in the visitors center.
Love, Mary

SUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAY.

2009-05-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

One day last week our neighbor Scott brought his horse home for lunch.
The horse whinnied "Hi" to me a couple of times and Bennie went nuts....lots of barking.

Well, we FINALLY got our turn yesterday.
It rained like hell for about 20 minutes and then we had a lovely light "farmer's rain" for another 45 minutes or more.
YAY! YAY! and YAY!!!
It's still strange for us to live in a place with so little rain.
We smell it and sometimes even SEE it....but we don't get wet.
There was thunder and everything.
Bennie barks at thunder...Willie goes and hides.

That's all.
love, mare

ITSY BITSY (spider) Friday News.....

2009-05-08T14:45:00.001-07:00

I showed these last year....but they look exceptionally good this year.
They are called West Texas Bird's of Paradise.
I don't see anything remotely Bird of Paradise about them.
They're really weeds.
You don't have to water them or do antyhting at all to them.
The bad thing is that they seed all over the f-ing yard.

It's 5 p.m.
It's 107 degrees in the shade.
Tomorrow the high will be 81....weird.
Pecos is SOOOOOO weird.

Poppy (Steve) AKA Mr. Broken Hip got home yesterday.....yay!!
I went over there today and took a casserole.
Laura and her daughter Debra were a little overwhelmed by wedding plans.
A son from Carlsbad is getting married tomorrow at their house.
They had erected a wedding arch and draped it with tulle but then didn't know how to proceed.
Well....I was invited to take over the task while they made food and ministered to Poppy.
They had all kinds of ribbon and silk flowers etc....so I set to work for 2 hours and had alot of fun.
They were pleased and I got out of housework.

There is another son visiting there from Austin who "knows ALOT of educators".
We have been invited to the wedding at 5 p.m.
I have to go to City Hall tomorrow at 4 to count votes for the local election.
But you can bet your whatever that Gene will be attending with his resume packet in hand.

RADIO HOTLINE:
Wanted:
Pistol, rifle, shotgun in good condition. (Ew.)
For Sale:
Artificial plants $5. (double Ew.)

This blog is dumb.
I'm dreaming of Cozumel.
We'll should have the island to ourselves May 31- June 6th....the cruise ships are stilling not stopping there because of the flu.
That's dumb too.
The locals are starvin'....and there isn't even any flu there!!!

Love, Mary

Small News From The Small World of West Texas.

2009-05-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

Gene got his 1st pair of glasses.
I got new glasses too.
We got the transition kind that turn into sunglasses.
We are both disappointed....they don't get dark enough.
We are old.
We wear bifocals.

Gene and I went to both grand openings of the 2 new motels in town last Friday.
It was something sorta fun to do.
One is a pretty fancy "not-like-Pecos" Best Western...in fact...it's quite beautiful.
The other is more basic....but still a nice Holiday Inn and Suites.
The latter has the advantage because it is right next to the Rodeo Arena.
Gee.....TWO new motels.
And our new gym opened yesterday.
I should join.
I'm fat.
Maybe I shall.

We lowered the price of our house from $125,000. to $109,900 last week.
Gene has sent out 22 applications....no calls.
At least he HAS a job....for the time being.
Guess we'll hang our hats in Pecos.
We still want to sell the house and get something smaller.

That's all the dumb news.

RADIO HOTLINE:
Wanted:
freezer burned meat. (WTF?)
Give:
7 roosters. (ugh...I hope my neighbors DON'T get those.)
Lost:
miniature goat in Wickett.

love, mary

APRIL IS OVER.

2009-04-30T08:37:00.001-07:00

Somebody killed this rattlesnake about 40 yards from our front door.
They cut off the head and the rattles....poor bebe.
Saw it yesterday while I was walking the dogs.
It's next to an empty lot on the corner.
Glad they killed it....Bennie would've gone for it in a heartbeat!

This is the Chamber of Commerce in Grandfalls, Texas...pop. 391.
I don't know why they have a tank there.
I wonder whose house this was....once upon a time?

Pecos has TWO new hotels.
Both grand openings are tomorrow.
A Holiday Inn & Suites and a Best western.
They are both very pretty.
And we have a new gym opening in a couple of weeks.

Just mailed application #21 (I think) for Gene.
No calls for any interviews.
No offers on the house either.

RADIO HOTLINE:
Wanted:
Freezer burned meat. (Whaaat?)
Give:
7 roosters. (Noisy!!!)

That's all.
Love, mary

Nutshell News.

2009-04-22T20:46:00.001-07:00

Mesquite twigs do not make good bird's nests.
The birds get pretty excited when they see us cutting our hair or brushing the pets....it IS shedding season ya know.

Last week we had to have the motor replaced in one of our A/C units..the upstairs one.
Also repaired a big freon leak.
Then added freon to the downstairs unit.
Guess we're ready for summer.
The repair guys drove 85 miles out here from Midland.
They were here about 3 or 4 hours.
Luckily we have extra homeowners insurance (American Home Shield).
We pay a flat fee of $55. whenever something electrical, plumbing etc. goes out.
The premiums are high.
They'll probably drop us now.

I saw our neighbor who lives behind us fall down Monday morning. His name is Steve but everybody calls him Poppy.
He broke his hip.
His wife Laura called 911 while I chased down their dog.
Poppy will have surgery in Odessa tomorrow.
Gene and I are very fond of these folks.
They used to own a very popular cafe here in Pecos.

Gene is sending off application #15 tomorrow.
No calls yet.
He is going to do one next for a job in San Angelo.
I think I would to very much like to live there.

Gene was once again made the Science teacher for the 3rd time today.
The regular Science teacher (Miss Reeves) walked out and quit after an incident today that showed me how potentially dangerous those inmates can be.
It involved a certain dorm who had made knife type weapons.
Whatever...just another day at WTSS.

Gene has been given a contract for teaching here for another year.
#1. They may not stay open another year....it would just be more constant worry etc.
#2. He prefers not to teach Science...he wants to coach and teach P.E.
#3. We would like to live elsewhere.
He has until July 1st. to sing it or not.

We are going to Cozumel again...because we are crazy.
May 31- June 6th.
We found a great deal-$554. for airfare and 6 nights hotel.
It's a Funjet package...we fly American so will go to Dallas this time (not Houston) and then head south.
Our friend George is coming too..he's the social studies teacher at WTSS.
After that trip George is riding his motorcycle all the way to Alaska.
He'll be gone for 5 or 6 weeks.

It was 100 degrees here today.
Tomorrow's forecast is for "isolated DRY thunderstorms"....WTF?

I think there's a new town doctor coming to see our house this Saturday.

Gene's first pair of eyeglasses are ready.
I'll drive 30 miles to Monahans tomorrow to pick them up and also order my new glasses.

Gene lost a filling.
I'll make him an appt. at the dentist in Kermit...also at least a 30 mile drive.

RADIO HOTLINE:
Damn, I think I accidentally threw away some of the ads I'd written down and were saving.
For Sale-
Blue and lime green fabric. (yuck.)
2 hairless cats. (they'll be needing sunblock.)
Wanted-
clawfoot bath tub. (they can't have mine.)

That's all the dumb news.
We live "out there".
Please comment....I'm bored.

Love, Mari