Author: lewisotr

One Hell Of A Guy, If I do say so myself.
Crazy Times, Marble Falls and the Area Around it., The Early DaysLeave a comment

The Auto Theft From Giesecke’s Supermarket (or was it HEB by that time)

lewisotr

I worked at the Luther – McDuff Chevrolet Dealership my senior year of high school. Others that worked there were: Cecil Rhoades – Manager and car salesman extraordinaire. JC Copeland – A very nice, rotund old fellow – a lifelong car salesman type. John Miller – The most genteel person I’d ever met, and a life long MF resident. Everyone trusted John. Karen Schaefer – a pretty young red head that my brother had dated in high school and had married not long before this incident. We were all sitting in the office one day when several police cars arrived. … Continue reading The Auto Theft From Giesecke’s Supermarket (or was it HEB by that time)

Marble Falls and the Area Around it.2 Comments

The Evolution of Supermarkets in Marble Falls

lewisotr

I was asked recently when HEB first appeared in Marble Falls. That got me to thinking about the series of events that got us to where we are today with Marble Falls Supermarkets. I am going to tell you my best recollection of when I remember the various events happening in the way people were shopping for food at least during my lifetime. As you read this, please feel free to correct me or firm up dates and ownerships. Giesecke’s Bros. Market was what I consider the first supermarket. Prior to that time there were several mercantile’s and small grocery … Continue reading The Evolution of Supermarkets in Marble Falls

Amazing Things, The History of TexasLeave a comment

What Do You Mean It All Started As A Joke ?

lewisotr

Some History Of The Cowboy Hat The first known felt hats were narrow-brimmed affairs worn by ancient Greeks and their gods. J.B. Stetson fashioned the prototype of the cowboy hat to entertain his hunting companions back in the 1860s. By then, wide brims and tall crowns were already the signature look of cattlemen and horsemen from Texas to California. Spanish vaqueros wore sombreros with massive brims and crowns long before Stetson came along. ”Sombrero” is derived from the Spanish word for “shade” or “shadow;” a felt or straw sombrero protected its wearer from a relentless sun. The wide-brimmed and high-crowned … Continue reading What Do You Mean It All Started As A Joke ?

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, On The Job, The Early DaysLeave a comment

More About Jester Blvd.

lewisotr

We had just finished getting the entire length of the boulevard built from bottom to top, the base was laid and tested, the curbs were all in, all we needed to do was put the asphalt down when the Memorial Day Flood of 1981 hit Austin. During the course of that one night and day, the torrents of water that came down, coupled with the extreme steep grades, we saw 3500 tons of limestone flex-base disappear from that hill. To give you an idea of how much that is, it took 150 large 18 wheeler loads to replace it. In … Continue reading More About Jester Blvd.

Crazy Times, The History of TexasLeave a comment

BEVO was “What’s For Dinner”

lewisotr

Nostalgia: When Bevo was barbecue, and other trials of Texas’ most famous longhorn By Jim Weber Jim Weber runs the college football and men’s basketball site LostLettermen.com. This week, he looks at the early trials of Bevo, introduced to Texas on Thanksgiving 1916, ahead of Thursday night’s rivalry showdown between the Longhorns and Texas A&M in Austin. There isn’t a fan base more proud of its school or more in love with its mascot than the faithful from the University of Texas. Longhorn fans stay true to their school by traveling en masse to road games, decking themselves head to … Continue reading BEVO was “What’s For Dinner”

The Early Days, The Jollyville Years1 Comment

Hydroponic Gardening

lewisotr

We took our boys to Disney World back in the mid 80’s. I don’t remember that much about the usual stuff that you see there. What I was most attracted to was Epcot Center. Actually I don’t remember that much about Epcot. But I do recall the demonstration on hydroponics. I loved seeing plants growing without soil, either directly in water and plant food or pea gravel medium. Almost immediately when we got back home I had to get myself into building a greenhouse and start hydroponic gardening. Of course there were books on the subject but it was before … Continue reading Hydroponic Gardening

Amazing Things, Kenny Lewis, My FriendsLeave a comment

The Thoughtfulness Of My Brother

lewisotr

One day my brother, Kenny, walked into my wood shop carrying a wooden saddle rack, that he had bought somewhere. He ask if I could carve a name and maybe put something fancy on it. The rack was fairly simple, made from pine, just plain looking. He told me the story of seeing a saddle hanging in the barn of an old cowboy friend of his. He ask about the saddle and got a complete history of it. The old cowboy had owned that saddle most of his adult life I believe. He told him who made the saddle and … Continue reading The Thoughtfulness Of My Brother

Amazing Things, Meeting New People, My Friends, The History of TexasLeave a comment

Over The Hump

lewisotr

A story about Howdy Fowler (yes our own Angora Chronicles Friend – Howdy Fowler) and his adventure of a lifetime. “Howdy told me once that this adventure is the single greatest highlight of his life and to have it captured on the pages of Texas Monthly – Don’t get much better than that”. I asked Howdy about some pictures one time and he came thru with this one. This is a story that was written by Carol Chapman for the February 1995 issue of Texas Monthly. NOW THAT STORY: THE REAL REASON THAT camels are called ships of the desert … Continue reading Over The Hump

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You Never Know Who You’ll See In Vegas

lewisotr

One time playing blackjack in Las Vegas there was a fellow sitting at the other end of the table. I finally put together who he was. Rollie Fingers the MLB pitching great. Being amused by this, then another guy set down beside me. It was Catfish Hunter, another MLB pitching great. We played for a long time with neither of the 2 ball players acknowledging the other. The thing about the two of them that I knew the best – they both were known for their mustaches and I knew they both had played for the Oakland A’s, but I … Continue reading You Never Know Who You’ll See In Vegas

Crazy Times, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Sometimes Keeping Your Mouth Shut Is A Good Thing

lewisotr

Years ago we were on a cruise in the Bahamas. One stop allowed us a day of sightseeing and gambling. I was in a casino playing blackjack. The dealer and another player were talking sports, mostly football. At some point the topic changed and Mr. Knowitall was telling the dealer all about Wimbledon and why this one had dominated and why this other one should think about retiring. I instantly thought, hey we are playing blackjack here, deal the cards a little faster. Who cares about tennis. But I never said anything. A few minutes later the subject went back … Continue reading Sometimes Keeping Your Mouth Shut Is A Good Thing