Author: lewisotr

One Hell Of A Guy, If I do say so myself.
Amazing Things, In and Around Austin, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Fossil Limestone Building Cladding

lewisotr

On many high rise buildings around Texas (and as far away as Washington DC) this type of stone cladding has been used. It’s fossilized appearance gives it a very distinctive look. It has been used for decades on schools, museums, office buildings and even the San Jacinto Monument. It is mostly referred to Cordova Fossil Stone (trade-name). It seems to be mostly all quarried out now, with other types of stone taking over. While it was a very unique stone, it tended to turn black in color over time, leaving a less than desirable appearance. (first photo) There were several … Continue reading Fossil Limestone Building Cladding

Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Someone asked, what’s going on…..

lewisotr

Actually quite a few people know what’s happening but if you happen to be one that doesn’t, I’ll just tell you. As you may have read, I’ve been asking questions lately about the young girl that died in Marble Falls back in 1965. Her name was Daynon Lewis. She was one of our classmates and we were in the 8th grade. she was a sweet innocent blond haired girl. We have had her death as a topic several times in past years. Not as a just a way to bring up the past, but something about the circumstances of her … Continue reading Someone asked, what’s going on…..

Smithwick, The History of TexasLeave a comment

The Faith Family

lewisotr

I had always heard of the Faith Family and knew there was a connection with them and Smithwick. Since they were all gone by the time I came along I never knew anything about them.I found this information online. There are references here to them operating a cotton gin in Smithwick and having members of both the Stinnett and Boultinghouse families (both of which I’m related on different sides of my family- R. Lewis) marrying into that family.It also gives a little insight into the old Jim Cox home that was across the street and where I spent many hours … Continue reading The Faith Family

Amazing Things, My Family, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Shopping For Great Gifts

lewisotr

Back in 1973 my wife was looking for the perfect gift for me for Christmas. She always shopped early, instead of waiting until the last minute. Usually she had everything wrapped up by the week after Thanksgiving. She looked and looked, going to every shopping mall in Austin. She thought, “it isn’t easy buying for the man that has everything”. I was 21 years old with lots of money to throw around (Cough…Cough…Cough) so I had a habit of buying whatever I wanted, leaving nothing for her to buy me. I don’t remember exactly what I received that year for … Continue reading Shopping For Great Gifts

My Family, Thoughts and Musings1 Comment

A Note From Maxine

lewisotr

RONNIE, I HOPE THAT YOU ARE MAKING A COPY OF EACH ONE OF THESE ARTICLES YOU ARE WRITING AND THAT COULD BE YOUR BOOK! YOUR LITTLE GRANDCHILDREN WILL NEVER READ THESE STORIES IF YOU DON’T. This was a note my Mother in Law sent me 10 years ago today, which was after just a few days of posting stories on the new Angora Chronicles. Now we turn the clock forward and Maxine lives here in Bertram with Madeline and me. I have done as she recommended and saved each and every story. While her memory isn’t as good as it … Continue reading A Note From Maxine

Amazing Things, My Family, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Cecil & Bonnie Gay Lewis

lewisotr

76 years ago today, my dad took my mother to be his wife. She was 15 years old. He was 23. Did she have any idea what was ahead for her? She passed away after 42 years of marriage, just short of turning 57 years of age. 4 years later he died at age 69. They spent their lifetime in Smithwick except for a little less than 9 years they lived at Jollyville, Texas – 1956 to 1965. They raised two knuckleheaded boys and then took on raising two adorable girls in what we call their second life of parenting. … Continue reading Cecil & Bonnie Gay Lewis

Amazing Things, Cecil Lewis, Crazy Times, The Jollyville Years, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

My Harvey Penick Story

lewisotr

This really isn’t about Harvey Penick per se, instead involves his daughter. I used his name because it will grab ahold of just about anyone that has ever played the game of golf or has connection to The University of Texas. Mr. Penick owed a ranch down the road from us when Kenny and I were growing up down on the creek out of Jollyville. It was his weekend get away, but at the time of this happening (1963/1964) his daughter was living there. She had a German Sheppard Dog and a Collie. Us being goat people, we had to … Continue reading My Harvey Penick Story

The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Fiberglass Manhole Salesman

lewisotr

There was company back in the 70s that started making lightweight wastewater manholes out of fiberglass. The place was down south of Houston. The product was excellent for the site conditions down in that part of the world. A very simple to use product. We laid our pipe straight on thru where a manhole went and kept going. The manholes were built for the exact height required and numbered so all we did was cut little doghouse doors where each pipe went. This was done with an abrasive wheel saw, that we call quickie saws. We could do all this … Continue reading The Fiberglass Manhole Salesman

Past Angora Chronicles Stories, The History of Texas, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Ready To Be Confused? Some Misunderstood Texas State Law

lewisotr

If you own cow and she get’s out on the highway and a car hits her, who is responsible? The landowner or the driver of the car? Does the landowner have a duty to maintain good fences to insure their livestock don’t get out? Is it a different argument if a gate is left open? No respectable cattleman would have bad fences or leave his gate open, but there is always that wild animal that is going to tear up every fence in sight. And there is the issue of the weekend rancher that isn’t sure what a good fence … Continue reading Ready To Be Confused? Some Misunderstood Texas State Law