Author: lewisotr

One Hell Of A Guy, If I do say so myself.
Smithwick, The Early Days, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Salt Cedar Switch

lewisotr

I scarcely ever see a salt cedar tree anymore. As a small child there was one growing off the edge of the sleeping porch at my grandparents house. In fact that’s about the only one I ever remember. I saw one a while back down along the river by the lower end of The Santa Elena Canyon at Big Bend. It made me remember why I was so well behaved as a youngun. Just the threat of “Ronnie Gene do I need to go cut a switch off that salt cedar” would get me in line. I’m doubtful that there … Continue reading The Salt Cedar Switch

Cecil Lewis, Thoughts and Musings3 Comments

Cecil Lewis, The One And Only

lewisotr

When I’ve told stories about my Dad, I’m always hopeful that I don’t give the impression that Cecil Lewis was only an outlaw or something. He kinda was, but what can I say, he was Cecil Lewis. Truly a one of a kind. If he liked you he’d do anything for you, if he didn’t like you, he’d still do anything for you. He was liked by most people, respected by many but people knew to give him a wide berth. I owe much of my success to him. Not only in the things he taught me to do, but … Continue reading Cecil Lewis, The One And Only

Aging, Amazing Things, Crazy Times, My Family, The Early Days, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Wine Making Kits

lewisotr

Back in the early years of our marriage, before we had so many kids, Christmas shopping was something we enjoyed doing together. Of course after a few years and five sons our shopping habits all changed and I would stay home and Madeline would mostly go it alone. In those early days finding the perfect gift wasn’t always easy when shopping for our fathers. It was hard buying for them and staying within our budget. Nothing frivolous for either, they just weren’t that type. They were men of substance and practicality. At the mall at one of the department stores … Continue reading The Wine Making Kits

Kenny Lewis, Thoughts and Musings, Uncategorized1 Comment

A Bank Just For Women

lewisotr

One day in the 80s Kenny was driving and I was the passenger. That’s generally the way we have always have traveled. Who needs to listen to a bunch of belly-aching about my driving? Not me. So I didn’t have to watch the road and see what he was about the crash into, I decided to read the newspaper. There was a story that I found intriguing. It was about this new bank they were opening in Austin and they were only going to have women customers. Relating the story to Kenny got him all stirred up. “This Women’s Lib … Continue reading A Bank Just For Women

The Construction Biz, The Early Days, Thoughts and Musings2 Comments

It’s Strange The Things We Remember

lewisotr

It’s been almost 45 years ago that I walked into G & L Stationeers on South Congress. The year was 1977. They were in a building just north of where the Night Hawk Restaurant was at So. Congress & Riverside Drive in Austin. I had decided it was time to put a distinctive mark on my company. They had a graphics designer that worked with me to make a company Logo. I still remember his name, Duane Kelly. In just a few minutes he was putting the finishing touches on the big LC that would grace our new sign out … Continue reading It’s Strange The Things We Remember

Amazing Things, My Friends, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Difficulties Growing Up A Black Kid In Today’s World

lewisotr

As hard as it is growing up in this world for teens now, it has to be so much harder for black youth, especially in any of the large urban areas. I often think back to a half dozen black kids I befriended in the Oak Cliff in the late 1980s while doing a job there. I’ve written before about them; Freddy, Herman, Terry and the others names escape me just now. I would load them up in my suburban, after checking with their mother, grandmother or other guardian, (always a female – never remember even one of them having … Continue reading The Difficulties Growing Up A Black Kid In Today’s World

Crazy Times, Kenny LewisLeave a comment

The Rear Ender

lewisotr

Being Kenny’s Passenger Can Leave A Feller Hung Out To Dry Sometimes. It wasn’t so long ago, maybe a couple of years back, that Kenny and I went up south of Dallas to look at a piece of equipment he was considering buying. We went through and picked up Ken Akins, out east of Waco on our way up. We had a nice visit that was mostly uneventful, except we exchanged lots of stories. After dropping Ken back at his house we came on south and had to get off to take care of a little business up north of … Continue reading The Rear Ender

Another Daily Happening, Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, Thoughts and Musings3 Comments

Help Me, I Think I’m Having A Heart Attack

lewisotr

It’s beyond annoying, the number of calls I’ve gotten recently. I had a call blocker on my phone that weeded out all unknown numbers. But for the past few days I turned that feature off. I’ve been trying to schedule appointments with my spine surgeon, MRI, and pain management doctors and didn’t want to miss any calls. I think on average my phone rings 2 dozen times a day and on the other end will be someone lacking a complete ability to speak English. My name is evidently very difficult for these people to pronounce. Once I hear them I … Continue reading Help Me, I Think I’m Having A Heart Attack

Amazing Things, My Friends, The Construction Biz, The Early Days, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

My Friend And Mentor Dave

lewisotr

I first got to know Dave in 1972. He was a successful underground utility contractor and very well respected in the business. His office was located in Lubbock. Dave was my mentor, someone I could learn from. I figured if I watch him and handle my business like he did, I surely be successful. My first subcontract was working for him installing water lines in Burnet, Texas. It was actually more complicated than that. I was a sub to another sub that subcontracted to Dave’s company. That happens in our business a lot. Ok if you aren’t too confused I’ll … Continue reading My Friend And Mentor Dave

Aging, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Narcoleptic Motorcycle Rider

lewisotr

I think there are certain things that come naturally but good judgement comes with experience. I owned a Honda Goldwing for about 12 or 13 years but I sold it a couple of years or so back. I had plans, strictly in my head of getting off and touring the whole country on that bike. I even saw myself going up to Alaska. I just never got around to it and it wasn’t because I couldn’t find the time. Something kept telling me there was a better way for me to spend my time. I only took one long trip … Continue reading The Narcoleptic Motorcycle Rider