Capitol National Bank and a Slight Misunderstanding

Back when my friend Winfield, the CPA, worked for me we were being courted by one of the big downtown Austin banks. Emory Thompson was the pitch man for The Capitol National Bank that would come by and try to get us bring our business to them. I knew him, his family had owned a big tire business that had sold and he went from being a tire salesman to being a money salesman. We had been doing business with a small local bank in north Austin, aptly named North Austin State Bank. They had done everything I’d ever wanted … Continue reading Capitol National Bank and a Slight Misunderstanding

Olin Sylvester’s Welding Shop

Olin Sylvester had a welding shop on 3rd Street in Marble Falls, just down below the Pool Hall. Olin had remarkable welding skills. Regardless of what we tore up on trucks and machinery, he could stick it back together. He was a hard worker and very steady at his craft. I didn’t know much about about him until it looked it up earlier. His mother was a Kinser. So it appears he had deep roots in Burnet County. I spent a lot of time at that welding shop, taking in pieces, picking them up as well as hanging around waiting … Continue reading Olin Sylvester’s Welding Shop

My Bald Spot

I was the President of a newly formed association that was to benefit the Underground Utilities Industry in the State of Texas. We were associated with the Nation Utility Contractors Association that was commonly known as the as NUCA. When we formed our state chapter in 1985, we adopted the clever acronym TUCA. With Austin being the hub of all things political in Texas we located our office there. I had some vacant office space in my building which was up on a rise overlooking downtown Austin. Back in those days the Capitol Building wasn’t obscured by all the tall … Continue reading My Bald Spot

The Rest Of The Trip To California

After eating the big ole hairy steak in Del Rio, Butch crawled back in the sleeper for some much needed rest. He had been on the road for several days straight. We were in his Cabover Kenworth that was powered by a 335 HP Cummins engine that was turn to something like an additional 100 HP. This truck was equipped with 4 x 4 transmission. Meaning it had 2 – 4 speed transmissions. To shift those transmissions you stuck your left arm through the steering wheel and shifted the front transmission while shifting the back one with your right hand. … Continue reading The Rest Of The Trip To California

My Mother In Law Has Been A Bad Influence On Me A Couple Of Times

I have professed that I have chosen to drink very little alcohol in my “adult life”. I think I’ve even said that it’s doubtful that any of my son’s have ever even seen me embarrass myself, at least from being … Continue reading My Mother In Law Has Been A Bad Influence On Me A Couple Of Times

I Feel Like My Life Is One Big Bundle Of Surprises

Yes I’m always surprised at what pops up around every corner, or so it seems. Some of those unexpected “surprises” are not good but most of the time they are something to enjoy. Having this forum I get to share much of this, the good and the bad with many of my friends.  I would love to tell you something that happened a couple of days ago. It involves one person that many in Marble Falls knows and that I’ve call a friend for well over a half century, probably around 55 years. This fellow is a few years older than … Continue reading I Feel Like My Life Is One Big Bundle Of Surprises