Category: Amazing Things

Amazing Things, My Friends, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Never Assume The Best Mousetrap Has Already Been Invented

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Ryan was probably the more studious of the two brothers. Roy was the more sociable. There was a third brother by the name of Ricky. He was in the middle by age and there was a younger sister, Monica. But Ryan and Roy were the two that I was the most familiar with. Ryan was the same age as my oldest son Matt . Roy and my second son Mike were in the same grade. They went to school together for about six years in Dripping Springs. Ryan and Matt were pretty much alike both having more reserved personalities. They … Continue reading Never Assume The Best Mousetrap Has Already Been Invented

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, Smithwick, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

A Thanksgiving Feast With Charlie & Minnie

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Charlie and Minnie were an old couple I’ve written about a lot over the years. They showed up in Smithwick ready to campout down by the river but ended up staying in the Old House, as we called it. This was where my grandparents, Theron & Leona had lived before his passing, and the house where all the Smithwick Lewis Clan had resided for decades. Minnie wasn’t a tidy housekeeper by anyone’s estimation. I guess living in an old farmhouse without a screen door would make it hard to keep things clean. Especially if you had a strong penchant for … Continue reading A Thanksgiving Feast With Charlie & Minnie

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

LBJ was a unique piece of work

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I had a fellow tell me about this barber we both know in Austin that got a call one time summoning him to cut LBJ’s hair. When it came time to settle up, he was told that he shouldn’t charge for his services, because cutting the Presidents hair was an honor. Well that was the one and only haircut that Lyndon got off of him. That story reminded me of the following happening: I went down to the LBJ Library and got them to run me a copy to cassettes of all of Lyndon’s phone calls while he was in … Continue reading LBJ was a unique piece of work

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, In and Around Austin, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

LoVaca Gathering Company and Oscar Wyatt

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Seems like in the mid 1970s, no name was mentioned more often on the Austin News than Oscar Wyatt and LoVaca Gathering. Below is an excerpt from a much longer article about Austin’s Energy woes.(The full link at the bottom) Natural Gas Shortages – Ironically, one of the most instrumental people to inspire Austin’s renowned energy-efficiency programs was a colorful and somewhat ruthless oil and gas magnate named Oscar Wyatt.  Though he had a noble side to him – a rags-to-riches tycoon, who at various times in his life acted as a selfless patriot – during the 1970s, he became one of … Continue reading LoVaca Gathering Company and Oscar Wyatt

Amazing ThingsLeave a comment

The Amazing Story of Henry Purl “Okra” Compton

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Once Again its Veterans Day. A Time For Red Poppies And To Honor Those That Were Lost Serving, To Keep Us Free. An amusing story about a young boy that came to be known as Okra, how he went off to war without a gun and how Georgetown, Texas became the Red Poppy Capital of Texas. Georgetown’s 2021 Poppy Festival Click to access Son-of-WWI-Soldier-Tells-How-Red-Poppies-Came-to-Georgetown.pdf Continue reading The Amazing Story of Henry Purl “Okra” Compton

Amazing Things, The Jollyville Years, Thoughts and Musings8 Comments

Pond Springs School In Jollyville

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I attended a three room school in Jollyville for my first 7 years. First – Third in one room. Forth – Sixth in another. Seventh & Eighth in the other. By the time I got to the 7th grade there were only 2 grades per room with the 8th grade being eliminated (sent on to Round Rock) and the 7th grade was moved into the Principal’s office. It was a big Principal’s office, but it doubled as the mimeograph room, the ice cream store and storage too. (Picture included below) More on the ice cream store at a later date. … Continue reading Pond Springs School In Jollyville