Category: Crazy Times

Crazy Times, No Place Like Bertram, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Back in the 90s – When a City Boy Moved to the Country

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Not so very long after we bought our place here in Bertram, I went up to a local used tractor dealer and made a deal for a Poppin Johnny Tractor. It was well past being worn out, but I more wanted something to play around with and work on occasionally. It was a John Deere “G”. I had grown up around one like it and loved the sound of it starting up and then listening to its unique sound of that 2 cylinder engine. The fellow I bought it from had done a good job of giving it a new … Continue reading Back in the 90s – When a City Boy Moved to the Country

Crazy Times, Kenny Lewis, Meeting New People, The Early Days1 Comment

The Guy Had An Accident. Perhaps You Could Say He Had Two.

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This happened back in the winter of 1981 – 1982. It was a cold evening. I remember when this happened the same way I mark time for so much of my life. By what vehicle I was driving. It was 3/4 ton Chevrolet long bed, crew cab, a 1982 model. Chevrolet had just started making a 6.2 liter Diesel engine for their pickups. It was advertised to be the greatest advance in power that had ever been. I had to have one. I found one. I didn’t care what color it was or where I had to go to get … Continue reading The Guy Had An Accident. Perhaps You Could Say He Had Two.

Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, My Friends, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

An LJ Henderson Memory

lewisotr

I was about 10 years old. LJ was drilling a well for us in Smithwick. He got me off to the side to ask me a few questions. “When your daddy goes fishing, what kind of bait does he use“?I was more than willing to tell him my daddy didn’t use, bait. He used a telephone to fish with. He got me to tell him exactly how it was done and how many fish they would get each time. About that time he reached in his pocket a flashed something, real fast, saying “you see this badge, I’m an undercover … Continue reading An LJ Henderson Memory

Aging, Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, The Construction Biz, The Early Days, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Connecting The Dots After 43 Years

lewisotr

I received a text from a fellow I know this morning. He sent me a picture of one of my business cards. It was a card from sometime prior to 1985. That is when I sold my office on Montopolis Drive and moved on with a new address. So that’s how I knew how old the card was. He found it taped to the wall in a house he had recently purchased. Out of curiosity I ask where the house was, thinking that I may know the person that lived there. As soon as he told me which house it … Continue reading Connecting The Dots After 43 Years

Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, In and Around AustinLeave a comment

Capitol National Bank and a Slight Misunderstanding

lewisotr

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

Crazy Times, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The PreCast Concrete Venture That Exposed Me To A Ponzi Scheme

lewisotr

The year was 1991. I had spent 20 years digging ditches and I thought enough is enough. The economy was in the crapper. The great real estate boom of the 80s was over and all the big water and wastewater lines had been constructed to the far reaches of the city and beyond in Austin. The future didn’t look so swell for our business. I needed a break. I thought it was time for some new scenery, so to speak. I had two groups of employees by that time. The old and the new. It was time for the old … Continue reading The PreCast Concrete Venture That Exposed Me To A Ponzi Scheme

Aging, Another Daily Happening, Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Coach, now here’s the reason I will be your choice for the best pass receiver.

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I have a great pair of hands. I’ve got this and I’ll work harder than anyone else on the team. I have great speed and agility. In past years Coach, we haven’t had that one player that can put points on the board. If we aren’t scoring we aren’t winning. I understand that I haven’t played Wide Receiver in past years. But I’ve finally grown into the position. Just give me a shot Coach. I am your man!! I won’t let you down. I could feel that I was reaching Coach, like I’d never done before. Maybe he is desperate, … Continue reading Coach, now here’s the reason I will be your choice for the best pass receiver.

Aging, Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

My Bald Spot

lewisotr

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