Category: Crazy Times

Crazy Times, In and Around Austin, On The Job, The Construction Biz2 Comments

An Unfortunate Incident While Blasting Rock

lewisotr

Back in 1975 we were putting in wastewater lines to serve newly incorporated areas of Austin that had previously been on septic tanks. This was up in the area around North Lamar between Rutland Dr. & Braker Ln. One of the lines followed a creek that crosses Sagebrush Ln. about a block west of N. Lamar. Just before it reached the next street which was Neans Dr., it came up out of the creek and headed out into the streets as it continued on south. This meant it ran in an easement between two houses. It was a very narrow … Continue reading An Unfortunate Incident While Blasting Rock

Crazy Times, Funny HappeningsLeave a comment

The Break-In

lewisotr

I called her Grannie or Ruby Lee. Either was fine with her. She lived in north central Austin on a short street, just off of Burnet Road, up in the 5500 block. As an adult running around Austin in the construction business if I was anywhere close to her neighborhood I would drop in. That is if I had time to kill. There were no short visits with her. She always had a lot to say. The only thing that would stop most of the talking was when the Price is Right came on. I’ll never know how anyone could … Continue reading The Break-In

Crazy Times, Funny HappeningsLeave a comment

What Works In Texas May Not Work In Other Places

lewisotr

A few years ago several members of the Lewis family traveled to San Diego, California to attend the Marine Recruit Training Graduation of one of our sons. We were staying in a hotel not far from the Marine Base. Some of us walked down to a restaurant a block or so from the hotel to get something to eat. I remember the service not being all that good, especially when it came to paying the bill. Finally I stuck a $100 bill under the check (it was enough to cover the bill and tip) and we left. Most of us … Continue reading What Works In Texas May Not Work In Other Places

Crazy Times, My FriendsLeave a comment

The Legend of Stallion Estates

lewisotr

This is one of those stories that may take longer to tell than many of you have patience for. I’ll try to be as brief as possible, yet still giving you the essence of what happened. About 10 years ago, I needed to see my spine surgeon in San Antonio. Tommy Houy rode along. He remembered that he had recently spoken to a fellow down that way that had an old Plymouth for sale. Anyone that knows Tommy understands about his affinity for anything MOPAR. He found the guys number and called him as we left San Antonio. They arraigned … Continue reading The Legend of Stallion Estates

Construction, Crazy Times, The Construction BizLeave a comment

Just One More Accident

lewisotr

I had a new gold and beige colored crew cab Chevrolet. It was a beautiful truck. It had everything imaginable on it. This was in the mid 1980s. It still had paper tags on it. I pulled up in front and center at Holt Caterpillar in Austin one morning. Just as I reached the front door I heard a crash. I looked around to see a one ton welders truck had backed into the drivers door. As I got closer I saw that he had a pair of fork lift forks on the bed of his truck. They extended over … Continue reading Just One More Accident

Cecil Lewis, Crazy Times, Marble Falls and the Area Around it., Old Dog - New Trick, The Construction Biz2 Comments

Eating Foods You Hate

lewisotr

When I was about 13 years old, on a hot summer day Cec took me to a John Deere Front End Loader on the top of Taylor Mountain, as we always called it. From up there you could see Marble Falls, because you were up there looking down across the town. It was far into the distance. I was clearing off brush on several lots and then leveling them up for future house site. It was early in the morning when he dropped me and I didn’t think about taking a jug of water. When noon rolled around I had … Continue reading Eating Foods You Hate

Crazy Times, Kenny Lewis, SmithwickLeave a comment

Ride With Me To Austin And I’ll Take You Back To Smithwick Tomorrow

lewisotr

Once Kenny and I were fooling around doing God only knows what one Saturday in Smithwick. I was living in Austin and Kenny was at a “flexible stage” in his life. I’m referring to when he was blowing in the wind, unattached. At some point something happened and it became necessary for us to go Austin. He wanted to go get his pickup, but knowing it was going to take up valuable time, I said “come on and ride with me and I can drive you back up to Smithwick tomorrow”. He agreed and we spent the night at my … Continue reading Ride With Me To Austin And I’ll Take You Back To Smithwick Tomorrow

Amazing Things, Construction, Crazy Times, On The Job, The Construction BizLeave a comment

The Day The Dollar General Truck Caused Chaos

lewisotr

Once when we were working on the Inks Dam anchoring project there were many obstacles to overcome everyday. There was one day when the stars aligned and it appeared we would have a banner day of pouring concrete. We ordered up 2 huge concrete pump trucks that were capable of sending concrete all the way across the length of the dam. They came out of San Antonio, at a hefty price for mobilization. We had a huge team of finishers that we had hired out of Austin to help place and finish the concrete. The concrete was batched out of … Continue reading The Day The Dollar General Truck Caused Chaos

Crazy Times, The Early Days2 Comments

The Lemon Wedge

lewisotr

Some of the simple things that happen in life prove to be the most memorable.. The Country Road Restaurant was a good place to eat lunch. You’d go through the line and fill your plate. We ate there often, as it was close to our office. One day our accountant Woody, Kenny and I went there. A fellow sitting across the dining room from us was drinking tea from one of the large mouth ice tea glasses. It had a lemon wedge on the lip of the glass. This fellow continued wearing his cap, with it pulled down low on … Continue reading The Lemon Wedge

Amazing Things, Crazy Times2 Comments

Lewis I Thought You Cheated

lewisotr

This is another strange happening, like many other things in my life, that sure wasn’t scripted. I just happened. It was in my Sophomore year. We were still in the old building at Marble Falls and didn’t move to the new high school until midterm of that year. The teacher was Mr. Blanton. The subject was geometry. Since I seldom paid any attention to what was happening as it concerned the learning aspect of school, I became bogged down in that class in a hurry. I believe it was our first test of the year. As was my way of … Continue reading Lewis I Thought You Cheated