Category: Crazy Times

Another Daily Happening, Crazy Times, On The Job, The Construction BizLeave a comment

Rosalinda

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John has been good friend of mine for a very long time. After the following story we have remained friends, which is surprising. This took place back in the late 1980s. We were working on a big project in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. It was a really tough job in one of the roughest areas of one the most crime ridden cities at that time. Everything was a disaster. We had to keep a sense of humor about it, keep the mood light or we couldn’t have endured. We both lived back in Austin so frequently flew on … Continue reading Rosalinda

Crazy Times, In and Around Austin, On The Job, The Construction Biz, The Early DaysLeave a comment

Then and Now

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I graduated from high school in May 1970. By the fall of 70 I went to work in the underground utility industry. I believe I was earning around $3.00 per hour. Considering the minimum wage back then was $1.60, I was doing pretty well. A top operator was paid $3.75 per hour. By late spring of 1972, I had learned enough about the business, plus what I had picked up being around trucks and machinery my whole life, I subcontracted my first water line installation project in Burnet, Texas. I had a crew of 4 or 5 people including myself. … Continue reading Then and Now

Another Daily Happening, Crazy Times, Smithwick, The Early DaysLeave a comment

Opening Day Of Deer Season

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I was probably no older than 13, but maybe 14. At least old enough to drive myself down in the pasture to kill a deer. We had company in from California. My mother’s youngest sister and her husband. Knowing I’d have better luck if I went across the fence that bordered us to the west. That was LCRA Property. There was no hunting allowed on the LCRA. To young boys, especially sons of Cecil Lewis, there were certain rules that we didn’t abide by. Especially that one. Either those same deer had just left our property or would be crossing … Continue reading Opening Day Of Deer Season

Construction, Crazy Times, On The JobLeave a comment

The Devastation Caused By Zebra Mussels

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Seeing a recent kvue article (link below) about the growing Zebra Mussel problem in several area lakes brought back memories from the winter of 2011-2012 when our company was awarded a large contract to clean up a water line up on the northern border of Texas at Lake Texoma. That was the first recognized Zebra Mussel infestation to reach Texas. Our contract was comprised of building appurtenances that allowed a huge rubber pig (a large cylindrical apparatus with an abrasive coating) that could be inserted in the lake end of an eleven mile six foot diameter water line. This would … Continue reading The Devastation Caused By Zebra Mussels

Crazy Times, Old Dog - New Trick, On The JobLeave a comment

The PreCast Concrete Venture That Exposed Me To A Ponzi Scheme

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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

Crazy Times, Smithwick, The Early Days3 Comments

The Race Was On

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The story of one of the greatest car races ever held in Smithwick. His name was Curtis “Brown” Parker. Brown Parker was how he was known. He was the person my Dad looked up to more, maybe than anyone else. Brown was several years older that Cecil Lewis. I believe that Brown help him become a man in more ways than one in his early days in Smithwick, Texas. In the 1940s Brown and Eula left Smithwick and moved to California, the same as a lot of people did during that period of time. They operated laundries in and around … Continue reading The Race Was On

Crazy TimesLeave a comment

My Crooked Nose

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I earned my crooked nose. It took me a long time to learn what to do to keep from getting punched in the nose. It was mostly all about keeping my mouth shut at the right time. Back in the mid 70s we were doing a project on the east side of Houston. At I-10 and Federal Rd. to be exact. The job keep me later than usual so well after dark I found myself standing at a pay phone outside of Jim’s Coffee Shop on Federal Road, probably letting Madeline know to not wait dinner on me. At the … Continue reading My Crooked Nose

Crazy TimesLeave a comment

My Nose Job

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I have always had a big nose by just about anyone’s estimation. I won’t declare that I’ve worn it with pride, but what’s a feller to do. It’s a good conversation piece with my grandkids. I’m glad I don’t get my feeling hurt easily. You know those little rascals can be mighty direct sometimes. Once when when I went to have lunch with my grandson Nathan when he was in Kindergarten, and he’s been out of school for a few years now, a little boy sitting across the table says “Mister, you got a really big nose“. It had very … Continue reading My Nose Job

Crazy Times, In and Around Austin2 Comments

The Ice Storm That Completely Paralyzed Austin

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In the early part of 1973, I believe it was January 8th – 10th, it begin to rain and the temperatures dipped into the teens in Austin where we lived, and all around Central Texas. During a two to three day period it was impossible for cars to drive. The vehicles were not equipped for it. The city, county and state governments were ill-prepared to handle those road conditions. Weather forecasting was a hit and miss proposition back in those days, so everyone was caught mostly off guard. Almost everyone was forced to stay right where they were when it … Continue reading The Ice Storm That Completely Paralyzed Austin

Crazy Times, The Early DaysLeave a comment

The GM Executive Coach – The Money Pit

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I had always loved these motorhomes. My neighbor, Udo Haufler had one for a few years. They were only produced for 5 years in the 70’s. The oil embargo hit and people’s buying habits changed for several years and General Motors decided they needed to concentrate on things other than a cool looking motorhome. They were made from a lot of aluminum and fiberglass so weight wise they were great. They had been designed around the Oldsmobile Tornado engine and front wheel drive setup. They never had the power needed in my opinion. I knew all of this but bought … Continue reading The GM Executive Coach – The Money Pit