Santa Comes to Dripping Springs

We had moved to Dripping Springs in the mid 80’s. It was a great place to raise kids. Life was really wonderful. Madeline was able to find something to occupy her time with every second of every day. And night. All of the little angels were involved in sports and a variety of other activities. We had an active church life with a great church family. Madeline was the Den Mother for the younger boys. It was Christmas time and we were hosting a party out at our place. Bunch of little Cub Scouts everywhere. Madeline could talk my brother … Continue reading Santa Comes to Dripping Springs

Hauling A Parsons Ladder Trencher

Back in 1970, not too long after I graduated from high school, I was driving a truck for Nelson Lewis, hauling equipment all over the state. I remember being dispatched to Devine, Texas to haul a Parsons Trencher from there over to Port Lavaca. It was a trip of around 200 miles, maybe more with weaving my way down through the many little south Texas towns. This was before any big highways were built. Those towns were connected with Farm to Market Roads and a few State Highways. I got to Devine late in the afternoon one day, loaded the … Continue reading Hauling A Parsons Ladder Trencher

My Wildest Trucking Story

I was driving a truck for Nelson Lewis hauling equipment around the state, in the later part of 1970. I was 18 years old. I was driving a 1967 GMC 9500 “B Cab”, I think it was. I don’t think the truck collectors/restoration folks are seeking out these beauties. I had worked on a job-site in Burnet all day, but needed to be in Port Lavaca the following morning. There was an Inley Excavator (or a Trackhoe as we called them) there that needed to go up to Lake Jackson, further up the coast toward Galveston. Having a chance to … Continue reading My Wildest Trucking Story

An LJ Henderson Memory

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

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

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

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.

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