Twist & Turn

The summer of 63 had us spending part of the summer in Gatesville, Texas where Cec was working as a general superintendent for Holland Page Construction, installing a new sewer system all around town. The apartment we stayed in while in Gatesville that summer was really a duplex with another smaller unit that was directly above each lower unit. The upstairs had a set of stairs that you used that went up the outside, along the side. Very reminiscent of the way you went up to enter Doc Adam’s place on Gunsmoke. Kenny Jackson (or Big Kenny as most everyone … Continue reading Twist & Turn

Is It Possible That Neutrogena Broke Into My House?

When my Mother in Law moved in with us a while back, we had to move things around to accommodate the situation. One of those changes was me taking over a guest bathroom. Occasionally when people stay, toiletries will get left behind. Without divulging too much about myself, I’ll tell you I shave in the shower. I rigged up this shower with everything like I had in the master bath. A mirror and a small rack for toothpaste, tooth brush and razor. Somewhere along the way a tube of Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream showed up in the tray where … Continue reading Is It Possible That Neutrogena Broke Into My House?

The Race Was On

This is 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. Brown 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.However in the 1940’s Brown and Eula moved to California, the same as a lot of people did during that period of time. They operated laundries in and around Carpentaria, … Continue reading The Race Was On

Winterizing Your Pipes

Back in the 70s we lived in Houston for awhile. I would listen to a popular radio station of the day during the afternoon drive time just as many people did. I don’t remember the call letters but the 2 guys were Hudson and Harrigan. It was about this time of year. One said “Well it’s about time to think about winterizing your pipes with the cold weather coming”. Other one said “How do you go about that”? “Here’s what I do. I save up my newspapers and when it comes about this time of year I’ll wrap up my … Continue reading Winterizing Your Pipes

The Quandary

I was late to the party on watching Breaking Bad. I started watching it after the series ended. Then I binge watched the whole thing in a matter of a few days. I can’t for the life of me tell you what sucked me into that show. It’s certainly in no way connected to my real life. Far from it. The premise is nothing that I should have enjoyed. Someone recommended it and my wife and I decided to watch it, probably close to 9 or 10 years ago. The spin-off, Better Call Saul, never struck me as something I’d … Continue reading The Quandary

A First For Me – Getting a call from a computer.

This was several years ago. Of course I think about half the calls I get nowadays are from a computer. I received a phone call from the 210 area code. A number I didn’t recognize, but took the call anyway. The girl introduced herself as Gracie (didn’t catch the last name) with Healthcare Services. We exchanged pleasantries. “How is your day going?” “Fine and how is yours”? Then she launches into how she would like to help me save some money on my health insurance. Of course she was talking so fast, never taking a breath that I couldn’t explain … Continue reading A First For Me – Getting a call from a computer.

This Is The Spicewood Home Demonstration Club Cookbook circa Early 1960s

While there are many delicious recipes in this book, I am concentrating on the advertising that was contained within. There were business from Marble Falls, Burnet, Johnson City, Lampasas and Austin that many of us grew up with. This cookbook was most likely purchased by my Grandmother, Leona Lewis or her sister Mandy Lewis and given to their sister Rose Anderson, who resided down in Bastrop County. Rose’s daughter, Kathy Anderson Strittmatter sent it to me, knowing how much that I and many on The Angora Chronicles enjoy looking back on our past. Thank you very much Kathy. Continue reading This Is The Spicewood Home Demonstration Club Cookbook circa Early 1960s

Austin Radio People & My Friend Sonny

Bob Cole and Sammy Allred where the duo that probably stayed together the longest, at least to my memory. Of course there was Jim W W Travis at KVET for a long time. Tom Allen was a fixture. There were many that came through there over the years. Jerry Gee. Penny Reeves. Arlie Duff was at KOKE and moved to KVET for a while before he retired or moved on. The list is pretty long. A lessor known and remembered DJ at KVET was Sonny Butler. He was a night man a lot of the time and filled in in … Continue reading Austin Radio People & My Friend Sonny

One Thing That Shouldn’t Be Said During Church

I had a good friend that was a steady church goer. When they got to the prayers and concerns portion of the service this friend stood up ask for prayers for this fellow out in West Texas. The West Texas fellow was the father of this friend of mine’s grandson. A divorce had caused a lot of consternation between each side. Back to the church house that day: He said, if old (what’s his name) doesn’t watch himself, “I’m going to drive out to West Texas and shoot him”. Now taking that this was a very small church 4 or … Continue reading One Thing That Shouldn’t Be Said During Church