Category: The Construction Biz

Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, Kenny Lewis, My Friends, The Construction BizLeave a comment

He Got On That Harley And They Rode Away

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There were a couple of brothers sitting around visiting a few years ago. I’m not sure how or why it came up, but they were discussing a fellow contractor with whom they had know most of their lives. The younger brother said “did you hear about Ol Dan (not his actual name). I’m not sure his company will be around much longer. It seems he’s gone middle crazy. He bought a new Harley and left his wife. Last time the guys at his shop saw him he was headed out west on that motorcycle with a large breasted blond on … Continue reading He Got On That Harley And They Rode Away

Crazy Times, The Construction BizLeave a comment

A Little Nose Problem

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Jose Tobias had just arrived in this country from a far away land south of the border. We hired him to work on a crew. He was a little slow and I’m not taking about how he walked. Back in those days, a lot of us used Vicks Inhalers. A lot allergies and sinus problems and we tried everything for a little relief at certain times of the year. Jose had a stopped-up nose so when they went to the 7/11 one day he purchased his first Vicks Inhaler. He had seen me do it I guess he figured it … Continue reading A Little Nose Problem

Crazy Times, The Construction Biz, The Early DaysLeave a comment

Winfield, Me and the Capitol National Bank

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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 Winfield, Me and the Capitol National Bank

Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, In and Around Austin, My Friends, The Construction Biz4 Comments

Winfield’s Trip To Jail

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Winfield was a guy a grade ahead of me at Marble Falls High School. He had the reputation of doing wild and crazy things. We ran around together some, but weren’t constant companions in our school days. He was extremely intelligent, but lacking in the common sense department. After high school, he went off to college and became a C.P.A. I saw very little of Winfield throughout the 70s, as he was in Houston, carving out his niche in the accounting world. Sometime in the early 80s, I found out that Winfield was in Austin working for a small local … Continue reading Winfield’s Trip To Jail

Crazy Times, My Friends, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Don’t Just Follow The Crowd

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Back in the high flying times of the 1980s, there were several of my contractor friends that enjoyed going to Las Vegas, as did I. There were about 10 or 12 couples this one particular weekend that all left Austin on Southwest Airlines together bound for a great fun filled weekend in Vegas. It was a flight that took us through Tucson, Az but we weren’t suppose to de-plane, just a short stop-over. It was a fun flight with a festive atmosphere. I never heard anything said that I thought was out of line. Just a lot of fun and … Continue reading Don’t Just Follow The Crowd

Amazing Things, My Friends, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and Musings1 Comment

The Two Minute Talk That Has Lasted Me A Lifetime

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Udo was of German descent. He had a coarseness about him, but an incredible refinement as well. He adapted to the situation he was in at the moment. When he retired after a long career in the excavation business, he sold me his office and yard, along with some heavy equipment and trucks. We lived across the street from he and his wife, so our visits were frequent. In retirement he moved from his lifetime hobby of flying planes, to flying helicopters. He would often fly me around to look at my projects. It helped him stay in touch with … Continue reading The Two Minute Talk That Has Lasted Me A Lifetime

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

The Old Holland Page Kenworth Truck

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When I was a small boy and would go visit the Holland Page Construction Yard. My greatest thrill of all was when we would go there and his big Kenworth Haul Truck was there dropping off or picking up a load. Below is a picture of a truck that looks so much like that old Kenworth. It was a 1940 model. It was retired in 1964, with 4.5 million miles on it. The same driver had picked it up at he factory and driven it every mile or so was the tale. His name was Mullins. I have no idea … Continue reading The Old Holland Page Kenworth Truck

Amazing Things, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

What Would Life Be Like If This Move Had Taken Place

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Back in 1963 or 1964 my dad was working for an old highway contractor in Austin. Holland Page, as a young man had started building Texas roads and highways when they were moving dirt with fresno’s and teams of mules. Mr. Page and Cecil Lewis developed a real liking for each other. We would go in with our dad to the office on Saturdays. We would prowl around the shop and yard area, which was about 4 blocks north of US 183 on North Lamar in Austin. Mr. Page would caution us about watching for rattlesnakes out in that jungle … Continue reading What Would Life Be Like If This Move Had Taken Place

Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, Kenny Lewis, The Construction Biz, The Early Days, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Impersonating My Brother

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For years Kenny and I sounded amazingly alike on the phone. We both have what I guess is a distinct Smithwick accent. I’m doubtful that Kenny ever took advantage of that. My wife admits to getting us confused a few times. Maybe she or Kenny can tell us if any of those conversations ever went hay-wire. If they did, I never heard about it. On the other hand, I can’t tell you how much confusion I caused by letting different ones think they were talking to Kenny when I was the one they were actually talking to. Our Grannie Ruby … Continue reading Impersonating My Brother

On The Job, The Construction Biz, The Early Days3 Comments

My Guy Friday

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A good old fellow that worked for me for several years in the 70s and 80s went by Friday. His name was Troy Hargraves. Lot of people told me he got the name Friday, because that was his favorite day. Friday was a steady hand. He knew the road and excavation business. He was an estimator mostly, but worked in several positions within the company during his time with us. He was very gruff sounding, but was the kindest and gentlest soul you ever would meet. All the guys out on the jobs loved to see Friday coming. He’d bring … Continue reading My Guy Friday