2J’s

The talk in Austin always seems to make its way to 2J’s. Ok, I did a little digging and found out where the name 2J’s came from. Here goes: There was a Methodist Minister that came to Austin, became an Executive Assistant to Texas Governor James V Allred back in the 30s. His name was Patrick Moreland. He later got in the restaurant business, opening 2J’s.He had 2 very good friends, Jim Collins & Jim Hasslocker, so he named it after them,the first initial of each ones given name. Couple of other facts. Jim Hasslocker was the owner and namesake … Continue reading 2J’s

Big Gil – An Austin Legend

I can’t say I really knew him, but would see him at Jim’s Coffee Shop on Ben White at I-35 often. He was truly an imposing fellow. He seemed like such a genteel gentleman.Depending on the source, he was either born in 1918 or 1919 and he was either 6’8″ or 6’10” tall. I know his hands were huge and he had a very long reach. I’m not sure what his boxing record was. He appeared to be a man of means and always dress immaculately. He would drive up in his Cadillac sedan. As he would start to get … Continue reading Big Gil – An Austin Legend

The Goodnight Motel – Established in 1941.

South Congress Ave. (old US 81)Austin, Texas It is now known as Classic Inn. It has the same general look as the old Goodnight Motel. This sounds like a cozy name for a motel. When you think of a motel, you think about getting a good-night of sleep. The owners name was Goodnight. Charles Goodnight. (He is pictured in the 5th frame) Throughout the years there are often mentions of Charles Goodnight and the motel and eatery next door, Hill’s Cafe, being a part of the Cattle Driver Charlie Goodnight’s Family. That all makes sense, as in the wording in … Continue reading The Goodnight Motel – Established in 1941.

Old Lumber Company Ranch Gates

Remember back when most ranch gates were made like the one in this picture. They all became roadside advertisements for the lumber company they came from. They were call “Can’t Sag Gates“. Maybe they should have been called “The Warp Like A Son Of Gun Gate“. Ronnie Lewis and Kenny Lewis in about 1955 Continue reading Old Lumber Company Ranch Gates

The Gifts That Mean The Most

I am a little sentimental about gifts that my grandkids give me, even more so of things my sons made or bought for me when they were small. One gift that dates back over 40 years, that I count as one of my most treasured possessions. It stayed out on my dresser for years, but somewhere along the way it got put in my sock drawer and remains there to this day. Most people would look at this prized possession and wonder why I have it in my sock drawer. The answer is simple. It was a gift this one … Continue reading The Gifts That Mean The Most

The Patience Of Job (like in the Bible)

I’m not professing to be a biblical figure, but always hearing that saying seemed relevant to this odyssey I’ve been on for over four months, while trying to get my sickly truck running. THE STORY I hired a young man to make what I thought was probably a simple and straightforward mechanical repair. But it turned out to be anything but. The last thing I’d ever want to do is harm this young man’s reputation. He seems like a very nice and knowledgeable person. I have told him it’s never my intention to leave a bad review, but it would … Continue reading The Patience Of Job (like in the Bible)

Marshall Ford, Texas

Marshall Ford is where the Mansfield Dam is built on the Colorado River of Texas. Below are a couple of submissions I made a while back to Texas Bridges & Crossings – History https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrm16 More about Mansfield Dam https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_Dam My dad was one of the workers on the Mansfield Dam Project. Continue reading Marshall Ford, Texas

Back When I Used to Go Visit The Gynecologist

Don’t let the title confuse you. I didn’t have a sex change procedure or anything like that. In fact back then, I don’t think I’d ever heard of such a thing. It was about 1986. I had a big project one time in Southwest Austin that took me though the property of a well known Austin doctor of female parts. I guess after what he had been looking at all day, a nice trip out on his farm was something he deserved. He would want me to show him what we were doing and explain how we were we going … Continue reading Back When I Used to Go Visit The Gynecologist

Long Distance Calls

The younger folks probably have a hard time grasping that a call from Marble Falls and Burnet was long distance, and it cost money. In the early to mid 1960s we would listen to the radio station out of Burnet. Big Jimmy Palmer got in a habit of calling up to the radio station for contests they were running and to request songs to be played. He got carried away with it and ran up a pretty good phone bill, at least for those times. I’ll tell you for sure that Hannah Cox, his momma laid into him. I don’t … Continue reading Long Distance Calls

I Don’t Even Know Where To Start With This

From my previous writings, I’m sure most of you have figured out that I go off half cocked at times and do things that create my own problems. But I’m as innocent as a newborn bunny rabbit in this deal. As many of you know, my wife’s mother, who turned 92 a month ago lives with us, as she has alzheimer’s. She is still very mobile, as any 92 year old can be. She is healthy, always has a great appetite and is generally very happy. Her daughter, who is “Her Friend” is extremely attentive to her and is so … Continue reading I Don’t Even Know Where To Start With This