Category: Thoughts and Musings

The Early Days, The Jollyville Years, Thoughts and Musings2 Comments

May Day Celebrations

lewisotr

I had all but forgotten an annual celebration that we did back when I was a kid in elementary school. The May Day Celebration and the May Pole Dance. It may still be something that is recognized and I’ve just missed out on it. Or did the separation of church and state put a lid on it? We didn’t erect a maypole back at Pond Springs School in Jollyville. We just used the flagpole. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maypole http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day Continue reading May Day Celebrations

The Early Days, The History of Texas, Thoughts and Musings3 Comments

A Little Bit About Cattle Auctions

lewisotr

I was once researching livestock auctions and when the actual concept of a ring with auctioneers started. While there were some used in the 50s (maybe as early as the 40s) it appears that it mostly became a widespread way of selling cattle and other stock in the early 60s. Prior to that, the Livestock Commission was mostly a place to bring sellers and buyers to a central location where they would get together and strike a deal. Then the house would weigh and facilitate the transaction and collect their fee. If anyone has knowledge about or if you actually … Continue reading A Little Bit About Cattle Auctions

Amazing Things, Smithwick, The Early Days, Thoughts and Musings2 Comments

Early Boyhood Memories

lewisotr

The Old Oak Tree at my grandmothers house along the highway in Smithwick (we lived in that house until I turned 4) that we played under and climbed in when we were kids. There were always at least a half dozen well made toy trucks and equipment, all constructed from metal that made their home under this marvelous tree. The Old Crib and Pens down behind the house. It is very weathered, considering it hasn’t been used or had any upkeep in more than 50 years. It was several decades old when I was a kid, for it to still … Continue reading Early Boyhood Memories

Smithwick, Thoughts and Musings3 Comments

Old Man Cardwell

lewisotr

When we were young, preteen years for me, we went all over Smithwick horseback. Mostly it was Kenny, Jimmy Palmer, Glenn Lewis and me, but sometimes others in the community joined in. Everett and Maude Jackson had the little store beside the road just below the cemetery. The store had really limited fare. Mostly snacks and soda pops. I don’t remember them having very many perishables. Maybe a little stuff in a small refrigerator. For sure there were soda crackers and Vienna Sausages. Across the highway from the store and down the creek a little ways was a little shack … Continue reading Old Man Cardwell

The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Bureaucratic Red Tape

lewisotr

Several years ago we contracted with a developer and the City of Georgetown to install a large wastewater line that paralleled the South San Gabriel River heading west out of Georgetown. The project was extremely challenging. It was for a 36″ diameter pipe, that was at depths between 35′ to 40′ deep in solid rock for the whole length of approximately 7 miles. The first property we crossed was still owned by the Wolf Family, hence the naming of Wolf Ranch Shopping Complex at Hwy 29 at I-35. I knew one of the Wolf family members and made it through … Continue reading Bureaucratic Red Tape

Amazing Things, Smithwick, Thoughts and Musings4 Comments

Leona May Purcell Lewis

lewisotr

She was known by many names. Leona, Nonie, Aunt Nonie, Maw-Maw, which turned into Maw-Maw Nonie to Kenny and me somewhere along the way. She had a nickname that her Daddy called her by. She and I spent a lifetime of me asking her what it was and her telling me I’d never find out. In her later years I was talking to one of her sisters and posed a question in such a way that she blurted out the name. When I got back to her, I called her by that name. She was surprised that I’d found out. … Continue reading Leona May Purcell Lewis

Thoughts and Musings1 Comment

The Morning The Challenger Blew Up

lewisotr

January 28, 1986 I stopped by my Grannie Ruby’s house that morning. The house was hot. Now I don’t remember that, precisely. But I know it was, because it always was. She had a gas space heater in the living room, not far from her chair. She was fairly frugal, so natural gas must have been cheap. She used a lot of gas. Seldom did I make it up to north Austin without stopping by. She watched The Price is Right or was it Lets Make a Deal. Those shows were always interchangeable in my mind. It’s possible she watched … Continue reading The Morning The Challenger Blew Up

The Early Days, The Jollyville Years, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Learning Life’s Lessons

lewisotr

I was probably in the 3rd grade and Kenny was in the 5th. Mr. Henniger was the principal at Pond Springs School at the little three room school we attended in Jollyville. After we ate our lunch each day, Mr. Henniger had a chest type freezer in his office where he kept ice cream bars. If you had a nickel you could buy a ice cream sandwich or a fudgsicle to eat out on the playground. He would go in and we would all line up and watch as he unlocked the freezer with a key on the big key … Continue reading Learning Life’s Lessons

Thoughts and Musings2 Comments

You People Don’t Be Ruffling My Feathers

lewisotr

I often drive down the road and see someone working on their road and I know they aren’t an accomplished road builder. They are there trying to improve things a little and hoping to make a difference. Sometimes I wonder if they’ll actually be able to get up and down it by the time they are done. I don’t stop and explain what they are doing wrong and how if they will do this or that it will be much better. If I did stop I’d probably hurt their feelings. That guy is doing the best that he can. He … Continue reading You People Don’t Be Ruffling My Feathers

Another Daily Happening, Thoughts and Musings2 Comments

Another Day In My Life

lewisotr

I find myself (you notice how everything is about me) in a quandary. If this sheltering in place lasts very much longer I am going to end up one swallowing of my tooth crowns. I’ve got two loose ones at the moment that need the real good dental glue. Every few days one or the other of them comes out. I clean them up, removing all the old adhesive using some of my tiny drill bits and CNC tools. After brushing my teeth and rinsing well I dry the stud with a cotton swab. Then it’s time to fill the … Continue reading Another Day In My Life