This is a very funny story about a young boy that came to be known as Okra, how he went off to war without a gun and how Georgetown, Texas became the Poppy Capital of Texas. Click to access From-War-Zone-to-Poppy-Zone-Excerpt.pdf Continue reading The Amazing Story of Henry Purl “Okra” Compton
I am no Greek Scholar, but it’s my understanding that the above term, Pénta Philia roughly translates to Five Friends. (Five really good friends) About 30 years ago I heard a guy on the radio give a shorty commentary speaking on this topic. I was so moved by what he said I wrote to the radio station and they sent me a transcript of his commentary. I had it taped up on the office wall for a long time. I wish I still had it. I thought long and hard about it, thinking the guy was full of it. But … Continue reading Pénta Philia
Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Hurst was someone I used to often see on Forensic Files and other shows of that type that deal with crimes including arson. He seemed very knowledgeable and a foremost authority on the subject of arson. Sometime or the other it mentioned he was from Austin. I googled his name recently and found out he passed on back in 2015. He was an inventor that has several inventions to his credit. His bio mentions that he has a connection to White Out, the correction fluid. Perhaps a improved version. I thought Bette Nesmith Graham. an American typist, … Continue reading I always heard this fellow was from Austin.
I used to hitch a ride to town with my dad when I was going to school. There were several reasons I’d do that. First off there was a time before I had a drivers license that I had no choice, except riding the bus. There were 2 reasons I didn’t or couldn’t ride on the bus. Mostly I just didn’t want to, because I’d be picked on. But sometimes I’d be picking on people and get my bus riding privileges taken away. A lot of the time it was when I had a car, but I’d tear it up … Continue reading Going To The Blue Bonnet For Breakfast
When a person can look back on their life and say there’s nothing I would change even if I could is someone living in denial. Are there things about my youth I’d like to do differently? Of course, but it is what many may think. I wouldn’t trade the hard times for anything. I don’t want any do-overs for the pranks or nonsense I was a part of. All those things were character builders. As I moved into adulthood and started out in the construction business at a very young age, I somehow knew that honesty and integrity was the … Continue reading A Look Back
I watched a newly released episode of People Magazine Investigates on ID, Children of Thunder, that happened in the Bay Area of California. It seems worse than the Manson Murders. It involves the murders of the ex-wife and daughter of Blues Musician, Elvin Bishop, as well as 3 others. The song I most remember Elvin Bishop for is; I Fool Around And Fell In Love, which was written about his then wife Jenny. The whole story and the motives behind them are far too difficult to explain here. If you are into this type of thing, you may want to … Continue reading One Of The Most Vile Mass Murders In American History And I Can’t Recall It Happening
The mind works in mysterious ways. At least I know mine does. I claim to have an eating disorder. No it’s not anorexia. I have a difficult time eating if I don’t know the cleanliness practices that were used while preparing food. I didn’t grow up worrying about such things, but for my adult life I’ve had this fear. I know it’s irrational to go into a fast food place where 12 teenagers, without a care in the world past body piercings and heavy metal music are preparing food that has been handled by who knows what. Those places are … Continue reading My Food Phobia
Back in the days when blasting was necessary on almost every project, we would have to hire outside “blasting contractors” to supplement our forces. We had done this on a big subdivision we were building and this guy was well into a project and he didn’t show up for several days. I would stop by and it was evident his crew was without leadership and therefore without direction. The guy’s name was Ron. So I ask where Ron was. No one knew but they were beginning to get concerned because payday was coming up and he hadn’t been seen for … Continue reading Hiring Chief
You know … Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is… The back nine of my life and it catches me by surprise… How did I get here so fast? … Continue reading The Back Nine or “Growing Old Gracefully”
The spring of 1971 found Jimmy Frasier and me in Austin one Friday afternoon. Probably for no other reason than hoping to find some excitement. I had a brand new Chevrolet pickup. We decided a drive down to the Drag was in order. When we got as far a 34th street on Guadalupe, heading south when we stopped for a red light. A couple of pretty young UT gals were in the right lane, with us in the left. Paying more attention to the girls than to driving, when the light changed as they eased off. So did we. The … Continue reading Cruising The UT Drag
Angora Chronicles 