Amazing Things, SmithwickLeave a comment

I Ran Across Something I Think Is Remarkable

lewisotr

We currently have a professional cemetery headstone restorationist doing some work on the very old and damaged headstones at the Smithwick Cemetery. He remarked that a certain group of the stones in old section were different from anything he had ever run across. When you rub on it becomes slick, even seemly an oily feel to it. The white stone is delicate enough that scratching it with a thumbnail will erode it. He said he had never seen anything like it before. I remarked that felt like soapstone. As the fellow continued to work on the various headstones, I found … Continue reading I Ran Across Something I Think Is Remarkable

Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Once Again Listening To The News Had My Head Spinning.

lewisotr

The Rock has offered to The President to help resolve the issues with Iran, to keep all out war from breaking out over there. I’m thinkIng what can a famous wrestler, Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson do to lessen tensions, but then after the relationship between Dennis Rodman and the little North Korean Dictator being what it is, maybe so. It was when I kept listening that I finally figured out it was Iraq, that was offering their help and not The Rock. Continue reading Once Again Listening To The News Had My Head Spinning.

The Early DaysLeave a comment

One Of The Strangest Things

lewisotr

For all the stories I’ve told on here and circumstances I grew up with, I don’t think my Mother or any of my Grandmother’s ever heard me say a curse word prior to me being grown. This was not because we grew up in a highly religious home. My mother was a spiritual person but she didn’t attend church regularly. I attended church with my Grandmother Leona, but I didn’t exactly fall in line there. It was a different time we lived in. We actually knew how to turn course language on and off. I guess it was more out … Continue reading One Of The Strangest Things

Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

On Growing Old (or Older)

lewisotr

This is not my writing below. A very good friend sent it to me . Perhaps they saw me in it. (At least I hope so) I’m in the Pacific Northwest on vacation the next week or so. My daughter just graduated from college up here in Oregon and she’s going to be staying in Portland. My son went to college in DC and stayed there. We’re all together on this trip for my daughter’s graduation celebration through the Pacific Northwest, then mom and dad return to L.A., my son to DC, and my daughter stays in Oregon. Things change. … Continue reading On Growing Old (or Older)

Another Daily HappeningLeave a comment

I Have Always Been Very Agile (that’s kind of an inside joke)

lewisotr

I came in Saturday evening knowing I’d put off assembling a huge doll until the last minute for my Granddaughter Sarah’s 5th Birthday today. I flew in on it about 8:00 PM last night doing it on the Brazilian Mahogany Coffee Table in our living room. The boss lady made sure it was covered so I wouldn’t scratch it. But doing it there allowed me to have plenty of light but most importantly it kept me from bending over and sitting in the floor for the 3 hours I worked on it. At least this way I was able to … Continue reading I Have Always Been Very Agile (that’s kind of an inside joke)

The History of Texas2 Comments

Spirit Leveling in Texas

lewisotr

I discovered a new term that relates to the surveying and layout of Texas when USGS Markers were place primarily along roadways and railroads from points all over the state. I knew the markers were placed, but had never thought about the timeframe in which it was undertaken. This name Spirit Leveling comes from the use of a spirit level used in surveying equipment. Below is a report as is relates to this being done all over Texas from 1896 to 1915. https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/0637/report.pdf Continue reading Spirit Leveling in Texas

Marble Falls and the Area Around it.Leave a comment

The Mystery Of The Marble Falls Granite Marker

lewisotr

I recently came across this newspaper clipping. I haven’t been able to date it yet. Mrs. W.W. “Iva” Fuller was a tenacious woman and this article demonstrates that. I talked to her daughter, Mary Alice, but she doesn’t remember the actual date of the article. But it calls into question several things for me. We had this Marble Falls Monument as a previous topic some time back. It appears the monument was originally placed many years ago when Gen. Adam R. “Stovepipe” Johnson was still alive. The monument was moved or rededicated in a 1962 ceremony that LBJ attended. The … Continue reading The Mystery Of The Marble Falls Granite Marker