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

The Ugly Phone Call

lewisotr

I was sitting in the office one morning and had received several solicitation calls. I was busy and was fed up with all nonsense calls when the phone rang once again. It was an area code I didn’t recognize at all. I picked that phone and the guy said “Hello Ron, This is Dave out here in New Jersey”. I launched into a complete tirade about how sick I was of getting these $:;@/”:?!)$ phone calls, and to never call here again. He had sounded just like the several other telephone salesmen I’d already heard from. He said “no, no … Continue reading The Ugly Phone Call

My Sons, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

A Beautiful Moon

lewisotr

I never see a bright gorgeous moon that it doesn’t take me back to an early morning many years ago. I had to leave the house really early one morning and took our oldest son Matthew, about 3 years old, with me for a trip from Austin down to Houston. Our second son, Michael, had arrived not too long before so it was a way to help my wife out. As we turned to head east the moon was just shining ever so bright. Matt was not in a very good mood, mostly from being awakened so early. To get … Continue reading A Beautiful Moon

Aging, Amazing Things, Crazy Times, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

I Got Emancipated One Time

lewisotr

I was laying in bed this morning thinking about things that happened in my earlier life. When I was 16 or 17 years old Cecil Lewis took me up to the courthouse so a judge could declare me a legal adult. Maybe not a full fledged legal adult, but to where I could transact business, sign contracts and the likes. It had something to do with him cutting up our land and making Smithwick Mills Estates. I guess this was something his attorney, Dan Derrick, thought was necessary. It was called having my Minor Disabilities Removed back then. But I … Continue reading I Got Emancipated One Time

The History of Texas, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Understanding Farm to Market (FM) or (FR) & Ranch Roads (RR) in Texas. Ranch Road are sometimes are designated as Ranch to Market Roads (RM).

lewisotr

People always ask the question, what is the difference in FM Roads and RR Roads? The best explanation I have is as follows; Both types of roads generally exist in rural areas. After a county (sometimes a city) acquires right-of-way, TxDOT builds and maintains the road. FM’s started being built back in 1931. They were primarily built so farmers could more easily get crops to market from those rural areas. In 1932 the RR designation was added, because in many areas there was only limited farming being done. So it didn’t seem correct to call those new highways Farm Roads. … Continue reading Understanding Farm to Market (FM) or (FR) & Ranch Roads (RR) in Texas. Ranch Road are sometimes are designated as Ranch to Market Roads (RM).

Marble Falls and the Area Around it., The History of Texas, Thoughts and Musings, Travels2 Comments

Trying To Figure Out The History Of US 281 Running Through Burnet County.

lewisotr

I referenced several sources including newspapers, other written sources and maps to ascertain the history of the main highway that now takes us from Wichita Falls to Brownsville. I am only speaking to the stretch as it extends through Burnet County, as it gets much more complicated trying to talk about the entire stretch as it goes from Canada to Mexico. Very early photo of the roads leading into Marble Falls. They appear to be more like cattle trails than roads. Below is a 1919 map. It doesn’t show an actual road extending from Blanco to Lampasas. (Probably just trails … Continue reading Trying To Figure Out The History Of US 281 Running Through Burnet County.

Amazing Things, Another Daily Happening, Grandchildren, My Family, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Cousins Growing Up Together

lewisotr

These two girls, Anna & Sofia are best friends and live next door to each other as well as next door to us. So we enjoy watching their exploits every day. It is possible for them to get out of sorts with each other from time to time, but within minutes everything is all better. Their Grandma & I are away for a few days. Last night we got a text with this picture (it will be in the comments) of them already asleep in Gma’s bed, each with their favorite blanket. Well before the sun went down. But surely … Continue reading Cousins Growing Up Together

Amazing Things, Thoughts and Musings3 Comments

I Remember This Riddle From When I Was A Kid

lewisotr

It went something like this: A farmboy was hired on to pick corn. The farmer offered to pay him a ear of corn the first day, doubling it each day until all the corn was picked. 2 ears the second day, 4 ears, then 8 ears. The young boy agreed and by the time 30 days had passed, he owned the whole crop and probably the whole farm. This was told back when I was a kid, so I decided to do some figuring to see just how that all played out, in 1965 terms. If we continue this doubling … Continue reading I Remember This Riddle From When I Was A Kid

Another Daily Happening, Past Angora Chronicles Stories, Thoughts and Musings5 Comments

The Sprinkle Bottle

lewisotr

I had almost forgotten about sprinkle bottles. I remember my mother would layout the ironing, sprinkle them with water, roll each piece up tightly and store them in the refrigerator. Or it may have been in the freezer. I guess it depended on how long until she started ironing. Something about they ironed better when cold. Of course she had her routine. Certain days were ironing days. She’d stand in front of that little black and white television, watching The Guiding Light, Search For Tomorrow and As The World Turns. I’m thinking As The World Turns was her favorite. She … Continue reading The Sprinkle Bottle

Cecil Lewis, Crazy Times, The Early Days, Thoughts and Musings1 Comment

Cec Got Caught In A Tight Place

lewisotr

Cec bought a 1960 Ford Falcon when they first came out. He drove the heck out of that little ol car. It eventually became Bonnie Gay’s car after he got the new worn off of it. These were the days when we lived in Jollyville area but would come to Smithwick every weekend to take care of the place and see too the animals. The Falcon developed a bumping sound up in the front end. He could see a shock absorber was loose. He got the bumper jack out, one of the tall stand type jacks that were just waiting … Continue reading Cec Got Caught In A Tight Place