Amazing Things, My Friends, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and Musings1 Comment

The Two Minute Talk That Has Lasted Me A Lifetime

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Udo was of German descent. He had a coarseness about him, but an incredible refinement as well. He adapted to the situation he was in at the moment. When he retired after a long career in the excavation business, he sold me his office and yard, along with some heavy equipment and trucks. We lived across the street from he and his wife, so our visits were frequent. In retirement he moved from his lifetime hobby of flying planes, to flying helicopters. He would often fly me around to look at my projects. It helped him stay in touch with … Continue reading The Two Minute Talk That Has Lasted Me A Lifetime

Crazy Times, My Friends, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Watch What You Say. You Never Know Who’s Listening.

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I met a friend for breakfast every morning when were working together. When I got to the restaurant that morning my friend Gerry wasn’t there yet but I took a seat at our regular table. One table away was a older man, very pleasant sort of fellow and we struck up a conversation about the first one thing and then the other. After a bit Gerry came in an took a seat. He and I chatted like we did every morning. Nothing real deep. The conversation got around to “did your in laws make it in last night” kind of … Continue reading Watch What You Say. You Never Know Who’s Listening.

Aging, Amazing Things, Crazy Times, The Construction Biz, The Early Days, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Old Holland Page Kenworth Truck

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When I was a small boy and would go visit the Holland Page Construction Yard. My greatest thrill of all was when we would go there and his big Kenworth Haul Truck was there dropping off or picking up a load. Below is a picture of a truck that looks so much like that old Kenworth. It was a 1940 model. It was retired in 1964, with 4.5 million miles on it. The same driver had picked it up at he factory and driven it every mile or so was the tale. His name was Mullins. I have no idea … Continue reading The Old Holland Page Kenworth Truck

Amazing Things, The Construction Biz, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

What Would Life Be Like If This Move Had Taken Place

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Back in 1963 or 1964 my dad was working for an old highway contractor in Austin. Holland Page, as a young man had started building Texas roads and highways when they were moving dirt with fresno’s and teams of mules. Mr. Page and Cecil Lewis developed a real liking for each other. We would go in with our dad to the office on Saturdays. We would prowl around the shop and yard area, which was about 4 blocks north of US 183 on North Lamar in Austin. Mr. Page would caution us about watching for rattlesnakes out in that jungle … Continue reading What Would Life Be Like If This Move Had Taken Place

Crazy Times, Funny Happenings, Kenny Lewis, The Construction Biz, The Early Days, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

Impersonating My Brother

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For years Kenny and I sounded amazingly alike on the phone. We both have what I guess is a distinct Smithwick accent. I’m doubtful that Kenny ever took advantage of that. My wife admits to getting us confused a few times. Maybe she or Kenny can tell us if any of those conversations ever went hay-wire. If they did, I never heard about it. On the other hand, I can’t tell you how much confusion I caused by letting different ones think they were talking to Kenny when I was the one they were actually talking to. Our Grannie Ruby … Continue reading Impersonating My Brother

Kenny Lewis, My Sons, Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

The Special Connection Between Brothers (this was written and shared almost 3 years ago – but it still applies)

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Nothing else is like the love of a brother. A brother that can make you so mad that for a moment you will write him off, thinking it’ll be alright if you never speak again. But within minutes all is forgiven, if not forgotten. The sibling that will do battle for you at the drop of a hat is the same person you have fought and argued with more than everyone else in the world combined. Early in their lives, Matthew, the oldest and Mike the second in birth order had a close relationship. Somewhere along the way, as they … Continue reading The Special Connection Between Brothers (this was written and shared almost 3 years ago – but it still applies)

On The Job, The Construction Biz, The Early Days3 Comments

My Guy Friday

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A good old fellow that worked for me for several years in the 70s and 80s went by Friday. His name was Troy Hargraves. Lot of people told me he got the name Friday, because that was his favorite day. Friday was a steady hand. He knew the road and excavation business. He was an estimator mostly, but worked in several positions within the company during his time with us. He was very gruff sounding, but was the kindest and gentlest soul you ever would meet. All the guys out on the jobs loved to see Friday coming. He’d bring … Continue reading My Guy Friday

Another Daily Happening, Cecil Lewis, Crazy Times, Kenny Lewis, The Early DaysLeave a comment

The Day The Wrecks Almost Never Stopped

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The Friday before Deer Season started in 1967, the town of Marble Falls was swarming with deer hunters. In front of the little Chamber Building – Kenny, my brother, driving a small white Oldsmobile car, with Karen Schaefer sitting much too close (I’m sure) to him in the middle pulled out of the Gulf Station directly in front of a businessman from Houston, that was coming to hunt. He was in a brand new Oldsmobile 98 Sedan. Both cars were totaled. Luckily no one was seriously injured. That set off a chain of wrecks that day for the Lewis family. … Continue reading The Day The Wrecks Almost Never Stopped

Thoughts and MusingsLeave a comment

I Just Want To Turn Y’all On To Something Else

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Sometime back I became concerned that something may happen to Facebook or mine and Facebook’s relationship and all of my stories would go up in smoke. I was made aware of a program or perhaps it’s a platform called WordPress. That is what I’m typing this narrative into now. It is more of a blog format. Besides the security that all my words are just being entrusted to Facebook, I found that by using WordPress I could dress up my stories with better graphics, insert photos and go back and edit articles much easier than going directly to FB. You … Continue reading I Just Want To Turn Y’all On To Something Else