Drouth

Now we have a record dry spell, called a drouth, with no rain forecast and high temperatures of l00 degrees, even 105. The lawns are becoming brown and watering restrictions are in force. I do not see any relief for a while. What can I say? Not much. Elsewhkere in the United States there are reports of excessive rain. Alas! It would be nice to share. I am surviving by staying indoors during the heat of the day, but the deer are dying.

Democrat Party

The Democrats of Comal County will hold a gathering Friday night at the home of Bob and Cindy Peterman in New Braunfels. Saturday there will be an auction of various items contributed to the party, also at the Peterman address. The items range from personal to corporate, from ties to stoves, from clothing to furniture. They have filled the Peterman garage. The Democrats of Comal County have grown from a handful of members to a force. Comal has been considered Republican for a long time but now the Democrats are dividing the county to the extent that it is a close race.

Tornadoes in Missouri

Heard from my Cousin Laura in Missouri. They have been having rain and hail and yes, tornadoes. One such twister passed in the edge of her town and destroyed a house. Laura said there have been tornadoes all around in Missouri. Much as I would like rain I do not really want any tornadoes. Laura says every house in her neighborhood had either a storm cellar or a basement. I guess I prefer drouth to twisters, although it is a touch choice.

Comal River

The shortest river in Texas is the Comal. It is spring fed and flows from a hillside into the Guadalupe River. It makes a bend in the middle of Landa Park. So far it has not gone dry, thank goodness. On these summer afternoons one will find large families having a barbecue in the middle of the park. Usually the children are wearing bathing suits and are splashing in the river near the barbecue site. One can understand why the early settlers chose this site for development. It is one of the most beautiful spots in Texas.

Father's Day

Father's Day is coming up. I have never been excited about Father's Day. Now I am excited about Mother's Day. Fathers come and go but mothers have to clothe and educate the youngsters. I hope that I have been a good father, but I think that a good mother is superior to a father. That being said, I am fortunate in that my two daughters have respected me and have always been helpful. My older daughter is taking me to dinner on Father's Day. The daughter in New York has called me to offer best wishes. It is heartwarming to have two daughters who try to be good to the old man.

family visit

Went by Bob and Cindy Peterman's house here in New Braunfels and picked up the newspapers out of the front yard. I also emptied the mail box. They are in Amarillo visiting her parents. They run the Trophy Shop here in the city. There are many types of trophies which can be ordered, such as for a sporting event, and they turn them out. They will be home today. It is a long drive to Amarillo.

San Antonio Visit

Off to San Antonio to visit with Bob Richter, associate editor of the San Antonio Express News. We had a good visit and Bob said he would get in touch with Charles Kilpatrick, former editor of the Express News and maybe we could all get together. I first knew Charles in the Houston area before he went to San Antonio. His niece married Steve Weaver, who was once a newspaper reporter. Steve went on to law school. Charles was editor of the Express News when it was purchased by Murdoch. Charles said being an editor for Murdoch was a dream job. Only two or three things were compulsory and everything else was up to Charles. Of course, Charles long since retired, and Murdoch sold the Express News to the Hearst Corporation. There have been a lot of changes in thie newspaper world since then.

Summertime

Remember that old song from Porgy and Bess, "Summertime?" The refrain went "summertime and the living is easy..." Well, maybe we are moving a bit slower, but I do not find the living to be easier. In this area we are in a drouth and the sun beats down on us unmercifully. If you do not wear a hat you will be blistered. It makes it easier to put things off until later. The only thing I can recommend is the ole swimming hole. The quicker summer is over, the better.

Humidity

You have heard that old expression, "It's not the heat it's the humidity." Well, I used to snigger about that but not any more. It is indeed the humidity. Add humidity to the heat index and you get the intolerable conditions we are experiencing. Not only are we in a douth but no rain is forecast. However, there is enough cloud cover to provide humidity. How long will this last? It already has lasted too long.

Drouth

We are having a record drouth in South Texas. The deer are getting thin and I fear that some of them may die. This is an area where the deer wander through subdivisions and sometimes eat the flowers. Although that is not popular, the deer are protected. But that protection does not extend to a drouth. I sit on my back porch at night and watch the deer come in. They are pretty tame. I guess this is the law of supply and demand.

More Gruene

One of the major attractions in Gruene is Gruene Hall, a longtime music center where major bands often play and patrons dance. The floor is a bit warped. This hall will seat several hundred people at a time. It is a family place. Many well known musicians have played here over the years. Gruene Hall is surrounded by stores, many of them antique shops, which offer a variety of goods. There also are restaurants. One of the most popular restaurants is the Grist Mill, which is in a former factory building which has been remodeled. Gruene was formed as an agricultural center, but this soon proved to be unprofitable. However, the stores have survived and even thrived.

Boom in Gruene

Not just new houses but new apartment buildings are springing up in Gruene, the former tourist beat of New Braunfels. Also, factories and warehouses. However, the tourist trade is still going on. During a weekend, the sheriffs" department deploys a deputy sheriff at the main intersection to regulate traffic. There are many shops displaying goods, clothes and accessories, household items and novelties. Gruene Hall, the music center, features at least one out of town band on a weekend. The restaurants attract many visitors. There is no end to this.