I Heard It at the Icehouse

Democratic Party Meeting

2010-01-31T16:13:00.000-08:00

Bob Peterman will preside Tuesday night at a meeting of the Comal Democratic Party at Bobby's Back Yard. Those who desire can eat while wating for the meeting to begin.

Beautiful Day

2010-01-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

This Friday is a beautiful day. Sunshine. I am waiting for Nancy to join me. We are going out for dinner.

Rain

2010-01-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

The forecast is for heavy rain. Thank goodness I am on high ground. This rain will fall on Friday. John.

Sunshine and Flowers

2010-01-13T14:06:00.000-08:00

The cold weather is gone and the sun is shining. Hooray. Cindy has gone to Amarillo to check on her mother, who is in the hospital. Bob and I tried out a new restaurant last night. It was satisfactory. Trinka is hold a poetry meeting. Bob is president of the Comal Democrats. He will preside at a meeting soon. Regards, John.

Sunshine and Flowers

2010-01-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

At last the cold weather is gone and the sun is shining. Cindy has gone to Amarillo to see about her mother, who is in the hospital. Bob and I tried a new restaurant which was satisfactory. He is president of the local Democratic Party and they will meet soon. Trinka is heading up a poetry meeting. Nancy is back in Austin, working hard. I am coasting at the moment. Regards, John.

cold weather

2010-01-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

It is still in the 20s at night here in the Hill Country. But temps are expected to rise by Monday. Meanwhile, we are snug in our cottages.

Winter

2010-01-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

It is cold here in the Hill Country, temps in the 20s. But I am warm in my cottage on the grounds of Eden Village. This cold spell will last until next week. Regards, John.

New Year

2010-01-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

Now we are in a new year, 201o, and this is Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2010. This year is starting off with a freeze and we hope this does not last long. Also there is a forecast of cedar fever, which may last until February. There is not much you can do about the weather. However, we can all expect better weather soon.

Family Reunion

2009-12-26T11:27:00.000-08:00

Katrinka and Michael have rented a house in New Braunfels. Jamie is with them. They are holding open house today. Bob and Cindy are coming, and John and Nancy. Also Karen is coming, and perhaps Reagan and Katie. This is a rare event, a family reunion. Tomorrow we go to visit the
Snyggs.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T13:45:00.000-08:00

Here it is, Christmas Eve, and the sun is shining. I remember when I was 5 years old and we moved to California, and I worried because our house did not have a fireplace, much less a chimney. Daddy told me he would leave the back door unlocked. There has been a strong cold wind here today, but now it has died down, thank goodness. Nancy is coming tomorrow to cook a turkey, AND i HAVE MADE A FRUIT SALAD. tRINKA, MIKE AND jAMIE WILL BE HERE ABOUT 8 pm. sATURDAY WE WILL HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE.

Sunshine

2009-12-21T08:17:00.000-08:00

The sun is shining and this promises to be a beautiful day. Up North, around the Great Lakes, there is a blizzard and it extends to the Atlantic Ocean. We hope that Trinka, Mike and Jamie can excape by air as they are coming to Austin for Christmas. They will find the weather much better here.

Christmas Music

2009-12-16T12:51:00.000-08:00

I am off to the chapel to hear Christmas Music. This is the time of year when one hears the traditional songs. I can remember when we had limited choir at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Friendswood. Even so, the Christmas music was inspiring.

Rings

2009-12-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

Nancy called and wants to sell our two diamond rings which are on deposit. I told her to go for it. She has talked to Trinka. It seems unnecessary to keep paying the bank. She and I will go Christmas shopping Sunday. Love, Daddy.

snow forecast

2009-12-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

A little bit of snow is forecast, followed by a freeze. Yes, winter is here in the Hill Country. Even the deer are taking cover in the woods. Some of us are going to a Democratic Party gathering tonight. I am one of those who has warm clothes to wear. I see people scurrying about, trying to keep warm.

Weather Report

2009-11-30T13:56:00.000-08:00

Cold weather has finally arrived. The forecast is for all week. Fortunately I have some winter clothes to wear. This is the holiday season. I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas with family members. Love to all, John.

Looking forward to Christmas

2009-11-28T14:04:00.000-08:00

Jamie, our grandson, has been overseas for two years. We are looking forward to seeing him at Christmas time. He will come with his parents, Michael and Katrinka. Nancy will join us from Austin. We also will visit with Arnold and Dorothy Snygg and Cathy and her husband. We will be joined by Bob and Cindy Peterman and Karen and Jack. All in all it will be a family Christmas. Verna will join us on New Year's Day. Love, John.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

Verna invited a group of us to Austin for Thanksgiving Dinner. Nancy went with me and when we got there Karen and her son Jack were there, and Tania and her daughter. It was a magnificent feast. After it was over I realized that Verna had not eaten any turkey. I asked her about it and she said that she had become a vegetarian. Then I realized that she had cooked the turkey only for us meat eaters. Think about it! She cooked a big meal for us meat eaters.

Santa Elena Canyon

2009-11-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Touring the Big Bend Park is mind blowing, but there is one part of it that is truly unique. That is Santa Elena Canyon. This canyon is a narrow rift between two towering cliffs and is eight miles long. It is 1300 feet deep and still getting deeper. The first group to go through this canyon in a boat was a special expedition in 1875. Several people have died since then while attempting to navigate this narrow canyon. We went down and looked at the entrance, but decided against trying to navigate it. The Rio Grande runs thru this canyon from west to east. This does not keep the river from flowing to the Atlantic. This canyon is thousands of years old.

Back Home

2009-11-09T18:01:00.001-08:00

This is Monday night and we just got back from Big Bend. Bob and Cindy Peterman, O.L. Peterman from Maryland and myself. We went on a Star trek at the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis and then went into the Big Bend Park. The chili cookoff in Terlingua was over. I will report on the Observatory and then on the Big Bend. Stay tuned.

Fort Davis

2009-11-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

We are off to Fort Davis. The main objective is to visit the McDonald Observatory. They now have four telescopes you can look through. The night tour will accomodate about 12 people at a time. Jupiter still has one volcano that is erupting. You will also be able to see a landscape of Mars and a closeup of our moon. After that we will tour the Big Bend Park, stopping en route to sample some of the chili at the cookoff in Terlingua.

Across the Trinity River

2009-10-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

Another time when I was horseback I went on a fox hunt. We were hard pressed to keep up with the dogs who were hot in pursuit of a fox. Then we came to the Trinity River. The dogs ran up and down the bank, baying. It was obvious the fox had swam across the river. So I plunged in and swam my horse across the Trinity, but first I took off my boots and hung them around my neck. The dogs followed. But the fox had gained enough time to reach his nest. The dogs circled around an opening in the forest but it was too small for them to enter. The fox escaped to run another day.

Madisonville

2009-10-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

During my horseback tour of Southeast Texas I went to the Sidewalk Cattlemen's annual meeting at Madisonville. To provoke the cattlemen I rode with an English saddle and wore knee britches, a derby, and a jersey. Sure enough the cattlemen threw me in a horse trough. After that we all got a plate of barbecue and ate.

Downtown Parade

2009-10-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

We rolled into Memorial Park in Houston and spent the night. Early the next morning the Salt Grass Trail riders began to saddle up and get ready for the big downtown parade. I was attached to the Port City wagon which included Vernon Frost Jr. and John Mecom Jr. As we moved through the middle of Houston I was right behind the chuck wagon on the Port City covered wagon. I looked up and saw a chilling sight. A young woman on the sixth floor of one of the downtown office building was getting ready to throw a large wreath right on top of me. I got a firm grip on my horse's reins and moved close to the wagon. The wreath landed right on top of us and my horse bolted. I looked to the right and there were children on the sidewalk enjoying the parade. I looked to the left and there was a mass of people on the other sidewalk. I did not want to trample anyone. And so, I gripped my reins firmly and headed my horse straight for the chuck wagon. The impact knocked my mount to his knees and I stepped off and grabbed his head. John Mecom jumped out of the wagon with a rope in his hand. We tied the rope around the horse's head and jumped in the wagon. At first we had to drag him, but then he began to trot along behind. As we moved down the street the chuck wagon door broke open and pots and pans began to fall into the street. Babe, the Port City cook, ran along behind the wagon, picking up pots and pan and cursing. At the end of the parade we went down a quiet thoroughfare and made it to the Port City Stockyards, about six miles away. My horse continued to trot along behind. The crisis was over.

John Moore's column

2009-10-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

While I was working for the Houston Post I wrote a territorial column. I visited the towns and cities in 50 counties of Southeast Texas. It was during this time that I helped create the Salt Grass Trail. Reese Lockett of Brenham was chosen to be the boss of this trail, which originated in Brenham and arrived in Houston to open the annual Fat Stock and Livestock Show. I rode horseback on this trail ride for six years. We started out with a handful of riders and one wagon, this was the LH7 covered wagon furnished by E. H. Marks of Barker. Within three years we grew to more than 2,000 riders and 65 wagons and we jammed some of the highways. At that point we had to post some rules, such as only so many riders to a wagon. After it was organized it was not as much fun, but it had to be controlled.

Horses

2009-10-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

I have always loved horses. Some people like cats and others like dogs but horses are my thing. When I was younger and living on my ranch I once raised a horse from a colt to a mature mount. This horse would follow me around like a dog. Sometimes I would get on top of this horse and ride around without a saddle. I would use a rope halter, no bits. Then the war came along and I sold out, including this horse. It almost broke my heart. After the war I bought a horse for every member of the family, including my wife and each of my daughters.

Growth of San Antonio

2009-10-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

While I was working at the Institute of Texan Cultures I watched the Hilton Hotel del Rio being built. It was built by H.B. Zachary, an early developer, who then sold it to the Hilton chain. Being of a generation which drove nails and cemented bricks from the ground up, I was amazed at the new construction techniques. First they assembled an entire floor on ground level. Then they raised it to the heighth required and put it into place. This saved a lot of time and money. In order to develop the area along the river for Hemisphere the power structure of San Antonio condemned a large tract of land which was basically a slum. They also moved the Coca Cola plant. When they drilled a shaft in the old Coca Cola building they struck water. It made me wonder why the Coca Cola people hadn"t taken advantage of this location to water down their original formula.

San Antonio River Walk

2009-10-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

I would start my day at the Institute of Texan Cultures by going down to the River Walk. Early in the morning you would encounter doctors, lawyers, and professional men wearing a suit of clothes on their way to their offices. I would walk down one side and come back on the other. Then I would stop at a nearby restaurant and have breakfast. After that I would go to my office and see what was in store for me. It was a great way to start your day.

Ecumentalism

2009-10-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

While I was working at the Institute ofTexan Cultures under the supervision of Henderson Shuffler he called me in and told me to take a Roman Catholic nun from the nearby convent to lunch. "By the way, take George Washington with you," he said. We went to the Driskill Hotel dining room, one white man and one black man, and we met the mother superior, who was large and overweight) and one of the sisters, who was much younger. At the front desk we ran into some confusion as the host tried to separate is. It is unusual for the dining room to serve such a mixed group. The nuns were wearing black gowns, of course. When we ordered the mother superior ordered a large meal. Henderson had given me some money but it was not enough but fortunately I had enough in my own wallet to take care of the bill. It turned out that George's wife, Emma Lois, had attended the convent. George and I were Episcopalians but Emma Lois had once been catholic. The mother superior had contacted Emma Lois who had referred her to the Institute, and Henderson Shuffler had assigned us to talk to them. They wanted to be sure that we were not going to offend the Roman Catholic church and I assured them that we were not.

Voodoo

2009-10-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

One of our readers wrote that I need to recall a happening that was publicized here a long time ago. This involved a time when I was working for the Institute of Texan Cultures at Hemisphere. The governor had been involved with some hustlers in California and now he had turned the program over to Henderson Shuffler and his staff. We were getting ready for Hemisphere and then one of the California hustlers notified us that he was coming to investigate us. I took fellow associate George Washington out to lunch and we discussed the problem. We went down to a department store and purchased a large knitting needle and then we bought a boy toy, a model which looked like our future visitor. We went back to the office and laid out the model on the table and stuck the needle in his leg. George mumbled some African mumbo jumbo. Well, the California hustler was driving down a boulevard in Los Angeles, a little too fast, and he turned over and broke his leg. This was the same day. About a week later this character showed up at our office in a wheel chair. The model was still in plain sight. When he saw it he screamed and left to return to L.A. I do not believe in voodoo, but this character did.

Audit

2009-10-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

Bob and Cindy Peterman, who run Star Awards, are being audited by the State of Texas. This is their first audit. They have kept books, but their methods are not the same as the state. They have not made a lot of money but the state insists on auditing them. There should be a limit to these audits.

Flu Shots

2009-10-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

I went over to the chapel early to get my flu shot. There were a lot of people there, some on crutches and some in wheel chairs. The nurse who stabbed me did not hurt a bit. She said she had experienced a lot of shots.

Midnight Vigil

2009-10-12T15:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I got up to go to the bathroom about midnight. I looked out the window and there was a fat doe deer eating grass in the back yard. The drouth appears to be over. This morning I said hello to Dorothy, my next door neighbor, who was sitting on her front porch. She is handicapped. We will all line up for flu shots tomorrow. The weather is cool, which suits me fine. It rained yesterday which also suits me.

Fall Weather

2009-10-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

At last the weather is great. It is cooler, sunshiny and we have had enough rain. It has been two years since one could say that. Forecast is for more rain. I say let it rain every day.

Flu Shots

2009-10-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone in Eden Home and Eden Village will receive the flu vaccine on Oct. 13. This is the regular flu vaccine and ignores Swine Flu. Those who want a Swine Flu shot will have to go elsewhere. Meanwhile the Swine Flu vaccine is not yet available here.

Weather Report

2009-10-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

The creeks are flowing and it is cooler. Joy! Joy! The forecast is for more rain this week. John.

Rain at last

2009-10-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

We received more than 5 inches of rain over the week end. I was due at Bob and Cindy's for dinner and I had to take the long way around. Barricades were put up at several roads. People were rescued from their cars. Dry creek beds are flowing. The drouth is all but ended. More rain is forecast. So far as I am concerned it can rain every day.

Deer Recovering

2009-10-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Last night, just about dark, I almost ran over about six deer. The rain has freshened up the grass and they looked good. WHAT WE NEED IS MORE RAIN. LOVE, JOHN.

2009-10-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

Dreams

2009-09-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have been having weird dreams. Some of them date back to my school days. Others date back to War experiences. When I wake up I have trouble going back to sleep. Alas! People talk to me in my dreams. And all this time I have the feeling that my wife, Marie, who died two years ago, is in the next bed. Then I wake up and she is not there. Is this commonplace? Likely this is commonplace, but I wish it would go away. The war dreams are vivid.

Horses

2009-09-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

Some people like cats and others like dogs. I am one of those who likes horses. I had my first horse when I was 6 years old. Back in my ranch days I had a horse who followed me around. After the war I managed to buy 15 acres and I bought four horses, one for each of us, Marie, Nancy, Trinka and myself. At that time I had a buckskin gelding who was about 15 hands tall. I not only rode him around the property but I rode him on the Salt Grass Trail. This is the first time in many years when I have not had a horse. I can go down the road and see a horse grazing in the pasture next to the road. I will pull over and say hello to him. We had a cavalry during World War I, but World War II became mechanized thanks to the Germans. General Rommel crossed North Africa with tanks and trucks, no horses.

Fall is here at last

2009-09-28T15:48:00.000-07:00

Fall arrived and not a moment too soon. It has been a long hot and dry summer. The drouth is not over yet but it is greatly diminished. We have had enough rain to help. Now the only thing we have to fear is flu. The Peterman family has had flu raging thru the entire group. I have missed the flu so far because I have not been in circulation. Now with a bit of luck I will get my flu shot next week.

Please Forgive Me

2009-09-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Contributions to this blog were suspended and I am sorry. I deeply apologize. I have not been feeling well. Now that I am better I will try to be more regular with my contributions. Since this is Sunday, my blogs will resume Monday. The good news is that we got a lot of rain, the deer are surviving and the weather is cooler. Love, John.

It looks like rain

2009-09-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

All morning long this Friday it was overcast and looked like rain, but so far nothing has happened. I guess we are being teased. I heard from Cousin Laura in Missouri and she said they have received lots of rain. I know that excessive amounts of rain will bring a flood, but I am willing to risk it. Of course I am on high ground. Lots of rain would make the grass grow and the deer would get fat. I refuse to believe that this drouth is permanent.

Dental Visit

2009-09-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

I went to the dentist today. It was painful. I am unable to blog. Maybe tomorrow. John.

Raccoons

2009-09-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

A woman reported in the Eden Villager newspaper that she had trapped five raccoons. However, she captured them in a device which merely contains them, and she plans to release them to a location as far away as possible. I like raccoons, but many people living here do not like them because they eat their plants and molest their pets. Meanwhile, the deer still come up in the back yard but they are thin. We had two rains last week but not much moisture. The grass is not growing. The drouth is still with us.

Goodbye to the Chicken Ranch

2009-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

The time has come to say goodbye to the Chicken Ranch. Texas A&M has become coeducational. The Chicken Ranch has long been closed. I drove by it not long ago. It has been boarded up for a long time now and is weatherbeaten. It looks like a lot of other abandoned farm houses. In a way, it is sad. The girls who worked there had escaped from a life elsewhere which did not agree with them. Not a one of the girls who worked there was originally from LaGrange. So long to the Chicken Ranch. It existed in a time which is long gone (except for Las Vegas).

Broadway

2009-08-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Marie and I were in New York so we went to see "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" on Broadway. It was a good play, not entirely accurate, but amusing. The scene I liked best was when the Texas A&M football team won a game and a wealthy alumni showed up to congratulate them. They were seated on board seats in the locker room, still wearing their uniforms and cleats. This fat cat told them he had a bus outside and as a reward was going to take them to the Chicken Ranch. The choreography was marvelous. With flashing lights, the Aggies shed their cleats and put on street clothes and ran out to board the bus in minutes. I understand there is a movie but I have not seen it. I know that Miss Jessie is in a rest home in Austin and that Sheriff Loessin is dead and the new sheriff is named Flournoy. All this is taking place after the Chicken Ranch was closed, and after A&M became coeducational. As the saying goes, don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Marvin Zindler and the Chicken Ranch

2009-08-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

The next thing you know, Marvin Zindler popped up. Marvin was trying to build a rep. He wrote for a newspaper and appeared on television. He also wore a large wig. Marvin showed up at the Chicken Ranch with a camera. Things had changed. Miss Jessie was in a rest home in Austin. Sheriff Loessin had died and the new sheriff was named Flournoy. Marvin confronted Sheriff Flournoy in downtown LaGrange. The sheriff jerked off his wig and stomped on it and told Marvin to get out of town. What Marvin did was to go to Austin and complain to the governor. At that time the governor was Dolph Briscoe, who did not like to rock the boat, but under this much pressure he called the sheriff and told him to close the whorehouse. The girls packed their bags and left. Marvin went on the air with his slogan, "Marvin Zindler, Eyewitness News." You would have thought that was the end of it, but that was just the beginning. An Austin writer wrote a magazine story entitled "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." This soon was expanded to a play which appeared on Broadway in New York. And after that was a movie.

Reese Lockett and the Chicken Ranch.

2009-08-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Reese Lockett called me and said to meet him in Brenham about 4 AM. I said I would be there. I was writing a roving column for The Houston Post and had a lot of leeway. Lockett was mayor of Brenham and boss of the Salt Grass Trail. My columns about the trail had pushed us ahead of the Houston Chronicle. He also called Buddy Fisher, his and my insurance agent, and told him to be ready at 5 AM. Buddy said "Yessuh Mr. Lockett." We all got in Buddy's car and drove to Port Lavaca where Reese addressed the trail riders there. They were not riding to Houston, they were riding to San Antonio. Reese had become will known across Texas. Buddy was sulking because he did not like being ordered around. On the way back he suggested we stop at the Chicken Ranch. Reese did not want to stop but Buddy kept arguing with him so Reese finally agreed "as long as we do not stay too long." We pulled up to the Chicken Ranch, a weatherbeaten farm house, and got out and went in. Buddy went up and introduced himself to Miss Jessie, the madam, and I reminded her that I had met her before. Lockett gave a false name. It was sort of ridiculous for him to do so as he had been on television and was well known. Buddy offered to buy a drink and pretty soon about five young women wearing shorts joined us. When Buddy went to pay Miss Jessie he whispered to her that the other man was Reese Lockett. Miss Jessie stood up in front of Reese and said: "You are Reese Lockett." Reese stood up and took off his big hat and said: "Yes, Miss Jessie, but I have to be careful because I am in public life now." Miss Jessie snorted and said: "You know we would never talk about you Reese." Then she said: "Milly is still here." She turned to one of the girls and told her to summon Milly. Well, Milly had gotten too old to hustle, she was in her late 50s, and she was the towel girl. The towel girl delivers a towel to one of the girls when they have a customer. Milly was wearing a house dress, she was gray haired and had a large hearing aid. She came into the room with a bunch of towels on her arm. Miss Jessie pointed at Reese and said: "Look who's here." Milly screamed "Reeeese" and threw down the towels and ran over and hugged and kissed him. The room became extremely quiet. Reese shoved Milly away, said to Buddy "We have got to go" and strode out the door. Buddy knew when he had made his point and he thanked Miss Jessie for her hospitality and I told her it was nice to see her and he and I went out and got in the car. Reese was already sprawled out on the back seat with his hat over his face. It was about 60 miles to Brenham and no one said a word during the trip home.

The Chicken Ranch

2009-08-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of publicity about the Chicken Ranch, the country whorehouse at LaGrange, including a magazine article, a play and a movie. It was the favorite destination of students from Texas A&M when the college was all male. I first visited the Chicken Ranch a number of years ago when a murder trial was transferred from Houston to LaGrange by a district judge. The sheriff was Will Loessin, a popular man who served as sheriff for 20 years. During a recess in the trial, the jurors appeared to be divided. The sheriff called us together -- six journalists from the major newspapers of Texas -- and told us he was going to take us on a tour of the area. The tour was a visit to the Chicken Ranch. Those of us who made the trip included Margaret Mayer of the Austin American, Dawson Duncan of the Dallas Morning News, myself and several others. We were introduced to Miss Jessie, the madam of the whorehouse, who told us her life story. Shehad started out hustling in the oil boom at Longview, where she was robbed and beaten. She had been madam at the Chicken Ranch for a long time. The sheriff bought us a round of drinks while she told her story, and about five young women, wearing shorts, joined our group. In the beginning, during the Depression, money was scarce, and the farmers brought several chickens to pay for their visit. That is where the name Chicken Ranch came from.

How about a travelogue?

2009-08-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Lets look at New Braunfels, Austin and San Antonio.

Troubleshooting

2009-08-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Had some problems, particularly with the Internet, and so I enlisted the help of Jim Flournoy, the local expert. Jim seems to have cleared up the problem. This morning I was ready to give up, the computer was talking back to me. It appears to be working fine at the moment. My daughter, Nancy, will be down on Sunday, and I would like to confer with her on the internet on Saturday. It is more convenient than the telephone.

Dinner Meeting

2009-08-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

We had a dinner meeting during which a film was shown featuring a Caribbean cruise. It was an interesting show but I am not interested in a cruise ship. If I were going to the Caribbean I would prefer to fly to a specify location.

San Antonio

2009-08-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

I have been out of town. We went to San Antonio on business. When we got off Highway 35 we fell into a trap. The whole area was under contruction. We wandered around and came back and started over. Finally we got where we were going. My advice is to stay out of San Antonio until construction is over, but that may be impossible. The city is growing so fast that construction probably will last for years.

More Drouth News

2009-08-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

There are at least three ways to spell drouth, but any way you spell it, it is bad news. It rained in Austin yesterday but not here. We are hot and dry. Some people say it is because we do not go to church often enough. I say humbug, because the churches are full here. No, it has to do with the geology of the area. However, when it DOES rain, we probably will have a flood. Since I am living on top of a hill I am willing to risk that.

More Dental Work

2009-08-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

I am still recovering from treatment at the dentist. This is painful but necessary. During this time I am playing chess on the computer. Bob installed the chess game and it is provoking. When I am feeling better I will play Bob in person. Meanwhile Bob and Cindy are in New Mexico with her parents, Bill and Polly. They are going to be in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. In some ways I wish I was with them. I like New Mexico.

Chess

2009-08-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

Bob and I are playing chess. I am a bit rusty. It can be played on a checkerboard but is not anything like checkers. I once played the West Coast champion. He beat me. I played chess when I was in grade school and in high school. I played against some of my professors. During the war I played against some of the East Coast soldiers. Chess is an ancient game. It has a king, a queen, two bishops, a castle called a rook, a knight with the head of a horse and a lot of pawns, the foot soldiers. The only thing about chess is that it takes time to play a game.

Way out West

2009-08-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Daughter Nancy is out in West Texas at Fort Davis. It reminds me of a time when my friend, J.E. Carroll and I were on the Rio Grande south of Sierra Blanca about 50 miles east of El Paso. We spent a lot of time turning over rocks, looking for the pistol that Shorty Mexican had buried when he cross the river many years ago. Shorty Mexican, whose real name was Roberto Zubia Sr., worked for my father in Big Lake, the county seat of Reagan County. He told us that he buried the pistol when he came to Texas for fear of being arrested. He was a member of the revolutionary army under Diego Rivera. When Diego was killed he fled Mexico and ended up in Big Lake. Diego was known as Pancho Villa, and once ruled most of Northern Mexico. Those were interesting and turbulent days in Mexico.

Electric Cars

2009-08-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

President Obama is advocating the manufacture of electric powered automobiles. This would suit me fine. Imagine not having to pay for gasoline. At this time you would have to have a recharge facility. Just remember to plug in before you go to bed. Other complaints are that these cars do not go fast enough. Bah humbug! We would cut down on traffic fatalities. Those who want speed could go to the automobile races. As time went by, these vehicles could be greatly improved.

New Braunfels

2009-08-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

People ask me about New Braunfels. This is a charming community, although it is still growing. Some of the houses are masterpieces of a by-gone era. The city of Gruene, which is now part of New Braunfels, is filled with old fashioned stores. When Gruene was established, it was thought that this would be a cotton growing center but it did not work out that way. Now the cotton gin is a restaurant. In the summertime New Braunfels is filled with tourists, mostly young, who are going to ride an inflated tube in the Guadalupe River. The river is low but the tube riders keep coming. New Braunfels is located about halfway between San Antonio and Austin on Highway 35. You have a choice, go to San Antonio to see a ball game or go to Austin to see the Legislature.

Dentist

2009-08-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

I went to the dentist today. Help! The young woman who worked on me was strong and diligent. I came home completely exhausted. My advice to anyone thinking about going to the dentist is this: Have another drink and forget the dentist. !!

Drouths and Floods

2009-08-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

I remember a time during the l950s when the Rio Grande dried up. I walked out in the middle of it and took a picture. About two weeks later it started to rain and the Rio Grande was at flood stage. I hired a crop dusting plane and flew over it for contrast pictures. We ran a full page of contrast photographs in the Houston Post. And so my message is have faith. Perhaps we will be at flood stage in a few days.

Rain at last!

2009-07-31T11:28:00.001-07:00

Yesterday a group in New Braunfels held a public service praying for rain. Their prayers were answered, although the rain was only a fraction. What we need is at least two weeks of rain. The drouth is the worst in 50 years.

Night Vistas

2009-07-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

Last night about midnight I awoke to a noise and opened the front door. There were the same three deer again, two does and a buck, eating the grass in the front yard. It is pleasant having them as visitors although some of my neighbors resent the deer eating their flowers. This morning I am getting ready to go to Bob and Cindy's house. The occasion is Bob's 75th birthday. Yes, Bob is 75 and I am 90. The sky is overcast but there is no prospect of rain. Nor is there any prospect of rain in the future. This is the worst drouth in 50 years. Trinka is at their place in Pennsylvania. She says it rains every day. Beavers are daming up the lake in front of her house. Do they know something we need to know? Old timers say that once it starts to rain we will get a flood. Since I am living on top of a hill I am willing to risk it.

Magnolia Trees

2009-07-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

There are two large Magnolia trees in my front yard. They are 40 feet tall. The problem is that they shade the yard and the grass does not grow. Also during this dry spell they shed some of their leaves which adds to the diminishing grass. What would I give up if I had a choice: the trees or the grass? I am sorry to say that I would give up the grass. The Magnolia is a beautiful tree. It takes a long time for one of these trees to reach the size of these.

Back in Business

2009-07-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

To my faithful readers, sorry for the interruption. Nancy came and fixed my computer. Last night there were three deer in my back yard -- two does and a buck. Call them survivors. And call me a survivor. This morning I read in the Express News that dust from Africa was causing our drouth. It underlines the fact that our planet (Earth) is really closely aligned. What can we do about it? Here in South Texas we can stop using so much water. I bet we can cut our water usage by about two thirds if we put our mind to it. John.

George Burns and Gracie

2009-07-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a radio show featuring George Burns and Gracie. After a while it dawned on me that George was the straight man and Gracie was the star of the show. Now I am going to a program where someone will read from a memoir which Burns has written about hisformer associate Gracie. I takes a lot of work to produce a successful comedy.

More Drouth News

2009-07-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

This morning Forrest Mims, a columnist for the San Antonio Express News, said that this was the worst drouth in this area in 45 years. He also reminded his readers that the Guadalupe River was prone to flooding at times as well as responding to a drouth. And so, instead of moderation, we can expect to go from dry to wet. Given a choice, I would choose wet. Once upon a time during a war I was stationed in the San Francisco area. That is the climate I would choose, day after day and year after year. Of course one sometimes experiences an earthquake in that area. So far we have not had any earthquakes here. Along the Mediterranean the climate is nice. I was stationed on both sides of the Mediterranean during that Old War. The Gulf Coast of Texas has a lot of good weather, and the island nations in the Gulf enjoy good climate. But that area is vulnerable to hurricanes. What I am saying is that there is no perfect climate in these United States. But the changes give us something to talk about.

Rain at last

2009-07-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

It rained about one inch yesterday here in New Braunfels. Although we are still in a drouth, it was a welcome respite. We have gone through many months without rainfall. We all hope that this is a change in the weather that will continue.

July Fourth

2009-07-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

I am willing to go to the park and hear patriotic songs and celebrate our nation's independence, but I am opposed to fireworks. It is much to dry for fireworks, at least here in New Braunfels. The temperature is about 110 degrees and it is dry and dusty. A fire could spread quickly and cause a lot of damage. The fireworks vendors are crying foul and want to sell their fireworks everywhere. Tough shit! Let them sell flags instead.

New Braunfels is Cursed

2009-07-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

I heard from both my daughters. The one in Pennsylvania complaining about too much rain, and the one in Austin bragging about a great rain. New Braunfels is still dry as a bone. What is the cause of this? Where have we failed? Alas and alack, we have failed somewhere.

hot

2009-07-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

The local greeting is "Are you hot enough." It has reached 110 this week. My daughter who is enjoying a few days in Pennsylvania complains that it rains every day. It has not rained every day here and in fact it has not rained at all. The Guadalupe River is low. A report today said that Comal Springs might go dry. Help!

Drouth

2009-06-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

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.

Interest Rates

2009-05-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Interest rates are terribly low. Some experts say we have hit bottom. At any rate, it would be nice to have a decent interest rate. I am not calling for inflation, just an adjustment. Former Vice President Cheney is sounding off again. I would like to punch him in the mouth. He represents everything I am against. I hate to say it but a few more bank failures might be good for the economy. Do I sound gloomy. Yes, I do.

Natural Gas Drilling

2009-05-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

Big news today. The Democrats in the House of Representatives are fighting the current drilling by the oil companies. They are drilling for natural gas in a process known as fracturing. The problem is that the process damages the water table. Water is a precious commodity and a major problem in half the United States. The oil companies have had their way for many years. It is time for strong regulation. If we run out of water we will be in a serious condition. Take the Edwards Acquifer, for example. This water supply serves much of South Texas. If it is destroyed we will have a new desert. The lack of rain is a worrisome matter. One cannot rely on the Texas Legislature to protect us. The Legislature has seldom done anything worthwhile in years. Unfortunately, citizens do not get upset until too late.

Drouth

2009-05-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is the worst dry spell we have had in years. The drouth is one reason the deer are restless, they need water to drink. What we need is a week of sustained rain. Water restrictions call for using water in the yard only once a week. This is not enough to save a garden. Ad to this the smoke coming from the fires in Mexico. Most of them are set by farmers who are clearing their land for a new planting.

Listen to the Mockingbird

2009-05-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

I have a mockingbird in my back yard. He is a noisy little devil. I suspect he has a nest nearby. There are at least six different specie in the back yard. There are a lot of cats, some of them wild, but no dogs. A few people keep dogs inside their apartments. We need rain, lots of rain. Deer wander thru this subdivision, mostly at sundown but sometimes all night. This is basically a quiet neighborhood. One thing we do not have is speeding automobiles. Those who drive here hold their speed to a minimum. Love, Daddy.

wildlife

2009-05-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

New Braunfels and vicinity is filled with wildlife: deer, raccoons, squirrels, snakes, skunks, and teenagers. Most of the deer who wander across the area are does and fawns. They are in search of drinking water as it is dry around here. They invade residents' gardens and lawns. The raccoons generally show up after dark. The squirrels are in the trees. The temperature is in the 90s and approaching 100. I would like to give my address: 3A Eden Drive in Eden Village, 631 Lakeview Blvd., New Braunfels, TX, 78130. My telephone number is 830-629- 9016. Now that I moved I will resume my reports on local problems, national affairs and World events. When I read the morning paper I find that there is violence nearly everywhere. Mankind cannot accept peace and unity, and the acceptance of a different point of view. I am an Episcopalian. The church here in New Braunfels has entered into a fight with the national group. Along with Rev. Joe Turner, a retired minister, I am attending Presbyterian services in the area near Landa Park.

gruene

2009-05-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

A vital part of New Braunfels is called Gruene, and it seems to be a tourist center without parallel. One needs to drive carefully in Gruene for fear of running over a tourist. There are old tourists, young tourists, family tourists and a few local visitors. Some of the younger girl tourists wear shorts so skimpy that you would not believe it. This time of year even middleaged men wear shorts. There are several attractions. One of the major attractions is Gruene Hall, which is showing signs of age. On a weekend with a well known band performing it is almost impossible to find a place to sit inside Gruene Hall. Then there are several good restaurants, of which the Grist Mill appears to be the most popular. It is located on the river, and the interior has been remodeled. On a weekend you may have to wait to be seated. Last but not least are the stores. Some of them are antique outlets. It is possible to spend a lot of time in Gruene, and even a lot of money. It is a tourist center de luxe.

A Different World

2009-05-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

New Braunfels reminds me of Brenham, where I once was acquainted. Eden Village is close to the culture of Brenham. I attended a meeting of about 30 residents today. We were entertained by an ommpah band. I know that New Braunfels is growing, but the growth does not affect Eden Village, which is growing but at a more conservative pace. The only problem I can single out is the possibility that we will run out of water. This is because San Antonio is being greedy. This is a good time for water conservation but the people who are running San Antonio want to get bigger and bigger. Alas, I no longer have a newspaper so my voice will not be heard. I can only hope that we have some excessive rain within the next few weeks.

Eden Village

2009-05-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

I have now moved into Eden Village, which is a historic site in New Braunfels. I have a back porch where I can watch the deer eat my neighbors flowers. I also can watch the raccoons and other wild life. There are a lot of trees and flowers and this is a beautiful place. This started out as a rest home, which is still here, but apartments have been constructed for those of us who can manage our affairs. I have a mockingbird which must have a nest near here. This bird fights with the cats and squirrels. This is a quiet neighborhood. To the south is San Antonio, which is noisiy, and Austin which is growing larger.

postponement

2009-04-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

I am busy packing to move. Within thirty days I will be back. Thank you. John.

The Salt Grass Trail

2009-04-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

I started out riding in the Salt Grass Trail as a whim, but it soon grew to be a major event. The number of city dudes who wanted to ride in the trail was unbelievable. For seven years I rode with the Port City Stockyards every year. We ate well and slept in bedrolls. The ride was orignally devised to publicize the Houston Fat Stock Show. It became as big as the stock show itself. About halfway through the seven years we had to make some rules. The ride had become a mob scene and riders got hurt. Now you had to sign up with an organized trail group. At its peak the ride featured 50 wagons and about 3,000 riders. It was an experience.

horses

2009-04-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

I have always loved horses. When we moved to Friendswood I bought four horses: One for Marie and One each for Nancy and Trinka. Marie used to run barrel races. I used to swim the river horseback. But it turned out that the rider in our family was Trinka. From the time she was five years old Trinka rode horseback, with or without a saddle. By the time she was twelve Trinka was an accomplished rider. Eventually, Trinka went to New York and formed a ballet company, but she still loved horses. One day she called me from New York. Daddy, she said, will you bring me a horse. I replied that I would bring her a horse with a new saddle and all I needed was the address of the stable where she was going to lodge the horse. That was the end of that, I am sorry to say. She could not afford the rent of the stable in Manhattan. I also could not afford the price of the rent.

Friendswood

2009-04-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Friendswood was a Quaker community located halfway between Galveston and Houston. It was a little on the dull side but a great place to raise two daughters. I commuted to Houston which took about an hour. You could not buy alcoholic liquor in Friendswood and there was only one church -- the Friends Church. Eventually we established an Episcopal Church which we named Good Shepherd. After a while, NASA was established nearby and many lifelong Episcopalians moved to Friendswood. You still could not buy liquor, but we had weekend dances. The culture of Friendswood was changed. All this took place while NASA was developing. Then came the visit to the Moon. This not only changed Friendswood but the United States.

Friendswood

2009-04-21T08:29:00.001-07:00

Friendswood

2009-04-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

A Big Wedding

2009-04-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Marie Peterman and I were married in the Episcopal Church in my home town of San Angelo in front of about 500 people. We resigned from the Standard Times and took the summer off by going to Ruidoso, New Mexico. Later on we ended up in Houston, with me working for the Houston Post and Marie working for the Houston Chronicle. At various times I was an editor, a news reporter, a TV personality and a daily columnist. Marie was an editor at the Chronicle. We were married for 60 years. We were the parents of two daughters, Nancy, who is a lawyer in Austin and Katrinka, who is a publishers assistant in New York. kEventually we published a chain of weekly newspapers between Galveston and Houston known as the Journal newspapers.

Marie Peterman Moore

2009-04-17T03:07:00.000-07:00

I had gone to work for the San Angelo Standard Times and was beginning to be comfortable with my new life. One morning I was sitting at my desk when Marie Peterman came in. She had been to the swimming pool before coming to work. Her hair was braided. She went to her desk with a great deal of confidence. She was slender and stood erect while checking the papers on her desk. It hit me between the eyes. I had not met her and yet I knew she was the one. My Uncle Max came in and said to me: What is going on?" I replied: "Do you see that girl over there?" He looked and replied: "What about her?" I told him: "I am going to marry her." He took another look and said: "What is her name?" I replied: "What difference does that make?"