This was the first time I have taken Tiger on a carnival ride. I laughed and enjoyed it for a bit. Then he was ready to get off as you can see.
We had a good time.
Some folks say there is nothing to do in a town like Odessa. I’m not certain, but I think I have more fun than those people do wherever I am.
I also ate some fajitas that weren’t around long enough to photograph. If you have never eaten fajitas in West Texas, you have never truly eaten fajitas. It is like comparing the scallops in New England with ones served anywhere else. The local mesquite is God’s perfect cooking fuel. The fajitas are the best in the world, hands down. The brisket aint bad either.
How big the kids are getting!! Holy smokes! I don’t often have time to blogsurf so it’s been some time since I’ve been by. Wow. Time sure does go by quickly.
I was asked to write something to honor our classmates that have passed away. Then read it at the reunion. It was a tough piece of homework. It turns out that I didn’t read it but it makes for good blogfodder.
At first I thought I should say something nice about each of them. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t even know some of them. Others I never said a kind word to.
So, I thought I might talk about the ones I did know. I could talk about how Brad was so tough that he played football with a broken leg. I could talk about how Fred made me laugh even when it was inappropriate. I could talk about how Ricky made fun of school custodians, then became one and was overwhelmingly happy with his job. I could talk about how Janice was at the last reunion but not at this one. I could talk about how Robert went to college with me. He was in his seat on Tuesday but on Wednesday it was empty. Then I realized all of that sucked and I left it all out.
I was at a complete loss until the Friday night mixer for the reunion. There I saw my classmates loving each other. Everywhere I looked, there was hugging, kissing and reminiscing. I then realized exactly what to write.
The way to honor our classmates that passed away is to remember them fondly in word and thought. The way to honor them is to remember that their list will get longer with time.
It is too late to love on those classmates. But it is not too late to love on the ones that have not yet made the list. Year by year that list will grow until it overcomes us all. The best we can do is know and love each other now. We must share those hugs, kisses and kind words now. Then it wont hurt so much when we see those names on the list.
Perfect. I’ve been out of school for 36 years now (doesn’t seem possible). What’s interesting about my small class of about 80 is that we lost a lot of our classmates within the first 10 years - I believe we lost 12 of them. Motorcycle accident, breast cancer, one died during childbirth, stroke, brain aneurysm, car accident, heart attack. While the list has slowed down a bit, I know it will slowly begin to pick back up again, as we are all approaching our mid-50’s. “Precious and few are the moments we two can share”, as the song goes. . .
When you live in a dry and dusty place, water features take on a new role. They become more than just part of the landscaping. They transform a back yard, park or venue into an oasis.
Odessa has one particular park that I really like. It is called Old Buffalo Wallow. The name comes from the depression that started the pond. Buffalo would wallow in the same spot over and over again. Those spots grew larger and larger over the years. It is not uncommon to be walking around in West Texas and find a shallow hole about three to four yards across. These holes are buffalo wallows.
Now the only Buffalo found here is this statue.
There are other statues too.
There are some red eared turtles that act like statues.
And there are some other turtles that look like aliens.
There are even some strange birds that I don’t recognize.
I love to listen to people in places like this. They go on and on about how nice it is. Folks don’t expect to see such places and they enjoy the surprise.
I think I’ll put a nice water feature in my back acre. I have two wells so there is no good excuse not to do it. Then folks could get that surprise at my place.
It’s no surprise that water has always played a central part in all societies, as humans are comprised primarily of the substance. But this importance is indeed magnified both when there is too little of it (as there is in many places in the West) as well as when there is too much of it (as there is now during Midwestern floods).
It turns out that the bird isn’t even supposed to be here at this time of the year.
You know, I need to start getting some pictures of the indigenous birds pretty soon. I’ll bet some of you have never seen good pictures of a scissor tail or chaparral.
Very cool. I had kind of the same experience visiting Delaware Bay recently. Check out the blog pics when you get a chance. So much interesting stuff is so close n America. You just have to open your eyes and slow down sometimes. Congrats on the graduation as well. Best of luck to her!
Comment by CaptainAmerica — July 1, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
Nice park. How’s the rennovation project coming? Done yet?
OMG, I just did this a year or so ago. The stage photo and all looked almost the same. Mine survived his first year in college and is just now trying to rent his first place.
Life is such a trip! Isn’t parenthood the most amazing and learned journey on earth! Congratulations. I hope you’re like me…we aren’t getting older, we’re just getting to the good part
I know how you feel; it happent to me in 2004, now she’s at TAMU and can “Whoop” as a senior!
In the “class reunion” pic of your wife and friend, I didn’t know which was your spousal unit; but now that I see your offspring, it’s clear that your wifey is the one on the left. Both lovely ladies!
It only gets more shocking as your others move down the line; my middle is gonna start her senior year and youngest will be an eighth-grader…and I’m more of a geezer alla time!
Many of you recognize my beautiful wife. The lovely lady beside her has been my friend since kindergarten. It is not unusual to see these two smiling together. However, this was a special time.
My Class reunion was this weekend.
It was a time for dancing.
It was a time for finding long lost friends.
It was a time to squeeze into old outfits.
It was a wonderful time to reduce thousands of miles to mere inches.
It was one of those times that remind you about what is important in life. It was full of laughter, tears, love and reminiscing.
I’ve been asked several times “why do you want to live in the past” (referring to wanting to attend the reunion) I’m not sure what it is that compells me to want to reunite with old friends, but I don’t think we want to “live” in the past. I think it’s remembering our past lives and reflecting on who we’ve become as a result of it. After all, we wouldn’t be who we are today if it weren’t for our past relationships - good and bad.
One thing I knew I wanted out of this reunion was to make amends with a childhood friend and I think I achieved that goal. I just needed some closure. I hope she got that as well.
We have a great bunch, the Class of ‘88. We are truly unique and I cherish you all!
Great pics. I am so glad I decided to attend the reunion. I look back on it with the fondest memories. The class of ‘88 is the greatest. I hope some that didnt attend can make to the next one.
Very nice. You described an entire event in about a hundred words, and you summed it up well. Those pictures were the frosting on the cake. Of course, I could go for more cake, but I don’t want to get fat. Thanks.
Thanks Zane..this is a teaser for me…Anticipation is killing me now and I can’t wait to see the rest of your pictures!!!
Comment by Charlotte Collins — June 18, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Our 30 year reunion is next Friday and Saturday…I cannot wait.
1978 was a great year to graduate high school. We were only 80 strong in our class. I feel like I knew them all, yet I really knew very little.
These class reunions help me learn alot about them now.
I am so glad you went and had a good time. Class reunions can be fun but they can also be very tiring. At our 20th it was three days of party party party and I began to hate it on the third day. I have not been around for awhile but just to update you: I am home permanently. I work at the local amuzement park called, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and we are almost out of debt. Most of my goals were met before I came home so it was not a bad thing that I came home.
My home town is the butt of alot of jokes. A fair amount of those involve violence.
Yes, Odessa Texas is the place where Pauly Shore was punched on stage. Sometimes people ask me why my nose is crooked. I answer, “I grew up in Odessa Texas.” That answer always suffices. My town is infamous for bar room brawls and smashmouth football.
So, you think this is all a bad thing? You wouldn’t be alone. I have heard that violence never solves anything. But, I never heard that in my home town. The prevailing school of thought here is: violence does solve some things. Okay, alot of things. Well, most things. Okay, Okay, just about anything.
Don’t judge us too harshly. Sometimes this works out for the best.
This is what sexual predator’s mugshots look like in my home town.
No the cops didn’t give him that shiner. A cute young lady did. He attacked her. She defended herself. He ran off. She chased him down. She defended herself some more. He got away again. She chased him down again. She proceeded to defend herself some more. A by stander got involved. The Police showed up. You get the picture.
This fool ran around Midland (the neighboring town) groping women for weeks without getting caught. Then he tried that in Odessa. It was only a matter of time until a girl gave him a whipin’.
I’m getting homesick! If you ever meet one of the old (circa-1955) police officers, ask them if they knew my nephew, Cowboy Christmas. That’ll get you a chuckle! -or a groan!
Yep, she obviously had a proper upbringing. Some months back there was a man running around the Denver area flashing his genitals to women. I prayed (yes, prayed) that I would be one he encountered because this man was always a few steps ahead of law enforcement. Had he made his way up to this side of Denver, he’d be a hurting puppy.
Oh Lord, I loved going to beer joints around Odessa years ago, interesting doesn’t even begin to describe the experience.
I really like that part about how she defended herself, several times, that is priceless and why Texas women are the best.
I have one of those Texas gals, and once again last night she was worth her weight in gold.
Some folks that live about a block down the street from us were having a party last night, 40-50 young black folks, late teens, maybe early 20’s, and it was loud, from a block away, an then it was getting really loud as it turned into a roving brawl in the street, an out right GANG FIGHT and was all the way to my end of the block, except I didn’t know it was a fight just yet, I thought it was just them heading out to their cars, which were parked all over the place.
So, I go outside to see what’s going on in MY front yard, and being the well prepared guy I am I had a 9 shot pistol, nothing big, just my little back-up piece, and I walked out into about 40-50 folks milling around and beating the crap out of each other…
I hear “Here honey, you may want this” and Becky was right behind me with the riot gun, 7 in the tube and 1 in the chamber, and needless to say the yard cleared real quick, it spilled over to the other side of the street and it was ‘fight on’ until the Rowlett PD arrived en masse.
Needless to say, it was all over in short order, and I am buying another .12ga riot gun, then we’ll have ‘his’ and hers’, and I know I need, I mean just NEED that new XD-45 Tactical, I thought when I retired that my days of having to tote BIG GUNS was over, it appears that I was wrong.
Zane, you get my age and fighting isn’t on the agenda, except as a last resort, and even though I have lost about 70 pounds since the last time I saw you, I am still too old and too sick to fight, but shooting is a piece of cake.
Get this woman a concealed handgun permit and send her some flowers. Then have her teach at the local high school, civic club meetings and make the church luncheons too. High Fives for the lady.
That is absolutely priceless. I love reading this stuff. That clown got a wee bit of exactly what he needs. Hopefully, he’ll get the rest of it after his trial.
You know that’s straight from home for me. I grew up in Colorado City, but my Dad was an oil man in Midland-Odessa for years. There’s no football like Midland Mojo or Permian!
My brother was the DJ for a few years at a little dive bar, but a rockin place called the Neon Moon in Odessa…had a few good times there. When I fly home from Nevada, I either have to fly in to Lubbock or Midland and drive nearly 2 hours.
Texas women are that way. GOOD FOR HER…GO GIRL! I’ve always said if anyone ever made the bad choice to come at me you better knock my ass out. If I get up, OH MAN, I’ll probably get 20 years. My concealed weapons permit helps a bit in that area
Cool stories, made me homesick and I’ve never been in one real fight in my whole life There’s one in me though if ever needed
:)
it’s SO good to see you all so happy. LOVE the pic of mini-echo!
Comment by Ame — July 4, 2008 @ 5:07 am
and, shoot … i know it’s only 6am, but i’d eat those fajitas for breakfast if i had some!!! yummmmmmm!!!!!!!
Comment by Ame — July 4, 2008 @ 5:08 am
Texas has some amazing food…. lucky.
How big the kids are getting!! Holy smokes! I don’t often have time to blogsurf so it’s been some time since I’ve been by. Wow. Time sure does go by quickly.
Hope you and echo are doing well!
Comment by rebecca/boston — July 4, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
Sounds like the Lord and life are treating you well. Glad you are happy in Odessa.
Susan
Comment by Susan Joyce — July 5, 2008 @ 8:06 am
Hey BWH,
I am so happy that you are happy.
Man, Texas is AWESOME…I am so glad to be
a native…now I have 5 to add to that.
Mmmm….fajitas..but,my favorite is still Enchiladas.
Comment by Jeanette — July 5, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY MY FRIEND!..light up those fireworks!
Comment by Angel — July 6, 2008 @ 8:06 am
I love Texas food.
I think I may have a little Mexican hiding in side me…
(Shoot… there maybe two or three in there)
Tiger is getting so big… he looks great.
Gib
Comment by BigDadGib — July 6, 2008 @ 11:01 am
You gotta love where you live, otherwise what’s the point? And the comparison of the New England scallops — how appropos!
BZ
Comment by Bloviating Zeppelin — July 6, 2008 @ 3:12 pm