Texas Odyssey

I’m back home in Georgia, after a two-week series of adventures within the boundaries of the Lone Star State. Here’s a little summary:

THE GOOD

Selling my books at five different events, greeting old friends and making new ones.
Trading verbal jabs and reminiscences with childhood chums at a cheerful high school reunion.
Fiesta time in San Antonio, all in bright colors.
Trekking west along US 90, a straight black ribbon through the desert, no traffic at all, open sky, small towns with familiar names.
The Big Bend country, greeting Santa Elena Canyon once again.
Musical trio at Cullum’s Landing on the San Antonio Riverwalk, polite jazz.

THE BAD

Wasn't allowed to sign Escape from the Alamo at the Alamo Gift Shop (the Daughters of the Republic of Texas operate it, and they objected to some of my language).
Missing faces at the high school reunion, some gone forever.
The landscape arid throughout the state, extensive grass fires smoldering.
No bluebonnets, no spring wildflowers (see above).

THE UGLY

Burnt-over western grasslands, the hint of smoke in the air.
Old familiar childhood settings somehow smaller now, deteriorating, fading away.
My hotel room in Alpine, Texas.

Now, back to the writing life.

Dac Crossley
April 21, 2011 (San Jacinto day)

"Mixing politics and religion is like mixing manure and ice cream. It doesn't do much to the manure, but it surely does ruin the ice cream." - Will Rogers

Comments

[Steve]

Welcome back, sorry the signing at the Alamo didn't work out. Did the DRT object to language in your writing, or the language you used when they said "no"? :-)

[shirley white]

Glad you are safely home.

Too bad our usually green and cool Springtime didn't happen this year for you. My van is sprinkeled with ash this morning.

If the DRT turned you down, they really ARE picky!

[Marj. F.]

On IH 10 from San Antonio to Kerrville there are many wildflowers in spite of the drought. You have to look carefully as they're in smaller groups than they would be if there had been more rain. Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, primroses, verbena, phlox, etc.

[Celia Yeary]

Hi, Dac! Seems we've both been roaming around. I was going east while you were going west. Maybe we passed each other! I got your the good, the bad, and the ugly...you were right on every count.
I'm sorry the DRT wouldn't allow you to sell your book. I'm a member but I've stopped participating...I swear, they are picky. Glad you're back.Celia

[Irene Black]

Welcome back. Loved the Will Rogers quote.

[Bill Stroud]

Welcome back to GA! We're living in Germany now, but miss the gang of aging writers at UGA.

You must have picked up a huge armful of new Texas lore on your travels. Got to be a great story about the motel in Alpine!