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Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

Hey Beau... what shape is your '54 Seeburg in?  Any damage?  Does it play?  We have a '55 Rowe/AMI that we played all the time in Houston.  It worked great until we moved here.  Now it hasn't worked since.  We had a good jukebox repair guy in Houston but have not found one yet up in these hills.  If it's decent and everything works can you send a photo?  If hubby approves will you give me the same deal as Kay... half price and free delivery?

Beau Wann, Jr.

My beloved does not generally make any contrary requests of me, so when she does, I like to, if at all possible,  honor those requests, and it seems that she does not want to sell the Juke box...no harm either way if we sell it or keep it...so we shall keep it, for now...hadnt really discussed a price on it...she would also like for me to keep my Fender Stratocaster...why? Seems she is more sentimental about things than I use to be...According to Guitar Center, and they have the same one...seems my guitar is worth somewhere in the vicinity of 40K...I wouldnt pay 40K for every guitar on earth, but some folks will spend that kind of money for even sillier things...

And the half price sale is off, and we also dont deliver...seems I misspoke...yet once again...well, it is her buisness...thank goodness...I suppose if it were up to me I'd just chunk the stuff out....knowing full well it all has value to some folks...I just want to get shed of stuff... 

There is a Mr Villareal that works on juke boxes...he worked for a man that had a JB museum on Bingle at Hammerly...who has since died...the man that owned the museum, not Mr Villareal...Dont know if he would make the trip to the hill country or not..He speaks no english, or does not wish to, so his daughter Crystal goes with him to translate...he has worked on my wifes Juke box...not having anyone else to compare his rates or his expertise to, I would have to say he is an expert and his rates seem fair...

There is an antique shop on 19th just across from where the old Reagan State Bank was, (it is now some other bank)...The owner of the shop has numerous JBs fully restored, whereas they look brand new...He and Mr Villareal spent a lot of hours restoring them...Prices on those vary from 10grand to expensive...

Speaking of sentimental over things, the Wanns are no longer "rich land barons"...we are sort of "rich barren of land barons"...( rich being a relative term)...The Wanndarosa closed last Friday...I thought I'd be all weepy eyed and sad....not so mon ami...the two young men that purchased it, are so excited about it (sort of like we were)...but they are much younger and more capable of getting things done...So, we are elated and relieved that someone of their caliber was able to purchase it...Both educated in Christian schools, both just as nice and polite as you could ever want your child to be...We gave them a lot of items to go with the place, and to them it was Christmas in April...I know their parents have to be as proud of them as they can be...

They even stopped by last night for another truck load of goodies...at our request of course...One of the young men works for a firm that sells the keurig coffee maker...he brought the very best commercial one to us as a thankyou gift...now wasnt  that nice???? We may adopt these two young men...they already have had braces and college and new cars behind em, not to mention their very own place in the country...we'd be getting a bargain eh what??? 

Before we sold the "ranch", I took Jack and Cooper up last week for one last romp...they were elated at first, bounding through the meadows and woods, chasing butterflies and anything else that appeared to move...what a pleasure it was watching their heads and bodies bounce up and down through the tall grass...I sat on the parkbench the edge of the middle meadow (mm) watching them for the longest time...

What a beautiful sight...eventually they sensed something was up. The ran back and sat at my feet urging me to get up and join them, so I did. Well, I didnt run or bound through the countryside, I slowly walked down the trails and roads and fence lines as I have many times, both boys, one on each side, ears almost touching each leg, they were so close.  Dont know how long it took to walk it, better part of two hours, but we slowly meandered our way back to the truck...I watched the boys as they looked at me, and then around at the countryside...I did the same...I opened the truck doors, to which Jack jumped in, and Cooper looked his usual perplexed self...sometimes he has no clue where or what he is, but he sure does know how to get the best out of folks...

I put out his ramp, (he does not know how to jump up in the back seat of the truck, or doesnt want to) and guide him up until he is in the truck. He also wont go up the ramp without guidance...
Once the boys were secured, I climbed in and shut the door, drove out the south gate, stopping only to get out and lock it...and drove off...both boys looking back at their disappearing playground...they knew...

This place was my own "yellowstone park"...It looked identical to that park....well, except it didnt have the mountains, the geysers, the hotsprings, the buffalo, the bears (thank goodness for that one), otherwise it looked just exactly like "yellostone park"...and it had it;s own "grand canyon" up by the north pasture/meadow...it is in good and capable hands now...plus we have an invite to come up anytime we want...nothing wrong with that...

I see by the cats perching on everything around me, and the two drooling dogs, that it must be breakfast time...silly me... 

Dance like Fred Astaire...nap like Rip Van...love like there is no tomorrow...

DOD

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

OH...OOUUCCHH!  My response when I saw you and Diane sold your Nomangee place....still plenty of 'em for sale all around. Of course, you broke my heart, tear-filled eyes when I read about you and the boys walking the last trail. Ouch again.

Everything in life must change according to our circumstances.  But the good Lord says that we can't take our earthly possessions with us, so why sweat the small-stuff. Adjust accordingly.  I'm looking for a regular 2010-2011 car, SUV, anyone want to sell one?

Well anyway, everyone have a spectacular weekend....it's gorgeous outside.

Beau Wann, Jr.

Hey Kay, thanks for the understanding, but it's ok really. Not only did we make money, but we now have two new friends, that could very well be OUR CHILDREN. They are really sooooo very nice, and practicing Christians. Plus their vision of the place is very close to the one we had...And It is so much fun to watch their eyes whenever I give them a truck load of "ranch goodies"...What else could I do with that stuff anyway. They say it is more "blessed to give than to receive", and by golly they is right. We really have so much fun seeing others prosper, and helping them, however little, along the way. Got lots more goodies...

Grandaughter is over...YEAAAAAAAAAAAAA...I just love that child...wish we had more, but we will take what we have...Gonna be in Austin tomorrow to meet one of my "brothers" from my last squadron I was in, in the good ol US Navy...I was best man in his wedding...He is Swedish and Crow indian, and his wife Mauli is Hawaiian.
Great folks. Last time I sawr them was in Vegas a couple O years back during a reunion of our "band O bros"...

Ok, gotta go play life guard for the love of my life, Hailey...Jack and Cooper are outside running around the pool...cannot get either of them  in the water...Maybe I'll throw Big Oliver in...he'd probably sink like a rock...I know I"M NOT going in...yuk...I already had my bath for the week...

Hey Jan, I'm working on Diane about the Juke Box...I think she wants it because it was one of the things I always wanted from the time I knew about JBs till I got this one...I'm over it though...It was fun, but sometimes the "wanting", tends to be better than the "having"...on some things, not on all...I somehow seem to have gotten over the material things...I still like having some stuff, like this old secretary that I am sitting at now...dont know how old it is, but I'll bet it was George Washingtons, or Thomas Jeffersons, or both...yeah, thats the ticket, at least thats how I'm gonna tell it anyway...I think it has the chickentail front, and claw feet...

ok, gotta play lifeguard..."splish splash blub blub" ...

Beau Wann, Jr.

Good Morrow mine fine Waltripines...
        Monday morn...Forgot what I did Saturday, oh yeah, just cleaned house BY MYSELF, as my beloved went to her Beta Eta meeting/luncheon...she was even awarded a certificate for being a true blue member in good stead for 20 years...THEN she picked up our grandaughter Haley and of course they went shopping...a rite of passage for grandmoms and grandaughters, one I find so delightful...when they get home, they share with me,  all the treasures they bought, including modeling dresses pants shirts bathing suits etc...(Haleys bathing suit seemed to be missing some material, if you axe me) ...brought smiles and chuckles to DW and Haley as I "diverted" my eyes from viewing MY GRANDAUGHTER IN HER ALMOST BIRTHDAY SUIT...I told her she wasnt going out in that..."oh beaupa," she says and kisses me on the cheek, "this is perfectly acceptable"...I look to DW for support, and she just says, "it's allright"...

They generally model what they bought, and tell me how much each thing was and how much they saved etc...both are very "sale" conscious...as most folks generally are..
I dont care what they spend, as long as they are happy...and they do seem so...I do so enjoy watching the bond between Diane and Haley...so, any of youse youtes have extra grandaughters, bring em over, and they can swim and eat hotdogs and play with the dogs and cats, and we can play dominos and cards...

The lunch Sunday with one of my "band O Bros" did not go as well as I wished...I dont know who picked the eatery, but it was a poor choice...one of Austins "trendy" places. Service was ok to good, but food was...TOO CUTESY AND NOT VERY GOOD AT ALL..."LUCY'S FRIED CHICKEN" is the name of the place,and they do not know how to fry chicken or cook potatoes or anything else for that matter,  off of south congress on College st...to start, they have only 9 parking spots, and one of those is handicaped and two are in front of the dumpsters...you must find a place on the street, which is a very short street...I got lucky and found one almost out front...

Whoever picked Lucy's didnt take into account that there were several of us that are almost deaf, so eating outside in the wind, and crackling birds, loud music, loud talkers, traffic, was not a good idear...dont know sign language, yet...guess I'm going to have to learn it, or be a hermit...a deaf hermit...deaf lonely hermit...

I dont know how anyone could ruin boiled potatoes or however they cooked em, but they were awful...Diane says they cooked em in pepper...I like pepper, and these clearly didnt taste like any pepper I've ever cooked with...they even have FRIED DEVILED EGGS...what a terrible thing to do to a deviled egg...it could have been good, but was toooooo salty, and tooooo not good...the chicken in some pieces was underdone, and the breading and seasoning was...puzzeling at best...the two bites of the potato just ruined my taste buds for the entire day, so nothing tasted good after that...oh, thats it, cayenne pepper...wasnt spicy hot, just tasted like burnt rubber...I'm not the only one that didnt like the fare...Diane and Haley and Dan thought it was terrible also...didnt canvass anyone elses opinion as I didnt want to hurt any feelings...

Alison Cook, the Chronicle food critic would have loved this place...I find that if she likes it, I wont...

Dan and I did get to visit some...but both being hearing impaired, found us saying "what"?  more than  anything else...but I enjoyed being with Dan and Mauli just the same...Oh, I said that Dan was Swedish, but he corrected me and said he was Norwegian and Blackfoot indian...yeah yeah yeah, all those people look alike anyway...He has lived in Hawaii for over 40 years, and talks like a Hawaiian now...His wife Mauli, is Hawaiian, and is just as beautiful now as she was 40 plus years ago...they have umpteen chirren...I cant keep up with them, because they all have Hawaiian names, as do their grandchirren...plus you have to have GOOD HEARING to know who and or what...I keep mentioning hearing, because the lack of it has now become very important in my life...the frequency range of a childs voice is harder to understand than anything...no wonder people with hearing problems retreat into their own silent whirld...I am tempted...

To say the least, it is a struggle, but loving people and life, I try so hard to keep up with conversations, and mostly fail at it, hearing aids and all... I try to compensate by enjoying  looking at laughing eyes and smiling faces...and saying "yes, no, maybe, all of the above" ...just one of the many passages we must all go through...IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORSE...

Diane and I havent been to Austin since 1990 methinks...we had our corvette last time we went, and traded it in in 91, so yeah, 1990 was it...I remember Austin and surrounding area as it was in the 70s and 80s...easy to get around...you could go from one side of Austin to the other in 15 minutes or less...then in the late 90s and turn of the century I had heard about the TERRIBLE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS that are austins...after Sunday, now I know why...they have not advanced their freeway system, or the major roads surrounding Austin to accomodate the influx of people that have flooded the place...

Youre driving along on what you think of as a freeway, like Ben White, or hwy71, or 183 or whichever one, and WHAMO, there is a traffic light right in the middle of the freeway...and they are numerous...what a horrid place to drive...never thought I'd say this, but the traffic in Austin is MUCH worse than in Houston...I couldnt see how that was possible, but it is...Back in the 70s, traffic on Sunday, was almost non existent, and certainly not the problem that it is now...

Ok, I'm ramblin...just a ramblin man...got to get ready for Coopers visit to Lamkin Elem...Oh, any of youse youtes ever heard of Dr Ben Carson???? I read his story some 20 years ago methinks, or round abouts therof, called "GIFTED HANDS" ...the man is unrivaled as the preeminent neurosurgeion in the whirld...
Anyway, he is involved with, and or came up with a reading program in one of Dianes schools in HISD...
She got to meet him and was asked if Cooper could visit and participate...duh OF COURSE HE CAN...I hope Dr Carson will be there, I would love to shake  the hand that has saved many a child and adult alike with his "gifted hands"...what an honor that would be...

Ok, long winded as usual...duh...I guess since I cant hear, I still can see, so I like to read any responses to what I write, and anything else about everyones life and their families in our class and surrounding classes...I JUST LOVE THE PICTURES OF THE GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN youse youtes have posted...KEEP IT UP...

OH, on no, not more stuff....yeah, but just a small tidbit...My grandson Taylor, asked a young lady to the prom, which she accepted....he accompianied her on guitar as she and another young lady sang in one of the senior programs we attended...she is absolutely stunning, of course, I say that about all the ladies dont I...well it's true anyhow...a grandson going to the prom...soon to graduate...off to college...amazing isnt it...time sure does fly...I wore a blue brocade tux jacket and froo froo frilly shirt to our prom...(at least I think it was blue brocade) ...I think it was from ALs formal wear....cost 10 dollars methinks, and the corsage cost 4 or 5 or 8 dollars...I think we got the ladies orchids...didnt we??? Now, for the life of me I cant remember who I took to the prom...and really dont remember where it was or what we did other than dance...and I'm assuming we danced, since thats what folks do at dances...hmmm....there are no pictures that I know of, so if anyone knows, let me know will ya...

your friend and longwinded bro...Harold Longfellow Beaupa

Teddie Jordan

Harold Bocephus, our prom was in the Emerald Ballroom of the old Shamrock Hotel, way out (at that time) at the corner of Holcombe and S. Main. And I think you're right about the costs of the tux rental and the corsage. As I have stated elsewhere before, Fran and I double dated with Jimmy Stockton and his date and went in my '55 Chevrolet. I bet the attendants at the Shamrock were pretty impressed when we pulled up in front with that old hot rod. I can't remember if I hit the A-ooogah horn or not.

Beau Wann, Jr.

Thanks Teddie...now I remember...sort of...I do remember that we had our 20th reunion at the shamrock in the emerald room...nope, I still dont remember the prom...maybe I didnt go as previously stated...hmmmm oh well

Yup, I bet your the valets were fighting to see who got to park your 55...

Teddie Jordan

Beau, we also had our 10 year reunion at the Shamrock and probably would have had our 30 and 40 year there but it was shut down and donated by Hilton Hotels to the Medical Center in 1985, shortly after our 20 year reunion, and torn down a few years later.

Fran and I stayed there for our 20 year reunion and old friend and classmate Dennis Dorsey and his wife Diane stayed in the adjoining room. Our daughter Lisa was sixteen and their daughter Annie was an infant, and Lisa babysit Annie while we attended the reunion downstairs, with Diane of course checking on both of them often. A great memory for us all.

Fran and I always liked the Trader Vic's restaurant in the lobby of the Shamrock and used to take clients to dinner there often, especially after Oiler and Astro games.

And I was being facetious when I said the parking attendants were impressed by my old car. Remember it was only 9 years old in '64 and was not a classic yet, just an older car and kinda loud. And as I remember I didn't let them park it, I just pulled through and let Jimmy and the girls out and parked it myself. Too cheap and probably too poor to use the valet, but it also had a tricky floorshifter and at times the starter solenoid would not work and I'd have to use a screwdriver to short around it to get it started, so that was probably a factor too.

Just another example of how lucky we all were to have lived in that time and been able to have our prom and two reunions at such an iconic old Houston landmark.

Beau Wann, Jr.

I remember the 20th...Dennis Dorsey couldnt believe how thick my beard was...me neither...also he wasnt as heavy, muscularly heavy, as he use to be...lots of folks were concerned, and asked his wife about it...she said he was fine, just lost weight...One of the all time great reunions, at least I think so. We even had an orchestra, I believe it was Ed Gerlac and the boys...Saw almost everyone...that was the week before my beloved and I got married...Saw em tear down the Shammock from Dianes hospital window at Texas Womens Hosp in July of 87...I remember it well...they tried explosives first...Shammrock said, "is that the best you got"...they resorted to the wrecking ball, and it went very slowly...it was a rather iconic landmark...green roof and all...The wild bunch (my dad and his brothers and their dad) worked on the Shamrock as ironworkers back in 50 or 51 whichever year it was being built...I could have told the demo company it wasnt going to go easy...everything they built was, "hell for stout"...

Your 55 was a classic from the time it was new til now...that one the 56 and the 57 are the all time classic cars in my opinion, from the time we first saw them from an isllustrators pen in Saturday Evening Post  and Life and Colliers pages...There's been a lot of nice cars over the years, but those three years were the all time best...Probably the best made one was the 53 chevy belair in the two tone green...power glide tranny, straight 6ohv,  that would run forever...

I still dont remember the prom, and if I DID go, dont know what kind of chariot brung me...my 51 ford had died in 63 of a freeze overdose, and my 58 ford died of oil pump failure on the north freeway at Cavalcade...guess I was just hard on things...

The HUGE wooden bar that was in the Shamrock, is now in Fratellis over on Wirt and Westview...beautiful piece of craftsmanship...the food and service is good also...not to be confused with the Fratellis over on 290...not the same folks...the one on wirt and westview named theirs Fratellis on the promise that the 290 location was going to shut it's doors...didnt happen...they lied...

ok, gotta run some errands on Pegasus  (aka 40mpg chariot)...anyone like philly cheese sandriges, Papa Genos on ella and tc jester has some pretty good ones. I have had the no 1 and no 5 (texas toast) and the number 3 chicken, and I can say they were very good...Alison Cook liked em, believe it or not...

Talked to Robbie Boswell yesterday...he is still whirld champion barefoot skiier...at 67...I think I'd quit once I'd reached that pennacle...think he has been champ for multiple years...nothing left to prove, cept trolling for gators...gators are why I dont ski, them and jaws...Got a pact with gators and sharks, I dont eat them, they dont eat me...

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Ready for da "hot dogs" Mr. Beauman!

Beau Wann, Jr.

HOTDOGS IT IS...thats what I'm talkin about...thanks Kay...

Teddie Jordan

Great photo on Facebook of Jim Taylor and wife Jan backstage with the Beachboys after their recent concert.

Jim and Jan look good anyway but really look young compared to the original surviving band members. Those guys have some hard miles on them. Brian Wilson looks like father time.

How about putting the picture on here Jim?

Lloyd Pond

Before the prom Boswell,with Judy Nelson.. McCuen with Janie Rhodes...Adrienne and I,,, Tonat with his date 'visited my Dad at Heights Hospital where he was recovering from lung surgery. Might have been the highlight of the evening. Not too many Prom memories seems like we just sort stood around and talked and a few dances..after prom at the country club behind Sears. Got too tired to stay up took everyone home, went to sleep driving home and had a close encounter with a ditch on Brinkman.My overall feeling, I supose was an uneasy sadness. Our limo? The family 1959 chevy station wagon the one with cat eye tail lights. No AC how did we stand it? Front seat covers that were all ripped up covered by a bedspread. One side bashed up courtesy of some Reagan boys who thought a Waltrip car shouldn't park at Baptist Temple.

Jim Taylor

April 26th at Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie.  The band really makes all of us look young.  Like Teddy said, Brian looks ancient.  He has to have a "handler" to help him on to the stage and onto the stool at the piano.  Way too many miles and too many "mind altering" substances.  After all these years, they still sound great, but thay also have a back up band of around 15 people to fill in all the sounds.

Jan Barnes '65 (Nimtz)

Nice photo, Jim & Jan.  You two look like kids next to those geezers.  I was surprised when we watched their commentary on Sunday Morning last week that only one of the five was ever even interested in surfing.  The others just posed with the long boards for album covers.  There was also a lot of finger pointing about the two who experimented with hard drugs and the three who didn't.  Who do you believe?  I'm sure they still sound pretty good even after all these years, especially to us baby boomers.

Wayne Lake

I missed Johnny’s mini-ReU @ Clays as I had a lousy cold and decided not to share it with others.

Next week I’m headed off to sail/fish/relax/drink rum/snorkel/dive (maybe) in the BVI (did I mention drink rum?) for about 10 days and then up to Lake Wobegone for the summer. If I can ever figure out how to post pix from my new smart phone (that I don’t know how to use very well), I’ll post’em.  

Happy Cinco De Mayo to all you Texicans – I think there is a big moon (biggest of the year) Friday night.

In the meantime, here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about folks from Texas, maybe you can relate:

If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas ;

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas ;

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas ;

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas ;

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas ;

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas ;

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas ;

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas ;

If the speed limit is 55 mph --you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas;

If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly,' you may live in Texas.

Fair winds and following seas my friends,

wtl

John Burgess Webb

for those who knew or remember my sister hallie;she died in her sleep last night.after painful heart bypass and two back surgeries it is well that she died peacefully.may god keep her as a peaceful soul.

burge

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Burge,

I'm so sorry, please know my prayers go out for Hallie, you, and your family for peace, acceptance and comfort.  Heaven. While I did not know Hallie, I appreciate your letting our Waltrip family know of your loss, my sympathies go with you in this troubled time.

Richard Meek '65

Burge, sorry to hear about your sister. May she rest in peace. May you and all your family find peace and consolation in this time of grief and loss. You're all in my thoughts and prayers. Vaya con Dios.

Rich

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Dearest Burge,

Our hearts and prayers go out to you in the loss of your sister, Hallie.  I am so sorry, just know that we are all here for you. 

Hugs,

J 

John Burgess Webb

god bless all of you.as the memories flood back;they are all good.hallie was in the first senior class when waltrip opened.i know some of the 'old timers' remember her.she was a great support to me and my friends who returned from vietnam,confused and sad;going to her house was a fefuge and a comfort.it was like a second home to me and she tried to understand the pain i was in coming back from a place so strange and hellish.st.michael was her protector too as she shielded wounded warriors and helped them laugh and gave them shelter.hallie is one that kept me going,she did not forsake.

burge

Beau Wann, Jr.

Thank you Burge...we are saddened by the loss of your beloved sister, but gladened by the loving memories that you share, and for the healing and relief you received from her. Who better to help than an older sister... She made a difference...We should all be so blessed to have made a difference in someones life along the way, no matter how small...God bless you Burge, may you continue to heal from the wounds of war and life...

where else other than our family and friends and  the bible can we find solace..."be still, and know that I am God"...
and you have a rather large family...The Waltrip Family, is ever your friend and family...

Susan Howard (Bowman)

This was on a card I found many years ago - it has been very meaningful to me in my life, especially during troubled or sad times.  Maybe you will find it helpful, too.  I keep it posted on my bulletin board by my desk and read it often.

Peace of heart will come when you hardly notice,  like the first star in the evening sky...

you need not strive for it or seek it.... it will find you as surely as light dawns,

as purely as water bubbles from a mountain spring...

Time goes by, and peace of heart tiptoes softly into your days

and whispers in the night -- Be Still.  All will be well.  I am here.

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

How beautiful and comforting.  Thank you Susan for sharing; it is now on my bulletin board.

Hugs,

J

Johnny Sheffield

burge

just read the message forum and saw that you had lost your sister.

our prayers go out to you and your family. you know that we are here

for you.

god bless

johnny