Message Forum

A little tidbit of history to go with Jackie's flag on the website as we approach the 4th of July. As you know our national flag has three names we all recognize; the Star and Stripes; The Star Spangled Banner and Old Glory. Saw a little presentation today at Rotary about this. I may have a few details left out but I think you'll get the gist.

The name Stars and Stripes originated during the time of the American Revolution. There were many flags being used. The Sons of Liberty originally had a flag that just had 13 horizontal red and white bars on it. The next variation had 13 stripes and a Union Jack in the corner on a blue back ground when they were still protesting not revolting. When the revolution got going George Washington wanted a flag to as we would say today "make a statement". Ultimately the Stars and Stripes evolved or as we read in books the Betsy Ross Flag. Even though it is pretty certain that Ms. Ross made some flags (she was a seamstress and they were all hand sewn in those days). There just isn't enough verifiable documentation to say that she made the original one.

The name Star Spangled Banner originated when Frances Scott Key was being held on a British ship while Ft. McHenry was being bombarded during the War of 1812. After the bombardment stopped he looked out and saw their flag still flying. He was inspired to write a poem, entitled The Defence of Fort McHenry (the spelling is the way it was written). This battle took place in 1814. The poem was set to music and as you know ultimately became our official national anthem.

The term Old Glory goes back to a flag given to sea captain William Driver. It was made by his mother and her sewing circle. He flew it from every ship he commanded over a thirty year career. Supposedly when he was captain of the whaling ship Charles Doggett as he set sail for an around the world voyage, 1831-1832, as the flag was unfurled he uttered the phrase "Old Glory". When he retired and moved to Nashville he took Old Glory with him. It was flown on all important national days and was well known around Nashville. It had to be hidden during the Civil War from the Confederates because they wanted to burn it. It ultimately wound up in the Smithsonian. In one of the Flag Acts Congress mandated that the colors in the flag would match those in Old Glory. So the red you see in today's flag is OG Red and the Blue is OG Blue.

The current configuration of our flag came about in 1960 when Hawaii became the 50th State.

07/01/10 05:46 PM

#2854

great story on the flag rich,lot of detail;i knew about the first two but"old glory"has always been in our lexicon.wow, a round the world trip on a whaler,one of the toughest boats sailing.i love those old sailing boats.i went and took a look at the'ellisa' when she was docked at galveston,really fine.

jackie,nice 4th display,have a good one.

burge

07/01/10 07:52 PM

#2855

Hey there!!! Our spies...their spys...my spies...your spies...homemade pies...My mom and her family and dads family always made everything from scratch! Didnt need a receipe either! Moms blackberry cobbler, and peach cobbler...absolutely unequaled on this earth...or at least on DuBarry...or in our house! We picked the berries where Waltrip sits today! All the way from Judiway and Oak Forest to Ella and judiway to 34th st behind the Chuck Wagon!!! The way I picked em, was "one for the coffee can, one for me...one for the coffee can, one for me..."

Excuse me for a minute...Ok, the dogs were horse playing in the house, causing a commotion...got the cats all stirred up and running hither and yon, to and fro...Ive had to move my headquarters from the desk and chair, where I normally sit, to the supper table! Seems big Oliver, the resident wooly mammoth, has taken over my chair. I will inclose a picture...

Speaking of pictures, how do you put a different picture of yourownself on the forum???? I tried, but it wouldnt tell me how to GET to another picture! Oh well...

As you can see by the above picture, that I speak the truth about the wooly mammoth.

Just throught I'd throw in one of my favorite short bus, Cooper

and heres John Boy, aka Catahoula Jack

And the two heavy weights, Katy (the grey Kitty), and of course Big Oliver, the wooly mammoth

I do hope you dont mind looking at pictures. I thought it would be a pleasant change rather than my blogging! I guess thats what I do????

Pictures are worth a thousand words anyhoo! Hey Burge, give us some pics of your pups! You too Rich LH. And any and everyone else!!!

DOD

07/01/10 09:32 PM

#2856

hey beau,pictures are fun and since we can,we will.go to 'edit/upload photos' and pick from your profile the picture you want and click'master photo'.you can add pics of yourownself to the profile,i guess thats kosher.it wont steal your spirit or anything radical like that,at least i dont think so.

07/02/10 02:54 PM

#2857

Wayne Lake

Happy Independence Day?

Listening to Minnesota Public Radio (MNR) which is the ‘go to’ station up here in the land of liberals and Lake Wobegone, I learned some interesting facts about the subject from a David Rubenstein, reportedly the only American to own a copy of the Magna Carta. Most of the information below is directly from this guy but if he is good enough for Garrison Kieler, he must be ok. Since I did not learn much about American history in school, a lot of this was news to me, maybe you all already knew this stuff but………………….

§ The reason King George began taxing the Colonists was to defray England’s cost to fight the French-English War basically defending/defining the borders of the colonies.

§ Each of the 13 colonies had its’ own rules/relationships with England and there was no previous federation among them.

§ The first killing of revolutionary Colonists by the English was in 1775.

§ According to a letter from Samuel Adams to Abegail, the date of July 4^th is somewhat of a mis-nomer as they actually agreed/ratified the Declaration of Independence (DoI) on July 2^nd , it was printed on July 4^th. The document was signed by all later in August of the same year. During the next year, they were preoccupied with the war being waged and Congress sort of forgot about the real date and belatedly celebrated by having a dinner on Saturday night, July 4^th. The following year George Washington gave his troops double rations of rum on July 4^th, so I guess it stuck. It became a national holiday in 1930 something.

§ One of the main reasons for writing/issuing the DoI was to gain support from the French who of course played a major role in defeating the British.

§ George Washington lost more battles than he won.

§ The issues of no taxation without representation and habeous corpus was derived from the Magna Carta, a Latin document developed in order to protect English noblemen, first written in 1215 AD.

§ Thomas Jefferson was only 33 years old when he wrote it – he was selected for his obvious writing skills and because he was not near as controversial as Sam Adams. Over his lifetime, Thomas Jefferson wrote over 20,000 letters. He was so disenchanted with the final version of the document (as amended by the Continental Congress), he did not acknowledge authorship for abut 10 years. TJ never made a speech, even when President.

§ Thomas Jefferson and Sam Adams, the only two who signed it and went on to become President both died on the same day, fifty years later, July 4^th, 1826.

§ The US started out about $27,000,000 in debt and has remained in debt ever since.

Happy Birthday America, whatever day it is!

wtl

07/03/10 06:28 AM

#2858

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

hey wayne,has the snow melted up there yet? it would be nice if we could gt some cool weather down here but that aint gonna hoppen.its good to see that you have a groove brother,wish i was in better shape so i could get down to houston some time when you are there.its been a few years.hang in there and keep afloat for sure.

burge

07/04/10 06:04 PM

#2859

Scotty Croom

lola and i went to katy vfw for traditional 4th celebration....lots of patriatism, recognition of ww11 and korea vets...saw lots of friends i have met during years in vfw...had good bbq, hot dogs and blue bell sandwich bars....

07/06/10 12:36 AM

#2860

Just returned home from the 23rd Annual BRAWNERFEST. Charles, his brothers and sister and their families (total 39), plus some extended family, meet each July 4th weekend for fun, food and festivities. You can bet its loud!! It's a day late, but we wish all of you a wonderful 4th of July!!

We would also invite you to visit the website, www.freetobe.us. Free To Be a non-profit, non political organization that was started by a golfing buddy of Charles's, and is one that we have supported since 2006. I urge you to take a few minutes and go to the website, read the messge and watch the video. Hope all our grandkids will one day get to see this program live.

07/06/10 10:06 AM

#2861

DOD. Big Oliver aka WM seems to always be in a state of repose. I'll try and get some current pics of Liz and post them. I weighed her yesterday. She weighed in at 17 lbs. 4 oz. She is a fine specimen of a dog.

Burge we hope you get to feeling well enough to come to Houston soon. It just takes a while to get over major surgery, must less two. Keep on keeping on. "If you're going through Hell. Keep on going", Winston Churchill. When i toured the Elissa I thought about how uncomfortable it must have been sailing on her. The day I was there it was a chilly day but not cold. However you could feel the cold coming through that steel hull. I wonder what her predecessors, the wooden sailing ships were like. I've never been on board a wooden sailing ship. I didn't have the time to tour Old Ironsides when I've been in Boston. Although I guess the old saying "ships of wood and men of steel" probably gives a pretty accurate idea.

Wayne, good information. History is always interesting. One correction though, the second president was John Adams. He was George Washington's V.P. His son ,John Quincy Adams, was also President. Interesting correlation, on winning battles. I think the only one Sam Houston won for the Republic of Texas was at San Jacinto.

I had a good 4th. Smoked some spareribs, fixed a pot of pinto beans, cole slaw and peach short cake for desert. Not bad chow. Watched the fire works and concerts from D.C. and Boston on TV. Those events would be worth attending. I haven't been to the Houston event in a few years but it is usually spectacular. When we were growing up I don't remember the 4th being such a large celebration. It was always important but I remember it being more low key. what are your recollections?

May the wind always be at your back,

Rich LH

07/06/10 04:59 PM

#2862

DOD, you asked for an updated pic. I was able to get a pretty good one at lunch today. The first picture is Liz around May 5th when I found her at T.C. Jester Park, north of 43rd. The second pic is today, July 6th. The pee wee pup has gone from 3 lbs. 3 oz. to 17.5 lbs. Yikes! 17.5 lbs. at about 3 mos. old. One of the pastors at church told me once if you want to give God a good laugh tell him what you have planned for your life. Or as my dad used to say "you've got to roll with the punches". Liz isn't exactly a punch but she wasn't in my plans but I'm really liking having her around.

Keep on dancing,

Rich

07/06/10 11:03 PM

#2863

heres my boys after I walked em in the rain! they like to walk around the house showing off their beach towls...try to make the cats envious!!! Dont blame me, I didnt pick out the towels...

Hey RichLH, absolutely beautiful pup! Look at those eyes and that smile! She knows she has found a good home!!! Glad everyone had a reasonably good fourth, and or at least a safe and quiet one! A good holiday for me, is if nothing broke, and nobody dies!!! We didnt do anything special, just hung out at home! I stayed around the house from wed till Sat! Rained the whole time, and I was getting cabin fever! We got 7 inches in a couple of days! Good slow rain! Cole creek jumped up 20 feet, but is back down now to almost normal! I feared for the two duck families with that kind of rising water and current, but me and DW and the boys saw them yesterday, the mama with 10 babes, and the mama with 8!!! I say GOOD!!!!!

Gonna finally have to lay my columbo trench coat to rest! I took the boys walking in the rain thurs or friday, and it was really coming down! The boys dont care if I get wet!!!Had on my columbo trench coat and inspector cluseau hat, But I might as well have not worn a raincoat, cause I was drenched! I think I changed clothes 4 times each day!!! Generally these hot days, brings about two to three clothes changes! I keep the washer and dryer humming! When I was a kid, I could have worn the same thing everyday till it disintegrated! But not now!!!!

Went to church on Sunday! Had the usual crowd of 30! The choir takes the month of July off, so it's the only time all year, that I get to sit with DW in the congregation! I know, I know, why dont I join the choir???? AND BE THE ONLY GUY????? AINT NO WAY!!!! I was in the choir for years, when we filled up both sides of the choir loft! Had about 12 guys and 20 ladies or so!!! Sure sounded wonderful! Bass sure adds to a choir!!!!! Now we have 4 ladies...DW and her mom, Jeane and Jeane...They still sound good!!!! The minister started the morning off asking the congregation what we thought "Freedom" meant!!! Got a smattering of answers, good all...I raised my hand and told her I thought freedom was the lives we live, at the expense of the lives of others...I hadnt always thought that. I hadnt really thought about it until Diane and I got married 26 years ago! She didnt even know I had been in the Navy until after we were married, when I wanted to put my dress blues in her cedar chest!!!! "You were in the Navy"????? she exclaimed!!! "Uh, yeah, is that gonna be a problem" I said, "Cause we are married now, you know", like maybe she forgot, and didnt want to hang out with a sailor!!! Duh, TOO LATE NOW...

Well from that day forward, she made it known that it was a GOOD THING I had SERVED, even though it was during the Vietnam era, a time we all were supposed to feel guilty and ashamed to have served, cause we were all "baby killers..." etc. I never thought about it much, although when I got out, the chiefs at my mustering out place, Treasure Island, San Francisco, Ca., told us not to wear our uniforms home, "might be trouble"! I did anyway...no trouble!!! One time I came home on leave and was suppose to go out with my mom and dad to NASA for a whoop de do, (he was working there at the time and was invited to a whoop de do), I was gonna wear my uniform, cause I was proud of it! My Dad told me not to wear it, so coming from my dad, I didnt!!! My pride and my feelings were kind of hurt, but I tried not to let it show! I never understood it, and I never forgot it either! Why were they ashamed to be seen with me in uniform??? I would be proud and pleased as punch if my boys were in the service and wanted to wear their uniform, in fact I would insist they wear it!!!

So when I got out of the service, I just quietly packed my uniform away and forgot...Until Diane and my boys started making me feel proud again!!! My boys call me on veterans day and every other holiday and always thank me for my service to our country, even though it was piddling !!! Now what does all this have to do with freedom???? Well, in the long version, which you just got, I didnt much think about freedom before my wife started making me feel proud again that I had served my country, and the freedom I enjoy, that we all enjoy, was at the expense of the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and air force men and women, that laid down their lives SO that we could be free!!! From every man woman and child that paid the ultimate sacrifice from 1776 to the present...we owe an enormous debt of gratitude, and recognition for their sacrifice!!!!!

When you take that oath that all service men and women take, you write a blank check, payable to the citizens of the United States, up to and including your life...I didnt always, but now I take our freedom and our patriotism EXTREMELY SERIOUS!!!! And should the need arise, would sign that blank check again...that is if they were taking old men! Of course if it got down to that, things would be serious for sure!!!! But this was not about me, but about WHAT WE THOUGHT FREEDOM MEANT, ON THE FOURTH OF JULY!!! The minister was excited that the 4th fell on Sunday, for she got to wear her red accouterments for the Sunday Service!

After the service, I shook hands with Mr Theissen and hugged Mrs Theissen and she gave me a kiss! I took Mr Thiessens hand and shook it again, and thanked him for his service to our country! He said, "Well, he didnt actually enjoy it...but it was necessary". He served in WWII in North Africa and Italy, having come face to face with Rommels Panzer divisions, and the Panzers in Italy!!! Good good folks the Theissens...Glad they go to our church!!!!! Most all the folks that I have been to church with at Oaks Presbyterian Church, for the last 28 years, have passed on! (they were the oldtimers...now me and DW are the oldtimers) Most all had been in WWII and Korea...Leon was a Navy Fighter pilot, flew F4 wildcats, had two carriers shot out from under him! The wasp and Yorktown. But he survived...had many a talk with him, worked side by side on things in the church! He has passed on...If not for men like him...and the women that built the ships and the planes...well, you know...

Did anyone else see the article on the Flag shop here in town???? It was started in 1954 in Austin, and Moved to Houston in 1956, to the 4400 block of Fannin! It is still in bidness! I need a new flag, so thats where I am going to get one! Over the years, I have been through about a dozen flags. The one I have now is rather tattered, but still waves proudly!!! My American Legion post, has ceremonies with the Boy Scouts, of disposing of old flags, with respect and dignity! I will have to check the calendar to see when the next ceremony is...Got one more to lay to rest...

DW and I did have our own 4th of july picnic, at home! We had hotdogs and baked beans and all the trimmings...I'm fortunate and blessed to have someone like Diane, and my children and grandchildren...and our waltrip family too!!!

My grandson Taylor took 4 tacs sp test, and got commended for all four! DW says, that means he missed only 2 questions! My first thought was we got commended all the time from mr wadsworth at Black, or Waltrip...remember, when you answered a question right, or said something that wasnt too stupid, he would always say..."you are to be commended"!!!! At least I thought his name was Wadsworth...

Guess I will sign off for now. I hope it takes, as I typed another one a couple a days ago, and it just disappeared! I hate it when that happens...kind of takes the fun out of it!!!

DOD

07/06/10 11:13 PM

#2864

Oh, I forgot to add that we went down to the heights on Saturday because it was, "First Saturday"! They didnt have the usual festivities. But we had lunch at Carter and Cooleys! I HAD THE LIVERWURST SANDWICH, WITH ONIONS!!!!!! Havent had one of those in a long time! It were GOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!! Just thought I'd share that with you, about the liverwurst!!!

DOD

07/07/10 09:48 AM

#2865

DOD. thanks for the compliment on Liz. I think you're right about her figuring she has a good home. It takes some convincing just to get her to go out the front door. The back door is fine but she doesn't want any part of the street at this time.

I like the boys towels. Particularly Short Bus'. It's really colorful.

You and all the others that served should be very proud that you did and be happy that you came back. Just remember "the price of freedom is the periodic shedding of the blood of patriots", Thomas Jefferson.

Keep on dancing,

Rich

07/07/10 10:16 AM

#2866

Paige Talley (Meek)

FREEDOM

4th of July Concert 2010
Central Baptist Church Bryan/College Station

It was a wonderful day of celebration. I know that your celebrations were just the right ones for you, too. There are more pictures on my profile.

There is Freedom in Christ Alone !!!

Paige

07/08/10 03:24 AM

#2867

Here's Big Olie, the wooly mammoth, perusing the menu...that ol boy wouldnt know what to do with a bird, if he caught one!!! Speaking of birds, one of the stray cats that visits us from time to time for a handout, has his very own mockingbird!!!! Yeah, he does!!! We watch Boomer walk across the street, and the Mbird just hounds him! It is the funniest things, it looks like a disney cartoon, with this Mbird literally jumping up and down on Boomers back. This goes on day after day, anytime the Boom walks across the street! I fully expect to see the bird just riding on his back one fine day...

Speaking of lineage, or geneology, talked to a first cousin of my dads, she is 80! She was telling me about some of the characters on hers and my dads side of the family! Not a pretty picture...seems we have cousins marrying cousins a few generations back...which lends itself to the song of Crosby Stills Nash and Young..."if you cant be with the one you love, then love the one youre with"...Of course, the inbreeding does explain a few things...the dark side, howling at the moon, etc...I guess I better leave that one alone, eh!!!

Oh great, now the "short bus" Cooper is awake and has his head in my lap...aaaawwww, duz da widdle puppy need some wuvin...Nah, I dont talk like that, but then it is 3:30 in the AM...No one is around to hear me...

Oh great, now the cat community is awake! Big Olie and Katy and Peaches and Annie-Bob have drifted in the library, and are all roosting on the backs and arms of the chairs...Ok gang, breakfast aint till the train pulls into the station, at 6 AM.

Grandkids came over yesterday! Haley brought a little friend with her, Caliegh O Sullivan...Irish??? You better know it!!! So now, we have Haley, Caliegh (pronounced kaley) and Taylor!!! Try to say all three names as fast as you can, or heck fire, just use all three in a sentence! Needless to say, I was tripping over my tongue and lips trying to keep the names and vowels in order!!! We played cards and Dominoes, and just had a great time! This old house just comes to life, when the kiddos are over and they bring friends...wish they lived with us! They didnt get to swim, because of the storming going on. Maybe today! Sure hate to pass up a chance for the cement pond to be put in use, except for a place where the frogs commit suicide...

Have you people seen the late night and early morning commercials???? Not a pretty picture! Got the weather channel on to monitor the storm situation, but with no sound! Cant understand what they are saying anyway, so a picture goes a long way with me! By the looks of the radar, the rain has died down, thank you very much...but...and there is always a but...or a however...storms are supposed to be coming back today heavier than before...great!!! Got 2 inches yesterday, and it rained so hard so fast, the street flooded!!! Put on my rubber boots and walked around checking the drains for obstructions...I have always loved walking in the water in the streets! DuBarry use to flood, just up to the top of the curbs...voila, instant swimming hole! I cant believe my parents use to let me try to swim in it! But it was just one of the fun things to do as a kid, that didnt cost any money, save washing and drying clothes! Hmmmm, just thought, did we have a washer and dryer back then???? I dont think so!! Dont remember seeing them, and searching through the cobwebs of my memory of the house layout, there was no place for a washer and dryer! I do remember mom hanging clothes on the line in the backyard! She also use to sprinkle with water, the clothes that needed ironing, and balling them up and putting them in the icebox...I always wondered why she did that, but was afraid to ask! Now I know why...to keep the clothes from mildewing and smelling bad...Mom sure did a lot of work over her lifetime...but then moms always did, and still do!

I think I am going to go to academy today, and buy myself a jim-dandy new fishing pole and reel! My son and his girlfriend went to a state park up by the ranch, named Fort Boggy! It is 1800 acres, and has a lake, and you can fish for free, without a license too! I always thought you had to have a license to fish anywhere, anytime, but apparently you dont! We always buy the super-combo fishing and hunting license every September the first, whether we use them or not! The Money mostly goes into true and real conservation and preservation of wildlife and its habitat! Even if you dont hunt and or fish, it is a good way to help in the conservation effort! In fact, more of the money for a license, goes to conservation, than does, say, giving to one of the private groups like the Sierra club, and save the whales, hug the trees, and any of the other groups, which are mainly just political platforms and special interest groups! I like to know that my dollar goes where they say it goes when I give to charity!

Anyway, Kevin and Kandy fished and caught perch and large mouth bass. Kevin reeled in a bunch of one pounders, and a hefty 3 and a half pound hawg!!! He sent pictures to my cell phone as proof. Nice fish!!!!! I have an adapter that should allow me to download the pictures from my phone to my computer, if I can get one of the kids to show me how to do it.

Pancakes!!!! Yup, thats what we'll have for breakfast, pancakes...cant wait...I'm starving!!!

Ok, guess I will shut er down for now...

DOD

07/08/10 10:45 AM

#2868

DOD, I'm sure we can arrange for you to meet Liz. she is a very sociable girl. So far she even enjoys going to the vet because she gets to visit all her friends and meet new ones. The vet tells me she is very popular with the staff, why wouldn't she be?

I've got an old tom cat that comes around mooching chow, more regularly lately. I call him Yogi. Earlier this year he hurt a front paw bad enough that he would hold it up when he walked. Seems to have healed up. His latest malady is losing the sight in his right eye, since he isn't a resident he won't let me get close enough to check him out. I guess he must have injured it. Anyway I just give him kitty chow and water. He seems to be getting in a little better condition. Too bad so many animals are just cast out. I'm pretty sure he was abandoned becasue he was rolly poly when he first started coming around but he's street lean now.

Beau I remember going out and playing in the street when it would flood. We didn't have to worry about floating mounds of fire ants or toxic stuff in the water. The dangers are real. I remember one of our classmates in'65, John Brown. Drowned in White Oak with his brother. The brother fell in during a flooding time and John jumped in to try and save him and they both drowned. Whoa, how did I get off on this. Anyway don't go play in the flood waters, sets a bad example for the grandkids and you'd look kind of silly trying to swim in three inches of water.

I read somewhere recently that not having to have a fishing license in State parks is a new program to give people an opportunity to go fishing in these tough economic times without having to buy a license. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. seems to be one of the better run state departments. They seem to be pretty focused on people enjoying the parks. I alwys seem to buy a fishing license in August just in time to expire.

I notice that pancakes is often on your breakfast agenda. Have you ever tried sweet potato pancakes? They're very tasty. You can buy a mix, Bruce's, available at your friendly Kroger. Just whip up a batch and a couple of sausage patties and you have a first class breakfast. I like to cook the sausage on the grill with either a little mesquite or pecan wood. Gives it a great flavor. I usually cook up a pound when I fire up the grill for something else. Then just keep them in the fridge or freezer and warm them for breakfast. You can make your own pancake mix but finding sweet potato flour can be tricky. I'd guess that Whole Foods probably has it. (don't eat the sausage very often- we want you healthy for the next reunion)

In the recent AARP Magazine (I think) there was a little filler referenced to WWII. In Britain they recently found a bunch of posters that had been printed up in anticipation of the Germans invading Great Britain. It had the British Cown at the top and simply said Stay Calm, Carry On. Probalby wouldn't hurt to put those all over the country now.

Keep on dancing,

Rich

07/08/10 01:03 PM

#2869

Jim Taylor

Rich

I remember John Brown well. He was a really nice guy. I vividly remember the day he and his younger brother drowned. It was in either 1959 or 1960. The location was right behind the church we attended (then and now), Gethsemane Lutheran. We were there for a confirmation class that afternoon. When we came out, the fire and rescue vehicles were there along with a lot of the neighborhood. I believe it was John's middle brother, George, that survived. I remember it was a really sad time.

Jim

07/08/10 02:42 PM

#2870

I read an interesting article in the Chronicle/Business at lunch that should interest all you guitar aficianados. Guy named Jim Duncan owns a business in a little strip center on Bellaire Blvd. Called Southpaw Guitars. Their specialty is left handed guitars. Pretty amazing, they sell left handed guitars all over the world. In the late '90s they started selling on the internet. Their business quadrupled. They now sell about $1.2 million a year out of that little shop. There's a good picture of him with the article. He's holding a left handed Fender Custom Shop Paisley Pink Stratocaster. I don't know much about guitars but that sounds to me like it is a pretty rare one. He has over 1,000 left handed guitars in inventory. He also apparently has some very choice left handed Gibson Les Pauls for any of you interested southpaws out there. Be sure to read the article. It has some other interesting stuff in it.

Keep on strumming,

Rich

07/09/10 11:34 AM

#2871

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Sounds like everyone had a good 4th!! I'm having a great time in Kansas with my two grandsons!!

Have a good weekend.

Hugs,

07/09/10 02:33 PM

#2872

Good afternoon everyone. I have an interesting quote for you to mull over the weekend, "There is more to life than increasing its speed", Mahatma Gandhi. Amazing where you run across little gems like this. I got this out of the Chronicle, Joe Doggett's article in the sports section about fly fishing in the Laguna Madre.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend! I also hope as many of you as possible will turn out at Fudd's next Tuesday!

Keep on casting,

Rich LH

07/10/10 08:45 AM

#2873

Jim Taylor

Sometimes I wonder what is going on here in the big city. One of our neighbors opened a box that had been left on her porch last night and a bomb exploded in her face. A little too close to home for us!

07/10/10 02:39 PM

#2874

jim,when you find out what all happened to your neighbor,let us know;craziness.

burge

07/11/10 10:19 AM

#2875

Teddie Jordan

Burge, what a picture. I love it.

Hope to see yall at Fudd's on Tuesday. If you come I guarantee you will see someone you really like and haven't seen in a long time. How many times in your life do you get the chance to do that?

07/11/10 04:12 PM

#2876