The climate changed, yet again, from a balmy Springlike 70 something to freezing wind and rain. It was like being in Aberystwyth instead of Texas, but you know what they say, adopt, adapt, survive.
That in mind, I pulled on a pair of sturdy G.H. Bass brogues, an Arctic Hardware fleece and a Barbour jacket, maybe label shock alone would scare our enemy the weather into submission, and ventured forth.
I walked past the Methshack, which is suffering because half of the shackers have been evicted. There it was, sitting in the rain behind a semi-urban field which no one's inclined to buy. Who knows, maybe they're waiting for the shack to be cleared before purchasing land to build on and sell.
The Yellow House wasn't looking too good either. It's famous for something, was reinvented as a bed and breakfast, which didn't work, then re-inhabited by crackheads. A friend tried to buy it last year but the deal went south because of craziness. I always ask myself, why would you paint your house yellow?
Then it was a short patrol through welfare, several shacks, a pleasantly unpaved vista and on to Montes for a late breakfast. Montes is alright and's upped its game lately, with new menus, suspiciously attentive waitresses and an extra dollar on every meal.
I ordered Huevos Rancheros, which was delicious and filling, and pondered their choice of music. Relaxed New Country as opposed to Mexican House/Techno. Curious, they're obviously trying to appeal to someone and sure enough, there were a couple of cowboys getting into the spirit of the thing.
New Country aside, the Fossil Museum was worth a look in and they seem to be getting actual, literal fossils to display to the public. Well done. It used to be a place where someone from the Metrosprawl kept his collection of vintage Cadillacs, and before that the HQ of a filling station chain which stretched to Europe, forgotten now.
Around the corner lies Franklin, broad and wide to accommodate the cotton traffic which was stolen by greed-filled globalists, and home stretch on to the Compound. A short walk, for sure, but the longest I've made since I was catapulted off the back of a mad Arab back in July.
And I tell you, it's good to get moving again, even if on a short patrol around this small Texan country haven.
God bless,
LSP
The lab I got this month is helping my walking program. Annual checkup in a few days. Bet the folks will be pleased with the weight loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're appreciating the walkabouts since you've had to do without. I'm happy for you.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Ummmm - not sure how to bring this up, buuuuut - my house is yellow. My last house was also yellow. Not that ugly screaming mustardy yellow in your picture, but a paler clear yellow with gray shutters. However, now with the new roof which is a bit darker, when I repaint the house in the spring I'm changing the shutters to dark, dark blue. The house will remain yellow. What's funny is I'm not particularly fond of yellow, but both houses just looked right wearing yellow.
Good to hear that, WSF. Walk on!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, I'm sure your house looks good and I'm probably prejudiced by the screaming mustard terror of the place 'round the corner. My Compound's a kind of plantation green, restful to the eye.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you and the Blue are strolling about again!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely little town, give or take a few residents.....
Good to see that you're out walking again. The healing continues. Huevos rancheros sound delicious.
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a restaurant chain - a lot like Cracker Barrel in their approach to food, called "The Old Yellow House". Anyway that's what I thought of when I saw your neighborhood yellow house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour and commentary. I liked eating at Montes. It's definitely a Mexican food joint, but it has a solid cowboy twist, catering to the people of Hill Country.
It's good that you're finally mobile enough to attempt something like that.
I kinda like the looks of that yellow house. Without the meth heads, though. And with a couple of hundred thousand dollars thrown into it (including non-yellow paint), and including landscaping etc, it could be a real cozy abode. That is, if you bulldoze all the slums surrounding it and arrest all of the residing criminals living in those slums, yes, it could be a real looker...
ReplyDeleteThanks, drjim, good to be getting out again and it's not a bad little town, though it still suffers from the demise of King Cotton. That said, I'd wager the prosperity of the Metrosprawl's going to spill south towards Waco, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteSo tasty, Jim!
ReplyDeleteThanks, LL. I have to say I'm less inclined to take something as basic as walking for granted these days. Still, I can't complain and the leg's healing up, so that's all good. Montes was good too, it's been awhile... we should go next time you're in town.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely could, Fredd, and it's a shame to see the place falling down. Hopefully our, ahem, real estate moguls will come to their senses and fix it up. Of course the shacks need fixing too along with the crims. Maybe the crims could be drafted into a penal labor battalion and used to bulldoze/landscape the slum?
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, our house is a beige yellowish with dark blue shutters.
ReplyDeleteLSP, that place reminds me of Tucumcari, NM. Definitely off the grid.
Where are the Waco real estate people? They built a monument to themselves in Waco and renovate homes there. What's wrong with Hillsboro. You're what - 10 miles from Waco? Maybe you should go to them and see if they wouldn't fixer-upper a place in Hillsboro for you?
ReplyDeleteKid, now that you mention it, I've got a good mind to visit Tucumcari and stay at the Blue Swallow. Just for fun.
ReplyDeleteThat, LL, is an excellent point. Chip and Joanna of Magnolia fame and the Silo$, fixed up a place here and set off a small wave of fixer-upper speculation. Which is good because there's plenty of decent properties here in need of fixing up.
ReplyDeleteSaying that, the Compound's in good shape thanks to a new paint job (at last) so I needn't apply. Hmmmmm. On second thoughts, maybe they'd build a guest wing by way of service to the church? Interesting.
May I suggest dining at Dell's They have a large artificial cow above their sign/building.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Kid. I've always liked places with artificial cows above -- seriously. There's one in Dallas, the Charco-Broiler, and steak and baked potato = 6 bucks, has done since the '90s. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI was once at a place in Dallas where you can pick cook your own steak. Enjoyed it. That might have been it, but I think it had a different name.
ReplyDeleteThe name wasn't hyphenated, it was more like The Stockyards or something.
ReplyDeleteKid, here's the one:
ReplyDeletehttps://lonestarparson.blogspot.com/2011/05/sign-of-bull.html
Ok, That is not the one I was at.
ReplyDeleteKid, I guess there's several, but I like the Charco Broiler. Steak and Potatoes and a massive plastic cow above it all, what's not to like?
ReplyDelete