Wednesday, July 27, 2022

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One of the many benefits of the rural, bucolic Texan haven that is LSPland is that you get to look at local architecture after dropping off the rig for its yearly inspection at Tom's Tire. 

Look how the wooden roof shingles on this derelict have survived. I like that, but you can imagine its price in, say, Toronto, Austin or twin city San Francisco:


note shingles

Roofing reverie over, it's a short stroll along the leafy boulevards of this Texan farming community to the old jail and court house, which was built in the 1890s and admirably protected by steel shutters. Its modern equivalent would be a windowless slab of dun colored brick, pierced by bulletproof slits. My, how we've devolved.


Jail/Courthouse

Regardless, the jail's protected by a fierce junkyard dog and has a Liberty Tree, seeded from an Ash in Eisenhower's home town. And then, before melting in the searing, ovenlike heat of a July morning, you amble over to Montes for a late breakfast.


Fierce Dog!

Montes, now "Ya-Ya's," is blissfully cool, blinded and silent, it's just too hot for extraneous noise. So you sit there checking out Russkie Telegram channels while Ya Ya brings the right stuff. Huevos Rancheros, eggs over easy on corn tortillas with their hot rancheros sauce, refried beans, fried potatoes and homemade flour tortillas. What a feast.


Breakfast Time

Then return to Tom's, pay a massive fee of $7, pick up the truck, spin over to the court house annex where they're spraying the doors with disinfectant because science and register your vehicle. Easy. What a pleasant morning and so much less hassle than doing the same thing in the Metrosprawl.


shadow LSP

Country life forever,

LSP

21 comments:

  1. "Country life forever." Big Amen to that, sir.
    Ohio Guy

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  2. The Colorado experience. Visit the "Colorado Air Quality" facility for an emissions check. Go online to make an appointment with the County Clerk and Recorder's office. No computer? Go, take a number, and wait hours. Pay a minimum of $78 for your new tabs. Newer vehicle? Try $600-$800. Is your vehicle safe to drive? Who cares, so long as it isn't a gross polluter.

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  3. My adopted hometown, Ypsilanti, was the seat of the arsenal of democracy, home of the Willow Run Bomber plant. Named after Greek Freedom Fighter Demetrious Ypsilanti in 1820 or so.
    City council now flies a rainbow flag alongside a BLM flag.

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  4. We are looking forward to escaping Houston and retiring to Fayette County. "Country life forever."

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  5. Only the shadow knows...

    Small communities led by a sturdy God-fearing Pastor or Minister are the backbone of America.

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  6. Mechanical inspection? Last time I had to do that was Pennsylvania where everything is a racket. Well, I assume you passed with flying colors LSP.

    Nice dog. Nice restaurante'

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  7. The plastic table cloths at YaYa's bring back memories of our travels through Texas in the 60's.

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  8. Our old house has/had shingles like that when it was built.
    You all be safe and God bless.

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  9. Wow! $7? I don't know of anything at a tire store here in SE Michigan I could get for that. Maybe a pressure gauge.


    Love the cedar (I presume) shake roof. I imagine that, tile and slate are the only long term roofing solutions in that oven you call LSPland.

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  10. On bars on the windows: Back in the Dark Ages, schools I attended had windows that opened when necessary, allowing fresh air, as well as a scene of outside, but air conditioning was a thing too expensive and rare. Forward 10 or 15 years, new school buildings had cooled/heated air, arrow-slit windows that did not open and certainly allowed no view of what was outside the classroom. Can't have kids daydreaming when there is modern larning to be roted.

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  11. Anon/OG, this last 13 or so years has converted me, it really has.

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  12. That sounds like a right nightmare, WSF. Mind you, after the 7 buck inspection fee we have to pay a $74 tag fee. So there is that. Still, none of the green garbage.

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  13. I've driven through there lots, Ed, though not for a while. The asset strippers have a lot to answer for, eh? And no amount of corp endorsed rainbow/blm fakery smokescreen's going to cover when we run outta cash.

    That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

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  14. I don't blame you for one second, CO Jones. Mind you, Houston has its points too. I've always enjoyed the great Dalek structure with its search lights next to the Galleria.

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  15. I was moved by that comment, Paul. Right on. Europe too, back in the day.

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  16. Kid, I don't think the inspection was very thorough, but the truck passed. What a fierce dog! Good thing it's chained.

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  17. Some things seem to remain the same, 'pewster. Hope those travels were fun.

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  18. I'm no expert, Linda, but I guess they were the standby? Bless you.

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  19. I know, DOS, cheap!

    Most people use asphalt shingle but metal's also an option and a good one, long lasting. Very little slate, which is more of a northern thing, and is/was ubiquitous in England. Pricey here in the States.

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  20. Sgt., we've devolved to the extent our schools resemble fortress prisons. And so quickly. I could go on a rant but won't.

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