arthur ray's place

Arthur Ray's Diner was closed when we drove by. He's open until noon or whenever the southern-style cooking runs out. A review stated that the main ingredients of Arthur's southern secrets are bacon fat and sugar. If you're hungry for greens, yams, or cobbler, then this is the place for you.

Arthur Ray's Diner

406 S. Jackson

Odessa, Texas

stonehenge

Fooled ya! This is not the Stonehenge in England but rather the replica of Stonehenge in Odessa, Texas. Patrons of the University of Texas Permian Basin erected a Texas Stonehenge in 2004. Had we been here last week, we would have seen the Summer Solstice shadow cast by the heel stone.

Stonehenge
UTPB
Odessa, Texas

main street

Fellow photographer Lynn Baldwin has a body of work featuring the Statue of Liberty. Visit his "Carrying the Torch" gallery at www.lynnbaldwin.com Wonder if he ever shot Miss Liberty on Main Street in Seagraves, Texas where empty storefronts frame a military park honoring veterans?

Statue of Liberty
Main Street
Seagraves, Texas

who is james?

Walking across campus I noted the weather vane atop the Dairy Barn and wondered "who is James and why is he on the Dairy Barn?" A little research provided some answers. The James Manufacturing Company was established in 1912 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and supplied dairy equipment, including weather vanes and lightning rods. Early 20th century vanes featured cut-outs of cows, horses or chickens and may have had glass bulbs. All that is left of this weather vane is the trademark "James" arrow - assuming there ever was other decoration.

The Texas Tech Dairy Barn was constructed in 1926. The first dairy students even brought their own cows to college and profited from a horse-drawn milk run around town. The barn served as a teaching facility for 40 years but was abandoned in 1964 when dairy operations moved elsewhere. The building sat neglected for many years and plans for re-use never materialized. A student movement in the 1970s prevented razing and the Dairy Barn was declared a historical landmark in 1985. Earlier photographs of the Dairy Barn in the Southwest Collection don't show the weather vane or roof vents. These may be additions from the 1990 efforts to weatherize and preserve the building. Now I know who James is but still don't know why he's on the Dairy Barn.

giddy-up, horsie!

Come August, this cowboy will be a grandfather. At the shower today, his gift to the future grandson was a plush rocking horse. The hat and guns will come later. It's hard to believe that my baby brother is a "pawpaw." (photo taken circa 1958 in the den at New Deal -- open-face gas heater, cabinet television with doors, and patterned drapes)

JUNE 25, 2011

38 special

At the car and bike show, I spotted this 1938 vintage vehicle with customized interior. It's name? What else but the ".38 Special."

Wild West Harley Davidson
5702 58th Street
Lubbock, Texas

the coffee shop

The regulars gather almost every morning around the table to drink coffee, discuss current events (and those not so current) and to harangue about the weather.

Vecchio's Mexican Restaurant
1203 Avenue D
Abernathy, Texas

breakfast club

Two-year old Clara is the youngest member of the Friday morning coffee shop regulars. Her grand-daddy brings her for scrambled eggs and ham. The first request upon seeing Pop, her great-grandfather, is to ask for "qwawters." Some of vending machines are conveniently placed at two feet height for Clara to insert her money and get the prize. Of course, the regulars enjoy the Friday morning entertainment provided by Clara, who is torn between eating and exploring.

french quarter

This time last year I was in New Orleans attending the national MMRS conference. This year the conference is in San Francisco and I'm feeling a little depressed about being retired and missing it.

From the Archives:

French Quarter

New Orleans, Louisiana

06.22.2010