Remembering The Dallas Farmers Market With Mom & Dad

 Microsoft OneDrive Memory from this Day, in my email, this morning, where I do remember both the location and the date, well, the month.

That is my mom, looking perplexed, in the Dallas Farmers Market. 

Mom and dad visited Texas twice whilst I have been residing in Texas. The first time, a month after 9/11, in October of 2001.

Mom and dad's second visit to Texas was in January of 2009.

I remember mom and dad enjoyed the Dallas Farmers Market on that first visit. It was festooned in pumpkins for Halloween. Mom and dad were a bit bored with the visit to the Dealey Plaza Book Depository, but perked way up at the Dallas Farmers Market.

I think the above photo was from the January 2009 Dallas Farmers Market visit.

Is the market that busy in January? I know in 2009 I drove mom and dad onto the Dallas Fair Park grounds for a close up look at the Cotton Bowl. Fair Park is fairly close to the Dallas Farmers Market.

That 2009 visit from mom and dad seems so recent in my memory. But, it was 15 years ago...

Labor Day Hike To Mount Wichita Summit Swallowing Flies

With the outer world chilled into the upper 70s, with a strong wind blowing, but with the humidity high, I ventured to Lake Wichita Park on this Labor Day of 2024 to join the throngs enjoying the welcome chill and thick cloud cover, with that cloud cover predicted to drop some rain and send down some lightning bolts.

But, so far, no drippage and thunder clapping.

That view above is looking east towards the Mount Wichita pseudo volcano, from the new section of the Circle Trail.

It has been many a month since I have hiked myself all the way to the summit of Mount Wichita. And, so, I decided to do so today.

The view from the summit of Mount Wichita, looking southwest across Lake Wichita.

That gray pavement you see in the middle of the photo is the Veterans Memorial which was not there the last time I hiked my way to this mountain's summit.

I had an unpleasant thing happen as I neared Mount Wichita's summit. A fly flew into my open mouth. I do not recollect such a thing happening previously. It was a bit unsettling. Eventually either the fly died, or I managed to cough him out of my throat.

I suspect my outdoor activity is going to be amping up this month, with the long HOT summer starting to fade.

Soon, I suspect, I shall be hunting for wherever it is I stored my sweatpants...

Labor Day Virtual Visit To Oklahoma's Turner Falls

Way back when I first moved to Texas, I found myself at a party, with people from all over America, but, mostly Texans.

At some point us Pacific Northwesterners were asked our opinion of Texas. I forget how the query was framed.

We all, I think there were five of us transplanted PNWers, made mention of the fact of missing seeing scenic scenery no matter what direction one looked. That the mostly flat Texas landscape was so different from what we'd been used to.

Well, one of the Texas locals said we should venture south to Texas Hill country, maybe checking out Enchanted Rock. Or, head north to Oklahoma, to the Arbuckle Mountains, and visit Turner Falls.

And so, that first Texas summer we drove north to Oklahoma, to Turner Falls, and had a mighty fine scenic time.

If you ever find yourself driving I-35 in Oklahoma, and you realize you are driving through the Arbuckle Mountains, take the exit to the town of Davis, but, do not go east to Davis, go west to Turner Falls. The road quickly turns into mountain scenery, eventually reaching a lookout, looking out over Turner Falls, far below. Make your way down the mountain to the entry to Turner Falls Park. 

Check out my now ancient webpage devoted to Turner Falls Park and you'll see why it is a fun place to visit.

That photo documentation, at the top, is me on the left, Big Ed on the right, sitting outside Outlaw Cave, above Turner Falls. Or were we sitting on part of the castle? The Turner Falls Castle is something to behold.

It was not too many years later I discovered the scenic wonders of Texas Hill country.

Dinosaur Valley State Park was my first Hill Country experience. Dinosaur Valley has some of the best mountain bike trails I have ever rolled on. And is the only place I have biked where I got totally disoriented, as in lost, with the sun starting to set. Dinosaur Valley is also a great hiking location. Miles of trails.

And then there is Enchanted Rock State Park, way further south, in Texas Hill Country. Northwest of Austin, southwest of Waco, a few miles north of Fredericksburg. 

The hike up Enchanted Rock is unique. There is no trail. You just make your way to the top of the rock.

With the outer world finally beginning to cool down I think I shall soon venture north to Oklahoma, to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. Considered by some to be the most scenic location in Oklahoma.

It is only about 50 miles north of my Texas location....

With My Sister-In-Law Shopping In Wichita Falls

Text message, yesterday, on the final day of August, from my all-time favorite sister-in-law, David, Theo and Ruby's mama, Kristin, with the text message saying...

Wichita Falls is a shopping mecca in the book I am reading!

The above is a phone photo Kristin included with the text message, snapped from the book she is reading, which makes mention of the Wichita Falls shopping mecca.

This book is set back in the previous century. At some point in time, back last century, I believe Dillard's and Penney's were located in downtown Wichita Falls.

When a mall was built, near where I live in Wichita Falls, opening a few decades ago, called Sikes Senter, Dillard's and Penny's moved to the mall.

Dillard's left Sikes Senter back during COVID. Or was it before that? Penney's is currently in the final stages of closing and leaving Sikes Senter.

Wichita Falls is quite a glitzy town. Recently a Hawaiian cuisine restaurant called Hawaiian Brothers opened. I don't think spam is on the menu, but all the Hawaiian plates include macaroni salad, which is Hawaiian Island standard fare. I've learned that from Magnum P.I. and Hawaii 5-0.

Wichita Falls has famously showed up in a movie a time or two. Have you watched The Last Picture Show? The movie which made Cybil Shepherd and Jeff Bridges stars.

In that movie Cybil gets talked into going to a pool party at a house in Wichita Falls. The pool is not an outdoor pool. The pool party was a skinny dipping party, in which Cybil eventually, famously, got the courage to participate. 

Last Picture Show is set in Archer City, a town about 20 miles south of where I am sitting right now. The kids drove to the big city for the pool party, which took place in a house a short distance north of my abode, in the neighborhood I refer to as the Beverly Hills of Wichita Falls.

The Last Picture Show was one of author Larry McMurty's works. The story was inspired by his experiences growing up in Archer City, apparently including going to wild pool parties in Wichita Falls.

I have been in Wichita Falls several years now and have yet to be invited to a skinny-dipping pool party...

Final August Day Walking With Sikes Lake Coyote Pack

On this final day of August, the day known as Saturday, with the temperature in the 80s, with the humidity high, I ventured to Sikes Lake for a sultry walk in the natural sauna steambath.

Walking with me was the growing pack of Sikes Lake Coyote Goose Guards.

The Sikes Lake Coyote Goose Guards seem to have accomplished their humane goal, making geese feel unwelcome, and safe from another mass extermination by the local goose haters.
 
Ducks must not be as easily intimidated by coyotes as their goose relatives are. One still sees several flocks of ducks milling about around and on Sikes Lake.

I hope there are no local duck haters currently plotting the mass extermination of those cute quackers.

Welcome rain is dripping this afternoon. Not copiously, but enough drippage to provide some cooling...

Semi-Chilly Return To Wichita Bluff Nature Area With No Rattlesnakes

With the temperature in the relatively chilly 80s, but with high humidity and little wind, I opted to drive to the Wichita Bluff Nature Area this final Friday of August, for the first time in many months, for some semi-hilly endorphin inducing aerobic activity.

In the photo documentation we are at the location of the highest picnic spot in Wichita Falls, looking east towards the skyline of beautiful downtown Wichita Falls.

I have avoided the Wichita Bluff Nature Area since some point in time, last Spring, after the Lucy Park entity we refer to as The Blue Man, made mention of the fact that he had encountered two rattlesnakes curled up on the Wichita Bluff Nature Area paved trail.

The fact that one might come upon rattlesnakes, and the fact that the Wichita Bluff Nature Area provides little shade from the blistering sun, it seemed a good idea to avoid this location til cooler temperatures made the bluffs more pleasant and cold-blooded creatures less mobile.

So, I saw no shade or snakes today whilst enjoying some salubrious bluff hiking.

I suspect in the coming months returning to the Wichita Bluff Nature Area will be a frequent go to location. 

Meanwhile, thunderstorming is on the weather menu for today and tomorrow....

Early Christmas Present From Uncle Mooch Turns Into Vaporware

Amusing super early Christmas present last night from Uncle Mooch and Aunt Jane. Quickly rescinded.

Message announcing the possible incoming Christmas present..

Uncle Mooch wants to know if you'd like this for Christmas. Aunt Jane says, “It's Christmas, not Trumpmas.”

I replied in the affirmative indicating I would very much like this for Christmas, with the following exchange, which left this particular Christmas present vaporized...

Durango Jones

Oh yes, very much. Now I can look forward to Christmas way more than I usually do....

Jane Slotemaker

Durango Jones: Oh, it’s all sold out. Sorry.

Durango Jones

Jane Slotemaker: ---Well now, I guess I now have yet one more dreary Christmas to not look forward to. Eventually my disappointment over not getting a Trump Christmas tree may fade...

______________________

I wonder if those beautiful gold plated Trump shoes are still available for grift giving...

Know The Right Wing Nutjob Warning Signs

It is not much of a secret that I have a strong aversion to what I refer to as "right wing nutjobs".

Or "far right extremists".

Upon first meeting someone, talking to them, and suddenly words spew out which I find impossible to relate to, due to perplexedly thinking, what can one say? Where does one start?

When someone makes clear they are being a bit ignorant, does one assume this is a teachable moment?

Usually, I say nothing.

I wait for more evidence to come before deciding this is not ignorance which I am dealing with here, it is stupidity.

An ignorant person can be wised up. This is not possible, I have found, with a stupid person.

One of the unsettling things about our modern world is the phenomenon of social media. For the first time in human history the dumb among us have a means to share their ignorance. Over and over again.

I see this phenomenon on Facebook.

For example.

The Facebook postings of an individual who was in my high school class. But, never graduated, due to not successfully completing enough classes. This individual is so totally sure of himself, despite failing, totally, at that being educated thing, even at the relatively simple high school level.

Let's look at some of this right wing nutjobs recent snippets gleaned from Facebook...

Anyone who doesnt know by now that the whole attack at White House was arranged by Pelosi’…..is a total Fool ‘no debate just truth’!

if you do not work and pay your own way in this life you will rote in hell ‘ and will not see heaven’

someone needs to tell these indians the creator created the land for man ‘ not just them !’

i love everyone even the confused but i’m not going to lie to God & self ‘and tell a transgender, queer or gay that it’s all fine or write ‘ be cause it’s all ‘ morally wrong ‘

the Barbra Striseands  ,the Chers, the Whoopi’s,the Opras. Madonnas, etc. are some of the main reasons for the Calipornia mess  !

Biden,Pelosi,Kamala,Soros etc. have been trying to destroy this country ‘ they should all be in prison ‘

Unions destroy economy & playing field for everyone ‘ but themselves’

__________________

So, this nutjob thinks Pelosi arranged an attack on the White House. And if you do not know that, you are a total fool. See what I mean? What can one say to someone who thinks it was the White House which was attacked, not the Capitol? And that Nancy Pelosi was behind the attack.

If you don't pay your own way in life you will 'rote' in hell? I assume the word intended is 'rot'. How compassionate. I forgot to mention this individual regularly posts comments reflecting his strong imaginary Christian faith.

Indians need to be told this individual's imaginary sky friend created the land for man, not just Indians. How does one explain to this person that Indians are also men, creations of the imaginary sky friend.

This person loves everyone, but is not going to lie to his imaginary sky friend and tell humans who are transgender, queer or gay that it is all "write". Because it is morally wrong. One can not help but wonder what would Jesus do when talking to a right wing nutjob like this person?

Calipornia? How clever? Streisand, Cher, Whoopi, Oprah, Madonna, and their ilk have made a mess of California? Has this nutjob ever been to California to witness the fact that the state is not a mess?

Biden, Pelosi, Kamala and Soros have been trying to destroy this country? And should be in prison? This is an example of the type thing the nutjobs say which leaves one baffled as to what to say. Do you ask for examples of the country being destroyed by these people? No. The answer would only be stupider. 

Unions destroy the economy? For everyone? As indicated by number 5 in the above illustration, the right wing nutjobs have little to no understanding of economics. Or the role unions have had during America's history in improving worker's lives and the American economy.

There is more than one reason I have little interest in attending a high school reunion...

Found On Page 60 Of Burlington-Edison High School Yearbook

That which you see here showed up in my email this morning, via something called Classmates.com, with the message in the email saying this...

You've been spotted in the 1980 Burlington-Edison High School yearbook. Is that you on page 60?

1980? I think the year is wrong, but that is definitely me, on the left, in my Junior year yearbook.

Right next to me, in the yearbook, is the entity who used to be known as Small, before she joined some sort of cult and began calling herself McNutt.

It has been a few years since I have attended a high school class reunion. I think the 20th one is the last I have been to. Even then I recollect the experience being a tad unsettling, wondering to myself, how can all these old people be the same age as me?

Starting in 2021 my high school class has been having a reunion every year, usually on the last Saturday of July. I have not felt an urge to attend any of these. I feel like I get plenty of high school reconnecting via Facebook, and other means.

And now my high school class has begun having monthly reunions, on the first Monday of the month, at a place in Burlington called Coconut Kenny's.

So, clearly. there must be some who enjoy the high school reunion thing.

I sort of remember the high school years fondly.

I remember other things more fondly. I do not go to many reunions of those other things either...

Lucy Park Post Library Nature Communing On Final Monday Of August

During my regularly scheduled nature communing, trying to acquire endorphins via high-speed walking, I did so in the outer world for the first time in a week or two.

Lowe's, Home Depot and Walmart have been my air-conditioned walking venues of late.

On this final Monday of the 2024 version of August the outer world temperature was not over 100 degrees during my regular walking time. The temperature was a relatively cool 92.

And so, this morning I drove to the library to get a fresh supply of reading material, and then, since I was nearby, it was to Lucy Park I drove for a high humidity walk in the Lucy Park backwoods jungle.

That humidity and the lack of wind made those 90 some degrees feel like they were well over 100.

Next week September arrives, and with the new month the current weather prediction is for day after day after day in the 80s and 90s. No mention of anything over 100 degrees...