More Desert Classics
This reminds me of a Davy Crockett movie starring Fess Parker [How Texas Became a Desert, December 2023]. When Crockett came from Tennessee to Texas, he would have passed through the Piney Woods of East Texas, right?
Well, in the movie, they get to the border, and Crockett says, “Well, there she is—Texas!” And they look out upon a mountainous desert land.
My wife and I almost fell on the floor laughing.
David Winkler, Pedernales EC | Dripping Springs
Absent is my favorite John Wayne movie with a Texas storyline—Red River, loosely based on the creation of the legendary Chisholm Trail.
Bill “Cowboy” Lamza, San Bernard EC | Hempstead
Stephanie Shafer
Another Somber Memory
I taught with Kathy Cox in 1963 [A School Day Like No Other, November 2023].
While we were glued to the TV, Father Baker came in and told us that they were taking all the kids into the church to pray for the president. The younger kids really didn’t comprehend what was happening, but my sixth graders were pretty aware, and most of them were in tears.
Father came into the church a few minutes later to tell us that the president had died. After more prayers, the kids were all sent home early.
Diane Shalala Fritel | Wolford, North Dakota
Frankly, Almost a Texan
As someone who has followed Texas music for roughly 72 years, I never thought of Frank Zappa as having much to do with Texas [Art and Parts, December 2023]. I always pictured him as the ultimate California dude.
Joe Brannen, Sam Houston EC | Livingston
Editor’s note: It’s true Zappa wasn’t really a Texan, but in some circles he was considered an honorary Austinite because of his repeated appearances at the Armadillo World Headquarters in the 1970s.
Silly Spectacle
I never understood how people got so excited seeing a woman at the top of her game beat a broken-down, old, has-been guy and think she did something [When Pigs Fly, September 2023]. I remember thinking it was pretty foolish then, and “celebrating” it 50 years later seems just as silly.
Bob Fowler, Sam Houston EC | Point Blank
Karen Knight, a certified labyrinth facilitator, walks the labyrinth at her Ardor Wood Farm in Red Rock.
Laura Jenkins
A Release for Troubles
My labyrinth sits on the high side of the South San Gabriel River at the very back of our property and home in Liberty Hill [Circles of Life, August 2023].
Sometimes, as I begin to walk it, I’m not even sure what I’m there for. By the time I reach the center, whatever is troubling me has become more clear, and I’m able to release it as I retrace my steps back to the beginning.
Donna Leonard, Pedernales EC | Liberty Hill
We have maintained a labyrinth on the sand in the Llano River for about 15 years for all to enjoy. It’s adjacent to the Rio Llano subdivision upstream from the city of Llano. This is our third labyrinth, as the other two were washed away by high water. We’re hoping this one will be washed away soon also.
Mary Helen and David Wheelock, Central Texas EC | Llano
Loving History
I was greatly amused to read that it wasn’t Larry McMurtry’s aim to model the characters “after actual historical figures” [A Page of the Past, August 2023]. J. Evetts Haley’s book Charles Goodnight details the Oliver Loving saga, and it reads like the exact story in Lonesome Dove.
The only difference is that Loving was wounded in the wrist and not in the leg.
Bill “Cowboy” Lamza, San Bernard EC | Hempstead
Echoes in Eola
I was Eola High School principal and coach from 1956 to 1961 [Extracurricular Activities, August 2023]. I coached all sports—boys and girls—that Eola High was able to provide for the students during these years.
Those were very good years for extracurricular activities at Eola High. I am very happy to read the old school building is still active with extracurricular activities.
Edwin Winn, Pedernales EC | Eola
