Czech-Tex Easter

At Easter time, Martina hangs the Czech Easter eggs, known as kraslice, in the front hallway of our house. These beautifully hand-decorated Easter eggs are a Czech tradition, and the ones we have were sent by Martina's mother several years ago. Considering how fragile these decorated egg shells are, the fact that every one of them arrived from Europe intact could be classified as a postal miracle. I would like to extend a warm thanks to Ceska Posta and the United States Post Office for the gentle handling of the kraslice package.

In the introduction to Waylon County: Texas Stories, I discuss "the ways an immigrant community changes to address the realities of a new land." When I was first drafting the introduction, there were a couple of sentences about immigrant communities and how food ways change due contact with other cultures and the availability of various ingredients. Although I liked the sentences and the idea, they did not make the final draft. 

Yesterday Martina reminded me of these deleted sentences when she made us deviled eggs. Although deviled eggs are of European origin, neither of us ever saw them anywhere in the Czech Republic, and the only deviled eggs either of us ever recall eating were here in Texas. To make the eggs, Martina looked online, found a recipe, and quickly adapted it to the ingredients currently available in our kitchen. And, for the record, she made the best deviled eggs I believe I have ever eaten. In case you are interested, here are the ingredients Martina used for the "deviled" part of the deviled eggs. 

hard boiled egg yolks

Dijon mustard (though I think Dusseldorfer would also be great)

mayonnaise

hot chow chow (drained)

If you would like to know more about "kraslice," here is a great article I found online.

http://www.tresbohemes.com/2016/03/czech-easter-egg-designs/ 

Please Pass the Biscuits, Pappy

My grandfather, who lived on the North Side of Fort Worth near the Stockyards for the early part of his childhood, remembers being handed a biscuit by Pappy O'Daniel during one of his political campaigns. In his brief childhood recollection, my grandfather tells of O'Daniel coming down Clinton Street on what he describes as a chuckwagon and O'Daniel stepping down to hand him a biscuit.

In the following years, O'Daniel went on to become the governor of Texas and even a US senator, but perhaps his most lasting legacy is his contribution to music. O'Daniel, who at one time served as the general sales manager at Burrus Mill, was integral in the early success of the Light Crust Doughboys, which gave wide exposure to both Bob Wills and Milton Brown. After leaving Burrus Mill, O'Daniel started his own company, Hillbilly Flour, and the band he formed, called W. Lee O'Daniel and his Hillbilly Boys, helped him win the governorship.     

Here is the song containing Pappy O'Daniel's famous slogan, "Please Pass the Biscuits, Pappy."

Where Does the Sidewalk End? At a Honkytonk

When I was a young pup, I enjoyed reading Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends." I liked the way he rhymed, and I enjoyed the fact that his poetry made me think. Many moons later, while looking at the liner notes of a honkytonk album, I saw a song that was cowritten by Shel Silverstein. I wondered if it could possibly be the poet I enjoyed when I was a kid, and it turned out that it was.

To my delight, I learned that the late great Shel Silverstein had written songs that were covered by the likes of Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Bobby Bare. He also co-wrote "The Taker" with Kris Kristofferson, which was covered by Waylon Jennings. Yes, Shel Silverstein was both a children's poet and a songwriter of the honkytonk variety. And that's where this blog post ends.

Here is "Ned Kelly," the title track for a 1970 Australian film for which Silverstein wrote the music. You will notice the pride of Littlefield, Texas, on vocals.

 

 

Chasin' Rainbows

When I am listening to music online, occasionally I slip down a rabbit hole and find myself in a beautiful place I've never been before. This evening while sliding down the rabbit hole, I came across the music of the Dallas String Band. The band, which was active in the late 1920s and early 1930s, produced only twelve recordings as a group and are considered by some to be a "proto-blues" act or even an "early Texas country band." In terms of bona fides, both Blind Lemon Jefferson and T-Bone Walker sometimes played with the group, though neither recorded with them.

At the bottom of the rabbit hole where I found the Dallas String Band, I also found a rainbow, or at least the song "Chasin' Rainbows." Folks familiar with R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders have probably heard the song before, but here is the 1928 original. Please note that the gentlemen in the picture are most likely not the Dallas String Band, though the musicians would have been playing similar instruments.

  

Here is a great biography of the Dallas String Band:

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dallas-string-band-mn0000139390

   

Fannin Street: From Lead Belly to Guy Clark to Tom Waits

There are plenty of places in Texas named Fannin. There is Fannin County, the town of Fannin, Fannin Middle School, and a fair number of Fannin Streets. But who exactly was Fannin and why is he important to Texas?

In the Texas Revolution, James W. Fannin was the commanding officer who lost his life in the Goliad Massacre on this day in 1836. Before that fateful day at Fort Defiance, Fannin also participated in the Battle of Gonzales and the Battle of Coleto Creek. For more information about this Texian colonel, see: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ffa02     

Folks who have spent any time in Houston have probably been to Fannin Street considering that it runs right through the center of town. Lead Belly sang about one Fannin Street or another, and Houstonian Guy Clark, in his song "Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya," tells us that "Fannin Street on an afternoon is such an easy way to get a tune." Tom Waits also sings a little ode to "Fannin Street," and I think it is a fine little ditty. But don't take my word for it, give the video a little clickity-click and listen for yourself.

Barbeque: Post at your Peril

Politics, religion, and barbeque are three subjects I try to avoid. I am, after all, a lover of peace and harmony, not animosity and discord, and I practice tolerance and kindness with all of the energy I can garner. Although I have oft skirted the perils of discussing politics and religion online, I once walked into a barbeque-related ambush in what I thought to be friendly territory.

In a Facebook group dedicated to all things Texas, someone posted the, ahem, innocent question,"What is your favorite barbeque place?" Without a lick of caution, I posted the name of my favorite place, a fine old establishment that never fails to make the Texas Monthly list, and I quickly drew fire. Friendly fire even. While this is nothing like the firestorm started on Twitter when someone asked the incendiary question, "Why is Brooklyn Barbeque Taking Over the World?," I am still a little gun-shy when it comes to barbeque.

So why am I talking about barbeque then? Because, gun-shy or not, I just can't help it. I love it. Viva the brisket! Viva the ribs! That's what I say. And I love places that serve it. I love places with names like Burly Bill's Bona Fide Barbeque (which I just made up) where Longhorn steer horns hang on the wall, a roll of paper towels graces every table, and the strains of Ernest Tubb tickle my ears. That, to me, is what it's all about. So here's a hearty hurray for barbeque and the good folks that serve it!

In case you're curious, click the link below to access barbeque guru Daniel Vaughn's recent piece about Brooklyn Barbeque.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/brooklyn-barbecue-munchies-photo/

And for your listening pleasure, here is a little hymn from the High Holy Church of BBQ.

Johnson Covnty Covrthovse? Why the Vs?

Yesterday Martina and I visited Cleburne, and while we were there on the square, Martina looked up at the words chiseled on the courthouse and asked, "Why is there a V instead of a U in 'County?'" This was indeed a very good question, and though we both knew that it had something to do with Latin, neither of us knew exactly why V would be chosen over U in the modern era. So I sought digital counsel.

Our friends at dictionary.com, in their explanation of the subject, state that the Latin alphabet only had 23 letters, and U wasn't one of them. The U sound, of course, did exist, but the letter V represented both the U and V sounds. The good ol' letter U, as we know it, was not regularly employed until the 1600s, when printers started using standardized letter shapes. 

According to an article on pampamuseum.org, folks used a V instead of a U on Neoclassical buildings to give those noble edifices a more Roman feel. So, when I think about it, Johnson County was just following suit. And though the Johnson County Courthouse was built in the Texas Renaissance style, using that V in the word "County" would not have been an arbitrary decision because the use of the letter V as a vowel would have been the standard convention for the majority of the Renaissance. But then, my opinion and two bits won't buy you a pecan praline. 

Well, either way, I'm going to call this case closed. I hope y'all have a pleasant Sunday!   

   

Ollie from Illinois: The Origin of the Texas Leaguer

With baseball spring training now in full swing, I think it is a fine day to discuss the origin of the "Texas Leaguer," which is defined at mlb.com as "a bloop that falls between an infielder and an outfielder for a hit." The origin of the term dates surprisingly far back in baseball history, to 1901, in fact, and is a reference to the rookie centerfielder who took the first at-bat in the history of the American League.

That player was Ollie Pickering, an Illinois native who was brought up from the Houston Mud Cats in the Texas League to play for the American League's Cleveland Blues. Pickering, who also played minor league ball for Fort Worth in 1892, registered a hit in each of his first seven at-bats in the major leagues. Every one of those hits turned out to be a bloop between the infield and the outfield. Thus, Pickering's teammates dubbed this particular kind of hit a "Texas Leaguer." And the rest is history.


Here's Sam Baker, the pride of Itasca, Texas, playing "Baseball."

Skidboot the Dog

Today is National Puppy Day, so I reckon it is a mighty fine day to celebrate the life of Skidboot (1992-2007), the "World's Smartest Dog." Skidboot, who was raised by Quinlan-based farrier David Hartwig, could recognize an incredible number of words and was able to perform very complex tasks on command. In fact, the dog was so mind-blowing that he and David Hartwig even appeared on Oprah and David Letterman. But perhaps what was more important was the incredible bond between this man and his dog.

In celebration of National Puppy Day, here is a wonderful video about Skidboot. After watching this clip, I started hoping that Skidboot and David would mosey over to Waylon County and stay a spell.

My Rite of Spring

Every year I threaten to go to South by Southwest and somehow never make it. It has pretty much become a rite of spring. Then I check out all of the great artists that played there and chastise myself. This year I am chastising myself about not seeing Nikki Lane.

Check out this video. I could easily listen to this track over and over driving the highway between here and El Paso.

Gurf Morlix: Producer Extraordinaire

Gurf Morlix is one of my absolute favorite record producers, and I guess I didn't realize it until a few years ago when I noticed his name on the liner notes of so many of the albums in our collection. To his credit, Morlix has produced Lucinda Williams, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Blaze Foley, the McKay Brothers, Robert Earl Keen, Tom Russell, and many others.

Somehow Morlix creates a sound that speaks to my soul and feels the way I think home is supposed to feel. Even though I have been known to ramble, I have carried a bit of home with me around the world in the form of music produced by Gurf Morlix. 

Last week at SXSW, Morlix took part in a Blaze Foley tribute alongside J.T. Van Zandt, Nikki Lane, and some other folks. Here is Gurf Morlix playing "Crossroads."

Tough Plants and Little Water

To be a plant in our yard, you had better be tougher than the High Plains Drifter. You had better like the hot Texas sun and be happy with limestone for a bed. And you had better not get thirsty too often. Put simply, you'd better be tough as a boot.

This is not because we do not have green thumbs. This is not because we do not love our flora. It is because we conserve water the best we can and only plant species that can handle drought conditions. With our ever-growing population here in North Texas, Martina and I prefer to be cautious and do our part because one day the spigot might very well run dry.

Texas Mountain Laurel, which grows out in the Chisos and Davis Mountains (as well as on our porch), is the kind of plant we like at our house. It can live in poor soil, needs little water, and can laugh its way through a drought. This Mountain Laurel, which we've had for three years, just bloomed for the first time.

Here is a Ryan Bingham song called "Bread and Water." Our plants would understand it.

Red Brick Streets: The Tale of Thurber

Many of us are familiar with the red bricks of Camp Bowie and the Stockyards in Fort Worth, but where were those bricks made? The answer is Thurber, Texas, which is a ghost town today but was once the largest town between Panther City and El Paso. Thurber was a coal mining town, and around the year 1920 it boasted approximately 10,000 residents. Of those residents, a great many were immigrants, with Italian and Polish immigrants being the largest of the nearly twenty groups represented.

The town had a brick plant, where the bricks for the Galveston Seawall and Congress Avenue in Austin were also made, but very little remains of the plant today. In its heyday, Thurber had a company-owned opera house, library, and saloon, as well as a mercantile store, which is now the Smokestack Restaurant, where we dined today. Almost as rapidly as it had risen, the town of Thurber virtually disappeared in the 1930s due to the growth of the petroleum industry and labor disputes.   

Here are the bricks in front of Saint Barbara's Catholic Church in Thurber. Saint Barbara, incidentally, is the patron saint of miners.

This is a fragment of the brick plant remains displayed at the W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas. 

Here is a photo of medicine from the mercantile store. Notice that the product names are written in both English and Polish. 

For a bit of musical entertainment, here's everyone's Uncle Willie playing "Dark as a Dungeon."

Will a Mockingbird Eat a Yellow Jacket?

A couple of days ago, I accidentally stirred up a yellow jacket nest in one of our bushes. I sat back down on the porch waiting for the wasps to light from their scramble, and suddenly I saw a mockingbird dive into the bush. From my vantage point, it appeared that the bird was after the yellow jackets.

I thought about Roy Bedichek's Adventures with a Texas Naturalist, and though he dedicated three chapters to the mocker, I could not remember anything about the bird eating wasps or bees. A quick google search on my phone revealed that mockingbirds are one of approximately 24 species of birds that dine on bees and wasps. The mockingbird was indeed a wasp eater.

In Bedichek's work, he often shares anecdotes about nature. And in Adventures with a Texas Naturalist, he even shares a letter from a reliable source about a mockingbird attacking a rattlesnake. Today, with cell phones, the anecdotal has been replaced with pictures and videos. Here is a short video of a mockingbird eating a yellow jacket.

And here is "Thinking About You" by that West Texas songbird, Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Listen to him sing about the mockingbird.

 

Bean Queen at the Birthday Bash

This weekend Granbury is celebrating its 40th annual General Granbury Birthday Bash. One of the highlights of this momentous event is the crowning of the Bean Queen. Regular readers of this blog perhaps already know of the giddy joy that fills my heart when I hear mention of such titles. Verily, I do declare, I love to hear about the lovely ladies who have been crowned Miss Snake Charmer, Yamboree Queen, Miss Brisket, and the like. I love this stuff so much that I plan to include a character with such a title in my next book of short stories.

Here is a fantastic photo of a former Bean Queen.

     

Fort Worth's own Phil Hamilton will be performing from 2 pm to 4 pm Sunday (today) at the birthday bash.

San Patricio County

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, y'all! On this day in 1836, San Patricio County was established, with the town of San Patricio de Hibernia on the Nueces River named the county seat. "San Patricio," of course, is Spanish for "Saint Patrick," and the town and county received this name because "Saint Patrick" was the patron saint of the Irish Catholic families who settled the area in the late 1820s, when it was still part of the Mexican state of Coahuila and Texas.

In the 1840s, a small number of Irishmen from San Patricio County actually deserted the US Army and headed south to fight for Santa Anna in the Mexican War. See the link below to read a fascinating article Bud Kennedy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has written on the subject.

http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/bud-kennedy/article139012213.html

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, here is the old Irish song, "The Bard of Armaugh," the tune of which was later used for "The Streets of Laredo."

Jerry Jeff Walker: Birthday Cowboy

Jerry Jeff Walker turns 76 today. Whenever I think about ol' Scamp Walker, I can do nothing but smile because so many fond memories are tied to his music. One of my favorite memories is of listening to the "Viva Terlingua" album while studying abroad in London. A bunch of us Southwestern University kids were living in the Crofton Hotel across from Kensington Gardens, and we loved that Jerry Jeff album. One of the highlights for me was when Gary P. Nunn sang about Marble Arch Station, which was just a short walk away.

When I lived in Yellowstone, I used to hang out in my friend Texas Jack's motor home and listen to that record as well. A few years later, when I lived in the Czech Republic, I often sat on my porch with "Live at Gruene Hall" blaring. When I think about it, I guess Jerry Jeff just sounds like home. And when I was home, I always tried to make a Jerry Jeff show if I could. Of those, my favorite was the time when my dear brother, who was involved with the Dallas Film Festival, picked Jerry Jeff and Susan Walker up at the airport and managed to get me into the after party following the screening of the Jerry Jeff documentary, "OK Buckaroos." I tried to be cool and nonchalant, but I imagine my excitement was readily apparent. 

Happy birthday, Jerry Jeff! With a little luck, maybe we can all make it out to the Redneck Mother Day show at Gruene Hall on May 13th.

Pi and Cornbread

Yesterday was Pi Day, the day celebrating the famous irrational number that starts with 3.14 and carries out into eternity. When I think of Pi, I think of wrestling around with the area of a circle in junior high. Back in those days, when I was sitting at the kitchen table trying to do my homework, my father was fond of telling me the following:

"Pie-Are-Square? No. Pie-Are-Not-Square. Cornbread-Are-Square. Pie-Are-Round."

I do not know if my delight in such ridiculous humor is due to nature or nurture, but it has certainly manifested itself in either case.

Please click the link below to hear Rita Coolidge covering Guy Clark's "Nickel for the Fiddler," which is the only song I know that includes the words "freaky apple pie." Happy Belated Pi Day!

  

Texas Gem

Today is National Gem Day, so considering that this is a Texas blog, the topic is "topaz," the State Gem of Texas. Topaz, for the record, was named the state gem on March 26, 1969, the same day petrified palmwood was named the state stone. Being ever curious about all things Texas, I did some research about topaz and learned that perhaps the best place for folks to root around looking for this native gem is on the Seaquist Ranch in Mason. Here is some video footage from the Seaquist Ranch found on youtube:

Speaking of gems, here is Blind Lemon Jefferson playing "Jack of Diamonds."

An Outlaw Ballad Close to Home

My great-great grandfather, W.T. Eidson, was a friend of Sam Bass up in Denton County. The two of them raced horses together, and the jockey of Bass' fabled Denton Mare was an African-American man called Dick Eidson, who, according to historian Wayne Gard, was known by that surname because he worked for the Eidsons. On an interesting side note, my grandfather actually remembers waiting outside a nursing home as a child while his uncle visited Dick Eidson.

Grandpa Eidson and Sam Bass used to meet around a rock protrusion called Pilot Knob, where Sam Bass' treasure is said to be hidden. Today Martina and I decided to go find Pilot Knob and take some pictures. Since my grandfather talked about going on picnics there as a child, we figured it should be easily accessible. Well, once we reached our destination, which is just north of Robson Ranch Road on I-35W, we quickly realized that the knob is on private land and that we couldn't get close enough to take any decent pictures.

But do not fret. Here is Michael Martin Murphey playing the old outlaw ballad, "Sam Bass," which includes a reference to the Denton Mare.

Many Thanks

Last night's book signing at Deep Vellum in Dallas was a success. We had a nice crowd in attendance, and the folks at Deep Vellum were fantastic hosts. I was extremely pleased with the event, and I would like to thank everyone who attended in person or in spirit. I would also like to thank Deep Vellum for the great hospitality and for their support of the local arts community. I doff my hat to all of you! 

Oldest Radio Station in Texas

WRR in Dallas is the oldest commercial radio station in Texas. The station, which is based in Fair Park, has been in operation since 1920, when it was largely used for police and fire dispatch. Today the station, known as Classical 101, plays Bach, Beethoven, Bartok, and the like.

It is interesting to note that WRR only has three call letters. This is due to the fact that the station was established so long ago, when four letters were not yet necessary. I also find it interesting that the callsign starts with a "W." This is because "W" denoted west of the Mississippi in the early days of radio. 

Yesterday I learned that WRR Classical 101 has included my signing of Waylon County: Texas Stories on their event calendar. Here's to the oldest radio station in Texas!

http://www.wrr101.com/amp-events/deep-vellum-books-presents-heath-dollar-waylon-county-book-signing/

Rounding up the Rattlers

When I was a young reporter for the Williamson County Sun, I covered the rattlesnake roundup in Taylor, Texas. That sunny Saturday morning I interviewed both protesters and proponents, and I ate some fried rattlesnake, which looked much like fried fish but tasted more like chicken. There was talk of milking snakes, gassing snakes, and educating folks about snakes. I just listened and scrawled down everything I needed to write my story.

The 60th annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup started today in Sweetwater. The first big event, the Miss Snake Charmer Pageant, is happening right now while I am typing this post. I hope Junior Brown's "Venom Wearing Denim" somehow figures into the evening. 

If you are in the mood for another song about snakes, here's one by Townes Van Zandt.

   

 

A Bluebird

Some days I don't have much to say. I just turn on the music I need and let it articulate the way I feel. I think the old Chris Wall song, "I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight," expresses this idea very well. In the song he writes, "I play jazz when I am confused / I play country whenever I lose / Bird's saxophone just don't seem right / I feel like Hank Williams tonight." Here is Butch Hancock playing "If You Were a Bluebird," which, in terms of sound, is where I am right now. 

Remember the Alamo

The date that the Alamo fell, March 6, 1836, has been burned in my mind since I was a small boy. And to tell you the truth, at our house it seemed to be March 6 very often. I was a bit obsessed with the famous battle, and I often constructed the mission out of blocks in my room. Around the age of eight, I also liked to run around in the coonskin cap my dad bought me on our vacation in San Antonio thinking I was Davy Crockett. Later on, when I was in high school, I even wrote lyrics for an Iron Maiden-style Alamo song, though (fortunately for us all) the song never made it beyond my desk drawer. So, yes, the Alamo played a fairly large role in my formative years.

In high school, my history teacher told us about being an extra in John Wayne's "The Alamo." He played a Mexican soldier, and he told us that extras who fell off of horses made more money than extras who didn't. I can't remember whether he fell off of a horse or not, though I don't think the difference in pay was enough to warrant flopping off of a running horse and crashing to the ground. My teacher also told us about the scene with the school bus in the background. I always liked my teacher's story, and clearly I always remember the Alamo.

Here is a short scene from the 1960 version of "The Alamo."

Kung Pao in Texas

In the last ten years, we have probably had food delivered to us five times. Last night was one of those times. We ordered Chinese food. Martina had shrimp with garlic sauce. I had Kung Pao. I always have Kung Pao. I will look at a Chinese food menu for ten minutes and still order Kung Pao. It happens every time.

My fortune told of a secret admirer. Martina did not eat her fortune cookie, so we do not know what lies ahead for her. Would you like to know what lies ahead for this blog post? I can tell you. A link to the only Texas country song (I know of) that mentions Kung Pao is what lies ahead.

All Night Diners

I have always loved all night diners. I like the quiet ones that feel like an Edward Hopper painting as well as the chaotic ones where the waitresses appear to be performing some sort of a variety show act with giant stacks of plates. Both of these kinds of diners make me happy provided that eggs over easy, hash browns, and bottomless pots of coffee are served.

One of my favorites was a place called the Pink Poodle in Fort Worth. The Pink Poodle was just what you would imagine it to be. It was an old school diner, and you'd see rodeo participants with their numbers still pinned on their backs, women with beehives, men that looked like they might have just got out of jail, and all sorts of other folks in there. The place has been closed for years, but it still crosses my mind every now and again.

 

Here's "Heartaches and Grease" by Mother Hubbard. Were I to write a story about the Pink Poodle, those two themes would reign supreme. 

Deep Ellum and the Blues: An Interesting Fact or Two

I have been thinking about "Deep Elem Blues" a lot lately. Perhaps it is because I have a signing at Deep Vellum Books next Saturday evening. If you read this blog with any frequency, it probably comes as no surprise that the song "Deep Elem Blues" is one of my favorite old standards. I like it so much, in fact, that I often play it on my guitfiddle on the back porch.

There are numerous versions of this old song, which was written about the famous Dallas neighborhood where legends like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leadbelly, and even Robert Johnson used to play, and the song has influenced generations of musicians. As a case in point, "Deep Elem Blues" was even the inspiration for Bob Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues."

Here is a version of "Deep Elem Blues" I first heard on Lone Star Dead radio. This version, by the Shelton Brothers, was recorded in the 1930s and was originally released on a 78 rpm record.

And here is the information for my book signing on KERA's Art and Seek calendar.

http://artandseek.org/calendar/event/87140/heath-dollar-waylon-county-book-signing

Texas Independence Day

Happy Texas Independence Day, y'all. It's been a while since the founders signed the sheepskin at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Well, 172 years to be exact. Although folks don't usually celebrate Texas Independence Day, I think a picnic with barbeque, beans, and good ol' Dr. Pepper should be in order this weekend. Yeehaw!!!

Here's a little ditty by everybody's favorite uncle to celebrate.

Fate, Texas

When Martina and I lived in Dallas County, we always enjoyed heading down I-30 into East Texas to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy a little elbow room. A couple of my favorite town names that direction are Poetry and Fate. Poetry, I do believe, is a fine name for a town, and I would love to have a Poetry in Waylon County, but that little community in Kaufman County has already claimed the name. Fate is also a fine name, and it appears that the fate of Fate is the fate of much of Texas, considering that the little town has become one of the fastest growing municipalities in Texas.

In fact, Fate has grown so fast that it apparently needed a new water tower bowl in 2016. Here is a time lapse video in case you are curious about how new water tower bowls are installed.

Here is Ray Wylie Hubbard, a former resident of Poetry, playing the only song I know that includes a reference to Fate, Texas, which had a population of about 475 people when the song was released in 1997.