Richard Meek

Hey Steve glad to see somone else posting on the forum. Before you rush to the desert you might want to check with John Liedecker and see what it was like in Phoenix when those two massive dust storms rolled over the city. The pictures were pretty amazing. Tha is a great picture of the Sonny Look LP Album. As I remeber his first restaurant was on South Main and then he opened a second one on Westheimer that was later The Palm. I remember people wondering why anyone would put a restaurant way out Westheimer at the edge of town. It's sure a long way from the edge of town now. Then Bud Bigelow opened one even further out. They both were good places to eat. I think you're right older makes a difference.

Rich

Sharon Froehner (Mueller)

Hi Everyone,

I want everyone to know that the Austin Alumni are getting together for our monthly (sometimes every other month or so, give or take a few weeks) dinner on Thursday, July 28th.  We'll be meeting at Buster's, 2125 Lohman's Crossing, Austin/Lakeway, TX 78734.  The crazy Austin traffic dictates most people's arrival time but we try to meet around 6:00.   The info for our gathering should be posted on the Class Home Page sometime soon.  We have a very loyal group of attendees and we'll be happy to welcome new faces to the group.  You can check out Buster's for yourself: www.busterslakeway.com   We don't have to make reservations so just show up if you are in the area.  If you are aware of other Austin area Waltrip grads from other years, let them know about our little gatherings.  We have a great time together and it would be a lot of fun to have others join us.  

Sharon                                                                                                                                        512-294-7829

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 I want to thank each one that has sent a note online about my eyes.  I am so hopeful people like each of you will bring this out of the closet as a primary reason the elderly fall.  They fail to see depth on different kinds of of ground.  I'm finding out that my relatives that were always falling and breaking parts of themselves, probably weren't seeing mild differences in parking lots,  the ground, and steps.  I am still in shock that so many people are filling up each retina specialist office with this disease everyday.  How could this have been such a broad problem without me knowing about it.  I received my first bill from the doctor for my test and 1st injection.  $5, 465.00.  It made my liver, shiver, when I saw it,  that's for sure.  Thank goodness for insurance, and soon, medicare.  

If you need something to go see, please check out "Midnight in Paris".  I am totally in love with Hemingway when he speaks in the movie.  I've gone twice in two days just to hear him. Very clever plot.

My former, brother-in-law, now friend,  has played with Eric Burton and The Animals over the years.  They have just regrouped and are playing in Spain right now.  Love "The House of the Rising Sun." They look older but sound the same!

HEAT, PlEASE GO AWAY! 

Enjoy your day...beach bound tomorrow!

Jennie

Bernard Brady

As I understand it, Lynn Kiel is in the Livingston Hospital with a very serious stroke that he suffered last weekend.

That's all the details that I have, BJ Brady

Sharon Froehner (Mueller)

BJ - Do you have any new information on Lynn Kiel?  - Sharon

Bernard Brady

Yes Sharon

Good morning all-  Lynn is being transferred today to a rehab center  in Tomball. All he has been able to move so far is one thumb, which was called "promising".  Lynn was his Father's caregiver and Dad had Altzheimers (late stages), and the same day Lynn had a stroke, his father had a stroke on his right side. This situation is a rough one. I'll keep all posted with any changes.

BJ

Stephen Ray Puckett

For your weekend viewing pleasure, may I present a great documentary about Houston after dark in 1960. 

Enjoy!

http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2011/08/1960s-film-profiles-houston-after-dark/

Kay Watters (Greene)

I'm going to Fudd's tonight, this will probably be the last time for awhile, since I have a hard time driving into Houston and back for school the next day.  Come on out...and enjoy it with me!

BJ - we shoulda shoulda bought the gold and silver before it went up, uh huh, uh huh!  Thanks for the advice!

Richard Meek

Kay, sorry I missed you at Fudd's. I went over to Austin to a birthday party. It sure was good to get out of Houston to some place warmer. The  restaurant we went to has a large pier over Lake Austin but no one was sitting outside. In case you've worried that Austin isn't strange anymore. We went to a restaurant called The Hula Hut.  Ok, but they serve Mexican food. It was good but I don't quite get the name and food combination. Also I've not seen little paper umbrellas in Margaritas and Guacamole before. Austin is still Austin Folks. I heard on the radio yesterday that College Station has had 39 days over 100 degrees already this summer. Man what a scorcher!

Hope everyone is staying cool. It looks like Houston is moving to Stage 2 water rationing the middle of next week. It looks like we're really in need of some sort tropical system to bring in some rain. Hopefully not a hurricane or a tropical storm that stalls on top of us for three days. Hhhmmm, picky, picky, picky.

Take care all,

'Rich

Richard Meek

I picked up some sad news off the '64 Forum. Our classmate Jimmy Brown was killed in a head on traffic accident this weekend in Conroe. No info yet on services.  When Jimmy would post a message on the Forum he would always end it with Happy Trails To You. So Happy Trails To You Jimmy. I know Jimmy was a good Christian and that he is is with the Lord. Rest In Peace.

Rich

Anita Marbury (Marbury)

I am saddened to learn of the terrible wreck that claimed Jimmy Brown. I know we will all keep his family in our hearts.

Leah Favella

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jimmy Brown. He is flying with the Angels Now! Just a coincidence but I hadn't checked any messages for a long time and when I came on the site tonight, here was a message from Jimmy wishing me a belated BD....TY Jimmy..RIP

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 Leah, how special was that hearing from Jimmy and having that image of him writing a Happy Birthday message, not knowing he would be in Heaven so soon?  None of us know, but I hope we all have a beautiful thought of where Jimmy is now!

Can it get any hotter?  Today was unbearable, but at least I can cool off with air conditioning.  I hope we all can pray for the people and animals who live without such luxury.  My brother, Joe is in from from England and he can't believe how unrelenting the heat is here.

Kaye, I do think streaming a service is more modern than I can grasp at the moment. I agree mourning with loved ones and friends being physically near has its pluses for having closure and offering support to a family.  But our world is getting so busy, that people just are not able to leave their jobs or retirement communities to drive long distances.  I guess it is a sign of the time.  

Reminder to anyone going to their eye doctor, ask if you show any signs of AMA, if you have it please find a retina specialist.  My new passion is to warn people, so they can get help before losing any vision!

Please do your rain dances, chants, praying, or all of it so we can feel rain.  

Jennie

John Leediker

Hi All,

Sorry, I have not checked in for some time....saw Richard Meek's reference to Steven about checking with me on Phoenix weather.....to sum it up....IT's HOT!!!! I have been following the TX weather too and you guys are really getting hit with some high temps as well....and little rain....just like AZ, except that it is normal here. You all have probably seen the news about the dust storms this summer. We have had 4 so far with this year's monsoon season. In the 22 years we have been here, this year has been the worst for dust storms....which they are now calling "haboobs". We should see the end of our monsoon season in the next 4-6 weeks and things will get back to our normal very low humidity and "tolerable" temps. It would be nice if TX could get the benefit of some rain from some tropical activity, but without the damage from a real hurricane.

I also just read about Lynn Kiel's stroke....I wish him the best and hope he is able to recover from it quickly....our prayers are with him, and also his dad.

Best wishes to all, and I will try to get back to checking in more often......hope you guys get some rain and relief from the heat soon.

Take care, John

Stephen Ray Puckett

Thanks, John.  At the bottom is an interesting time-lapse video of a Phoenix haboob.  I experienced several when working in the desert of Saudi Arabia.  Scary! 

On a lighter note, this photo may bring back fond memories of yesteryear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrcVqtmugj8    Haboob:

John Leediker

Stephen,

Yes, that video clip looks like the haboob of July 5th......we were somewhere under that blanket of dust. It seems no matter how well your house is sealed, that dust gets in and all over everything. It is about the consistency of talcum powder and  makes a big mess. It took 3-4 days to get the coat of dust (actually mud) off the bottom of our pool and get it back into useable condition. Thank goodness none of the other 3 haboobs have been as bad as that one was.

That photo of the Monterey House napkin does bring back memories. They had really good Mexican food back then......the stuff we get now is OK, but not the same as then......probably because they have done away with the harmful (but good tasting) ingredients....like lard :)  It was good stuff to eat back then, but I am paying for it now with a couple of blocked arteries being propped open by stents.

Thanks for the reply and the video....I hope all is well with you and your family.

-John

Richard Meek

Glad to see some chatting going on here. It's been a while. Just a follow up on Jimmy Brown for those of you who saw the previous posting. Jimmy's girlfriend , her daughter and his grand daughter were in the car also. The girlfriend passed away a day or two later. The granddaughter was released from the hospital with broken bones. Jimmy was raising her by himself so I don't know what that means for her. The girlfriends daughter was still in the hospital in critical condition. She is going to need several facial plastic surgeries.  Jimmy had attended the Waltrip Alums monthly gathering on Tuesday and on Sunday the terrible accident happened. Just another  reminder folks. We don't know when the bell will toll for us so live every day fully. Tell your loved ones that you love them every day. It may not be your day but it may theirs. then, keep on dancing and dance like no one is watching!!!

Stay cool even if you can't be cool,

Rich

Richard Meek

Greetings Waltripians, Don't forget that there is an irregularly scheduled meeting of the Whirld Affairs and Burger Evaluation Committee of the Waltrip Alumni. You have been drafted to be a member of the committee. We will meet tomorrow at Gabby's Bar-B-Que on N. Shepherd between 34th and Loop 610 at 11:45. The business part of the meeting will last a full 30 seconds and Whirld Peas will be discussed. After that we move to the burger evaluation part of the meeting. Or in this case burger and bar-b-que evaluation. If you can fog a mirror you are expected to be there. See yall tomorrow!

Rich

Stephen Ray Puckett

You want fries with that shake, Mister? 

Yep, we had one of those infrequent earthquakes here on the East Coast.  I was sitting in a chair here in Albany and it started swaying.  At first I thought the chair was giving out but it looked OK.  Then I thought I was having a 'health event'.  I finally realized it was an earthquake. It was 'only' a 5.9 earthquake between Richmond, VA, and Washington, DC, close to a nuclear plant which has now shut down because of the quake.  It supposedly did not significantly damage the plant.

 

Some folks had stuff fall off desks & chairs but most just had swaying, enough to be scary and to cause many buildings to evacuate.  A few folks had their aboveground pools slosh to the point of collapsing.  Cell phone service was down in many areas - overloaded circuits?  Of course, the news is now full of endless insignificant details...  Other than that, folks are excited and busily telling each other all about their big brush with a real live earthquake.

 

I thought I was done with all that when I moved away from the West Coast!

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 Stephen, I love these earthquake pictures!  Thanks for your humor!!!!!!

Kay Watters (Greene)

Well gang, I just started yelling and holloring for God's grace in giving us rain, Ranting about the cattle, farmers, birds, fish, trees, asking what we've done here in Texas to deserve this and not to lead us through 110 deg. this weekend.  There must have been a chorus of people doing the same thing at the same time, just frustrated with losing so much, that we are now having rumbling, and heavy wind, and hopefully some sudden rain coming up......please, Lord, don'tskip around Anderson, this time. 

Everybody start holloring....God may need us to show him our rage, our courage and strengh for our needs, instead of patient quiet agony!

Please report if you get any rain.  I've gone ballistic

RAIN IS HERE...now, Don't stop Lord!!!

Richard Meek

Kay, I got enough rain to dampen the ground. I'm grateful for your virgorous prayers but I am glad you didn't get one of those 40 day/40 night deals going. Altough we need a lot of rain to try and catch up the 23 ins. we're behind. Everyone have a super weekend. Say a prayer of thanks for whoever invented air conditioning!

Rich

Stephen Ray Puckett

Hurricane Irene is heading towards us here in Albany.   The Northeast has not experienced a bad hurricane in many years so it could be really bad.

Hurricane's a'comin'!  It's comin' this way.
Hurricane's a'comin'!  It's comin' to stay.
    We gotta worry, worry, worry, worry.
    We gotta scurry, scurry, scurry, scurry.
Hurricane's a'comin'! It's comin' today! 

Stephen Ray Puckett

Robbie - We got 7.81 inches of rainfall, per the official weather station a few blocks away. Most of it was between 9 AM and 3 PM. It was righteous, Houston-style rain, with 50+ mph wind gusts. Many basements were flooded, including mine (leaking through the walls) but we cleared it quickly - hope the things that did get wet dry quickly and without problems.  Some folks around us had much worse problems than ours, including basements flooded to the ceiling.  Yuck!  Rivers and creeks continue to rise, resulting in record-setting flooding. They are talking about evacuating buildings along the Hudson River, some a few blocks away from our house.

A million NY folks were without power and we lost power at 9 PM last night. They expect to have our neighborhood restored by this evening, as soon as they find the source of the problem.

Thankfully Irene was not as bad as it could have been! And it was cool - only in the 60's, much much cooler than 110 F as it is in some places. We have some friends-of-friends who just moved here after living most of their lives in Austin and so far they say they would rather put up with the typical Winter here and the occasional hurricane than the heat and drought.  Of course, they have not experienced an exceptional Winter here, complete with no power for weeks!

Sturbridge Mass (in central Mass., on the Masspike) got 5.52 inches but Worcester MA a few miles to the east only got 2.63 so your children were pretty much spared.

I see on Wunderground that the White Plains NY (Westchester area) weather station logged 6.65 inches yesterday. I would indeed expect a wet soggy mess there.  Where it is hilly, there may be road closures still this afternoon.

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

 Amen!  Please post this on the 64 website too!