ho hum day

Have ya ever had one them days where ya don't feel like do'n anything? You know what I'm talk'n bout....get up, look outside at clouds, cain't find your shoe, forgot to water the coffee pot, neighbor dog bark'n, only one eye open.....then ya know what I talk'n bout. The perfect mak'ns of a day of "do'n nuttin".

Old Billy Bob done went and stayed up till 2am last night. Don't ask me why 'cause I don't even know. Wouldn't ya know it, right at the crack of dawn, Lug Nut was say'n....."wake up, I gotta go pee". That's when I noticed...all the above.

Campground was really active last night, all the way up to midnight. Cars and pick'um up trucks cruis'n up and down the street, headlights shin'n in my windows, hoots and hollers, wimmins laugh'n and dogs run'n loose all over the place. You would think that after dark, people would make preparations to "GO TO BED". Sheesh!!!

Ain't gonna do a thing today but sit on my butt, drink coffee and look at stuff. Oh, while I think of it.....all them taters I throwed out there last night are all gone this morning. Speak'n of taters, taters piss me off. I buy a 10 pound bag and in a week, them suckers is sprout'n little arms and feet and stuff. What with that?

Did all my email stuff, along with the blogs....even cranked up JW's web cam to see nothing. What with that??? He say 7:30 to 9am....well...?????, where it at???

Here it is a few hours later and while I was out there sit'n in my fold up easy chair drink'n coffee and such, I got to think'n. "Billy Bob, are ya gonna let your last dream die"? I think I talked bout this one time before, but my dream to build my "shack" still stands.

Not a shack for me, but a shack for "da house. A 40 foot by 16 foot shelter.




Not just a shelter, but with a 24 foot by 12 foot front patio and storage room.....air conditioned of course. Here is a couple of my old drawings. No changes have been made.

5am black cloud

Here I was lay'n in bed minding my own business, snor'n up a storm, when I hear it. It were that damn "black cloud" what follows me everywhere I go. And it were say'n, "piss on you Billy Bob". I jump up think'n....the windows...the windows in the jeep are open. Out the door I go....damn, that rain is com'n down and it cold. Got to the jeep and surprisingly, all windows were up. But it was too late. Old Billy Bob was drenched to the bone....freez'n cold.

For all that failed to check in yesterday, go back and do so. Speak'n of check'n in, has anyone seen MsB? She seldom misses writing something in the comments section. Comments are good.

Oh, before I forget...say my first critter last night. The dogs were the first to see it...."bark bark, oh look...a skunk". Run inside to get the camera and a flashlight, but when I got close enough to get a good shot, that skunk done raise his tail up and says..."hissssss hisssss" look'n right at me. I didn't know skunks talk but I sure knew what he were talk'n bout. No pic of course.

Ok....took me a quick nap since I got up wayyyyy too early. A bit chilly here in the camp....62 degs. Rain has quit but there's mud everywhere. You know, the kind that sticks to doggy feet then gets tracked all over the carpet. Looks like a carpet shampooing is in order when I get to Terlingua. (got my own shampoo machine in case you're wondering)

Boy howdy, it too cold outside to sit and sip a cup, much less go swim'n. Gonna make me a trip around the park and see if I can catch me one them game warden fellers. I bet he would know if there any fish in that river. A few days ago I post bout "free" fish'n in Texas State parks....well that has changed. (not 'cause of Obama' change) Seems it was an incentive to get people to camp. Ended Aug 31th. Now, I gonna have to go buy a fish license or sneak. Got caught sneak'n one time.....late in the evening with a whole bunch of fish. That game warden gave me a good talk'n to....boy howdy did he ever. Gave him a sob story bout how I was out of work, the kids was hungry, was wait'n on my disability check and had to borrow a fish pole just to catch something to eat. He let me off the hook, but took all my fish with him. Nice guy.





Now we talk'n. Rode all around the park and see why so many people come here to camp.

280 mile down the road

Garner State Park in

"da hill country"

Yesterday afternoon, I arrived at the Walmart Arms R/V Park and Resort in Uvalde, Texas, just in time to get the last available prime camp'n spot in the park. Right up against the grassy knoll...or what ever ya call it. It were grass, that's all I can tell ya.

What do ya eat for breakfast? Steak.......
"yummmm yummmm eat'm up".

Now let me 'splain why Lug Nut and Sadie Mae is eat'n steak for breakfast. I went in the grocery store to fill out my list of "stuff". Then I got to think'n, this is the last Walmart ya gonna see for the next three weeks, so ya better buy extra. Boy howdy did I ever buy extra. I got enough food to last six months.

Got back to "da house" with all that stuff and started put'n it in it's designated spaces. All was fine until I open the freezer. There was no room at the Inn. Pulled stuff out, rearranged, and still no room. Someone had left a container of Blue Bell ice cream in there tak'n up valuable space....I know, eat it. A half gallon, are you nuts??? The steaks, the dogs got. The mixed veggies are in the trash. The thick slice baloney is in the frige thaw'n out. The taco shells got ate. ...and still no room.

Speak'n of taco shells, I made me up another big batch of tacos for dinner last night. With Taco Bell taco sauce. Still not the same as them little tear the corner off squeeze jobbers, but it'll do.
As much as I ate last night, along with the ice cream, I could care less if I ever see another taco.

Gassed up this morning (55 gallons) and headed up to the propane sell'n place. There is no way I gonna get "da house" and "that jeep" around that corner. Plus the guy that owned the place had an "attitude". Let him know real quick bout that stuff. I were down the road with him stand'n there all red face.

Arrived at Garner State Park just before 11am. Checked in and the nice lady assigned me a good sight, right close to the Frio River....well I say close, it's a walk down a big bank, thru trees and bushes, over boulders bigger than "da house" and when ya get there, there ain't much water. Pics later.
Anyhows, the assigned spot wouldn't fit "da house". So I took the one next door. Then I had to make two trips back to the check in place and get new thingys to go on the windshields. Sheesh!!!

Took out my compass to check if I can see the satellite from my yard. Yep...right up there over them trees 'cross the street. See??? It work'n good...online in 20 minutes.

Ok....I got things to do and places to see. Back laters.

Last Day in Port A

Who say ships don't park in RV Parks

Here it is. The last day in Port A. Not that I'm really excited or something like that, but it sure is gonna be good to get away from 90% humidity, sweat drip'n off me, sand everywhere (in "da house"), beach bored, high prices and too many freak'n tourist. Progress has had it's way of turn'n a quaint little fishing village into an expensive tourist trap "paradise" for the rich and famous.

This morning proves to be a wonderful looking day. Only a slight breeze, a few morning clouds and a moderate temp of 86 degs....LOLOLOLOL......right, moderate.

Last night I made the mistake of "attempting" to repair a slight water leak on the water heater....what I knowed about for the last two weeks. That's right Billy Bob, go break something when ya know all the stores are closed. Twisted that drain plug right off. Now what ya gonna do???
Turn the water off of course. What I did. With old Billy Bob know'n some stuff, I took a hacksaw blade, split the busted off drain plug and removed it in 5 minutes. Plumbing sell'n place in the morning.

Still have no idea where I gonna go. North is the only thing I know at this time. San Antonio??? I rekon I'll just hook up and head up the Interstate a couple hunerd miles. Pull into a rest area and ponder the possibilities. No hurry, no worry.

Ok, I got stuff to do......laterz

9:30am....well that took care that. No leak and made reservations for Garner State Park for 4 or 5 days, maybe a week. Got the slides pulled in, check all that stuff like oil and air, pick up dog poop in the yard....well actually I didn't pick it up, I raked it in the holes Lug Nut dug try'n to catch a fiddler crab.

Speak'n of fiddler crabs, did I ever tell ya bout the time....it were back in 64' or there bouts, I went out on the town and got rip snort'n drunk. Drove down to the beach an' went "fiddler crab" hunt'n....they was everywhere...throwed them in the back seat. Bunches. Then I got really tired, worn out and sleepy so's I crashed (passed out) in the back seat with all them crabs. Weren't long and the sun come up....and I hear the sound of water. Holy cows, there water in the car....salt water...big buckets of it. And I were "stuck"....in the rising tide. People started show'n up with boards, chains and a big ol' WW2 6x6, or something like that. That was the end of my fiddler crab hunt'n days and the end of a beautiful 1956 2 door Ford Crown Victoria.

Now back to important stuff. It's freak'n hot. Still have a few little things to do, but no hurry, no worry.

Ok.....it's time to be "on the road again" Will post as I can.

Break time. Been on the road a couple hours and a half and Lug Nut says...."STOP!!! I gotta pee". Pee'd right on that big ole truck tire sit'n next door. Took'em out on the grass to drop a log, but all they was interested in was some little bug critter run'n for his life.

Don't ya just love Texas rest areas?? Free wifi, grass to lay down on and take a nap, .....ah ha, I just spied a hat lay'n on a picnic bench over there. Snatch that sucker up in a minute....I like hats. Keeps this long ass hair out my eyes.

Bout half way there to Uvalde, where I gonna spend the night at Walmart. Do my grocery shop'n, fill up the gas tank, bout $150 worth, and eat me up some Chinese buffet....that's the place I said I would NEVER eat again. But I sure do like Chinese.

Hat snatch'n time and sign'n off.....see ya down the road.
LOL....oops, the owner was lay'n on a bench tak'n a snooze. So much for free hats.

where I gonna park????

Boy howdy am I glad it's another day. Yesterday was a total loss. One them "sit and feel sorry for yourself" days.

This morning has started off next best thing to perfect. Beautiful sunshine, a little 20 mph breeze out the southeast, not a cloud in the sky and I ain't got nuttin to do. Well, I say nuttin to do, but then I get to think'n bout all the mess I got to clean up, dishes piled up in the sink, trash to go out, restock the fridge, go get some pocket change, pick up my mail......holy cows, I'm tired already.

Still undecided where to go next. This is where "bust'n" a plan comes into play. I get myself all worked up and 'citis (excited) bout going fish'n and stuff, but then I get to think'n..."Billy Bob, all ya gonna do is sit on yer butt and drink coffee". What ain't a bad idea. But....it ain't no fun.

So today, I have got to decide where I gonna go. And then....when I get to Terlingua, where I gonna park this rig? I got a few offers, one being out at the Field Lab, but have ya ever been on that road with all those holes and washouts??? I know them big trucks go out there, but they don't sit 12" off the ground like I do. I'm think'n, just find a good road and camp slap dab in the middle of it. What they gonna do, put me in jail??? More thoughts on the way!!!!

Well shoot....I guess I better go off to town. I probably outta go to Corpus Christi and get me some "free" glasses. I say free 'cause it ain't no out of pocket $$$. Insurance ya know. Been a couple years, so I'm sure a new pair help me see better.

Ok....I'm out of here for a bit....don't go away!!!

The girls come by for a short visit. They was talk'n bout what they did yesterday, last week and all kind of girl talk....to each other. I tried to change the subject since they came to see me, but Dee Dee just kept right on flap'n...."did you hear bout this and hear bout that", to Peggy....not me. I rushed them out the door with a hug and a peck and said, "see ya next year"....Sheesh!!!

See there what I told ya? I'm back and had me a funny at the bank. Wrote up a check for "my change sock" and give it to the little girl. Cute little thang too. She ask "how you want that", to which I replied..."quarters". She got this look on her face.....like "...huh...". She says "what ya gonna do with $500 worth of quarters"? ....hee hee hee...heres the kicker...."wash clothes". I let her off the hook after she counted out 10 rolls of quarters. Silly girl. Ain't no way old Billy Bob gonna carry "that" bag of quarters.

Went off to Corpus Christi just like I said. Got me some brand spank'n new glasses....for free. Although, I did have to pay a $35 deductible at the eye check'n place. The eye glass lady says, "wow, you saved $324. Little does she know, I have to pay for that insurance.

Got back to the island in time to pick up my mail and then go stuff my empty belly at Old San Juan mexican eat'm up place. Had me three big ol' beef enchiladas, a pile of frejoles w/cheese, some mexican rice and and two homemade flour tortillas. Eat me so much, I feel like I gonna let off a phaaaart or what ever ya call'm. Boy howdy!!

Speak'n of gas, did I ever tell ya bout the time.....it were back in 1997 or there bouts. I was hav'n stomach problems.....every time I would eat, I would swell up and let off a big'un. Well, we went to this fancy Japanese restaurant where they cook right in front ya toss'n stuff in the air and mak'n funny sounds....ching chang chuie keeeya or some crap like that. Oh my, I begin to swell up an' hurt'n bad. I thought a nice easy "quiet" one would be ok since that cook mak'n so much noise. Yep, you guessed it....a rip roar'n loud one. An old lady sitting next to me turned bright red and calmly said..."Oh, excuse me". Boy did I ever get off the hook on that one.

hot and humid....sweat everywhere

After all the abuse directed at old Billy Bob last night in the comments section about bringing a dead cat to life, I'm think'n maybe I need to reflect on the present instead of my mischievous, silly, funny and adventurous boy hood days.
By the way River, how you know bout "Fred da duck"????

Speak'n of Fred da duck....I even wrote a little poem bout him...wanna hear it???

My Duck Fred

I love my duck
I named him Fred
He watches over us
While we are off to bed

He has shiny white feathers
A scar on his back
His beak is taped shut
So no quackity quack quack

Someone had left him
On the side of the street
With both wings broken
No shoes on his feet

Some caring soul
Placed him in my yard
For me to take care of
And my dogs to guard

I look through my window
At this pitiful duck
Out there laying in the mud
What terrible luck

Yes, I love my little white duck
The one I named Fred
I'll keep him forever
Where ever I tread

Now, back to reality. Boy howdy is it ever hot in Port A. Well.....it's not really hot (87.4), but the humidity is like 90%. Sheesh Billy Bob, why do you go places like this??? Of all the places in the US to visit, I'm in Port Aransas sweat'n like a stuffed hog. But I ain't gonna be here long. Pull'n out Wednesday for ???????. Just check the weather for Houston......yeah, might still go there....and it's gonna be a hot one there too. Look'n in my little money bag, I got's just enough to make it there, play a round or two and still have three dollars left. Sounds good to me!!!

Back later........don't go away

BRIAR PATCH

I was barefooted running at break neck speed across the corn field
with two of the older boys hot on my heels.
Them two boys had done got them a "good" whoppin from Moms
because of me "tell'n" on them.
I was headed for the only sanctuary I was safe in,
the briar patches down by the creek bank,
scream'n "MOMS" all the way.
I knew my way in and I knew my way out.
My feet was tuff as leather and no sticker burrs or thorns was gonna slow me down.
Even that "old ugly dog" wouldn't go in there unless he was foller'n me.
Them boys was out to get even, but ain't no way they gonna catch a bolt of lightning.
They was throwing ears of corn, rocks and sticks and cussing like sailors all the ways.
But this day was not their day to get even.
I started screaming..."MOMS....MOMS" "I'm gonna tell moms"
and they back off in the corn field and let me be.
I could see them hiding out there in the corn field, waiting for me to come out,
so's I stayed in there for hours.
Just me and that old ugly dog, talk'n and schem'n up new adventures.
I caught me a red fox one time in that briar patch.
But turned him loose real quick when he bite the crap outta me.

Spanish Fandango

Last night, while I was think'n......I got to think'n bout my old grandpa. I loved my old grandpa.

Way back in 1951, my grandpa sat me down many times and told me stories. Too bad I didn't write them all down. He was a musician. Played the piano and a plunked out some beautiful tunes on the guitar. Now....he were play'n the guitar one night, a tune what got my attention. His fingers was mov'n like they was chas'n a rabbit. He called it "Spanish Fandango".....something I never heard. If I recall, he told me it was a tune he made up or composed...something like that, while he was homesteading in New Mexico before it became a State. Don't know the validity of his story, but I been believ'n it all my life. Anyhows, he taught me that song. Think'n it would be lost forever, I taught it to two of my sons.

For some unforeseen reason, I typed "spanish fandango" into Google.....whoa, up jumps all kinds of links. YouTube sites, what I clicked on right now. There it was, just like he taught me almost 60 years ago. Boy howdy was I ever excited.

Now what ya gonna do Billy Bob......we'll see!!!

Holy cows.....old Billy Bob gonna be mak'n some travel changes. There's "water everywhere". From the weather forecasts for the Houston area, it's gonna be a wet one all next week. Rain'n there now. Just talked to daughter....see says the weather sucks and has sucked for the last two weeks. So......do I go to Houston or not? Probably not. I guess I could find me a nice State Park somewhere and do some "free" fish'n. You did know that fish'n in Texas State parks requires no fish license....right?
Well shoot, I did some research on this and I'm think'n maybe I lied. It was a one year deal and from what I understand, it were over Aug. 31st.
But I did find a State Park that has fish'n, a river for my little 1 man blow up raft, and trees to sit under drink'n coffee. Garner State Park, just west of San Antonio and 25 miles north of Uvalde. Right on my way to Terlingua. Sounds good to me.

Here is a sample from my old web site Billy Bobs Place.

HERE KITTY KITTY

If ya ever lived on a farm, ya go a cat. We had this big old "tom" cat that would'a make a lion cringe.
Been an animal lover that I am, I spent many wasted hours tormenting that poor old cat. He didn't sleep
anywhere he thought I might pass by. He would walk in a big circle just to avoid being within my reach.
I think ya get the picture. I loved that cat and he was gonna be my friend or else.
Well it came down to "or else".
I caught him sleep'n close to the heater stove one cold night. I snuck up on him real quiet like, and pow,
I jump right on top him. You would'a though a "bob cat" been turn loose in a pack of bark'n dogs.
He bit me, clawed me and scratched me, from my ankles to my head. I was a scream'n. I was in severe pain.
That cat done eat me up.