Tiny ray of hope

Rain lily seen on my evening walk in Lago Vista, Texas 4.21.2021

Little lily

Fresh and pure

You make me long

For something more

Your effortless springing

From the dry crusty ground

Makes me believe

Maybe

Hope can still be found

E.A. Fussell

04.21.2021

Cuervo, Texas

CUERO, TX.
Indians were known to kill wild cattle that got stuck in Cuero Creek. The Spanish called it Arroyo del Cuero, or Creek of the Rawhide. The town was named after the creek. It was one of the stops I visited that was on the Chisholm Trail. You can read more about Cuero and it’s interesting history by visiting Texas State Historical Association.

Lockhart, Texas

Second Empire architectural style can be seen when viewing this courthouse. It is a style characterized by the use of a mansard roof, pavilions, elaborate ornament and strong massing. This was a style most popular between 1865 and 1900 notably used in public buildings as well as some commercial and residential structures.

The pictured Caldwell County courthouse was built in 1894 and is located in the county seat of Lockhart, Texas, formerly known as Plum Creek.

In the late 19th century the railroad arrived in Lockhart bringing with it economic growth. As it became a regional shipping center for local cotton the economy boomed and ushered in the establishment of other business.

Today it holds several claims to fame including the oldest operating public library and the title “Barbecue Capital of Texas” bestowed on it by the Texas Legislature in 1999.

Does this courthouse look familiar to you? You may have seen it in a film. Located only thirty miles south of Austin, it has played host to several films including:

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Where the Heart Is

Waiting for Guffman

E.A. Fussell

04.17.2021

Gonzalez, Texas

In August of 1825 Empresario Green DeWitt established the first Anglo-American settlement west of the Colorado River known as Gonzalez, Texas. It was also the site of the first skirmish of the Texas Revolution.

In 1831 the Mexican government granted the settlers of Gonzalez the use of a small cannon to defend themselves against Indian raids. Then in 1835 when disputes began between Anglo settlers and the Mexican government a contingent of more than 100 Mexican soldiers from San Antonio was sent to take the cannon back.

When the soldiers arrived in Gonzalez there were only eighteen men standing between them and the cannon. The men manipulated the soldiers with a variety of excuses to keep them at bay as they secretly sent out messages to their surrounding neighbors to come and assist them. Ultimately they refused to allow the soldiers to take the cannon.

On October 2, 1835 the first shots of Texian independence were fired. The messages sent out for assistance had been successful and the number of men rebelling against the soldiers efforts to take the cannon had grown from eighteen to over one hundred. Their successful resistance became known as the Battle of Gonzalez. This little skirmish is considered to have been the start of the Texas Revolution clearly marking the break between colonists and the Mexican government.

A flag bearing the likeness of the cannon and the words “Come and Take It”, sewn by the women of Gonzalez, was flown when the first shots of Texan independence were fired.

E.A. Fussell

04.13.2021

The Chisholm Trail

After the Civil War millions of cattle were herded out of Texas. These cattle drives helped to elevate Texas out of post-Civil War poverty. There were several cattle drive routes used during the decades long migration, but none captures my imagination like the one known today as The Chisholm Trail.

On The Chisholm Trail cattle from the southern regions of Texas were herded toward San Antonio then driven upward through Texas and Oklahoma all the way to Abilene, Kansas.

This weekend I will explore the lower Texas triangle from Gonzalez to Cuero to San Antonio. It seems that most of the lower area cattle were driven toward San Antonio and onto the main trail from there. My intention is to travel the entire trail, a section at a time, as my weekend schedule allows over the next few months.

If you have driven the trail, or parts of it, or studied the trail. Please share your insights and thoughts if you feel like it.

E.A. Fussell

04.10.2021

Gruene Hall

Gruene (Green) was once a significant cotton producing community along the Guadalupe River. Now it is part of New Braunfels, Texas and primarily a tourist attraction.

In 1845 Ernest Gruene, a German immigrant, and his two sons, purchased land and began building a community as they grew the number one cash crop for the area, cotton.

Gruene Hall became the center of the community’s social life and is the only business that survived the Great Depression and has never closed.

E.A. Fussell

10/20/2019

None of my exes live in Texas

True story:

This afternoon as I was checking out at a local store in Lago Vista, Texas the cashier exclaimed,

“I know you!”

I looked at her in bewilderment because I didn’t recall ever having seen her before.

She continued, “Didn’t your ex-husband used to work down the street at the Dollar General?”

I chuckled, “No, all of my

ex-husbands live in Florida and none of them ever worked at Dollar General.”

She laughed, “All! How many do you have?”

I replied, “Let’s just say my song would be titled:

🎶 None of my exes live in Texas 🎶

Then I gathered my bags and gestured goodbye as she chuckled to herself trying to guess the number that I refused to disclose.

E.A. Fussell

10/13/2019

Pearl Snap Heartache

I saw him standing there

Watching the dance floor

Propped against the bar

Sippin’ whiskey

Long legs, boots, and hat

Too many times I’ve fallen

For a man like that

Cool, and crisp, and lean

Hands rough and calloused

From workin’ cows or

Runnin’ a heavy machine

My heart has a weakness

For that look

It will fall in a minute

Regardless of the risk

But my mind knows better

Knows the pleasure

Is never worth the hurt

Tells my heart to be careful

He’s just another heartache

In a pearl snap shirt

E.A. Fussell

5/17/2019

Peek-a-boo

Some mornings the sunrise plays peek-a-boo with me.

The Lago Vista hills are the perfect play-ground for this game. Thursday morning on my drive to work the sun kept peeking out but didn’t let me fully see it until I reached my office door and was about to go in. At that moment I turned one last time and the sun revealed it’s full beauty as it crested the hill across the street. We had a glorious moment together and I basked in its wonder. Amazed again at how much the Creator of all things created all things to play and experience pure joy.

E.A. Fussell

4/27/2019