Mr. Elkins Does His Own Laundry

"Mr. Elkins Does His Own Laundry" 1, 2, 3, 4 (Click any to see larger)
January 2, 2010
West Odessa, Texas

I met Mr. Robert Elkins today. I made my acquaintance by simply saying, "Don't see many people hanging up laundry any more." And he agreed. He explained he doesn't like using his electric dryer if he can help it.

Mr. Elkins is a West Odessa resident, here more than 50 years. He worked the oil fields before he retired, worked as a roughneck and then a driller. I asked him who he worked for. He answered, "Everybody." I chuckled. I shared with him that I understood that too well. When I was a young bride, my roughneck (a "chain-thrower") husband had 13 W2s the first year we were married. Mr. Elkins smiled and agreed that's the way it was.

You couldn't give Mr. Elkins a million dollars for any one of his eight dogs, not that he believes in selling or buying dogs. They keep him going, he told me. His favorite is Pepper, the smallest. I asked why and he said because she is always cheerful and had never met a stranger. Right on cue, she rolled on her back for me to pet her little belly. Still, he didn't intend to have quite so many dogs. Take, for example his newest dog, Amber. Amber belonged to a neighbor, but the neighbor was gone for weeks at a time and she was left starving. We both shook our heads at that, two dog-lovers with ten dogs between us.

I made a new acquaintance today. Mr. Elkins does his own laundry, but this afternoon I helped him hang up the sheets.

Like stories about old timers? Me too. Perhaps you'd also enjoy this past post ->

Black and White Or, The Barber Who Doesn't Want to Be Famous

With Deepest Affection

"With Deepest Affection" 1, 2, 3 (click on any to see larger)
Multiple locations, multiple dates, multiple beauties

If I pull this off -- that is, posting these pictures of women I love, shot with things they love -- without getting deep into hot water, it will be a miracle. I am brazen!

Beauty #1 taken with the sign that hung many years on her parent's store in a small Texas farm town.
Beauty #2 taken with her very own oil field dog house -- quite the nab -- now used for horse tack storage.
Beauty #3 taken while sitting among wildflowers out in the sun, always her favorite place to be.

Tree Man, Robot Man, Joker Man, Marathon Man

Tree man, robot man, joker man, marathon man...that's Joseph, man!
Joseph Garner
Penwell, Texas

A bit of outtake fun.

Market Indicator

Michael D. Kaufman, CFP, phone 432-620-8120
Mullins Wealth Advisors
Midland, Texas

Mike Kaufman has been my financial adviser for ten years. Through thick and thin, he's a smiling man. Why? Because he has educated himself extensively on the markets and knows, without a doubt, they are cyclical. Yesterday, he explained to me that we are in a completely normal part of the market cycle. He added, emphatically, we are no where near anything like the Great Depression in spite of what some alarmists tout. With precise figures, he showed me we are closer to the economic climate of the early 70s. And without the inflation!

I asked him if he had any advice for my blog viewers.

"Hang in there. The leading market indicators are already on their way back up. The market itself will catch up." And he suggested, "In the meantime, don't let the politicians scare you into agreeing to a lot of government spending to 'fix' it."

P.S. I'm a small-potatoes investor. But you'd never know it with the attention and courtesy he gives me. Thanks, Mike.

Disclaimer: I've received no compensation for this post. I simply trust and like Mike. :)

Ghost Town of Upland, Texas

Mr. Burr Williams

Mr. Burr Williams
Executive Director
Sibley Nature Center
Midland, Texas

Today Donna and I had some errands to run and one of them was to stop by the Sibley Nature Center in Midland to drop off a special delivery.

We've met Mr. Williams in person once before when the Center hosted two programs, one by the Horned Lizard Conservation Society and another by the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute on Desert Pollinators.

Today we caught him -- I wouldn't say not busy because he is indeed a busy and industrious man -- but today there were no special programs going on at the Center. That is to say, we had him to ourselves!

We had so many questions. And here's the man that has the answers we were seeking. And much more.

By the time we were done, we had become official members of the Sibley Center, got a DNA testing pack for horned lizards with instructions (the instructions are hoot, let me tell you), we got the heads up on dates for plant propagation sessions at the Sibley greenhouse this fall, and we are going to join the Master Naturalists for 2009. Our heads were spinning with excitement.

The thing that I love about Mr. Williams so much -- besides the twinkle in his eye and deep melodious voice; besides the great Center and its website that he has built up over the years to be educational and invaluable; besides the amazing walking encyclopedic resource his is -- is that he loves amateur naturalists. He said he enjoys most people that are enthusiastic and love nature. Hey, that's Donna and me.

He explained these days amateur scientists are more important than ever. There is so much to study, but the areas that get studied by professionals are things that either help or hurt man's interests. There's no money in other things, like horned lizards, for example. Our state reptile, aka the "horny toad" is precious to the ecosystem as well as to most Texans' pride, however it is not a threat or a direct contributor to man's (current) interests. So, it's the volunteers and enthusiasts that can fill in informational blanks on the benign and neglected.

His pep talk has given Donna and I a new sense about what we do. We now plan to take on the challenge to be more scientific in our outings. We'll begin taking notes on what we observe, where we see it, and likely publish it on the web for the curious seeker's reference.

Oh, and what was that special delivery we made to Mr. Williams? Well, Mr. Williams is the only person on the planet that I know that would have wanted -- nay, who asked for -- the dessicated weasel I found some months back in Howard County. (I also must thank my companions who allowed me to carry this, um, aromatic find with us, in the truck, 60 miles back home. They are saints.)

And now I know this weasel's skeleton, once cleaned and bleached, will educate many school children and those of any age who remain life-long learners. My scary, wrinkled find is in good hands.

Little Visitors

Jade & Julie, sisters (Mike's granddaughters)
September 2, 2008

We were so blessed for Audrey's wedding. My mom was here. Both of my brothers were here. All of our daughters were here. And all their kids were here -- I have two grandkids, Casey has one (you've met her below), and Mike has three.

It was a house full!

I don't know why we didn't take a big ol' group picture of everyone. Just too much going on to think of it, I guess. But maybe this won't be the last time, although it's been the first time.

Special Day

...

Audrey and David wed yesterday. It was beautiful.

Welcome to Baby Saige

....

Our Newest Family Member

Baby Saige arrived tonight at 9:09. Mother, baby, and new Grandpa are all doing fine.
More than fine, really. Saige was alert, yawning, eyes open, and -- the first time I ever
knew a newborn to do this -- cooing.

Welcome, Saige!

Debi & Casey, circa 1980

Debi (21) & Casey (14), circa 1980
Taken at the photobooth at the "old mall" -- Winwood Mall, Odessa, Texas
Probably cost a buck for four pictures -- I only have this one remaining, though.

This photo has been on my fridge for a while now. It makes me happy looking at it. It reminds me of the forty-plus-year long, loving relationship I've had with my baby brother. (Here you go, Bev -- a picture of Casey.)

Oh, yeah. Casey (our family nickname for him, his real name is Cecil) now has his own blog, Living in Focus.