The Business of Judy Green

I was thinking about my friend Judy Green today, who is an artist as well as an ebay entrepeneur. This sketch I've posted is my very favorite, and that's what really got to me to reminiscing. I designed a website for her a few years ago, and looked to see if it's still up. Judy Green Art is a project I did for a college course, and I'm proud to say it doesn't look half bad. It has morphed a bit since 2002, but it's basically the same.

Judy has some unique items for auction at this time, be sure to check them out.

If you would like a t-shirt or clock with the cute and cunning pups on it, be sure to order one from her at Cafe Press.

We Won! We Won!

We won the lottery! We don't know what to spend the money on first, but we're going to stretch that five dollars as far as we can. Happy April Fools!

I talked to one of my readers last night, Tonya Jones, at Michael Porter's wedding party that I crashed to take pictures of the band, Lawless Flatz. She and her husband, Wayne, are visiting from Brenham, TX.

Well, I have been accusing people in my household of stealing my newspapers and I have finally caught the culprit. It's me! I thought I was putting them in a safe place, but apparently everytime I see my pile of "to be written" papers, I think it is trash and throw it in the burn pile.

Here is an update for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star from two papers that I saved from myself:

March 22, 2007:

• Filing for Local Elections Closes, County to Hold Amendment Election May 12th
• Rotan Baseball Sign Up Mar. 20 - 23
• Masonic Lodge Holds Luncheon for High School Scholarship Proceeds
• Photo and Caption of Windmills in Scurry County
• Houston Livestock Show Results (photos)
• Benefit Dinner for Bimbo Caswell March 31 (today!) Noon at Roby Community Center, Proceeds to be Used for Eye Injury Expenses
• Rotan Raises Fees for Impounded Dogs
• Roby CISD UIL Winners (photos)
• Wildflower Hotline Available 800-452-9292
• First National Bank of Rotan Offering Debit Cards
• The Newspaper Office has New Spring Items 325-735-2562
• Exchange Student Families Needed 866-634-3977
• Obituary for Dwight Lee Lovett
• Joy Walker's Round-Up, Attends Laci Martin & Cory Huggins Wedding Shower
• Recipe Corner: Japanese Pie
• Spring Sports, Articles & Photos, Track - Baseball - Golf - Tennis
• First United Methodist Church Conclusion of History Articles, List of Pastors

March 15, 2007:

• Local Races Draw Candidates for May 12th Election
• Gov. Perry Orders Special Election for Property Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled
• Jeff Byrd Noticed for 10 Years at Highway Dept.
• Firemen to Add Jaws of Life and Air Lifting Bag System to Equipment (photos)
• Roby One-Act Play March 19th
• Water Complaint for Roby Investigated, Chlorine Level Questioned
• Burn Ban Lifted
• Dowell School Photo from 1945 or 1946
• Letter to the Editor from Rory Burroughs
• Roby City Council Minutes, Reminder to Call In Controlled Burns
• Rotan Annual Consignment Auction Mar. 17th, Large Turnout
• Texas Brigades Deadline April 1st
• Tumbleweed Smith, The Adventures of a Red Hatter
• Obituaries for Bonnie Agnes (Whisenant Taggart) Parker, Harold Ross Joplin, Nora Lynn (Goode) Long
• Fisher County Historical Commission Minutes, Group Attended Sagerton Hee Haw Show Mar. 30th
• Roby CISD Honor Roll
• Commissioners Court Minutes, Wind Consortium Membership Approved
• Recipe Corner: Winona Jarnagins' Cinnamon Biscuit Cake
• Birth Announcement for Calie Nicole Hernandez (photo)
• Big County Hospice Looking for Volunteers 325-793-5450
• Baseball & Track Schedules for 2007 Season, Articles & Photos
• History of First United Methodist Church Series Article
• Pvt. Luis Romero, Jr. Completes Phase I Training, Army

I would like to mention that we ended up getting 5.20 inches of rain during March. This should be a good garden season if you've already got it all in the ground.

The photo I've posted today is of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Porter's wedding party last night. Click here to see more photos from the celebration.

Have a beautiful day, no foolin'!

As It Should Be

We like to see the rain gauge looking like this in early spring. The little creek into the stock tank is running this morning, everything is growing like crazy and more precipitation is in the forecast.

I'd like to mention the names of folks who have contacted me. I didn't realize there was no way for me to be reached, so I have a direct email link in the right hand column or you can send me a message from my profile page.

Last week I heard from Tom Hargrove, Durwood "Kinney" McKinney, Bell (Martinez) Moore and John Martinez. Kinney told me the following story about him and my dad:

"Your Dad, Mickey, and I were drafted into the Army in November of 1961 in Sweetwater. We went through basic training together in Ft. Carson, Colorado. When we got out of basic in January of 1962, we got a leave and travel time to report to our new station. We got a ride with another guy who had a car and was going to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, and he agreed to take us as far as Lubbock . Just south of Raton, New Mexico, he blew the motor in his car. We were in some small town about 50 miles south of Raton, I can’t remember its name. There was no bus service and no rental car agency. We went to the train station and the man told us there would be a train going back to Raton in an hour or so, and that it wasn't scheduled to stop, but if we bought tickets he could flag it down and we could get back to Raton where we could rent a car. Mickey and I bought tickets, the guy flagged the train down and we rode back to Raton. We got off the train and found the Hertz agency, which was a GM dealer. He wouldn’t rent us a car all the way to Lubbock because he said it might take a long time for it to get back to Raton but he agreed to rent it to us for as far as the airport in Amarillo. We took it and called Becky, who had finished the fall semester at Tech and closed our apartment in Lubbock and moved back to her parents, Tom and Bargy Hargrove, in Hobbs until I got out of basic and was assigned somewhere. Becky had planned to meet Mickey and me in Lubbock, since that was far as we had a ride for. Instead she met us in Amarillo at the airport at about midnight and the three of us drove back to Hobbs that night. As I remember, we got to Mickey's house about 4 a.m. and let him out. I haven’t seen him since that night in late January of 1962."

I was surprised to hear this story, as I thought Dad had told me all of them. He added his own embellishments when he read this. He said he was kinda glad the motor blew, because the guy was going about 110 when he came off the top of the pass. He thought they were gonna die before they ever got to Lubbock.

Other folks that I've heard from in the past are Barry Dean, Loretta J. (Cave) Carter, Don Cave, Sue Vaughn, Dolores (Doey) Groves Greer, Juanelle Jordan, Pat Porter and Wes Hale. Wes sent me a great story about how his mother, Kathleen, met the Williams family:

"This is how my mother, Kathleen Hale, was "formally introduced" to the neighbors (the Williams). She was teaching in Snyder and was driving..uh sliding down the dirt..uh mud.. road towards Hobbs when she got stuck and a "wall" of water came gushing down the wash out before Spring Creek and washed her car into the pasture. Luckily it was in yelling distance to the Williams' house and Andrew and Ricky came to the rescue and pulled her to safety in the Tractor. The car was washed away and is probably now sitting at the Bottom of Lake Possum Kingdom."

I have one person I correspond with quasi-regularly, Phil Jennings, who is not from Hobbs, but bought some land across from the cemetery. I'm always glad to hear something from him.

Send me your stories and I'll print them here. Even if you don't want them told publicly, send them to me to read, anyway. The more stories I hear, the more I get a picture of what Hobbs used to be.

Spring Signs Update

I just wanted to report that the mesquite are budding and I saw a rattlesnake today. Now we only need that scissortail to make the signs of spring complete!
Buster Wright's corn is already growing and we've got potatoes sprouted. Buster gave us a load of turnips today, so I guess I'll be learning how to cook turnips.

Buzzard and Snake Spotted, Algerita Blooms

Last Thursday I spotted a buzzard and a snake and the Algerita is blooming like crazy, so now we only have to see a Scissortail and Mesquites budding to know that Spring is truly here.

Here are some newspaper updates for the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record:

March 1, 2007:

• 320 Landowners Attend Fisher County Wind Energy Meeting (photos)
• Wind Damage from Feb. 24 Duster (photo of Terry Coker's crushed Corvette)
• First United Methodist Church Holds Centennial March 4th (photo)
• Roby CISD to Receive Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Chet Johnson Named as Rotan Health Administrator (photo)
• Letter to the Editor from Mike Wilks Praising Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples
• Tarleton Distinguished Students List
• A'Lora Weatherman Makes Weatherford College Dean's List
• Texas Tech Fall Dean's List Announcement
• 16th Annual Spring Swing Golf Scramble May 5th
• Heather Renae Jones Engaged to Brenton Ray Douglass (photo)
• Mary Spencer and Joe Lewis Crowned Valentine King and Queen (photo)
• ACT Late Registration March 23rd
• Roby Students Receive Superior Rating at UIL Band Contest (photo)
• DAR Feb. 19 Meeting Minutes
• Eli Sepeda, Scott Thomson File for Mayor of Roby; Candidates file for Reelection for Rotan Council & Roby School Board
• Lots of Jobs & Garage Sales in the Classifieds!
• Obituaries for Helen B. Thornburg and Opal Barrington Miller
• Texas Big Game Awards Deadline Ended March 15th
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Rotan ISD & Roby CISD Photo Montages to Celebrate Texas Public Schools Month
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Round-Up

February 22, 2007:

• Truck Rollover (photo)
• Van Rollover (photo)
• Dr. Jerry Marshall Files for Reelection, Karen Tankersley Files for Mayor of Rotan, Candidates File for Reelection for Rotan Council, Roby School Board
• Rotan City Council Minutes, Animal Control Discussed
• Rotan ISD School Board Minutes, Extended One Year Contracts to Bob Spikes, David Hargrove, Russell Lucas
• Roby Lions Win Area Championship (photo)
• Dr. Jerry Marshall Receives AMCC Award (Associaton of Mayors, Councilmembers and Commissioners
• Captain David Seth Nowlin and Dr. Rachelle Marie Smith Announce Engagement (photo)
• Birth Announcement for ShiAnn Rae Messick (photo)
• WTC Nursing Graduates Announced (photos)
• Chris Buckner Wins 1st in Taekwondo Tournament (photo)
• Real Estate Listings in the Classifieds!
• Joy Walker's Fisher County Round-Up
• Fisher County Hospital Board Minutes, Local Election Location Changed to Rotan Library
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Neugebauer Voices Support of Troops During Debate on the House Floor
• Rotan & Roby Celebrate National FFA Week Feb. 17-24 (photos)

February 15, 2007:

• Lisa Donham Receives Essay Competition Award (photo)
• Roby School Board Minutes, Principal Heath Dickson Rehired
• Rotan Volunteer Fire Dept. to Receive $30,305 Grant
• TxDOT Beautification Project in Roby (photo)
• Angelo State Dean's List Announcement
• Commissioners Court Minutes, Full House Attends
• Roby City Council Mintues, GPS Antenna to be Placed on Water Tower
• Engagement Announcements for Stacy Renee Head to Justin Dean Roddy, Laura Kathleen Blackwelder to Laramie Clay West, Lori Dorn Griffin to Michael Dane Mullins (photos)
• 4-H Valentine Banquet Queen, King & Sweetheart Couple Announced (photos)
• Lots of Miscellaneous for Sale in the Classifieds!
• Obituary for Charles "Chuck" Hutto
• Fisher County Round-Up by Joy Walker
• Fisher County Historical Commission Minutes, Tuesdays Named as Museum Workdays (photos)
• Roby CISD National Honor Society Inductees Named
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Local Offices Opened for Filing Feb. 12th

As always, I would like to suggest that you subscribe to the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Newspaper. What I list is just the tip of the iceberg. There is also Tumbleweed Smith, the Sheriff's Report, Public Notices and much, much more. Call 325-735-2562 or 325-735-2278 to get your subscription.

More Quail Info

I just found a good link for more information about the Martin Ranch, or, rather, the RPQRR, and what the future holds for that property. Texas A & M's AG News has the best information on the project. Be sure to RSVP to the open house!

W.T. Martin Ranch to be Used for Quail Research

W.T. Martin's place is now officially the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, continuing a long tradition of conservation.


A Board of Directors has been named for the RPQRR. Dr. Dale Rollins, professor and extension wildlife specialist for the Texas Agricultual Extension Service in San Angelo, has been asked to serve as director and to oversee management. Rick Snipes, owner of the Snipes Ranch in Aspermont, will serve as Chairman.


There will also be an advisory committee, of which Paul Melton, owner of the Melton Ranch in Roby, will be chairman.


An open house for the public has been planned for May 11. See ya there!

In Like a Lion...

When I first left the house yesterday, it reminded me of the marathon scene in Larry McMurtry's "Texasville", where a wall of tumbleweeds takes over the town. Then, when I was at L & L Antiques in Snyder and the wind actually broke the plate glass window while I was shopping there, I began to think the situation was getting serious. Fire trucks were going through town every 15 minutes or so. I've seen some dust storms, but this one was a doozy. It's amazing that today is a crystal clear, beautiful and sunny day.

No newspaper update today, just had to comment on that duster yesterday.

Building Character

That's the optimistic way of saying "I'm miserable and it's too cold!" Another way to say it, "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!" I am really enjoying this cold weather, though. I like it when the air is crisp and clean, and cooler weather is more motivating than hot weather. But if you have joint pain, I'm sure the cold is just something to endure.

Here are the updates on the Rotan Advance / Roby Star issues for Feb. 8 & 1.

February 8, 2007:

• Filing for Local Offices Opens Feb. 12
• Rotan Elementary Awarded as Title 1 Distinguished School
• Local Seniors Participate in All-Star Classic (photo)
• Roby Lady Lions Win District (photo)
• DPS Does NOT Solicit Donations
• Fisher County Students Participate in Fort Worth Stock Show
• Georgia Ashton Celebrates 93rd Birthday
• Lone Star Land Bank Changes Name to Lone Star Agricultural Credit Association
• Obituaries for Nora Gruben, Nealy Don "Rusty" Browning, Guadalupe Moreno, and Linda Mae Almanza Villagran
• Sheriff's Sale March 6, 10 am
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Monthly Climatological Summary for January 2007

February 1, 2007:

• School Purchases Rotan Centennial Commemorative Plaque (photo)
• House Fire in Rotan (photos)
• Will Martin Makes All-State Football Selection, 5 Others Receive Honors
• Wind Turbines in Fisher County, 776-3259 for More Info
• Kendall Prall & Russell Riggan Announce Engagement
• Lindsey Cave Makes TSU Dean's List
• David Stevens Elected President of TETA (photos)
• Obituaries for Martha Frances Branch Bullock, Martha Jane Green, Betty Jo Park White, and Mary Earline Elrod
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Dorothy LaVrne Starnes Rotan Memories Article (photos)

I noticed in the paper that the museum out at Western Texas College had a chocolate fest last weekend. I'm sorry to have missed that. Go to the Scurry County Museum website to see what will be on display next. They have hosted Fisher County artists, such as Robin Roberts.

When Will Spring Be Here?

In it's own sweet time, I'm sure! George Maule, God rest his soul, told me last year that the best time to cut fence posts is in February, before the sap rises. He said to chop off the bark with a hatchet and they'll last a long time. He had some posts that had been up for 50 years and still looked good.

I was sorry to read of the death of Leila Vera Morrow. Virgil Weems, her son-in-law, is a distant cousin of the Templetons, and we wish his family comfort.

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Highlights for January 25, 2007:

• Rotan Celebrates Centennial (Photos)
• Rotan School Board Meeting, Early's Contract Extended
• Big Country Electric Sponsors 2007 Youth Tour
• Sunny Helms Makes South Plains College Honors List
• Hope Matthies & Garrett Dowell Make All-Region Band
• All-Region Band to Perform in Lubbock
• Obituary Announcements for Michael Glenn Gruben, Dorothy Louise
  Plemmons, Cranston Wayne Terry
• Fisher County Basketball
• DAR Guest of Delta Kappa Gamma
• Rotan Jr. High Honor Roll

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record for January 18, 2007:

• Fisher County Livestock Show Results (Photos in Back Section)
• Rotan to Celebrate Centennial (special articles throughout)
• Post Office Offers Cancellation Commemorative Centennial Stamp
• Old Photo of Rotan Trades Day
• Old Photo of VFW BBQ, Circa 1940
• Lacy Family Reunion Roster
• Roby City Council Meeting, Baseball Field Clean-Up Nears Completion
• Shana Feagan and Jack Brown Shower Announcement
• Rides to the Doctor Available through Faith in Action: 735-2929
• Annual Rotan Farm Equipment Consignment Auction March 10
• Rotan City Council Meeting, Approves Strickland Request to Close
  Streets and Alleys, Loose Dogs a Big Problem, Next Meeting Feb. 13
• Rotan Honor Rolls
• Obituaries for Ricardo G. Velez, Thelma Valentine Sorrells, Dr.
  Wellborn Kiefer Willingham, Earl Junior Kiker, Lelia Vera Morrow
• Fisher County Basketball
• Fisher County Hospital Board Meeting, Investment Report

Ya'll keep warm out there. We're really having winter this year!