JeffreyHolt.com

An Afternoon in Kerrville

2011-12-16T14:26:00.001-08:00

Having Victory Yakima Glory. I used to be skeptical about Cascadian Dark Ales as a distinct beer style. Maybe I thought it was heresy to proclaim a new style in defiance of BJCP guidelines.

Who cares? I like CDAs. This one is good. My favorite, though, is Hop in the Dark by Deschutes.

Happy Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T05:38:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my cousin Gary and his unit in Afghanistan in 2002-2003. Gary retired from the Army shortly after returning home. A couple of his buddies took a second tour and gave their lives in Afghanistan. Take a few moments today to thank a veteran.

Thanks, T! We're proud of you!

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

Peter Graves - 1926-2010

2010-03-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

Clarence has clearance. What's his vector, Victor? Godspeed Captain Oveur, over.

I remember Peter Graves better as Jim Phelps from Mission: Impossible, though.

Texas Independence Day

2010-03-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby. 24th 1836

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world --

Fellow citizens & compatriots --

I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna --

I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man --

The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken --

I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls --

I shall never surrender or retreat.

Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch --

The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 heads of Beeves.
Travis

Wasting Away

2010-02-22T07:18:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago I broke our scale. Or, I should say that the scale could not read my weight. The little disk of numbers just kept spinning, the numbers a blur. I told everyone I weighed "Gray."

Mom felt sorry for me and bought a scale that went to 350#. I don't think she understood the problem. It wasn't that the scale wouldn't read my weight, it's that I was fat.

So I started skipping the best food on the face of the planet: the sausage roll with cheese at the bakery next to the office. A link of sausage sprinkled with cheddar cheese and wrapped in fresh bread dough and baked until golden! And if fresh, the grease from the sausage would collect in the bottom of the roll, and be a perfect finish to a perfect food! Mmm!

But after buying a size 52 suit, I decided that enough was enough. I start each day with a little cup of yogurt and a piece of fruit. Sometimes, I'll add a serving of a dried cereal to the yogurt and slice the banana into the yogurt, just for variety. At lunch I'll have a fairly large meal, and a smaller one in the evening.

I think the biggest change, though, is how much beer I drink. Instead of laying under the tap until it runs out every night, I now limit myself to two glasses. And I use 10 ounce sample glasses that I bought in Oakland at The Brewing Network Anniversary Party. So instead of 32 or 40 ounces a night, I drink 20.

The weekend, or whenever my days off fall, however, there is no beer limit. I still try to eat sensibly, but what's the point of brewing beer if I can't drink it?

If the new scale is to be beleived, I started at 320. I don't think that's right,because two days later I weighed 299 pounds. Today I weighed and clocked it at 290. I'm losing 2-3 pounds a week. At this rate, by this time next year I'll 200 pounds. I don't think I have weighed 200 pounds since college.

Mark Gimenez "The Perk"

2010-01-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

I just finished Mark Gimenez' The Perkand I am conflicted. The book is set here in Fredericksburg, but it's not my Fredericksburg. It's a difficult book to get. It hasn't been published in the US and I think you will see why shortly.

The first sentence reads "She was posing outside the limo with a dozen other girls, like illegal Mexicans waiting for work on L.A. street corners." Which is perfect because that's what the book is about.

A "Perk" is, in Hollywood parlance, a perk of the job. It can be free booze, a stretch limo, or willing young girls to sleep with.

The Perk the book is titled after is Heidi Geisel. Heidi is a sixteen year old German girl. She's so eager to leave her hometown of Fredericksburg that she goes to Austin during the New Years' South By Southwest Film Festival (the first of many divergences from reality) to seduce stars to get a screen test. Her dream is cut short when she's found dead on New Years Day just outside of town.

Four years later, Beck Hardin returns to Fredericksburg. Twenty-four years ago, after his mother's death, Beck was so desperate to leave his German hometown that he accepted a Notre Dame scholarship and became a lawyer in Chicago. After his wife died of cancer, her returns to Fredericksburg to get his father's help to raise his kids. He runs for county judge, and wins because there is a particularly nasty case coming up: The star Football player who will lead Fredericksburg High to a championship assaulted a Hispanic kid. Prosecuting will end the championship run. Not prosecuting will get "the Mexicans all riled up," as one character put it.

The whole book is about this case, with the search for Heidi's killer the B plot. Which makes me wonder why it's called "The Perk"? It should have been titled "Them Damn Racist Germans" or "Them Damn Illegal Mexicans".

See, Gimenez seems to believe, or at least his Fredericksburg friends believe, that all the Hispanics in Fredericksburg, except the children (who were born here to give the illegal parents an "anchor") are illegal. And all it takes is a Federal raid to get rid of them all. They are even able to bulldoze "The Barrio". And the book ends with a Fredericksburg with almost no Hispanics.

Gimenez also believes that the Germans in Fredericksburg have formed a secret cabal to keep things the same as they have always been. While there is an element of truth to that, here it's greatly exaggerated. It reminds me of a Lone Ranger episode where the first sheep farmer comes into cattle country, with Beck Hardin as the Lone Ranger come to bring peace between the parties. But actual peace is achieved simply by deporting the Hispanics, which is probably why the book hasn't been published in the US.

Ultimately, though, the book doesn't pay off for me. The titular plot line isn't actually resolved. The killer never brought to justice, although he does get what's coming to him. But that all happens in the last couple of chapters.

Whatever you do, don't read this book and expect an exact depiction of Fredericksburg and it's citizens.

Dad is Mad

2010-01-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

Last night Dad's cousin Nita Jim called and talked for 45 minutes. Normally she would call Ann. After he hung up, he said, "Ann Gale, they're calling ME now!" I think Ann would've liked that.

Christmas Eve Gift!

2009-12-24T02:55:00.000-08:00

Ha! I win again!

Basin Brewers Kegerator Crawl

2009-11-09T07:09:00.000-08:00

Over Halloween weekend, I went out to Midland and participated in the Basin Brewers Kegerator Crawl. They hired a van and a designated driver and hit three stops. We finished up at Gary's house about 1 am. Just to show you how old I am, I got sleepy before I got drunk. I felt sorry for Gary. He had to go to work that morning. I didn't feel sorry enough for him to go with him. I stayed at his house and took several naps. You can find some of my pictures at my brewing blog.

I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry. . .

2009-09-21T14:16:00.001-07:00

Ann Gale (Holt) Turner, of Voss, passed away Thursday evening, September 10 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.

Ann Gale Holt was born January 27, 1937 at the old Sealy Hospital in Santa Anna. Ann's parents were the late Claudia (Bull) Holt and Roger Holt. Ann's mother died of breast cancer when Ann was a teen-ager, at which time she and her two brothers came to live with their aunt and uncle - Welton and Audrey Holt at Gouldbusk. After having attended school at Santa Anna, Bangs, Wylie and several others - Ann graduated from Mozelle High School with the class of 1955. Ann has been very active in the planning and conduct of homecoming events for the Mozelle Schools and missed very few school activities at Panther Creek, even after her children all graduated. She then went on to graduate from the Hendrick/Hardin-Simmons School of Nursing and became an RN in 1958.

On September 28, 1958, she married Bob Turner at the Welton Holt home at Gouldbusk. Ann was an active practicing RN until retirement in 2004. She still kept her RN license active and participated in all the required continuing educational programs, even after retirement. During that time she served as Director of Nursing and taught LVN classes at the Coleman Hospital. She then worked several years as office nurse for J.D. Duke, M.D. in Coleman. Ann also worked over 20 years as school nurse at Panther Creek/Mozelle/Talpa-Centennial schools as well as over 20 years as the school nurse at the Lohn schools in McCulloch County. During this same time frame, she was also working in several nursing capacities at both Holiday Hill and Coleman Care Center (Leisure Lodge at that time) - to include consulting RN.

Ann and Bob have three grown sons - Gary of Midland - Sam and wife Mary Jo of Denton and Darrell and his wife Leslie of Dexter, New Mexico. She had seven grandchildren - Bailey, Cassidy and JoLea of Dexter, NM and Samantha, Garrett, Grant and Abigale of Denton. Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye, her only regret being that they didn't live close enough to see as often as she wished. Ann and Bob celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2008 - and only lacked 18 days reaching their 51st anniversary.

She has fought a long and courageous battle with cancer - the first of which began in 1990 - then with breast cancer being diagnosed early in 2004. Since that time she has been under constant treatment - radiation, chemotherapy, and even an experimental program. She became the poster girl for what a positive attitude and not giving up can do in prolonging quality life for all those who were close enough to observe. Ann, being a nurse herself, was not one to "shop for doctors" and was convinced that her Oncologist - Ralph Heaven, M.D. and the staff of doctors and nurses at Hendrick were the world's finest.

Ann is survived by her husband, Bob; her three sons and seven grandchildren, as well as her two brothers, Jerry and wife Bennie of Fredericksburg, Texas, Donn and wife Ann of Fredericksburg, Virginia, as well as numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and a host of really special friends. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Claudia and Roger Holt, her aunt and uncle Welton and Audrey Holt, all her grandparents, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ann's funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13 at the First United Methodist Church, 500 W. Liveoak, Coleman. Burial will follow in the Voss Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan, Coleman.

Family visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Stevens Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79601, Gouldbusk United Methodist Church, c/o Terrye Nanny, 6775 FM 1026, Gouldbusk, Texas 76845, Voss Community Center, c/o David Pate, 38 CR 340, Voss, Texas 76888; Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, attention: Donor Services, P. O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309.

Sam Houston Quote

2009-09-02T15:15:00.001-07:00

"If I could build a wall from the Red River to the Rio Grande, so high that no Indian could scale it, the white people would go crazy trying to get beyond it." - Sam Houston

My new shades

2009-07-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

While en route to NHC 2007 in Denver, my three year old pair of Gargoyles (Classic 85s, thank you very much), broke in the center. I bought a new pair in Downtown Denver at a small, independent sunglass store. The owner told me she carries that particular style because it is popular with the police officers in the area.

A couple of weeks ago, while packing to come home from Ann & Bob's house in Voss, my Denver shades broke in the middle. As soon as I got home, I did a Google search to find the cheapest pair of Gargoyle 85s I could find. What do you think?

Mission From God 2009

2009-07-24T15:12:00.001-07:00

Hanging a swing

2009-05-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, we, and by we I mean everyone but me, hung a new swing for the boys to use.

Newest Additions to the Family

2009-05-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

A wren made a nest on some open shelves on the back porch. Apparently, the babies are hungry.

Not This Year

2009-04-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to figure out an easy way to do bluebonnets.

Christmas Eve Snow

2009-03-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

Majestic Waterfall

2009-03-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

This was inspired by a painting I saw on Antique Road Show.

FDR Didn't solve the Depression, dammit!

2009-02-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

The Obamessiah just said that people were saying that were critical of FDR's Depression plans, drawing a clear parallel between FDR and The One. The implication that Obamessiah gave was that FDR ended the depression. According to my teachers in grade school, high school and college, World War II ended the depression. Is The One suggesting that FDR ended the Great Depression?

Or is The One suggesting that he will make all US manufacturing do nothing but build things for the government. . .Awww crap! We outsourced all that. Thanks, Sam Walton, for driving corporations to move their manufacturing to China.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-07T05:08:00.001-08:00

Well another New Year has arrived, and suddenly we're all back at work like Christmas never happened. At Gästehaus Schmidt the phones have slowed down, and we often find ourselves staring at each other. Although, the boss wants to upgrade the online reservations software, which means yet another upgrade to the web server.

Dad's back on the route, with an extra kid, and mom is still slaving away at the hospital.

Rodney and Jeanne report that the foster kids who were at the reunion got new parents and have been adopted. Relieved that that is over, they will not be taking any more foster kids, and will instead be trying to get Katie out of high school so they can have the house to themselves, since Brandon is at Texas Tech now.

Sean and Joanne stop by every few weeks to let us play with the boys. Aidan is walking now, and has the biggest dimples. Sean said he didn't know where the dimples came from, so we showed him a picture of Aunt Audrey. "That's where they're from!" he exclaimed.

We all hope everyone had a great new year and we hope to see you all soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T06:32:00.001-08:00

This wasn't actually taken today. It was taken last weekend.

Mountain Sunrise

2008-09-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

Recap

2008-08-28T05:35:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe it's been a month since the reunion. I still need to burn some CDs for the family, so I will try to do that this week.

I have discovered some tricks my iPhone can do, and one of them is upload photos to my Flickr account, and to my Facebook page. Now I have to remember to send the photos there when I take them!

Happy Labor Day!

Map to the reunion

2008-07-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

View Larger Map

Reunion Photos

2008-06-01T05:32:00.000-07:00

We want to be able to share family photos with everyone. We also want to be able to share the photos we take at the reunion. The way we are going to do it is to have a computer set up with a memory card reader. Whenever your memory card on your digital camera gets full, empty it onto the computer. On Saturday night or Sunday morning, we will burn all the shared photos to a CD for you to take home. I will even try to bring Mom's scanner or an old one from work, and we can scan any older photos for you.

Let me know if you are interested.

Time to Decide!

2008-05-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

Gary and I need a final head count for the reunion. We are putting together a shopping list for food and need to know who will be there on what day. The deadline for the final head count is July 15. If we don't hear from you by then, we assume you aren't coming because you hate all of us.

There is nothing organized for Thursday, except visiting. Gary and I will be spending the day cooking. There will be some folks there and we'll have a meal on Thursday night.

Friday is when we expect most folks to arrive and is another day of visiting. Lunch is on your own, so that ex-pats can hit the Whataburger in Brownwood.

Saturday is the big day with a barbecue lunch around 1ish. I am hoping to have a photographer present to record the momentous occassion. Saturday dinner is leftovers.

Breakfast will be provided Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And if you have any food issues, let us know: allergies, can't stand, picky eaters, etc. We already know Sam can't eat onions, Leslie dislikes avocado, Rodney's not a fan of celery, Sean doesn't like coconut, Bob won't eat okra and I can't abide tomatoes in the larval stage.

It Never Fails

2008-05-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

At 2:20 I decided to spend some quality time in the bathroom.

The phone started ringing, the doorbell started ringing. It was like Grand Central Station while I was in the bathroom.

Turns out, Shelby stopped by today, and he was the doorbell culprit. He and a buddy rode their bikes down from New Mexico to Brownwood, where his buddy has a cabin, and they've been riding the Texas back roads for the last couple of days. They were about to leave when I got to the door. We visited for a few minutes until I told Shelby his favorite potato pancake restaurant was about to close. They roared off towards town.

Since I've been off the toilet? Not a damn thing.

Squalls Out On the Gulf Stream

2008-04-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

Tryin' to Reason With Hurricane Season

Squalls out on the gulf stream,
Big storms coming soon.
I passed out in my hammock,
God, I slept way past noon.
Stood up and tried to focus,
I hoped I wouldn't have to look far.
I knew I could use a Bloody Mary,
So I stumbled next door to the bar.

[Chorus:]
And now I must confess,
I could use some rest.
I can't run at this pace very long.
Yes, it's quite insane,
I think it hurts my brain.
But it cleans me out and then I can go on.

There's something about this Sunday
It's a most peculiar gray
Strolling down the avenue
That's known as A1A
I was feeling tired, then I got inspired.
And I knew that it wouldn't last long
So all alone I walked back home, sat on my beach
And then I made up this song.

[Chorus]

Well, the wind is blowin' harder now
Fifty knots of there abouts,
There's white caps on the ocean.
And I'm watching for water spouts
It's time to close the shutters
It's time to go inside.
In a week I'll be in gay Paris;
That's a mighty long airplane ride.

[Chorus]
Yes, It cleans me out and then I can go on.

An Autumn Day

2008-04-05T07:25:00.001-07:00

Who took the keys?

2008-04-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Aidan & Rodney

2008-03-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Easter 2008.

I am so smart! S-M-R-T! D'oh!

2008-03-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

Click Here To Take The Test!

Dorothy Wilson (1918-2008)

2008-03-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

On March 11, my grandmother, Dorothy Wilson died. She was 89. She had Alzheimer's Disease and had been gone several years prior to this. In fact, about three or four years ago, she called the house and I answered the phone. She complained about how lonely she was and she didn't know if she had any grandchildren. I said, "Well, I'm your grandkid." It took her a few minutes to say that she guessed I was. In retrospect, I don't know if she really believed it.

Grandmother's passing wasn't easy for my cousin Lori, because she was particularly close to Grandmother. Lori was a little angry that no one else was as upset as she was. But Lori was closer to Grandmother than anyone else. For many years, she spent every summer in Brownwood at Grandmother's house. Rodney and I spent a few with her as well.

One summer, Grandmother took Lori, Rodney and me to Carlsbad Caverns. Lori was four or five. And Rodney and I took turns carrying Lori through the caverns because she was tired.

My grandmother was, frankly, a mean old lady. In her life, she managed to alienate most of her daughters and her almost all her grandkids. She had a way of using words as weapons. Most of the family were wounded by those words, and kept their distance. If you could ignore her verbal jabs and thrusts and just accepted her, she could be kind and lovable. I know she loved me. I loved her.

The Back Pasture

2008-03-11T15:20:00.000-07:00

Mountain Vista

2008-03-05T04:29:00.001-08:00

Peaceful River

2008-02-26T05:42:00.000-08:00

Mountain View

2008-02-22T19:41:00.000-08:00

The latest.

I wanted to paint a big mountain. I wanted to paint a lake. And, well . . .

First RSVP

2008-02-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

Now that Donn's home from the hospital after his surgery, we can all exhale.

Wheww!

I have the first confirmed "Can't make it" for the reunion in August. Rodney's Eldest stepson, Shawn (or as we refer to him "Squid Shawn") has been deployed to Japan for three years. Obviously, he will not be able to get to Talpa.

For those of us who have been to Japan, maybe we can send him tips on where to go and what to see while he's there. I have asked my old Nagasaki Wesleyan Junior College friend Seiji Koyanagi, who currently lives in Fukuoka, if he would show Shawn his Japan. Seiji said he would. Though what a 40 year old man would show a 20 year old, and if a 20 yoear old would want to be seen with a 40 year old, remains to be seen. (Seiji is a talented caricaturist, and currently works in Canal City Hakata Shopping Center. If you are in the neighborhood. . .)

Mountain Respite

2008-02-11T17:30:00.001-08:00

I know some of you are tired of me rehashing yet another Bob Ross scene.

Look. I can paint it in an hour or so. I don't have to spend weeks planning things, and then another month painting. I like to paint quickly and finish before I lose interest.

So here's the latest, composed at the easel.

River Tranquility

2008-02-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

I finally got a chance to paint last weekend, and painted this river scene. The nature of the paint gives off this shiny spot on the canvas.

Reunion Quilt

2008-02-06T19:47:00.001-08:00

Mom has started working on the Reunion Quilt. It should be ready by the reunion. We will have a drawing to see who gets to take the quilt home on Saturday, August 2.

Reunion Update

2008-02-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

After extensive executive consultations with Gary, the exact "official" dates of the Holt Family Reunion will be August 1 and 2. Gary and I plan to arrive on Thursday to begin preparations on the food, making as much stuff in advance as we can. We will have some food available, but won't serve an actual meal until Friday night. That gives Rachel time to stop at the Whataburger in Brownwood for lunch for her fix.

You are welcome to join us, but you may be drafted into doing some menial labor. Or you may watch Gary and I perform the menial labor. Admission for the show is beer.

Possession ISN'T 9/10 of the law?

2008-01-27T16:14:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you how many times I've watched "COPS" and seen the following scene:

A car is pulled over. The driver is pulled from the car and searched. Nothing is found. The passenger is pulled from the car and searched. Nothing is found. The passenger behind the driver's seat is pulled from the car and searched. Nothing is found. Then the police search the empty car and they find a small bag of drugs under the back of the driver's seat. The driver denies that it's his. The back seat passenger denies it is his. The police officer tells the driver that unless someone confesses to putting the drugs there, the driver, who was sitting in that seat and was in control of the car, will be charged with possession of drugs. When the passengers deny even knowing the driver, the driver is "cuffed and stuffed" for possession of narcotics.

Keep that scenario in mind.

In Austin, Texas, a curious cat pokes its nose into a hole in a wall in an apartment complex. The renter, thinking she would find some food the cat was interested in, finds some DVDS. She watches a DVD and learns it is a stash of child "p0rn" (that's to keep my "G" rating). The owner calls the cops. They check with the previous renter who confesses to hiding the DVD.

Did the police even threaten to arrest the current renter? If it had been drugs, would they have checked the previous tenants? ANd if the previous tenant had denied any knowledge of the p0rn, would the current tenant have been charged, since the p0rn was in her possession?

Super Hero Dating Quiz

2008-01-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Gary the Enchanter

2008-01-13T20:07:00.001-08:00

Gary came for a quick visit. He tried out my Tim the Enchanter hat.

"Uncharted Desert Isle"

2008-01-03T04:36:00.000-08:00

I had this idea: A tropical lagoon, a mountain on the far shore with a spectacular waterfall, and a few palm trees. All this needs is the SS Minnow on the shore.

The Ballad of Gilligan's Island
by George Wyle and Sherwood Shwartz

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.

The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost.

The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle
With Gilligan
The Skipper too,
The millionaire and his wife,
The movie star
The professor and Mary Ann,
Here on Gilligans Isle.

So this is the talel of the castways,
They're here for a long, long time,
They'll have to make the best of things,
It's an uphill climb.

The first mate and the Skipper too,
Will do their very best,
To make the others comfortable,
In the tropic island nest.

No phone, no lights no motor cars,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As primative as can be.

So join us here each week my freinds,
You're sure to get a smile,
From seven stranded castways,
Here on "Gilligan's Isle."

Turn, Turn, Turn

2008-01-02T17:23:00.000-08:00

Last night, while dreading going back to work, I was watching TV. I saw an ad for H&R Block. In it, one of the guys said it was tax season. It's official. Tax season begins on January 1 and lasts until April 15. Kinda like the way Christmas starts at the end of September.

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T06:05:00.000-08:00

As of New Year's Day I will stop contributing to Life in the Banana Patch, my other blog. About as many people read that one as this one. I am making some money off ads on Wort's Going On Here?, my homebrewing blog, and on my Fredericksburg Texas events blog Fredericksburg Texas Info. I will move some of my ongoing rants here, so things will get a bit more political, but it shouldn't be too much of a change.

A Reunion request

2007-12-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

To my Virginia cousins:

If anyone plans a drive to the Reunion in Talpa, Texas, please bring me a case of Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout. It's been two years since I had one, and I am suffering withdrawals.

Thanks!

See I told you so

2007-12-26T18:01:00.000-08:00

I have written repeatedly that raising excise taxes to regulate behavior is a bad idea. You can use those taxes as a revenue stream or you can use those taxes to stop the behavior. You can't do both things.

Recently, the State of Texas raised excise taxes on cigarettes to $1 a pack to help fund education. The state reported that cigarette sales didn't decline as quickly as anti-smoking advocates had hoped, and had generated $244 million more than predicted.

What do the neo-prohibitionists say? The cigarette tax is a solid revenue stream and some of the income should fund cessation programs.

That the solid revenue stream should be pared down? Eventually, there will only be one or two smokers in the world, and they will be expected to fund education, smoking cessation programs, and children's health insurance. That way, no one else has to pay for it.

The only way that kind of tax will work to fund every desirable government program is if the government requires that everyone buy cigarettes. And if you want to criminalize tobacco and legalize marijuana, you are an idiot. It's not about the health risk. It's about someone else's morality.

Snow Magic

2007-12-23T14:55:00.001-08:00

Everywhere Texas

2007-12-21T16:35:00.000-08:00

My friend Stacey called this coolest thing she had seen lately.

I miss my motorcycle.

Pastel Seascape

2007-12-11T11:01:00.001-08:00

The latest!

Mail Route

2007-12-08T18:08:00.001-08:00

The tree on the right is waaay to big for the painting. I didn't see it when I was painting, though. The only clear idea I had when I started was to paint the house. And the mailbox. And I do like the trees in the background.

A friend told me it was surreal. Childlike. "Like a Marc Chagall in training," she said. She meant it in a good way, I'm sure.

I should've sketched it out first.

Oh well, it's just paint.

Forest Trail

2007-12-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

Let's Bring 'Em Home 2007

2007-11-27T13:43:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite sites is Ernie's House of Whoop Ass. It's a funny site with raunchy humor and links to naked women. What's not to love?

Every year, Ernie sponsors Let's Bring 'Em Home, a non-profit charity that buys tickets for our soldiers who want to spend Christmas at home. I try to contribute every year. If you have a few bucks to spare, please think about it.

Winter Evergreens

2007-11-26T13:27:00.000-08:00

With the last cold snap, I had the urge to paint a winter scene.

In order to simplify your daily routine, you may comment using one of the numbers below:

1. OMFG! You're soooo talented!
2. That's cool. (Get it?)
3. Meh. Let me know when you do a good one.
4. Would you please stop publishing this crap!
or
5. Thank goodness I have a firewall.

Birthdays

2007-11-26T06:40:00.001-08:00

On Sunday we celebrated Joanne's, Jeanne's, Sean's, and Dad's birthdays. I made Alton Brown's Rib recipe. Cael and Maryann don't get along too well. They are both at the "Mine!" stage, which does create some conflict. Cael had just fussed about Maryanne sitting in the chair, so great-grandpa put him in the recliner.

Mountain By The Sea

2007-11-20T13:15:00.001-08:00

Yep. Another seascape.

Horny Little Devil

2007-11-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Just an idea I was messing around with.

Bolt from the Blue

2007-11-13T10:27:00.000-08:00

Far too many years ago to be remembered distinctly, I was an exchange student at Nagasaki Wesleyan Junior College (now University). Recently, I have been in contact with Bob, the snazzy dresser on the left in the back row, and Seiji, one of the Japanese students.

Saturday night, I got a email from Tasha, the one in the exact middle of the front row. And suddenly, all those memories came back in a rush.

We caught up a bit, and Tasha suggested a reunion in 2009. I could be cool with that. We just have to find everyone else. So, from left to right: Front Row: Sharon Greenland, Athens, TN; Michelle Jackson, Kerrville, TX; Tasha; Patty Hester (I think.), Athens, TN; Judy Ann Ariola (I think), Baguio, Phillipines. Back Row: Bob; John Stolen, Le Mars, IA; and some slob. Not pictured: Marissa Colby, from somewhere in New York.

If you are in this picture, post a comment. If you know someone in the picture and can help hook us up, post a comment. Or email me at jeffholt at yahoo dot com.

Thanks in advance!

Seascape #2

2007-10-30T15:19:00.001-07:00

The Birds

2007-10-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

Taken at 7 pm on Main Street with the moon rising. The black birds have been thick and noisy lately. Are we sure Alfred Hitchcock is dead?

Recipe Collection

2007-10-22T04:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday, I started gathering recipes for the 2008 Holt Reunion. But before we get too far along, Gary and I need to know the likes and dislikes of everyone. For instance: Rodney doesn't like celery, mom doesn't like mushrooms, Dad's not a fan of cucumber, Sam despises onions, and I believe raw tomatoes are Satan's turds. (They are both red. Coincidence? I think not.) Also, some like sweet tea, some like unsweetened, some don't like tea at all.

The recipe I added seems to be easy enough to accommodate most people. Make one with onions, one without. Bob and I don't like okra, so Rodney's just going to have to make his gumbo without onions or okra. Life's tough, Rod. Deal with it.

So post your daikirai (Japanese for "most hated) foods in the comments, or email 'em to me, or post them in the shared document up on Google.

Seascape 01

2007-10-15T11:23:00.001-07:00

I'm going to paint seascapes for a while.

Sunset Serenity

2007-10-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

Another interpretation of a Bob Ross painting.

Fine Dining in Valera, Texas

2007-09-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

No. That is not an oxymoron.

Rancho Loma is upscale dining in what owner Robert Williamson says "could be in France, Italy, California - that's how this place makes you feel. It's like taking a little vacation."

If you are so inclined to visit, you will need to make reservations on their website. They are only open Friday and Saturday. People often travel 200 miles to have dinner there. But bring your own wine.

If that doesn't appeal to you, there is always Coleman's Dairy Queen.

Me? I'm gonna be at Eola School.

Mountain Trail

2007-09-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

F Minus Strip

2007-09-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

Stolen from here.

Finally

2007-09-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

I got my Linux computer only a few days before leaving for Vail. I didn't have enough time to figure out all the workings of the computer. I took some DVDs to watch while I was in my hotel room, only to learn that Linux doesn't do DVDs well. Most DVDs are encrypted, and the producers make a lot of money licensing the encryption, and Linux, as a rule, doesn't pay for that sort of stuff.

I tried a lot of programs, finally finding VLC. It seems to be the only thing that lets Linux play DVDs with menus.

If only I'd had a couple more days before leaving for Vail, I could have figured all this out in advance, rather than figuring it out when I came home. Of course, that begs the question, why didn't I figure it out on the road?

Oh yeah! I also figured out how to connect to the wireless network!

View from my room

2007-09-11T05:31:00.000-07:00

I could live here in the summer. Saturday night they mentioned the "S" word: there was a chance for snow at the peaks. That would get me out of here until the thaw. At 6 am, it's 40° and the high will be in the 70s. Tomorrow, we will leave Vail about noon and drive to the airport in Denver, turn in the rental car, and leave Denver about 5 pm. United expects the plane to land about 8 pm, and I should be home about 10 pm tomorrow night. Then I have to go to work at 7 am on Thursday to open. And the up side, It's my long weekend, and I won't go back to work till Wednesday.

Aidan and Greatgrandpa

2007-09-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

Cael

2007-09-05T06:19:00.000-07:00

Sean and Joanne brought the boys over for lunch on Sunday. New photos!

The new toy

2007-09-03T06:14:00.001-07:00

Dell shipped my laptop on the 30th. It arrived on the 31st. So far, I'm impressed. The wireless card works perfectly, it just won't connect to the network at home. I don't know why. I might need expert help. It sees the network, it just won't connect. I'm currently configuring everything, which takes some time.

So I take back every evil thought I have had about Dell.

Now if I can only be at the house when DHL delivers

2007-08-31T07:18:00.001-07:00

I got an email from Dell yesterday telling me that my new computer had shipped. I assumed that it would be coming from Austin, but instead it's coming from Nashville. It left Nashville at 10 am yesterday, and arrived in Waco last night a 8 pm. As we speak it is on a truck speeding towards Fredericksburg. I might just have enough time to configure it before my business trip to Vail. IF someone is at the house when DHL shows up.

Quick visit to Midland

2007-08-27T05:58:00.001-07:00

I just got back from visiting cousin Gary, and we discussed the reunion, among other things. We decided to finalize the menu in February or March, and Rodney's gumbo night looks threatened. Too many okra-phobes, myself included.

Sean got a job

2007-08-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

Sean called and said he finally got a job. He started Monday at Boeing in San Antonio, at Kelly. He says he'll be working on Air Force planes for $25 an hour. Good pay if you can get. They bought a house in Helotes and will be moving in a couple of weeks. He did add that the house is not near the creek that flooded when Tropical Storm Erin came to town.

Email from Dell

2007-08-23T04:21:00.000-07:00

I got an email from Dell this morning. Don't get your hopes up, it was Spam.

ONE-DAY SALE

SAVE UP TO $350 ON SELECT BACK-TO-SCHOOL PCs

School starts next week. They should have run this ad in June if they expected anyone to take a new laptop with them on the first day of school.

Where's my computer Part II

2007-08-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

To update: Dell informed in the late afternoon of 8/17 that there was a delay shipping my computer. The shipment has been delayed to 8/28, with an estimated delivery between 9/3-6. Since I leave town on 9/6 for a week, allow me to guess when the damn thing will be delivered.

Yesterday, someone named Debbie posted a comment to my previous post on this issue claiming to be from Dell, and saying they would look into it. So early yesterday morning I sent Debbie an email telling her the order number.

So far, nothing.

I am not going to jump on the "I hate Dell" or "Dell is Evil" bandwagons. Any business is going to have people with problems with their policies and service. Our office has used Dell products for years without problems. I recognize that someone has to make the computer, and that takes time. I also recognize that manufacturers are often at the mercy of their suppliers, and there could be any number of reasons for the delay.

Doesn't make the anticipation stop, though.

Update: at 12:30 pm today, I got this reply from Debbie at Dell, "Sorry for the disappointment. Let me know if there is anything I can do."

Um, let me know if I will get it before I leave on my business trip?

Reunion Quilt

2007-08-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we went to Kerrville to Hometown Crafts. I got a big canvas, 'cause I have an idea, and I want to see if it will fit on a big canvas. Mom got some fabric—Red bandanna, white, and blue bandanna like—for a reunion quilt. She's planning to a panel for everyone, including Grandad Roger, and Grandma Claudia. She's planning to give the quilt away in a drawing. Everyone who attends, including the kids. This of course favors Sam's family, since they are ever expanding. (I kid because I love.)

2007-08-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

I was getting tired of mountains, so I decided to paint a seascape. I made the clouds on the right too dark, and the foam on the wave is also too dark. Other than that, I like it.

Where's my Laptop?

2007-08-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

Ordered a month ago, Dell tells me they will ship my laptop today. I assume it's coming from Austin, so I may get it Monday or Tuesday, although they estimate delivery anytime between 8/22-24.

I have been on pins and needles the last week and a half wanting to get my grubby little mitts on the darn thing.

Fishin' Hole

2007-08-15T06:09:00.000-07:00

Jeff's Texas Seasoning Mix

2007-08-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen Emeril's seasoning mix in the store? Or Chef Paul Prudhomme's seasoning mix? Have you ever noticed they are smiling? That's because they are making a mint on that stuff! I actually have to wonder why anyone buys Emeril's Essence. The recipe is here! Why go to the store and buy it in a bottle when you can buy the ingredients and make it yourself? Chef Paul's? Well, not as easy to Google™, but if you look hard enough, you can find his poultry seasoning, which, by the way, is killer.

Since I consider myself something of a chef, or, at least, a hack cook, I have come up with a somewhat spicy seasoning mix. Please note that I am releasing this recipe under a creative commons license. You may not use this recipe for commercial purposes, but you may modify it as long as you allow others to do the same. Yeah. Stupid and geeky, I know.

Jeff's Texas Seasoning

3 tbs sweet paprika

2 tbs hot paprika

2 1/2 tbs salt

2 tbs garlic powder

2 tbs onion powder

4 tsp ground pepper

4 tsp cilantro

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp chipotle powder

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp jalapeno powder

Mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Use as seasoning or as a rub.

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Reunion News

2007-08-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

Okely Dokely, folks. I know we're still 50 weeks away from the reunion. I'm trying to do as much now as possible, so I can be lazy then. Call me selfish.

I have added a couple of links to the right: A link to the Centennial Lodge, and a link to a map to What-a-Burger in Brownwood for any former Texas residents having withdrawal symptoms.

More to come!

Appalacian Stream

2007-08-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Back to Colorado

2007-08-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

I leave SA at 8:30 am (yes, I got to pick the departure time) on 9/6 and fly to Denver. I'll arrive about 11 am local time. Then I'll get a rental car and drive to Vail. (Stopping at Idaho Springs, Keystone, Dillon and Frisco to visit some brewpubs before stopping in Vail.) The boss is flying in on Sunday, and I get to pick them up at the Denver airport (woohoo) and take them back to Vail. Then Sunday Monday and Tuesday I'll be on foot. Hope I can find a bar in Vail. Then back to Denver on 9/12 for the flight home.

Last time I was in the air around this time, the Twin Towers fell. Keep your fingers crossed.

Cael's Snack

2007-08-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

Great-Grandpa Jerry gave Cael a cookie. As soon as great-grandma tried to take the photo, the hand whipped up to obscure his face.

Aidan and Cousin Gary

2007-08-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

We've decided that Cael will be the silent but deadly type. Aidan, on the other hand, is pretty chatty. Gary came to visit and Aidan just talked and talked and talked. I guess it's true: Gary knows everyone.

I bought a new computer

2007-08-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Bill Gates,

Like a lemming rushing to the sea, I have purchased a Dell laptop with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled. I'll be able to surf the web, write letters, watch movies on DVD, and burn cds.

I'm not leaving the Windows fold entirely, Bill, but you'll be seeing me a lot less.

Shh! Don't cry, Bill. It's your own fault. I had to register my copy of Windows XP to prove I bought it, and still, every time I get an update, I have to prove I didn't steal it all over again. And I've been faithful to you, Bill, that's the sad part. I've always used genuine Windows software, and sstill you treat me like a whore.

See you around, Bill.

Our Former L'il Leatherneck

2007-07-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

Sean, Joanne and the boys made it home from South Carolina on the 11th. They paid us an impromptu visit, which I forgot to photograph. Cael was full of vinegar, getting into everything, and Aidan was vocal. He must have been performing a running commentary on Cael's antics. He also wanted to sit up, and since he can't do it himself, he wanted us to hold him up.

Sean is still looking for work. He has applications in at Mooney, in Kerrville, and at a couple of places in San Antonio. Joanne has found a job, leaving Sean at home to babysit!

More pictures the next time they stop by.

Sunrise Reflection

2007-07-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

I started off wanting to paint a different sky and a mountain. That turned out okay. The foreground, not so much.

Joining

2007-07-25T04:54:00.000-07:00

For not being much of a joiner, I have joined San Antonio Association of Zymurgists, a home brewing club, and three Linux user groups: one each in Austin, San Antonio, and the Highland Lakes area. SAAZ will be the only club that I will attend meetings, but still. . .

Falls int the Glen

2007-07-20T06:02:00.001-07:00

My mountains are beginning to look like teepees.

Blind as a. . .

2007-07-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

I picked up my specs. They're no line bifocals and it's a bitch. I don't need them with the computer, so I probably won't be wearing them too much during the day. I've worn 'em for about 15 minutes. I took 'em off to do something on the computer and my eyes hurt.

But when I do wear them, the walls look like they're breathing!

Grandpa, Jeanne and Aidan

2007-06-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

Mile High City

2007-06-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

We made it to Denver!

Cael and Great-Grampa Holt

2007-06-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm. Cookie!

It's still not too late

2007-06-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

My birthday is coming up. There are still a few shopping days left.