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Jan 23 2018

How to survive and thrive when your reputation tanks – Life lessons from Mark White

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Last spring, I had lunch with Mark White, the former governor of Texas. I wasn’t attending some huge conference where he was the speaker. It was just Mark and me and Joe Holley, a friend who worked with the Houston Chronicle and got us all together at Mark’s favorite restaurant, The Reef. I got there a little early, so I went to the restroom to check for fashion disasters. Usually scattered and in a rush leaving the house, I’ve been known to put my shirt on inside out or miss a button.

When I got back to the hostess stand, Mark was waiting by himself. “Well, this is awkward,” I thought. “Mark?” I asked. “Linda?” he responded. “I looks like Joe is late as usual,” I said, shaking his hand. ‘Let’s grab a table and stick him with the bill,” Mark said, and any awkwardness disappeared.

We were early for the lunch crowd but heading to the back table, he was stopped by at least two people he knew. Once we sat down, another man came by to introduce himself. Mark was enthusiastic and gracious, even drawing me into the conversation. This tall former state leader with the reddened face and the prominent nose was definitely admired.

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Dec 14 2017

Lower Rio Grande Valley

You know you are almost to the very tip of Texas and South Padre Island when see “Little Graceland” painted on a small stucco house that fronts Highway 100 in Los Fresnos. Only thirty minutes to go to the island and I’m usually stir crazy from hours on the road. For that reason I’ve always passed by this quaint curiosity.

I should have made myself pull over and and explore what lies behind the elaborate wrought iron gates that replicate the music themed ones at the original Graceland.

This king has left Little Graceland

I stopped this time but didn’t go past the gates because Little Graceland’s king had died just a few days before. Simon Hinojosa Vega had passed away at 81 from respiratory failure. In fact, the reason his passing merited an article in the Valley Morning Star was his devotion to the King of Rock and Roll.

You see, Simon served in the US Army with Elvis from 1958 to 1960 in Freiburg, Germany. Presley made a lasting impression on Vega. Simon returned to his hometown and worked as a teacher, bus driver, school janitor, barber and founder of the Los Fresnos Softball League. But his claim to fame was the path he took based on his years in Germany with Elvis.

Little Graceland, one man’s tribute

He not only turned his house into an Elvis Presley museum generations ago, he organized an annual and sometime semi-annual Elvis Fest. Vega filled it with Elvis mementos, clothing, clocks and more. According to his daughter Rosie, Simon had also written a book called “Service with the King”. This book is now with a publisher.

Vega was definitely hands-on with Little Graceland. Rosie told the paper that “somebody would come every day and he would come out and do like a 20-minute speech and walk around and explain everything. He was his own tour guide.”

Will Little Graceland Survive?

No one knows what is to become of Little Graceland, but even if it survives, I deeply regret not going by while Simon was still around to take me through it.

How many other small towns contain a wonderful off-beat monument to someone’s enduring passion? Simon Hinojosa Vegas lets us know there is always time to spend a few minutes checking it out.

Go slow in Los Fresnos

A side note: If you visit, be aware of this. Los Fresnos is in the lower Rio Grande Valley and has some serious policing when it comes to enforcing the speed limit. The town is located less than thirty minutes from the Queen Isabella Causeway and good times on South Padre Island. Just don’t ignore the speed limit signs or you’ll have an unexpected vacation expenditure.

Oct 19 2017

Dan Pecore, Port Aransas boat builder

Dan Pecore, a Port Aransas boat builder, is bringing the only Texas scow schooner back to life. Pretty life-changing for a city kid from Houston who moved to Port Aransas years ago to raise a family. While Dan was growing up in Houston’s museum area, he’d spend weekends on his family’s farm. In the country, this city kid discovered a serenity from working with wood, specifically old wood.

How did Dan become involved with boats?

Dan especially liked the weathered posts from the stock pens and their imperfections – all worn down and sometimes stained by urine and cow shit. He told us he seemed to be able to feel the years and changes the old wood had watched. Sometime later on Port Aransas, he started to build beautiful things from the scraps of aged lumber – jewelry boxes, furniture, keepsakes.

And then Dan began looking for pieces of old boats, specifically dismantled sailboats from places like the Chesapeake Bay. He refashioned that wood into projects, using the knots and the holes to lead him. And in time, he started to build wooden boats.

Texas Scow Schooner project

In 2015, Dan hired on to lead a team to complete the construction of the only Texas scow schooner that now exist anywhere. He has thrown himself into the project with the passion of affair with a stubby, squat beauty that will eventually be called the Lydia Ann.

The balance he has created in his life by building keepstakes, resurrecting the Lydia Ann and reading Rumi is being tested by Hurricane Harvey. Good luck and traveling mercies, Dan.

Jun 12 2017

Best Western Movie About Texas Never Made

All you “Lonesome Dove” fans, listen up!

The best western movie about Texas hasn’t been made yet, but it should be. We all need a story to lift us up and make us proud. “John Cody” made me laugh, cry and say a thankful prayer that someone has finally captured how conflicted but caring people can be in small town Texas. Now let’s get someone in the film business to get this movie off page and onto the screen!

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