Memories from my years in Texas. Merry Christmas, everyone. ~Vic
My Den in Texas.
12-20-2005
Click for a larger viewLots of gifts for family & friends.
12-20-2005
Click for a larger view.Our stockings.
12-20-2005
Click for a larger view.Buddy the cat, under the tree.
12-18-2005
Click for a larger view.
The Hinoeumaresponded:
December 25, 2022 at 12:35 PM
Funny you should mention that. That is Birch wainscoting that me & the Marine got from Lowe’s. They mis-priced it and we got very expensive wood on the cheap. He & I stained it. These pix were taken before the second & third remodeling, before the den was removed and the second floor crafted.
Badfinger (Max) said:
December 25, 2022 at 12:38 PM
You know me…that is the first thing I zoomed in on! It’s cool when you do things like that yourself. We bought an oak entertainment center in the late 90s and Jen and I finished it…we still use it. Although instead of a TV between the columns we now have a Turtle tank.
The Hinoeumaresponded:
December 25, 2022 at 12:44 PM
Oh how cute! Turtles! 🐢
I learned a lot from the Marine. Then, I got sick from all the chemicals when the third remodel got underway. Nothing like a bored Marine that can’t hold down a job.
Badfinger (Max) said:
December 25, 2022 at 1:02 PM
I hate that it didn’t work out…
Yea we love those turtles. They see us coming and they stick their mouths above the water and open it. You can feed both of them by hand if you wanted.
They are about the size of an old silver dollar.
Thanks! No worries. I hope you had a good one! I’d guess Scotland is pretty cold, though not below zero, and nothing like the US right now! But I’m in Hong Kong, with highs of a pleasant 20c : )
Yes that was my original blog! No idea how to change my URL to number ones blog so I’ve just left it. The HK one has lain dormant for several years now. I’ve lived in Hong Kong for ten years or so, and used to blog regularly on life here, until it stopped being a novelty lol
The Hinoeumaresponded:
December 27, 2022 at 10:11 PM
That, I have done. My ex-Marine and I were all over the West US in 2002. We had just moved to Texas in the summer and three months later, I got a job with the state of Texas. We took off to explore before my job started. We had so much fun. We had a specialized travel van that was big and comfortable. Showers were cheap at truck stops (nice showers, too). I miss that.
The Hinoeumaresponded:
December 28, 2022 at 11:13 AM
Amtrak! You know, I have never been on a real train. The only train I have ridden on was my hometown city park’s kiddie train, as a little thing.
Amtrak runs thru our small town, every day. There is a really nice station in my hometown, 45 min. west. Not many ride it in this area. It is sad that the US built excellent working railroads for hauling but, didn’t really put in the effort for people-moving. Amtrak doesn’t make money & the government has to subsidize. They have cut back on where they go. They have also had some terribly deadly accidents.
We Americans are in love with our personal vehicles, which, inevitability, creates traffic jams & multiple accidents. It is rare to get on our Interstate system, even with all the lanes and not run into an accident with miles of back-ups. If you are lucky, you can exit and get on the older US highway system that goes thru towns, instead of bypassing them. It is slower but, you see more.
Wanna see America? State highways. They are based on the old pioneer trails. The most fun me & the Marine had was getting lost in the Colorado mountains. We just wandered everywhere.
See that just seems incredible… In the UK and in Europe, trains are just part of everyday life. I’d barely go a week without going on one… I do love trains, though, and would take one over a plane any day. I’ve done many overnight journeys (and my dream is to do the Trans-Siberian express, plus some extras, to take the train from Hong Kong back to the UK – though that’s looking very unlikely at the moment until Putin calms things down…) The longest journey I’ve done was the Amtrak to San Francisco – 55 hours or so. If I ever get back to America, I will hire a car and try the state highways!
The Hinoeumaresponded:
December 29, 2022 at 11:55 PM
The bigger cities like New York, Chicago, Detroit…they have their trains and subways. That is part of their lives. San Fran has street cars. I was raised in a small town that has a strong railroad presence but, it was for hauling & freight, not people moving. The town’s original name was Company Shops, as they were for the railroad workers and family members. They eventually changed the name to Burlington. The town I live in now is even smaller than my hometown. The rail line runs right along the river. We hear Amtrak everyday and freight trains about once every two weeks. In fact, our local park has the rail line running right by it, crossing over a walk-way. You can stand and watch it pass by on the trestle. That’s how I know that not many people are on it. Six or seven sections/cars and very few people.
Amtrak didn’t exist prior to 1971. I can remember my maternal grandmother riding to see her sister up north in Maryland.
My most interesting American railway (railroad?) story is that my hometown is the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie, who was a big investor in steel and early US railways. Almost all the public buildings there were funded, and are named after, him. We even have a Carnegie Hall 🙂
The Hinoeumaresponded:
December 30, 2022 at 10:41 AM
Yeah. Railroad. Railway might be a term used up north but, definitely, here in the south, everyone says railroad.
I had to look up Carnegie’s birthplace. Dunfermline. New to me…. He emigrated at 12 to Pittsburgh with his parents. Now, I will have to find that on a map.
A LOT of Scots came to my state way back when. We still have an ongoing tradition of clan gatherings, Grandfather Mountain, in particular. I have been to several. In fact, the small town I am in has a strong Scottish presence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr_Mount
Clan gatherings every year (except during the “coof”).
I have probably mentioned this before but, I am a direct descendant of Clan MacPherson, on my paternal side. My paternal grandmother’s mom was a Mary MacPherson. I just recently gave all the family photos to my paternal uncle, since my dad passed in August. My line stops with me (no kids) but, my uncle’s line continues.
[…] busy with the Song Draft I was involved in from July to November. Plus, Christmas 2021 just sucked. Christmas 2022 wasn’t much better. I will do another “countdown” this year. Our small town likes […]
Cosmic-Observation 
December 25, 2022 at 11:20 AM
And merry Christmas to you! 🎁🎄
Beautiful tree 😊
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December 25, 2022 at 12:26 PM
Thanks, Beth. Merry Christmas!
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December 25, 2022 at 11:47 AM
Merry Christmas!🎄😀🙋🏻♂️
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December 25, 2022 at 12:28 PM
Merry Christmas, Christian. Enjoying Germany?
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December 25, 2022 at 1:32 PM
Thanks, I am! Spending time with my parents is precious!😀
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December 25, 2022 at 1:46 PM
Awesome!
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December 25, 2022 at 12:04 PM
Merry Christmas to you!!!
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December 25, 2022 at 12:28 PM
Big hugs, Momma! 🤗
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December 25, 2022 at 12:29 PM
I love the paneling…oh yea and the tree! Merry Christmas Vic.
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December 25, 2022 at 12:35 PM
Funny you should mention that. That is Birch wainscoting that me & the Marine got from Lowe’s. They mis-priced it and we got very expensive wood on the cheap. He & I stained it. These pix were taken before the second & third remodeling, before the den was removed and the second floor crafted.
🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁
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December 25, 2022 at 12:38 PM
You know me…that is the first thing I zoomed in on! It’s cool when you do things like that yourself. We bought an oak entertainment center in the late 90s and Jen and I finished it…we still use it. Although instead of a TV between the columns we now have a Turtle tank.
LikeLike
December 25, 2022 at 12:44 PM
Oh how cute! Turtles! 🐢
I learned a lot from the Marine. Then, I got sick from all the chemicals when the third remodel got underway. Nothing like a bored Marine that can’t hold down a job.
LikeLike
December 25, 2022 at 1:02 PM
I hate that it didn’t work out…
Yea we love those turtles. They see us coming and they stick their mouths above the water and open it. You can feed both of them by hand if you wanted.
They are about the size of an old silver dollar.
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December 25, 2022 at 1:45 PM
Oh, goodness…
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December 25, 2022 at 8:10 PM
You did a great job decorating the tree. Merry Christmas.
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December 25, 2022 at 11:25 PM
Thanks. I was pretty decent 17 years ago.
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December 25, 2022 at 9:31 PM
Merry Christmas Vic!!
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December 25, 2022 at 11:27 PM
Merry Christmas, Brian!🎄🎁
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December 26, 2022 at 6:16 AM
A belated Merry Christmas! : )
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December 26, 2022 at 9:55 AM
Merry Christmas, Stewart. I meant to visit your blog to say so. Sorry. I got busy…
How cold is Scotland right now?
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December 26, 2022 at 9:26 PM
Thanks! No worries. I hope you had a good one! I’d guess Scotland is pretty cold, though not below zero, and nothing like the US right now! But I’m in Hong Kong, with highs of a pleasant 20c : )
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December 26, 2022 at 10:58 PM
What are you doing in Hong Kong? Which reminds me of your blog URL…whatididinhongkong…LOL!
We have been crazy cold.
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December 27, 2022 at 1:12 AM
Yes that was my original blog! No idea how to change my URL to number ones blog so I’ve just left it. The HK one has lain dormant for several years now. I’ve lived in Hong Kong for ten years or so, and used to blog regularly on life here, until it stopped being a novelty lol
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December 27, 2022 at 12:10 PM
Wow. I have never been outside the US…and not from a lack of wanting to.
At the moment, “whatididinhongkong” is tied to your avatar/icon, which is accessible by gravatar.com
A change there might help.
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December 27, 2022 at 8:51 PM
Tbf, you can travel loads without ever leaving the States. The UK is a bit more limited : )
I’m not that fussed about changing it, but thanks. Putting those polls in last week’s post was as technical as I’m willing to get on WordPress lol
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December 27, 2022 at 10:11 PM
That, I have done. My ex-Marine and I were all over the West US in 2002. We had just moved to Texas in the summer and three months later, I got a job with the state of Texas. We took off to explore before my job started. We had so much fun. We had a specialized travel van that was big and comfortable. Showers were cheap at truck stops (nice showers, too). I miss that.
LikeLike
December 28, 2022 at 7:10 AM
Sounds like a proper American road trip… I’d like to do it! I travelled from Chicago to San Francisco by train, which was fun
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December 28, 2022 at 11:13 AM
Amtrak! You know, I have never been on a real train. The only train I have ridden on was my hometown city park’s kiddie train, as a little thing.
Amtrak runs thru our small town, every day. There is a really nice station in my hometown, 45 min. west. Not many ride it in this area. It is sad that the US built excellent working railroads for hauling but, didn’t really put in the effort for people-moving. Amtrak doesn’t make money & the government has to subsidize. They have cut back on where they go. They have also had some terribly deadly accidents.
We Americans are in love with our personal vehicles, which, inevitability, creates traffic jams & multiple accidents. It is rare to get on our Interstate system, even with all the lanes and not run into an accident with miles of back-ups. If you are lucky, you can exit and get on the older US highway system that goes thru towns, instead of bypassing them. It is slower but, you see more.
Wanna see America? State highways. They are based on the old pioneer trails. The most fun me & the Marine had was getting lost in the Colorado mountains. We just wandered everywhere.
LikeLike
December 29, 2022 at 9:59 AM
See that just seems incredible… In the UK and in Europe, trains are just part of everyday life. I’d barely go a week without going on one… I do love trains, though, and would take one over a plane any day. I’ve done many overnight journeys (and my dream is to do the Trans-Siberian express, plus some extras, to take the train from Hong Kong back to the UK – though that’s looking very unlikely at the moment until Putin calms things down…) The longest journey I’ve done was the Amtrak to San Francisco – 55 hours or so. If I ever get back to America, I will hire a car and try the state highways!
LikeLike
December 29, 2022 at 11:55 PM
The bigger cities like New York, Chicago, Detroit…they have their trains and subways. That is part of their lives. San Fran has street cars. I was raised in a small town that has a strong railroad presence but, it was for hauling & freight, not people moving. The town’s original name was Company Shops, as they were for the railroad workers and family members. They eventually changed the name to Burlington. The town I live in now is even smaller than my hometown. The rail line runs right along the river. We hear Amtrak everyday and freight trains about once every two weeks. In fact, our local park has the rail line running right by it, crossing over a walk-way. You can stand and watch it pass by on the trestle. That’s how I know that not many people are on it. Six or seven sections/cars and very few people.
Amtrak didn’t exist prior to 1971. I can remember my maternal grandmother riding to see her sister up north in Maryland.
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December 30, 2022 at 4:30 AM
My most interesting American railway (railroad?) story is that my hometown is the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie, who was a big investor in steel and early US railways. Almost all the public buildings there were funded, and are named after, him. We even have a Carnegie Hall 🙂
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December 30, 2022 at 10:41 AM
Yeah. Railroad. Railway might be a term used up north but, definitely, here in the south, everyone says railroad.
I had to look up Carnegie’s birthplace. Dunfermline. New to me…. He emigrated at 12 to Pittsburgh with his parents. Now, I will have to find that on a map.
A LOT of Scots came to my state way back when. We still have an ongoing tradition of clan gatherings, Grandfather Mountain, in particular. I have been to several. In fact, the small town I am in has a strong Scottish presence:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr_Mount
Clan gatherings every year (except during the “coof”).
I have probably mentioned this before but, I am a direct descendant of Clan MacPherson, on my paternal side. My paternal grandmother’s mom was a Mary MacPherson. I just recently gave all the family photos to my paternal uncle, since my dad passed in August. My line stops with me (no kids) but, my uncle’s line continues.
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December 27, 2022 at 12:14 PM
Your number1sblog.com is fine. That is your URL. The “whatididinhongkong” link….was it a dot com or a dot blog?
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December 26, 2022 at 6:55 AM
Merry Christmas Vic, that is so pretty. Nothing prettier than Christmas trees, it is a soothing sight at night and only the tree lights on. 😉
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December 26, 2022 at 9:57 AM
Merry Christmas, Sandra.
That tree made a warm glow in a cozy den. I miss my years in Texas.
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December 26, 2022 at 10:02 PM
Lovely memories, Vic!
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December 26, 2022 at 11:04 PM
It was an interesting time in my life. I loved that house.
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December 10, 2023 at 11:46 PM
[…] busy with the Song Draft I was involved in from July to November. Plus, Christmas 2021 just sucked. Christmas 2022 wasn’t much better. I will do another “countdown” this year. Our small town likes […]
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