Lazy Day in Halletsville

Last Thursday, Becky and I made a road trip to Halletsville. Why, I don't know? It got a courthouse I wanted pictures of. So we took off, and spent most the day there poking around. We took pictures of the square and of the businesses. By accident we found the city museum. I didn't know this but back in the 20's, 30's, and 40's, Halletsville and many of the surrounding towns had pro baseball teams that were part of the Texas Baseball League. The musuem has a room dedicated to the history of the league and various teams.

While at the museum we found out where the locals go ot eat- The Bellaire. The lunch special that day was roast beef or grilled pork chops, german potatoes, green beans, sauerkraut pickled beets, and chocolate cake for dessert. All for $5.65 We also found out where the city cemetary was and discovered something else. The cemetary was divided into 3 sections. One sections for us commoners, one for the Catholics, and one for the Jews. Now the Jewish section was fenced off form the rest of the cemetary. I know there has to be some kind of reason and story behind this. I may have to do some more research. You never know what you will find when you visit small towns.

We came home by way of Yoakum, and I picked up a new leather billfold for $3 at the tandy outlet store there. All in all a lazy day fill of surprises. Here are pictures of the courthouse, the cemetary, and the statue of a lady we found at the cemetary.

Opening Day

This last Saturday was opening day for deer hunting using a rifle here in south Texas. If it can happen, it happened to me this opening day. First, I get to the stand I am hunting in before daylight, and come face to face with a wild boar hog, a big one. Here it is dark, I am holding a flashlight, and my gun isn't even loaded, and I am 5 yards from a wild pig. I didn't have much choice, so I stomped my feet and grunted at him and he took off. That got the blood flowing. I get in the stand, set there awhile, and as the sun is coming up, I here a noise behind me. I turn and look and here is a raccoon crawling up a tree limb towards me. He's about 5 feet away. Now, I do not want to tangle with a raccoon up in a tree stand or on the ground. I turn my flashlight on him and hiss, and he takes off at a dead run. Ok, I am thinking any deer around here are going to be long gone with all the noise and movement I have made. I was wrong. Not five minutes go by, when a doe and yearling step out. They won't come on into the clearing however. They stamp around and blow, and then finally leave. Then I hear them, those stupid hogs are back, not just one but a whole herd of them. That's what scared the deer off. Besides they are eating all the corn out of the feeder. Enough is enough, I am now irritated and in hog hunting mode. I shot the smallest one first and planned on shooting everyone that stuck his nose out into the clearing. Well, the hogs all ran off and didn't come back. I had one dead, laying right by my feeder. I decided to get down out the stand, and move the hog over into the brush, with the idea that the deer just might come back. Wouldn't you know it, I am halfway down the ladder when out walks a doe at about twenty yards. Alright, you get the picture. i am climbing down a ladder stand with no gun, making all kinds of noise. I got still for about two minutes and decided, I might as well climb back up in the stand, I've got nothing to lose. Low and behold, the doe pays no attention to me, she is more interested in the dead hog. Now the hunting gods must have had pity on me, it wasn't 5 or 6 minutes when a nice 8 point buck walks out. He too, is more interested in dead hog than me, and the rest is history. All of these events all took place in the span of about two hours. It was one of the most interesting hunting adventures I have ever been on. The facts:
8 point buck with 18 inch inside spread, weights about 135 pounds.
one wild pig, weights about 60 pounds.
two pigs got way, but I am laying for them
two raccoons who will soon see my 22 rifle

Fresh backstrap in the freezer!

Because you asked, here it is!

Not that I need it in South Texas, but here is my recipe for snow ice cream. If you make some enjoy.

Snow Ice Cream

Large mixing bowl of fresh snow
1-2 c. Milk (any type is fine, but whole milk is best)
1-2 tsp. Vanilla Extract or other flavoring
1/2 - 1 c. Sugar

Take your large bowl of snow and stir the snow around a bit to fluff it up. Now quickly stir in just enough milk to make the right consistency of ice cream. Start with about 1/2 cup and keep going until you have enough to make the snow creamy. If you add too much milk and it becomes runny, just add some more snow. Then stir in a little vanilla and sugar, and Viola, you've got yourself some homemade snow ice cream! You can also add some other flavoring such as chocolate or strawberry syrup if desired, but I recommend having it plain at least the first time, it just tastes more snowy that way. The snow ice cream can be put in the freezer and saved for later, but it's best served immediately.