There has been much written lately about the “circle” at the old Pecos army air force base and many more people admit to going there than would have ever admitted it at the time we were of an age to go.  There were also other areas in that same vicinity, known as the “freshman circle”, the square, etc.  All were places where it was fun to go as long as no one knew you were there except if everybody went and then it was absolutely the place to be and you wanted everyone to know you were there.  A phenomenon.

Pecos had a number of such mysterious places.  The old beer joint north of town kind of in the vicinity of the acid delinter plant.  Did anyone ever go there?  I guess not.  I remember one local tough who chanced going there and it was the beginning of the demise of his reputation as a terminal bad a–.  “Catman”.  Some one beat him up one night out at that beer joint and his head looked like a squash.  He wasnt so tough after that.  That was always an example to me of why boys shouldnt attempt to be men before they really are.  Boys are rarely as bad and mean as the men they run into in such places.

COS (change of subject)

Our granddaughter arrived last evening for a week visit with us.  We havent had her often so it will be somewhat of a treat.  I can tell already that we are going to have a minor adjusting period over the food situation.  In my efforts to be a good host I always consider my house guest’s dietery needs.  In making my weekly shopping list I asked her what she ate.  She eats chicken.  What she does not eat is beef, of any kind.  It makes her want to vomit, makes her stomach hurt, her eyes blur and several other symptoms,  She does not eat fish because it smells.  She does not eat pork because it is from an unclean animal.  I was unaware that there were any muslims in my family but I guess there is.  Her vegetable list of likes is about the same length.  She eats brocolli. She does not eat green beans, green peas, will eat cauliflower if prepared as if it was mashed potatoes and would not touch a brussel sprout if I took a cane pole to her.  Asparagas is not on the list of things she will eat.  She is carb counting so that eliminates the use of potatoes of any kind.  So, we are pretty much down to chicken and brocolli.  I have a massive collection of cookbooks but I can assure you there are not over 5 recipes that contain those two ingredients.  She finally admitted that she had brought along some dietary supplements that could be mixed with milk, just in case she found out that she had arrived in Biafra, Africa or a place where chicken and brocolli was unknown.  Oh, did I mention that she is a teen?

To enhance my enjoyment of my recent semi-retirement I purchased, yesterday, a hunting/camping/fishing vehicle.  A 2004 Chevy Tahoe.  It is a fine automobile that has every bell and whistle on it that an outdoorsman like myself would possibly want or need.  We have Bose radio, cd, xm, player and more radio buttons than I know what to do with.  I bet I am going to be able to pick up KOMA when I get the chance to play with it.  I loaded it up with Hank Williams, Leann Rimes, Sons of the Pioneers and Elton John.  There is nothing that will clear out a campfire quicker than someone turning on an Elton John album.  I am fairly certain Elton wears pink camo.  It has plenty of room for my water can, my ice chest, my camp chair, cook stove, tent, and various places for weapons and knives and hatchets.  Throw in a few cast iron pots and my ole skillet and I am ready to go.  Now I need for the weather to break a bit and the first cold front to come through and I am on the road again.  Dorothy thinks I have probably gone around the bend in the river of sanity but she going to the stock car races tonight, for the first time, just to be a team player.  Good woman, even if she doesnt own a boat.

Vasco de Cowan, explorer of mind and country