Late in June we will return to Pecos for a multiclass reunion and are planning on attending one nights performance of the “RODEO”.  Havent been to one in years. That time of year used to bring a lot of excitement for Pecos.  We had a parade, which we usually watched from the side yard of my grandparents house on Hwy 80.  Ideal location.  It always meant that it was birthday time for me. (July 1st) .  That is not very exciting anymore as the Rodeo is now in June and I am not all that enthused that I am having another birthday.  This will mark a year that many of us can attend the “old Timers gathering” and actually be old timers.  That is depressing as hell actually.  After a certain age I quit going to the Rodeo and diverted my attention to the post performance dance held at the Posse barn.  That was great excitement because I dont remember ever going to a dance that a fight did not erupt.  Bull riders were notoriously dangerous.  The current leader in bull riding points looks like he is about 12 years old. A fight with him would be considered child endangerment.  My son, Eric , worked for the rodeo production company one year.  He was able to stay up really late at night, hang around people who dipped snuff and was exposed to unnamed vices I am sure.  As I remember, he spent all the money he was paid that week for a black satin jacket that had the company’s logo on the back.  Not many folks wear jackets in Pecos during the month of July.  I am not sure if he still has the jacket.  My in-laws loved the rodeo, especially my mother-in-law.  She loved to enter the Calcutta in roping.  For those not in the know, that is a form of betting on sports events that doesn’t sound like betting but allows you all the thrills of winning at betting.  You purchase a certain team or individual that is participating and should he win you receive a portion of all the money in the Calcutta pool.

I don’t think many from my particular graduating class will be there but, of course, will know almost everyone who will be, so  it will be a lot of fun.  We are planning on going to Ft. Davis and the swimming pool at Balmorhea.  We are going to show off those areas to a friend that is a visitor to where we grew up.  We will regale him with tales of daring do and maybe even a few lies thrown in just to embellish the story.  I used to love going to the mountains.  It was always cooler up there and sometimes there was water running in the creeks.  Very good places for a Sunday afternoon picnic.  Best fried chicken I ever ate was on a picnic like that.  Mrs. Jim Bennett cooked the chicken, and she was the best there ever was at that particular culinary skill, and we had buttered bread that had warmed above the back seat of the car.  Lord it was good eating.  And at that time the company was pretty good also.

I think all of us will miss Bens Spanish Inn.  That would be a real attraction if it suddenly reopened for the week.  Probably couldnt get in the door.  I could use a chile relleno about now.  Saw a variation of one last week that consisted of stuffed jalapenos.  I am thinking of trying the recipe.

Just rambling a bit, thinking of exciting times in the near future.  I wish more of you were coming to the reunion but some of you are not as spry as we used to be.  I understand.  I have been having problems with my hamstring.  Can you imagine, me, with a hammie.  I found out that you can develop a hamstring problem from sitting at a desk.  Hell, I always thought the only thing dangerous about being an accountant was if you spilled coffee in your calculator and got electrocuted.  I think I will tell everyone I got a hammie from walking the mall.

GC