I Grow Up In Texas

Hello everyone ??

Anyone remember Crystals Pizza Palace in Irving??
Spent so many evenings in the cartoon theater, playing games and eating pizza with my cousin. Good times!

How many of you went to the Kowbell Rodeo in Mansfield, TX? It was located where Mansfield Legacy HS is now. Mom and dad would take me out when I was a kid, and I would run around chasing the calf with the hundred dollar bill tied to its tail...

Does anyone remember when this photographer use to go door to door in Odessa with his pony and take these pictures?

In the late 1890's early 1900's The Guitar family, John and Laura and their children, moved to Abilene Tx from Missouri. John Guitar was successful in helping with cotton production in this area. He had interest in Gins and Cottonseed mills. The family first lived in what was then a rural area where Sayles Blvd. is today. In 1910 he built this large Italian Villa style home on North First and Beech Street in Abilene. It soon became a "landmark." Most everyone in the Abilene area grew fond of what we called The Guitar Mansion. North First was a thru way to people travelling west and many folks saw the "Mansion." Sadly later John and Laura passed away. None of the family members wished to live in the home. Gradually it began to suffer from vandalism. It became a liability. The family made and effort to hire a night watchman to prevent vandalism but that failed. They finally decided to offer the home for sale. That failed. Ultimately they decided to have it demolished rather than see it deteriorate further. In 1963 Roy Hollis, who was famous for his demolition company.. He offered tours of the home to the public prior to demolishing it. I was fortunate to see the interior. A truly amazing house.. The top photo. This is what it looked like in it's prime The lower photo is from the late 1950's, toward the end..

Don Chencho, 103 years old, with his delivery cart in Port Isabel, circa 1935. He was known as Don Chencho but his real name was Inocencio Rosales. Here's the amazing thing: Inocencio helped build the lighthouse Port Isabel in 1852. He claimed to be 103 about the time this photo was taken. He may have been born in 1832, as his gravestone claims, or 1836. When he died in 1950 his family thought he was 120 years old. Inocencio was very well known in Port Isabel and had his photo taken with many tourists, perhaps thousands, over the years. Talk about stories to tell!!!

Goodnight Texas 🤠

No matter where life takes you…
there’s nothing like coming back home.

Sleep well, Texas..

If you don't love the Lone Star life, there’s plenty of road behind you. 🤠🇨🇱
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If you’ve ever lived in Texas… you KNOW this is 100% accurate 😂🔥
One minute you’re enjoying “spring”…
Next minute you’re questioning your life on the surface of the sun ☀️🥵
And just when you think fall is coming?
Boom… second summer says “not today.”
👉 Be honest… which season are y’all stuck in right now?

The "Nickel-Sized" Wonder
​Those hatchlings were the ultimate childhood treasure. They weren't just "cute"; they looked like miniature, prehistoric dragons that had somehow survived into the 20th century.
​The Texture: That strange, paper-thin sandpaper feel when they sat in your palm.
​The Belly: That surprisingly soft, pale underside compared to their armored backs.
​The Attitude: Even at the size of a coin, they had that stoic, "grumpy old man" expression that made them impossible not to love.
​Why Those Walks Home Are Rarer Now
​It’s bittersweet to think about, but those "dozens" of lizards we saw are much harder to find today. A few things changed the landscape:
​The Fire Ant Invasion: Invasive red fire ants moved in and wiped out the Red Harvester Ants—the "H***y Toad's" primary food source.
​Habitat Loss: The open, sandy lots we used to explore have mostly been turned into manicured lawns and strip malls.
​Pesticides: Chemicals meant to kill "pests" often took out the very bugs these little guys needed to survive.
​A True Texas Legend
​There’s a reason they became the state reptile. Beyond the "blood-squirting eyes" (the ultimate playground factoid), they represent a rugged, gentle side of the Texas wild. Seeing one today feels like finding a four-leaf clover—a lucky reminder of those long, hot walks home from school when the world felt a lot bigger and full of tiny dragons.
​Fun Fact: Did you know the Texas Horned Lizard was officially designated the State Reptile in 1993? Though to most of us, they’ve held the title in our hearts since we were five years old.

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Going to Prince's Hamburgers on the Gulf Freeway! It was the place! I can still almost taste my Hamburger with Onion Rings and a Chocolate Shake.
It was a Treat to go🍔🍟