Author: rakeeter

Quitaque
by rakeeter
Renee and Joyce

Friday we drove to Quitaque to visit Renee.  It had been about 18 months since we saw here last, in spite of promises to make the effort to visit more often both ways.  Although Renee has been in Amarillo a number of times in the interim, she was visiting an elder sister in poor health and that took up her time.

We took the scenic route to Quitaque which is SH 207 from Claude.  It goes down and through the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River below Palo Duro Canyon State Park and is picturesque.  It also crosses Tule Canyon.  If you haven’t made that drive I recommend it.  There isn’t any significant time difference between that route and driving to Tulia and taking a left.  We left home about 8:30 and got home after dark.   Continue reading “Quitaque” →

War between the states
by rakeeter

 

A Rambling Reminiscence of Experiences During the Great War Between the States

by Jacob Harris Rockwell

Chapter I

More than half a century has rolled by since the beginning of the gigantic struggle.  It would be marvelous indeed for one to commit to memory, without erring in any of the incidents occurring in such varying experiences, and if I should err in any of the brief statements, I hope some comrade will kindly correct me so here goes for the first random shot.

I make no claim to a brilliant war record but, to me, there were many thrilling experiences.

On the 14th of June, 1861 I enlisted as a private soldier in a cavalry company of Missouri State Guards, commanded by Captain T.W. Cruse.  The company was know as the Salina Company Mounted Rifles.  I was enlisted for six months, and our first encounter with the Yankee army was at Booneville, Missouri on the 17th, three days after the enlisting period.  There was no worry waiting for action in a real war.  We were all raw recruits. The troops that we met were seasoned soldiers, well-armed and equipped.  We were pushed back, with small loss on either side.  This took place on the Lamine River.  The next morning, conceit run out of us, we took up the line of march south to meet General Sigel at Carthage, Missouri. Continue reading “War between the states” →

Montye moon
by rakeeter

OK, let’s just call it the Montye moon in honor of Mom’s 108th birthday.

It was a mild evening and Joyce and I had finished dinner when the super moon began to show above the tree line, ideal conditions and good subject for a little night photography. Continue reading “Montye moon” →

Thanksgiving
by rakeeter

Our weather for the whole week of Thanksgiving couldn’t have been any nicer.  The Wylies arrived Monday and non-stop hilarity ensued, at least among the Wylie girls plus Li’l r.  Jill and Dave both had to work on Tuesday and even some on Wednesday.  Jill’s job is really demanding a lot from her right now but hopefully the frenetic pace won’t continue much longer. Continue reading “Thanksgiving” →

Fox trot
by rakeeter

Recently while sitting at my desk in my room, I saw a fox lope across the backyard.  We haven’t seen any foxes around for quite some time.  When I mentioned seeing one to Joyce, she said she and Kari had noticed a lot of fox scat when walking around the place earlier in the day.  That may mean there are more than one. Continue reading “Fox trot” →