Back to nature, back in time

Brakes Bayou is an secret nature preserve in the heart of Beaumont off of the Neches River. The bayou, which used to serve as an important commercial link for the city in historic times, is now a rarely accessed excursion back in time. This Cardinal and his lady were branch hopping about half way up the bayou. I suppose that for a bird, this is perfect setting. Most of the bayou is surrounded by swampy, fertile areas.
--steve buser

Neches River, Beaumont, Texas, bayou

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The Spindletop Gush blows again in Beaumont

The Spindletop Gusher which usher the age of oil into Texas blew again today in Beaumont

The precious, sparkling liquid shot more than 100 feet above the derrick. Above, the man under the derrick is catching some of the precious spray in his hat.

It was, of course, a re-enactment, together with the actors, a throng of watchers, Tracy Byrd's "Spindletop Song" about the early 1900's event, and 10,000 gallons of water (sorry, liquid gold is too precious and too messy).

The occasion was to mark Lamar University's successful employee contribution drive to its fund-raising campaign. The event was held at the LU Gladys City/Boomtown museum -- a replica of a town at the time the gusher blew -- the largest gusher that had ever blown in the U.S. It started a gold rush in Southeast Texas and brought plentiful and cheap oil to fuel the new car craze sweeping the nation.

--steve buser

Spindletop, gusher, oil, Texas, Beaumont, Lamar University
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Dinosaur discovered in Beaumont

Our  grandkids, Sullivan and Sophie were babysitting us this weekend.  While Nanny Linda and Sophie were taking a nap, Sullivan (AKA Dr. Indiana Jones) and I decided to see if we could discover a newdinosaur in one of this Easter presents (The Easter Bunny is sure getting creative these days). Together we worked our way through the earhen block from a dinosaur discovery kit,untl we had unearthed al the bones of what appears to be an Tyrannosaurus Rex.   I think it may have been the first such discovery in our neighborhood.  Now, I am ready for a nap.

--steve buser

Dinosaur kit, Beamont Texas, discovery

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Nature's own spin

Did you play with whirlybird seeds as a kid?

Their shape makes them spin like a helicopter when they are dropped. It's fun to go out on a windy day and watch them circle down to the ground from Maple trees, Ash trees and others.

We used to spend hours at my grandmother's house throwing them into the air to watch them spin.

Free fun.

I'm pretty sure it was Wanda over on Brush Strokes from the Heart that noted some time back that we should be more appreciative of free pleasures such as libraries, parks etc.

Whirlybirds were a free part of our world when we were young -- a world full of fascinations.

-steve buser

Whirlybirds, Maple Tree, kids, fun, helicopter seeds

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