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| A cute touch: Empty peach can serves as a bill for upcoming acts |
Around Fredericksburg, Hondo Couch is legendary, both for his personality and his vision. He was named mayor of Luchenbach (After he invented the place). In our five nights in Fredericksburg, we spent three at Hondo's and two in Luchenbach. Five straight nights of high quality live music that cost us little more than a few tips in a can. Hondo said, "You can't forget memories." I agree, and our memory of Fredericksburg will be pleasant. Tonight we listened to a solo performer named Ben Beckendorf. As a guy who can play the radio, I'm constantly amazed at what it takes to perform on a stage in front of people, especially when they are not necessarily riveted to your performance. For a two hour show, a performer must master in the neighborhood of thirty songs. And many performers also interact with the crowd, encourage audience participation, or generate the dancing spirit. What a gift, and what memories we've imprinted on this part of the adventure. Tomorrow, we beat feet West three hundred twenty miles to Balmorhea State Park, a place renown for its fresh spring. By the end of the week we'll be out of Texas, but hopefully not out of the Texas state of mind. I've come to appreciate Texas pride, Texas humor, and Texas hospitality. It's real. This morning we attended mass at St. Mary's. What an exquisitely beautiful church, which was full at the nine o'clock service. Maybe it's the strong Catholic presence that makes me feel so comfortable here. St. Mary's has a strong school, a strong senior out reach, and a strong Eucharistic teaching program. At mass, there were not one but several squealing babies squawking like rhythm riffs in a band. Nobody seemed to mind. In fact, there was one part of the mass that I've never seen before. At one point, they called the children forward, and then paraded them out to Sunday school with the congregation singing a chorus of Jesus Loves Me, This I Know to them while holding outstretched hands in blessing. The idea of family is strong here in Texas. The rest of the day, we spent readying ourselves for the next leg: washing, cleaning, shopping, the usual. On a disturbing note, the wily cager pulled some Wiebe Jeebie moves, including a head slapping Veinte Quatro (Some say Van Kat) to tie the score. Tomorrow morning we'll decide the Fredericksburg Open over our oatmeal. So much for my early lead. Over all, we've really enjoyed Texas, especially of late. They say that live music is good for the soul. In that case, our souls are brimming, which means of course that life is good, especially today.
St. Mary's is by far the most beautiful Catholic (Or any for that matter) church we've been in on our trip. Besides this ornate altar, the stained glass was brought from Germany in the early 1900s.
Every part of the walls and ceilings are hand painted. the pastor didn't speak from the raised lectern, but it's impressive nonetheless. The picture doesn't adequately show the intricate woodwork on it or on the pews themselves. It truly is a place built on the premise of adoration.
The corner steeple has three bells (Also brought from Germany) and the spire can be seen from a very great distance.
The Texans have their traditions and we have ours. Semel with cheddar cheese and strawberry jam before church is one.
Definitely not thin gruel.
Fried potatoes, eggs, and coffee after church on Sunday. An upgrade from our daily oatmeal.
Stir fry for dinner, prepared with love in Cafe Frac. Notice the sad that the black pegs have crossed the finish line. Sudden death tomorrow.
At Hondo's they make a batch of fresh tamales every week and sell them until they run out The Hunny Bunny gave the masa a thumb's up, but concluded that her tamales were better.
Ben Beckendorf on stage. Notice that Hondo's doesn't stand on appearances, and none of the performers we watched seemed to care that the stage doubled as a storage area. The message is: It's the music that matters.
Well worn hard wood floors, wooden tables and chairs, stone walls, and Hondo memorabilia all over the walls, along with the live music and well made food make the place welcoming.
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