Something Tougher Than My Children

Uno Lampino

El Hubbo started the conversation with "Now, promise you won't kill him." That immediately got my attention. "He broke one of your lamps when he came in the house with the weed eater. Like beyond repair." I asked, "Why was he bringing the weed eater through the house?" "Well, he cleaned it up and he feels bad," El Hubbo said. "I thought I should call and give you warning. We've spent so much time and money getting him to this point....." "Ugh." I hung up. Upon my arrival home, I saw the lampshade on the counter. Then I saw the boy child. I grabbed him in a big hug. "Your daddy called and told me you wanted to take me lamp shopping. That is so sweet of you!" He looked a bit bewildered but relieved that I had not immediately gone for the jugular. "Uh, yeah, ok." "I'm so excited that I'm getting new lamps for the living room!" "Wait? Lamps? Don't you mean 'l...

Medical Sparring

My father. The infamous Oso. The Bear. Just as when one is dealing with his spirit animal, one should always proceed with caution with my paternal parental unit. Not everyone is ready for his wit and charm, but doctors in particular seem to struggle with quite how to deal with the man. In Oso's not-so-humble opinion doctors are by-and-large "quacks". The many years of medical training they have is bunk, and they have no idea what they are talking about. He has stretched the patience of more than one member of the AMA, leading one to proclaim my father "the most non-compliant patient I have ever seen." And, this particular doctor used to be a prison doctor! That statement actually exists in a medical chart. It also happen to provide my father with a peculiar point-of-pride. In his mind, this meant he won. With mom's passing, I have inherited the dubious honor of accompanying my father to the more important doctor visits. W...

Texas, Our Texas!

Fires, tornadoes, drought, and now a hurricane. It has been a rough time for our Lone Star State. I felt like she needed a love letter. Early in the year, fires in the panhandle had trucks come up the highways and interstates providing assistance to panhandle families who had lost family, herds, fences, and feed. Now, in the wake of Harvey, those trucks have been turned around, and the Panhandle sends them back full to the coastal families who now find themselves in need. (Our mamas taught us you never return a dish empty.) Our hearts ache for our fellow Texans on the coast. We know too well the feeling of loss. Regardless of the challenges ahead of us, we Texans generally manage to rise to the occasion. We don't have time to worry about those things that really don't matter. We have a job to do. I'm proud of my state and her residents. Those of us who trace our lineage back to the very founding of this Great State have had...

West Texas Mama

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