Comments on: notes from west texas

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:58:55 +0000

oh how I miss texas!! Born and raised there.. have been living in seattle for 5 years now. worst mistake ever. I hate it here. I so want to move back to texas!! sigh..

By: bxabz

bxabz — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:57:21 +0000

http://ezgwa.com/ugtytgty.html >Google

By: Dave Armstrong

Dave Armstrong — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:31:50 +0000

I was raised on a cattle ranch in Montana and worked horseback until I went to college. We wore tall boots, with usually a 16 inch upper than came in just a few inches below your knees, in case of rattlesnakes. I’ve seen ‘em 5 feet long and as big as your forearm. We also wore chaps so when you get slammed up against something you have a little protection and additionally to avoid rope burns. I’ve got a set of Tony Lama custom made boots with Ostrich I wear today with tall 16 inch tops. I think the comment about boots over their knees was just a figure of speech. I am certain that cowboys with boots over their knees are not necessarily Transvestites, they just like high heels and patent leather — the high heels come in really handy to avoid getting stirrup hung, though they are not as rugged as a roper heel. Those boots are also really cute in the coffee shops while sipping a Cafe Latte Mocha and wearing your cowboy shirt with the pearl snap buttons on the pockets and the western stitching on the front.
Hugh, I can tell you are having a great time — I can read it in your posts. It sounds like a really healthy event in your life. Thanks for letting me post a little humor. And don’t forget the sunsets …
Best Wishes,
Dave

By: Peter Ralph

Peter Ralph — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 07:24:33 +0000

I live in cowboy country — Middle Park, Colorado — and have worked horseback on many cattle round-ups. I have never seen a cowboy with boots over his knees.
Are you sure they weren’t transvestites?

By: Crawford

Crawford — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:22:40 +0000

Great post, Hugh. Thanks. Made me wanna put on some Ry Cooder and grab a gallon jug of water and start walking.

By: Lee Porter

Lee Porter — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:56:20 +0000

What a surprise!
I’ve always said my two favorite artist are from the UK: Ralph Steadman and Hugh MacLeod.
I guess I’m way behind the times in reading about you. I just enjoy your work but a Texas boy! You’ve made my day.
lp

By: JTH

JTH — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:40:26 +0000

Marfa just made coverage on NBC Evening News …
Uh Oh

By: ML

ML — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:45:44 +0000

Love the Texas post. Being from Wyoming and now “city living” I’m nostalgic. The description of cowboys and manners was dead on. My Dad and brother are still ranchers there — it’s always amazing to go home. Not only do they wear Wranglers, they also wear boots — and only the dress boots have pointed toes.

By: JTH

JTH — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:06:04 +0000

Hugh
Good stuff
Haven’t been there since lord knows when
Motorcycling across West Texas (back in ’70’s) gives you sense of space.
Of course, motorcycling across the Dakota’s/Saskatchewan/Alberta can do the same.
Real Cowboys … check and I’d bet they also wear Wranglers, not Levi’s
Hope you have your Lyle Lovett tunes too. Maybe a bit of Asleep at the Wheel (Miles and Miles of Texas)
Off to London next week, but very short visit
Future son-in-law works in the “City”
Best
JTH

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:26:33 +0000

Gig ‘Em!
Welcome to Texas, Hugh. It’s been my home-state since I moved here in ’91. Birthed all 4 of my boys here, too!
Best Wishes!

By: michael

michael — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:53:11 +0000

I agree with the previous comments about Texas getting a bad rap…but Texas isn’t alone in that bad-rap-not-really-reality situation. Most places carry some sort of stigma.
I too have always thought I’d love to go rural. Either deep rural or deep urban and God help you stay out of the suburbs in-between.
And as you note, Hugh, the cost of living, and I know you mean Cost, is too high in the deep urban. Too high on all counts.

By: David Burn

David Burn — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:32:56 +0000

It’s interesting how you nest in the nether regions of northern England and now west Texas; yet appreciate NYC, London and Paris.
If you decide to make Alpine your base, where do you fly out of (for client meetings, conferences and such)? El Paso?

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:17:51 +0000

Is there anything you don’t write well about? Now a travel-log from TX. Engrossing post. Making me pine for my beloved Colorado. I’m currently living in a place with too many trees — I can’t see — not like I could — for miles in the west. Something about seeing that brings clarity of thought.

By: Todd Spraggins

Todd Spraggins — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:33:36 +0000

You ain't relaxed yet until you spend the day/night at Chinati Hot Springs. Take a good bottle of red and chill in the mineral hot springs. It's south of Marfa off of 2810 and Pinto Canyon Road. You will need your dad's pick-up truck as the road will beat up the rental. I saw more stars that night than at McDonald. The owners are real nice (like everyone down there) http://www.chinatihotsprings.com

By: John

John — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:54:17 +0000

Spot on description of West Texas. A native Texan (although at the other end of the state in SE Texas), so many lessons I never learned from my parents but at least I stuck with using “Ma’am” and “Sir.” It will get you far.
Most people don’t survive the first shift on a rig–you’re one tough hombre to have lasted a summer as a roughneck.
Great blog, great cartoons.
Cowboy up,
j