I received a letter

Back in the day when people wrote letters to one another, one was written to me on January 3, 1971.

That letter congratulated me on my achievement of Eagle Scout and gave me encouragement in my future endeavors. It meant a lot to me at my Court of Honor a few weeks later ... and I recall it today as its writer has passed away.

Robert C Byrd, Jr. was the senior senator from West Virginia and the longest serving lawmaker in US history.

On the day he wrote my letter, he defeated Sen Ted Kennedy as the Senate Majority Whip (I remembered the event, and being a native of West Virginia was proud of the achievement - so I can go to the history books to find the date, not relying totally on my memory as Sen. Byrd did in reciting poetry, Roman and British history, and personal references). I know it came through his staff, but staffs in 1971 were much smaller than. And it contained some personal comments that were, no doubt, from the senator.

I remembered that letter and today we remember Sen. Byrd.

Sen. Byrd should be remembered as an example of redemption. I'm watching CNN. They've already mentioned "it." We'll read in papers and hear elsewhere that Robert Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. (He did that as a young man and called it "the albatross he will always wear around my neck.") As a senator, he opposed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court and filibusters against the Civil Rights Bill. In years that passed, Sen. Byrd told everyone he was wrong in those instances (and in numerous others). He changed his mind ... he grew ... he corrected what he felt he had done wrong.

Perhaps THAT is what we should remember most and carry forward from the service of Robert Byrd. That you CAN change your mind, you CAN say "I was wrong" ... you CAN ask for forgiveness. That's NOT being wishy-washy. That's growing up (even if you're in your 70's ... 80's ... 90's).

Sen. Byrd was known as the "King of Pork" for his ability to get money funneled to West Virginia. I've heard the figure of $3 Billion in his 50-something years. Having been a disciple of Lloyd Bentsen and Henry Jackson ... "Princes of Pork" during their terms in the House and Senate ... I don't have a problem with that. "Pork" is why the Johnson Space Center is in Houston (and why rockets are launched in FL, researched in VA and AL, and tested in MS). I want MY senators and MY representatives to bring home that "bacon" to Texas. It's why I vote for them (yes, I have crossed party lines to vote for Kay)!!! Robert Byrd knew how to help out the "impoverished and land locked state of West Virginia" better than anyone.

But I remember the senator today, because, years ago, Robert Byrd helped my grandparents. And it involved a letter ... or two.

Neither of them could drive to the post office in Nellis, West Virginia. They'd stop by on Sunday and Wednesday when they went to church, carried by friends or the church bus of the Pilgrim Holiness Church.. They'd get their mail when my school teacher aunts had the chance to bring it to them. But back in the day when letters and the mail were integral forms of communication, when most citizens expected (and even took for granted) daily delivery through "rain or sleet or gloom of night" ... my grandparents were at the mercy of others ... but they were served by THEIR senator.

Sen. Byrd received several letters from my mom regarding the lack of rural delivery in West Virginia, not only to her parents, but a number of others on Brush Creek. I was quite young, but I can remember the day when we put up a shiny silver mail box in front of their house on Boone Co Hwy 1. I'm sure there was a letter from Sen. Byrd in there a time or two as well.

Robert Byrd was Dedicated and Devoted; Complicated and Controversial; a Son and a Servant of the people.

When asked in an interview about all the things in his home state that bore his name ... buildings, highways, bridges, roads ... he said that in the end, that's all nice, but when they opened him up, Robert Byrd hoped all would see "West Virginia" written on his heart and THAT was what was most important to him.

Amen!

Eating in Austin

As much is Austin is a football town, Austin is a food town! My favorite place to eat is Threadgill's - both the original place on N Lamar and the place I like best on Barton Springs at Riverside. Both have great a place in Texas history.

http://www.threadgills.com/

Biggest reason I like them - no matter who goes with you, everyone in your party will find something they like. Texas country favorites are on the list (Chicken Fried Steak, Pecan Crusted Chicken) as well as burgers, meatloaf, and grilled items. There's even Liver and Onions which I hear are good but NO amount of money will ever get me to eat. There's also all kinds of sides - 28 choices. Now, I'm a meat and potatoes guy - but mostly MEAT. But they have GREAT vegetables. My faves are the San Antonio Squash, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Texas Black-Eyed Pea Caviar, and Garlic Cheese Grits Threadgill's offers a 3-choice or 5-choice plate. And while they don't ADVERTISE all you can eat, you do get refills. They have great portions, good prices.

My next favorite place is Mandola's Italian Market. They have two locations, the original on N Lamar at Guadalupe in The Triangle, and the new one out on Bee Cave Road. I went to college with Damian Mandola (co-founder of Carrabba's) and that surely might prejudice this recommendation were it not for the good food ... and the happy responses from others! It's a casual atmosphere. They have good Italian food (to go and sit down, as well as menu and table service). There meats and food in the Deli. An then there's DESSERTS!!! Cakes, cookies, gelato - yum! Lots of choices and sampling is encouraged!!!

Ohhh ... Damian also has a winery with an adjoining restaurant ... link below - review comes later!

http://www.mandolasitalianmarket.com/

http://mandolaestatewinery.com/

Across the parking lot from mandola's Italian Market is Flying Saucer ... aka - BEEEEEEEER! 75 taps from all over the world, including Austin and the Hill Country.

I HAD to eat at Bess Bistro because it's owned by Sandra Bullock. I'll come back because of the food. They offer half price appetizers (they're called "morsels" on the menu) for happy hour (2:30 - 6:30 M-F), daily specials, and brunch on Sunday. They have a wonderful atmosphere - nice but not pretentious.

I had the Smoked Bacon Mussels for $5. There were 18 in a great tomato bisque with a bacon ragout. But the pan grilled garlic-butter chiabatta bread ... OMG!!! The bread MADE the meal. Okay - everything else was well crafted, and who expects 18 mussels in an appetizer? It was dinner for me on a Friday evening. They "only" had 4 beers taps and I was thinking - sure, B, M, C and SB (Shiner Bock) ... but NO - Austin Amber, Purple Haze, Hop Devil and Pecan Porter. Yummmmmm! Great choices. BTW - I missed Sandra by 18 hours. According to my sources, so did most other in the restaurant as she sat unassumingly at a table with baby Louis, her hair pulled back, no make-up, and blue jeans.

http://www.bessbistro.com/

A surprise find was the Texas Embassy on 6th Street - Cuban food! The traditional Cuban sandwich was spot on to Tampa ... 16 beers on tap at $4 per pint was great. It's touted as a gathering spot for games - there's a back porch and upstairs. I was there with Neal Scott for the World Cup (USA- England). We sat at the bar and had a 50-inch TV within easy eye sight. I loved the restroom doors - pay attention when running to the bath rooms!!!

http://www.texasembassyaustin.com/

Austin is a BBQ town. Uncle Billy's Brew and 'Cue on Barton Springs and Stubbs are two places I've eaten. They do well with whatever you like. I'm a sausage guy.

Uncle Billy's has moist and tender BBQ, generous portions, plentiful fried okra ... and very tasty home-brewed beer. There's a Honky-Tonk Happy Hour sat and Sunday 2-6 ... and it what Austin is all about. one word - Go!!!

http://www.unclebillysaustin.com/

Stubb's is close to the downtown action, just a few steps off Sixth Street. It's been ages since I was there but the line down Red River on a recent Friday night shows there's something worth waiting for inside ... like fried green tomatoes, smoked duck quesadillas, and Texas onion rings!

http://www.stubbsaustin.com

Out on Bee Cave Road towards Driftwood is Salt Lick BBQ. It's a wonderful place with spacious grounds. Expect a wait at prime times. The meats are good but I pretty well stuffed myself with their slaw.

http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

There's also a little blue stand on the corner of 7th street and Nueces that has GREAT food and you can see it being cooked on the pit outside. Nothing fancy ... but honest, hard-working folks making great food at a great price ... $3 and $4 sandwiches.

Austin also has lots of good Mexican food. The tried and true is Matt's El Rancho. If you drive to the east side of I-35 into the Hispanic areas, there are lots of good places.

http://www.mattselrancho.com/

Once place I'd never visited was The Oasis. It has the best sunsets in Texas, and it was lovely the night I was there. We had great guacamole and good queso on chips which were way too thick and mass produced (I like my chips thin and crispy). I asked a friend what was good on the menu and he said it was all down hill from there. I've heard the same comments from friends in the two weeks after my visit. The hamburger I had was edible but not memorable. But the sunset ... awesome ... bring your camera!!! Learn to use your manual setting or you'll miss out on spectacular pix!!!!

http://www.oasis-austin.com/

Again - the opines here are my own. yes, LOTS of places I've missed and many I wanna try - Artz Ribs, a cupcake place, Taco Hut and more.

Life's uncertain - eat dessert first!