Signs, signs, everywhere signs...........

Another ad on a pole, this time a plumbing business.

It's a little eerie, with what might be an angel carrying a pipe wrench and a plumber's snake chasing a child.

But now for something really different.....

At the corner of First and Kansas in Weslaco..........

is something............

....I don't understand at all!

Seen from a distance it looks like urban art, and I love urban art. When someone makes a statement on their lawn I applaud the boldness of the move. Sometimes I think they may be doing it only to aggravate a neighbor, or push the envelope of owner association rules. Whatever - I'm a HUGE fan or the absurd.

So I should just freakin' love this, right?

Well, it's kinda scary lookin'. I'm not sure if this was once a business or not. I can't even guess what kind of business it might have been other than a music store/head shop. There are some crudely painted pictures of what might be Jimmy Hendrix and Uncle Sam, and band's names are scrawled on the walls.

Note that the entire yard is fenced in. Is this to prevent theft or just protect the "art"?

The whole thing was so weird I didn't want to hang around and ask questions, so maybe that's the purpose of it all.

Cars On A Stick

Advertising your auto repair business with cars elevated on a pole is a common practice all over the country, but they really like it here in Texas.

An auto parts place in Alamo Texas along I-83 has set the standard.

An early 60's Thunderbird!

A 63 Avanti............

with the Nevada plate still on.

A 2-door Edsel

Fabulous grill, huh?

In all three years of production only a little over 118,000 Edsels were made.

And finally...

A 53(?) Nash!

These cars had a front seat that reclined all the way back making a bed. John's Grandfather owned one and they camped in it on fishing trips.

These are all collectible cars. I can't believe the owner hasn't taken them down and sold them. 

I'm amazed that they're still there, and with all the fenders and chrome attached!

Used Books

At a used book booth the following sign is displayed.

Is some romance uninspiring?

Is there a section for Sci-fi Romance?

Western Romance?

Photo credits to Vikki!

Brenda Visits!

Brenda flew down to visit this week.

Here she is having a Bloody Mary at Pier 19 in South Padre

It WAS a good looking drink, huh?

Brenda arrived sober.

Brenda enjoys a Margarita at Poncho's in McAllen.

Brenda having a Corona in the fifth wheel.

 A little red wine pre-hot tub and pool. To our credit nobody drowned.

On the bridge to Mexico.

Here she is in the country.

Having a Mexican beer in Mexico.

Having a mojito with Bella's help.

Brenda is a bad influence on me, as we have a pina colada in Mexico.

Brenda goes home sober despite my best efforts.

Aloe Vera

This is aloe vera in bloom.

When I told the owner I'd never seen it before she said this was a first for her too, and that many people had photographed it. The plant is about three feet tall.

  

Mystery Truck

I would never have guessed what this truck was made for.

On a recent trip to Mexico Joe Stackman pointed it out and told us what it was.

It's a portable X-ray truck, and not the kind that takes a film of your lungs.

It x-rays an entire truck looking for suspicious contents.

An arm comes out of the roof horizontally, another attaches vertically and the truck to be inspected drives through the resulting gate.

The traffic through the border, both ways, is far heavier than I'd thought it would be at this little tourist crossing.

Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday was not a day the Valley's reputation is built on.

It was dreary and cool, in the 50's with a light drizzle. Since the day was gloomy we opened all the shades to get as much light in as possible. The back window, behind the TV, is seldom uncovered.

The ladder has a clothes rack attached where we hang wet swim suits and towels.

Earl discovered another great feature that day.

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It's also a bird magnet!

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The windows have a mirrored tint, so the grackle has no idea that Earl is trying desperately to dig his way out with murder in mind.

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There are millions of grackles here in the Rio Grande Valley. Earl is sure the balance of nature wouldn't be overly affected if he got to kill just one.

Hi There, Norma!

Norma - even though we've never met, your son Joe Stackman tells me you read this blog.

Here's your boy getting his hair trimmed last week, with Freddie the Pug looking on.