Hitchhiking through Sunday
I got a call Sunday morning, Bubba – cited by the City of Lockhart for his unsightly lawn care. The mere image of him, driving over to a friend’s place to borrow a riding lawn mower, then driving said lawn mower home \\through the streets of Lockhart\\ – what’s funny was I’m sure this was going to happen. I was relating this tale on the way to the gun show….
“Doesn’t count unless he’s got a beer in hand, or something,” my other buddy was explaining, “otherwise, it’s just normal.”
Me? At a gun show? I’ve always been intrigued by “wheel guns,” but I never got around to firing anything but a rifle. I’m pretty sure that will change this summer. Besides, I like the idea of getting a permit to carry handgun. So I was looking at the various wares offered up. Munched on some real beef jerky. Two signs really caught my attention, one was scattered throughout the gun show, “Texas Terrorist Hunting Permit: No Limit.” The other, was a display, a little off to one side, hand-lettered, “Guns ‘N’ Purses.” I love Texas and Texans. Sweet, polite, delicate, and well-armed.
So I got dropped off at Book People, to meet a client, slam some coffee, look at books, and read a few magazines for free. Ran into another client, a massage therapist. Standing there in the coffee corner at Book People, I had a sore spot in my neck worked on. Then I went back to reading one of several fishing journals.
I got that second big latte to go, walked over to Amy’s and got a scoop of Mexican Vanilla dropped in. Little City Coffee, Amy’s Ice Cream, life was good. Strolled across the Lamar Bridge, up and over to the Bob Marley Festival going on, got waved in, and I sat behind the “information” booth for a few hours. Had a plate of “Vegetarian Soul Food” – tofu done Cajun style.
The closing act was “Texodus,” I think that was the name. When I finally got back to the trailer, I looked – I had two stamps on my right hand, one for the gun show, and one for the reggae festival. Guess the two balance each other out just fine.
At the end of the day, I also dug a handful of business cards out of my pocket, something from the local burners, a ticket for a massage, information on local firing range, a card from a “concealed handgun license” instructor, and a ticket for a free hamburger at a local place. Must be springtime in Austin, what with the smell of lilacs in the air. The other thing that first morning call was about? Might get to see the Chemical Brothers at the Music Hall on Monday night.
