About


UPDATE: Note from Jeanne: Jack Purcell, aka “Old Jules” passed away in April of 2020. All subsequent posts are older reprints from other blogs he had or writings of his from other locations.

This blog is the reflections of a man late in life carrying a brain that’s travelled a seemingly impossible, certainly unlikely, and admittedly sometimes banal journey beginning during WWII and threading through the social experiment that was the last 69 years.

I’m sharing it with you because there’s almost no likelihood you’ll believe it.  I wouldn’t expect you to, you being who you are.

‘Poor New Mexico! So far from heaven, so close to Texas!’
Manuel Armijo,  Mexican governor of the territory of Nuevo México,  1841

New Mexico’s not so far from Texas today as it was in 1841.  Not even so far as it was in the 1950s when I was growing up in the New Mexico desert near the boundary between the two, so close to Texas the people further west referred to it as ‘Little Texas’.

“Little Texas” is a term that carries heavy baggage in a geography where Hispanics occupy the dominant ethnicity and settled it long enough ago to embrace cultural memories of conquering the place, snatching it from the people who lived there when they arrived, were driven out and slaughtered by the descendants of the earlier occupants, then re-conquered it after a decade-or-so.

The earthquake of self-image descending from Texans defeating Mexican forces on the battlefield at San Jacinto, the resulting Texan scorn toward ‘Mexicans’, followed by a long series of military and civilian armed invasions set the inevitable Hispanic views toward Texans in concrete, if not granite.

The irony of growing up in ‘Little Texas’ planted me firmly in schizoid territory of hating Texans and scorning Mexicans:  of being appalled to discover the county just to the west was named Chavez County.   Dumbfounded when some young friend came back from a trip to Las Cruces with the news, “They have MEXICAN cops over there!”  But frequently sitting in a barbershop listening to redneck farmers from Muleshoe, Herford and Plainview pronouncing self-stupidity in terms even a nine-year-old could recognize.

Schizoid began the journey and schizoid has always been there in the passenger seat pointing out the mile markers, the freeway exits, the next turns.

But it’s been interesting.  Possibly even unusual.

Old Jules

The Pilgrim:  Chapter 33 by Kris Kristofferson

See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans
Wearin’ yesterday’s misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money, love, and dreams
Which he spent like they was goin’ outa style

And he keeps right on a’changin’ for the better or the worse
Searchin’ for a shrine he’s never found
Never knowin’ if believin’ is a blessin’ or a curse
Or if the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down

He’s a poet, he’s a picker
He’s a prophet, he’s a pusher
He’s a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he’s stoned
He’s a walkin’ contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction
Takin’ every wrong direction on his lonely way back home

He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars
And he’s traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin’ from his devils, lord, and reachin’ for the stars
And losin’ all he’s loved along the way

But if this world keeps right on turnin’ for the better or the worse
And all he ever gets is older and around
From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse
The goin’ up was worth the comin’ down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NAaiRYUBos&feature=related

My partner on this blog is Jeanne, whose contact info is under the Admin. tab.

Jeanne’s an old friend. She and her family had a cabin on the continental divide about a mile from me during Y2K. One day after Y2K didn’t happen and it was plain I was going to have to go back to town to live I was burning a lot of heavyweight stuff I’d hauled around all my life almost, and she showed up with her kids, saw what I was doing. She asked if, instead of burning it, they could take it. Tons of my early writing, the only manuscripts for several novels, all manner of things that would no longer exist.

For years Jeanne had been after me to start a blog and use some of those early writings and things I’ve written since, all of which she had copies of. But my slow connection makes it a time-consuming process and I simply wasn’t interested in spending my time that way. But when she got a high speed connection we talked about trying it that way, and a piece of what’s here is part of what she has stored. If I don’t feel like writing anything she drags something up from the past and posts it.

She also pulls things out of the mass of what she has and posts them on wossname, the thing people go to to connect, the name escapes me… another one of these Internet things. She posts short Ask Old Jules things frequently there.

( from Jeanne: He’s talking about Facebook.)

Anyway, I’ve got more projects going on here than I can say grace over and I never intended to get as involved as I have in the blog. She was going to administer it and handle most of it and if I wanted to write something it would be here. Maybe sometime it will come to that. She’s got material enough to keep it going for years if I died today.

 

Here’s a link to a post she wrote about how we met:
https://sofarfromheaven.com/2011/09/10/to-live-is-to-fly/

211 responses to “About”

  1. Paul Handover | September 30, 2011 at 11:24 AM | Reply

    Jules, Wow, you write beautifully! Thanks for stopping by Learning from Dogs allowing me to discover your great thoughts and wonderful ideas. Best wishes, Paul (an old Englishman living in Payson, Arizona!)

    • Old Jules | September 30, 2011 at 11:29 AM | Reply

      Hi Paul. Thanks for coming by. Good country you’ve found yourself in. Learning from animalcules seems to me to be about the only learning we can get that keeps hanging together after the new wears off. I enjoyed your blog. Gracias, Jules

  2. Sharon K Owen | October 3, 2011 at 1:31 PM | Reply

    Hi Jules. Love your blog. I live in the country as well in a small cottage with two cats. Life is simple and good.

  3. Cheri | October 5, 2011 at 5:56 PM | Reply

    Thanks for liking my cat picture. I draw a picture of my cat Link everyday. I am currently at about 225. That kind of sums up my life right now. He is working on my bucket list for me. Great blog.

  4. wonderingpilgrim | October 9, 2011 at 9:52 AM | Reply

    Thanks for dropping by, Jules. This page alone is inspiring enough to keep this pilgrim persevering!

  5. Arz Sra | October 9, 2011 at 1:34 PM | Reply

    Jules, You have something very un-explainable in the way you write. Something very beautiful. In my native language its called ‘Barkat’ – A certain touch.

    Thanks for sharing

  6. scillagrace | October 9, 2011 at 8:54 PM | Reply

    Hey, Old Jules. Thanks for stopping by my blog and introducing your “likeable” self. Browsing through your writing, I was reminded of a conversation I once had about Johnny Cash and “grit”; that quality is something that I appreciate, but have a hard time acquiring (being so Anglo-Saxon and all). But here’s what I like: its authenticity and honesty. I’m hoping to get there in my own way. Here’s a quote from the liner notes of Johnny Cash: Unchained – “Sometimes at night. When I hear the wind. I wish I was crazy again.”

  7. carpathianpeasant | October 9, 2011 at 11:12 PM | Reply

    So very interesting and so very well written.

    Thanks for the “Like.” It’s good to know a late ramble is likeable.

  8. catharticbard | October 12, 2011 at 8:17 AM | Reply

    Thanks for popping by CatharticBard earlier. It’s good to know that my new blog is out there in the ethersphere.

  9. plantkiller | October 12, 2011 at 3:57 PM | Reply

    Old Jules, I was very grateful to find you through your “like” on plantkiller today. What an amazing world it is we live in, when a meandering mom in Massachusetts can randomly read the thoughts of a writerly “schizoid” in Texas and see pictures of how he fixed his roof with a hand-me-down pipe… and multiple photos of goat carts. All from the laptop on her dining room table. Looking forward to following your adventures… and watch out for those copters!

  10. Coming East | October 14, 2011 at 10:58 AM | Reply

    Thanks for stopping by my blog, Jules. Thought I’d visit you, too. Though we’ve lived in Virginia for three years now, we moved here from San Antonio where we lived for nearly 30 years. San Antonio and Austin are two of the best darn cities in the US, in my opinion. We used to love to drive to Austin “the back way,” going through Blanco and Dripping Springs. Gorgeous country. I miss it so much. It will always be a part of my heart.

    • Old Jules | October 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM | Reply

      Hi Coming East. That country over from Santone up to beyond Georgetown and Liberty Hill has all become almost unrecognizeable it’s so full of houses. I used to love it back in the day, but today I can’t much enjoy going there. I’ve been that way as a passenger a couple of times, which broke me of any illusions I might want to drive there anytime. I suppose that might be filed as future shock. Thank you for coming here and reading. Gracias, Jules

  11. pagesofjulia | October 18, 2011 at 3:55 PM | Reply

    Old Jules, have you read the book that shares your name? Just curious. I enjoyed it. I’ve been enjoying your blog, too. Keep it up.

  12. Anonymous | October 20, 2011 at 9:17 AM | Reply

    Wow! Apparently my blog is visited by a senior blogger .. reliable bloggers! And it is an honor for me. Thank you Sir… may you be my faithful blogger visitors. And I can learn manything from your blog as well. Again, thank you. 🙂

    P.S. : please visit my blog : Bandung Lover’s Blog : http://bandoenglover.wordpress.com/

  13. bgbgbgbg | October 20, 2011 at 10:55 AM | Reply

    Old Jules: Thanks for giving me your time to read my latest Opinion! I appreciate that very much! Having read only one or two entries of yours, I am happy to say that i will be visiting you again many more times. Hang in there and keep thinkin’ and writin’!

    bgbg

  14. seattle99 | October 21, 2011 at 2:28 AM | Reply

    Absolutely Terrific Blog!

    I’ll be reading it EVERYDAY!

    jon,
    Chiang Mai, Thailand

  15. Keith Kelt | October 21, 2011 at 10:31 AM | Reply

    j in fredericksburg area want lunch in harper or fred 11/21/11 10.30 am adv phn # or face back me mesaa

  16. David Archer | October 22, 2011 at 5:49 AM | Reply

    Thanks for liking my post “silent Witness” it is my humble tribute to Sylvia Plaths’ “Wuthering Heights” – I am a fan of both her and Ted Hughes who came from a village not far from myself.

    I live near the Yorkshire moors and Barnsley is so unimportant it isn’t even on Google maps!

    Barnsley is often referred to as “The Cultural Tundra of the North of England” but I couldn’t write a single word without loving and hating it at the same time.

    Dave

  17. wonderingpilgrim | October 23, 2011 at 1:35 AM | Reply

    Back again, but this time to say I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogging Award http://wonderingpilgrim.com/2011/10/23/versatile-blogging-award/
    Love your writing style!

  18. V.Ganesh | October 23, 2011 at 10:59 AM | Reply

    Nice about page and kewl photo of yours that you’ve got here. Thanks for visiting my website-cum-blog http://www.vganesh.wordpress.com and for liking the post on home, I appreciate it.

  19. eremitemike | October 23, 2011 at 4:57 PM | Reply

    Hey Jules GREAT site. Most of the time the only requirement for believing another mans tales is to be fishing in the same pond.

  20. angrymanspeaks | October 25, 2011 at 11:16 AM | Reply

    HeyJules,
    Thanks for checking out my blog and I appreciate the encouragement of people who like what i write. I haven’t been writing long. Only for a few months. I was forced to retire in 09 after my sternum refused to heal from 4X bypass surgery in o8. It took me two years to get this computer and I haven’t shuty up since. I like your articles and your poetry. I was just telling my wife to look at it. I think she will like it too. I like being able to connect with people all over to discuss the situation where they live. To tell you the truth. A life away from most people, out in the Texas Hills or in the desert or on a houseboat in the Chesapeake sounds pretty darn close to heaven to me. I hope you keep on writing. I will keep reading. I also hope you continue to follow and like my blog. If you read my about page i guess you know that I am 53, living with 7 cats and 2 dogs waiting for my Social Security Diability to be approved. Also a two year wait so far. i sometimes ask myself if I carry my ideas too far. I wonder if the super-wealthy are really as evil and sadistic as I say they are. but then I see or hear yet another action one of them or many of them have taken and my fears of being reactionary are quelled. I support OWS Obviously. I believe that a nations first responsibility is to care for her own people. if a government fails to do this, they have failed completely.I believe that a government by the people and for the peolple means just that. If a government fails to achieve universal health care, a decent living wage, food for all its people and justice system that provides justice., they are no longer by, for, nor of the people. hey Keep in touch. I read e-mail too so if anything comes up that you want to talk about off site, feel free to e-mail me. My address is BFD@gmail.com, just in case.

  21. watercoloristramblings | October 26, 2011 at 12:09 PM | Reply

    Enjoy your blogs and have visited Texas Hill country many times, awesome in the spring

  22. frizztext | October 26, 2011 at 12:35 PM | Reply

    nice to meet you! I’m aged 66 …

  23. Anonymous | October 29, 2011 at 10:55 AM | Reply

    Thank you for sharing Jules. Thoroughly enjoying your journey and exceptional way of communicating it… CSea

  24. pscottier | October 30, 2011 at 12:35 AM | Reply

    Hello. Thanks for reading my poetry on my blog; it led me back to your site. I love things that cross divisions, such as poems that are nearly prose and mammals that lay eggs. Your blog reminds me of those things. Impossible to categorise and all the better for it.

  25. momsomniac | November 1, 2011 at 10:45 AM | Reply

    Thanks for coming by my blog – I sure enjoyed yours today.

    Apropos of nothing really, I’ll tell you this: “Jules” is one of my all time favorite names for a man.

  26. karpediem92 | November 3, 2011 at 12:03 PM | Reply

    Thank you for commenting and liking my post!

  27. writemystuff | November 6, 2011 at 7:28 AM | Reply

    Hi Old Jules, thanks for liking my blog. It’s been a year since I’ve been around and planning on blogging a bit more in the future. You are an accomplished writer. I hope I can share my journey with you and vice versa.

  28. ixpieth | November 7, 2011 at 4:05 PM | Reply

    Hola Jules,
    Thanks for dropping in at awayfromitall, and for reading something. I lived in Australia for 40 years and flies are a part of the way of life, here’s a link that may be useful http://www.viacorp.com/flybook/fulltext.html Have enjoyed your posts bad luck with the saw, I always used to yse a Stihl myself, they are good, can’t beat a bit of that Teutonic precision ! How’s the drought going ?
    regards,
    richard

  29. Seraphina | November 13, 2011 at 5:49 PM | Reply

    Hello Jules~

    It truly is an honor to make your acquaintance. I am grateful that our paths have crossed and look forward to learning from you.

    Sincerely,
    ~Seraphina

  30. Rebecca Omonira Oyekanmi | November 14, 2011 at 3:40 AM | Reply

    Wow, what a fascinating, intriguing blog. Will def. be visiting again. Thanks for reading my work too. All the best, Rebecca

  32. Pingback: Old Jules: A Lone Star State treasure « The Cotton Boll Conspiracy

  33. Dianda | November 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM | Reply

    Thanks for liking my post!
    In return I decided to take a look at your blog. And It got my attention! 🙂

  34. Piper Bayard | November 18, 2011 at 12:36 PM | Reply

    I grew up in Clovis. Left at 17 and never moved back. Pleasure to meet you, Jules. 🙂

  35. Millie Ho | November 23, 2011 at 1:38 PM | Reply

    Hello Jules, thank you for visiting. You have a very interesting blog going on here. I grew up in urban Toronto, am still in college, so it’s nice to be able to read about your very different but still universally relevant experiences.

    Looking forward to new material.

    Best,
    Millie

  36. cyclingrandma | November 23, 2011 at 1:53 PM | Reply

    Thanks for stopping by and “liking” my post. Your blog is fascinating; I will return.

  37. lenrosen4 | November 23, 2011 at 4:11 PM | Reply

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Having driven across the United States to New Mexico and then across I-40 to Nashville before heading home, I truly remember New Mexico as being the highlight of the journey. We never got as far south as Las Cruces or “Little Texas.” Our Texas experience was Amarillo and Palo Duro Canyon. Texas is a very different world from Toronto where I live. The culture and lifestyle….the juxtaposition of native aboriginal culture next to WalMarts and parking lots is something quite foreign to me. The ethnic tension is also something I don’t experience where I live. I love the way you write about your world.

    I hope you enjoy my blogf adventure in trying to explain where technology is leading us in this world we are tied to yet wrecking at a very fast pace. We have within us the power and intelligence to rise above our baser nature. The question is without profit will we?

  38. Crane-Station | November 23, 2011 at 6:43 PM | Reply

    Old Jules, Thank you so much for stopping by Frog gravy, but thank you even more for the Jimmie Rodgers, and for this site!

    Your writing is just beautiful- a breath of fresh air.

  39. Crane-Station | November 23, 2011 at 6:44 PM | Reply

    I am going to sign up to receive new posts, hope I am doing this right.

  40. seekraz | November 24, 2011 at 9:33 AM | Reply

    Good morning, Jules, I saw the signs of your visiting my site and thought I’d stop-by, as well. I’m rather taken with your particular manner of Texas gentility and will look forward your further musings. Thank you for your visit and for opening another door in our blogosphere….

  41. dawnblue | November 24, 2011 at 10:44 PM | Reply

    I’ve really enjoyed your blog today…shared a few pieces with my family. I am thankful to have you be the very first person to follow my blog…I’m new at this and don’t know where to start. And btw, I believe every word…being who I am and all.

  42. seekraz | November 25, 2011 at 12:01 AM | Reply

    De nada, Jules…will see you here and there…seekraz

  43. seekraz | November 25, 2011 at 12:03 AM | Reply

    To dawnblue…tried to check-out your blog, but you’ve got it marked “private.” It’s hard to visit that way…. 🙂

  44. Steve Schwartzman | November 25, 2011 at 8:07 AM | Reply

    If you’d like to learn more about the wildflowers and plants that are native to central Texas, you’re welcome to check out

    http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com

  45. Meagan Healy | November 25, 2011 at 8:51 AM | Reply

    Dear Jules, Thanks for stopping by and liking a post of mine! I enjoyed looking at your blog. Pictures: I’ve never been to the Texas Hill Country, but I have visited Wyoming often enough (summer-time) to visit family! It’s not exactly the same as Texas, of course, but there is a familiar feel! Have a great day!

  46. Shirley Anne | November 25, 2011 at 11:08 AM | Reply

    Hi there Old Jules. Minkyweasel here. Nice of you to drop by my way across the pond. Like your meanderings, you have a way with words it seems. Is it really that good where you live? Don’t you ever get lonesome in the middle of nowhere? Me, I gotta have folk around me, even if some of them are darned hard to get along with! They probably say as much about me too I suppose…LOL. Take care hon.. love
    Shirley Anne xxx

  47. hcurci | November 25, 2011 at 3:19 PM | Reply

    Hi Old Jules: Thank you for commenting on my blog hcurci.wordpress,com about outer space stuff.
    You can send free outer space greeting cards at http://www.spacenoodles.com.
    Cheers, Spacenoodles

  48. hcurci | November 25, 2011 at 3:28 PM | Reply

    Hi Again Old Jules: Please find a correction:
    My Outer Space Blog is http://www.hcurci.wordpress.com and hope to hear from your soon.
    Spacenoodles.com

  49. Miss Molly | November 25, 2011 at 5:09 PM | Reply

    Old Jules,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog for a visit and for choosing to “follow me” – what an honor. I feel like such a neophyte with this whole blogging/writing thing but I am hoping to get better at it as I go along. Even though “Life as I know it” is my second blog, I still have a lot to learn. I appreciate it when more experienced bloggers, such as yourself, stop by to show me how things can be done. I look forward to getting to know you!

  50. hcurci | November 25, 2011 at 5:52 PM | Reply

    Hi Miss Molly: Found you on Old Jules:
    Keep blogging you are doing a good job.
    Free Outer Space Greeting Cards at http://www.spacenoodles.com
    Regards, Hank
    http://www.Spacenoodles.com http://www.hcurci.wordpress.com

  51. SL Schildan | November 25, 2011 at 6:19 PM | Reply

    Thank you, sir for both the “like” and the “follow.” I enjoyed your About page. There’s a lot to be said for the peace of simplicity. I’ve always longed for that. However, in my experience you work very hard for it, not that I object to hard work, in fact I relish it. I do not relish buckets of water from the pump, heated on the wood stove, and a galvanized tub for a bath. I also have become very pampered by having the rest of the bathroom heated and in the house as well. Life is an adventure and I do love it all. Regards, Shez

  52. R Srinivasan | November 25, 2011 at 9:24 PM | Reply

    Thanks Dear Jules, for visiting my photoblog and liking it. It gives immense pleasure going through your rich blog. I can see you have taken to blogging with such a passion! multiple posts every day, from such a wide variety of subjects. Wishing you a long journey. God bless! Love.

  53. R. Srinivasan | November 25, 2011 at 9:26 PM | Reply

    Thanks Dear Jules, for visiting my photoblog sreeniviews.wordpress.com and liking it. It gives immense pleasure going through your rich blog. I can see you have taken to blogging with such a passion! multiple posts every day, from such a wide variety of subjects. Wishing you a long journey. God bless! Love.

  54. alan laird | November 26, 2011 at 3:06 AM | Reply

    Jules, Many thanks for being the first person who’s not family or a friend to visit my blog. Reading your blogs and the comments I’m beginning to realise what a fascinating community this is. I am ashamed to say in my many visits to the USofA, apart from changing planes once in Dallas Fort Worth on a flight from Atlanta to San Francisco, I have never been to Texas. Now that my son, his wife and the grandchildren live in Kansas, will have to take a trip south and sample the delights of the state. Your blog will be my guide. By the way my 70th birthday is next week so we’re very close in age. All the very best. Alan

  55. norfolknovelist | November 26, 2011 at 10:18 AM | Reply

    I am honoured to make your acquaintance. Thank you for stopping by and liking my writing ramblings. The world is indeed a very small place.

  56. Did You Smile Today | November 27, 2011 at 10:27 AM | Reply

    Hey Jules! Thanks for following my blog and for giving me the opportunity to discover yours. Great stuff man – beautiful mind you have! Gracias 🙂

  57. lahgitana | November 27, 2011 at 10:51 AM | Reply

    Thank you for stopping by my place so I could experience your writing. Your expression reminds me a great deal of Wallace Stegner and Ivan Doig, palpably beautiful descriptive passages. (I assume you are a published writer.)

    • Old Jules | November 27, 2011 at 11:34 AM | Reply

      lahgitana: Hi and thanks for coming by for a read. Also thanks for the kind words. Truth is I’ve done a middling amount of writing that ended up in print and a lot intended to that didn’t. I have a fairly jaundiced view of dealing with traditional publishing houses and agents these days as a result. I appreciate your visit. Gracias, Jules

      • lahgitana | November 27, 2011 at 2:29 PM | Reply

        Very happy to have found you. Yes, I know, at least, that publishing houses take editors, chew ’em up, and spit ’em out. I didn’t go that route with my editing–just couldn’t see volunteering for that kind of treatment.

        I hope you know The Idiot Speaketh (http://wp.me/iwa4) here on WordPress. He is in remote Texas, has plenty to say about that, and is in the midst of writing a book. He’s very funny, too! I will have to send him your way!

  58. Zoe Dune | November 27, 2011 at 12:32 PM | Reply

    Jules. Great stuff. I’ve always been fascinated with Texas and it’s history as well as the history of neighboring states. The culture is always richer closest to the border.

  59. Lily | November 27, 2011 at 2:26 PM | Reply

    Hey Jules, thanks for the follow! I like blogging about my surroundings and apparently so do you! Glad you found me!

  60. Cowboy | November 27, 2011 at 3:23 PM | Reply

    Howdy Jules –
    Thanks for stopping by my blog ! It looks like I’m going to enjoy reading yours. Very nice !

  61. Christina MacPherson | November 27, 2011 at 10:22 PM | Reply

    I like your writing – and intriguing snapshot of “little Texas”
    By the way,please let me know if you would prefer to get just our (short) weekly list – from nuclear-news – that might be better than getting heaps of emails with each post on nuclear-news.
    christinamacpherson@gmail.com

  64. PARTNERING WITH EAGLES | November 28, 2011 at 12:59 PM | Reply

    Wow… The Pilgrim: Chapter 33 by Kris Kristofferson
    Was it Kris that sang this on an LP? I thought it was by John Prine (whose songs were commentaries, and could be downright depressing)
    Anyway, thanks for stopping by.
    P.S. You are nine yrs my senior. Glad the ‘Nam didn’t get you.

  65. jacQQ | November 28, 2011 at 6:27 PM | Reply

    Hey Jules, thanks for stopping by and following my blog:)

  66. emjayandthem | November 28, 2011 at 7:18 PM | Reply

    Anyone who loves Kris Kristofferson is like kin to me.
    Thank you for subscribing to my blog; yours looks interesting, and I’ll be back .. to poke around 🙂
    MJ

  67. loopyloo305 | November 30, 2011 at 6:19 AM | Reply

    Although I haven’t been back to NM in forty years, it once was my home. The Carlsbad, Artesia, and Roswell area is where I spent most of my childhood. I still miss it sometimes. Thank you for visiting My Blog, I hope that you enjoy what you read!

  68. Aaron | November 30, 2011 at 8:12 AM | Reply

    Hey Jules, thanks for stopping by my site and liking a post as well as subscribing! I have subscribed to you site as well and look forward to reading more.

    Take care!

  69. pharphelonus | December 2, 2011 at 9:31 AM | Reply

    Hi Jules. Thanks for finding me, which allowed me to find you. I look most forward to reading more off your work and perspective. Got married in New Mexico. Texas has nothing on NM at all.

  70. acollectionofatoms | December 3, 2011 at 9:05 PM | Reply

    Thanks for following and the like.
    Great survival book.

  71. Languedoc Lady | December 5, 2011 at 5:48 AM | Reply

    Your posts are some of the most creative I’ve seen, so I’ve passed along the “Versatile Blogger” award to you (http://gayleen5.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/saturday-december-3rd/). Looking forward to more of your humor and insights.

  72. lifereference | December 9, 2011 at 1:44 PM | Reply

    Hi I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. Please follow the link below to check it out. Thanks for a very fine blog that is always fun to read! Don

    http://lifereference.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/liebster-award/

  73. rickcag | December 9, 2011 at 6:25 PM | Reply

    I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award. I do see you have already been nominated, but I still wanted to acknowledge my appreciation for your blog!
    http://brainblitz.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/versatile-blogger-award/

  74. Annie | December 11, 2011 at 5:00 PM | Reply

    Chickens n cats. Makes me think of my grandparent’s farm in OK. Oh the stories you just inspired me to write!
    Thank you so much for “liking” my Sunday Morning Thoughts post and for signing up to follow my blog. I am honored. I’ll return to read more of your posts. Looks fascinating! 🙂

  75. Mark Goodwin | December 11, 2011 at 6:50 PM | Reply

    I had to drag myself away otherwise they would find a skeleton sat in front of my monitor reading your Blog!
    Some great stuff here. Of course I a lot older than you I was 70 on December 2nd 2011!!!!
    Thank you for some interesting stuff and thank you for visiting my blog.
    From Mark in wet Wales UK.

  76. ohhcanaduh | December 12, 2011 at 8:26 PM | Reply

    What can I say that already hasn’t been said? I really, really enjoy wasting my time here. I am thrilled that you’ve subscribed to my blog, if only so that I could be introduced to yours.

    Jamie
    ( growingupnowhere.wordpress.com)

  77. Teresa | December 12, 2011 at 9:00 PM | Reply

    Wow, Old Jules! Thanks so much for visiting Creation Place. Sure do appreciate it. Am new at blogging but not at keeping writings for the past few decades. Love your website, and first chance going to read about Thrift Stores. Going there is a special treat I love when (far between) we go to town (small). Always wanting to brag about that day’s bargains. Best wishes to you. Teresa

  78. Dennis N. O'Brien | December 13, 2011 at 4:37 AM | Reply

    Greetings from Queensland, Australia, Jules (another big state). Thanks for stopping by to read my poetry and for the likes. I’ll be back.

    • Old Jules | December 13, 2011 at 8:56 AM | Reply

      Dennis N. O’Brien: Thank you for the visit. Back in the ’60s I went through a stage of plans for yanking up my life and moving permanently to Australia. Can’t recall now why I didn’t do it. Good seeing you here. Gracias, Jules

  79. awesomesauciness | December 14, 2011 at 6:47 AM | Reply

    Hi Jules – thanks. Watch the dropoffs!

  80. Secondhand Surfer | December 14, 2011 at 9:31 AM | Reply

    I’m enjoying your blog. I’m studying it actually, it’s a good one. I’m a beginner and have yet to learn how to add my blogroll or widgets but I will get to that. I have often thought and said that my life is like one big sociology class. I’m always learning.
    Thank you for sharing openly about your opinions and your life experiences. That is definitely inspiring to me.
    From your name I found some interesting reading about a pioneer in Nebraska.
    My world is getting bigger and better.
    Thanks again.

  81. Maggie | December 14, 2011 at 11:47 AM | Reply

    Jules, thanks for subscribing to my blog. Yours looks fascinating and I can’t wait to read through it. Today’s not the day, though, as I have this, that, and the other thing to do. I want to sit down and have a relaxing time reading. I’ll appreciate any comments you have on posts I write on my blog.
    Good to get to know you.

  82. pk | December 14, 2011 at 3:01 PM | Reply

    Hi, Jules. Good to see you again.

  83. nocturnefirefay | December 14, 2011 at 7:18 PM | Reply

    Hello Jules. Thank you for passing through to like my post and follow my blog. I appreciate your effort and time. You have an extremely interesting in depth blog here and I look forward to reading through your many posts. Followed with kind regards.

  84. The Conservative Hill Billy | December 15, 2011 at 12:00 PM | Reply

    Hi Jules, man I love double K! He is one of the best country/music writers ever. Me and the dogs have spent many a hour drinking beer and singing along to Kris!
    John

  85. standingoutinmyfield | December 17, 2011 at 1:46 PM | Reply

    I’m mighty flattered you stopped by, Jules. Hope I can write something you like.

  86. bgbllc | December 17, 2011 at 1:56 PM | Reply

    Thank you so much for dropping by my blog, Jules. I have enjoyed finding the treasure trove that your blog represents. You are 69 years young, my friend!
    Namaste! John

  88. ejalvey | December 18, 2011 at 7:41 PM | Reply

    Jules, I can honestly say you seem to be one of the few great men out there these days. I do not say that lightly. I read with interest your thoughts and wisdom, accumulated from the best teacher we monkeys have and that is experience. Your commentary and responses are very purposeful and it is so evident that you place great value in character, integrity, and most of all, the necessity of fallibility.

    I tend not to like most people, or just people in general, so when I find one that seems to be pretty damn cool, I feel it is my duty to not keep my mouth shut, but let them know. If you ever find yourself needing to leave your neck of the woods, consider yourself welcome in mine.

    • Old Jules | December 18, 2011 at 9:52 PM | Reply

      ejalvey: I’m obliged by the kind words, but when I read them to the cats they each explained you’re operating from too little information. Hydrox pointed out, however, I should tell you he’s my muse. You are too kind. Gracias, Jules

  89. jjhiii24 | December 19, 2011 at 5:10 AM | Reply

    Thanks for visiting my blog Jules, and I’m probably gonna be spending some time here too from the looks of things. I have a fairly conventional family life on the East coast. Nothing spectacular like yours… but I am most at home in a natural setting… the outdoors are for me.

    You are one smart fella to share your efforts with Jeanne and admire your generous spirit and no nonsense approach to life.

    Thanks again for your visit…..John H.

    • Old Jules | December 19, 2011 at 8:53 AM | Reply

      Thanks John H. From here it doesn’t seem spectacular, but living a convenional life would. Glad you came for a visit. Jules

      • jjhiii24 | December 19, 2011 at 6:22 PM | Reply

        It’s an age old problem, Jules, trying to figure out if the life that seems spectacular on the other side of the fence is actually as great as it seems from your own side, but I spent a fair amount of time out West as a younger fella in the military and thought I was on a whole different planet most of the time. Having grown up in the Northeast, I never imagined such places even existed. Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and even a short stay in Nevada gave me the idea that I had been sitting on the wrong side of this country my whole life.

        Even if there isn’t much grass to speak of out West that could even have a chance of being greener, in the back of my mind I’ve always held on to a hankering to go back and maybe settle down to some serious writing.

        I love my family and have no regrets about my conventional life in that way, just a nagging sort of daydream that I haven’t ever been able to shake completely…John H.

        • Old Jules | December 20, 2011 at 6:55 AM | Reply

          John H: I can resonate with what you’ve said, though it involves echoes of other geographies and trails I didn’t take. Maybe next lifetime for each of us. Gracias, Jules

  90. Tazzybehr | December 19, 2011 at 10:15 AM | Reply

    Well crafted. Look forward to digging through your scribes. Thank you for the subscription and like to mine. Nice to see a fresh set of eyes on my own site. Have a very Merry Christmas (if that isn’t too politically incorrect).

    Dave.

  91. Anonymous | December 19, 2011 at 9:12 PM | Reply

    Thanks for stopping by my blog at word press. Looks as if you have been around for a time and had a life full of adventures. Many stories to tell…will come to visit..

  92. trutherator | December 26, 2011 at 3:24 PM | Reply

    You reminded me of my trips to relatives’ farms in Ozarks foothills territory in south central Missouri not very far from Branson. I live in Miami but would really like to meet some of my cousins first time..

  93. Anonymous | December 26, 2011 at 11:18 PM | Reply

    Hi I spent some time today poking around in your posts. I enjoyed what I read. I want to say thanks to you for looking at my blog. I am just a beginner compared to you.

  94. Steve Tanner | January 4, 2012 at 9:52 PM | Reply

    Jules, I am nominating you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Shortly after notifying a couple of others that I am nominating, I will be posting a blog explaining this award. Needless to say, I think you are versatile and I enjoy your blog.

    • Old Jules | January 5, 2012 at 5:08 AM | Reply

      Morning Steve. I don’t do the award thing here, but I appreciate the kind thought. Gracias, Jules

      • Steve Tanner | January 5, 2012 at 6:56 AM | Reply

        That’s quite all right. I actually don’t blame you… it is a bit of work. Nevertheless, I look forward to your posts and it was that thought when all is said and done.

        • Old Jules | January 5, 2012 at 9:21 AM | Reply

          Thanks Steve. Blog awards are a matter I’ve devoted a lot of thought to, though not recently. I eventually concluded So Far From Heaven’s probably not in the running for them at the moment for a lot of reasons. But I respect your thoughts. Gracias, Jules

  95. angrymanspeaks | January 4, 2012 at 10:33 PM | Reply

    Um….Steve I……..well uh…..you um…well I gotta’ go. Nice to meet you and good luck. Probably find Jules over there behind that chicken coop petting the GSB.

    Hey Jules! You got company here. Fellow says he wants to give you that Versatile Blogger Award.

    • Old Jules | January 5, 2012 at 5:10 AM | Reply

      Morning angrymanspeaks. GSB’s not up and around yet… But I do hear him out there crowing back and forth at the bachelor roosters, them crowing back. Glad you stopped by. Jules

  96. destrudowoman | January 6, 2012 at 1:12 AM | Reply

    Old Jules, I enjoy reading your blog so much, I’m here to nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award,
    Here’s how this works:
    If you are nominated, thank the award giver and link back to them in your blog post
    Share seven things about yourself
    Pass this award along to recently discovered blogs you enjoy reading
    Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award and post the award picture

    Thanks for boldly following the Sun.

  97. destrudowoman | January 6, 2012 at 1:16 AM | Reply

    Oops. Sorry Jules. I missed that other post… have a nice day. 🙂

  98. themidlifesecondwife | January 20, 2012 at 7:44 PM | Reply

    Hi Jules,

    Please forgive how long it’s taken me to write and thank you for signing up to follow my blog. There were so many responses to my post about the holidays—and then there were the holidays—that I’m still trying to get caught up. I appreciate and value your readership, especially after spending some time on your site. I think you must be a Will Rogers for the 21st century.

    All best wishes,
    Marci

  99. trixycae | January 22, 2012 at 10:19 AM | Reply

    Hiya, I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. See details on caeblogs.wordpress.com

  100. intothenightlife | February 8, 2012 at 5:25 PM | Reply

    I have nominated you for the 7×7 Award – http://wp.me/p1lAxS-8l

  101. prospectorjack | February 17, 2012 at 6:12 PM | Reply

    I like your posts, very interesting.

  102. Misslisted | February 25, 2012 at 12:42 PM | Reply

    Hi Old Jules,

    I just started reading your blog. I’ve never paid that much attention to blogs until the past few months when I started my own. Finding your blog is a little different than so many of the other blogs I’ve looked at…it’s sorta like when you go to yard sales all day on a Saturday and look at people’s old stuff. You’re wandering around looking through sad, depressing, old junk that doesn’t have much to say to you about the people who owned it.
    Just as you’re about to give up for the day, you happen to wander into someone’s yard and you’re blown away by the treasure trove of interesting riches that someone has to sell you, and you don’t know what to buy with the few dollars you have in your pocket. That’s how I feel about it.

    -Chris

  103. âpihtawikosisân | February 28, 2012 at 11:53 AM | Reply

    tânisi!

    I’ve managed to lose touch with a lot of people in the move from WordPress to a self-hosted site, so I’m individually following up with bloggers who were following me:D I’ve set it up so WordPress bloggers can ‘follow’ me in the same way you used to at the new site: http://apihtawikosisan.com/. There’s no need to keep this comment, it was just easier to contact you via the blog. If somehow I’ve overlooked that you’ve already made the switch, you have my apologies.

    kinanâskomitin, and I hope to see you soon!

  104. how to raise chickens for eggs 2012 | April 8, 2012 at 6:54 PM | Reply

    A sensible friend of mine, Jim Stanley, has been a poultry farmer for over 25 years. Every time the kids and I would visit his farm, they might bug me for weeks to raise our own chickens. A few years ago they finally wore me down and I started wanting into raising chickens in my backyard.

  105. skyride | August 1, 2012 at 8:50 AM | Reply

    Great writing, deeply thoughtful if at times a tad unbelievable– the best creative nonfiction takes great liberty with the creative part. ^_^ Best of blogging to you.

    • Old Jules | August 1, 2012 at 2:55 PM | Reply

      skyride: nothing unbelievable here for the person of average experience in life. What’s written here might, or mightn’t be true, but unbelievable, it isn’t. As you experience more life you’ll come to realize that. You’ll probably eventually realize the qualitative difference between the statements, “I don’t believe this,” and “This is unbelievable”. I wish it for you.

      Thanks for the visit. Jules

  106. Forrest Fenn | March 15, 2013 at 11:18 AM | Reply

    Hey Eld Jules, thanks for defending me from those who doubt the veracity of my story. Next time I’m down your way maybe this Temple boy, what lived by the cemetery, will call up and buy you a BBQ sandwich and a Dr. Pepper.

  107. caddisfliesandshinsplints | March 16, 2013 at 1:38 AM | Reply

    Thanks

  108. 8thday4life | June 4, 2013 at 11:14 PM | Reply

    The world owes a debt of gratitude to Jeanne. Really great writing (great thoughts expressed in creative, humorous, pointed ways) that needed to be shared with the world.

  109. feralc4t | June 5, 2013 at 5:50 AM | Reply

    Whoa, gonna take some time to get my head round all of this, thanks for leaving it lying around as such..

  110. Paleotool | November 6, 2013 at 10:42 PM | Reply

    Jules, glad to have found your blog. I ended up near Portales through a few oddball choice. Working hard to escape although I have a lot of friends here in the god-forsaken place. I’ll bet we must know somebody in common. Keep up the good work.
    George

  111. RodneyNCyndi | January 18, 2014 at 10:36 AM | Reply

    I stumbled across your site completely by accident, but much interesting reading. Old Jules, you have so many of the same concepts that myself and my husband have…..it is so refreshing to read your posts. Love it!!

  112. the Prodigal Orphan | May 16, 2014 at 6:33 AM | Reply

    Jules, my brother –
    thanks for following my blog and joining me on my journey. I read your stuff, I get the feeling we’ve been to (and in) so many of the same states of mind and / or mindless. Can almost hear the two of us sittin’ on a porch some where talking, shaking our heads and grinning.
    I’m getting up there a bit, slowly sneaking up behind you, and I sense that you and I are even closer in our beliefs of what needs to be taken seriously and what needs to be shaken off.
    Looking forward to so much more of your insight and wisdom.

    Harris

  113. the Prodigal Orphan | June 2, 2014 at 2:37 PM | Reply

    I’m a Broncos fan and a Red Sox fan and I wish I lived closer to KC so I could take you out for lunch every now and then.
    Hell, I’m gonna stop in the middle of binge-watching “Lost” again and go back over your archives instead.

    Harris

  114. Joel | July 13, 2014 at 7:41 PM | Reply

    Hey, I had a great time reading your website. Do you have an email address that I can contact you on? Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.

    Regards,

    Joel
    JHouston791 gmail.com

  115. Pingback: Booking the Summer | CollTales

  116. Professor VJ Duke | August 20, 2014 at 8:42 AM | Reply

    Jules, You’re an awfully interesting character! So just how are you this fine morning?

  117. Deborah Jewel Becraft | June 12, 2018 at 1:33 PM | Reply

    just found this and I have to say, you look so much like my father that you could be twins! he was a rockhound from way back. Best wishes and God Bless….Deborah Jewel

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