This 'n That (A phrase you will often hear in Texas)

We went to Houston to attend the memorial of a long-time friend of Richie's.  This service was held in the National Veterans Cemetery there and consisted solely of the flag presentation to the widow, followed by insertion of the box of ashes into The Wall.  There were no songs, no sermons; only a lovely tribute to the deceased by a grandson.

The flag was spread out (to show there were no holes in it?) and the re-folded.  The box was put on a small table; the flag next to the box.

The bugler began to play "Taps."  About halfway through it, I noticed something.  The bugler's fingers were not moving on the taps and there were no muscles contracting in her face or neck.  "Taps" was taped!

We joked about it afterwards, saying it was exactly the kind of thing that would have amused the deceased tremendously.

Back to the house we all went and a good time and great food was had by all even though mid-afternoon a storm cell landed (and stayed) directly over the house.  The wind was so fierce that the rain was blowng in sidewise!  Naturally the women and children scurried into the shelter of the house.  The men, kings of all they surveyed (a blown-over garden chair) lingered on the covered patio.  I'm happy to report that they all got soaked.

Riscky BBQ, Ft. Worth Stockyards, has been there for at least 20 years.  Here are some samples from the menu to make your mouth water - barbeque bologna and cheese sandwich, $5.95; Fried Corn - the corn is shucked off, battered and deep fried. $5.95

No, we didn't order any of it; we knew we were going to Pappadeux for dinner.