Twists and Turns

Yesterday after work I embarked on my first Harris County Historical Commission Meeting. The venue was the Village of Tanglewood nursing home and the topic, The Texas Rangers. No, not the baseball club that resides in Arlington, but the famous law enforcement group.

The journey began downtown and continued on Prairie Street, which led right into Memorial Drive, a 20 mile stretch of highway that runs from Interstate 45 to State Highway 6. The road was intended to be one of ten freeway spokes that branched out from the Bayou City. Today, people are able to travel from the city to the new, up-and-coming and wealthy portions of Houston

As you head from the city, you can see the various trees, streets and joggers that caresss Memorial Park. In fact, Memorial Drive is the only major road in Memorial Park. If you prefer a pleasant, quiet trip, try and get on anytime between 10 AM and 3 PM during the work week.

While I was twisting and turning at 67 miles per hour, cars were wrangling their positions. The worst thing about parkways is that they tend to narrow and the drivers take advantage of the physical landscape. Nonetheless, I made it to the Interstate 610 junction where I made a left. After creeping in traffic for 9 minutes, I made a right onto San Felipe and continued with the traffic parade until I finally reached Augusta Drive where I turned right.

The retirement home was one of the best I have ever seen, majestic, bright and very immaculate. Next step, sign it. After paying the $25 fee, I noticed the last name on my badge, "Hafman," was misspelled. Was that a sign to "havfun?"

I walked into dining room and just sat by myself nursing iced tea while trying to figure out whether or not I fit. After about 23 minutes of fingertapping and tea sipping, Sarah Canby Jackson, Harris County Archivist came over and asked if this was my first meeting I replied in the affirmative and was invited to her table.

At which point, I was greeted by a few people including author of the new book, Buffalo Bayou, Louis Albach. From habitats in Memorial Park to highways, the discussions were rather interesting. I felt as if I belonged and that was very important.

At 7:25, Mr Robert Dabney, the great-grandson of Dr. Robert Lewis Dabney, who was a successful Presbyterian minister who served as Confederate chaplain in 1861 and chief of staff for General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in 1862, came to the podium. When he began speaking, the room became quiet.

He went on to briefly discuss the unique and proud of history of the Texas Rangers, talking about topics and figures ranging from Carne Muerto's ordeal with John "Rip" Ford to John Coffee Hays. After he finished, I went up to him, shook his hand and he asked me," how did I do?" My retort, "just fine sir, you were aces."

Shortly after, I got into my truck and as I was driving, I began to realized that history is and was a part of my fabric.