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June 23, 2020
Growing Up In Bandera
By Glenn Clark
The Bandera Prophet
I was walking around the yard one afternoon with camera in hand to take some pictures of cactus blooms in my wife's cactus garden. She has some beautiful thorny examples that resemble nothing like what I remember as a kid around here. Generally when I think of cactus from back in the day I think of prickly pear.
I will admit that prickly pear cactus does bloom and it can be pretty to look at but it always reminds me of sad times of the fifties when we were in severe drought around these parts. I was a youngster of about ten years and I would go to the pasture with my great uncle Phil Kindla while he burned cactus so the cows would have something to eat. I was on fire watch but I don't remember there being much vegetation that would burn. It did give me experience for later on when I was in Army basic training at Fort Polk Louisiana where we had fire watch every night.
The cameras I use these days cost more than the 58 chevy that I bought back in 1965. They take great pictures but I remember my mom having a Kodak Brownie box camera that took some pictures that I now have and they are among my favorites. I don't miss having to take the film to be developed and then waiting days to see how the pictures came out. Editing is immediate with the push of a button in these current times. Then on to the computer for storing and sharing. Who woulda thunk it?
Slide and movie projectors that we had all through school life from elementary to high school have given way to the computer age as well. No more burned out projector bulb or film breaks. Now we put up with lost internet service and computer lockups.
Thinking of film breaks at the old Bantex theater brings back some memories. The teen boys who gathered in the balcony area enjoyed those nights. At least until the lights came on or when Mr. Knauf came around with his flashlight. Meanwhile down in the lobby the smokers had gathered for a quick break provided by the unscheduled intermission.
I suppose there will come a time when the Growing Up In Bandera days will again include a movie theater. Call me an old fart but there is nothing on the big screen that has impressed me lately and it won't be the same for me if and when it happens. A movie without Audie Murphy or The Duke just doesn't appeal to me. I might have to go to the OST's John Wayne Room instead and look at the pictures from back in the day while I eat.
#235 2020
I will admit that prickly pear cactus does bloom and it can be pretty to look at but it always reminds me of sad times of the fifties when we were in severe drought around these parts. I was a youngster of about ten years and I would go to the pasture with my great uncle Phil Kindla while he burned cactus so the cows would have something to eat. I was on fire watch but I don't remember there being much vegetation that would burn. It did give me experience for later on when I was in Army basic training at Fort Polk Louisiana where we had fire watch every night.
The cameras I use these days cost more than the 58 chevy that I bought back in 1965. They take great pictures but I remember my mom having a Kodak Brownie box camera that took some pictures that I now have and they are among my favorites. I don't miss having to take the film to be developed and then waiting days to see how the pictures came out. Editing is immediate with the push of a button in these current times. Then on to the computer for storing and sharing. Who woulda thunk it?
Slide and movie projectors that we had all through school life from elementary to high school have given way to the computer age as well. No more burned out projector bulb or film breaks. Now we put up with lost internet service and computer lockups.
Thinking of film breaks at the old Bantex theater brings back some memories. The teen boys who gathered in the balcony area enjoyed those nights. At least until the lights came on or when Mr. Knauf came around with his flashlight. Meanwhile down in the lobby the smokers had gathered for a quick break provided by the unscheduled intermission.
I suppose there will come a time when the Growing Up In Bandera days will again include a movie theater. Call me an old fart but there is nothing on the big screen that has impressed me lately and it won't be the same for me if and when it happens. A movie without Audie Murphy or The Duke just doesn't appeal to me. I might have to go to the OST's John Wayne Room instead and look at the pictures from back in the day while I eat.
#235 2020