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One of several things I forgot to write about last week was the historic celebration at the newly-expanded Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg. That turned out to be one of the highlights in an amazing week for me; please bear with me as I tell you about my adventures.

I should interject here that I got an advance copy of Jenny Taylor’s new CD from her brother, Justin Simpson. I don’t know much about music, but I’ve heard her a few times and I really, really like the way she sings. Anyway, the Winter 2009 issue of the Texas Hill Country magazine arrived last Wednesday afternoon, and I immediately hit the road, trying to get copies to advertisers as quickly as possible.

I drove to San Saba, Goldthwaite, Brownwood and Comanche that evening, listening to Jenny’s CD all the way there and back. I’m hooked, but I have to admit that my favorite songs were the old Gospel songs she sings that I had learned when I was very young. I decided during that trip that I’m going to bribe her to come to Fuel and sing about 15 or 20 of my old favorites (sometime in January, I hope) so I can make my very own recording (which I may call “John’s Gospel”). We’ll need a live audience, so I’m giving notice right now to everyone who enjoys good, old-fashioned hymns. There will be no charge for admission, and it will be a real treat.

On Thursday, I drove all day, making stops in nine towns from Fredericksburg to Uvalde to Menard, and got home just in time to go to the LHS Drama Department’s production of “Into the Woods.” It was a great show, and all the stars did a wonderful job, but I think I enjoyed Josh Gammill’s performance as Milky White, the cow, most of all.

On Friday, it was snowing! I saw the KVUE-TV truck by the courthouse, and went to find out what they were here for; they had come to get pictures of the falling snow. I went to Blanco that day for a luncheon and art exhibit sponsored by the Hill Country Council for the Arts at Renee Benson’s amazing Uptown Blanco Arts and Entertainment District. For the last ten years, Benson (daughter of New Orleans Saints owner, Tom Benson, and a very successful businesswoman in her own right) has been buying and renovating historic properties in Blanco. She is well on her way to turning the whole block on the west side of the square into a world-class art center. I had the privilege of meeting several accomplished artists there, some of whom may appear in future issues of the Texas Hill Country magazine.

When the luncheon was over, I hurried to Brownwood for the spectacular lighted Christmas Parade and Festival that evening. It was really cold, but a lot of people were there, and the parade was great. I felt kind of sorry for the people on the floats, but I think they all survived.

On Saturday morning, I went to the Fuel Coffee House to get coffee and take a picture of Don Scott signing copies of his book, “The Grandfather Stories.” (He’s got another book coming out soon, called “A Basketball Coach in a Football Town.” I bet it will be good, too.) Then I went to the library to look at old issues of The Llano News for this week’s history column before the Christmas Tour of Homes started at noon.

I was only able to get to the homes in town, but I was very much impressed with those, and I applaud all those who went to so much effort to decorate for the event. I think the tour was a real success.

I had been invited to a sneak preview of the addition at the Museum of the Pacific War, so I went on down to Fredericksburg around two o’clock. Besides the media types (like me), there was a good number of World War II veterans; the first gentleman I met was a Pearl Harbor survivor named Quinton Pyle, from there in Fredericksburg. The next few were crew members of the submarine U.S.S. Pintado, a remarkably successful ship which won many honors during its six war patrols, and part of which now forms one of the dramatic exhibits outside the museum. I got the six crew members and their wives (who had come from as far as Florida and California for the occasion) to pose in front of their old sub, and promised that their picture would appear in the next issue of my magazine. It was a very moving experience.

Saturday night was the night of the Christmas Parade, and by the time that was finished I had forgotten all about the “Back to Beef” Cook-Out Challenge at Cedar Lodge. I went home and watched the UT-Nebraska football game. By the time that second last second was played, I was ready for a long winter’s nap.

If I ever get a day of rest, it’s a Sunday; my daughter came to visit after church, and I didn’t do much all day. But I did have one more “adventure” Sunday evening. I’ve been working on a story about Llano violinist Keenan Fletcher, who teaches at Harmony School of Arts in Marble Falls. She and her class were instrumental (a little musical-type humor there!) in the production of Handel’s Messiah at the Marble Falls High School auditorium that night, so I went to take pictures. Even for a cultural illiterate like myself, it was a spectacular and inspiring performance.

I usually have a hard time with Monday mornings, but this one was the highlight of the week. Even though the heavy fog forced the cancellation of the planned parachute jump by the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights and forced former president George H.W. Bush to land at Kerrville instead of Fredericksburg (which held up the proceedings for almost an hour), it was a truly memorable occasion. Austin Street was filled with people, from busloads of school kids to limousines full of dignitaries, and everyone was excited about being there. I couldn’t stay after the speeches, but just getting close enough to take pictures of George and Barbara Bush was enough to make my day. An added bonus was meeting former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams, who told me that he is a regular reader of the Texas Hill Country magazine, and enjoys each issue. I think he’s running for Kay Bailey Hutchison’s U.S. Senate seat, but I believed him, anyway!

So I’m having my own little Thanksgiving Day all over again (but without the turkey). I feel very fortunate to be allowed to do what I do.