The Windmill Museum

My friend Jessica brought me this postcard from The Windmill Museum which I couldn't be sure was a real place.  Sure enough though, the Museum, aka American Wind Power Center, is located in Lubbock, Texas (of course) and is described as

 "A Museum for the American Style Water Pumping Windmill and Related Exhibits on Wind Electric.   The purpose of the American Wind Power Center ... is to interpret the relations of humans, the environment and technology through the medium of a museum of wind power history."  

 

The windmill featured in this postcard is "The Woman's Windmill": 

 "This tilting tower was produced by the Aeromotor Company Company in 1895.  It tilted so that it could be greased from the ground without having to climb the tower." 

Jessica reports that it had a plaque next to it that said "...its design was so easy to clean and service that ANY CHILD COULD DO IT."  The comments on this plaque were editorialized by Jessica.  She wrote: "And it's called the 'Woman's Windmill'?  God Bless Texas".

Speaking of Beefeaters

Speaking of Beefeaters. 

I have to say, though, that these look like milk cows, not beef cows.  Not that I'm an expert on cows, but  I did visit a Texas cattle ranch once.

In any case, here's the first in a new animal series

I present to you, the cow!

Cadillac Ranch

Someday, I'll road trip across the US. Have always, always wanted to do this, having fantasized about this as far back as 7th grade, when I thought heaven might look like a VW van and a friend, driving across the country.

When that someday comes, whether I choose the southern or northern or central path, my route will include a stop at Cadillac Ranch.

According to recent reports, the Cadillacs are now graffiti covered, and additional graffiti is not discouraged. At one point, they were painted pink in support of efforts to raise funds for breast cancer research. Originally, they were their off-the-factory-line colors, and the postcard above is a picture taken in 1976, shortly after the creation of the ranch.

A Mystery Sender

A new development - a mystery sender! And a very informative one at that. I had never heard of Leonard's Department Store in Fort Worth (well, I've actually never been to Fort Worth, either) nor had I heard about the private subway system they built. Interesting.

Even more fun is the concept of a mystery sender. I have a suspicion it is one of two friends of mine, conveniently both named Steve. But I can't be sure.