TruetoTexas.com Blog

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T21:53:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas,

I’m here surrounded my High School Girlfriend, Rachel, Charlie and Little Dixon. So much love. I’ve have visits from Gary, Carol, and Dora Ann. Little Dixon is almost too excited to go to sleep.

Cancer, I’m going to say it. I’m about ready for the angels to take me. It’s gotten impossible to eat. Eat the little things and it take 5 hours for the pressure to go off my abdomen. But, I’m sitting here thanking God for the 2 or 3 bearable hours. And watching Little Dixon race through the house. Ask anyone who sees us and they will tell you that a 22 month old Brazos Bottom Boy can show true love.

Thanks again to friends, family, and strangers who have been praying for and with me.

Watch the snowman.

craig

December 18, 2009

2009-12-18T21:45:00.001-08:00

Staying the course.

The wheel chair has arrived. The energy it saves me, just going from the bedroom to the front room is surprising. Also, I’m now taking 2 oxycontin every 8 hours and 15ml of Lortab Elixir in between when the pain starts popping up. I also take half a tablet of Lorazepam before I go to bed, to help me sleep.

Yes, I question when and how?

Thanks for the friendship, love and support over all these many years.

craig

December 16, 2009

2009-12-16T14:56:00.001-08:00

I hobble forward, reminded that it’s the process that is important.

So winded, it takes me almost all morning what used to take 30 minutes. Every little process takes a long rest. Shave, rest. Brush teeth, rest, eat a little breakfast, long rest, walk back to the bedroom, rest. But, I’m still hobbling forward. It took to 1 pm to get out today. I ate a small bowl of chicken noodle soup and a hot milk chocolate with whip cream. I’m going to talk with the hospice nurse about a wheel chair soon. Man it’s getting hard to cough up phlegm in the morning, but you are damn if you do and damn if you don’t. That phlegm is stickier than gorilla glue.

The other morning, I did break down and ask God, why me? Then, why was I chosen for such a wonderful life and why did God give me this wonder time to reconnect with friends, family and myself.

Still Chasing the Texas sunsets, even if it’s just to the mailbox.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

Oxygen

2009-12-14T13:37:00.001-08:00

www. TrueToTexas.com

Yes, it’s getting harder and harder. But right up front, I want all my friends to know that I am happy with my decision. And, damn happy with my friends and prayer warriors support on my decision. It seems to help me that I’m controlling my destiny. The lungs are really getting clogged up. Mornings are hard. Nebulizer, to try to get the flem out and then the coughing really takes its toll. Whatever the cancer has done to my stomach, the smallest meal fills me up. I mean, it’s like I ate a turkey dinner. I’m getting out less and less, but still trying. Another thing, I want someone near me as much as possible. Not talking, just there. High School Girlfriend is trying, and I’m trying to get babysitters where she can take some time off. My sister Joan is filling in. I asked old friend John Boy if he would take a turn. He did. I told him he could add that to his long resume: Babysitting Craig Dickson.

High School Girlfriend…Who is she? Well I’ve known her since she was 14 years old. No, Lavern, this isn’t some kind of Jerry Lee Lewis thing--even though her maiden name is Cassie Dixon. She ain’t my cousin. But, I did marry her as soon as she graduated from Katy High School. I wasn’t taking any chances. Well, that was over 38 years ago. Now, some of my friends want to know about Lavern. Well, years ago when I started writing, maybe even before my road trips, Lavern came into the picture. Lavern is an “idea” person. Yes, great ideas on many things. Marketing, road trips, marquee sayings, politics, advertising and more. So, I wanted to make sure Lavern knew what I was doing. But, Lavern was my code name for this idea person. Lavern started out as (and is mostly) my cousin, Mark Dickson. Yes, Lavern is a guy. The great thing is that Mark doesn’t even know! But, Mark read many of the writings and the ideas flowed over these years. Well the world knows now.

Believe me, it isn’t always peach cobbler at the house, but I’m mostly happy.

Again, thank you, thank you to the prayer warriors. If I’m not proof positive that prayer works, then there ain’t any proof. By the way, the prayers and cards completely uplifted Cassie. I saw it happening before she even knew it.

Check out the attached photo, “Oxygen”.

And be sure to check out my Blog at www.TrueToTexsas.com. I’m adding things there, from the house. Little extras.

Chasing the Texas sunsets…even if it’s just to the mailbox.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

"If I only had a brain"

2009-12-13T15:45:00.001-08:00

Getting my check over. What is she really looking for? “If I only had a brain”.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

On the Brazos

2009-12-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

Morning has Broken. First light hits the sycamore trees along the Brazos River. A little frost and sleet left from Friday snow.

craig

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

1000 Words

2009-12-11T11:33:00.001-08:00

“A picture is worth a thousand words”.

Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. Look at this photo. Now, this is the story the way I heard it. I wasn’t there. Charlie had been driving and baby- sitting for me, all day, that Saturday. That evening I suggested he take a little r & r. So he headed down to the east bank of the Brazos River to do a little hunting. I believe it was about 5:30 pm when he cell phoned the house and said that he had nailed a huge feral hog. I asked him to load it in his pick-up and bring it up to the house for all to see. Apparently that hog was a little heavier than he thought. He couldn’t budge it off the ground. So, next plan. He tied a rope to the hog’s feet and drugged it to a low place, to try to pull it into the tailgate. Hell, he couldn’t get that hog 6 inches off the ground. About that time High School Girlfriend and Rachel roll into the house from their r & r, shopping. I tell Rachel that Charlie is somewhere near the river trying to load a hog. Rachel gets on her cell phone and says “I’m on my way”.

She makes a quick change from shopping cloths to field attire. She can do that. Quick. She’s gone. By now, Charlie is at the barn getting a tractor with a hydraulic hay fork. He has it under control. By the way, it’s dark and about 30’F. Rachel follows in the pickup. Charlie ties a rope to the hog and then to the hay fork. “Rachel, when I lift the hog up, back the pickup up and I’ll drop it in.” Didn’t work! The rope just stretched when the full weight of the hog hit it. “Let me get that rope tighter” Charlie says and let’s get this thing loaded. Didn’t work. Rachel says, “Let’s balance the hog on the hay fork and lift”. Charlie adds, “That will never work.” It’s cold. Tempers are on edge. Charlie, tries his way a 3^rd time. Didn’t work. Rachel says dammit lets try my way. Charlie is adamant that her way is a waste of time. Mars vs. Venus. 4 time, no go hog. Now, I think there may have been some cussing in the bottoms. “OK, just to show you it won’t work, to waste a bunch of time out here in the cold, Rachel, we will try it your way. Once. Then we got to go to my second plan.” Charlie says. Well, the story goes. Rachel tied a few ropes and the 300+ pound hog balanced like a tight rope walker. Charlie, Charlie, I can’t hear you. Charlie? OK, it worked, you were right. “Stop!” Rachel said. I want to add something to that statement. Take my photo. Where I will have it, next time, I’m dead wrong. A photo is worth a thousand words. Charlie took the photo. Charlie, speaking of a thousand. The same think has happened to me a thousand times with Rachel’s mother. After awhile it doesn’t even bother you.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Bringing home the Bacon

2009-12-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

High School Girlfriend Bringing home the Bacon !

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

46 acre funding

2009-12-05T13:54:00.001-08:00

Well, we did it together. Another one! I love to get those commission checks. I think Kelli at Stewart Title loves to give them to me. Yes, like most closing there were last minute challenges, but we did it. Let’s see, minerals, royalties, surface control. Let’s see, we needed waiver of surface rights, non production affidavit, check out the grazing lease, deed corrected, etc, etc. Did I mention that the 46 acres is really a nice piece of land? OK, I also needed to kick in a little oxycontin, Lortab Elixir, Decadron, Lactulose and sometimes a little bump up from the hospice nurse. But we got it done. Kelli and these transaction are extending my life, tired as I am. After that funding I want to do another one, and I have an honest buyer looking at the 36 acres on FM 362 just north of Pattison/Brookshire. Kelli, promised that if I write it up, she, will come and pick the contract up, herself. Hey, with this funding I can buy some tamales and dark chocolate candy. Life is good.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

Santa Mike

2009-12-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

Santa Mike with his little helpers!

2:47 am Dec 01

2009-12-01T00:56:00.001-08:00

Well, the pain broke through the pain killers. I take 2 pain killers at 8 pm to make it through to 4 am. The last couple of days the pain has been sneaking back. Came back with vengeance today. At 2:15 am I woke with pain in my lower back and little in my left shoulder. Tried to go back to sleep. Couldn’t. No way I can make it to 4 am. But, I’m going to try to make it to 3 am. First a little heating pad on the back. Then ad this to the BLOG to try to get my mind off the pain. Ya’ll all know that I have a low resistance to pain.

craig 2:55 am Dec. 1, 2009

Man's best friend.

2009-11-23T14:12:00.001-08:00

Chester knows.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

Chester

2009-11-23T14:11:00.001-08:00

Chester and I meditating. Another morning.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

High School Girl Friend

2009-11-22T19:33:00.001-08:00

BRAZOS BOTTOM QUEEN - - -

Fourth generation property owner.

Visionary, strong, independent. These words conjure images of an individual who pioneers, not new lands, but the same lands with new problems.

She is strong enough to bend.

And, independent enough not to break.

She has the vision to see beyond the present problems.

She’s a daughter. She’s a wife. She’s a mother. She’s a grandmother. She’s a sister.

She’s a success. AND, she’s not finished.

She is Cassie Dixon Dickson.

Nov. 07, 2009

2009-11-16T12:04:00.000-08:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Body Craig, on it’s on, is holding up the fight. Thanks for the prayers. Again, I have such limited energy I just can’t take visitors or phone calls. It just drains me. I’m still dead tired, but with the in house hospice I’ve been able to control the pain.

Ya’ll know, at this point, I don’t want to go to the hospital. I don’t want any kind of life support, whatever.. And, you would not believe,

how at peace with that I am.

Ha, ha, ha, ha the cancer better be ready. Ha, ha, ha. I’ve decided to be cremated. That cancer is not going to win. I’m going to burn it at the end. Hank, what is that cremation temperature? 2,000 degrees. Ha, ha, ha.

Sometimes when I’m just laying there, I feel so close to nature. Really, and there is a real peace to it.

Sometimes, I panicked at night, thinking this is it. I don’t want to close my eyes, alone. I don’t want to talk, but I want someone in the room. Some nights I get all emotional and call my oldest friends. I tell them that I’m not having a funeral; I’m having a celebration of life. You know, crying while I’m talking with them and asking them to be part of the celebration. Well, then I wake up the next morning. Have a spurt of energy. Go out to sell some property. Now, I call them back, like a groom would call his future in-laws and say, “I still love your daughter, but the dates have changed”. Damn, your emotions can swing.

I believe in miracles.

I believe in love.

I believe in being prepared

Prayers Warriors, with what I see happening to America, please pray for this land that has given us all, so much.

“Let the birds sing, without deciphering the song.” Emerson

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-11-04T09:38:00.000-08:00

My Ponds:

I have my river.

And, now I have my ponds.

Three ponds that I had dug. 3 different

Ponds that will be connected.

Three different personalities.

I haven’t named my ponds. Yet.

My ponds aren’t for fishing.

My ponds are for attracting.

My ponds aren’t for irrigation.

My ponds are for dreaming.

My ponds aren’t for drinking.

My ponds are for reflecting.

My ponds are works in progress.

My ponds aren’t finished.

I’m the sculptor.

My ponds will be finished when I die.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

"The Scenic Route"

2009-11-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

www TrueToTexas.com

“Now cowgirls, don’t get the wrong idea, as long as I can ride, I will work.” I just listed 36 acres on FM 362 just north of Brookshire. Over 2,000 feet of frontage on FM 362, asking - $15,000.00 per acre. Jimmy Ramone, I believe it is worth that.

Most of ya’ll know about my fight with cancer. After the last checks and scans my doctors and I decided that it was time to get off chemo and on pain management. Well, now it is body craig taking on the cancer and I have very limited energy after a day of fighting with cancer. I appreciate all of ya’ll, but I just don’t have the energy for many guest, but thanks. King Dixon comes first and foremost, when we take a break and he goes home to Knippa, then there is immediate family and then, very important, to me, is doing a little work. I usually sleep for hours and hours.

Ya’ll know that I’m on narcotic pain relievers. Dr. Ho loaded me down with as much as I want. I could get hooked on these narcotics! Hell, I’m already hooked on the Hallmark Queen. She can’t stop now. After 5 or 6 days I’ve noticed that I start sweating when I head out to the mail box. “Will it be there”?

I don’t know why, who, but I need my card. The Hallmark Queen forwards me cutting edge cards. She may be a card designer of Hallmark, but the cards are like none that you have ever seen. Keep them coming, please. Whoever you are.

I’m getting tired already, but I’m going to try to give you a little update. Body Craig is taking on the cancer, and I’m damn proud of body craig. There are certain times of the day that the fight really gets heated. And, I mean heated. My temperature will sky rocket up to 103 degrees +. Cool rag, aspirin and showers and I can bring it closer to normal. Oh, if you don’t know, when the doctor said the chemo wasn’t working, I had cancer on my back bone, in some of my other bones, on my liver, on my pancreas, and at least eight places on my lungs. Body Craig is like a lone Texas Ranger, fighting 50 banditos in a small west Texas Town. You know, today, I believe body craig is kicking some butt.

Also, I don’t want to be hauled to the hospital, I’ve told High School Girl Friend that I don’t want any type of life support hooked to me. PERIOD. I want to die here on the Brazos, where I lived so well.

No, Lavern I don’t need in house hospice care yet, but I’m going to have one come by the house this week. Check them out and let them know that I don’t want any emergency personal, PERIOD.

I believe in miracles.

I believe in love.

I believe in being prepared.

Like most road trips, this one began a long time ago.

“The Scenic Route”

It’s not the destination.

It’s not the travel plan.

It’s a frame of mind.

Still Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

FW: Real Estate and Cancer

2009-10-29T13:59:00.000-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Well, finally. The best buy in West Houston has sold, closed and funded. Yes, the 64 acres with all utilities for $15,000.00 per acre has sold. Man, I know Richard and Ken are happy and 3 or 4 years from now the buyer (a European investor) is going to be real happy. For SALE 628 acres with 9,113 feet of road frontage. 4,580 feet of that is on FM 529. The owner is asking $12,500.00 per acre. That 46 acres I have for sale on Clapp road just north of Pattison, Texas. The buyers are getting close, but it is still for sale. Check out the Texas Landscape and Marquee saying at www.TrueToTexas.com

Cancer update - Everyday is a gift. I’ve had ups and downs, but a huge majority of my life has been a song. Back around February, 2003 I went to M.D. Anderson Hospital at my family doctor’s suggestion. I was having a hard time swallowing. My family doctor had done some test and had forward them to M.D. Anderson. Well, the surgeon looked at my test, looked at me and said that we needed to operate. That I had a cancerous tumor on my esophagus. He said that it was a very hard and risky operation, a 10 hour operation, minimum (if everything goes OK) 6 month recovery and just a 50% chance to survive 5 years. He said they just don’t predict longer than 5 years. The surgeon said that he was scheduling the procedure for the next morning. WAIT ! I had to think about this.

High School Girlfriend and I were building a new home, no permanent loan yet. Rachel was getting married in July. I needed to think about all this. The timing was just wrong. Please God, can’t we do this some other time? I procrastinated. AND, I didn’t tell a sole. High School Girlfriend says that I can’t keep a secret. I can. The tumor subsided, swallowing was easy and the best 5 years of my life followed. I walked little Rachel down the isle, construction was completed on our new home, can you believe, we got a 4% home loan. My real estate business boomed. AND the icing on the cake, God allowed me the time to be there on February 13, 2008 to see little Dixon Charles Kellner’s arrival. Around June 2008 the tumor came back. I was at peace with myself and at peace with God. I made an appointment with the same surgeon at M.D. Anderson. I told the surgeon I had been here before and already had a hospital I.D. number. He pulled it up. And said, “you were supposed to have come back the next day?” I told him that I had already outlived all of his predictions and that it had been the best 5 years of my life. My life was in the hands of God.

OK, I’m ready, last August 2008 the surgeon suggested they radiate and chemo me for a month to reduce the size of the cancerous tumor before they operate. Then, I was to build my body and immune system up for 30 days. Well on September 30, 2008 they wanted to check me over completely. You know, x-rays, CAT scan, PET scans, biopsies and more. They wanted to really pin point the tumor, before they operated. Well, I’m ready, I’m there at MD Anderson when I see these two High Dollar Doctors talking, about me, I’m sure. I asked, what’s the conversation? Well, your tumor has shrunk, and we can’t find a cancerous cell in you or on you anyplace. But, we think we ought to operate anyway. I bypassed that and went into a check and see mode. February clean, May clean, life is but a song. August, cancer pops up on my lungs and back bone. More chemo. Last week they did all the test, again. The chemo isn’t working. The cancer has spread to many parts of my body. I thank God for “the best 5 years of my life”. Dr. Ho and I decided that the best thing we can do, is go into a pain management mode. Dr. Ho, not in these words, said that I need to be prepared for my last “road trip”.

Now cowgirls, don’t get the wrong idea, as long as I can ride I will work.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

always

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-09-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

It's my story.
Real estate, #101.

Politics, it's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Cancer and Chemo.

It's my story! September 25, 2009

Shouldn't

2009-09-21T08:01:00.001-07:00

Here it is 1:00 in the morning in Nigeria, and you got me thinking of Roy Head. I don’t know if you have a bunch of music on your computer like I do, so I thought I’d go ahead and send these songs to you in case you don’t. Funny how we can go back over 40 years in the click of a mouse. I envy you for going to that club. The only bad thing about it was missing Archie Bell. We were talking about him at a party a week ago, and I ran home to make a CD, and I took it back to play “Tighten Up” on the CD player for some of the younger guys who had never heard of him. We’ve been in perpetual lock-down here for quite a while, and no wives are allowed here any longer due to problems with delta militant kidnappings, and we look for any entertainment we can get in the Man Camp.

Dennis

www TrueToTexas.com

Shouldn’t. Have you ever done something, you shouldn’t? Last week I’m communicating with some of my high school friends. You know, friends you knew in the 1960’s. One of our Katy High graduating classmates is rolling in from Africa and we are setting up an impromptu reunion. Impromptu – that’s usually the best kind. Last Saturday and the cancer and chemo have me pretty damn tired. I’m reading the local paper and see a small ad advertising a dive in downtown Houston, the Continental Club. Shouldn’t. Flashbacks. Reminds me of the Katy VFW Hall, Riverside Hall in East Bernard and other rural dance halls that we made on a regular basis. I shouldn’t. You see, the headliner tonight, 40+ years later is Roy Head and Barbara Lynn. Reminds me of something common, back then. BATTLE OF THE BANDS! Roy Head was the star back then, but he would let unknowns like B.J. Thomas and the Triumphs, from Rosenberg, have stage time. We saw them together multiple times. Texas boy Roy Head had just cut a huge hit in 1965 that went all the way to number 2 nationally, “Treat Her Right” (only behind one of the Beatles great hits). Shouldn’t. You know, I think you regret more what you didn’t do, than what you did. I called my friend Steve and we are off to the Continental Club. Roy Head can still gyrate. At 11:30 pm I’m played out, Steve wants to rock on. Roy just left the stage and Barbara Lynn grabs her guitar. I agree to hang in for a few more songs. Her third song and she breaks out with the hit she wrote and recorded, “You’ll loose a Good Thing”. Steve, the party is over for me. We leave. We missed the next act, Archie Bell. The good news is that it was a smoke free environment. The bad news was that it was standing room only. I shouldn’t. Right or Wrong, I did it.

Redhorse, do you think the geese have left the Arctic Circle? You know, migrating south. Well, I’ve got a listing I want to mention. I think it would be a great place for goose, duck, dove and quail hunting as well as an investment. It’s one of those places that is so close to Houston, yet so far away. It’s a 362 acre rice field located one mile north of FM 529. Yet so far away. To get there turn north off FM 529 on Katy Hockley road and go one mile to Longenbaugh Road, turn left (west) and go about 2 miles to the end of the road. The road ends. Then about 1,500 feet down an easement to the property. And, a rice field full of migratory birds. Rice field! Lavern, don’t turn your nose up at rice field. Not too long ago Copperfield (at Hwy.6) was a rice field where I have witness 10’s of thousand of geese. Yep, Bear Creek on Hwy. 6 was a rice field, Lavern you want more, how about the Estate homes at Cinco Ranch, rice field. Katy Mills Mall, itself was a rice field when I was in high school. You can leave your money with the likes of Allen Stanford and Bernie Madoff or you can buy your heirs an investment they can walk on. Oh, yes, it is listed for $5,000.00 per acre.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

FW: Chasing the Texas sunsets

2009-09-21T07:51:00.001-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

TUE 09/01/2009 Blood / Specimen Collection Diagnostic Center Main Building 2^nd Floor

8:00 AM

TUE 09/01/2009 IRINOTECAN /CARBOBLATIN ATC Chair Unit Sundial Lobby 2^nd Floor.

Hey ya’ll, another dose of chemo down the hatch. Yes, I’ll repeat, I’m a whiner, moaner and complainer when I have pain. But man, I take advantage of the good days. Emily; my game plan, work when I feel average, play when I feel good and whine and moan when I feel bad.

A good day. Thursday a week ago I was feeling pretty good. So, I invited little Dixon for his first visit to Galveston and salt water. What a day! Yes, we let his mother, little Rachel and Grandmother, Cassie ride along for the fun. The ferry, the Bolivar Ferry ride. Dixon loved it. We got out of my F-150 and walked to the front of the ferry. Dixon was loving the sites, especially the birds, sea gulls and grackles. Yes, his mother is a Dickson. She started feeding the gulls when right in front of her father and son the captain of the ferry, on a very loud speaker, called her down, “No feeding the birds in the front of the ferry.” She is a Dickson. Her grandmother, Katherine, didn’t believe in the word NO. So, Dixon’s mother just holds her hand up where the birds think she is feeding them. Well, the Captain sends a deck hand down and, right in front of her father and son, tells her the Captain wants her to stop attracting the birds and would she please go to the back of the ferry to feed the birds. Her grandmother, Katherine E. Tyra, always said that it was just easier, for her, to apologize than to ask permission. We went to the back of the boat and had a blast feeding the birds. Next stop the Strand. Dixon and I went straight to the Candy Factory where we both ate a large scoop of ice cream. Then to the beach where Dixon had a blast. He attempted to catch sea gulls for over 2 hours and in between jumped into the surf. He loved it. Check out the Galveston photos below.

We ate at Gaido’s. Dixon loves mashed potatoes and he loves cheese. We order him a $3.00 order of Gaido’s famous Au Gratin potatoes. Rachel, Cassie and I all got some sort of shrimp plate. 18 month old Dixon looked at our plates and looked at his potatoes. He wouldn’t have it. Dixon ended up eating $17.00 worth of fried shrimp. We got the au gratin potatoes, to go.

I just got a new listing. The signs are ordered. Yes, I felt average yesterday. My new listing: 988 acres at the northeast corner of FM 529 and FM 2855, $9,700,000.00. and some change.

The cancer in my lower back has really got me down. Some sort of pain 24/7 and add the side effects of chemo and you start wondering on some days. Then pop the prayer warriors and God deliver a great day. When I have a good day, they are so good.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-09-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

Galveston !

Killin' Time

2009-08-25T13:31:00.001-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Cancer - - Chemotherapy - - Alligators !

Last Sunday I was killin’ time. Tired, but trying to keep active. At about 1 pm I decided to make run down to the Brazos River to where I have one of those game cameras set up. That game camera, to me, is more fun than hunting. I love to see all the different kinds a wildlife that cross the area. I had 24 pictures, but I left it set, deciding to take the little digital card out later when there were more pictures. I baited the path with some molasses and deer corn. On the way back, as always, I observed what kind of shore birds were hanging out at the swamp. Wood Storks, Night Herons, Great Blue Herons, Pink Spoonbills (see photo on the TrueToTexas website), and many more. Now, I’ve told ya’ll about the alligators that showed up 8 or 10 years ago. I guess they climbed out of the Brazos River and decided to set up headquarters in this 20 acre swamp. See attached photo of one of the alligators. I took the photo 2 or 3 years ago. Well, over the years I’ve seen a big nest out on the island. Wondering why we never saw any baby alligators? You know, I’ve heard that other alligators, maybe ever the father, will eat the babies. And I figured in this enclosed area they just always hunted down the babies and ate them. Well, it’s about 1:30 pm and I look at the alligator nest out there on the island. Something is real white at the top. I wonder if that is part of an alligator egg? I want to explore, but c’on, PIC line hooked to my arm, full of chemo, and getting dead tired. I head to the house. Hell, its nap time.

4:30 pm Sunday, I can’t sleep. Tom, I may be fighting cancer, but I am a bayou boy. The call of the wild. I’ve got to investigate that alligator nest. Should I tell my next of kin? Where to look for my body if I don’t return by dark. I tell High School Girlfriend. I have a choice, either Leslie’s canoe or a 10 foot jon boat. I choose the jon boat and loaded in the back of my pick-up. I back the pick-up up to the bank of the swamp right across from the alligator’s nest. I need to conserve energy. This way I can just paddle right across to the nest. I see the alligator 30 feet north. Just her eyes. She is just laying there submerged. I drop the jon boat off into the water. Get the paddle and a shovel in case I want to dig out the nest. ACROSS the short span to the island and the nest. When I approach the island bank I see about 20 baby 5 inch alligators right off the bank in a canal used by the alligators to get to the nest. I reach down and grab two baby alligators at once. They all start making some little chirping noise. ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE ! They say they are fast, believe them. I thought that mama alligator was flying. She hit that jon boat with an impact that knocks my camera off my neck and into the bottom of the boat. I wasn’t thinking about that camera or taking photos, I was thinking about my appendages. Next move, mama alligator hits the boat with her tail, I bust the paddle over her back. Great, now I don’t have a paddle. Well, across the swamp by shovel power. Mama alligator seems to be waiting for an opportunity. Well, I only hit the ground once between the jon boat and the bed of my pick-up.

Don’t mess with a mama alligator.

Sunday night I realize that I was lucky I was in that flat bottom jon boat and that it was sitting in mud. If I would have been in deeper water I’m sure the boat would have capsized. AND, that my effort may save saved a few babies this year. Those big Wood Storks and Blue Herons were eating the babies as fast as they could. Maybe with all the excitement the babies got spread out and a few will survive.

Another Texas sunset,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-08-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Dixon and his dog, Chester.

2009-08-23T09:21:00.001-07:00

Texas Flamingos

Chasing the Texas sunsets

2009-08-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Can we talk a little real estate? Like CLUNKER for down payment. That’s right ! Hey, if Congress can do it, damn it, I can too. I just can’t use your money to do it. I have a beautiful corner lot in Hempstead, Texas. That lot is just waiting for your home. The lot is on the market for $9,500.00. One CLUNKER for the down payment. The preferred CLUNKER is a nine seater station wagon in good condition. The balance to be financed over 10 years at 7% interest, not the CLUNKER, the lot. I don’t give a damn if I sell that lot or not, but I need that nine seater station wagon. You know, it will be my “Ranch Limousine” New Listing, 46 acres, Pattison area, right across Clapp road from the famous Sam Wilson Ranch. The owner may divide. The taxes are less than $200.00 per year. This tract of land has lots of potential. Oh, it is unrestricted. $9,500.00 per acre. How about 25 acres behind Brookwood on Bains road? $15,000.00 per acre. Owner is motivated. Let’s write an offer. If you are looking for a steal, maybe in Michigan or probably California, but if you are looking for an investment, I’m licensed to sell real estate, in TEXAS.

Look, if you believe in Houston and you got $800,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 call me, I’ve got a tract of land that I believe will beat your cd rate or Dow Jones investment, unless the Mayans are right and the world is coming to a crashing end December 21, 2012. Wait, let’s buy it anyway and flip it before the world comes to an end.

Getting’ Out ! Hey, when you have good days, you got to take advantage. High School Girlfriend and I made Sengelmann Hall in Schulenburg again. Marcia Ball Saturday a week ago and “Asleep at the Wheel” last Saturday. Short story. They had sold out and it was standing room only. I’m not going to pay $25.00 a person and stand up, that was 25 years ago. So, I conned a bartender to go down stairs and bring up two chairs. When I got those chairs it caused a mini-riot with all those sitting on the floor or standing. Two BIG bouncers came over to me and said, “Sir we made a mistake and we have to take your chairs back down stairs”. Either one could have whipped my ass with one hand tied behind them, but I told them to get this chair, from me, there will be a fight. They looked at each other, they looked at me, and they looked at High School Girlfriend. I don’t know if it was the idea of having to whip an old man’s ass in front of 300 people, more my age than theirs, or the thought of High School Girlfriend on their back, but they said that they needed to talk with management. 5 minutes later they came back and said enjoy your seat and sorry about the mis-understanding. We had a ball. Go to my BLOG at www.TrueToTexas.com and see photos.

CANCER… I’m not happy. The good news is the Chemo hasn’t killed me and the cancer is about the same. The bad news is, the chemo is working hard on all my body parts and the cancer is about the same. I wanted to take a 60 days rest from the chemo to build up my immune system again and have a little fun. Doctor ChemoStein wanted me to start more chemo right away. His thoughts are that it must be doing some good if it hadn’t grown or spread. So, so I got depressed, I cried. Damn it, all you positive thinkers I can’t be on cloud 9 all the time. Sometimes the thought of what’s ahead of you, just gets to me. Well, I stalled and I’m starting back on chemo Tuesday August 18^th. ChemoStein has changed the formula. Talk about depressing. Irinotecan and Carboplatin will be pumped into my body every second Tuesday. Six pages of side effects. And, the final side effect paragragh is Sterility! Great. And there is a whole section on controlling Diarrhea. Why did I read this handout? I usually wait until a couple days before.

Below are two photos of Dr. ChemoStein.

Prayer Warriors, give me strength.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-08-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

2009-08-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

"Asleep at the Wheel"

Hey, damn that chemo, damn that cancer. If I can walk, I can dance. Partying, Texas Style.

Below is High School Girlfriend and Jason Roberts. You talk about fiddle playing and singing. That Lampasas boy below, knows Texas.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

craig

Honky-tonk saloons and small town cafes!

2009-07-30T08:33:00.001-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Saturday, July, 25, 2009. Damn, I feel good. The chemo treatment of two weeks ago is a memory. Body craig has fought off the virus. AND, it’s Saturday. Let’s do something exciting. Push yourself, push your body. First destination. Brenham, Texas. Must Be Heaven Sandwich Shoppe. Hey, I’ve got to eat. Can somebody help me? I’ve got a favorite order and I can’t seem to jump to anything else. Have ya’ll been there? What is your favorite? I’ve got to try something different. What have I ordered the last 5 times I’ve partaked at Must Be Heaven? A Reuben on grilled rye with mustard and either peach or Dutch apple pie al la mode. I need to expand my horizon. Help please. If you haven’t been there go to www.mustbeheaven.com.

OK, I’m not full strength so a nap is in order. Then, then, let’s honky-tonk!

Somewhere between 10 and 20 years ago I was going through my bohemian period. You know, independent films instead of 3 and 4 stars and musical acts that hadn’t quite hit Reliant Stadium yet. Acts that were in small smoke filled dives in the inner city or warehouse district. One of those acts was advertised as progressive blues. Someone called Marcia Ball. So I’m there. What would you expect? Blues, piano and honky-tonk. I had heard that she was born in Orange, Texas. Well, surprise. Marcia Ball walked in and was an over 6 foot tall, lanky, white girl. Can she sing the blues? Damn right she could. I bet she spent most of her formative musical life straddling the Sabine River. AND, probably had a favorite swimming hole. Well Marcia went on a world tour and I moved from smoke filled dives to reserve seating. I read an ad about a new honky-tonk in Schulenburg, Texas. (SENGELMANN HALL). And guess what? The Blues Queen, Marcia Ball, was headlining the Saturday night show. High School girlfriend was ready to show Fayette County some Brazos Bottom blues herself. And, I invited the Doctor. You know if I’m going to a honky-tonk in my condition it’s good to have a doctor along. The Doctor is my neighbor and friend and is a retired Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine. Hey, he has saved lots of cow’s lives. OK, the food was good, the venue was great and the music was better. I had a meat-loaf burger with potato pancakes. Damn those potato pancakes were good. Once the music started you couldn’t help but have the urge to dance. High School girlfriend is in pain, next week she is going to a specialist to check her knee out. It’s like bone rubbing bone. No way she could dance. I asked the Doctor for any suggestions. He said, “try Crown and Coke, more Crown then Coke. Well, the Doctor had the right prescription. I bet they are still talking about High School Girlfriend, in Schulenburg. Hell, before the night was over, there were people trying to buy my CHASING THE TEXAS SUNSETS t-shirt off my back.

If you live in Texas, you need to experience SENGELMANN HALL. www.sengelmannhall.com.

Marcia Ball. She is around the world now, but if you get a chance to see this Texas girl beat the piano and sing the blues, do it. www.marciaball.com.

Chasing the Texas sunsets, after dark.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-07-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

Texas Nightlife !

Still on the Trail !

2009-07-24T14:38:00.001-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Still on the Trail ! see attached photo. Well, Thursday a week ago, July 9^th, I got pumped full of chemo again. All day, 9 am to 5 pm. And left with a carry out pump to pump another 48 hours of, still a different toxic into my body. Laying there, in the hospital, on that Thursday I started getting a sore throat, which quickly went to my lungs. When I got home that night I was coughing up mucus. Well, like the times before I was so tired. Can you believe you can sleep 10 to 11 hours wake up and be tired, real tired. I guess my body and body organs are fighting the chemo. Well, I would wake up and force myself to get up. I needed to eat and I figured if I laid in bed I would probably get pneumonia. So I would cough, cough, and cough up all the mucus I could. I would then go to Hard Times for breakfast. After that, about 9 am, I would go to the office(where I have a bed) or home and go back to sleep to about 12:30 or 1:00 pm. Get up for lunch and take a pain killer (no Cousin Bill, it’s not a pint of Fighting Cock Whiskey) but I wish it was. It’s something they gave me at MD Anderson called LORTAB ELIXER and its 2-3 teaspoon. Then I would try to put in 1 or 2 hours. Guess what, Jon? In that 1 or 2 hours from Friday to Tuesday, I managed to sell 16 acres on Katy-Hockley road. Property ID # 321 at TrueToTexas.com. When I said I would never retire, die in the saddle, I meant it. And I also listed a 5 acre homesite, Katy Schools in Waller County for $196,000.00. Property ID # 342. (while there, check out the Marquee and Great Places) OK, it’s Tuesday the 14^th and I’m not getting any better. In fact I have a low grade temperature, Wednesday my temperature goes to 90.5 degrees, Thursday to over 100 degrees, Friday, over 101 degrees. I call the chemo doctor and he says, if it gets to 102 degrees or you start getting chills rush to the emergency room. I take some Tylenol and a cold shower. My temperature started down. Wednesday July 22 and and I’m Still on the Trail. I actually feel pretty good, today.

I must have made a friend 20 years ago. “The Hallmark Queen”, she has forward so many stay in the saddle cards that it is embarrassing. DON’T STOP! I love them.

Let’s talk. When I was lying in the bed for hours wondering if I was going to live or die, you know, you’re not asleep and you’re not awake. This saying came into my mind. I can love you. I can hate you. But, I can’t lose you!

Also, I got to thinking; I’m going to find out the truth about this afterlife. Hey, will I waltz into some paradise where my family and friends are waiting for me or will my soul come back to earth as another person or animal, or will my ashes just float down the Brazos River to disperse into the Gulf of Mexico. I started wondering why this unknown wasn’t bothering me. Why I wasn’t scared. Lavern, you know why? Because I have a thousand friends, family and prayer warriors holding my hands.

Happy Trails and stay out of the wire,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

Daytrip

2009-07-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Man, I think I have become a professional. That’s a professional at road trips. I could write 10 pages on the people, places and things that I encountered over a 13 hour day trip. Most of ya’ll that know me, know that, I may be allergic to advanced planning. Last Wednesday I decided that I may have the energy to go on a day trip. I’ve been wanting to see Bolivar Peninsula since Hurricane IKE. Thursday, 6 am July 2, 2009 I leave the Brazos Bottoms for Bolivar. A little after 8 am I’m sitting in a booth looking over the Gulf of Mexico at Denny’s on Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas. I’m not much at franchise eating places, but you know, they had a pretty good breakfast. I ordered a “build your on” Grand Slam breakfast. You get 4 choices for $5.99. I order 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, bacon and hash browns. It was a full meal. I left there and took spin through the Strand. High School Girlfriend, the Candy Factory is still closed. Off to the ferry. At 9:20 am I board “Dewitt C. Greer”, one of the ferryboats crossing the Galveston Ship channel to Bolivar. The water was beautiful. See photos below.

I tell you what; somebody is spending a whole bunch of money out there at 3 feet above sea level. The world must not be agreeing with Al Gore’s global warming and that the BIG ice melt will be raising the sea level 10 to 20 feet. A LOT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY IS GOING OUT THERE AT 3 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. OK, I couldn’t believe it. Do you know what they are replacing a lot of those beach houses with? Really, this is a joke, but they are doing it. They are putting mobile homes on pilings. Yes, see the photo at the TrueToTexas blog of a double wide being jacked up to put piling underneath. And, that structure is less than 100 yards from the Gulf of Mexico. The advertisement is “The modular homes are built to the same standard as site built homes, but much less expensive.” Yeah, yeah. Get your hurricane resistant beach house from Palm Harbor. That’s a good name. Your new home may end up in the harbor.

Hey, why not. I’m this close. I’ve been to the most southwestern tip of Texas near El Paso. I’m heading where the Sabine River hits the Gulf of Mexico, the most south eastern tip of Texas. Vern, damn, this brings back memories. Rollover Pass. My father used to bring us to Rollover Pass in the 1950’s for the fall Golden Croaker runs. People would be lined up two deep along both sides of the pass. Well, the Pass is back open and the fishermen were there. It’s about 10:50 am and the tide is rushing out. I watched 4 fishermen catching nice speckled trout about every 5 minutes using baby live croaker. See the photo below of a hard fishing Grandmother. OK, onward F-150. Gilcrest, High Island and the road ends. I’m driving on the beach. Wait a minute; it looks like it will be about 40 miles of beach to the Sabine River. I’m in McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge; my cell phone has no reception. By myself, no other people in sight. I’m full of chemo and sixty years old. Maybe I better turn around and take the long way. The blacktop. Turn around; High Island again, Stowell, Winnie, Port Arthur, Sabine Pass and on to Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge. Also, Sea Rim State Park. Both closed to the public due to IKE. I’M not public. Lavern, how long have you known me? I made it to, The Point. The point where the Sabine River hits the Gulf. See photos below.

Hey, I’m this close; I at least need to cross the Sabine River to say I made it to Louisiana. Well, I did. And, can you believe I ended up at Holly Beach, Louisiana. LSU cheerleaders and more! What kind of beach party is this? Well, that’s a whole nother story. I’m heading west. I’m getting back to Texas. I’m literally Chasing the Texas sunset. I make it back to the Brazos Bottoms a 7 pm. 13 hours after I started this day trip. Un Que dia’.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-07-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Day trip to Bolivar Peninsula and east!

Henry Canales

2009-07-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

I can read,

I can write,

I can vote,

but not for White !

Six, that’s 6 Houston Police officers have died during Mayor Bill White’s tenure. Officer Henry Canales was shot in the back by an illegal immigrant, last week. The Houston Police Union and others have asked Mayor Bill White to back off his “no ask” illegal immigration policy. Aren’t you proud, Houston is a “Sanctuary City”? In a new conference Mayor Bill White made it clear “there will be no change to the department’s policy on illegal immigrants”. Officer Henry Canales’ murder by an illegal immigrant is the straw that breaks any support I would have had for Bill White. Can you imagine Bill White representing Texas! Hell, we might as well give Texas to Mexico the day he is elected. Oh, Texas a “Sanctuary State”.

The sad thing is, this is just the tip of illegal immigrant crime activity. What is the cost to Texas?

Please forward across Texas.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

The War Goes on

2009-07-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

The War Goes on!

Not the Iraqi war - - my war with cancer. Prayer Warriors, thank you. The prayers, the friends and the family have given me the strength to smile, be happy and see things like I have never seen them before.

Well, I haven’t had the time and/or energy to sit down “and write”. It takes a drive and strength that hasn’t been in me. It ain’t all cancer. A big part (of me being without energy) is the last 3 weeks of 100 PLUS degree temperatures, along with the high humidity. Even in the air conditioning, when it’s 108 degrees outside, I’m just exhausted. And, I’ve also been working on a complicated real estate offer. No, not complicated by the metes and bounds, or a boundary dispute, or the minerals - - - not by the title or flood plain or government actions. The offer is complicated by personalities: 6 sellers, 3 different offers, and an eccentric, finger-printed licensed Texas Real Estate Broker. AND, “The King” - little Dixon Kellner spent 7 days with me running the Brazos Bottoms. Man, we had fun, but we couldn’t find one bit of Brazos Bottom mud while he was here! It was too hot to play in it, anyway. I did find an air conditioned Chuck E Cheese. And, Little Dixon showed them at Hard Times that he could eat his whole pancake. (see attached photo).

I’ve now had 3 chemo treatments that include and all day treatment every other Thursday and then I take home a chemo pump that pumps another 48 hours of chemo into me. I think the idea is to see how much chemo my body can tolerate. And, hope that it beats back the cancer, again. They are going to give me 4 chemo treatments and then check me over to see what is going on. The second treatment was a hard one. Halfway through the treatment I started feeling flush, my palms started itching, my throat started itching. I called for the nurse. I was having an allergic reaction. She quickly took my pulse, it was 168 over 105. She went to call the doctor. Minutes later she came back, waiting on the doctors return call, and took my pulse again, now 178 over 110, then 189 over 120. She closed the chemo valve and gave me some kind of benadryl and another balancer. I laid there and meditated about walking on the beach at 14 years old. My blood pressure started dropping. Two hours later my blood pressure was down to 140 over 80 and we started the chemo again (at half the rate). I survived and at 9 pm I left M.D. Anderson. Well, after the second treatment my hair started falling out when I would brush it. Hell with this. I went to the local barber and told him, make it a quarter of an inch all over. If it’s going to fall out, a quarter of an inch doesn’t look so bad. Check out the TrueToTexas BLOG at www.TrueToTexas.com to see photos. Last week we did the chemo at half the rate and my body tolerated it.

You know, sitting there for hours I’ve done some studying. Studying the state of our United States of America. And the economy. What do ya’ll think?

And, I’ve got my mind rapped around this global warming. I’m going to make those subjects two separate emails, soon. I’m off to search for some rain.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-06-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

Chuck E Cheese

2009-06-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

2009-06-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

2009-06-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Texas Beaches

Chasing the Texas sunsets !

Walking back to Addicks.

2009-06-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

I’m Walking Back to Addicks.

The dates and times aren’t exact. They are like the rest of this story; approximates as I remember them. After all, this story is more for myself than anyone else. Feel free to delete now, it won’t hurt my feelings.

My mother, Katherine grew up poor in the east Texas town of Shepherd. And I mean poor. Her father was a genius who could do everything, but make a living. My father, Raymond, grew up poor in Houston. His father died when Raymond was 12 years old, leaving a wife and 4 children. Raymond, being the oldest had to go to work as a Houston Chronicle delivery person to supplement the family income. I believe he had a love / hate relationship with his mother. At 16 years old, Katherine was off to Austin and the University of Texas with a promise (to herself) that she would never return to Shepherd or the lifestyle she had lived through. Raymond jumped at the opportunity to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. It was a chance for an education and to get away from his mother.

The met. Raymond couldn’t believe that he had found this beautiful brunette with brains and the burning desire to succeed. A desire that may have surpassed his own. Katherine, who had many male courtiers, was attracted to Raymond’s mathematical genius and the promise that nothing would stand in his way of being rich and successful. Their common goal to be something united them.

I was unplanned. Katherine actually had an appointment for an abortion the next day. I’m told, by my Aunt, that my grandfather showed up and talked her out of it. I choose to believe that God had something to do with it, also. I was born at daylight on April 2, 1949.

Raymond and Katherine started an electrical contraction company, R. W. Dickson Electric, Inc. With their hard work and burning desire, the company took off. Within two years, they were buying a brand new home in the middle class neighborhood of Timbergrove. My sister Joan was born in 1951. R.W. Dickson Electric was now bidding and getting commercial electrical jobs all over the State. Raymond worked 12 hour days, was a chain smoker and closed most everyday “out with the boys” at the local watering hole. Katherine, a non-smoker, who very seldom touched alcoholic beverages, accepted Raymond’s vices as an inconvenience to the financial security she so desired.

In 1958, their business is going strong; Katherine is driving a new Buick Special. Raymond is driving a new Cadillac and they are moving up. They buy a 1 acre lot that backs up to Buffalo Bayou off Memorial Drive. And, they built a California Ranch style home. My sister Diane is born. Raymond spends very little time with his children, but our rewards are the trappings of upper middle class living.

It’s 1962, and it all unravels. Hey the stress from success in one thing, but the stress from failure is almost unbearable. R.W. Dickson Electric is going broke. Raymond is drinking more and later. Katherine may be having a nervous breakdown. They are arguing more often, than not, and it’s not pretty. Divorce is threatened. Katherine decides to stay. Why? Maybe it was for the children. But, I believe she still held out hope that Raymond would pull himself together, stop drinking and reach that potential she knew he had. They had to sell the dream home off Memorial Drive and move into a run down rent house in the community of Addicks. Addicks is located in west Harris County just east of Hwy. 6. West of the Memorial Villages, west of Spring Branch, and north of the rail road tracks.

Everything has fallen in around us. I should be sad. I should be depressed. I’m not. You see, Addicks is surrounded by thousands of acres of Federal Government Lands (Addicks and Barker reservoirs). I can hike it, I can hunt it and I am the master of these pathless woods. There is some strength that I got from the hours, days, and weeks of solitude with nature.

I can’t remember if it was a conscious decision or something that just happened. In those woods, in Addicks, I decided that I could live my life as a victim and be unhappy or I could choose to be happy and search for the positives around me. I took the happiness.

Katherine and Raymond quickly started a come back. They bought 6 lots in Addicks Dam Addition and started building houses. They built a comfortable brick home, down the street from the rental home, for the family. We were on our way back up and Raymond started celebrating accordingly. After all, he was the come back kid.

Katherine divorced my father 2 years later. Some months after the divorce when I had just turned 16 years old, Katherine asked me “Craig, are you OK? How are you handling this?” I told her the truth. “Mother, really, I thought Junior High would be the absolute happiest time of my life - - - hunting, fishing and exploring Addicks Reservoir. I was wrong; I don’t think I could be any happier than I am now.” Hey, I had a driver’s license and just got a brand new Ford Mustang.

Well, in 1968, I graduated from high school, and was off to college. Raymond was living in Spring, Texas. Joan had married. Diane was sent off to private school: and Katherine sold the house in Addicks.

Raymond died of heart disease when he was about 55 years old. Katherine almost reached 70 years old when colon cancer got her. I’ve had open heart surgery and just finished, yesterday, a 12 hour chemotherapy for cancer. SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS.

All these challenges and I’m as happy today as I have ever been. Friends, prayer warriors, relatives AND the King, Little Dixon.

But, for the last almost 50 years, when I get stressed and/or depressed,

I start walking back to Addicks.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

TrueToTexas

2009-06-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

TRUE TO TEXAS

Chasing the Texas sunsets….

Not something you do. It’s who you are.

The Road goes on forever . . .

2009-06-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

The Road goes on forever . . . and the battle never ends.

My road trip through M.D. Anderson. Last week I went to M.D. Anderson for another PET scan. (SEE ATTACHED) You know a Positron Emission Tomography scan. The scan where they inject radioactive material into your body to see where sugar metabolizes. Looking where the sugar metabolizes??? They didn’t ask me how much chocolate I eat. A scan along with other test to see if cancer has crept back into aggressive operation. Well, the scan showed hot spots (cancer activity) on my lungs and my lower back bone.

I HAVE THE WILL TO LIVE and I’M NOT SCARED OF DYING..

A little back ground. In 2003 I was sent to see Dr. Rice at M.D. Anderson about esophageal cancer. He said we needed to operate now. He said it’s a 10 hour operation with a minimum of 6 months recovery. 50/50 chance to survive the operation and 5 years. That scared the hell out of me. I told Dr. Rice I needed some time the think about it and get some things in order. Well, well. I was fixing to build us a new house and I had so many irons in the fire. Well, well a month later the tumor went down on it’s on. Swallowing was no problem. I’ll get back down there next month. 5 years later. A lot of road trips, a lot of miles, the tumor crepes back. August 2008, OK, Dr. Rice, I’m ready. I’m at piece with God and I’m at piece with myself. Let’s do it. Dr. Rice suggested first radiate it to shrink it and at the same time fill my body with chemo (cancer-fighting drugs) to try to kill the cancer cells that will spread during radiation. September 30 scheduled for the long risky operation. PET scan, CAT scan, and biopsies to see exact location of tumor before operation. THOUSANDS OF PRAYER WARRIORS have come to my aid to give me the strength to face this challenge. The doctors are talking. “What’s going on, I’m over here”? Well, they couldn’t find cancer anywhere. They were thinking about still operating. Sorry, Doc, I’m going with GOD and the Prayer Warriors. I’m out of here. God can foresee our actions without taking away our free will. Back to M.D. Anderson last February for every kind of test. No signs of cancer.

Right hear, I want to thank the Prayer Warriors, again. Man, the last 8 months (since I walked out of MD Anderson) have been the best. Little Dixon. That’s all I have to say.

Tomorrow, Thursday May 28, 2009 I start chemotherapy…… again. A toxic shake made up of Docetaxel, Fluorouracil, and Oxaliplatin.

Well, I’m going to sign off, for now. I’ll be back in touch with an update soon.

Dennis, you have some of the best Prayer Warriors. Would you ask them to pray for “High School Girlfriend”? My caregivers could go crazy; they need all the prayers they can get. I’m not scared of death, but I don’t work well with pain. I whine, I moan and I complain. I want sympathy, lots of it, when I’m in pain. I’ve been told that could drive to best over the edge. Pray, Dennis, Pray.

The road goes on forever and I have my GPS.

“God powers my soul.”

Chasing the Texas sunsets,+

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-05-07T08:55:00.001-07:00

Chasing the Texas sunsets, craig

2009-04-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

10 to 12 million bats came out of this little Texas cave at about 7:45 pm on April 23, 2009. What a sight ! The cave is about 4 miles from Concan on the Frio River.

Check out their website at http://www.friobatflight.com/.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,
craig

Onions

2009-04-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Onions, yes onions: white, yellow and red. All organic. Our good friend Steve Major has this huge garden and the onions are ready. I think the potatoes are close to being ready. Steve lives on Diemer road just east of the Brazos River. Like most gardeners he is hard to catch in the house, but his phone number is – (979) 877-0692. Steve hasn’t gone internet. He has a bunch of strawberries, but I get most of them before he realizes it.

Rickey, I think you ought to go by Steve’s place, pick up a bunch of onions and advertise “Organic Onion Rings this Weekend” Hey, we’ll put it on the marquee. Got a good ring to it, doesn’t it. “Organic Onion Rings”

Attached is a photo of Steve’s onions.

Hey, I got a crop too. See attached photo. No Lavern it ain’t marijuana.

I could tell you something about what they are putting on those vegetables and fruit from Mexico, Chile and beyond, but I could also tell you something about Obama’s stimulus package.

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

Pandale

2009-04-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

Chasing the Texas sunsets.

Pandale, Texas. Yes, Pandale. Lavern, have you ever been there? Check out the attached photo. No, I mean check it out now. What do you think? That is about as quite a place as you can get. Most of ya’ll know that I try to head to west Texas every spring to experience the cacti blooming in the Chihuahuan Desert. And, I always notice this long road that dead ends at Pandale, Texas which is on the east bank of the Pecos River. Well, I’ve been there now! 58 miles of a questionable road and you can get to a great place to kick back in the crystal clear Pecos River. IDAHO, FLORIDA, KANSAS, ALABAMA, WISCONSIN, LOUISIANA, CLAIFORNIA, NEW MEXICO, COLORADO, NORTH CAROLINA, MEXICO, ARIZONA, OREGON, OHIO, ALASKA, ONTARIO, MISSOURI, ILLINOIS and TEXAS. That’s the license plates I could read on this trip. (not at Pandale) Why? Why are they here? Back to Pandale, Texas. If you want to go there, contact the Mayor. Well, appointed by me. That’s Mayor Easy Davila. Easy has the only store in Pandale, Flat Rock Crossing. Easy has some cabins, campsites, and cabanas. Easy will rent you an inner tube to float around in the Pecos River. Easy’s cell phone number is 432-553-8175 or try 432-291-3212. Hey, this all started on the Brazos River with High School Girlfriend and I heading west. West to Alpine and Fort Davis. Used to be I would lay the hammer down on Interstate-10 all the way to Fort Stockton. Well, from now on I’ll be traveling on Hwy. 90 to west Texas. The King, the grandson, little Dixon Kellner lives two blocks off of Hwy. 90 in Knippa. Explanation completed. First stop, Knippa where we spend the night with Dixon and family. We decide to try Bill & Rosa’s Steakhouse and Saloon in D’Hanis. Bonnie, have you ever partaked there? OK, my Vegan friends. I went overboard. A 24 oz porterhouse steak. But, Little Dixon helped me. He now has almost a full set of baby teeth and he proved he can eat steak. That was last Thursday night April, 2^nd.

Friday morning High School Girlfriend and I are off to Alpine by way of Del Rio, Comstock, Pandale, Langtry, Sanderson, Marathon (the Gage) and at 6 pm we are at the Historic Holland Hotel in Alpine. In Langtry we stopped at Judge Roy Bean’s museum and desert garden. The garden is a great educational tool of desert plants. Sanderson, Texas and we stop for a late lunch. We eat at the RoundHouse Café. (432.345.2481). Good hamburgers. Yes, my friends I will get back to my vegetables when I cross the Brazos. 5 pm and we are in Marathon and we stop at the Gage to get that west Texas dust out of our throats. Did I mention the wind was blowing? And, I mean blowing.

All hell breaks loose. You see, I’ve wanted to stay in that special room at the Holland Hotel, call the Crow’s Nest, since I heard about it 2 years ago. Well, I planned this trip to Alpine around its availability. I have a confirmation number. At the front desk they are telling me that they made a mistake and that the Crow’s Nest is booked. I’m pissed. Real pissed. They know it. They give me the keys to a fabulous room; it’s not the Crow’s Nest. I leave to sight see and cool off. Did I mention that I am pissed? I go back into the Holland Hotel lobby and demand to know who the owner is. The answer, answered a few of my questions. The bank now owns it.

I’ll finish this story later, a customer just walked in and listed 5 acres so I ought to go put a “For Sale” sign up.

craig

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

Pandale continued.

2009-04-13T11:14:00.001-07:00

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Where was I? Oh, the Holland Hotel. By the way, both the restaurant and bar closed down at foreclosure. It’s Saturday morning and I have tried to make it a habit not to stay mad over one day. So, when I walk through the lobby I tell the guys that, “hey, that’s life, anybody can make a mistake”. Even though I still believe the new management for the bank just took the Crow’s Nest for themselves. You know, when things go to hell, it seems like one follows the other. I don’t know what’s happened in Alpine. The service, the service is pitiful. We went to two steak houses and walked out because of the service. Can you believe? Does anybody know the owner of “Alpine City Limits”? I think I could help them, if they cared. Same thing at “The Drug Store” restaurant in Fort Davis. I could help them. Maybe, they want to be fired. Hey no car payments for a year, Obama’s stimulus package, Obama’s extended unemployment, and Government reduction of their home mortgage. It might make cents to get fired about now. Lavern, there were bright spots: The Apache Trading Post, a must stop in Alpine, Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute out of Fort Davis, great place to view many of the desert plants, and Mt. Mitre. We also made a run through Marfa. With the service gone to hell in a basket, High School Girlfriend and I partaked at the local Dairy Queen.

Sunday morning we are packed and heading east. Destination, Dixon Kellner’s place. Rickey, look, don’t give up on the Holland Hotel. Give them 4 or 5 months to get things running right again. They said that their working with someone to open a quality restaurant, soon. It could happen to any of us. They are really pretty good people. I’ll book again. Uh, uh, did I mention that when I went to check out, these good people, said it’s on the house, it’s free, and they were sorry for the mix up. Oh life is wonderful.

Rolling, rolling, rolling down Highway 90. Damn right, I’m driving a Ford F-150. The one American car maker that didn’t take the Government bailout. Sanderson, Dryden and pull off the highway at Langtry for a pit stop. Well, there’s not much there, but the Wagon Wheel is open and has clean rest rooms. You know I’m not staying on Hwy. 90 all the way. I’ve decided to take the back roads to Knippa. I’m taking the river road north at Comstock where we can parallel the Devil’s River. Man, I love this country. I need to find somebody with a place on the Devil’s River. Juno, Mayfield’s Country Store, Nix Ranches, and Hudspeth Ranches. Anybody know a place I can meditate on the Devil’s River? Let me know, please. Comstock, Juno, Rock Springs, Camp Wood ( a vehicle with it’s emergency lights, it’s Texas Game Warden Rachel Kellner, not a citation, a hug and put on notice that Dixon and Charlie are waiting for our arrival) Uvalde, Knippa and the Little King is out in his front yard waving at his grandparents. Charlie and Rachel prepare a wonderful dinner while I baby-hog. Monday morning we are off to the Brazos Bottoms and back to work.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-04-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ocotillo

Mt. Mitre - 6,200 ft.

Chasing the Texas sunsets!

Easy, Edna and High School Girlfriend.

Pandale, Texas.

Ocotillo is a fabulous desert plant, sometimes called the Devil's walking stick. It only has leaves after a rain. Once it dries out, as usual, the leaves fall off.

Texas State History Museum

2009-03-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Have you been to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin? If you are a Texan you should have. Native or Naturalized Texans should all visit this Museum. I’ve been there before. More than once. But, ya’ll know how I roam. High School Girlfriend wanted to revisit the Museum. You see, they have a new exhibit. “FORGOTTEN GATEWAY: COMING TO AMERICA THROUGH GALVESTON ISLAND”. High School Girlfriend’s grandmother came from Hamburg, Germany and landed in Galveston.

Last Thursday we left the east bank of the Brazos river and headed west on Interstate-10 to Columbus, where we jumped on Hwy. 71 to Austin. First stop, Hruska’s Bakery, at Ellinger, where we partaked on some kolaches. Peach and Apricot for me. Back on Hwy.71 heading to Austin. Whoa, whoa, I pull off the Highway at LaGrange. Weikel’s Bakery. They have the best blueberry kolaches. Well, might as well get a few more peach and apricot kolaches for later. Onward. We arrive at the Texas State History Museum about 10:30 am. First thing, I want to go to the Texas Spirit Theater. It’s great. I’ve seen the feature presentation, “The Spirit of Texas” more than once, and love it. The girl at the ticket counter suggested we wait until the noon showing because the 11:00 am feature was full of first graders. Where is she from? I told her I would pay extra to be in that theater full of first graders. It was a blast. Then High School Girlfriend and I approached the FORGOTTEN GATEWAY exhibit. Two hours to take it in. Charlie, it’s worth the trip. Talk about Texas history. And, it’s a history of immigration from the early 1800’s until today. Yes, that exhibit really sheds light on immigration. It’s an education worth seeing. If I’m going to sell Texas Dirt, I’ve got to know as much as I can about Texas. All true Texans should see this exhibit. It’s now after 1:00 pm and we head over to have lunch at Hofbrau’s. We both get the large t-bone steak. High School Girlfriend gets her steak rare to medium, I get mine medium-well.

After lunch we head back to the Museum where we see “Across the Sea of Time” in 3D at the Museum’s IMAX Theatre. Lavern, do it.

We get out of Austin before 5 pm. Stop at Hruska’s on the way back to stretch our legs and use the facilities. Hey, Hruska’s rest rooms can compete with Bucee’s. Cross the Brazos River and home on the east bank before dark.

www TrueToTexas.com

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-03-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

A picture is worth a thousand words!

These photos were taken last week. The 700 acres is located south of Waller, Texas on Penick road. The building is located on FM 529 just east of FM 359, we call it the café building because it started out as Carolyn’s Café. The new buyer said he is going to convert it to his machine shop. Also, last week, two offers on Redhorse Ranch near Columbus, Texas and now, an offer on 5 acres just off Interstate-10, Brookshire, Texas.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-03-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Night Life ! Texas style.
craig

2009-03-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

What are they laughing about? Animals love me. Last weekend I attended the Royal FFA Stock Show. AND, came home with the bacon.

Also attached is a photo of the Royal FFA officers. I knew it. I knew it. I knew that they would take over if we let them in. Back in the mid to late 60's I was a FFA student at Katy High School. Katy High had just integrated and we had a few Black American boys in our FFA class. But, girls weren't allowed. They were directed down the hall to the Future Homemakers of America. Well, not long after I moved up the Brazos they opened the Future Farmers of America to girls also. Well, they have taken over. Every officer in the above photo is a girl.

Seriously, when I look back at my High School days I realize that FFA was some of the best education I could of gotten to become an entrepreneur. I learned to sell, I learned to sell myself, yes I use geometry everyday, but if you wanted to put a pin on the class subject that I believe did the most to forward a successful career selling real estate, it would be FFA.

Craig J. Dickson

Day Trip

2009-03-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

www TrueToTexas.com

Last Monday Little Dixon and I took on the Houston Zoo. Most of ya’ll know that I have a goal to take Little Dixon to every zoo in Texas. He has a good start. San Antonio and Houston under his belt (well diaper). But, don’t think he is too young. He enjoyed every minute, all 240 of them. Dixon smiled, laughed and observed the whole time. Let’s see we really liked the giraffes, baby and big daddy especially. Then of course the primates put on a show, head lined by this huge orangutan. The bat cave, oh the Komodo dragon, and Dixon especially liked the aquarium. He loved the aquarium. Where are the best public aquariums in Texas? I’m taking Dixon to one of the best aquariums this June. And of course, Dixon, is a Dickson. We love to entertain. We did our best for Cassie, Rachel, Charlie and complete strangers. Dixon had a fan club, started at “The Eagles Nest”. See attached photo. Vern, when was the last time you were at the Houston Zoo. I recommend it. Last Monday the weather was perfect. This visit to the zoo reminded me of one of my early trips to the Houston zoo. I believe I was about 4 or 5 years old and I was forever trying to catch those damn pigeons. Chasing them endlessly! Well, my mother was taking a 16 millimeter movie of me when I actually jumped up and caught a pigeon in mid air. And, that was at the Houston Zoo. Yes, Joan, Dixon and I chased the pigeons. We didn’t catch any, but came damn close. Dixon knows the object and I can’t wait for him to be more mobile. I still have those movies somewhere. Does anyone have a 16 millimeter projector I can borrow? Some people who don’t really know me, I have to prove that I caught that pigeon.

I’m up town. I have a blog. Go to www.TrueToTexas.com and pull up the TrueToTexas blog. I have more photos there. Check out the marquee.

Between the rains, the Texas bluebonnets and 4 straight days on the stock market Dow Jones going up - - the real estate buyers have taken off their camouflage and are hunting prey.

And, I’m hunting a unique Texas sunset

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

Craig Dickson

craig dickson realty

www.TrueToTexas.com

2009-03-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

Houston Zoo

2009-03-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Spring in Texas - Well, spring on the east bank of the Brazos. Yesterday, Little Dixon, Rachel, Charlie, Cassie and I went down to the east bank of the Brazos River for some photo ops with Dixon and the Texas Bluebonnets. One thing that makes these bluebonnets special is that I bought 5 pounds of bluebonnet seeds 20 years ago and planted a small sand hill. Now, well they have migrated and expanded. That 2.5 inch rain really helped.

Chasing the Texas sunsets,

2009-03-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

Working girls !

Street sweepers... Sidewalk washers? Who are they?

2009-03-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

It's raining all over Texas.

The Rainman !

2009-03-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Big Daddio and I are heading to the Houston Zoo.

Dixon

2009-03-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

This is my test blog. Like fighting the rapids you have to make the right turns.