A Picnic with Great-Granddaddy

PB & J, goldfish and a yoga mat.

Today, I spent several hours in Eddy, Texas -- where Great-Granddaddy Bedichek spent his formative years and where he was buried. I have been to the cemetery many times, but not recently. It has always felt grounding to know that there is a physical place where several generations are buried. I plan to be buried there, too -- or at least have a memorial marker.

I took my time in the cemetery. My agenda: 1) soak it all in, 2) imagine their life there in that small town, 3) plant a letterbox, find some birds. Mission accomplished.

Using mostly spoons... I dug a little hole to put the letterbox in.

Letterbox wedged under the Bedichek family memorial marker.

Couldn't identify this fine fellow. There were several in the trees and they would not sit on a branch for more than a few seconds.

The cemetery groundskeeper, James T., who happened to stop by while I was there.

Between the freeway access road and the cemetery is the railroad. Since Great-Granddaddy started his journey in Eddy, I imagine this is the railroad he followed down to San Antonio on his epic ride to El Paso.

Bedichek Academy

With a little sleuthing at the City Hall and with the help of City Secretary, Pam C., I managed to figure out the plot of land where the Bedichek Academy was. Finding the location of their house has proven more difficult.

The Hollis Martin property where the Bedichek Academy once stood.

The only thing that remains of the school is the bell. In 1912, JM Bedichek donated the school's bell to the church -- one year before he closed the school. I found the timing curious until I saw that the church dedicated a new sanctuary in 1912. Perhaps he donated it on that occasion. It still rings very clearly!

Though Great-Granddaddy had an affinity for the little village (as he called it) where he grew up, he did not want to rely on the land to make a living. He had aspirations to travel, explore and continue learning.

Cardinal Greeting

My day ended in Austin. I arrived at my lodgings and heard the sweetest sound of a cardinal singing in the tree above my car. He sang the whole afternoon. I didn't know they had so many different songs.

The cardinal who serenaded me all afternoon.