Rambling Boy

J. Frank Dobie was a folklorist and writer often dubbed "the father of Texas literature." Lonn and Dedie recently went to Oakville, Texas for an event called Dobie Dichos -- a gathering of Texas writers to commemorate Dobie's life and works. Today on the Rambling Boy, Lonn tells us about the Dichos, Dobie's impact, and how Lonn's family might have crossed paths with the Dobie forebears.

The first Veteran's Day was celebrated ninety-seven years ago on November 11, 1919, where it was called Armistice day because it marked the first anniversary of the armistice which ended The Great War or WWI . On this edition of The Rambling Boy, Lonn Taylor takes a look at the history of American involvement in The Great War through the lens of José de la Luz Sáenz, a Mexican-American member of the American Expeditionary Force,

One of the items Lonn Taylor inherited when his father passed away was an old belt buckle. It was custom-made by a guy named Robert W. Driskell. On this edition of the Rambling Boy, Lonn tells us what little is known about the unsung silversmith.

On this edition of The Rambling Boy, Lonn brings tricks and treats to the table and talks about the Halloweens of west Texas' past and present.

Back in 1979, the Library of Congress hired Lonn Taylor to curate an exhibition about the American cowboy. On this edition of the Rambling Boy, Lonn tells us about his time perusing the library's many so-called "other items" and the sometimes strange things found therein.

Back in 1979, the Library of Congress hired Lonn Taylor to curate an exhibition about the American cowboy. On this edition of the Rambling Boy, Lonn tells us about his time perusing the library's many so-called "other items" and the sometimes strange things found therein.

Last year, Carolyn Mccartney left a tenured faculty position at Southern Methodist University in Dallas to move to the Big Bend where she now works as a sign painter. On this edition of the Rambling Boy, Lonn tells us how she does it, why she loves it, and the importance of squirrel hair to her craft.

Lonn Taylor recently came across two books that he now considers required reading for anyone moving to the Big Bend -- The Story of the Highlands, by Frank Reeves, and Memories of a Ranch Wife by Lottie Evans Woods. On this edition of the Rambling Boy, Lonn tells us about the books, their depictions of West Texas ranch life.

This week on the Rambling Boy, Lonn tells us some anecdotes from Marathon's rowdier past, and that it's rowdy image is no more.

On June 1, 1966, the newly-formed farm workers' union based in Rio Grande City voted to strike for higher wages. Lonn Taylor was there. On this edition of the Rambling Boy Lonn tells us about his role in the strikes, which involved racing buses of strike-breakers down winding roads and surprising picket-line conversations with Starr County Sheriffs.