There’s a legendary artist living right here in the neighborhood.
Tom pretty much invented the paper doll book. The kind you see in every bookstore and toy store and gift shop all over everywhere. And almost forty years later he still creates those books. At the age of 86. From his historic downtown storefront studio in Smithville, TX. But there’s so much more than paper dolls to Tom’s outrageously creative life story. Please read through his bio and as you go, imagine you have a Tom Tierney paper doll and which outfits you’d choose for each of the many, many creative endeavors he’s mastered: Fashion illustrator, sculptor, portraitist, stage designer, army recruiting artist, modern dancer, nightclub singer, children’s theater co-founder, award-winner, college professor, gentleman farmer, NYC man about town…
I’m certainly not the first one to be smitten with Tom’s talents and treasure chest of celebrity stories. (His annual Paper Doll Parties drew fans from all over the country). Over the years I’ve taken every opportunity to chat with him, and as a result I know how he uncovers the underwear preferences of each President and First Lady. And how Tallulah Bankhead ended up sharing recipes with him. And who Tennessee Williams liked to hang out with. And so, so much more. Thank you, Tom, for your memories.
This scene. This scenery. These folks. This space. This music. This heat. This catfish. Those hushpuppies. This beer. These makers. Their makings. The leather. The denim. The stitching. The prints. The hats. The aprons. The charms. That dress. The sewing. And swinging. And smiling.
Thank you Stash Co. for some exceptional hospitality.
Nothing but nothing is better than accidentally arriving in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, and last Saturday it happened to me again. Not like it’s a big secret, I mean look, there it is in all caps right on the permanent sign. Monthly Jam 2nd Saturday. But I hadn’t read the fine print, so when I popped over to Fayetteville after popping into Bellville on the way to La Grange on the way back from Sealy (yes, I do spend Saturdays like this), the spontaneous clusters of musicians gathered for the Monthly Jam on the Square was all surprise to me.
Folks were too busy playing for me to ask questions like “are you famous?” or “can I download that?” or “where ya from?’ Maybe I’ll get there a little early next month so we can chat a bit. Or maybe I’ll slide in all rushed from stops in Nechanitz or Serbin or New Ulm. Early or just in time, hope to see you there.
“Bridges become frames for looking at the world around us.” -Bruce Jackson
This shady span across Cummins Creek seems to have a special way of framing things, not only with its rusty steel grate base and iron truss structure, but also with its stories and symbols. In fact, the Arts for Rural Texas group in Fayetteville had a recent one night showingof works by over 30 artists, poets, writers and other creative types, all inspired by their experiences on Willow Springs Bridge.
Maybe you’d be intrigued by the story of the fiery end to the original wood bridge, or by the scattered ashes of a devoted fisherman, or by the mysterious notes frequently found by strangers, or by nothing more than a lonely bobber trapped in the brush. Why not bring yourself here and see what you see?
I took a late spring wonder-wander drive around RT last weekend, and thought you might like to share in my roadside donkey moment. To experience these sweeties for real, just head out Round Top Road from downtown and the pasture will be on your left in about half a mile.
Because pictures are often enjoyed best when accompanied by a story, I googled “Round Top Donkey” to see what would pop up. These lines from a book called The Times of Round Top by C. Thornton are exactly what you need.
“Paula Giese (b.1919) rode her paint horse, Vergil, four miles from the family farm to attend Round Top School.
Paula tried to ride her donkey, Stump, to school but she could not always rely on Stump. Sometimes he would sit down when he did not want to go anywhere.”
Gotta love Stump. Now here’s your moment of donkeys.
The enthusiastic welcome wore off quickly once it became evident that I offered nothing more than timid, armpit-over-the-barbed-wire, city-girl neck scratches. Bring carrots.
Here’s one of the many off-season traditions that make Round Top so much more than a semi-annual Antique Show. Each spring, Round Top organizes a Wine Fest and it’s just what it says. A fest. With lots and lots of wine. Your ticket buys you an empty glass and a map, and from there it’s your job to visit the dozen or so participating merchant/winery partnerships for a pour of their best. You sip a little, stroll a little and sip a little more. Please say you’re in for next May.
There’s music all day, from mellow saxophone in the afternoon to the town’s famous Black Cat Choirfor the loosened up evening crowd. The whole thing feels a little Edgartown, a little Beaver Creek & a little Charlevoix, with a hearty splash of gentleman rancher. And of course, it wouldn’t be a weekend in Round Top if you didn’t come across an outdoor wedding set-up in the works.
The good news? You've discovered The Crush List. The not so good? I haven't been actively posting here for a few years now, which means the never terribly reliable details about my crushes are even more unreliable. Antique vendors have switched venues, shops in town have moved or passed on, donkeys may or may not be in the same front yards... In spite of the risks of massive misdirection I've left the site up in hopes that it still achieves its goal - to inspire you to visit Round Top for the Antiques Show or any time you have the time.
With that said, I leave you to explore this random list of my very favorite things about my very favorite place. I’ve tried to capture the area’s special pieces and parts. Some are big deal, some are small gestures, some are legendary and some are just tiny pip and squeak.
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