Sunday, August 28, 2016

It Started In Texas

Many moons ago, I spent eight years in Austin, TX.  The city and the surrounding towns were loaded with antique shops and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Round Top, Fredericksburg, and Smithville were among my favorite places and I spent every spare moment browsing through the offerings.

One of the things I began collecting was Zane Grey books, particularly his westerns.
I made up a list after a while, in order to avoid duplication, and had it in my purse at all times, since you never knew where the next antique shop would be. My criteria was simple:
                                1) The books had to be first or second editions
                                2) I had to read each and every one

So there I was, surrounded by cowboys, reading about cowboys, learning to ride a horse, buying real boots. Is it any wonder I ended up writing about the Pony Express? And having my first hero be an Indian? I credit Mr. Grey for my fascination with this era of America.

But life goes on. I left Austin and ended up back in Ohio, where I'd grown up. The house is overflowing with books, including the 60 Zane Greys. So, we're starting to pare down, since a move to a smaller home is in our near future. The Zanes will need to find a new home. If there's a cowboy in your life, and you're looking for a unique Christmas gift, contact me. I'd love to share my collection with you.


10 comments:

  1. Cool collection, Becky. I visited the Pony Express museum in St. Joseph, Missouri last year -- well worth the visit.

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    1. I still need to get there, but have heard great things about it. Thanks for visiting today.

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  2. Hi Becky, Love reading back stories about writer's passions. Austin sounds fascinating...definitely on my "To visit" list.

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    1. I enjoyed it for a long time, especially when South By Southwest invaded every spring. They used to block off Sixth Street for a free concert.

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  3. I remember reading a Zane Grey book as a child. It was on my parents shelf. I still remember the title, Columbine. Have you read that one?

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    1. That one somehow eluded me, but it obviously impressed you, if you still remember it. Thanks for visiting today, and for sharing your memory.

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  4. Becky - We lived four years in Austin in the mid 70s. We went back through early last year and the town has become a congested city. Very interesting Zane Grey museum near Zanesville Ohio. Worth the money to visit if you haven't.

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    1. I should put the Zane museum on my list now that I'm back in Ohio. Good suggestion. Thanks, CD.

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  5. Never was a Zane Gray fan but I read everything Louis L'Amour and Jack Schaefer wrote. Got to meat Louis and blurted out, "You don't write enough. It's hard to part with books, isn't it?

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    1. I've read some of Louis L'Amour too, bit Zane's my favorite.

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