On one of these - a Texas longhorn. I actually don't know if it was a bull  or a heifer... there are some things you just don't to get close enough to check out for sure - although these were obviously tame enough. They they had another longhorn, a spare, perhaps,  tied up to the end of the fence by the public lavatory in back of the "Writer's Corral" at Saturday's Christmas celebration in the heart of beautiful downtown Goliad, Texas. Look, I was brave enough to make use of the the public toilet on a day when it had been below freezing overnight and was still below 45 degrees. I levitated 2 inches above the stainless-steel seat - you think I was reckless enough to walk around three feet from the hindquarters of an animal notorious for it's wilderness survival instincts, tendency to panic, and the fact that it had  ... you know ... long horns! 

(On the way to Goliad, on a frosty December morning.)

 They do Christmas full-out, in small towns,  especially for local celebrations like Christmas on the Square in Goliad, Texas, two hours drive south of San Antonio, on a clear cold morning with everything – including the windshield of the car white and furred-over with frost. It was glorious, though, to see the sun come up, and arrive in Goliad – which  boasts  – against considerable competion in this part of the world – the most-exuberantly ornamented Beaux-Arts-style courthouse building around. Christmas on the Square was two days of local artists and crafters, food-booths purveying everything from hand-cut home-made potato chips to gorditas, hamburgers and meat-onna-stick, live music, a dog costume contest, and of course  . . .  the arrival of Santa, mounted on a longhorn.

 

( And Santa's escourt - to make sure that he arrived safely, and all.)

I was there because of my books; for the local historical society had a special table for local authors. What better venue to talk up a family saga, full of drama, bloody war, treachery, true love, adventure, Texas Rangers and Comanche Indians, and lots and lots of cows, than the place where it all began with a bang, a short distance away at the old Presidio of La Bahia where the survivors of Colonel Fannin’s company of Texians were led away and executed by Santa Anna’s soldiers, in 1836? I talked to some local authors, touched bases with some local historians who are helping me out with research on the next book, some of which will take place in Gonzalez in the early 1830s. What you think of when you think of Texas now - well, it wasn't much like Texas then, so I am lining up my research ducks. Also talked with a lady from the Beeville book club, who was absolutly thrilled to learn about the new books. And I sold five sets of the Trilogy, which made it an extraordinary day for me, and gave away a lot of flyers and postcards about the Trilogy to potential readers who wanted to think about it, so here's looking that my sales rankings on Amazon will take a little jump. 

In between time, my daughter and I took turns, walking around the square admiring various wares, quite a lot of which were very fine, indeed. If I had sold more books, I most likely would have bought more than I did; even so I was seriously tempted, if not downright amused.

 

(The softer, cuddlier side of T-Rex - who'd a thunk it?)

(Perfectly detailed, functioning fishing accessories - in silver)

I couldn’t afford the piece that I wanted from this artist – a tiny Colt revolver in silver with inset horn grips. He has a site on e-bay, though - "Jimmie's Fishing Jewelry." When I have made enough from my own books to indulge in frivolities, I would love to ask him to make a miniature 1836 Colt Paterson, and maybe a miniature branding iron for my fictional R-B-S ranch.

(Turned-wood vase, by Gaylon Harvey, in Blessing, Texas -talk about a headache, gluing together all those little bits of wood, to make a pattern and all...)

 The Turn Works,of Weesatche and Mission Valley does barbeque tools – set with handles made of deer horn – forks, ladles, combination salt-and-pepper shakers. According to their card, they will also do your custom design. Alas, no website – but MC Enterprises does. 

 

I loved their stuff; original designed jewelry, and I did indulge myself with buying an amythest and silver pendant. It's all individual pieces, silver, set with shell, coral, semi-precious stones and mother of pearl. They pulled off the neat trick of being original and of good quality without being flashy, and affordable without looking cheap.

 

I did have to warn my daughter away from the pet adoption display, put on by Goliad Pet Adoption as there were a number of totally charming dogs and cats looking for likely humans. Or the dogs might have been looking for a human, the cats looked like they just wanted a warmer place inside - the human only being a means to that end.

The high point of the afternoon, after the arrival of Santa and the entourage, was the pet parade - time to put on the dog...

 

Yes, it’s that time of year to completely and totally humiliate your dog by dressing them up as Mrs. Santa Claus...

 

the Grinch who stole Christmas ... 

 

or in what may just possibly be the least-convincing reindeer disguise on the face of the earth ...

 

Refreshingly, there where were pet owners who chose the tasteful, minimalist approach.

 

And the very, very final words of wisdom on a long and interesting day?

I'll be here all week - you've been a wonderful audience, and don't forget to tip the wait-staff!