Sgt. James Stratton, 94 years well lived!

A Cowboy for Life

by J.B. Blocker

James Carter Stratton was born May 22, 1920 to J.C. and Hattie Stratton in Clovis, New Mexico. He grew up near Tucumcari where his family raised cattle and grew wheat. 

After serving in WWII, he met Miss Lila Miller at an Army dance in Lusk, Wyoming. They began their lives together on Oct. 20, 1945 in Lance Creek where they raised cattle for 60 years.

He is survived by his wife Lila of 68 years, son Ted of Lafayette, Ga., daughter Nona of McKinney, grandsons Dale, Sam, and Logan, granddaughters Sarah, Regina, Jennifer, Amy, Cara and 10 great grandchildren.

James Stratton is my friend. The 94 year old cowboy lived a couple of blocks from me in McKinney. I first met him at a Veterans Day celebration where he came dressed in his full WWII uniform. He was a devoted American Patriot who was still holding hands with his Lila in his last days. He was a historian of the era of cowboys and the military. His legacy is carried on by his devoted children and all who saw the sparkle in his eyes that drew you in and captured your heart.

Over the past 6 years, I tried to drop by as often as possible for an afternoon taste of Glenlivet and to hear cowboying stories going back to the 1930's. 

  
  Since James has been an avid historian and collector of Cavalry memorabilia most of his life, his mind and his house are historical museums just waiting for me to tour.

  It has been an awesome honor and responsibility for me to be one of the last personal friends and confidants of a man who has traveled the world and made so many friends all along the way.          I have many of his stories bouncing around now like friendly ghost. God blessed us all with men like James Stratton.

Somewhere outside Clovis, New Mexico 1936. McGregor Cattle Company chuck wagon ready to feed.  “We would pick out the fattest calves and butcher them next to the supply wagon. Cowboys would ride in, cut off a favorite cut, and eat all the beef and beans you could hold.” Photo by James Stratton.

Chef Ewald Scholz: Meeting a Legend

On March 31st, Chef Ewald Scholz saw his 86th birthday. With that, his pain and suffering of the past two years ended. His son Brian was able to be with him. Throughout this last great battle, even through the sickness of chemotherapy the pain in his bones and muscles were at times blinding. But he added a step to his gait and made his rounds. He would leave chemo to attend a chef's luncheon and stand straight and true as if he hadn't anything but joy and love.
Many didn't realize the struggle because he masked it so bravely. The great man was driven by a need to squeeze out every opportunity to pass on his spirit to the culinary world of Dallas. A world he gave all to.

Meeting a Legend 

 by J.B. Blocker

  Ewald Scholz brought elegance to the madness of perfection. Ask anyone. Perfectionist is always mentioned with his name. 

  He is energized and driven by the soul of hospitality. The great chef is 'Front of House', 'Back of House', and all points in between. He proved to be a mentor and guide from a young age. No detail escaped him. He lived his historic culinary carrier with a whip and a rose. I have seen it in the many ways. 

  He has traveled the world of cuisine like Marco Polo and then presented what he has learned with thoughtful elegance. He has influenced thousands and charmed thousands more.

A New Years Story

The possibly true story of Juan Valdez

Romancing the Bean 

A Series Of Short Stories

By J. B. Blocker
the Caffeine Cowboy

  

 
  In a little over 1000 years, coffee has been elevated to the second most traded commodity after oil and is the most prepared beverage in the world. 
  Kaldi the Ethiopian goat herder is said to have discovered coffees kick and introduced it to monks who were able to chant and pray longer. A French Lieutenant stole a kiss and two coffee plants from Napoleon's garden and brought it to the New World. Stories abound!

   I’ve got a long list of these stories if you’re interested. Most of them are true! At least parts of them are!

   The story I am about to share may or may not be true. No matter, it is close to my heart and carries a modern-day lesson somewhere inside.

   Our story begins on New Year’s Eve. In a small community hospital in South Texas, two young couples await their firstborns. All the while the hospital staff anxiously anticipate the race for the first birth of the New Year. Two expectant fathers pace into the midnight hour. As the town clocks strike midnight, simultaneous declarations of triumph announce two births!

   It is a tie! For the hospital and even the state of Texas, the firstborn pair of the new year are named Juan and Josephine. 

Jewel of Division Street

John Bucci and the 15-foot long replica Traveling Trevi

  A crowd milled around one large exhibit at the Houston Greater Southwest Food Festival as if it were a museum attraction. The Italian food section's centerpiece was a 50-foot long replica of the world-famous Trevi Fountain.

   With water flowing from the giant clam shell chariot seat of Oceanus and his trumpeting mermen atop powerful seahorses, the feature captivated the attendees and gave me the feeling of being at the Palazzo Poli in Rome.   
  Standing Greco/Roman statues and reliefs were being moved around by a spry, graying image of an Italian Formula One driver of the '60s. But this was the '90s, and I had to meet this man who was furiously arranging the Italian Exhibit. 
  By the end of the four-day event, John Bucci and I were friends. His art is just now being sold to private collections. I thought you’d like to know more. - jb