Who Is Cowtown Pattie?

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I was Lillie Langtry in another life, and might have a crush on Calamity Jane.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Black Ladies with Huck Finn Hats

Or, "This is the city: Fort Worth, Texas. I work here. I carry a badge."

Okay, okay, nope I don't carry no stinkin' badge, but I should always carry my trusty digital camera. Just this morning while packing stuff to take to work, I glanced at the little miracle machine sitting on my dresser. Gave some thought to wagging it to work for a photographic walkabout...nah, too hot.

So, this afternoon while driving home on my preferred route that avoids the freeway, I passed a little local city park with baseball diamonds and playground. In the small paved parking lot were the usual SUV's and mom-mobiles.

Over underneath one shade tree, three middle-aged black women were climbing out of a Suburban. Each was wearing identical black knit sleeveless dresses and a funky hayseed straw hat. Plates of food were balanced on the palms of their hands. Looking around, I didn't notice any evidence of a picnic, or reunion of sorts.

Now, why didn't I bring that danged camera, and why didn't I take the opportunity to ask for their photo and delve into what obviously must be a story?

Maybe they were backup gospel singers and were getting ready for a wedding at the little church in the old neighborhood of Como just a block west or so from the park. Perhaps they were sisters just finishing up a family portrait, or bit actors in local theatre somewhere.

The world will never know because I didn't listen to my inner journalist this morning. I'll never be an urban documentarist like Weegee unless I learn to carry the tools of the trade and grab such opportunities. However, I do draw the line at going to bed fully clothed with a police-band shortwave radio blasting from my bedside night table. And fortunately, science has negated any need for a portable dark room in the trunk of my car.

I shall endeavor to do better...

7 comments:

DarkoV said...

Shame, Shame CP. I was just envisioning you in bed, with shortwave blaring and a cigar stuck in your mouth, as you contemplated the Next Big Thing in Fort Worth.

spookyrach said...

tsk, tsk.

I've got permanent bruises from where I have kicked myself for not bringing the camera.

Anonymous said...

Aaaaw. See, now I wanna' know their story too...

I would draw the line at going to bed fully clothed as well. However, I, just as Darkov there, can most definitely picture you with the cigar in mouth, and contemplating...perhaps relaxed on a lounge chair with legs crossed, a big floppy hat, and a twinkle in your bright eyes!

Cowtown Pattie said...

DarkoV and Trace, I don't mind all the accoutrement's except for the stogie. Let's substitutue a tootsie roll pop - red please!

Jeff said...

Miss Pattie, Eric expressed similar sentiments recently, in a post on the Fire Ant Gazette,

Anonymous said...

You don't have a camera on your cell phone?

My Computer Man said...

There's a neighborhood named Como in Ft. Worth? Whoa, I must visit this mystical place. Is it an oasis of peace and calm, or a chaotic maelstrom of entropic doom? (Wow, that's pretty deep for 6;37 a.m. on Father's Day). Anyway, I found your blog via the Fire Ant Gazette, and now I must read frequently. my daughter, Michelle Comeaux, is in Bedford, only a few minutes freeway drive from there.
John C in Lafayette