I had made a mental note (and then called my wife to write it down) to check out the Leon Valley Market Days held the second Saturday of each month. As you would expect, it is supposed to be a gathering of people selling things - sort of like a flea market, but the emphasis seems to be on crafts and such.
This Saturday, we took the short drive to the Leon Valley Conference & Community Center and found that because of the uncertain weather situation and the action in Houston and Galveston, the number of vendors was less than what they usually host.
So, just a few pictures of what we did see, and then you can check out the rest of them on the Flickr page.
I've seen many of these cars at other places, I'm sure. I didn't take the time to go admire each vehicle, but needless to say, there are a few beauties.
Inside one of the facilities, there were lots of crafts and such. We enjoyed seeing this creative idea: Spurs purses made out of newspaper clippings and duct tape! That is high fashion!
Lots of different crafts that seemed interesting and often, overpriced for my tastes. But isn't that how it always is? Whenever we pass by a particular item of wood working, my wife will say, "Oh, you could make that." I usually think to myself, "Yea, but why?" 
They had some nicely refinished antiques and lots of beads and candles and other things. In another building, it was more of the same - more handcrafted earrings and beads and stuff that I just don't need.
Outside, there were several interesting vendors. We found this trailer from Uncertain Farms in Seguin. I couldn't help but buy some of their Garlic Salsa and I'm here to tell you, it was a hit! (Those are my wife's homemade chips in the bag).
And outdoors, there were quite a few vendors selling more crafts and plants and such. The weather was nice and they even had folks selling food and such in case you get hungry. My guess is, when the place is filled with all the vendors who normally show, it is probably worth an hour to wander around and see it all.
Know of a market we need to see? Tell me about it.
Disclaimer:
I won't cuss, but a at least two of the pictures I'm going to post here contain potentially objectionable material. One picture contains a bumper sticker that includes a foul word (Fuck) and the other contains a picture of a penis drawn on the back of a person's vehicle window. The penis is not well drawn, but it is clear to most observers that it is in fact intended to be a penis.
If you are offended by either of these things, you should not read further, as the pictures I have described and will post below may offend you.
Likewise, if you are offended by a building that has a sign on the outside that says "Boobie Rock", even though I won't be posting a picture of the building or the sign, you may wish to move along because I have a paragraph or two which will discuss said building.
I am not normally driven to get beyond restaurant reviews, day trips or discussions of funny things I saw at the HEB, but I hope you can indulge me for just a moment as I bring up something that has bothered me recently. I promise, I will try to be sensitive in my descriptions of things I have seen in public.
In recent weeks, there has been discussion amongst the San Antonio city council and specifically, with the council lady from District 8 named Diane Cibrian about a business trying to open up on I-10 at Huebner in a building formerly occupied by a club called Hooligans. Her concern is no doubt for the children of the community who might ride their bikes along the highway and be offended by a building facade. Heaven forbid one of these children was hit by an 18-wheeler doing 70 MPH. But they might live to walk amongst the rest of us at a mall where they would see the open displays of Victoria's Secret or worse, Lane Bryant.
I would have let this go because people far smarter and wittier than I can come up with a million points as to why this whole idea is so ridiculous. Forget the fact that on the opposite side of I-10 is All Stars, another Gentleman's club that has operated without apparent concern by children on bicycles for years.
But for the last several months, San Antonio has been adorned with some billboards for a morning radio show called Lisle and Hahn. These two guys have owned the number one spot on radio for the most part, for as long as I have lived in SA, though I haven't always listened to them.
Frankly, during the years that I drove my kids to school, I didn't want to have to explain any potential double entendres that might come from Lisle and Hahn or back then, Drex, so our drive consisted of wholesome news reports and Viagra commercials from WOAI and KTSA. But like many parents my age, as soon as the kids were safely in school, I was back on the FM band listening to those heathens give commentary of the latest events.
Some people have written letters and complained about this latest billboard, showing John Lisle and Steve Hahn on their knees, next to the legs and boots of some gal with a headline: 15 Years of Morning Domination. The writers claim that they have to explain to their kids why the two bad men are on their knees or why a lady would be wearing boots. Seriously.
I took the picture for the clouds, but you can click on it to see what I'm talking about.
To the point: I am honestly having a hard time following these busy-bodies who seem to go out of their way to be offended by things that they think their kids will be offended by. My kids survived years of rides to school listening to "conservative talk radio" advertisements for the aforementioned boner medicine, and worse, something called Enzyte advertised by a guy named Bob who seemed to be happy all the time. They never questioned me about it nor, as far as I know, tried to purchase any of it, just because it was being pushed by "conservative talk radio".
If you are driving down I-10 at 70 MPH, do you honestly think your kid will notice the Boobie Rock building any more or less than the pre-exisiting All Stars building? And if his or her frame of reference that "Boobie" is a naughty word, who do you suppose should be to blame? You? Talk radio?
So yesterday, I drove my son to the airport and as we exited onto Airport Blvd, I pulled in behind this fashionable family vehicle. I'm sorry, I didn't have my council-person's number, so I had to take matters into my own hands. 
I took a picture of what I saw. I never said a word. When my son realized what I was taking a picture of, he seemed to giggle under his breath, but not so much at what I was taking a picture of, but the fact that his immature 43 year old father found it humorous.
And on my way home from the airport, I was driving north on Bandera Road - yes, even the people of Leon Valley are subject to harsh words - and I spotted this little display.
It wasn't the Lisle and Hahn bumper sticker that caught my eye as much as the sticker above it. Should we outlaw tow trucks too, or simply re-zone them off the highway?
The fact is, you can boycott and complain and get upset all you want over things you find offensive, and I say, good for you. But in the end, after you have made an ass of yourself over really insignificant things, some idiot is going to offend you even more with his bumper sticker or his radio commercial.
I'll take a Boobie Rock building that I don't have to ever step foot into over a Viva Viagra TV commercial any day of the week.
Ms. Cibrian: Get a life.
My wife and I have been meaning to try out this new BBQ place that recently opened on Bandera and Eckhert in Leon Valley called Dickey's. According to a friend of my wife, this place is the cat's meow. So, we took a little drive over and gave it a try.
First mistake was deciding to go at the exact same time every other person in Leon Valley got the bright idea to try it. We stood in line for close to twenty minutes, primarily because they only have a single cash register/order taker. So, if you try Dickey's and see a long line, be prepared for a wait.
The crowd also resulted in a seating situation. The dining room is small so people were literally standing there waiting for other people to un-ass their seats so they could sit down. Again, timing is everything, because by the time we had finished eating, (around 7PM) seating was not an issue.
I would like to point out kudos to a proactive floor manager. There was a large table of folks sitting next to us (8 to 10 people) who had clearly finished dinner, had to-go containers filled and were sitting there enjoying after dinner conversation. This is perfectly fine and a reasonable thing to do if the situation permits. But in the case of having people literally standing there waiting for a table to sit at so they can eat their food, most reasonable people will get up and leave. The Dickey's manager came by and asked the people how everything was and if he could get them anything else. They said it was all great and no, they were fine. So then he gave them the boot. Bravo.
To the vittles. I genuinely had a hankerin' for catfish and had thought about it all day long. I figured my wife would get some brisket or something and I'd get fish. Important note: You are not at Grady's and there is no fish.
When we started looking at the prices for what she wanted and what I wanted (since there was no fish, I was going to try some pulled pork and some brisket) we decided it would be cheaper if we went all out and ordered what they call the Full House. You get 2 ounces each of the eight different meats they serve so you can get an idea of what it is like. You also get rolls and two sides. Dickey's does not skimp on the portions, so this Full House platter could easily feed a family of four.
They have a condiment bar so you can load up on the standard pickles, onions and other needed accoutrements to dress out your buffet, and I especially liked that they had a selection of three or four sauces that were in heated tins. You basically grab a plastic tub and fill it with the sauces of your choosing.
Though it took an eternity to order, our food was out rather quickly and by the time we had filled our drinks, gotten the sauces and prepared ourselves for a heart attack worth of food, it was delivered to our table.
I found it all to be fine. I had no issues with any of the meats or the two different sausages. Both the chicken and the turkey were cooked nicely and they were not dry. My wife said a piece of ham she tried was hard, but the piece I had was fine. The order came with a single pork rib which we took turns gnawing on, and it was cooked to be very tender. The pulled pork had great texture and the brisket was fine. For me, the key to all of this was the sauces. I took a bite of each item without sauce, and then tried the "Hot" sauce and the "Sweet" sauce. The Hot had a nice taste to it but I've had better. The Sweet was very nice and complimented all the meats. My wife felt like the Sweet had a bit too much of a kick to it, but I was already numb from the Hot, so I guess I didn't notice.
Our sides included the Onion Tangles (onion rings) and green beans with bacon. Oh, the green beans with bacon also included cooked potato slices. A nice touch and very tasty indeed.
We really couldn't make a dent in the full platter and opted instead to finish dinner with a soft serve cone, sort of like they used to have at Bananza.
Okay. I'd say give it a try. It may be that we are just hard core Grady's people, but overall, I didn't see this as being anything special. My wife was a little more blunt in her evaluation, giving it an Eeee-Yuck! I don't know how that translates in restaurant review jargon, but it definitely means we probably won't go again. But I'd say it is worth giving a shot. Just don't go at 6PM on a Saturday night.
And just remember, if you don't like it, Grady's is just across the street.
I've seen many of these cars at other places, I'm sure. I didn't take the time to go admire each vehicle, but needless to say, there are a few beauties.
Inside one of the facilities, there were lots of crafts and such. We enjoyed seeing this creative idea: Spurs purses made out of newspaper clippings and duct tape! That is high fashion!
Lots of different crafts that seemed interesting and often, overpriced for my tastes. But isn't that how it always is? Whenever we pass by a particular item of wood working, my wife will say, "Oh, you could make that." I usually think to myself, "Yea, but why?" 
They had some nicely refinished antiques and lots of beads and candles and other things. In another building, it was more of the same - more handcrafted earrings and beads and stuff that I just don't need.
Outside, there were several interesting vendors. We found this trailer from Uncertain Farms in Seguin. I couldn't help but buy some of their Garlic Salsa and I'm here to tell you, it was a hit! (Those are my wife's homemade chips in the bag).
And outdoors, there were quite a few vendors selling more crafts and plants and such. The weather was nice and they even had folks selling food and such in case you get hungry. My guess is, when the place is filled with all the vendors who normally show, it is probably worth an hour to wander around and see it all.
