The Duchess of Palm

(Community Matters) Perfect timing – as our book club is wrapping up the reading of Billy Lee Brammer’s Gay Place, Nadine Eckhardt is publishing her own perspective of Austin/Texas/Washington DC times back then – way many gatherings at Scholz’s, partner swapping, Tx legislative votes for hire, long drives in the Texas Hill Country.

Nadine is a 78-year old Austinite, the widow of Brammer and Harris County’s Bob Eckhardt, mom of Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt and inspiration for Ouida in the Gay Place. Plus, gotta love a 78-yo woman who insists a reporter publish the fact that she smokes pot, details of Molly Ivins fan mail, what she really thinks of Ann Richards and, obviously, many other details. AAS article