(Community Matters) I lived on Mt. Bonnell most of my first 16 years in Austin. Often helped Sarah serve beers during rush. Even after helping, I still had to pay. She’d sometimes yell at me, though always with a crooked smile
Played pool and the jukebox there at least hundreds of evenings. Sat upstairs drinking beers, watching the sunset more evenings than I should admit. Good gosh, especially between 1985 – 1999 (sans late ’88 – 1990), when Steven and I moved in together, possibly more days than not. Though, come to think about it, I kept my place until mid 2000.
Sarah and I had a running joke. I’d trick friends into ordering food – the sign outside read Dry Creek Saloon and Cafe. She’d huff and puff, it would make her madder than leaving bottles upstairs. Scared the bejesus out of some. Most friends took it in good humor, though not all.
Once hurt her feelings when she overheard me tell a friend she was mean, and she thought I was serious. I paid penance and she sought and achieved revenge.
Sarah & Dry Creek were important parts of my young adulthood. Many times whomever was left at the end of an evening strolled down to my place for more beers, whatever food we could rustle up and whatever. Especially during the years Ashley McAllen was in residency at Brackenridge, I think the entire cohort and whomever was at Dry Creek late would wind up at my house lots and lots of evenings. hmm, there is a a novel about 80s and 90s Austin there, but I’d be run out of town.
Her dogs. She always had the mangiest dogs – and she loved ’em. I remember teasing her about one three legged mutt. She told me it reminded her of her one legged husband.
I’m embarrassed to admit I thought Sarah died several years ago. Can’t believe she left Dry Creek before she did. Don’t imagine it was of her own volition. Rest in peace dear Sarah.
excuse me, but the photo shows Sarah in pearls. Ain’t gonna convince me that’s not photoshopped! 🙂
Community Matters 