Dear Friends of the Farm,
Larry's 'Going Away Party' was one he would have loved. Over 500 people from the community came to share stories, reflecting on the impact Larry had on so many lives.
Great food and refreshing drinks were offered by many of Larry's favorite local chefs and beverage artisans.
Larry lived life to the fullest; he was a ‘Jack of All Trades’ and specialized in growing nutrient-rich vegetables. He pioneered one of the first urban farms in the country, Boggy Creek Farm in East Austin. Larry also enjoyed making furniture from trees from his country farm in Milam County.
This generous, gentle man knew no strangers; he made everyone feel like they were special. He inspired young farmers, backyard gardeners and those who realized the importance of fresh produce. He loved helping them navigate the ups and downs of vegetable growing. He was a frequent speaker on topics such as tool-making, fermentation of vegetables, value-added vegetable preservation, and weed control via landscape tarps.
He shared tips on growing tomatoes - a hot topic every year at the BCF farmstand. His fervent hope was that Boggy Creek Farm continues to be a community resource and a testament to the sustainability of a small vegetable farm into the next decades.
Our family is grateful for the many Friends of the Farm and their support through the years.
With much love,
Carol Ann and the kids (Steve, Tracy, Tom & Little Buddy the farm dog)
Obituary written by local food editor Addie Broyles.
~Larry Said It Best~
Q: How ya doing Larry?:
-
'If I was any better I'd have to be twins.'
-
'100 percent, Bull.'
-
'Well, I'm still looking down on the flowers; better than looking up at the roots.'
​​
On the weather:
-
'It's raining like a cow pissin' on a flat rock.' (a fast, hard rain)
-
'Better not praise a gentle rain, it'll immediately turn torrential.'
​​
On a guest canceling lunch:
-
'Menos burros, mas elote' (fewer donkeys, more corn)
​​
On apparent stupidity:
-
'A glass eye in a duck's ass could see that.'
​​
On Gause:
-
'If you threw a stone, you'd hit a relative.' (population)
-
'it's so quiet I can hear a mouse pee on a ball of cotton.'
-
'It's darker than 6 feet up a bull's ass.'
​​
On wannabe cowboys:
-
'That ol' boy is all hat and no cattle.'
​​
On someone not showing up for work:
-
'That there's a case of mala pata.' (One foot forward, two feet back).
​​
In joking about an employee:
-
'Well, he may be slow, but he does poor work.'
​​
Greeting a friend:
-
'How ya doin' der Bull?'
-
'How ya doin' der Darlin'?'
​
Compliment to a pretty woman:
-
'I bet they're after you like a ducks on a June bug.'
​
In complicated situations:
-
'Looks like another bull done jumped the fence there buddy.'
​
When it's a long way to the toilet or you're going to make a lot of money on a crop:
-
'You'll be shittin' in high cotton.'
​​
When he figured out, with the help of a grandchild, a feature on his cell phone:
-
'The kid is pretty slick!'
​​
When facing uncertainties of life:
-
'Don't turn your back on no bull.'
​​
Sage advice to a farm associate:
-
'You don't never put no bucket in no bucket.'
​​
When things are going great:
-
Yeah, well, we're just slappin' a fat hog in the ass.'
​​
On seeing someone getting reprimanded:
-
'She went through him like crap through a goose.'
-
'He chewed her out like shit through a tin horn.'
​​
On being nervous:
-
'He was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.'
​​
On death & having lost his parents:
-
'There's nobody between me and the hole.'
​
When you don't want to lose your job:
-
'Walk fast and look worried.'
​
When looking for help on a difficult and unpleasant job:
-
'I need someone w/ a strong back and a weak mind.'
​​
Chatting w/ people about the value of property:
-
'I'm land rich but I've got to take out a mortgage to buy a new pair of socks!'