L. Patrick Hughes

Austin, Texas

Away From Work

Professional Activites

I am an active member of a number of professional organizations including the Texas State Historical Association, the East Texas Historical Association, the West Texas Historical Association, the South Texas Historical Association, Southern Historical Association, and the Texas Folklore Society. I was privileged to serve as president of the Texas Folklore Society during its centennial year of 2009 and honored to be named a Fellow of the East Texas Historical Association in 2010. A fuller description of my professional activities may be found in the Vita posted below.

Performing

If you come by my office to visit, you are most likely to hear music playing on the computer. I enjoy listening to a variety of genres but am especially drawn to what is today referred to as “Americana.” In earlier times, such music was labeled “folk” or “hillbilly” or “country.” I am particularly drawn to music that reflects various aspects of the Depression era experience of the 1930s. I have had the opportunity over the years to perform such music at gatherings of the professional associations in which I am active.

Franklin D. Roosevelt'sBack Again.

Hunting

Each season of the year has its own unique character. Over the last twenty years, I have come to more fully appreciate those of autumn – the changing colors of the native vegetation, the end of summer’s stultifying heat, the prospect of Arctic cool fronts sweeping across the land, and the approach of deer season. Thanks to the generosity of my in-laws, Jim and Benena Pierce, I get to spend significant parts of each November, December, and January hunting in southern Brown County approximately twenty miles from the geographic center of Texas. Their 350-acre ranch looks like much of the Hill Country of the Edwards Plateau – it is rocky land, covered with oaks, mesquite, and cactus of various kinds. Its unique character, from my perspective, comes from the fact that it is trisected by creeks – Clear, West Fork, and Spring Branch. As a result, there are plateaus and valleys and a diversity that many surrounding properties lack.

The enjoyment of hunting season derives only partially from the successful “harvest” of wildlife. Some my most memorable moments at the ranch have occurred when not a shot was fired. Sitting quietly in a hunting blind in the chill of the pre-dawn dark awaiting sunrise and the start of a new day is good for the soul. I get to listen to the sounds of God’s creation rather than my own voice. I get to see the stars of the heavens fade as light breaks on the eastern horizon and the first rays of sunlight stretch across the landscape. In the late afternoon and early evening, I have the opportunity to see the cycle begin yet again. Time certainly passes more quickly when the wildlife is moving around. I’ve been lucky enough to see my share through the years: the big bobcat that strolled by my hunting blind totally oblivious to my presence, the red fox chasing a squirrel around the West Fork bottom, and the hawk that nearly flew into my blind before peeling off at the last second. Wonderful moments all. Hunting season is special, as well, because of the camaraderie shared by family members. The ritual of coffee and venison sausage biscuits at 5:30 in the morning, the sharing of each hunter’s experience once everyone has filtered back from the field, collectively tackling the inevitable projects such a repairing toppled feeders, loading corn, etc. Each of these are elements of the hunting camp experience that enrich my life and that I eagerly anticipate each new season.