§ Big Nosed Kate [and Hazel] - and a bit of TOMBSTONE [AZ]

It was rainy this morning, so I stayed indoors; worked on a jigsaw puzzle and following the spirit of the season, I just now finished a pencil sketch I've been working on the last week or so....

Meet witch Hazel

I also did a witch painting years ago if you've not seen it before....find it HERE

Hopefully, I will be able to attend the Day of the Dead Festival this weekend! I've gone to them for the last 5 years or so, and it's a fun atmosphere and I get to add names of my family to the listings on the walls of those that left me behind...my mom, dad, brothers, and brother in law. Plus some pets' names. And, of course, walk around and get into that mode with the street music and revelers....hopefully some painted faces and those in costume. We are supposed to have a biggo cold front move into our area of the coast starting tomorrow; putting the low temps into the 40's overnight! That's downright cold for us!!! But, for the festival, it will be a pleasant, cool sunny day. And I'll be wearing my new shirt. I apologize for the wrinkled look, I hand washed it and it needs to be steamed a bit before I wear it. I think I'll probably have to wear leggins to keep my legs warm outdoors with the predicted temps, the sea breeze will be coming in through all the buildings on the streets...chilly.

Oh, and one more thing....I finished reading a book .... one of the most boring books I've ever put my hands on.  It had 4 stars behind it on Amazon, and some of the buyers' reviews were so positive, I ordered it.  I actually ordered it for Bud to read first.  LOL  It's of a subject that we both became interested in when we lived in Arizona.  Going to Tombstone often, we frequented the   O K Corral [where the famous gunfight between the Earp brothers and the Clanton family took place.]  And many times while there, spending the day, we'd have a burger and beer at Big Nosed Kate Saloon.  Big Nosed Kate was Doc Holliday's love interest [sometimes a wife, depending on who's historical account you read].  Well, not much has ever been written about Kate.  The new book is supposedly a factual writing of her, taken from some of the letters and historical text....very true.  Well, I don't agree....it was nothing but pure hearsay in my opinion.  And really, nothing new learned about her.  I was determined to finish the book, hoping to read something worthy.  Nada.  Thing is....Bud enjoyed the heck out of it.  [must admit that the historical photos of all the OLD WEST were the best of perusing the book]. 

Friday, January 23rd, 2009
5:10 A.M.

Join Here

My show n tell is a simple, uncluttered one today. But first, before you scroll down to the item I'm showing off, let me give you a bit of history of how I came to have this in my possession.

One of my favorite old west towns in the states is Tombstone, Arizona. When we lived in Tucson, we'd try to go up to Tombstone for lunch at least once a month. The atmosphere in the tourist town of Tombstone was fabulous. Daily, they have mock shoot-outs for its visitors from around the world. The streets are lined with boardwalks, the main street, Allen Street, was more or less quite a lot like it was back in the 1800's with the historic buildings and history. One place in particular, one of my favorites was an establishment called Big Nosed Kate's Saloon. Back in the days of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday it was The Grand Hotel. Now, the same building is a bar and restaurant, with an original dark walnut bar. The floors are wood slatted, the wall hangings are of the old west decor with nude paintings, lanterns and lots of stuff that makes one feel as if they've stepped back in time.

One time when we had a few too many cool ones with our meal, and it was a cold winter's day, I had a jacket with me that I had taken off and laid on the chair next to me at our table. As we consumed our burger and fries, I accidentally on purpose dropped one of their menus...somehow it slipped ever so gracefully into the opening and hid from view. Hmmmmmm, and somehow, it was in the car when we got back to Tucson in the early evening. Now how did that happen, you wonder?

It's been in our kitchens ever since. Come on over...Kate's is always open, year 'round. Sit a spell, and enjoy the live entertainment of Country Western singers, an old antique, upright piano bar...enjoy the days of yore while dining on a burger, or steak...or perhaps your preference would be authentic Mexican food! Come dine with me, the menu choices are yours.......





The front cover of the menu.
Describing the different parts of the building.
The 'Shaft' is below the ground floor, and it DOES still have a mining shaft that you can visit. Below the restaurant IN THE SHAFT is a small gift shop.











Inside the first page on the left of the menu, you'll be shown the choices of appetizers, the kid's menu, their pizza and sandwiches. I'm sure that by now, the prices have gone up in cost. Hasn't everything?












On the right side on the menu as you open it to view their list of foods prepared, you'll find the Mexican entrees and Combo Plates. Plus more choices for children and a few choices of side orders.







And on the backside of the menu it tells the history of Big Nosed Kate. the first prostitute in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. However, her biggest claim to fame was the fact that she was also Doc Holliday's girlfriend. Kate had saved Holliday from the hangman in Fort Griffin, Texas, by breaking him out of jail. For this, Doc was eternally grateful, and the two traveled the West making money the best they could: Doc with his gambling, and Kate, well, with her, ummmmmm, womanly charms.


I love the history of this town, and I love learning about how women of the old west survived even if their occupation was "shady". Even tho I wouldn't agree with this lifestyle, it's still part of America's history, and you can't turn your back on the fact and pretend it didn't exist and it's still a profession of today. Being a prostitute doesn't make them 'lower' than I am in any way, I'm not better than those women of the times...we're all sisters. More on Big Nosed kate's life HERE