Dr. Doug's Web Log
Dr. Doug's Mental Health Clinic
Guided Group Therapy on the Terlingua Ghost Town Porch
See ya' on the porch...
Welcome to my Wide Open Mental Health Clinic here on the High Sierra porch!  Just go through that door over there and the nurse will provide your favorite ice-cold medicine for a small fee. 
Come back here with your medicine and find a place on one of those benches.  I'll guide you through this group therapy session, and I guarantee you will feel better very soon.
Now tell me... What do you think of the view from this porch... Did you know Terlingua is the world's largest open air insane asylum? Yes, and I'm the only mental therapist in this entire borderland region, as far as the eye can see when sitting on this mountain.  This is a task no other therapist will do, a fate of unending hardships.
      But I'll do it, so let's get started.  Do you love your mother?  Is there something bothering you?  How does that make you feel?  I may be able to help you.
My advice is... Live free, take your medicine, and be very, very happy.
Hey, look over there... What a babe!
You're Patient Number:
Don't worry, be very, very happy.
Please sign in and leave me a message... Or not.  I realize some of my patients prefer anonymity.
This page was last updated: April 13, 2013
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Thirty-six years ago I visited Terlingua with my brother, fell in love with this rugged, resource scarce, hardscrabble, merciless land, and decided to live here for the rest of my life.  With no money, no car, no house and no job, it was difficult to even find water.  I stayed wherever I could, in caves, in abandoned buildings, in a bus...
I survived most of the time with no steady job as a free man, lots of times that meant sleeping under the stars.  I learned to enjoy my freedom, take my medicine like a man, and to be very, very happy.
I work in downtown Terlingua Ghostown at the El Dorado Hotel & High Sierra Restaurant &Bar.   This is where you will find me, on the High Sierra Porch where I conduct my world famous Open Air Guided Group Therapy Sessions with the many needy patients we find in the Big Bend Area.
Please visit my other webpages here:
Dr. Doug sez:
Dr. Doug's History Lesson

In the 1500's most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water.The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying: "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs -thick straw- piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof,  When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying: "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying:  "a thresh hold."

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.  When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon."  They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
2012 4th of July Parade
Every year this has become a time honored tradition.  As you can see everybody is having a great time. The 4th is one of Terlingua's most favorite holidays.  There were no fireworks displays due to the state wide ban on fires, but there were some water ballon battles.  Pictures from James Ezell, thanks!
i Viva Terlingua!
What? Me worry? What? Me Worry?Where'd everybody go?Gig 'em Aggies!
Dr. Doug's World Famous
Open Air Guided Group Therapy Sessions
on the Terlingua Trading Company Porch

http://historicterlingua.homestead.com
Click on picture to enlarge, Esc brings you back
Photos by Kristinna Blanchard
Terlingua Moon is the area's weekly newspaper. Click on the Yellow Full Moon to see the latest issue:
Excuse me, are you alright?  You look a little queasy.  How many fingers do you see?  Yes, four is correct.

Perhaps you got a little hot.  Just sit back on that bench, I'll be right back with some ice cold medicine, and we can talk about it. 

I'm Dr. Doug, and I specialize in making people happy. See, you're feeling better already.  Come along then, I'll show you around Terlingua, and I guarantee you will soon be much happier...
© 2009 Douglas Blackmon "Dr. Doug", all rights reserved.
Photo by Kristinna
Dr. Doug presides over another Group Therapy Session on the Porch.  Notice the musical accompaniment and the lively conversation sparked by liberal doses of medicine, Dr. Doug's lively and magnetic personality, and the magic of the Chisos Mountains.

There is not an unhappy face in the crowd.
Photo by Kristinna
This cowboy will be back.

He may have left his rock collection, boots, medicine and smokes, but he would never abandon his dog.
Eagle Webula
Locally Cosmic Connections
Dr. Doug
Borderline Mental Therapist

Donate to Dr. Doug's Research

Please help Dr. Doug find the secrets of happiness hidden away in the desert mountains.  Medicine is expensive out here, and Dr. Doug uses a lot of it, not only for himself, but also for his many indigent patients.  Your generous contribution will ensure continuous Group Therapy Sessions on the Porch are available for the needy.

Send your cash, check or money order to:

Dr. Doug's Mental Health Research Fund
% Douglas Blackmon
HC70 Box 205
Terlingua, TX  79852

Dr. Doug and his patients thank you!
Kristina's Farewell Party

Kristina Blanchard has been miraculously cured of terminal unhappiness and has been released from Dr. Doug's Mental Health Clinic, the world's largest open air mental asylum, to return to her home in upper state New York. 

You'd have to slap her to knock that smile off her face, but Dr. Doug does not advise such action.  Part of her prescribed therapy was to let out her aggressions using a bullwhip. 

In the accompanying video she is seen practicing as Dr. Doug supervises the therapy session.  At the end of the video, do we witness a classical case of Freudian aggression towards the Doctor? His intuitive cane based defensive posture demonstrates strong Kung Fu.

Dr. Doug and all the other patients love her and will miss her very much.  Farewell Kristina.  Dr. Doug is already misty eyed.

This is his great quandry. His miraculous successes return to productive society, his harder cases stay longer and sometimes become locals.  But we survive out here. 

iViva Terlingua!
Terlingua Stingers
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Dr. Doug's email is: 
dr.black7@yahoo.com
CURRENT MOON
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When in Marfa, Dr. Doug gets his medicine here:
When in Alpine, Dr. Doug gets his medicine here:
Dave Safrit rowing down the highway
Photo by Terry Anderson
Terlingua Weather
"It is better to know nothing and KNOW you know nothing than to think you know something and don't." 
Socrates wrote that in Greek 23 centuries ago.  Funny how it still applies...
"I call my home "Ice Station Zebra".  It's cold as hell in the winter, and hot as hell in the summer,  but we survive down here..."

Dr. Doug is one of the characters in the Award Winning Video "Ghostown: 24 Hours"
Awards

* Emmy Award - Outstanding Achievement in Documentary
* Emmy Nomination - Oustanding Achivement in Editing

* Winner, Best Documentary - Chicago Int'l Reel Shorts Film Festival
* Winner, Best Documentary - Dam Short Film Festival
* Winner, Best Documentary - Thin Line Film Festival
* Winner, Best Documentary - Seguin Film Festival
* World Premeire - DC Independent Film Festival
* Terlingua Premiere - La Kiva, Terlingua, Texas
* Austin Film Society Showcase - SXSW Film Festival
If you find you are the one, come see me for an open-air group therapy session on the Porch.  I guarantee you will feel better after therapy.
                                                Dr. Doug

This is Dr. Doug's World Famous
Open Air Mental Health Clinic on the Porch





10th Annual Desert Chihuahuan Challenge

The chihuahua dog races are  Saturday, April 27th  in the Terlingua Ghost Town benefitting the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend.

All small dog breeds are welcome to attend and participate in the races. For pre-registration, sponsorship, rules, and other information call:
                      371-3147  or 837-7254

Dr. Doug's Web Log

10th Annual Desert Chihuahuan Challenge

 by Dr. Doug on 04/12/13

This is one of Dr. Dougs favorite events for his favorite charity.  The Tenth Annual Desert Chihuahua Challenge is fun for families and dog lovers.  A bunch of small dogs dress up in costumes and parade around while off in the corner people are betting on the winner of the race.  There are games for the children, food and music. judging of the costumes, and then the big(!) race.

Chihuahua dog races are Saturday, April 27th in the Terlingua Ghost Town to benefit the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend.

Schedule:
Registration 10:00-12:30
Games and Other Events 11:00-1:00
Dog Costume Contest 12:30
Dog Races 1:00 - 4:00
Food and Music all day

All small dog breeds are welcome to attend and participate in the races. For pre-registration, sponsorship, rules, and other information call 371-3147 or 837-7254

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Chiliheads Arriving!

 by Dr. Doug on 10/28/12

Chiliheads are already arriving here in Terlingua, staking out the best campsites and enjoying the "lull before the storm".  Two World Championship Chili Cookoffs happen each year at this time, and winners of this years regional cookoffs are competing for the World's Best Chili awards. Several thousand avid chili cooks are expected and the local businesses are putting on extra help for the upcoming rush.  Terlingua welcomes the chili cookoffs and we locals are trying our best to make y'all feel comfortable and safe.  Come on out to Terlingua and enjoy the World's Finest Chili Cookoffs starting now.

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Terlingua Music Bash

 by Dr. Doug on 10/14/12

Terlingua is jamming this week!  Look at the poster, there are bands coming in from as far away as Italy.  Alpine, Austin, New Braunfels and plenty of local bands will be playing in the area at La Kiva, Starlight Theatre, High Sierra, Gareth Park, Desert Institute, Long Draw Pizza, Big Bend Motor Inn, Alex Whitmore's Place, Chisos Mining Company Motel and The Thirsty Goat in Lajitas. Come on up to the desert mountains and enjoy the Terlingua Music Bash with Dr. Doug and celebrate the Year of the Mayan.

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Borderzone International UFO Festival drawing local dignitaries

 by Dr. Doug on 09/24/12

Our own troubadores The Alien Breeding Experiment are scheduled to play at the Dude of the Dead Festival, which runs concurrently with the Borderzone International UFO Festival in Presidio/Ojinaga.  Here is a video of the UFO crash at Coyame, Mexico.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCLiyZpgEp8

Click here to find out more about the festival:  http://roswellbooks.com/zone/

 

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Lajitas Resort Sponsors Free Concerts

 by Dr. Doug on 09/16/12

Be sure to show up at the Lajitas Resort Fall Concert Series on Sunday, September 23, 2012, from 4 to 8PM.  It's at the Lajitas Amphitheatre and admission is FREE!  Bring a blanket and cooler and enjoy an evening of fun and good music featuring the Doodling Hogwallops and Folkadelic.  For those of my patients that have not been to group therapy lately, I will offer free mental health sessions during the concert.  Patients are advised to bring their own medicine as the Doctor is in short supply himself.

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