The Least of These - A Memoir by Bob Carnes

Bob Carnes discusses his memoir The Least of These, sharing stories centered on dogs that entered his life despite his insistence he’s “not a dog person.” After buying a family farm in Northwest Wilson County and helping his brother Mike as Alzheimer’s set in, Bob begins feeding a shy pregnant stray, Blackie, rescues her six puppies using a hog trap, and later regrets not p...

Snubbing Hands Offshore: Brutal Work, High Pressure, and the Legend of Lynn Boyd The script recounts the dangerous, high-paying world of offshore snubbing hands—tougher and riskier than wireline work—through Bob Carnes experiences on a Louisiana well job removing a stuck 10,000-foot kill string, breaking joints by synchronized sledgehammer blows while being drenched in burning calcium...

From College to the USS Walker: Bob Carnes on Growing Up in the Navy (1961–1965) Bob Carnes recounts leaving college after poor grades and, after being told he was “too smart” for the Marines, enlisting in the Navy in 1961. Though initially signed for electronics and nuclear training, he chose deck force work instead and found he loved the sun, physical labor, seamanship, and lif...

Jubilee: Bob Carnes Dark Dream of Aging, Regret, and a Final Reckoning  “Jubilee,” follows a 75-year-old engineer plagued by hyper-real nightmares of helplessness in a hospital-like setting, an obsessive need to urinate, and memories of childhood bullying, as he confronts aging, loneliness, guilt over his Alzheimer’s-stricken mother, and a life he deems meaningless despite w...

Tough Times for Texans: Alice, Texas and the 1980s Oil Bust  This episode centers on Bob Carnes’ Wall Street Journal piece dated April 9, 1986, “Tough Times for Texans,” about Alice, a South Texas town of about 30,000 whose economy depends on oil and gas drilling and service companies. Carnes describes arriving in 1981 as a drilling company area manager overseeing 21 rigs an...

Unprepossessing: A Summer on the Campbell Ranch (1959) | Bob Carnes Remembers Uncle Brian & Aunt Alice Bob Carnes recounts arriving at age 16 in early June 1959 to spend the summer with his great-uncle William “Brian” Campbell (1897–1971) and Aunt Alice on the Campbell Ranch, about 10,000 acres between Falls City and Campbellton in South Texas. He describes their American Got...

A Teenager's Encounter with Alluring Vera Hammett in 1950s New Mexico In this poignant memoir, Bob Card recalls his teenage years in Hobbs, New Mexico, where he meets the enigmatic and alluring Vera Hammett. Through his father's connection, Bob becomes Vera's babysitter, leading to a unique and intense relationship. As he navigates his feelings for this captivating woman, Bob shares the profound i...

Claudine Hurst Reflections of Adolescent Longing: A High School Crush In this nostalgic episode, we delve into the poignant memories of Bob Carnes as he reflects on his high school crush, Claudine Hurst. Bob recounts his formative years marked by insecurity and youthful fascination with Claudine, a mature and confident girl out of his league. Their interactions in Mr. Scott's English class and soc...

In this poignant episode, Bob Carnes shares a deeply personal and emotional story in the form of a fable that he considers a gift from God. During a particularly difficult time in his life, while dealing with depression, Bob experienced a vivid and powerful revelation in church. The narrative he recounts involves a symbolic journey of a boy who grows into a man and is given a monumental task by a...

In this episode, Bob Carnes delves into the gritty and dangerous life of snubbing hands working offshore in Louisiana. He recounts his experiences, the physical toll of the job, and the camaraderie among his colleagues. The narrative paints vivid pictures of tough working conditions, high-stakes operations, and the larger-than-life characters like Lynn Boyd who played pivotal roles in this demandi...

In this episode, Bob Carnes recounts his experiences working offshore in the 1960s, with a focus on the exceptional talents of Luke Metcalf, a wireline operator for an oilfield service company. Bob describes their challenging work environment, including dealing with paraffin-clogged wells and navigating dangerous conditions. Despite the hazards, Luke's remarkable skills and calm demeanor earned hi...

Journeys of a Wireline Worker: From Newsman to Engineer - Bob Carnes delves into his adventurous journey from a newsman to a wireline engineer. Encouraged by his wife Sylvia amid initial skepticism, Bob recounts his work with Otis Engineering, moving to Homer, Louisiana, and navigating life offshore. Meet vibrant characters like the veteran operator Walt Reach, the aggressive Quinn Dugger, the tou...

In this heartfelt session, Bob Carnes recounts the deep love story he shared and still shares with his wife, Sylvia Thorn Carnes. From their divine union sealed under a full moon in 1957 to the highs and lows of life, Bob details their journey together through decades of marriage, family, and personal growth. A poignant tribute to a wife, mother, and dedicated educator, this episode captures the e...

In this episode, Bob Carnes delves into his memoirs, detailing his early career as a reporter/photographer for WBAP-TV in Fort Worth, Texas. Hired by Russ Thornton, Carnes recounts his initial interactions with the gruff newsroom leader Doyle Heon, his experiences covering breaking stories like a brush fire and a plane crash, and his adventures with colorful colleagues. From lacking typing skills...

A First-Hand Account of the Charles Whitman Sniping: Bob Carnes recounts his unexpected role as a part-time newsman during the infamous Charles Whitman sniper attack at the University of Texas in 1966. Drawing from his vivid memoir 'The Least of These', Carnes details the harrowing events of that day, including filming the chaos with a Bell and Howell camera. He shares his internal conflict betwee...

In this first episode, Bob Carnes reflects on his journey as a mechanical engineer in the oil industry, describing his numerous projects, including an offshore semi-submersible rig and two land rigs for Wyoming. This is a story of professional triumphs, missed opportunities, and the relentless pursuit of a career in oil drilling. 00:00 Introduction to Bob Carnes and Mazah Margolin 00:28 Meeting at...