Texas Fun

Greetings from Texas
NEED TO BE CHEERED UP?
Happy, Texas 79042
Pep, Texas 79353
Smiley, Texas 78159
Paradise, Texas 76073
Rainbow, Texas 76077
Sweet Home, Texas 77987
Comfort, Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530

LOVE THE SUN?
Sun City, Texas 78628
Sunrise, Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray, Texas 79086
Sunny Side, Texas 77423

WANT SOMETHING TO EAT?
Bacon, Texas 76301
Noodle, Texas 79536
Oatmeal, Texas 78605
Turkey, Texas 79261
Trout, Texas 75789
Sugar Land, Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice, Texas 75155
And top it off with:
Sweetwater, Texas 79556

WHY TRAVEL TO OTHER CITIES? TEXAS HAS THEM ALL!
Detroit, Texas 75436
Colorado City, Texas 79512
Denver City, Texas 79323
Klondike, Texas 75448
Nevada, Texas 75173
Memphis, Texas 79245
Miami, Texas 79059
Boston, Texas 75570
Santa Fe, Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony, Texas 75861
Reno, Texas 75462

FEEL LIKE TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY? DON'T BOTHER BUYING A PLANE TICKET!
Athens, Texas 75751
Canadian, Texas 79014
China, Texas 77613
Egypt, Texas 77436
Ireland, Texas 76538
Turkey, Texas 79261
London, Texas 76854
New London, Texas 75682
Paris, Texas 75460

NO NEED TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Whitehouse, Texas 75791

WE EVEN HAVE A CITY NAMED AFTER OUR PLANET!
Earth, Texas 79031

AND A CITY NAMED AFTER OUR STATE!
Texas City, Texas 77590

EXHAUSTED?
Energy, Texas 76452

COLD?
Blanket, Texas 76432
Winters, Texas

LIKE TO READ ABOUT HISTORY?
Santa Anna, Texas
Goliad, Texas
Alamo, Texas
Gun Barrel City, Texas
Robert Lee, Texas

NEED OFFICE SUPPLIES?
Staples, Texas 78670

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus, Texas 76084

YOU GUESSED IT... IT'S ON THE STATE LINE...
Texline, Texas 79087

FOR THE KIDS...
Kermit, Texas 79745
Elmo, Texas 75118
Nemo, Texas 76070
Tarzan, Texas 79783
Winnie, Texas 77665
Sylvester, Texas 79560

OTHER CITY NAMES IN TEXAS, TO MAKE YOU SMILE...
Frognot, Texas 75424
Bigfoot, Texas 78005
Hogeye, Texas 75423
Cactus, Texas 79013
Notrees, Texas 79759
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest, Texas 76886
Kickapoo, Texas 75763
Dime Box, Texas 77853
Old Dime Box, Texas 77853
Telephone, Texas 75488
Telegraph, Texas 76883
Whiteface, Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE ANTI-GORE CITY
Kilgore, Texas 75662

AND OUR FAVORITES...
Cut n Shoot, Texas
Gun Barrell City, Texas
Hoop And Holler, Texas
Ding Dong, Texas and, of course,
Muleshoe, Texas

HERE ARE SOME LITTLE KNOWN, VERY INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TEXAS:
1. Beaumont to El Paso : 742 miles
2. Beaumont to Chicago : 770 miles
3. El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas
4. World's first rodeo was in Pecos , July 4, 1883 .
5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water.
6. The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman who was the first full-time coach at Rice University in Houston .
7. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in North America .
8. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America 's only remaining flock of whooping cranes.
9. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.
10. The worst natural disaster in US . history was in 1900, caused by a hurricane, in which over 8,000 lives were lost on Galveston Island .
11. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969 , was 'Houston.'
12. King Ranch in South Texas is larger than Rhode Island .
13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a U.S. rainfall record of 43' in 24 hours in and around Alvin in July of 1979.
14. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, (known as the Constitution of 1845 by the Republic of Texas to enter the Union ) instead of by annexation. This allows the Texas Flag to fly at the same height as the U.S. Flag, and may divide into 5 states.
15. A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old.
16. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.
17. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period in Dr Pepper.
18. Texas has had six capitol cities: Washington-on-the Brazos, Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco, West Columbia and Austin .
19. The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the U.S. which is taller than the Capitol Building in Washington DC (by 7 feet).
20. The name 'Texas' comes from the Hasini Indian word 'tejas' meaning friends. Tejas is not Spanish for Texas.
21. The State Mascot is the Armadillo (an interesting bit of trivia about the armadillo is they always have four babies. They have one egg, which splits into four, and they either have four males or four females.).
22. The first domed stadium in the U.S. was the Astrodome in Houston.

Lap Blankets

As some of you may know, in addition to being involved with Lubbock Marine Parents I am also a Soldiers' Angel. The Houston area angels need our help.

The Houston Soldiers' Angels VA Team is collecting Lap Afghans. They are trying to collect 533 so that each bed in the Houston VA will have one. The blankets need to be 36 x 48, but they can be any color. They would appreciate it if you would attach a note or card to the blanket so the Veteran will know who made their wonderful afghans.

If you or your group would like to help them in this effort please contact the Kimberly Hightower, Soldiers' Angels Contact Angel for the Houston VA at vactltx03@gmail.com .

Please help us help our Veterans know they are appreciated.

Cross-posted at Soldiers' Angels Texas

“The Commandant’s Own” takes BIG sound to State Fair of Texas

Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark Miller, U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps drum major, conducts the unit at the grand opening of the State Fair of Texas, Sept. 28. The Drum and Bugle Corps, or “The Commandant’s Own,” made its 42nd annual appearance at the fair, performing for thousands, more than three times each day, from Sept. 28 through Oct. 12. Photo by: Cpl. John J. Parry

Oct. 12, 2007; Submitted on: 10/17/2007 04:33:52 PM ;

Story ID#: 20071017163352

By Cpl. John J. Parry, Marine Barracks 8th & I

MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON (Oct. 12, 2007) -- Everything is bigger in Texas, as the saying goes, so when the organizers of the State Fair of Texas needed a military musical unit, they called one of the biggest and best known – The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.“The Commandant’s Own,” making its 42nd annual appearance, answered the call and performed at the State Fair of Texas, in Dallas, Sept. 28 through Oct. 12.The grand opening for the biggest fair in the country began with a parade on Main Street, with the Drum and Bugle Corps leading the way. The unit marched past magnificent skyscrapers and sidewalks lined with enthusiastic crowds. Along the way, they played hallmark songs of the Marine Corps, such as the “Marines’ Hymn” and the official march of the Marines, “Semper Fidelis.”“They don’t even flinch,” said Klyde Knudson, an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. “I get tears in my eyes when I see the precision of these Marines.” Once the opening day parade was complete the Drum and Bugle Corps continued on to the fair grounds where they would perform throughout the next two weeks. The Marines in their red dress uniforms began each day with a march under the blistering heat of the Texas sun to Marine Corps Square. The Drum and Bugle Corps’ cadence echoed throughout the fair grounds on their way to play concerts at the square. At the site, located on the west side of the fair, just over 1,000 patriotic fans came each day to see the Marines in action.During each performance, “The Commandant’s Own” played a large variety of songs that include classics, such as the official march of the United States, “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” by John Phillip Sousa and present day popular music heard in movies and on the radio.For Jeannie Bush, a native of Dallas, she thought the modern songs played, such as James Blunt’s “Your Beautiful,” were great. However, it was the patriotic songs she held closest to her heart.“I get excited because it’s not everyday we see Marines in Texas,” Bush said. “Songs like the national anthem and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” remind me of all those who are fighting to keep our nation safe.”Midway through each performance, Chief Warrant Officer Brian Dix, the director of “The Commandant’s Own,” would educate the crowd about the history of the Marine Corps and the unit.“What are those badges you’re wearing?” asked a member of the audience.“They’re not badges, they’re medals,” said the smiling Dix, creating an uproar of laughter among those in attendance. “Unit citations go over the right side and personal decorations over the heart,” he said. For being good sports, the audience members were awarded a CD with music of the Drum and Bugle Corps. “Come on and let these Marines know what a Texas audience sounds like!” Dix would say, and without hesitation, the audience would rise and let out a deafening applause.Upon completion of each concert, the Marines marched to the Hall of State, a National Historic Place that commemorates the rich history of the Lone Star State, for Evening Retreat. The patriotic people of Texas never failed to stand proudly and place their hand over their hearts in respect of the national anthem and the retirement of the colors each day. After Evening Retreat, the unit took its rightful place leading the Starlight Parade. The parade passed some of the most symbolic features on the grounds, including the Cotton Bowl, North America’s tallest ferris wheel, standing at 212 feet, and the birthplace of the corny dog. In 1961, Jim Skinner, the director of special events, invited “The Commandant’s Own” to open the fair and enjoyed the Marines so much, he fought to get them back to the grounds. In 1965, his persistence was rewarded when the Drum and Bugle Corps came back and was back to stay!“I think they are an outstanding unit that reflects well to the Marine Corps,” said Ray Landin, retired Marine Chief Warrant Officer 4 and the current director of special events. “We never have anything to worry about with the Marines. They consistently come out here and give the audience the same great performance each day.”With the hard work of the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps each day, the unit helped make the State Fair of Texas special for all those who came to watch. The people of Texas showed the Marines with their big applauses how much they appreciate and value their service to their country.

Source

And here's a great video about the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

You may live in Texas if...

State Flag of Texas

If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work
there, you may live in Texas

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in
Texas .

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who
dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas

If "Vacation" means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend,
you may live in Texas .

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas .

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you
may live in Texas .

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave
both unlocked, you may live in Texas

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to
use them, you may live in Texas.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and
everybody is passing you, you may live in Texas.

If you find 60 degrees "a little chilly", you may live in Texas.

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your
Texas friends & others, you definitely live in Texas.

Most Texans are just friendly folks!

TEXAS FACTS

Beaumont to El Paso: 742 miles


Beaumont to Chicago: 770 miles


El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas


World's first rodeo was in Pecos... July 4, 1883.


The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America
built over water.



The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman who was
the first full time coach for Rice University in Houston.





Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in
North America.





Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America's only
remaining flock of whooping cranes.



Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.



The worst natural disaster in U.S.. history was in 1900 caused by a
hurricane in which over 8000 lives were lost on Galveston Island.





The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969, was "Houston."
King Ranch is larger than Rhode Island.



Tropical Storm Claudette brought a US. rainfall record of 43" in
24 hours in and around Alvin in July 1979.



Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, instead of by
annexation. (This allows the Texas flag to fly at the same height
as the US flag.)





A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old.
Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period after
Dr in Dr Pepper.



Texas has had six capital cities:

Washington-on-the-Brazos

Harrisburg

Galveston

Velasco

West Columbia

Austin



The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the U.S. which is
taller than the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. (by 7 feet).
The name Texas comes from the Hasini Indian word "tejas" meaning
friends. Tejas is not Spanish for Texas.



The State animal is the Armadillo. (An interesting bit of trivia
about the armadillo is they always have four babies! They have one egg which splits into four and they either have four males or four females.)



The first domed stadium in the U.S. was the Astrodome in Houston;
also known as the Eighth Wonder Of The World!



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - TEXAS STYLE



People here in Texas have trouble with all those shalls and shall
nots in the 10 Commandments. Folks here just aren't used to talking in those terms.



So, some folks out in west Texas got together and translated the
"King James" into "King Ranch" language: Ten Commandments, cowboy style.



Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails
Church in Fairlie, Texas.



1) Just one God.

2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.

3) No telling tales or gossipin'.

4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.

5) Put nothin' before God.

6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.

7) No killin'.

8) Watch yer mouth.

9) Don't take what ain't yers.

10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.



Now that's kinda plain an' simple don't ya think? Y'all have a
good day.




Source

City block named after injured former Marine

SSGT Mark Graunke Jr. pictured on Veteran's Day 2004 at the Dallas City Hall with Houston James, a survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.


By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jul 27, 2007 13:36:37 EDT

A city block in Dallas was named after a former Marine whose body was ripped apart four years ago when a bomb he was attempting to defuse in Iraq exploded in his hands.

Mark Graunke Jr., a staff sergeant at the time, survived the July 2003 blast but lost his left eye, his left hand and the thumb and index finger of his right hand.

Even after the initial trauma, he had to make a tough decision. His right leg wasn’t responding to treatment, causing him extreme pain, so he told doctors to amputate it, he said.

Now, he is trying to provide encouragement to other Marines injured in the war and ensure they are not forgotten by the public, he said.

“It’s important that people pick up some slack and do right by the families for servicemen that come back injured and some who don’t come back and help with their families too,” he said.

A Dallas builder, Brandenburg Homes, will construct 16 homes on the block, now known as the Mark Graunke Jr. Addition. The builder will donate $3,000 for each home sold, divided equally between three charities Graunke selected — the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Fisher House and the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, all of which helped him recover from his injuries, he said.

Graunke’s mother, Maggie Brown, had been Brandenburg’s construction manager for the past five years and spoke with the company’s president, Terry Gatson, about making the dedication and the charitable donations in her son’s name.

“Mark has been such an inspiration for so many people. He’s done so much to help so many people,” said Brown about her son’s work speaking to wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

The Graunke family made a special request for Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin Luster to fly in from Bethesda, Md., for Thursday night’s dedication ceremony because he had helped Graunke through his recovery.

Though Graunke was quarantined at Walter Reed — restricted to seeing only family members because he had bacteria from the combat zone on his body — Luster ignored the warnings and came into the room to cut Graunke’s hair, Brown said.

“He just didn’t care if he got bugs,” Brown said. “He is quite an exceptional Marine. It was so important to Mark even then to be up to Marine standards.”

Just before he left for the ceremony, Graunke said in a telephone interview that he typically didn’t like all of the extra attention, but it was vital to get the word out about other Marines in his situation.

“I usually don’t like to talk at these events, but tonight I will because it’s important to maintain awareness,” he said.
Source

Ohio (Come Back To Texas)

This is a great song by Bowling for Soup. I heard it today for the first time in a while and I thought y'all might like it. I love the lyrics.


"Ohio (Come Back To Texas)"

She said she needed a break
A little time to think
But then she went to Cleveland
With some guy named Leelan
That she met at the bank

There's nothing wrong with Ohio
Except the snow and the rain
I really like Drew Carey
And I'd love to see the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame

So when your done doing whatever
And when your through doing whoever
You know Denton County will be right here waiting for you....

Come back to Texas
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you lose your accent
And forget all about the Lonestar State
There's a seat for you at the rodeo
And I've got every slow dance saved
Besides the Mexican food sux north of here anyway

I think I made a mistake
Its not that easy to take
She went to make a deposit
Then she cleaned out her closet
Guess I'll sit here and wait

For her to come back home (I'd wish you come back home)
It shouldn't take very long (so long so long)
I bet she misses the sunrise
And Mrs. Baird's fruit pies but I could be wrong

So when your done doing whatever
And when your through doing whoever
You know Denton County will be right here waiting for you....

Come back to Texas
Its just not the same since you went away
I bet you missed your exit
And drove right on through the Lone Star State
There's a seat for you at the rodeo
And I've got every slow dance saved
Besides the Mexican food sux north of here anyway

Troy Aikmen wants you back
Willie Nelson wants you back
NASA wants you back
And the Bush twins want you back
And Pantera wants you back
And Blue Bell wants you back

I got a premonition
I'm taking a petition
And the whole state's gonna sign

Come back to Texas
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you lose your accent
And forget all about the Lone Star State
There's a seat for you at the rodeo
And I've got every slow dance saved

Come back to Texas
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you lose your accent
And forget all about the Lone Star State
There's a seat for you at the rodeo
And I've got every slow dance saved
Besides the Mexican food sux north of here anyway
Besides the Mexican food sux north of here anyway
Besides the Mexican food sux north of here anyway

Texans are friendly

Greetings from Lubbock, Texas
The 'Rules of the South' are as follows!!!

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap right, your head isn't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a
pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going
to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4 They are cattle. That's why they smell to you. They smell like money
to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-40 goes east and west, I-65 goes
north and south. Pick one.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 cotton
strippers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

6. So every person in the south waves. It's called being friendly. Try
to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of doves are coming in, we
WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to
your ear at the time.

8 Yeah, we eat catfish & crawfish. You really want sushi & caviar?
It's available at the corner bait shop.

9. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a
religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

10. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless
of age.

11. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Or
you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats,
vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup!
Oh, yeah.... We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you
eat... IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!

13. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet and served
over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know
how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

14. College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers
and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards -- it
spooks the fish.

16. Colleges? We have them all over. We have State Universities,
Universities, and Vo-techs. They come outta there with an education plus a
love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come
for the holidays.

17. We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. So
don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best. My son says that half the Marine Corps comes from Texas.

18. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't
music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your
boxers! Refer back to #1!

Rock star recruit drops instruments to pick up a rifle.

Pfc. Seth C. Allen, Platoon 1069, Company D, used his teaching skills to help several recruits within his platoon study for the practical examination test. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Carrie Booze

By Pfc. Carrie Booze
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, June 20, 2007 — After years of touring with a rock band, one Company D recruit pursued his lifelong dream of joining America’s most elite fighting force.
Pfc. Seth C. Allen, Platoon 1069, graduated June 15 after following in his father’s footsteps to become one of the few and the proud.

At 28-years-old, Allen’s life was set. He had already earned his master’s degree in music composition from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and was living his dream playing the cello and electric bass in a rock group called The Josh Grider Band.

When Allen’s band was not touring across the South and performing with numerous well-known artists, he was teaching music theory at Waco Independent School District.

He seemed to have it all, yet he felt unfulfilled. He felt that he had something more to offer, and being a musician did not allow him to fully give back the freedoms he was given.

Allen “is extremely passionate about his music and is one of the most talented musicians I know,” said his father, Robert. “But I take pride in him wanting to follow in my footsteps, and I am very supportive of his decision in becoming a Marine.”

Aside from music, Allen was always interested in world affairs, his father added. He said the current war has affected Allen immensely and his son wanted to do his part in fighting for America.

“I love playing music, but I also love my freedom to play music,” said Allen. “Music can impact people, but if they don’t have the freedom to listen to it, then what I did as a musician was meaningless.”

Wanting to defend his country and emulate his father, Allen went to the Waco recruiting station and signed his enlistment contract without hesitation.

The following spring, Allen was on the yellow footprints, eager to begin his transformation. He endured three months of strenuous training and had to be treated for a reopened surgical wound on his tailbone from a previous injury, limiting his physical activity.

“Even though he was injured he never wanted to go to medical and be held back from training,” said Gunnery Sgt. Brian R. Papakie, senior drill instructor for Platoon 1069. “He was generally concerned with staying up to speed with the younger recruits, so he put in full effort and did well.”

With his physical abilities restricted, Allen turned to his mental strength to help motivate his fellow recruits.

During the first phase Allen was reserved, but in the second phase he came out of his shell and took on the responsibility of knowledge recruit — a recruit who assists drill instructors prepare other recruits for the final examination at the end of boot camp, said Papakie.


Allen was able to spout off questions and answers for the practical examination during the hikes to familiarize the recruits with the material they would see on the test.

“Allen was a very intelligent recruit,” said Papakie. “He used his experiences as a teacher and tried to go above and beyond to help the other recruits by conducting study sessions.”

Allen’s father said Allen has always been a studious individual, and is constantly striving to better himself.

The young Marine has future aspirations of attending Officer Candidate School to become an intelligence officer for an aviation squadron and lead Marines in the fight. Having already conquered the music industry, Allen plans to put music on the back burner while he pursues his military career.

After ten days of leave, Allen will return to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to attend Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry. After that, he will train to become a supply accountant.

Allen said he is excited to have earned the eagle, globe and anchor and he cannot wait to be a part of something bigger than himself. He looks forward to joining the ranks of thousands of warriors who have also earned the title Marine.




SOURCE

I love Texas!

I love being a Texan! If you ask me, there is not a better place on the planet. I don't think I could stand to move away from my favorite Tex-Mex cuisine. My sons in North Carolina say that's what they miss the most. My #2 son is coming home for July the 4th and he has a list as long as my arm of all the Mexican food he wants to eat. He and one of his Marine friends from up North somewhere went to a Mexican food place there in NC and he said the menu actually had explanations of what each item was next to it's listing. His friend had never heard of any of it. The poor deprived thing... What kind of a childhood must it have been not to know what enchiladas, tamales and chili rellenos are. I feel so sorry for him. Oh, and by the way, my son said the food was awful and not in the least spicy. They seem to think a little sprinkle of chili powder on something makes it spicy. He said they don't know how to do BBQ in NC either. I'm going to have to make him some brisket while he's home.

I also love the way we talk in Texas. The older folks especially have some of the best sayings. I was standing in line to check out at the grocery store one day and there was a man around 70 in line in front of me. The checker asked him how he was doing and he said "If I was any better I'd be twins." I've found some more good sayings for you. Yes, we really do talk this way!


The engine's runnin' but ain't nobody driving
Not overly-intelligent

As welcome as a skunk at a lawn party
(self-explanatory)

Tighter than bark on a tree
Not very generous

Big hat, no cattle
All talk and no action

We've howdied but we ain't shook yet
We've made a brief acquaintance, but not been formally introduced

He thinks the sun come up just to hear him crow
He has a pretty high opinion of himself

She's got tongue enough for 10 rows of teeth
That woman can talk

It's so dry the trees are bribin' the dogs
We really could use a little rain around here

Just because a chicken has wings doesn't mean it can fly
Appearances can be deceptive.

This ain't my first rodeo
I've been around awhile

He looks like the dog's been keepin' him under the porch
Not the most handsome of men

They ate supper before they said grace
Living in sin

Time to paint your butt white and run with the antelope
Stop arguing and do as you're told

As full of wind as a corn-eating horse
Rather prone to boasting

You can put your boots in the oven, but that don't make em biscuits
You can say whatever you want about something, but that doesn't change what it is

That's a fur piece.
It'll take you awhile to get there

Don't worry 'bout the mule son, just load the wagon
just do your part and I'll do mine

Don't call him a cowboy, till you've seen him ride
Don't judge a book by its cover

She's been rode hard and put away wet
refers to an unattractive, hard-looking woman

toad choker
a heavy rain

frog strangler
also a heavy rain

finer than frog hair
use anywhere you might use the word "fine"

rarer than hen's teeth
pretty darn rare

tump
to spill, as in "I jes' tumped over mah beer"

coke
Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Mountain Dew, Big Red, etc.

Exclamations...

"Well, knock me down and steal muh teeth!"
"Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit."


Threats...


"I'll slap you so hard, your clothes will be
outta style when you stop rollin'."(love this one!!)

"This'll jar your preserves."
"Don't you be makin' me open a can o' whoop-ass on ya!"

Good Things/Compliments...


"Cute as a sack full of puppies."
"If things get any better, I may have
to hire someone to help me enjoy it." "Gooder than grits."


The Weather...


"It's so dry, the trees are bribing the dogs."
"It's been hotter'n a goat's butt in a pepper patch."
Wintry roads are said to be "slicker than otter snot "


Descriptions...

A bothersome person is "like a booger that
you can't thump off."


When something is bad then you say, "that ain't no count."
If something is hard to do, it's "like trying to herd cats."
He ran "like his feet was on fire and his ass was a-catchin"
A hectic schedule keeps you "Busier than a cat
covering crap on a marble floor."


Insults...
"She's uglier than homemade soap."


"He fell out of the ugly tree and hit
every branch on the way down." "Uglier than a lard bucket full of armpits."

(any insulting statement is always followed by
"bless his/her heart)


Just some sayings:

"He's slower then the 7 year itch!"

"Hotter than a two dollar pistol"

"Ain't no two ways 'bout it!"

"Madder than a ole wet hen"

"Don't be a puttin all yer eggs in one baskit!"

"Ain't seen that in a coons' age!"

"I ain't uh gonna do it!"

"You don't won't me to hawg tie ya do ya?"

"Plum wore out!"

"Be all over you like stink on a skunk!"

"I reckon"

"I'm fixin to go!"

"you on't to?" (meaning you want to?)

"Well if that don't beat all I ever seen
in all my born days, I don't know what would!"

"Oh my word!" "Oh my stars!"

"Colder than my mother-in-laws heart"

"My mother-in-laws' so ugly,
she'd make a freight train jump track"

Buddy Holly

Big White Hat posted some Texas Swing music videos which inspired me to post a Buddy Holly video and some biographical info. Not much to do with being a Marine parent, but lots to do with living in Lubbock.

Charles Hardin (Buddy) Holly was born September 7, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas the fourth of four children born to Lawrence and Ella Holly. In Texas most everyone had a nickname, and the family always called him "Buddy." The Holly's had a rich musical tradition. Older brothers, Larry and Travis, taught themselves how to play the guitar. Their sister Pat sang duets with her mother in the evening at the living room piano. Every Sunday found the Hollys attending services at the Baptist Church, singing hymns of praise and joy to God.

Buddy Holly tourism and memorabilia information.

Lest We Forget

I will be at the "Lest We Forget" ceremony on May 15th. The following is the press release about it.


A Lubbock Tradition: 4th Annual “Lest We Forget “
Ceremony to Honor Area Military Heroes

“…I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love…”
President George Washington’s first inaugural address

The Lubbock Lions Club 4th Annual “Lest We Forget” program will honor veterans of the recent military conflicts during their regularly scheduled noon meeting on Tuesday, May 15th, at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Tribute will be paid to all veterans but especially those that served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield and the Gulf War; Bosnia, and Kosovo; Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; and Iraqi Freedom and the Second Gulf War.

“The Lions club is honored to recognize all veterans. This particular year we are privileged to have
Col. Roger H. Donlon, a holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor, as our guest speaker,” said Lion J.Q. Warnick, Jr. “Professor James Reckner, Director of the Texas Tech Viet Nam Center will introduce Col. Donlon.”

Roger Donlon, Colonel, United States Army (Ret.) served the United Stated for twenty-nine years in assignments based on his specialty as an Infantry Special Forces and Foreign Area Officer. In 1964, as a Captain, Colonel Donlon was the first American soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam. President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the award “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 July 1964.” Besides Vietnam, his many assignments took him to Korea, Thailand, Panama, Japan, and Fort Leavenworth, KS. Colonel Donlon is the author of Beyond Nam Dong, a self-published autobiography and co-author of Outpost of Freedom. Since retirement, Colonel Donlon has served on many military and civilian boards and committees and currently is a member of the Vietnam Center National Council at Texas Tech University.

At Col. Donlon’s request the Lubbock Lions Club will donate $1,000.00 to the General Westmoreland Scholarship fund at the Tech Viet Nam Center in lieu of an honorarium.

Several local veterans will share their experiences during their service with panel moderator Greg McAlister. These include Lion and Honorable Judge Mackey Hancock, Associate Justice, 7th Court of Appeal, Lion and State Rep. Carl Isett, Lion Amy Paiva, Col. Dave Lewis, Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 820 at Texas Tech University, Lt. Col. Bob Buscher, Commander, Army ROTC at Texas Tech University and Master Sergeant Bryan Burt, Army ROTC at Texas Tech University.

During the program the Lubbock Lions will recognize medal holders from all branches of the military. Other highlights will include the Presentation of Colors by the Honor Guard from the Direct Support Motor Transport, company B-, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Lubbock, Texas. Music will be provided by trumpeters Preston and James Wickersham, Lions Terry Hawkins and Ruth Holmes and Sigurd Ogaard, First United Methodist Church.

Reservations are required to attend the program. Reservations must be made by noon Friday, May 11, by calling the Lions Club Office, 763-4789. Admission to the luncheon is $8.00 and can be paid at the door. There is no charge for visiting veterans; they are guests of the Lubbock Lions Club, courtesy of Lion Ron Betenbough and Betenbough Homes. The serving line will open at 11:15 a.m. The program will begin at noon.

The Lubbock Lions Club is the largest Lions Club in the United States and was founded in 1928. Tens of thousands of dollars are donated to the Lubbock community each year through the Lubbock Lions two major fund raisers, the T.V. Auction, held each August, and the Pancake Breakfast, held every February.

###
Overnight accommodations for the speaker were provided by Staybridge Suites, 2515 19th Street, Lubbock.

Texas Independence Day

Texas Independence Day is a state holiday. Most state offices are closed today. I knew you all would want to know more about that, so I found this great article for you! :) Hopefully the Texans reading this already know. Texas history is taught in school here.


On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico and became the Republic of Texas.

Life was never the same again.

For ten years, from 1836 to 1846, Texas existed precariously as a separate and unique nation. In Texas, March 2 is an official state holiday - Texas Independence Day. Each year, there are numerous parades, festivals and even a complete historical reenactment of the event.

Independence is declared; it must be maintained.
Sam Houston
Washington - March 2, 1836

The History

Fifty-four delegates of the Convention of 1836 began meeting on March 1 at the village of Washington-on-the-Brazos, located today between present-day Houston and Austin. Each of the settlements of Texas were represented by delegates elected one month earlier. The convention elected Richard Ellis president of the convention, and Herbert S. Kimble secretary.


The delegates had very little time to debate over their mission. Delegates of Convention of 1836 wrote and adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence. This was done literally overnight. They elected a committee of five delegates to draft the document. The committee, consisted of George C. Childress, Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney, prepared the declaration in record time. It was briefly reviewed, then adopted by the delegates of the convention the following day. Afterwards they prepared a Constitution for the newly formed Republic, and organized an an interim government. These actions were accomplished amid almost daily reports of the invasion on Texas soil by Mexico, and the collapse of the Alamo and destruction of its defenders.
The ad interim government that was created by the delegates took office at the close of the convention, and served until the following October, when general elections could be held. Officers of the newly formed Republic included:

David G. Burnet, President
Lorenzo de Zavala, Vice-president
Samuel P. Carson, Secretary of State
Thomas J. Rusk, Secretary of War
Bailey Hardeman, Secretary of Treasury
David Thomas, Attorney General
With their mission accomplished, the delegates and the newly formed government of the Republic of Texas adjourned in haste during the early morning hours of March 17, following news of the approach of Santa Anna and the Mexican army.


Read this article and the Texas Declaration of Independence here.

Happy Texas Independence Day!

Lubbock Father to Attend State of the Union Address

When the president addresses the nation in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, there will be a special Lubbockite in the audience. Roy Velez, father of fallen Lubbock soldiers Andrew and Freddy Velez, will be Congressman Randy Neugebauer's guest.

The State of the Union comes nearly two weeks after the president told the nation he's sending more than 21,000 additional troops to Iraq. Velez says that's a strategy he supports.

Read the rest of the story here.

Texas Survivor

After reading this post about Rednecks to the rescue at Blue Star Chronicles I just had to share one of my favorite Texas jokes.

New Version of "Survivor" Series to debut...

Network television is developing a "Texas Version" of "Survivor", the
popular TV show.

Contestants must travel from Amarillo through Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston,
San Antonio, and back to Amarillo, through San Marcos and Lubbock
....driving a Volvo with a bumper sticker that reads: "I voted for Kerry, I'm
Gay and I'm Here to Take Your Guns".

The first to complete the round trip is the winner !

G.R.I.T.

Just had to share this with y'all. It comes from our treasurer, Tanya and is just way too cute (and true)!



G.R.I.T. = Girls Raised in Texas !


Texas Women, Kittens and Biscuits

Someone once noted that a Texan can get away with the most awful kind of insult just as long as it's prefaced with the words, "Bless her heart" or "Bless his heart." As in, "Bless his heart, if they put his brain on the head of a pin, it'd roll around like a BB on a 6-lane highway."

I was thinking about this the other day when a friend was telling about her new transplanted northern friend who was upset because her toddler is just beginning to talk and he has a Texas accent. My friend, who is very kind and, bless her heart, cannot do a thing about those thighs of hers, was justifiably miffed about this. After all, this woman had CHOSEN to move to Texas a couple of years ago."Can you believe it?" said her friend, "A child of mine is going to be "taaaallllkkin liiiike thiiiissss."

Now, don't get me wrong. Some of my dearest friends are from the North, bless their hearts. I welcome their perspective, their friendships, and their recipes for authentic Northern Italian food. I've even gotten past their endless complaints that you can't find good bread down here because the heathens, bless their hearts, don't like cornbread!

I have a friend from Bawston, bless her heart, who thinks it's hilarious when I say I've got to "carry" my daughter to the doctor or "cut off" the light. She also gets a giggle every time I am "fixin" to do something. And, bless their hearts, they don't even know where "over yonder" is, or what "I reckon" means!

My personal favorite was my aunt, saying, "Bless her heart, she cain't help being ugly, but she could'uh stayed home."

Texas girls know bad manners when they see them:
1. Drinking straight out of a can.
2. Not sending thank you notes.
3. Velvet after February.
4. White shoes before Memorial Day or after Labor Day.

Texas girls always say:
1. "Yes Maam! ."
2. "Yessir."

Texas girls have a distinct way with fond expressions:
1. "Yawl come back."
2. "Well, bless yer harrt."
3. "Drop by when ya can."
4. "How's yer mama?"
5. "Love yer hair."

Texas girls know their three R's:
1. Rich
2. Richer
3. Richest

Texas girls know everybody's first name:
1. Hunny
2. Darlin'
3. Sughar

Texas girls know the movies that speak to their hearts:
1. "Gone With the Wind"
2. "Fried Green Tomatoes"
3. "Driving Miss Daisy"
4. "Steel Magnolias"

Texas girls know the three deadly sins:
1. Bad hair
2. Bad manners
3. Bad blind dates


"Just because you move to Texas it does not make you a Texan. After all, if a cat had kittens and moved them to the oven, that wouldn't make them biscuits."

Image source