Category Archives: Native Texan

Friday, March 23, 2018 – Weekend Events

Posted on March 23, 2018 | Leave a comment

Friday, March 23, 2018 – Weekend Events

I know. I was absent for two days. My bad.

The clock ran out on the Texas Aggie men’s team last night. It rained three pointers for Michigan all night long. Still proud of you Ags! But as usual, it is the women who will have to take control and BTHO Notre Dame.

What an exciting weekend we have awaiting us. It is the Sweet Sixteen for the women’s basketball teams. Still in are: Texas A&M, Baylor and THE University of Texas. Baylor plays Oregon State at 6 and The UT plays UCLA 8:00 tonight.

The Aggie women play ND tomorrow at 3:00 on ESPN. Dear God, about that stomach virus for the Irish, tonight would be a good time for it to sweep through the team. PS – Sister Jean loves the Aggies!

Because of the late game and because it is The Big Event in BCS, the March for Lives on campus does not begin until 5:00. Therefore Ms. Navasota and I will move our March for Our Lives protest to the courthouse square in Brenham. This time slot fits better for our food and drink schedule.

I am wondering what to write on my sign. Suggestions are most welcome. I still my flag shirt from 1969.

So HWIT – “I wore this shirt in 1969. I did NOT plan to wear it when I was 69 years old and having to do this crap again.”Marching on to other weekend events. Sunday is Palm Sunday marking the beginning Holy Week for Christians. With so many TV offerings, I hope the 60 Minutes Interview with the President El Dick Tator’s porn star mistress does not interfere evening church services or with Charlton Heston (former NRA President) and The Ten Commandments.

Happy Week End.

Praise the Lord and Pass the damn basketball!

BTHO ND!

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Posted in college basketball, Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan, Politics

Tagged March for Our Lives, NCAA women's basketball., Storm Daniels

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 – March Madness and Bracket Racket

Posted on March 13, 2018 | 1 comment

9088888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 – Get off of the keyboard, Peach.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 – March Madness and Bracket Racket

Everybody Dance Now! The Madness of March is upon us and brackets are filled with teams headed to The Big Dance. I must hurry to complete my bracket on the men’s side. The games start tonight. Here are a few of my favorite teams this year.

Since these teams will not last long I hope they enjoy while they are there with their locations and mascots.

UMBC – University of Maryland Baltimore County – Retrievers with a mascot named True Grit
UNCG – University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Spartans
LIU Brooklyn – Long Island University Brooklyn – Blackbirds
Radford – Radford Virginia – Highlanders
Lipscomb – Nashville Tennessee, Lu the Bison

Then the big boys begin on Friday. My favorites are:

Any team that plays Texas Tech starting with Stephen F. Austin in Dallas on Friday. Give ‘Em the Ax, Jacks. But Beware the Ides of March.
The Texas Aggies – the outcome depends on which team shows up l.or who gets suspended for stupidity. The Aggies play the Providence Friars. BTHO the Friars.

Four teams will get the opportunity to spend an April Easter in San Antonio. If you are not watching Charles Barkley and friends’ commercials about Texas you are missing a good laugh.

On the women’s side my favorite teams are

Any team that plays UConn. Actually, I think UConn should be a number 16 seed on the men’s side.

Any team that plays Louisville. Whoa! Could there be an opportunity for Baylor to pay back from a time before?

Any team that plays Notre Dame. Muffet, you are going to have long dance with only six players. You will indeed need the Luck of the Irish.

Princeton – I like to listen to the announcers during Princeton game. It goes something like this: “Mary is a 6 foot junior forward from Chicago. She is a Merit scholar with a double major in biochemical engineering and cybersecurity with minors in Russian and American history. She speaks French, Spanish and Russian.”

The Aggie Women open Friday with Drake. I wonder if they will play Drake music while they warm up. As with the Aggie men, it will depend on which team shows up to play as to how deep into the dance we go.

I have no clue who will win the man’s Championship. On the women’s side – Mississippi State – THIS IS YOUR YEAR! Look for the Bulldogs in Columbus Ohio on Easter Sunday. TY6szzzzzz6yyyyyyyyy – Stop it Peach.

Completed brackets tomorrow. Let’s go Radford.

I think this means Peach is picking Xavier on the men’s bracket.

Xaqw q1190

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Posted in college basketball, Education, humor, Native Texan, Texas Aggies

Wednesday, March 07, 2018 – How Cool and How Come?

Posted on March 7, 2018 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, March 07, 2018 – How Cool and How Come?

I found some family ephemera (fancy talk for old family stuff like pictures of people you do know know). I am sure, much to the delight of my family, I donated it to LSU. My name will officially be in a museum. Thank you LSU Alum, Kathy for the help.

Remember LSU is a land grant school and when the Morrill Act was passed all land grant schools were required to have a military component. Google the Morrill Act if you did not attend a land grant school. Today of course, there is only one land grant school with a Corps of Cadets of any value. Of course that is the Harvard on the Brazos – aka Texas A&M University. Therefore, it is only right and honorable that this Texas Aggie makes a donation. How cool is that?

The photographs were of cadets of LSU and some old buildings the LSU history people recognized immediately. The dates on the back were 1905 from the Old War Skule. This date is two years before my father was born and my aunt was only three years old. I have no idea who the cadets are or where the photographs came from.

When downloading my museum donation form I ran across this from the LSU Old War Skule site posted February 26, this year. http://olewarskule.lsu.edu/?p=3302

Chairs of Honor. POW/MIA permanent seats were installed in Tiger Stadium, Maravich Assembly Center, and Alex Box Stadium and are guarded by ROTC members during home games.

Here’s what I’m thinking. How come there are no POW/MIA seats in every college stadium/arena and sports venue? And especially how come there are not any in Kyle Field and Reed Arena? And Blue Bell Park and the softball ball and soccer stadium?

What do you think about the idea? Share it Aggies!

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Posted in Education, humor, LSU, Native Texan, Texas Aggies

Tagged LSU, old war skule, POW/MIA, Texas A&M

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – Remember the Alamo and Remember to Vote

Posted on March 6, 2018 | 1 comment

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – Remember the Alamo and Remember to Vote

Today is March 6. On this day in Texas history, the Alamo Mission fell into the hands of the Mexican Army. The Texians and their supporters were given no quarters and all put to the sword.

But we are Texans and we do not forget or give up.

Today is March 6. On this day in Texas, it is the March Primary. Please remember to vote. People have died for us to have this privilege.

It makes a difference even if you are out-numbered. Ask the defenders of the Alamo.

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Posted in Education, Native Texan, Politics

Tagged Texas March Primary, Vote

Wrong Absurd and Disgusting

Posted on March 5, 2018 | Leave a comment

Monday, March 5, 2018 – Wrong Absurd and Disgusting

Did you see this picture? It is allegedly something called Brooklyn Barbeque.

What an oxymoron. There is no such thing as Brooklyn barbeque. That is like eating salsa from New York City. That platter looks as disgusting as sushi from a gas station.

This is an insult to states that know barbeque and pit bosses everywhere. States like Kansas, Tennessee, both Carolinas and of course Texas. There is good barbeque in many other states too. New York is not one of them.

Brooklyn Bridge 1986 – Photo by me

Here’s what I’m thinking. You couldn’t give that away to a Texan even if the bridge came as a bonus. Just not buying it. Wrong!

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Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan

Tagged Brooklyn Barbeque

March 2, 2018 – Texas Independence Day

Posted on March 2, 2018 | 2 comments

March 2, 2018 – Texas Independence Day

Howdy, Ya’ll. This here is Texas Independence Day. On this day in 1836 leaders of the revolution met at Washington on the Brazos. Here 59 delegates officially signed a document declaring their independence and creating The Republic of Texas.

This day and the resulting history makes us Texans what we are and feel and act the way that we do. As John Steinbeck said, “Texas is a state of mind.” But he continues with a description of The Lone Star State.

I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and as in other religions few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions and strivings. Texas has tight cohesiveness perhaps strong than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study and the passionate possession of all Texans.

John Steinbeck (1902-1968) in Travels with Charley: In Search of America.

God Bless Texas!

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Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 – Old and Abandoned

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Tuesday, February 27, 2018 – Old and Abandoned

I joined a FB Group that posts photographs of old abandoned properties in Texas. You drive around and take photographs of old buildings and hope you do not get arrested or snake bitten. Since this is Texas there is always the possibility you might get shot at. A big telephoto camera lens is an absolute must for this endeavor.

Sometimes it is difficult to determine if the property is actually abandoned or just trashy. If there is a house on wheels and cars on cinder blocks, I tend to pass on by.

The photos below are from Monday, February 19, 2018.

An abandoned chicken farm on Highway 21, east of Caldwell. Note: A chicken farm in Texas is different from The Chicken Ranch in Texas.

The chicken roost

The house

A big round thing.

From downtown, Snook, Texas – The Snook Meat Market and Store. The town saloon was in the back with a hidden entrance. Sounds like a Deacon’s Window at a liquor store – the drive through window was in the back of the store so no could see your car.

A store that saw its heyday in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

Even the store next door from the 1960’s is abandoned. Check the gas pump.

Thank you, Bob, for the great history lesson of Snook and letting me stand in your front yard Next time we will sit on the front porch. I want to hear more about when your house was the boarding house in Snook. Thank you to you and your wife for the restoration.

My fav picture of the day is this old house. I am not sure where it is located. I was moseying on a back road when I saw it. It stands alone in a field. It once served in splendid grandeur for someone.

Just looking at the picture makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Enjoy.

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Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan

Tagged Abandoned buildings, photography, Snook Texas

Tuesday, February 23, 1836 – Texas History Told My Way

Posted on February 23, 2018 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, February 23, 1836 – Texas History Told My Way

On February 23, 1836 Mexican troops under General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna entered San Antonio de Bexar, Texas and surrounded the Alamo Mission.

Davy Crockett looked at Commander William B. Travis and said “We’re gonna a need a lot more men.”

General Santa Anna gave the people behind the mission’s walls one more chance to surrender. Travis opened fired. Santa Anna screamed “NO QUARTERS! This meant kill them all. He then ordered the bugler to play DeGuello – The Death Song. The fate of the Texans was sealed.

On February 24, Travis sent a plea requesting more troops. It was signed Victory or Death. The reinforcements never arrived.

Thirteen days later on March 6, the Alamo Mission would fall into the hands of the Mexican Army and “no quarters’ and DeGuello would enter into the history books. The soldiers defending The Alamo achieved victory through death.

General Santa Anna then proceeded to employ military tactics and strategies so bad that even I can see the flaws. For some inexplicable reason he moved north, rather than southeast and then slowed his army, taking his own sweet time while chasing General Sam Houston. His map app must have really been bad.

Meanwhile, Sam Houston and all of the citizens of the town of Gonzalez were hauling ass south toward Harrisburg (Houston) toward the Gulf Coast.

As every Native Born Texas has imprinted on their brains at birth, we all know this story and how this story ends.

On April 21, 1836, the Texas Army, led by General Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna’s Mexican Army. The Battle of San Jacinto is considered one of the most important battles that changed the history of the world. Make sure you read that sentence. It changed the history of the WORLD.

Texas achieved its independence from Mexico and formed the free and independent Republic of Texas.

And now, the thought question you have not been waiting for.

Why did the Mexican territory of Texas want its independence from the Republic of Mexico in the first place?

White United States settlers were immigrating to the territory in record numbers.
The large numbers of immigrating white settlers were bringing their slaves with them.

The Republic of Mexico abolished slavery in 1829. Therefore, the white people were coming to Mexico illegally and committing the crime of owning slaves.

Don’t you just love historical irony?

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Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan, Politics

Tagged history, humor, Santa Anna, Sma Houston, The Seige of The Alamo

Thursday, February 22, 2018 – Back to the Future with a Gun in my Classroom

Posted on February 22, 2018 | Leave a comment

Thursday, February 22, 2018 – Back to the Future with a Gun in my Classroom

A reminder: The purpose of Here’s What I’m Thinking is to make you smile and/or think.

You know the rules: If I know you or have known you in the past I will write about you.

Today’s post is for all of us from J. L. McCullough High School from 1976-1980 and for every person that has ever been involved with the administration of a school building.

Think back to the hallowed plaid halls of J.L. McCullough High School. Go get your Claymores and open to the faculty/staff section. Now picture any of those teachers/staff being armed with a gun.

HWIT – Rickie Tickie Tavy Baker would have shot herself in the foot putting her gun in the closet.

Dr.Sellers, you probably would have done the same thing. Good thing you became a real doctor.

Little Betty Sunshine would probably have fired her weapon just because. I’m sure it was German made.

Andrew could have shot Jamie (RIP) instead of stapling him to his desk. Andrew didn’t know the stapler was loaded.

I wonder how this incident would go down today

L. Salmons (RIP) shows up at my door across the hall. “Mr. Hayter is in the boys’ bathroom getting M. Brown’s grade book out of the toilet. I need you or Ms. P. to go to the girls’ bathroom and get his toupee out of the toilet.” Me: Where is Mr. Brown? Larry: I don’t know. One of his students came and got me.”

I am trying to picture what kind of weapon Ms. Rothrock would carry. Something cool like she is, I’m sure. I am having difficulty imaging what Mrs. Pressler (RIP) would carry. Hopefully only a small derringer.

I can picture Jesse Harwell (RIP) packing and being cool like the Roy Rogers look alike that he was. Karl Satorie – so sorry, cannot get passed the lime green leisure suit and white patent leather shoes, but the outfit was popular at the time.

I am certain there were days when Trina R. (RIP) and I could shot more than evil eyes at each other. Sidebar: As opposite as Trina and I were, I think I was a better educator because of her.

And an all-time favorite. How did you and Ms. P meet? Me: Mark S. was put into my class because he threatened to kill her so I went to see who she was. (Sidebar: recent update – Mark is a fine, responsible, upstanding citizen. It was Ms. P who actually saw him.)

What if an individual was accidently shot? The lawsuits could bankrupt not only the teacher’s family; they could bankrupt a small to medium size school district.

Education. Guns. This is a complex social problem that will require complex social solutions on the part of all of the social institutions. Arming faculty and staff in the K-12 environment is not one of them.

As educators we are prepared to teach your children to learn and to be responsible, upstanding citizens. We are not prepared to induce additional stress on them or on ourselves.

Here’s what I’m thinking. I WILL NEVER CARRY A GUN INTO CLASSROOM! And I don’t think any educator should either.

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Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan, Politics

Tagged armed faculty, school shootings

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – National Pet Day and The Olympics or Bipeds on Boards.

Posted on February 20, 2018 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – National Pet Day and The Olympics or Bipeds on Boards.

The Divine Miss Peach here. It is National Pet Day. I hope pets everywhere find their Forever Homes like I have.

I kicked Dr. Biped off the computer so I could write about the Olympics. This is my first time to watch these events. I sit in Biped’s lap and watch other Bipeds do some really crazy stuff.

Here is my professional cat assessment of what I have seen up to this point.

The events take place in the winter so it is cold and there is lots of snow which is frozen water.

There are outside and inside events. The inside events involve ice, which is really just a another form of frozen water.

First the outside events.

Bipeds strap boards on their feet and insert their heads into a strange round ball. Sometimes there are two boards and sometimes there is only one.

Sometimes they carry poles. Sometimes no poles carried.

Then they proceed to race down a mountain of snow going faster than Ancestor Cheetah Cat, encountering various obstacles, such as poles protruding from the snow, other bipeds on boards, and various odd elevations along the way.

Some of them twist and turn, do somersaults, fly through the air and try to land upright on their feet boards. Some of the one boarders move up and down something called a Half Pipe. It is a half a tube of the frozen water called ice.

Now to the inside events.

These bipeds have tiny metal boards on their feet and maneuver on a big sheet more frozen water also called ice. Some of them are alone; some are in pairs and sometimes there are bunch of bipeds on the ice. The bunches of bipeds tend to carry sticks and try to put a round black object into a net guarded by another biped.

With the exception of the stick toting bipeds, the others jump, twist and turn multiple revolutions and then spin as fast as possible.

I like the inside bipeds’ events better. My favorite is those bipeds that go real fast around a big circle of ice and tilt at a thirty degree angle.

But I like the graceful ones too. They have pretty costumes I would so love to scratch on those sequins and feathers. And there is pretty music too.

These bipeds must have more lives than I do because they are crazy. I really do not see the big deal. We cats do this on a daily basis. Look at the pictures.