Category Archives: Native Texan

Friday, March 3, 2017 – Blah

Posted on March 4, 2017 | Leave a comment

Friday, March 3, 2017 – Blah

Some days a diamond; some days a stone.

Sometime you are the windshield; sometimes you are the bug.

Today has been a stone and bug. Does that make me a stoned bug?

buzzard-rp-800x450

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Posted in humor, Native Texan

Thursday, March 2, 2017 – March 2, 1836 – Texas Independence Day!

Posted on March 2, 2017 | 1 comment

Thursday, March 2, 2017 – March 2, 1836 – Texas Independence Day!

While the fighters were defending The Alamo, the suits and politicians were signing a Declaration of Independence stating the Mexican state of Texas would henceforth be free and independent.

Five days later, on March 6, Santa Anna’s armies would breach the walls of The Alamo and order “no quarters” which meant “kill them all.” A few days march later, there was The Goliad Massacre. History books state Colonel Fannin split his troops into two sections (not good military strategy). Neither did he tell his troops there was to be “no quarters.” These decisions vilified Fannin and his widow and two daughters for decades.

Meanwhile, General Sam Houston and the entire town of Gonzales were hauling their newly independent asses toward the Gulf Coast with Santa Anna in hot pursuit. Had General Santa Anna not stopped along the way, he might have overtaken them. That would be “no muy bueno. Es muy mal.”

The ending battle for Texas Independence was April 21, 1936 at San Jacinto. The Battle of San Jacinto is considered a world changing battle. Texas was free and independent. I know, RP, it should have stayed that way.

Today is a day when we celebrate all of Texas and its heroes of The Revolution. William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, DeWitt, Rush, Rusk, and all of the others Texas heroes of the day.

But here is my Texas hero. J.V. McClanahan from Luling, Texas. JV waving from bus (800x530)

Five years ago, I had the privilege and honor to escort Mr. J. V. on Austin’s first Honor Flight carrying World War II Vets to see their monument in Washington D. C. ww-ii-2

untitled On March 2, 1945, Mr. McClanahan was taken POW by the Germans during The Battle of the Bulge. He remained a POW until VE Day in May of 1945. Upon his release he sailed home on The Queen Mary.

Thank you to all The Texians. Thank you, J.V. and to all those who protect our freedom on a daily basis. Here’s a big 10 gallon Texas HAT’S OFF TO YOU!

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

Tagged history, Texas Independence Day, The Alamo, The Battle of San Jacinto, World War II Memorial

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 – Let Me Ash You Something – Do You Observe Lent?

Posted on March 2, 2017 | 1 comment

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 – Let Me Ash You Something – Do You Observe Lent?

If you answered with “the dryer lint?” then that is incorrect. So Lenten up.

Today is Ash Wednesday. If your faith is in one of those descended from the kneelers – Catholic, Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist – to name a few, then the observance of Lent is part of your upbringing. For observers it marks the beginning of the days leading to Easter Sunday. It is a time of reflection and prayer when observers remember the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness prior to His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

It is called Ash Wednesday because at religious services one receives ashes on their forehead in the shape of a cross. It calls attention to one’s mortality. We are all just a bunch of God’s dust bunnies running around until He says “Come Home.”

The ashes actually come from burning the fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. They do not come from the nuns and priests staying up all night smoking cigars and playing poker as my Louisiana relatives used to tell me.

It is a period of time when one sacrifices something they enjoy in an effort to make the world a better place. One may also choose to do something they have not done before. It is about the commitment to be a better person.

Ash Wednesday 2014 my Lenten commitment was to start this blog – Here’s What I’m Thinking. In spite of the entries you might read, it began as and continues to be a spiritual endeavor. I committed to write something each day of the week to try to make at least one person laugh and/or think.

Palo Duro Canyon Trip 4.15 2015-04-19 050 (800x600)

Palo Duro Canyon 2015 – Photo by me.

Since that time my Lenten commitment is always to recommit to HWIT with the caveat to get better and get more followers. In addition this year I am giving up some time in my day. I was going to give up being sarcastic and to stop cussing, but that would only make me a damn mute.

Instead I decided to say the Rosary once a day. I wonder where my beads are? Tony, Tony, please come round. – Catholic thing.

Here’s what I’m thinking – If Jesus can spend 40 days in the wilderness with no TV, no Pandora, no Internet, no Facebook, no Twitter, – just Him and Devil at every corner, then you can sacrifice or do something for 40 days.

What are you waiting for?

Grand Canyon – 2008 – Photo by me.

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Posted in humor, Misc., Native Texan

Tagged Ash Wednesday, Easter, Lent, religion

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 – Fat Tuesday. Let the Good Times Roll.

Posted on February 28, 2017 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 – Fat Tuesday. Let the Good Times Roll.

It is Fat Tuesday. Therefore:

Drinks @ Hilton (800x450)

Laissez les Bontemps roulez!

Here’s hoping you get lots of beads at whatever your Mardi Gras parade is today. There is no need to post your photos regarding your methods of obtaining beads.

Three on Throne (600x800)

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Posted in Native Texan

Tagged Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras

Monday, February 27, 2017 – My Five Takes on the Oscars

Posted on February 27, 2017 | Leave a comment

Monday, February 27, 2017 – My Five Takes on the Oscars

First of all I did not watch the program. I read a book and then to sleep.

Buddy Glasses While I enjoy movies, I enjoy people running, jumping, throwing spherical objects through the air and/or into hoops more. I would rather spend money to see that event than go to a movie.

Second, I do not know the majority of the people at the ceremony. They all look the same to me – a beautiful head in a tuxedo or dress of sequins and satin. Or as they are thought of in some areas – Sin and Satan. Isn’t that special?

Third – I was hoping the protestors from the Dakota Pipeline would show up to pick up the winners’ awards – a flashback to Marlon Brando “It’s just business; nothing personal.”

Fourth – I wonder if Warren Beatty was looking at his sister saying “Can you channel me out of here to anyplace but here?” Faye Dunaway might be thinking “I am NOT Kellyanne Conway.”

Fifth – those who protested by not viewing the Oscar program. Of course, this is your constitutional right, but there is a missing adjective in The First Amendment under the “right of the people peaceably to assemble.” Sidebar to Sean Slicer: Note the correct grammar and placement of the infinitive. You have split your infinitive more times than Star Trek has with “to boldly go.”

But back to protesting. The missing adjective is “effective.” Protesting by not watching is a good statement of your beliefs. A more effective protest would be not going to the movies, not watching the movie on video, not streaming on Amazon or Hulu, no Netflix or not purchasing the video.

Why is this more effective than affective protest? And we are back to Oscar winners. From 1972 – Joel Grey. Liza (with a Z) Minelli. Cabaret. Song:

Money makes de vorld go around; de vorld go around. A mark, a yen a buck or a pound, it makes de vorld go round. Money. Money. Money. Money. Money If you happen to be rich…

Here’s what I’m thinking: I wonder how many can tie this HWIT together?

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

Tagged humor, Oscars, satire

Friday, December 24, 2017 – The Assist. BA, Curtyce Knox and Still Magnolias.

Posted on February 24, 2017 | Leave a comment

Friday, February 24, 2017 – The Assist. BA, Curtyce Knox and Still Magnolias.

1.1 seconds left in the game; Tigers behind by one. BA inbounds the ball to Petey; HE SHOOTS; HE SCORES! TIGERS WIN! TIGERS WIN! Their first bi-district championship in ten years. Petey is mobbed by his teammates in victory.

Few people remember “the assist.” It is like life. People only remember the virtuoso piano player and not the piano tuner. Petey scored the winning basket, but it was the perfect inbounds pass that allowed Petey to win the game for the team. It is about the assists in life that matter.

This is Curtyce Knox, point guard of the Texas Aggie Women’s Basketball team.

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Last night she set a record for all time assists in women’s basketball at Texas A&M. She currently leads the SEC in assists per game with 9.5. She also leads the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball teams in assists per game. And currently there are only three NBA players who have more assists per game. She is a finalist for the Lieberman Award for best point guard in women’s basketball.

Like many of us, Curtyce could be living a very different life had it not been for assists along the way to help her stay on course, achieve her goals and dreams and become the graduate of Texas A&M she is today. Curtyce is currently in graduate school. You can read more about Curtyce at: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Curtyce-Knox-and-daughter-a-welcome-sight-at-10952286.php

And this brings us to Still Magnolias. There are many students in today’s high schools like Petey and Curtyce. The BAs in school have opportunities and the assistance to take advantage of them. The Petey’s and Curtyce’s are fragile. Opportunities are sometimes limited at best. A social upheaval of any kind can take those away in an instance.

Unless someone can step in to assist. That is what Still Magnolias is all about. Funds to the Magnolia Education Foundation to Still Magnolias provide assistance that can provide opportunities for students at Magnolia High School to stay on target to achieve their goals.

If you graduated from Magnolia High School, you are a Still Magnolia. Please consider helping with ideas, suggestions, and of course dollars. It all goes to assist a future Still Magnolia.

The BA is Baylor bound gnephew # 3. WTG BA.

Curtyce is bound for the WNBA or overseas basketball ball and then a career of whatever she wants to do.

Petey – we’ll see.

Still Magnolias – you can help in many ways. Let us hear from you.

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Posted in college basketball, Misc., Native Texan, Still Magnolias, The Still Magnolias

Tagged Conroe High School, Conroe Tigers basketball, Curtyce Knox, Magnolia, Magnolia Education Foundation, Magnolia High School, Still Magnolias, Texas, Texas A&M Women's basketball team, Texas Aggies

Thursday, February 23, 2017 – Do You Believe in the Hereafter? Laugh-In. Sock It to Me!

Posted on February 23, 2017 | 2 comments

Thursday, February 23, 2017 – Do You Believe in the Hereafter? Laugh-In. Sock It to Me!

This is for all of my Alpha Chi Omega sisters from Epsilon Eta – Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas 1969-1971. And to those GDIs who were harassed in Dorm 18 after curfew.

I hope you laughed as much as I did when this Laugh-In couple flashed across the TV screen the other night during NBC’s celebration of 95 years of TV broadcasting.

here-after-ruth-buzzy-and-artie-shaw-800x800

Artie Shaw: Do you believe in the hereafter?

Ruth Buzzy: Yes.

Artie Shaw: Then you know what I’m here after…

Sock it to me! Sock it to me ! Sock it to me!

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Posted in humor, Native Texan

Tagged Alpha Chi Omega, Artie Shaw, Laugh-In, Nacodoches Texas, Ruth Buzzy, SFA, Stephen F. Austin State University

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 – Holy Crap! Is it Ash Wednesday? PUSH-UPS AND PRAYERS.

Posted on February 22, 2017 | 1 comment

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 – Holy Crap! Is it Ash Wednesday? PUSH-UPS AND PRAYERS.

Holy Crap! Is it Ash Wednesday? I have already had a sausage, egg and cheese breakfast taco!

EXCUSE ME!

Cloud Formation. June 2016. Photo by me.

Sorry, God.

YOU KNOW THERE ARE NO SAINTS NAMED CRAP. SO ONE CANNOT SAY “HOLY CRAP!” ASH WEDNESDAY IS NEXT WEDNESDAY MARCH 1. NOW, DROP AND GIVE ME 15.

Kneel and fifteen Hail Mary’s?

FIFTEEN PUSH UPS WHILE SAYING A HAIL MARY. I AM CALLING IT MY NEW FITNESS PRAYER ROUTINE. SPIRITUALITY AND FITNESS ALL IN ONE.

I AM CALLING IT “ PUSH-UPS AND PRAYERS.” ONE PUSH-UP PER HAIL MARY. LET’S GO!

Okay, but just know that when I get to push up number 14 and say “Pray for us sinners in the hour of our death” it just might be in the hour.

Where are You going, God?

NOWHERE. BUT IT’S NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY! JOIN ME WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR PUSH-UPS AND PRAYERS.

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Posted in humor, Misc., Native Texan

Tagged Ash Wednesday

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 – Extra Extra Read All About It!

Posted on February 21, 2017 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 – Extra Extra Read All About It!

From today’s Bryan Eagle. Did I sleep through something? I think this is an example of that fake news.

eagle-headlines-800x800

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Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan, Politics

Tagged Bryan Eagle, Donald Trump, Pence

Monday, February 20, 2017 – Presidents’ Day Where Is Your Apostrophe?

Posted on February 20, 2017 | 2 comments

Monday, February 20, 2017 – Presidents’ Day or Where is Your Apostrophe?

Today we honor those who have served in the office of President of the United States of America.

Flags @ Front (800x529)

I see in the media that there are many Presidents’ Sales taking placed today on this holiday. Will someone please purchase the current president?

FYI – Presidential and White House staffers – the apostrophe is AFTER the “S” to include all of the Presidents. It is not BEFORE the “S” to denote just one. Grammar and proof reading does not seem to be one of your strong suits. You can work on it after you conquer public speaking.