Monday, April 23, 2018 – More History From George Bush Library
There was a steady stream of people at the George Bush Library and Museum this morning. We were paying final respects to First Lady, Barbara Bush. Walk with me in pictures.
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?
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?
Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan, Politics
Tagged history, humor, Santa Anna, Sma Houston, The Seige of The Alamo
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 – Got Your Petunia Covered?
This is station HWIT wishing you a good morning! It is a balmy 72 degrees this morning in The Lone Star State. And the sun is shining in a cloudless blue sky.
If you are headed to Texas for the holidays you will need to pack the following:
Shorts
Tank tops
Flip flops
Swimsuit
Parkas
Fleece lined shirts
Sweaters
Scarves
Gloves
Hats with ear coverings
Boots
The morning temperature five days from now for Christmas Day morning in the Houston area is predicted to be 28 degrees. So prepare to protect your petunia. Cover it and keep it warm.
That is a good transition to Story Time with your host Fanny Faust. I understand, Fanny, that you are going to give us the background of your family’s story of “Cover your petunia.”
That is correct, Unnamed DJ. The origin of the petunia covering saying began sometime in the 1930’s in Flora, Louisiana. The bustling town of Flora served as a pumping station for Standard Oil and served as a sawmill town owned by Weaver Brothers Lumber Corporation. Side bar: Standard became Exxon-Mobile, Chevron, and BP depending on where you live.
The handsome hunk, fourth from left was the bookkeeper for Weaver Brothers, Randall E. Duffey
Like most sawmill towns there was a commissary. While the Weaver Brothers Commissary served as the store for general merchandise, it also served as the gathering place for the town folk to catch up on the local happenings and to pick their mail at the post office. Think of it as the social media of its day.
In most general stores of the day there was a large log burning pot-bellied stove that served as the heat for the store. Like most fires of this type used for warmth, one tends to freeze on one side and scorch on the other.
I am going use the person’s real name because she has been long gone and lives only in the petunia story. I am not certain how far Margie Cook had to walk from her house to Weaver Brothers Commissary, but one frigid bitter cold morning she rushed into the store, ran to the stove and hiked up her skirt to receive the warmth of the fire.
As warmth was achieved she dropped her skirt, gave a contented sigh, turned around and announced for all to hear “It was so cold last night my petunia froze!”
Sadly for Margie Cook the petunia story was frozen in time and history. The postal clerk had just put up the mail and the entire Weaver Brother’s Commissary was filled with town folk from Flora who just witnessed Margie Cook flash her petunia and announce just how cold it was in Flora, Louisiana the night before.
For decades when the weather turns cold (like 40 degrees in Texas) family members communicate to ask “Got your petunia is covered?” I hope yours is covered.
Thank you so much Fanny. I will need to double, maybe triple my petunia coverings this Christmas. That’s all for today. Station HWIT – Peace and Petunias Out!
Friday, November 10, 2017 – No Snark; Just A Thankful Salute to the Veterans.
From the Halls of Montezuma…
It is the opening line of The Marine’s Hymn. It comes from the Battle of Chapultepec during the United States Mexican War. As we Texans sometimes refer to it as “the war when the United States really got Texas.”
On September 13, 1847 in an effort to disrupt the Mexican Army, General Winfield Scott ordered his troops (the Marines) to storm the palace of the capital city of Mexico. The palace was called “The Halls of Montezuma.” After two days of battle, the Marines were given the honor to raise the Stars and Stripes declaring victory. The rest, as they say, is history. (History Nerd, Humor)
The most recent addition to Veterans Park in College Station is the sculpture of a Marine scaling the wall of The Halls of Montezuma. The work was done by the talented artist, J. Payne Lara of Navasota, Texas. The detail of his work is incredible. See the tear on the Marine’s left leg?
Today we thank every person who took the oath, wore the uniform and sacrificed for our freedoms.
So from The Halls of Montezuma to wherever you are today, we appreciate you, Veterans and the differences you make in making the world a free and safe place.
Posted in Education, humor, Native Texan, Texas Aggies
Tagged history, J. Payne Lara, Marines, Texas, Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 08, 2017 – On This Day in History
Good Morning, Class. Dr. Dimwit substituting in today’s history class. Today we will examine random, yet important events that occurred during world history. And of course – Here’s What I’m Thinking – about each event.
In 1519 1st meeting of Moctezuma II & Hernán Cortés in Tenochtitlan, Mexico/ Hmm. Well, that did not go well for the Aztecs.
1701 – William Penn presented a Charter of Privileges. I think this was to create a colony across The Pond called Pennsylvania. But it could have had something to do with oatmeal.
1731 – Ben Franklin opened the first library in North America. Here that, Librarians?
1789 Bourbon Whiskey 1st distilled from corn by Elijah Craig in Bourbon, Kentucky. Why is this not a National Holiday? Everyone should get a free pint of Kentucky bourbon today. Thank you Mr. Craig.
1837 Mount Holyoke Seminary in Mass-1st US College founded for women. Brave women. Thank you!
1917 People’s Commissars gives authority to Lenin, Trotsky & Stalin during October Revolution Well, this did not end well. Two’s company; three’s a crowd. Just ax Trotsky.
1923 Hitler stages unsuccessful “Beer Hall Putsch” in Munich. The world thought: No big deal. Crazy man with funny mustache.
1938 1st African American woman legislator, Crystal Bird Fauset of Philadelphia. I did not know this. Thank you.
1951 – Yogi Berra wins his first of three MVP Awards. Deja vu all over again. Catcher rule!
1965 “Days of Our Lives” premieres on TV. Likes sands through the hourglass…
1979 ABC broadcasts “Iran Crisis: American Held Hostage” with Frank Reynolds (forerunner to “Nightline”). The first terror attack involving Americans. The world thought – an isolated incident.
1991 Carol Burnett Show premieres on CBS-TV. Let’s give a big Tarzan yell and remember our favorite skits of this funny ensemble of comedians.
2014 Mikhail Gorbachev warns that tensions between America and Russia over Ukraine have put the world on the brink of a new Cold War. And what does Ukraine have that Russia, the Soviet Union and Russia again have wanted since the early czars?
2016 Republican Donald Trump is elected President of The United States of America, defeating democrat Hillary Clinton despite Clinton receiving 2.9 million more votes. It has only been a year? I’m exhausted.
Today’s thought questions. 1. What does the Ukraine have that Russia, the Soviet Union and Russia again have wanted since the early czars? 2. How does Russia plan to obtain this historically desired portion of geography?
I’m not answering question one nor am I speculating on question two. But you can Crimea a river or warm water seaport if you know the answers. I’m going to watch Carol Burnette reruns.
8645 and Out! Class dismissed.
Friday, September 29, 2017 –Snarky Friday College Football
Thirty days hath September and there were some games to remember and many to forget… But first.
The NFL debacle – IMHO – This should never have been an issue. The intrusion of the government into the corporate arena sets a dangerous precedent. Here’s what I’m thinking – the American citizens in Puerto Rico would die to have a cold drink of fresh water and electricity to even watch TV. Wait, the citizens just might die while waiting. So why?
Speaking of why? Why is THE University of Texas playing on a Thursday? Better yet, why is THE University even playing Iowa State? Even better, why is Iowa State even in the Big 12 Conference?
BEVO – Photo by Jill.
But BEVO’s Boys withstood the Cyclones 17-7. Please know that Iowa State is in the running for Ugly Uniform Award. The mascot is a weather pattern.
Tonight we have Miami and Duke on ESPN at 6:00 and USC and Washington State following. It is always fun to watch a Mike Leach team.
The Saturday Wake-up Call Games at 11:00 are:
New Mexico State and Arkansas on SECN – more Aggies for the Baconators. Did you know the New Mexico State mascot is named Pistol Pete?
In the 2:30 time slot we find:
Why? Why are the best games in the evening?
If any two teams should have a weather pattern as their mascot it should be Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. in Lubbock at 7:00 on Fox. Tortillas blowing in the wind.
Love my TT pic. Love you Little Sister. AXOs.
If Oklahoma State and New Mexico State should meet in a game, would it be Dueling Pistol Petes?
In the battle between Mississippi and Alabama ESPN will showcase:
Sandwiched between the Battle of Mississippi and Alabama we find Troy University at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge to meet LSU at 6:00 in the last non-conference primer for LSU. Here is a primer on Troy: The Troy Trojans mascot is named T-Roy. He is one of those dressed up mascots. Troy University’s athletics nickname was the Red Wave until the early 1970s when the student body voted to change the name to Trojans. I am not going to ask why they changed to that. One can only hope the students and the state of Alabama were aware that Trojan refers to a warrior and not a birth control device.
The game of the weekend is the Texas A&M Aggies versus the South Carolina Gamecocks on the SECN at 6:30.That means crappy announcers live from Kyle Field. Things to watch for overall: Crappy announcers misprouncing small Texas towns, talking way too much and saying nothing. For the Gamecocks watch for Uncle Will Muschamp exploding at referees and players. For the Aggies watch for the explosive Captain Christian Kirk.
Other burning questions you must have are:
What is the mascot of South Carolina?
Cocky (mascot) Cocky is the costumed mascot of the University of South Carolina athletics teams. He represents a cartoon version of a gamecock (a fighting rooster).
Why is South Carolina’s mascot a Gamecock?
The University of South Carolina’s varsity sports teams are known as the “Gamecocks”. This unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina who was nicknamed the “Carolina Gamecock” after British General Banastre Tarleton said Sumter “fought like a gamecock.”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocky_(mascot)
What is the mascot of Texas A&M?
The mascot of Texas A&M University is Reveille. She is a beautiful and very real Collie and the First Lady of Aggieland. She is prettiest mascot in her category in the NCAA mascot contest.
Source: NCAA and every Texas Aggie on the planet.
Native Texan Wall: Texas Monthly Cover signed “To Delia; Ann Richards.” FYI – I also have George W’s signature signed “To Delia Best Wishes George W. Bush.
Since we started the day with politics, let us end it with politics. When former Governor of Texas, Ann Richards, was campaigning for her first term, she and her staff were flying to The Valley on a campaign trip. One of her staff members asked: “Miss Richards, the people will want to know where you stand on cock fighting.” Miss Richards replied “To be honest, I never met one that I wanted to fight with.”
BTHO South Carolina.
Posted in Alabama, Coach Kevin Sumlin, Coach Nick Saban, College Football, college football, Education, humor, LSU, Native Texan, Politics, Texas Aggies
Tagged Ann Richards, college football, George W. Bush, history, humor, Mississippi State, SEC, South Carolina Gamecocks, The University of Texas, Troy University, Will Muschamp
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 – Back to the Future Again or History the Way it Should be Taught
I received a great compliment the other day. A dear friend said, “I would love to have taken a history class from you.” Yes, you probably would. Ask all those fabulous J. L McCullough High School students in the late 70’s and early 80’s. They had the best and brightest history and government teachers Conroe ISD had to offer. Take that CHS!
Here is what I am thinking my history class might hear today.
Good Morning,
Is Stephanie on her way to class? Or will she be virtual presence? Good, here she is.
You need your device. I hope they are charged but if not, move to one of the charging stations in the back. Remember to charge! An uncharged device is like The Charge of the Light Brigade and you know what happened to them.
Open your folder and click on the link I sent you just now.
Screen One
Listed below are three historical events. Your assignment is to relate each of these three past events to the current events today in as many ways as you can think of. You may work alone or form a group not to exceed four.
Your assessment will be a presentation of how you chose to relate the events and how many relationships you can make. Alabama is going to be tough but it is there. No, I do not think it is the football team, but if you can find a relationship, then go for it.
You may choose any presentation method, including but not limited to: essay, charts/graphs, poetry, artwork, music, movie, theatre (a play), or a combination of methods.
Upload your presentation to your folder on Electronic Homework. Your final presentation is due at 11:59 PM, August 9, 2017.
Screen Two
“I hereby resign the office of President of the United States.
Sincerely, Richard M. Nixon.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRLON3ddZIw
Let me know if you have questions.
Posted in Alabama, Education, humor, Native Texan, Politics
Tagged atomic bomb, Education, history, Nagasaki, Richard Nixon, That Was The The Year That Was, Tom Lehrer
Thursday, August 3, 2017 – The Miller’s Tale
Dear Mr. Stephen Miller,
This is a photograph of my great grandfather and the origin of the Duffey line – J.W. Duffey. He was probably about 40 years old in the photograph.
According to the proposed immigration rules, he would not be allowed to enter the United States today. He was only 12 years of age when he and his two brothers and mother and father came to America in 1848. He had no skills and did not speak English. He was 12!
His family – aka MY family – came to America from Ireland – County Cork to be precise. It seems in 1848 there was this agricultural blight called The Potato Famine. Perhaps you have heard of it. There was literally no food and hundreds of thousands starved to death. The British government’s policy was “Let the Irish starve.”
I suppose the family decided not to go to the continent of Europe. Almost every country was embroiled in revolutions and rebellions of people trying to persecute and oppress groups of people they didn’t like and other groups called The Resistance. For example, that Otto von Bismark guy was strutting around scaring France and then he united a bunch of little states in what would become Germany. Troubled times. So the next option was America. People immigrated there because it offered FREEDOM. Perhaps you have heard of it too, Mr. Miller.
However, J.W. Duffey would become a blacksmith and serve in The War Between the States in such a capacity, achieving the rank of Sgt. He would receive an honorable discharge from the Confederate Army. He used those smithy skills to build the railroads of Alabama and Mississippi before settling in Louisiana where he ran a livery stable. Just below his name on his headstone it reads “Born in Ireland.”
GGGrandfather would marry and raise several children, one of whom became my grandfather. Both of GGrandfather’s children, one of whom became my father graduated from high school, when only 8% of the entire US population did. My father would graduate from Miss Lynn’s Business College and become a bookkeeper.
Then came the rest of J. W. Duffey’s heirs four and five generations later. We all graduated from college – good ones too! We became doctors, lawyers, social workers, business owners, business leaders, accountants, teachers, mothers, fathers, civic leaders and a couple of the heirs even like horses and that blacksmith stuff.
Mr. Miller, I would hate to think what would have happened in 1848 if that12 year boy and his family were not allowed to come to America.
Enough about my family coming to America, Mr. Miller. How about your family? Please know I signed you up withAncestry.com. so you can determine how, when and why your family arrived in America. Miller? I betting the name is English as in white, male and protestant. Your ancestors probably said “Let the Irish starve.”
Statue of Liberty, 1986. Photo by me.
Sincerely yours,
The proud heir of an Irish immigrant.
PS – Mr. Miller if you wear a pink bow tie, you really will look like Pee Wee Herman.
Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Politics
Tagged 1848 Revolutions, Donald Trump, England, history, Immigration, Irish, Statue of Liberty, Stephen Miller, The Potato Famine, White House Press Room
Thursday, July 6, 2017 – Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer and G-20
Here’s What I’m Thinking. Get your history hat on.
The POTUS is out of the country. Our political prayer for the day is “please do not let him tweet and start a war.”
He is headed to the G-20 Summit that kicks off tomorrow in Hamburg, Germany. The Chair of the Conference is Head of State of Germany, Angela Merkel. It is a meeting to discuss world financial issues and has been going on since 1999 (Google it).
I am feeling like The Hippie Dippy Weatherman (George Carlin) “A line of thunderstorms is headed toward Japan, but so is a line of North Korean missiles, so I would not sweat the thunderstorms.” Is the emoji for this a mushroom shaped cloud over Alaska or the Secretary of Education telling children to “just get under their desks and put your hands over your heads?”
The POTUS visited Poland on his way to Germany. When That Man tweets at 3:00 AM that “His Presidency received the largest crowds ever” please remember your history.
As the 20 Heads of State gather in Germany, let us end with a history joke.
The Heads of State of Germany, The United States and Russia meet in a bar. The three are to discuss world issues and strategies to achieve them. As the evening progresses and drinking continues, the German head of state remains silent. The heads of state from the United States and Russia outline elaborate strategies. Finally, German leader is asked for input. She looks at the Russian and says, “Next time we will come in the summer.”
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Donald Trump, G-20, G-20 Summit, George Carlin, Hippie Dippy Weatherman, history, humor, North Korea, Putin, satire
Thursday, May 4, 2017 – May the Fourth Be With You. Cinco de Mayo Primer
Here’s what I’m thinking today. As the scary Orange Vader from the Dark continues to usurp power from the Ordinaries, formerly known as Voters, our tales of Starless Wars continue.
Good opening, don’t you think? Today is celebrate Star Wars day. I am certain this next statement will get me removed from The Big Bang Theory fan club. I prefer Star Trek over Star Wars. And I like The Next Generation. Of course it has to do with a better looking crew, but I also identified with the empath, Commander Deanna Troi. Of course it was Commander Troi who crashed the space ship in the movie.
Tomorrow promises to be mucho more fun – the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Since this question comes every year at this time, I shall now provide you with some responses and just enough history of the holiday for the first round of drinks. This will come in handy when you are celebrating when someone asks, “What is Cinco de Mayo?”
It is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day. That date is September 16 when the country celebrates its independence from Spain. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of the Mexican army over the French army at the 1862 Battle of Puebla. I am sure the US would sent troops to help had Orange Vader been successful in time travel and in preventing the engagement the US was involved in during 1862,
The day is not that popular in Mexico and began in California during the time of The American Civil war with Americans of Mexican descent hoping to raise money for Mexico’s troops and independence effort.
The celebration of the day began in the 1970’s and 1980’s when American beer companies began targeting and marketing to the Spanish speaking population.
In conclusion Cinco de Mayo is pretty much an American day of celebration originating with a commercial interest. Forbes estimates that 80 million pounds of avocadoes are consumed on this day in The United States.
How does Orange Vader plan to get that amount of avocadoes over The Wall?
Oh well, Wait Staff Person? Another round please. One frozen, no salt. One on the rocks with salt. Two Dos Equis. One Corona. Donde esta el bano?
Photo by me. January 15, 1991. Inauguration of Governor Ann Richards.
Info taken from: http://www.ajc.com/news/local/facts-about-cinco-mayo-you-should-know-but-probably-don/pY6RsKLlc02fUMjur3M0PO/
Fiza Pirani The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 3:50 p.m Tuesday, May 2, 2017 National/World News
Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan, Politics
Tagged Cinco de Mayo, Donald Trump, history, humor, satire, The Wall
For Us
Howdy! We're the largest independent bookstore in Texas. This is our blog.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
What do you feel today?
Tales of humour, whimsy and courgettes
What if you spent every day looking for One Beautiful Thing?
Inspiration for meeting life's challenges.
Excerpts from the many random ramblings inside my head.
"We make bitter better."
Some Memories... Some Experiences...
"A Word of Substance"
The official website of author Nicholas Conley
Daily Thoughts and Meditations as we journey together with our Lord.
A fine WordPress.com site
Enjoy the Majestic Landscapes of the Lone Star State
Short paragraphs about whatever I am thinking; college football, Texas, politics, education and life in general.
Information for residents snowbirds, tourists .on. festivals.events things to do parks.places new ideas for improving Palm Beach County, History
For Us
Howdy! We're the largest independent bookstore in Texas. This is our blog.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
What do you feel today?
Tales of humour, whimsy and courgettes
What if you spent every day looking for One Beautiful Thing?
Inspiration for meeting life's challenges.
Excerpts from the many random ramblings inside my head.
"We make bitter better."
Some Memories... Some Experiences...
"A Word of Substance"
The official website of author Nicholas Conley
Daily Thoughts and Meditations as we journey together with our Lord.
A fine WordPress.com site
Enjoy the Majestic Landscapes of the Lone Star State
Short paragraphs about whatever I am thinking; college football, Texas, politics, education and life in general.
Information for residents snowbirds, tourists .on. festivals.events things to do parks.places new ideas for improving Palm Beach County, History
For Us
Howdy! We're the largest independent bookstore in Texas. This is our blog.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
What do you feel today?
Tales of humour, whimsy and courgettes
What if you spent every day looking for One Beautiful Thing?
Inspiration for meeting life's challenges.
Excerpts from the many random ramblings inside my head.
"We make bitter better."
Some Memories... Some Experiences...
"A Word of Substance"
The official website of author Nicholas Conley
Daily Thoughts and Meditations as we journey together with our Lord.
A fine WordPress.com site
Enjoy the Majestic Landscapes of the Lone Star State
Short paragraphs about whatever I am thinking; college football, Texas, politics, education and life in general.
Information for residents snowbirds, tourists .on. festivals.events things to do parks.places new ideas for improving Palm Beach County, History