Category: Texas (Page 1 of 7)

One hundred eighty five years ago today, the Texas Army was camped together in the woods, protected by the rising ground where Buffalo Bayou meets the San Jacinto River. At 3:30 that afternoon, April 21, 1836, General Sam Houston addressed his troops:

“Rally to the standard and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men! Be free men, that your children may bless their father’s name!”

The Texans attacked Santa Anna’s Mexican forces and routed the enemy in an historic battle that lasted only 18-minutes, securing a brief but glorious independence for the Republic of Texas.

Happy San Jacinto Day!

Celebrate accordingly.

Allan

“I couldn’t believe Texas was real.” ~Georgia O’Keeffe, 1912

Happy Texas Independence Day! It was on this date in 1836 that sixty delegates meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos adopted a declaration of independence from Mexico, proclaiming a “free, Sovereign, and independent republic.” Although the autonomy of Texas as its own nation lasted only nine years, all Texans to this day retain a wild spirit of freedom, sovereignty, and independence. It’s in our blood.

I would suggest celebrating today by eating a breakfast burrito with jalapenos while listening to some Stevie Ray Vaughan, maybe Texas Flood or Couldn’t Stand the Weather. Wear something today that declares your Lone Star pride – I’m wearing my Texas socks. Lunch should be Whataburger with a Dr Pepper shake or barbecue beef at a place that closes before 6pm. Dinner should be enchiladas of any kind or anything else that comes wrapped in a tortilla. And at some point today you need to watch Bernie, the most Texas movie I’ve seen in decades. Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey capture the settings, the accents, the food, the attitudes, and the people of our grand state in a hilarious treatment of a tragic real-life murder in East Texas. If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, go with John Wayne’s The Alamo. Keep the myth alive!

When Georgia O’Keeffe arrived in the panhandle as a young teacher and artist in 1912, her first impressions of our state were large and lofty. She saw her new home as more than a state or even an empire; she viewed Texas as a world. “I couldn’t believe Texas was real… the same big wonderful thing that oceans and the highest mountains are.”

God bless Texas.

Allan

I’m not panicking. I believe the current Dr Pepper shortage is probably being experienced in places outside the borders of the Republic of Texas. I’m not hoarding. I believe the 24-pack of Diet Dr Pepper Carrie-Anne bought on Saturday is more than enough to get us through to this Saturday when she will be able to easily find and purchase another. I’m not worried. I am confident that the aluminum  scarcity or employee reduction or combination of Covid-19-related issues that have led to this Dr Pepper shortage won’t affect us here.

I’m also a bit skeptical. I’m cynical about this whole thing.

The tweet that came from the official Dr Pepper twitter account Monday and sparked all the retweets, news stories, and Facebook posts sounds like it’s intended to cause panic. It feels like a publicity ploy. The news stories weren’t written as a result of consumer complaints or grocery store notices. This is coming directly from Dr Pepper. It sounds like it’s meant to cause consumers to rush out to the grocery stores right now and buy triple or quadruple what they really need, thus leading to a real shortage, thus gaining even more publicity.

“We know it’s harder to find Dr Pepper these days. We’re working on it – hang tight! Note: This applies to all flavors of Dr Pepper – including our newest permanent addition to the family, Dr Pepper & Cream Soda.”

It sounds like a sales pitch to spark a run, not a reassuring message to ease concerns.

“We’re doing everything we can to get it back into your hands… contact your local retailer directly for the most up-to-date availability of Dr Pepper products.”

Yes, this is a publicity stunt. No, this is not serious. God is in his heaven and Dr Pepper will always be available in Texas.

But, if you’re going to the store, why don’t you pick up a 24-pack for me.

Peace,

Allan

Happy San Jacinto Day!

I put on my Texas socks this morning and ate a breakfast burrito on my way to the church building while listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s third studio album, “Soul to Soul.” I’d say that’s a pretty great start to a day when we celebrate General Sam Houston’s victory over Santa Anna’s army in 1836 that established the great Republic of Texas.

I would suggest some Mesquite smoked BBQ for lunch today and enchiladas for dinner. I would also suggest you take 40-minutes and listen to any Stevie Ray Vaughan album from start-to-finish. “Couldn’t Stand the Weather,” “Texas Flood,” or “Soul to Soul” — those are my personal favorites. I’ll also count any ZZ Top album pre-“Eliminator” as an appropriate San Jacinto Day commemoration. If you’re looking for a uniquely Texas way to celebrate while you’re sheltering-in-place, I’d recommend watching the movie “Bernie,” starring Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, and Shirley McClain. That’s about as Texas as anything that’s been made since Lonesome Dove. If you’re wanting to binge watch a TV series, you can’t go wrong with Friday Night Lights.

If you’d like some other ideas, Texas Monthly has some suggestions in “How to Hunker Down Like a Texan.” This article recommends books by Texas authors, music and movies with Texas ties, and links to museums and other sites in our great state that offer free virtual tours.

You might also carve out some time to thank the Lord above that you live in such a magnificent place as Texas. Unless you don’t live in Texas. In that case, you might read Habakkuk or Psalm 88.

Peace, y’all!

Allan