It seems there have been a rash of deaths for notable Texans lately. Well sadly, we lost another yesterday, an icon in Texas music. The master pianist Van Cliburn passed away in Fort Worth yesterday. Although I never was witness to one of his concerts, I've heard many stories that say his playing was unparalleled by anyone.
Although born in Shreveport, Louisiana and not a Texas native,Van Cliburn was undoubtedly a fixture in Fort Worth, Texas. So much so, there is a roadway named Van Cliburn Way, in his honor.
The world will miss this musical prodigy, but his legend will live on forever. I've left you with a video of Van Cliburn playing the Star Spangled Banner at Cowboy Stadium several years ago. It's one of the most touching and memorable versions I personally have ever heard.
Gone, but not forgotten, Van Cliburn, 1934 - 2013...Rest in peace...
As some of you might know, Deryl Dodd is a really good friend of mine. I worked for him for about 5 years from 2003 - 2008. He and I are from the same great little town in Texas called Comanche and plus, he's a pretty good entertainer.
He wrote a song many years ago called "Somethin' Ain't Always Better Than Nothin" and had always planned to do a video for it. Well, he finally got to it, finished it and today is its debut.
It's a parody on that crazy little thang we call love and it's funny as can be.
I received a lot of comments on the article I wrote on Chris Kyle last week. The outpouring of readers was simply amazing. People from all over the entire world read the article and I received many, many emails, texts and comments on the post.
One comment in particular didn't have a comment, just a link to a website to donate to the Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield Family Fund.
I work in the small town of Midlothian, Texas and I can tell you almost the entire town turned out for the processional that was given to Chris Kyle last week.
It's a new week and new news is in the headlines now, but one thing still remains, two heros are gone, but their families remain.
Please, if you can find it in your heart, give to the families what you can. Any amount would be fantastic as they try to figure out how to go on without their lost dad's, son's, uncles, cousins and brothers.
There is a link to the memorial website in the right column at the top of this page. I will keep this link up on The Impulsive Texan blogsite for as long as people are giving. I have also included the link below, in case you get this in some other format than the blog page.
February 12, 2013, 7:54 a.m., C.S.T...Midlothian, Texas. It's a cold, overcast and rainy day in North Texas. "Soupy" as some might call it. But never mind the weather, a hero is about to pass by. A man that would make an ordinary man stand in awe of his accomplishments and legend. Not even in his forties yet, he had amassed a following of legendary proportions.
The news was devastating as it began to come in on the wire, last week. Chris Kyle...gone. An American hero that survived four tours of duty in the ravages of the Middle East and had escaped death from the horrors of a "holy war" only to succumb to a mysterious evil in his beloved Texas that still defies explanation.
Chris Kyle was a man's man, a quiet and reserved husband, father, friend and team mate. To millions of Americans, he exhibited the values in a man that are so hard to find these days. But of course, he was a United States Navy Seal. The best of the best, the baddest of the baddest and the group that was called on when the job absolutely had to be done. The SEALS epitomize the very words of George Orwells quote, "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf". Rough men, mean men, men that will jump on a grenade in a moment's notice to protect the the lives of "the team". Yes, he was one of the elite.
Chris, on the battlefield and off, was that kind of man. In battle, no one instilled more fear in the enemy and because of that, they bestowed upon him the name, "Devil of Ramadi" because of his reputation as the deadliest US sniper in American history. But off the battlefield, Chris was a kind and giving man. He volunteered tirelessly for the Wounded Warrior Foundation, gave all of the proceeds of his book "American Sniper" to charity and would undoubtedly be very embarrassed by the attention he's received after his untimely death.
But Chris, shipmate, you deserve all of this and more. Just like all of the other American heroes here and abroad, that are laying down their lives each and every day, so we can line the highways and byways for 200 miles to see you laid to rest and to ensure your legacy is intact. Your legacy in Texas will be remembered alongside of those like names like Sam Houston, Stephan F. Austin, Roy Benavidez, Dorie Miller, Audie Murphy and so many more.
The procession suddenly appeared off to my left on 14th Street as the roar of Harley Davidson engines from the Department of Public Safety, a DPS helicopter circling overhead, with an officer sitting, strapped into the open door of the modified war machine filled the air. The squad cars rolled by, lights flashing brilliantly in the cold, wet, foggy Texas air. Then, there it was...the white hearse. Although there were thousands of bystanders on both sides of the US Hwy 287 service road, not a voice could be heard. The only sounds were the roar of the passing motorcyles, squad cars, buses and SUV's and the dozens and dozens of American and Texas flags snapping and popping in the cold, Texas wind. And yet, as soon as the car appeared, it just as rapidly flew by...Chris was gone. His final trip from his home town of Midlothian, Texas, USA. The caravan of friends, family, team mates and service members proceeded down the embankment off of the service road, onto the main highway, headed south to Interstate 35. I gazed through tear-filled eyes to either side of me at the thousands of people braving the harsh weather to say goodbye to a legend. I can't count the number of those people I saw openly sobbing, holding their hands over their mouths, with eyes shut or the big, strong men, clearing their throats as they dipped their heads to "get something out of their eye". It's ok fellows, if ever there was a time to shed a tear, this is one of those times.
Chris, we will miss you brother and as has been said so many times before, "you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten". Each time I hear the words United States Navy Seal, I will remember your face, your tenacity and your dedication and love of your country.
Chris lived and died by the Navy Seal motto "Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit". I take solice in knowing, there are many more Chris Kyle's out there, ready to lead and follow and that will never, ever quit.
After I posted a picture recently of my "Texas-Style Smokey Chipotle Salsa", I was overrun my requests for the recipe. So, since I'm not one to sit on my recipe's, I've decided to post it here for the whole world to see and or try.
My serving suggestion is to enjoy it with a fresh bag of Julio's Corn Tortilla Chips. If you're not in Texas, well, I'm sorry, but you'll have to resort to a lesser brand. They aren't available through the world wide web...yet. But I'm sure they will be soon.
Texas-style Smokey Chipotle Salsa
Ingredients
3 large white onions3-14
oz cans tomato sauce
3 large jalapeno pepper3-14
oz cans crushed tomatoes
1 bunch of fresh cilantro3-14
oz cans diced tomatoes, drained
3 tbsp fresh minced garlicsalt
to taste
3 tbsp garlic powder1
rounded tbsp chipotle powder
Preparation
Quarter all onions and cut jalapenos into large chunks. Tear
off all leaves of the cilantro, but leave out large stems. Add all prepared
vegetables to food processor. Add the garlic powder, cumin, fresh minced garlic
and a teaspoon of salt to the processor. Pulse the processor two or three times
to get the vegetables to the size of your choice. I like my salsa a bit on the
chunky side, so I only process it about 3 – 4 pulses. If you like yours more
saucy, then pulse the mix 2-3 more times.
Pour the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes and draineddiced tomatoes into a
medium dutch oven, roasting pan or sauce pot. If the diced tomatoes are too
large, cut them into smaller pieces to the size of your choice. Add the
processed vegetables to the sauce. It is extremely important that you drain
the diced tomatoes very well. If you don’t, your sauce will become very watery
and won’t thicken very well. I suggest opening the diced tomatoes first and
place in a colander in the sink until you are ready to add them to the recipe.
Turn the burner on “High” and add a half tbsp of the
chipotle mix. Stir it well and taste. If it’s not hot enough, add the rest of
the powder, stir well and taste again. If it’s still not hot enough, add powder
until it reaches your desired heat level. This is also the time to add extra
salt if you want more. Go easy, salt “grows” in the recipe when it’s heated. Bring
the mix up to where the entire pot is just starting to boil. Turn off the heat
and let the salsa cool to room temperature until you can place it into jars,
plastic wear or on the table. If you put the mixture in the refrigerator while
it’s too hot, it will sour. Let it get to room temp.
Serving
You can use this as a dipping salsa with chips, you can put
it on taco salads, serve it over enchiladas or however you want to use it. But,
just be warned, it is addictive and delicious.
Yield
A LOT! This will make over
a half-gallon of sauce for regular folks or one serving for your average Texan.
