May 30, 2013

Texas traditional country music icon, Ray Price, out of the hospital...

Texas traditional country music icon, Ray Price, was released from the hospital earlier this week. Ray has been battling cancer since last year and the medicine he was using had left him severely dehydrated.
 
Ray has been a fixture in the traditional country music scene for decades with hits like, "For The Good Times", "Danny Boy", "Heartaches By The Number", and "Crazy Arms".
 
With George Jones recent passing, Ray is one of a handful of traditional country music icons left. I hope that his most recent visit to the hospital is the last one for a while.
 
He is resting comfortably back at his home in Texas now and we look forward to seeing his name on the marquis' around the nation announcing yet another performance by the legendary entertainer.
 
Welcome Home Ray, it's good to have you up and around again! 
 
I'll leave you with one of his greatest hits, "For The Good Times".
 
 
God blessed Texas...with Ray Price!
 
 
 
The Impulsive Texan
 
 
 
 
 

May 29, 2013

New post in the "Handbook for new Texan's" series...

Ok folks being a hardcore Texianado, I enjoy bringing new knowledge to new Texan's and to the world.  This is the third post in a series I'm taking from my "Handbook For New Texans". This weeks post is also taken from the "Texas Vocabulary" section of  the handbook.

This word is a staple to Texas and one that Texas takes great pride in. It's a state icon and is the state tree of Texas. My great uncle J.H. Burkett made this nutty little morsel a household name in the early to mid 1900's here in Texas when he successfully grafted a certain strain of this tree. At one point, the Burkett Pecan was the most sought after pecan tree in the market here in Texas. Then, that silly health craze thang took over. I'm talking about the pecan if you haven't figured it out by now. By the way, if you want to read about my uncle's original Burkett Pecan tree, click this "link".

Now some folks in Texas get a wrinkle in their craw when they hear this word mispronounced, because it's been pronounced a certain way here in Texas for centuries. So, here is an exerpt from my "Handbook For New Texans" to read over and study.


Pecan -  noun - “Puh-con”

This is the state tree of Texas and it has only one pronunciation. From El Paso to Beaumont and from Lubbock to Brownsville, it's always the same word. It ain’t pronounced “pee-can” because a “pee-can” is the round, white depository device in a bathroom that you sit on. And it’s not “pee-con”, it’s “puh-cahn”, that's it, plain and simple.

I ain't doubting that it may be pronounced "pee-can" or "pee-con" in the east, the west or the north, but in Texas, it's "puh-con". Learning to pronounce this word right is elementary in becoming a Texan in good standing.

So that's this weeks lesson from the "Handbook For New Texans". Y'all have a fantastic day and remember, God blessed Texas!


The Impulsive Texan






May 24, 2013

"Texas Vocabulary"...a new post from the "Handbook for new Texans"...

I've heard it all, about how Texans talk. I spent the better part of my life traveling this country with the United States Navy and I've spent time in some pretty strange places. And once I had mentioned that I was from Texas, well, it could git pretty ugly, pretty quick, for sure. I've heard every Texas joke there is and reacted perfectly within reason with an icy stare directed at the one telling the joke. It seems the favorite joke outsided of Texas, always had to do with steers. I guess their must be some class the other 49 states attend to learn the same, tired Texas joke.
 
But Texans take great pride in their state, their pride and the way the talk. It's like no other place on the globe. Texas vernacular is very defined to this state. You won't hear a Jayhawk from Kansas talking with a Texas twang or using words that Texans use daily. That would be as strange as Clint Eastwood talking like Liberace. I suppose the language peculiarities come from the many flags that have flown over our great state and the pure brilliance of Texans themselves practicing the process of improvement.
 
So if you're movin' to Texas from nether regions, you need to have a heads up on certain words, phrases and dialects in Texas. So we're gonna start out todays lesson with a word that has been very good to Texas over the years. Here's your first lesson on "Texas Vocabulary".
 
 
Business – “bi-niss”
This word is pronounced wrong in 49 states and in certain zip codes in Texas. In Texas, you only prounounce the “esses” at the end of the word. No need to pronounce the middle "ess". The middle “ess'” is unnecessary and not pronounced. And theres a perfectly good explanation as to why. It’s more efficient to pronounce it this way. And “bi-niss”, especially in Texas, is all about efficiency.
 
 
Ok, there's your first lesson in Texas Vocabulary. Can you imagine how much time is saved by makin' efficient use of words like we do in Texas? I imagine a good hour of talkin' is cut off each day by Texans trimmin' the fat.
 
Until next time... God bless you and God bless Texas!
 
 
The Impulsive Texan
 
 
 
 

May 14, 2013

"Footwear"...another segment from the "Handbook for New Texans"

Greetings and salutations to all Texans, Americans and other fine folks from around the globe...

Last week I introduced a new segment from my book, "The Handbook For New Texans" to The Impulsive Texan Blog starting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the State of Texas. I also said I'd be posting new segments from that handbook from time to time. Well, it's time.

This post is going to be from the section on "Clothing" or if you're from some place that wears fancy $100 ties, the "Attire" section of the handbook. It has to do with the subject of "footwear". So here we go.


 
"The Handbook for new Texans"

Footwear

Canvas shoes, penny loafers, tasseled men’s slippers and other dainty type footwear shall be surrendered at the border. Sort of like fruit and plants when you’re entering California. Unwanted nuisance flies and other pests are prohibited in their state and so is sissy footwear for men in Texas.

All footwear shall be made of the finest choice leather from a Texas Grade A bovine, born, raised and sacrificed right here in Texas, or from your choice of reptile skins...snake, iguana, lizard, alligator are all fine choices.
 
Get acquainted with the names Tony Llama, Ariat, Justin, Nocona, Roper and Lucchese. It’ll look like you know a thing or two about boots if you throw those names around when shopping for footwear and it'll make your shopping experience that much more gooder.

Stay tuned to The Impulsive Texan for upcoming segments from my book, "The Handbook for New Texans"!


The Impulsive Texan

May 10, 2013

Segments from the "Handbook for new Texans"...

Howdy folks..well, for the last year or so, I've been drafting a "Handbook For New Texans". In it is essential information that will make your visit or life in Texas more pleasureable. I'm going to post from time to time, some snippets from that book so you'll get a feel for what we Texans are made of and what we like.
 
Now, it's all over the news and it's no secret, Texas is hot, hot, hot right now. And I don't mean weatherwise either. We got folks pouring into the state so fast that new zip codes are issued at the border! It's the number one place to work in the country right now, it's got low taxes, lots of jobs and it's the coolest place this side of...well, no where. There ain't no place cooler than Texas right now. So, with all of the new folks moving in, I've decided to premier a new segment to help our new neighbors transition into their new lives here in the Lone Star State.
 
Each post will be picked from a different heading of which I've come up with in the full-length book. My thoughts are that basic things need to be learned first, so the new folks can understand average "Texan". So here are three titles under which I'm going to be posting future segments:
 
         - The Pledge of Allegiance to Texas
         - Clothing, Courtesy, Sports, Food, Footwear, Hunting and Vehicles
         - Vocabulary
 
Since we take Texas very, very seriously here, it's a no-brainer that the very first post for this new segment should be an allegiance to the State of Texas. Now all of you natives don't get hot under the collar at me and don't be confused with this version of the allegiance. I'm not talking about Pledge to the Texas Flag that was recognized in the legislature in 2001. It also needs to be learned, but first things first. The Allegiance to the Texas flag goes this way:
 
"Honor the Texas Flag: I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible".
 
 
But, the pledge I'm talking about is to the State of Texas and not to the flag. Stay with me. Here it is. All of you new Texans-to-be, be proud to learn it and recite it daily and often:
 
 
"I pledge allegiance, to the glorious State of Texas and to the Republic for which I will be faithful. A one-state nation, under the single Texas star, God bless the Alamo, bluebonnets and Friday night football, forever".
 
 
Congratulations! If you have recited that and actually meant it, you are now a naturalized Texan! Carry your new Texan card proudly, tout Texas wherever you go, even if you are from New York City. You're a bonafide Texan now! Welcome to the Great State of Texas and long may you love and live in, Texas!
 
 
 
The Impulsive Texan
 
 
 
 

 
 
***Disclaimer***
Everyone should know that some of what is posted in the Impulsive Texan, is overly-hyped banter, braggadacio and big headedness. After all, aren't we Texans known for that?  I'm a lover of God and Country and the United States of America and in no way do I mean to convey any disloyalty to any part of it. In keeping with the pride that the whole world recognizes as "Texan", I will from time to time announce statements that might not be accepted well in other parts of the country, even if it is meant as humor. Please understand this and enjoy your visit to The Impulsive Texan!
 
 
 
 


Deep In The Heart Of Texas!

To all of my friends, family and world-wide-web acquaintances and for no particular reason at all, except that I'm thankful for being born and raised in the greatest state in these United States, here is the greatest tribute to our state by one of the greatest western entertainers of all time.

"Deep In The Heart Of Texas" by Gene Autry! They don't write and sing like this anymore! Enjoy your Friday everyone!


God Bless Texas!


The Impulsive Texan