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

 

 

 

George Jones, Saragoga, Texas country icon...gone at 81...

A lot of questionable things can be said about George Jones and his colorful career, but one thing can't be said...he wasn't a true country star.

George Jones was the poster boy for true, traditional, country music. Born in Saratoga, Texas, he gravitated to the sound of the music he heard and along the way, became an icon for a true, American artform, that some say has died away, just like our dear George has.

He was fortunate to be one to have sang the greatest country song ever written or performed on stage. In 1980, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" hit the airwaves and has become the icon for writing a traditional country song.

His career was defined by controversy due to his alcoholism, but boy could the man sing a country song.

George is the definition of country music and his style of singing. I'm going to leave you with his Number One hit from 1980 and arguably, the very best country song, ever written.

Rest in peace George, we will miss you, but, we'll never stop loving you.

The Impulsive Texan



"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...

Texas has gone to hail!!!!!

Is it just me, or did it get much colder in March, than say...January, here in Texas? I've already set out tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, onions and squash and I'll be a monkey's uncle if the danged weather has done gone conniption on me! Why I'm surprised I don't know, for this is Texas...

February...in the low '70's and '80's and March?.. 28 this morning???? It's almost April for the love of freckled leopards!

Well, EARLY Saturday morning, the family and I were headed to Fort Worth to participate in the annual Kidney Foundation Walk at Trinity Park. We get up and it's dreary, miserable and raining. The word for the walk was "rain or shine". So we get there and it's colder'n a well diggers pocket watch and besides that, it's freezing.

The lady running the walk came up to us before we even made it to the cold, stale doughnuts and empty Starbucks coffee containers and said, "The walk has been cancelled due to weather". My first thought is "what happened to rain or shine"? She explained there was flooding in the local forecast and it was headed directly at Fort Worth. Great, MORE cold, wet weahter. So better heads prevailed and the walk was cancelled.

We get out of Fort Worth, headed down I35 back to Cleburne and we take a quick detour through Burleson to drop off one of the walkers. I get in town and look over and on the side of the road and there is a small drift of  what appears to be...snow??? I knew it wasn't cold enough to do that, so it could only have been one other thing...HAIL! Yes, it was indeed hail. The storm that was responsible for the walk not going off, came through Burleson dropped a small gift as a reminder of its visit on its way to Fort Worth. And did it drop a lot? Hail yes it did! The pics below attest to that!

 

In the center of downtown Burleson. The pile in

the middle, right of the pic was about 3" - 4" deep

 

A friends front yard

 

The stone in the top center of the pic was about 3/4" in diameter

 

My grubby finger measuring the depth. Looks

like I need some work on the cuticles...

 

  

Living in Texas is always an adventure and springtime is always mysterious. But I wouldn't live anywhere else... ever... again. I'm home and I'm here for good. Hail yes!

 

 





"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...

Texas pianist legend, Van Cliburn...gone...

 

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...

 

 

 

 

"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...

Texas Country Artist Deryl Dodd's new video is out!

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 hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

God bless Texas ya'll!

 

 

 

"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...

Memorial fund for Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield family

 

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.

God bless you all...



 

Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield Family Memorial Fund

 



"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...

Chris Kyle, U.S. Navy Seal, Texas legend, American hero...

 

 

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.

 

God Bless you Chris Kyle and God Bless America...

 

 

 

 

"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...

Texas-style Smokey Chipotle Hot Sauce, or if you're a dancer, salsa...

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 onions                                        3-14 oz cans tomato sauce

3 large jalapeno pepper                                   3-14 oz cans crushed tomatoes                      
1 bunch of fresh cilantro                                 3-14 oz cans diced tomatoes, drained
3 tbsp fresh minced garlic                               salt to taste
3 tbsp garlic powder                                       1 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 drained diced 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.

"I may not get much done, but I sure am slow"...