Billy Jack

Do you remember this famed actor and the role he played?  Tom Laughlin, made a great protest movie and came back with a sequel to follow "Billy Jack".  I remember it, and was very glued to the screen when it came out.  RIP Tom and may there be more actors like you.

Father's of Texas

A good story about our forefathers here in Texas.

Texas History

Wow, what a different video, telling our children about our great "Texas".

Still Falling

Big, small whatever it be, they are still falling on the house, roof and ground below.  These limbs are still making a mess after several days of being frozen with ice.  On the 6th of the month, the ice storm hit local areas of Texas and left us a huge mess.  Many lost power and I am thankful for my gas heaters.  Otherwise I would have been cold, with no power.  I'm waiting for the trees to stop shedding their limbs so clean up can be done.

This Week's Ice Storm

Here you see just one area of our town that was hit with this ice storm.  We went without power all day Saturday and limbs were falling all over the place.  Crews worked as fast as they could to restore power and some are still without power because the limbs broke power lines to their home.

Mexican American War

The Mexican American war is one of the most published war.

Weather

We've been experiencing extreme cold weather in the last few days.  The 30's for temps have really caused me a good heating bill for this month.  It's been predicted that we will have sleet, snow along with freezing rain today.  As yet we've only had the rain, but with the temps we are experiencing, I'm sure tonight will show us some ice.  This is the time of year I always dread, because of the extreme cold here in the Texas areas.  I much rather see warm temps than this cold.

Gas Pipeline Explosion

A gas pipeline explosion around 9:30 am November 14, 2013, caused a large fire, resulting in evacuation of school students and surrounding residents near the town of Milford, TX.  

 It is said to be owned by Chevron and that there wasn't any people unaccounted for.  If you notice there are several civilian vehicles near the flames which have burned along with the local area.  I took these pictures from the TV screen so they may not show good detail.  I am doing a follow up on the fire in the next few minutes to give you more information.

Backyard chickens|garden makeover|Central Texas

You can see this couple have a great idea for life in Texas.  I love having fresh eggs from yard chickens, but many towns in Texas won't allow you to have chickens.

Angel Valley Organic Farm: Central Texas Gardener

This is one of the best farms in Texas and these people work very hard at what they do.

Crop Duster

Ever see a crop duster flying over fields and spraying the crops? Here's a good view of one.

Texas Flag

What a thrill it is to see our flag flying and know how much it means to our heritage and history.

A Part of Texas

Above you see just a few of the things that makes up a small part of our great state.  Texas, is one of the best places to visit and more importantly live.  I have been a native Texan all my life and am proud of my heritage here in the "Lone Star State".  

It's Over

The "State Fair of Texas" came and went without a hitch this year.  We are glad for that because in recent years, you have seen disasters happen to mar the occasion for "Fair" goers.  The last year has shown us what can be done when this type of thing happens.  "Big Tex" burning and being rebuilt has been one to take us aside and show us that tradition is special to many people.  At least he's back and no one got hurt from the disaster.  Other times, there were accidents which cause injuries and death to some of the people enjoying the amusement  rides.  Tragic as it was, the Fair managed to get on past these times and survive the trauma.  I haven't been to the Fair recently and it seems as I get older the walking of the vast area gets even me down and tires me out.  I noticed that the exhibits aren't as exciting as they once were and maybe that's the part that keeps me from going.  My age is taking the fun out of the partaking in vast games, exhibits and exotic foods.  Now, that the time has come and gone for the year, we look toward the coming holiday's and hope for much needed family times together.

Trucks Australia

You will want to consider visiting the website for the above video when in the market for your next truck.  Before you buy your next truck shop at the Australian Trucks and see the quality standards involved.  The tradetrucks.com.au   is a trademark brand which you can count on to be of sound quality.  I looked at the video and saw all types of trucks which the company is proud to design established products. For more information you will need to contact the company and get quotes for your projects.  I'm sure you will find eager reps ready to assist you in your buying designs.

Cold Front

Once again the "Texas State Fair", has met with "Mother Natures" wrath.  The cool fronts back to back hit with plenty of rain and temps that are at least 20* degrees cooler than last month.  We have had some great rain, which came in nice showers and not horrible storms.  It's going to help our area lakes with much needed run off and ease some of the drought situation.  Still it won't bring the lakes up to par, since they have become so terribly low.

TX vs OU

I still can't believe what I saw with my own eyes.  "TEXAS" finally beat  OU and what a game it was.  I gave my daughter grief while the game was playing.  You see, she was born in Ardmore, OK and is the only Okie in the family.  She's been know to really give me some guff when OU would beat out Texas University.  So, it was my turn, and she got quiet after awhile.........lol.

Try This

http://click.discountclick.com/go/click.php?tid=957629

TX vs OU

Texas and Oklahoma first met on the gridiron in 1900 with the Longhorns registering a 28-2 victory.  As you know this weekend the two rivals meet at the "Cotton Bowl" once again.  "Hook um Horns"!
Found this picture on Facebook,  hope they don't mind if I use it...........Lowes got a plug.......!

Cool

Aaah, I actually had to put a jacket on yesterday.  The cold front came through our area, with rain and cooler temps.  I was sitting here at the computer working and noticed the wind was up and things were starting to cool down.  Within 30 minutes of that time, it was getting chilly.  Well, you people here in the North Texas areas know the rest.  So, last night it was time to consider putting that extra blanket on the bed.  What a difference a day makes, especially here in Texas!

Storms

Man, that was some cool front that came through our local areas yesterday.  We were on the freeway and the torrential rain would come and go with strong winds.  Lightning, shot down in front of us a mile or so away and must have hit something, because when it hit the area a huge bright light came up.  The rain was so hard at times, that we slowed down and put on the emergency blinkers.  I was glad to get to our destination and be off the freeway.  People get crazy when it rains and even worse when it's hard and windy. I'm sure that the area lakes got good benefit from this latest storm front.  I know the grass looks great this morning after the good watering it got.

Texas State Fair

Today, is the first day of the "Fair" which will last into October.  It is my hope that this year's event will go without a hitch and fun will be had by all.  I didn't get around to the new items of food that is being offered this year.  Usually, they have a contest and get the best listing of new food types that will be offered at the "Fair" to be enjoyed.  There are many things to enjoy and the new "Big Tex" was unveiled yesterday by high winds, instead of today as planned.  Some people say that his skin tone is too dark, hinting that the ethnic values may have been changed.  What do you think, when you look at his new colors on TV?

Cool Temps

Now that's what I call good sleeping weather.  The night temps are down in the upper 60's and we have the windows open to pull in the fresh air.  No air conditioner is needed in this sweet weather and along with it came some much needed rain.  Not only are the days cooler but the grass may actually need mowing one more time.

Big Tex's Face

You can see a video of the designing of the new Big Tex's face for the coming Texas State Fair, this year at the link below.
http://youtu.be/PykEoEXqAjw

Rain Maybe?

The bad weather has been by-passing the Texas State, and we are thankful for it.  We are craving some rain, and hope that a good soaking will be coming along with the cool front that's predicted, tomorrow.  They are saying we have a 30 and then 80% chance of getting rain here in the north Texas areas the next two days.  I know we are all ready for this, and the cool temps as well.

MEASLES OUTBREAK HERE

Sixteen people ranging in age from 4 months to 44 years have come down with the highly contagious virus in Tarrant County and another five cases are part of the outbreak in nearby Denton County.  The cases are linked to the Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, Texas, where a visitor traveled to Indonesia became infected with measles, then returned to the U.S. spreading it to the largely unvaccinated church people.  Since the measles outbreak, members of the congregation have been urged to get vaccinated and the church has held several vaccination clinics.  People need to be aware and well-informed about the risks of the disease, especially when they travel abroad.

Big Tex

 

We all remember the day when this came across the news and TV media's.  The fire was seen for miles and below is the charred remains of the frame, after the disaster.

Soon our "Big Tex" will debut his new look and give State Fair visitors something to behold.  September brings the "State Fair" back to our wonderful local area and many are waiting to see "Big Tex" start unfolding.  It's something all people in the DFW area will be watching happen as they take the large frame, place it together and cover it with his new clothing.  Welcome back home, "Big Tex"!

Hasan

Maj. Nidal Hasan, showed no reaction after being found guilty last week by a military jury.  He has admitted that he opened fire on unarmed soldiers at the sprawling Texas military base in Fort Hood.  Many others were wounded in the November 2009 attack.  He represented himself during the 14-day trial, but didn't call any witnesses or testify in his own defense. He also questioned just three of prosecutors' nearly 90 witnesses. Hasan, has spent the last four years telling the military, judges and journalists: that the killing of American soldiers preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan was necessary to protect Muslim insurgents.
No American soldier has been executed since 1961 and the U.S. president must eventually approve a military death sentence.. 

Remember?

Back during the 50's, 60's and 70's there was a restaurant in downtown Mesquite, TX by the name of "Miller's Cafe".  How many of you living in the area at the time, went there?  How many of you drove around the town square back during those days?  It was a great time to be a teenager and I was one of those lucky people.  Today, you can't do those things, because the police will give you a ticket for cruising in certain areas and old "Miller's Cafe" is no longer in business.

Did You Get Any?

There were storms in the local DFW area yesterday, but I didn't find any wet stuff around here.  It passed by a few miles north of our area in some of the other counties.  The humidity was bad, but no rain.  It's a typical summer here in Texas and we might as well hunker down and suffer a spell.

Hot

It's really gearing up for a hot summer, here in Texas.  This is a time us Texans all dread, because of the extreme conditions which we endure.  We can only water the lawns one day a week on certain days.  The cracks in the ground keep getting bigger and the mosquitoes are packing lead in those bites.  West nile fever has already been found in some areas and that's a scary thing.  Soon we will be having the 4th of July celebrations and that will lift spirits a bit.  Most of us will stay inside where it's cool and then there's the electric bills to add to the misery.

It's Out

School's out, many are the graduates, and it's time for the young people to begin their summer fun.  Texas, is a State chocked full of fun sports, and vacation filled activities.  Take your pick when it comes to outdoor activities, here in the Lone Star State.  There's plenty to choose from and you will get a summer full of fun and family get to gathers along with great food and drinks.  Yes, it's the time of year us Texans look for all year long.  A good hot, fun filled Texas summer, is the best.

Follow Up

The previous post here made mention of yesterday's storms in route to our areas.  Today, I can confirm my suspicions about the outcome.  Lives have been lost, properties destroyed, and many injured from the tornadoes that spawned last evening, with the passing fronts.  Today, people are digging through what's left of their lives.  Our prayers go out to the victim's of this disaster.

Skies

It's another overcast day here in North Texas and we are looking to get some rain out of this.  They say that it will be later on tonight, through tomorrow, with decent amounts in certain areas.  Texas always experiences a drought during the summer months, which causes the heat to be horrific.  It is our hope that this summer will be less intense and that the heat will not be as bad.

Parkland?

If you have visited Dallas, TX in the last year, then you could have noticed the new Parkland Hospital that being built?  I was born at the old Parkland that many of you don't even know about.  It was over on Maple Ave. at the corner of the Oak Lawn Ave. intersection.  The Parkland that many people refer to is the one on Harry Hines Blvd. that has been  around several decades.  It has plenty of history and even hosted dignitaries during the death of President Kennedy. 
Parking has become a hazard when trying to navigate the different lanes of traffic and get where you need to go.  A real mess has taken place during this new construction. I hope things calm down and become easier to experience, because of the different benefits this hospital has to offer.

Summer

It's May and soon the summer months will arrive, bringing the dreaded heat, storms, droughts and the hurricane season.  All of these factors affect Texas locations at some time or other.  We have found ourselves in all types of weather recently.  It gives us a scary feeling looking toward the coming summer months.  If the spring was this crazy then it's going to be a rough summer. 

Do You Remember?

How many of you remember the old "Stockton's" Mfg. Co. located in downtown Dallas, TX, back in the 60's & 70's?  How many of you visited it to buy the latest in ladies slacks and blouses?  I was just wondering?

All Green

 Finally it's green once agin.  I love springtime, when things start to emerge with new growth.  It's like a rebirth to me.

George Jones Dead

Texas has lost another great entertainer who made Country Music come to life.  He has been a legend in his own right for many years.  Who's going to fill his shoes I ask? 
Jones was born Sept. 12, 1931, in a log house near the east Texas town of Saratoga, the youngest of eight children.
Condolences to all the people who were involved in his life.  He will be missed in Country Music, but will live on is his songs.

Five Living

Dallas, TX is host to the five living Presidents as they celebrate the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library.  The SMU campus is where the library is located and high security has been in place for several days.  America, has once again given us status here in the Dallas, TX area.  We hope that all goes well without incident, considering the recent events and tragedies.  Congrats to George W. and Laura Bush on this special day.

Turning Green

 

Leaves are strting to come out on all the trees, with the warm temps we've been having.  This was a week ago, and now they are full of leaves.  I need to take another picture to show you.  I love spring with all the new growth.

Front

Just a display of spring in my front flower beds.  All too soon they will be bloomed out and I have to wait another year to see their beauty.  Gotta love Spring.

Beautiful

Such a beautiful day out and they say we have another chance for cool temps, here in North Texas.  Sure thought spring was here.  Guess it's just going to be a rioty one for us down here.  I'm just going to enjoy what we have today and keep an open mind.

Texas Blast Kills

A huge blast from a fertilizer plant in West, TX has killed at least 5 possibly more and sent over 180 people to local and nearby hospitals.  The small town just north of Waco, TX is home to about 2800 people.  The blasts leveled many area homes and businesses.  Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene to help in any way possible.  The fumes from the fertilizer was considered to be unsafe.  People were evacuated to safer distances and triage was setup in a ball field to help with the injured.
Our prayers are with those affected by this disaster.

Storms

It's been raining and storming all morning.  A few minutes ago lightning knocked off power for a few seconds and I had to rebut this damn computer.  I was going out today to do some errands, but realized early on that the weather wasn't going to hold.  So here I sit making do another day, until maybe the weather will cooperate with me.

It's Spring

I walked out the front door this morning and there it was.  The beautiful iris that Mom had planted some years back.  The rains have made everything green and the spring flowers are bursting forth their beauty.  I noticed my red rose has a bloom on it that's starting to open.  It's ggoing to be a windy day, but it will have warm temps and plenty of sun.

Time Change

It's official, as of last night.  We are now in "Daylight Savings Time".  and you can see how messed up I already am.  Didn't get up until almost 10an this morning.  Oh well that just means that it will get dark later, and give us more time to enjoy.
It rained most of last night and so I will be seeing the grass turning green before long.  The lawnmower will need to be serviced soon.

Windy

I can't believe how windy it's been in the last few days?  I was driving down the road yesterday and I could feel it hitting the car.  These large trees around my house give me plenty of worries, when the high winds come.  It's a cloudy day and the temps are already up to 61*degrees at 9:53am.  They say it will get up to the 80's today before the front comes through.  I'm not happy with that piece of news, since I am tired of this cool weather.  Time for spring to arrive and bring the warm temps back to our area.

God

More

 

It's another rainy day her in TX and they say it will last into tomorrow.  It's been going off and on all night and this morning it started raining real strong for a few minutes.  Now it is a slow rain, with minutes of a lull.  The sun goes in and out of the clouds teasing us with it's presence.  Guess I can stop griping since this is something the lakes need to fill up.  Drought has been a bitch here in the last few years.

Wow

Yesterday was a cold wet dreary day.  Today, is bright, sunny and still a bit crisp cool temps.  But the birds are singing, and spring is on the way here in the "Lone Star" State.  A warm up is predicted for tomorrow and that will be welcomed.  So, have a "zippity do da" day ya'll.

Today Is?

/wow, it actually is doing what the weatherman predicted.  Great rain going on this morning here in North Texas.  We are thankful for it because there has been such a rough drought is the last few years.  Maybe the lakes will be able to rise alittle more.

Fire

I heard a bunch of sirens take off downtown and wondered why it was taking them so long to get where they were going?  It seemed to me that they were driving around on the local city streets nearby.  After a few minutes I heard their sounds getting closer.  Realizing that they were somewhere near, I opened my back door.  There on the other street directly behind me were the flashing lights.  The big rigs for the Fire Dept. hadn't arrived as yet.  Then I heard them start their loud booming alerts of the "big guys" coming out of their house.  The sound of the big fire truck is very different from the smaller vehicles.  Here they came booming  up the streets, coming to a stop there as well.  What seemed like forever, they worked at containing this house fire.  At one point I heard the sound of axes and then the chain saws took a firm loud cutting sound.  It sounded as though they were attempting to get to a fire inside a wall.  Very soon afterwards I heard the breaking of glass, which meant that they were having to get this stuff out of their way, to contain the fire.
After about 2 hours they had everything under control, packed up their equipment and left. 
I didn't get to watch the video, I was planning on, since there was ,more excitement outside my back door.  :)

Spring?

 

Well, they think it's spring and the temps are real nice.  What do you think.......is it spring yet?

Sunday

It's "Super Bowl" time again and once again the "Dallas Cowboys" failed to make the playoffs.  So, we get another year of waiting and hoping for a team that will take us next year.  If you have your bets down on the winner here's the best of luck to you and your endeavors.  I have 2 numbers and am hoping for a small amount of money to come my way.  I hear that there are many things you can bet on this year, right down to the color of "Gatorade" the winning team will toss on their coach.  Imagine that?

A Day

What a difference a day makes..........it's beautiful outside.  The sun is out the sky is blue......the birds are singing.....the temps are in the 60's and it really looks like spring is on the way.  Tomorrow will tell us if the ground hog" "ground hog" will see his shadow or not?  So, we will hold our breaths until it's official.  This happens every year and it's been going on for many years.  His prediction tells us the possibility of 6 weeks more winter or an early spring. 

Bad Weather

 

I took these pictures today while the line of thunderstorms were cranking up getting their gusto heading our way.  There's 2 video's which I will post later of how the storm line moved in and the rains came down...........all here in the North Texas area.

Real Smart?

Ok, what do you do with a idiot?  Well, anyone who stands on top of an oil storage tank and smokes a cigarette on their break is would you say stupid?  It's a custom that two men who were working the night shift in Van, TX will not forget or do again. While taking their break they lit up a cigarette, standing on top of an oil storage tank.  It blew up.  One is in a Dallas hospital in critical condition on life support and the other is also in a Dallas hospital in serious condition.  Damages were found to be considered bad, when the inspectors found 3 tanks that were completely destroyed. 
About 3am, emergency crews started fighting the fires that were extinguished by around 9:30am.  It is uncertain how bad the damage is to the other units in the complex.

Gloomy

 

Just another day with clouds and moisture.  We've had this for two days and it's getting old.  You can hear scattered raindrops ever so often and the wet chill goes through your bones.  That's how it is here in Texas.  One day it's 70* degrees with sunshine and the next it's like this.  Sure glad I'm not up in the east right now.  The have snow and ice with no prospects of it getting better for a few days.

Weather

It's been one of  the those crazy weather weeks again.  You never know just what you will get here in Texas.  This week has been a mix of spring and winter which gives way to people getting even more sick with colds and flu.  Just when you get the short sleeves on ans are enjoying the nice temps, you get a cold snap and have to grab a jacket.  I's been this way for the last two months.  You never know what to wear anymore. 

Wintery Mix?

They said we would get a "wintery mix" this morning, but they didn't say it would thunder and leave this much.  Wow, I'll bet we have an inch at least. 

Yes It Did

My gosh, it's rained all night and all day.  I can't believe that we finally go a good soaking rain.  This is what our areas here in Texas have been needing, and I'm not sure we're out of the drought woods as yet?  I know that this will help the severe drought conditions in some areas, and maybe the spring will yield us more to add with this one.

8 Months

The weather people at local new stations are telling us that it's been at least 8 months since we've had a good soaking rain in our area of the state.  Drought conditions have taken it's toll on livestock and crops.  The next 2 days are set for a good soaking rain with what the new casters are predicting.  It's our hope that they have given an accurate report, because we really need the extra rain.