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Texas Independence Day

March 2, 1836

By Elvis Chupacabra
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When I was a mere lad, Texas Independence Day was celebrated in schools with patriotic songs, readings of the Declaration by schoolkids and grave lectures on our role as Texans by our teachers. Even the Mexican kids participated, because anyone who’d read the  hallowed rolls of the Alamo and Goliad dead knew that there were plenty of martyrs with Spanish surnames. We also knew of Lorenzo de Zavala and Juan Seguin, both Texian heroes of the Revolution.

It was understood by the youngest of us that Texas went from being just the mostly empty northern part of the Mexican state of Cohuila-Texas to the independent Republic of Texas with the signing of this document. Like the beloved United States, from whence the spirit -and some would say impetus – of revolution had come, we won our right to be free through the force of arms, wielded by brave and bold men. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the despot which our Texas Forefathers overthrew was ever bit as evil and prone to predations as Britain’s George III. His one saving grace, that he invented that most American of oral fixations, chewing gum, was more than off-set by his cruelty and duplicitous nature. The self-proclaimed Napoleon of the North, he boasted an army well-officered and well-equipped that had spent the past couple of years putting down rebellions in Mexico. It wasn’t just the Texians who longed for the return to a government who respected the liberal Constitution of 1824.  (more…)

Dear Friends,
Last year, I wrote a small piece about what it means to me to be a Texan. My friends know it means about damned near everything. Anyway, this fella asked me to reprint what I’d wrote and I didn’t have it. So I set out to think about rewriting something. I considered writing about all the great things I love about Texas. There are way too many things to list. I can’t even begin to do it justice. Lemme let you in on my short list.  (more…)

Guest posted by GFC…

………………………………………..“Be My Valentine.”

This is a phrase that conjures up a lot of different images associated with the celebration of Valentine’s Day. Cards with hearts and little poems on them. Candy and flowers given to someone you love. And images of cupids flying around shooting their arrows of love into unsuspecting youths. Young and old alike expressing their affection for their sweethearts. February 14th for many means cards, candy, flowers, and cupids.  (more…)

Has it really been a full year since Sundance built this Treehouse?  Doesn’t seem possible.  A lot happened in a few months in late 2010/early 2011.  Thinking back ….

Our “oldest” Treeper friends first met at another political blog site in 2009.  Some of us were new to the world of political blogs.  Many found the way there via an open letter to Rush Limbaugh, which Rush mentioned on his radio show.  For me, visiting with my “imaginary friends” became a welcome part of my day (and a large part, LOL), even better than reading the blog posts.  I’d usually jump right into the comments on the Open, especially as time went on. (more…)

We all chipped in and bought you some very special “wheels” for your birthday.  Just “rollover” to open them…   (more…)

You may not be a native Texan, but after watching this beautiful photo-essay by west Texas’ official state photographer Wyman Meinzer, you’ll wish you were.  I suggest you turn up the volume, click on the “full screen” icon on the lower right, and keep a box of Kleenex handy.  If ya’ll aren’t dancin’ in your seats…..well, ya’ll haven’t got a pulse!
This is dedicated to all my Texas buddies….you know who you are. 

A little birdie just told me that today the Cracker household is celebrating the birth of our very own Sundance Cracker!  Please wish him a very happy day!