Everything is big in Texas. Big, big, big.
Well, not everything.
Warrenton, Texas, has the smallest operating Catholic church in the world. It is a mere 12 by 15 square foot box.
The church is open just one day per year. If you are thinking of attending, try not to be late. They have enough seats for just the first 15 people who show up.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Cody Mullennix
Cody Mullennix caught a 56-pound catfish on February 20, 2004. He let it go. Then he hooked into another fish, a much bigger fish than the monster he had just released.
Twenty minutes later, he had a very exhausted four-foot long, 121.5-pound blue catfish on shore. After landing the fish, he called a friend who had a big set of scales. They weren't big enough. He had to load the fish into the bed of his truck and take it to an official weigh station.
After weighing the fish, he took off to Athens, Texas and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. The fish survived the trip. They estimated that the fish could be 25 years old.
Cody Mullenix's blue catfish is the largest blue catfish ever caught with a rod and reel, in Texas, in America, in the world. He caught it in Lake Texoma. You might want to plan a fishing trip there.
Twenty minutes later, he had a very exhausted four-foot long, 121.5-pound blue catfish on shore. After landing the fish, he called a friend who had a big set of scales. They weren't big enough. He had to load the fish into the bed of his truck and take it to an official weigh station.
After weighing the fish, he took off to Athens, Texas and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. The fish survived the trip. They estimated that the fish could be 25 years old.
Cody Mullenix's blue catfish is the largest blue catfish ever caught with a rod and reel, in Texas, in America, in the world. He caught it in Lake Texoma. You might want to plan a fishing trip there.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A Pleasant Ride in the Country
What road in Texas is the longest?
That would be US Highway 83. It starts up in the Panhandle right at the Oklahoma border. It ends in Brownsville. From its start, it heads straight south until it his Laredo at the Mexican border. Then it bounces around the banks of the Rio Grande until it runs into McAllen and Brownsville.
When you count it all up, US Highway 83 is an 899 mile journey through God's country.
Pack a good lunch before you start out.
That would be US Highway 83. It starts up in the Panhandle right at the Oklahoma border. It ends in Brownsville. From its start, it heads straight south until it his Laredo at the Mexican border. Then it bounces around the banks of the Rio Grande until it runs into McAllen and Brownsville.
When you count it all up, US Highway 83 is an 899 mile journey through God's country.
Pack a good lunch before you start out.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Bats, Bats, Bats
Texas has thirty documented species of bats. That is more than any other state.
In sheer numbers, Texas may have as many as 500 million bats. Texas bats can consume up to six million pounds of insects per night.
Austin is known for their bat population. Tourists line up every night to see them take off for a night of hunting and feeding. The estimated number of bats in Austin is 1.5 million. That is a decent number, but it isn't the biggest.
Bracken Cave hold the honors for the largest colony in the world. 20 million bats make their home in that cave. You can find Bracken Cave out near New Braunfels.
Generally, people do not like bats. They don't seem friendly, cuddly or lovable. But bats serve their purpose. Texas is a lot more livable because of the bats. They keep the insects in check.
So give the bats their due. They do their part, and they do it well.
In sheer numbers, Texas may have as many as 500 million bats. Texas bats can consume up to six million pounds of insects per night.
Austin is known for their bat population. Tourists line up every night to see them take off for a night of hunting and feeding. The estimated number of bats in Austin is 1.5 million. That is a decent number, but it isn't the biggest.
Bracken Cave hold the honors for the largest colony in the world. 20 million bats make their home in that cave. You can find Bracken Cave out near New Braunfels.
Generally, people do not like bats. They don't seem friendly, cuddly or lovable. But bats serve their purpose. Texas is a lot more livable because of the bats. They keep the insects in check.
So give the bats their due. They do their part, and they do it well.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Santa Anna's Leg, Part Three
The story so far is:
Santa Anna lost his leg in battle. He buried it on his estate. Several years later, he dug it up and reburied it in Mexico City. A few years later, a mob dug it up and paraded it through the streets.
At that point, Santa Anna was never to see that leg again. His troubles were not over. He was about to have misfortune with his cork leg.
By 1846, Santa Anna was back in power. He was leading his troops against General Winfield Scott in what would be known as the Mexican War. He was to lose that fight.
Somehow, soldiers from the 4th Illinois Regiment Volunteers came across Santa Anna's cork leg. They didn't get Santa Anna. They only captured the leg.
The leg was taken back to Illinois. They displayed it. They paraded it around. They took pictures. Eventually, they put it in a museum.
The leg is still in Illinois. Today, it is on display at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. Illinois has turned down all requests to send the leg back to Mexico.
Santa Anna lost his leg in battle. He buried it on his estate. Several years later, he dug it up and reburied it in Mexico City. A few years later, a mob dug it up and paraded it through the streets.
At that point, Santa Anna was never to see that leg again. His troubles were not over. He was about to have misfortune with his cork leg.
By 1846, Santa Anna was back in power. He was leading his troops against General Winfield Scott in what would be known as the Mexican War. He was to lose that fight.
Somehow, soldiers from the 4th Illinois Regiment Volunteers came across Santa Anna's cork leg. They didn't get Santa Anna. They only captured the leg.
The leg was taken back to Illinois. They displayed it. They paraded it around. They took pictures. Eventually, they put it in a museum.
The leg is still in Illinois. Today, it is on display at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. Illinois has turned down all requests to send the leg back to Mexico.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Santa Anna's Leg, Part Two
By 1842, Santa Anna felt it was time to leave his estate and rejoin the political life in Mexico City. He had spent almost four years away from the public eye. He was counting on his popularity as a general, but he was afraid that the people had forgotten about him.
He formed a sensational, albeit macabre, plan to get the people's sympathy and loyalty.
Dig up the leg. Take it to Mexico City. Give it a second and bigger funeral. Bury it again. Plant a big old monument on top of it.
And that is what he did. He buried his leg with full military honors in the biggest ceremony he could arrange.
For two years, a monument stood over the grave of his leg in Santa Paula Cemetery in Mexico City. It was beautiful. Everybody talked about his leg. Then in 1844, Santa Anna fell out of favor. He barely escaped a mob revolt. His leg was not so lucky.
Once again, his leg was dug up. This time it was by a group of peasants. They dragged the unfortunate leg through the streets.
This is the last that anyone ever heard about Santa Anna's severed leg. It disappeared into histroy at that point.
However, the story is not over. Santa Anna continued to have trouble. This time it was with his cork leg.
Tune in tomorrow for Part Three of the continuing saga of Santa Anna's leg
Then in
He formed a sensational, albeit macabre, plan to get the people's sympathy and loyalty.
Dig up the leg. Take it to Mexico City. Give it a second and bigger funeral. Bury it again. Plant a big old monument on top of it.
And that is what he did. He buried his leg with full military honors in the biggest ceremony he could arrange.
For two years, a monument stood over the grave of his leg in Santa Paula Cemetery in Mexico City. It was beautiful. Everybody talked about his leg. Then in 1844, Santa Anna fell out of favor. He barely escaped a mob revolt. His leg was not so lucky.
Once again, his leg was dug up. This time it was by a group of peasants. They dragged the unfortunate leg through the streets.
This is the last that anyone ever heard about Santa Anna's severed leg. It disappeared into histroy at that point.
However, the story is not over. Santa Anna continued to have trouble. This time it was with his cork leg.
Tune in tomorrow for Part Three of the continuing saga of Santa Anna's leg
Then in
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Santa Anna's Leg, Part One
We all know that Santa Anna was a main participant at the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto, but Santa Anna had a long career after that -- and a good part of it revolved around his leg.
In the Pastry War of 1838, Santa Anna had his horse shot out from under him. The horse died. Santa Anna lost a leg.
Like any good general, he took the leg home with him to his estate and buried it in a very solemn fashion as befitting the leg of a soldier and gentleman. Santa Anna spent the next few years on his estate.
By 1842, he felt that it was time for him -- and his buried leg -- to go on the road.
Tune in tomorrow to read Part Two.
In the Pastry War of 1838, Santa Anna had his horse shot out from under him. The horse died. Santa Anna lost a leg.
Like any good general, he took the leg home with him to his estate and buried it in a very solemn fashion as befitting the leg of a soldier and gentleman. Santa Anna spent the next few years on his estate.
By 1842, he felt that it was time for him -- and his buried leg -- to go on the road.
Tune in tomorrow to read Part Two.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Texas Longhorn
Longhorns were the first cattle to set foot in America. That, however, is a minor detail. The real story is how and why they became so famous.
A Longhorn can live on cactus and brush. A Longhorn can survive the hottest summers of Texas or the coldest winters of Montana. A Longhorn can go without water for days at a time. No other breed could At one time, the choice was Longhorn cattle or no cattle at all.
Believe it or not, the Longhorn almost became extinct. With the coming of the railroad, it was no longer necessary to graze cattle in harsh conditions. Instead, you could keep the herd in good pastures and ship your beef. Consequently, other breeds became more popular because they were heavier, had higher fat content, tasted better, etc.
And so, the Longhorn dwindled and almost died out. But not quite. Today, Texas Parks and Wildlife maintain an official "State Longhorn Herd."
The Texas Longhorn is an official symbol of Fort Worth, Texas.
The Longhorns is the name of The University of Texas at Austin.
A Longhorn is the perfect Texan: Strong, tough, resilient.
A Longhorn can live on cactus and brush. A Longhorn can survive the hottest summers of Texas or the coldest winters of Montana. A Longhorn can go without water for days at a time. No other breed could At one time, the choice was Longhorn cattle or no cattle at all.
Believe it or not, the Longhorn almost became extinct. With the coming of the railroad, it was no longer necessary to graze cattle in harsh conditions. Instead, you could keep the herd in good pastures and ship your beef. Consequently, other breeds became more popular because they were heavier, had higher fat content, tasted better, etc.
And so, the Longhorn dwindled and almost died out. But not quite. Today, Texas Parks and Wildlife maintain an official "State Longhorn Herd."
The Texas Longhorn is an official symbol of Fort Worth, Texas.
The Longhorns is the name of The University of Texas at Austin.
A Longhorn is the perfect Texan: Strong, tough, resilient.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Gustav has come and gone
America was lucky. Hurricane Gustav did not create havoc. Each state acted promptly and appropriately. The destruction was kept to a minimum. Relatively few lives were lost.
Katrina taught us not to take Mother Nature lightly. That hurricane was a wake-up call, and America responded.
Tonight, be proud to be American. Be proud to be a Texan.
Tomorrow, there will be another hurricane somewhere. And if not a hurricane, some other natural disaster. Let us pray that our response to such emergencies will always be as swift and effective.
This is God's country.
Katrina taught us not to take Mother Nature lightly. That hurricane was a wake-up call, and America responded.
Tonight, be proud to be American. Be proud to be a Texan.
Tomorrow, there will be another hurricane somewhere. And if not a hurricane, some other natural disaster. Let us pray that our response to such emergencies will always be as swift and effective.
This is God's country.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Texas Indian Heritage
At one time, there were a lot of Indian tribes within our borders. The largest of those tribes are: Apache, Atakapan, bidai, Caddo, Comanche, Cherokee, Kiowa, Tonkawa, Wichita, Hueco, and Karankawa. The name Texas comes from a Caddo word. We kept the word. We lost the people.
At this time, there are only three tribes in Texas that are recognized by the federal goverment: the Alabama-Coushatta, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo.
It seems a shame that we are losing our heritage. It took Europeans several hundred years from the time of first sighting (1519) until the establishment of the first non-military colony (San Antonio, 1718).
All that time, Indians were here. Where are they now?
At this time, there are only three tribes in Texas that are recognized by the federal goverment: the Alabama-Coushatta, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo.
It seems a shame that we are losing our heritage. It took Europeans several hundred years from the time of first sighting (1519) until the establishment of the first non-military colony (San Antonio, 1718).
All that time, Indians were here. Where are they now?
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