Hey, Texas! Happy Terquasquicentennial!

We get so bogged down in the Longhorn news and notes that sometimes a breather is in order.  Since today is a commemorative one, I thought it worthy to take a moment and offer praise to our state....

Sam Houston, William Travis, Davey Crocket, Admiral Chester Nimitz, Sam Rayburn, Tom Landry, Barbara Jordan, Lyndon Johnson, George Bush.  Heroes and visionaries.  Those are but a few names that will forever be synonymous with the Great State of Texas.  So many great Texas people and events have shaped our state and our nation, and few not so great.  Such as it is, this great homeland we call Texas has left an indelible mark on me and I'm sure most of you, too.

Texas is celebrating its 175th birthday.  First, it was a nation state.  Then shortly thereafter became the 28th state annexed to the union of states.  Through all its glory, Texas has been a beacon of freedom and rugged individualism that is arguably unequaled.  And that statement is but one example of what grates on so many.  "Those darn Texans are so arrogant."  Guilty as charged.  But how can we not be with all of the rich tradition, the history, and the opportunity.

With such varied backgrounds, it is quite uncanny how the people meshed to create a culture like no other.  Our state is a cauldron that produces to this day a unique blend of evolution and development in the arts, sciences, businesses, and politics.

I was fortunate to have arguably the greatest Texas History teacher, Mrs. Rhome. Mrs. Rhome was the mother of famous Texas quarterback Jerry Rhome. She taught me to respect this great land and the traditions of our great state. To this very day I thank her for that.  God bless you Mrs. Rhome.

To me, Texas is a bluebonnet spring day and a yellow rose dancin' gal.  It is White Tail in the cool early mornings and Dove hunts in the hot early evenings. It is scratch biscuits at the Jefferson hotel in that cool little East Texas hamlet and BestMex at the tropical La Fogata on Vance Jackson in San Antonio.  It is the frigid water of Barton Springs and the chalk bluffs overlooking the Uvalde River.  It is the ripping sails on Galveston Bay and learning-to-slalom on Lake Tawakoni.  It is the night lights of the city and rural crossroads:  Mistral and The Stark Club in Dallas, Pieces of a Dream in Fort Worth, and all those two-step honky tonks whose names escape me. 

From White Rock Lake to Mustang Island. 

From Palo Duro Canyon to Buffalo Bayou. 

From Big Tex to Astroworld. 

From the Hall of Horns to the Hall of State. 

From Texas Instruments to Dell Computer. 

From Spindletop to the Barnett Shale field. 

From the Hemisphere Tower to Reunion Tower.  

From the Shamrock to the Anatole. 

From M.D. Anderson to Baylor Medical.

From Cotton-eyed Joe to Urban Cowboy and Old Ohmaballs.

From the Cotton Bowl and The DKR to P.C. Cobb and Alamo Heights stadiums. 

And don't forget Lone Star and Shiner...ah yes.  And homemade enchiladas.  And BBQ pit brisket.  And Sixth Street.  And the West End.  All the football, basketball, baseball and golf played and witnessed.  All the great sports legends: Nelson, Didrikson, O'Brien, Hogan, Walker, Rote, Crow, Nobis, Meridith, Lilly, Street, Trevino, Ryan, Greene, Campbell, Crenshaw, McMichael, Clemens, Gray, Hager, Williams, Osterman, Armstrong, Young and McCoy. 

And finally my Mom, who resonates the living soul of our beloved state and is the greatest Texan I know. 

And what about the music?  Oh, that sweet Texas melody that threads its majesty throughout our lives.  Texas has blessed this earth with folks who really knew how to whistle a tune.  The impressive list includes Janis Joplin, Ornette Coleman, Willie Nelson, Scott Joplin, Buddy Holly, Van Cliburn, George Strait, Edie Brickell, Jim Reeves, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Billy Gibbons, and many, many more.

There's no better way to salute Texas on her anniversary than setting the celebratory mood to music.  So I leave you with a montage of Texas rhythmic gems and ensembles that embody the spirit and soul of this great state.

On this day, feel free to celebrate by sharing your story of Texas privilege and passion and pay tribute to those who worked, and work, hard to make Texas a great place to live.

Happy Birthday Texas! 

Yee Haw, y'all!