Thursday Thirteen–Talkin’ ’bout Texas

1. The first native born Governor of Texas was James Stephen Hogg. He had a daughter whom he christened with the unfortunate name “Ima” after a heroine in a poem. Yes, Ima Hogg. What was that man thinking? Perhaps he thought he would marry her off one day, and she’d get a different name? She never did marry, and was affectionately known throughout Texas as “Miss Ima.” As a grown woman, her philanthropy to the people of the state of Texas was so great that she has been called “The First Lady of Texas.” When we were kids, we merrily spread the rumor that Miss Ima had two sisters who died in their youth: “Ura” and “Wera.” It was a vicious lie, but it made us giggle.
2. Dr. Pepper (the 5th largest selling soft drink) was invented in Waco, TX (that town is not pronounced Wacko, but Wayco). Fritos were first made in San Antonio. Don’t let anyone tell you that Texas hasn’t contributed gastronomical delights for these great United States.
3. We have a critter in these parts called a “horny toad.” But, it’s not a toad and it’s not particularly amorous(it just mates once a year). It gets that name because of the horn-like spikes on its back. It really can shoot blood out of its eyeballs! Aren’t you glad I told you that?
4. If you grew up watching the same movies that I did, you think of John Wayne as a Texas cowboy. Actually, Marion Michael Morrison was born in Winterset, Iowa. But, “The Duke” was probably more “Texan” than most Texans.
5. George W. Bush is not a Native Son of the Lone Star State. He was born in Connecticut. I just wanted to make that clear.
6. You might have heard of the amusement park called “Six Flags.” There are 20 or so of them scattered around the country, but the chain started in Arlington, TX, and was known as “Six Flags Over Texas.” That name came from the flags of 6 different “nations” that once flew over the state (Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederacy, The United States). Of course, back then you didn’t have to take out a bank loan to go to the park.
7. I often call Texas “The Lone Star State,” but that’s not the state motto. It’s “Friendship.” The word “Texas” was once “Tejas” and taken from the Caddo Indian word “teysha” which meant something like “Hello friend.” But, we Texans are lazy in our pronunciation, so there you go.
8. I already told you that Janis Joplin was from Texas. So were Scott Joplin, Audie Murphy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tommy Tune, Katherine Anne Porter, Carol Burnett, Joan Crawford, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and host of other fine folks.
9. Though the bluebonnet is the official state flower, it doesn’t grow over much of the state, just in the central part of Texas where there is more rain. The cactus was a contender for state flower (and it probably suits the nature of the state better), but it didn’t win.
10. Some Texans may brag that Texas retained the “right to secede” from the Union when it became a state. It didn’t, at least not any more than any other state has the right. However, Texas did reserve the right to divide itself into five different states. It’s not going to happen, people. If we were itty-bitty, what would we have to brag about?
11. Texas may be “cattle country,” but we also lead the nation in the production of sheep and goats. Don’t tell the cowboys that.
12. I’ll tell you a secret: There is no such critter as a “jackalope.” Old timers will tell you that it’s a critter that is a cross between a jackrabbit and an antelope. They say that it was an Aggie experiment in cross-breeding that escaped into the wilds. Those poor Aggies take a beating.
13. When Texas was a part of Mexico, there was no freedom of religion. Everyone had to be Catholic, and the priests didn’t come around very often. It was not unusual for people to just live together. They professed their love to each other before friends and “hopped a broom” to symbolize their intent to share a household. My husband and I incorporated the “broom hopping” into our wedding ceremony. But, since he’s an engineer and thinks there is always a better way to do things, we hopped a vacuum cleaner, too.

Related posts:

1. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor On The Bedpost Overnight?
2. The Great Republic of Rough And Ready
3. A Ditty For Idiot Drivers
4. Thursday Thirteen #3: A Lesson in Texas Language
5. You See By My Outfit That I’m Not A Cowboy

Tagged as: History, humor, Talkin' 'bout Texas