Texas, Our Texas
March.
Except in Texas. Our state flower, the bluebonnet, blooms in March and early April, depending on where in the state they are, the local temperature, and how much rain fell there during the winter. They carpet pastures and roadsides as far as the eye can see. The view is breathtaking.
I don't have a photo to share, only this image from a watercolor hanging on my wall, but if you Google "Texas bluebonnets" and click on Images, you'll see what I mean. Just know that they're even more spectacular in person.
March is also the month we celebrate Texas Independence Day. March 2, to be exact. It's the day the Republic of Texas declared its independence from Mexico back in 1836. We were our own country until we joined the U.S. in 1845.
I looked up some fun facts about Texas to share. Some I knew, some not.
You know we're big. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, two New Jerseys, and California would fit inside our borders with room to spare.
John Wayne and Chuck Norris are honorary Texas Rangers.
Some of our place names are a bit unique.
Waxahachie (WALKS-ah-HATCH-ee)
Gun Barrel City
Dime Box
Old Dime Box
Mexia (Ma-HAY-ah)
Gruene (Green)
Cut and Shoot aka Cut 'n Shoot
Muleshoe
Comfort
Welfare
Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by treaty rather than by some form of annexation.
The largest county in the state is in southwestern Texas and it covers 6,192 square miles. That's about the size of Connecticut. Brewster County's total human population is a whopping 9,145, give or take a few souls. Everyone has plenty of elbow room, for sure, but the county probably has more jackrabbits and rattlesnakes than people.
Texas has its own power grid.
We're a little extreme - at least when it comes to temperature. On March 27, 1984, Amarillo was 35F with snow. On that same date, same year, Brownsville's high temp was 106F.
Texas produces more wool than any other state in the union.
Texas is as varied as its music. George Strait. Janis Joplin. Willie Nelson. Selena. ZZ Top. Beyonce. Just to name a few.
The Texas cattle population is estimated to be approximately 16 million.
Y'all will just have to visit Texas and see for yourselves. One word of warning - don't visit in the summer, unless you're tough enough to handle the Texas heat. It isn't always brutal, but when it is, you'll head for the nearest air conditioning as quick as your legs can get you there.
I'll be back here on Monday, April 2. See you then!
March winds and April showers
Bring May with pretty flowers.
I don't have a photo to share, only this image from a watercolor hanging on my wall, but if you Google "Texas bluebonnets" and click on Images, you'll see what I mean. Just know that they're even more spectacular in person.
March is also the month we celebrate Texas Independence Day. March 2, to be exact. It's the day the Republic of Texas declared its independence from Mexico back in 1836. We were our own country until we joined the U.S. in 1845.
I looked up some fun facts about Texas to share. Some I knew, some not.
You know we're big. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, two New Jerseys, and California would fit inside our borders with room to spare.
John Wayne and Chuck Norris are honorary Texas Rangers.
Some of our place names are a bit unique.
Waxahachie (WALKS-ah-HATCH-ee)
Gun Barrel City
Dime Box
Old Dime Box
Mexia (Ma-HAY-ah)
Gruene (Green)
Cut and Shoot aka Cut 'n Shoot
Muleshoe
Comfort
Welfare
Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by treaty rather than by some form of annexation.
The largest county in the state is in southwestern Texas and it covers 6,192 square miles. That's about the size of Connecticut. Brewster County's total human population is a whopping 9,145, give or take a few souls. Everyone has plenty of elbow room, for sure, but the county probably has more jackrabbits and rattlesnakes than people.
Texas has its own power grid.
We're a little extreme - at least when it comes to temperature. On March 27, 1984, Amarillo was 35F with snow. On that same date, same year, Brownsville's high temp was 106F.
Texas produces more wool than any other state in the union.
Texas is as varied as its music. George Strait. Janis Joplin. Willie Nelson. Selena. ZZ Top. Beyonce. Just to name a few.
The Texas cattle population is estimated to be approximately 16 million.
Y'all will just have to visit Texas and see for yourselves. One word of warning - don't visit in the summer, unless you're tough enough to handle the Texas heat. It isn't always brutal, but when it is, you'll head for the nearest air conditioning as quick as your legs can get you there.
On another note...
Solomon's Compass will be on sale for 99 cents March 19-25.
Please share this news with your friends.
I'll be back here on Monday, April 2. See you then!
Comments
Alex - mooo-oo :)
Elizabeth - Exactly! Some I can understand. Gruene, for example, was named after an original German settler. Others, I'd love to know the story behind the story.
H.R. - Come again! You're always welcome here. We're the Friendly State :)
EC - They are so beautiful. I wish you could see them, too. It's not hot here when the bluebonnets bloom. Typically, March temps are 70s and 80s, but there are exceptions. Nothing at all like the summer heat.
CLee - They were homesick :)
Jo-Anne - If I ever win a big lottery prize, I'm going to visit Australia. And I'll send you on a trip to Texas.
I would love to see the bluebonnets. Their color alone is so beautiful. What a gorgeous shade of blue. <3
(WALKS-ah-HATCH-ee) love the pronunciation!
Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by treaty... that sets y'all apart from the rest!
Michelle - We're the same... but different :)
Susan - I agree! Shake Rag ignites my imagination.
Goodnight
Grapevine...
The bluebonnets are starting to bloom in our yard. They aren't very tall this year due to the lack of rain, but at least we have some.
Bish - I totally forgot about Leaky, otherwise I would've included it. Probably missed some more, too :) I'm totally jealous. How do you have bluebonnets before we do?
~Jess
I'd never be able to survive that Texas heat in the summer - but I'd love to visit in the winter one time (and get away from so many months of snow!)
The cattle # is = to half of Canada's population! :P