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From The Live music capiTaL oF The WorLd, ausTin, Texas • counTrYLinemaGaZine.com

IN EVERY ISSUE foR 15 YEaRS: Texas Events Calendar • Hunting and Fishing • Texas Living • Lifestyle & More ...

May 2011

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Celebrating 15 Years!Country Line ... It's not just music ... it's a lifestyle.

Pat Green

Looking Ahead

FREETakE ONE!

2 • Country Line Magazine The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine

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The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine Country Line Magazine • 3

WWhen mom called a few weeks back

and told me she had breast cancer, my heart dropped. Since we lost my dad several years ago, I had not had to deal with a personal loss at this level. I dread the idea but know that she and my stepdad, Bob, are getting past mid-70s and things start to happen.

Lee was a dear friend, and we spent years hanging out and doing life together as single dads. Lee had an amazing story. He ran away when he was 14 and joined the circus. After the circus years, he became a merchant marine and traveled the world. He was a great storyteller, and he always had one.

A nuclear power plant could not produce as much energy as Lee. He was always planning his next deal or business, visiting or socializing, working or loving on his two daughters. One day out of the blue, my cell phone rang and it was Lee.

“Hey, I’m in the hospital. Can you come see me?” he asked.

Worried, I left right away, and when I got there he told me the news. He had pancreatic cancer, and they were going to start treatments right away. What, Lee, how in the world?

It was a fast progression from that call to when he moved into our home where we cared for him and his daughters as he prepared for the end of his time here with us on earth. Through it all, we learned about the horrific disease and watched this vivacious, little ball of fire turn thin and frail. It hurt. We were introduced to Hospice and finally Christopher House through this experience. Lee left for his reward Feb. 13, 2006.

Lee told me one time that 11:11 on the clock was special to him. I can’t remember what it was, probably something to do with winning the lottery or a finding a wife; I’m not sure. These days it seems I look at the clock a lot and it happens to be 11:11. My wife and I always say hi to him at 11:11 and talk to him for that minute or two. He left that with us to remember him; weird, but classic Lee.

What seems like just a few months ago, my wife’s best friend’s husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with the same hideous cancer. They were married less than a year before he was gone. It ravaged this strong, courageous, funny, brilliant professional poker player just as it did my seafaring friend Lee. My wife walked closely with her friend and shared what we had learned just a few years earlier. It may have helped some, but there is little you can say during those times.

I know the Lord can do miracles and healing is one of them. There are mighty and wonderful stories of those who were diagnosed with a horrific disease only to have it vanish. There are those who have lived years past the date they were told would be the extent of their time on earth. I believe in all my heart God does these things.

As Jesus walked the streets and people learned of His healings and believed His teachings, they came from near and far.

Just to touch His robe was enough to be healed for those who believed. Jesus healed with mud and spit and touch. He healed by speaking it over someone and professing that they be healed. He even empowered His apostles to heal the sick and lame.

The part that is hard for many of us to understand can often be, “Why won’t you heal me or my family member or friend?” To be honest, I think I struggle with that as well. But even His closest friends, the apostles, had a hard time with healing and miracles and truly trusting up to the end, and they spent three years walking next to Him.

When Lee was sick, we talked many times about what his life meant. He was often concerned about his legacy and what he was leaving behind. He prayed to accept Christ while he was sick. Although I think he had already done it, he wanted to, again, showing those around him he loved Christ. He began to share his faith with those who came to see him, and at those emotional times, I saw Lee’s ministry at work. We experienced amazing healing of hearts at his bedside; we saw people walk away changed. We may never know the impact he had on everyone who came to see him or heard about his illness. I believe God used it to His good, and Lee’s daughters and friends found a peace in God they may not have found elsewhere.

I know that sometimes God does not answer the questions when I think He should. Sometimes He does not answer them the way I think He should. But I can honestly say that as far back as I can remember all those moments when I thought it could never be any worse, got better. The pain of so many things I did not think I could live through has faded. I believe one day I will know the answers to all the questions, and they will all have been based on a loving Father’s care for His boy – me.

My mom had her surgery, all the lumps were removed and they believe that for now she will be fine. We were blessed by God’s love in real time, our time. I want to learn to be OK with however He answers or not. I want to learn to listen better and ask for His hand more often. As far as I am concerned, I am fine with less of me and more of Him. I need all the help I can get.


in this issueFeATureS

bob and bender debut mornings kvet-fm . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

renkin twins set to debut new album, silver lining . . . . . . 8

pat green puts partying ways behind to focus on new life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

rockport, texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

hogs in plum creek and new information on how to deal with them . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

depArTMenTSnashville news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Texas roadhouse by Dale Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

coffee shop moments by D. “Bing” Bingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

recipe by Shirley Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

grandma’s hints by Shirley Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

’Round About Texas by Sandra Greaney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

on the trail by Kendall Hemphill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

following the way by Jeff Gore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

pryor talk by Paul Pryor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Texas tales by Mike Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

counting your chickens by Mike Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

the outdoor classroom by Larry LeBlanc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

texas outdoor zone by Cody Ryan Greaney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

w w w. c o u n t r y l i n e m a g a z i n e . c o m5 1 2 - 2 9 2 - 1 1 1 3

M A I L I N G A D D R E S S9 5 0 8 C H I S H O L M T R • A U S T I N , T X . 7 8 7 4 8

L E T T E R S & C O M M E N T St j @ c o u n t r y l i n e m a g a z i n e . c o m o r m a i l i n g a d d r e s s

E D I T O R | T. J. Greaney

P U B L I S H E R | G&G International

M A R K E T I N G D I R E C T O R | Sandra L. [email protected]

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S | Cody ryan Greaney, Mike Young, Larry LeBlanc, Shirley Baker, Sandra Greaney, d. “Bing” Bingham

Kendall Hemphill, Mike Barnett, Jeff Gore, paul pryor

The Only Texas Lifestyle Magazine



‘Women Who Rock’ Include Rockin’ Ladies of Country

Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee are all included in the rock and roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s upcoming ‘Women Who rock: Vision, passion, power’ exhibit, which premieres at the Cleveland, Ohio facility May 13 and runs through February 26, 2012.

The exhibit highlights what the museum describes as “flashpoints, the firsts, the best, the celebrated – and sometimes lesser-know women – who moved rock and roll music and American culture forward.” It features more than 70 artists and encompasses two entire floors of the venue with artifacts, video and listening stations.

Taylor appears in the ‘Ladies First: The ‘90s and the new Millennium’ section with the gold glitter dress she wore on CMT Crossroads with def Leppard, her handwritten lyrics to ‘Change,’ and an Ovation 1755 Custom Balladeer 12-string guitar.

Another section references Loretta’s controversial hit, ‘The pill,’ in its ‘revolution, the Counterculture and the pill: The Late 1960s’ section. It spotlights the singer’s pink gown from the ‘portland, Oregon’ video, an epiphone Hummingbird Loretta Lynn model guitar, and picture sleeves from the records Back to the Country, Coal Miner’s Daughter and Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’.

The Versace outfit that Faith wore on the 2000 CBS Thanksgiving special will also be displayed. In addition, a telegram 1964 from dusty Springfield to Brenda Lee, as well as the ‘I’m Sorry’ singer’s ‘Teenage Celebrity’ paper doll book and black lace dress from 1962 are also included.

Leann Rimes Marries Eddie Cibrian

LeAnn rimes and eddie Cibrian have tied the knot.

The surprise wedding on Friday night was a small, intimate ceremony in California, witnessed by approximately 40 friends and relatives, according to people.com.

“LeAnn and eddie were happily married...surrounded by their closest family and friends,” said a spokesman for the bride. “They thank everyone for their well wishes.”

Cibrian’s sons from his first marriage

(Mason, 7, and Jake, 4) were among the guests, who had all been invited to a party on the premise of celebrating the couple’s engagement. Instead, on a private Malibu property overlooking the pacific, the country singer and the actor exchanged marriage vows and wedding bands.

Their engagement happened in december when Cibrian popped the question with a five-carat diamond ring. About her fiance, rimes tweeted, “The ring is beautiful, man is better :)”

earlier, this month, rimes was spotted looking thinner than usual, but she fired back against allegations of an eating disorder.

Another thing she has staunchly defended is her relationship, even though it began in 2009 as an extramarital affair on a TV movie set while both were still wed to their previous spouses. “I didn’t have the tools to know how to do it the right way, how to let go the right way,” rimes recently said of ending her marriage to dean Sheremet, who’s now engaged to a new girlfriend. “I’d never been taught that.”

Cibrian was in an eight-year marriage to Brandi Glanville, the mother of his two sons, when he first fell for the Grammy-winning singer. In January, Glanville said, “There is still a lot of animosity, but hopefully, one day, we can move through that and get to a better place.”

Joe Nichols Heads Back Down Under

“I can’t wait to get back to Australia!” exclaims Joe nichols, who will head down under next week for his third tour of the country. The Australian leg of the singer’s Shape I’m In tour comes just a month after Joe headlined the CMC rocks the Hunter festival in new South Wales’ Hunter Valley.

“My previous visits to Australia created fantastic memories, so I’m definitely looking forward to another visit,” he explains. “It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I think every person in the entire country is nice. Seriously, I haven’t seen or heard of a mean person yet. And they love country music. Gonna be a great time.”

Australian fans are just as eager to welcome the ‘Brokenheartsville’ singer back

as he is to return. “Joe has been a big hit here in Australia,” tour promoter rob potts says. “The country music fans can’t seem to get enough of him. I know he sold out of product at each of his previous shows. He has been diligent and consistent about coming back to Australia to develop his fan base here, and that’s paying off for him.”

Joe will be joined by opening acts Jasmine rae and peter McWhirter, both Aussie natives. Jasmine joined Joe on his 2009 tour of the country, which lead to the recording of their duet, ‘I’ll Try Anything.’ The tune can be found on Jasmine’s sophomore album, Listen Here.

The Roys Unveil New Website Design and Offer Fans Chance To Win an iPod Nano

The roys celebrate the unveiling of their exciting new website design by giving fans a chance to win an ipod nano® loaded with songs from their debut rural rhythm records’ Cd, LONESOME WHISTLE. Fans can enter the contest at www.theroysonline.com/ipod.

“We’re thrilled with the new site, and our fans seem to love the fact that we’re constantly updating videos, photos and stories,” says elaine roy, the sister side of this musical brother/sister team. “And we each have nanos,” she adds. “Couldn’t live without them, you know it’s all part of that techno thing,” adds Lee. “I carry my FlipCam everywhere and Tweet all day long ... I’m addicted to Facebook.”

The contest launches today and runs through Sunday, June 5; the winner will be announced on Monday, June 6. entering the contest is easy – and this one-time entry qualifies that individual for a chance in all future promotional events sponsored by The roys. “We’re all about easy,” laughs Lee. “And it doesn’t get much easier than entering your name, phone number and email address – one time.”

LONESOME WHISTLE launched late last month amidst a nine-day media blitz of major television, personal appearances and radio visits. The roys swept through six states, appearing on several Fox Television network shows, Better TV, ABC-TV’s What’s The Buzz, daytime, GAC-TV, and daily Buzz in support of the disc. “It’s been a whirlwind,” confirmed elaine. “But a good one.”

That whirlwind is creating a media “storm,” with reviewers praising The roys’ vocals, song selection and production values. roughstock.com says, “With eleven fantastic tracks of acoustic country and bluegrass goodness, The roys’ album gets better with each and every listen ... a supremely satisfying album.” AOL/The Boot adds “LONESOME WHISTLE is more than a bluegrass album. The 11-track recording is something of a painting of American life and an appreciation of those who keep the faith in bleak times.” TheBluegrassSpecial.com calls their harmonies “captivating,” and adds, “ the voices are evocative (his reedy and a bit bluesy, hers bright with an appealing backwoods plaintiveness), the songs impressive and arresting, the playing impeccable.”

cma entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley Moves Up Release of New album, This Is Country Music, to May 23

CMA entertainer of the Year Brad paisley moves up the release of his 9th studio album, This Is Country Music, to May 23. This week the album’s second single, “Old Alabama” (featuring Alabama), races into the Top 10 on both the Billboard and Country Aircheck airplay charts in only 7 weeks. This Is Country Music marks paisley’s first all-new studio album since 2009’s American Saturday Night.

A 15-track collection, with 12 co-written by paisley, This Is Country Music once again teams paisley with longtime producer and collaborator Frank rogers. The diverse and star-studded project sports an array of special guests, including Carrie underwood (who duets on the recapturing-love tale of “remind Me”). don Henley joins paisley for “Love Her Like She’s Leavin’,” while Blake Shelton is in on the fun of “don’t drink the Water,” and Marty Stuart, Sheryl Crow, and Carl Jackson come together to continue a paisley tradition of including a gospel song on his albums with “Life’s railway to Heaven.”

paisley is also ready to make our day with the spirited Western instrumental of “eastwood,” featuring none other than Clint eastwood. The full track listing is below for This Is Country Music.1. This Is Country Music 2. Old Alabama (Featuring Alabama)3. A Man don’t Have To die4. Camouflage5. remind Me (duet With Carrie

underwood)6. Working On A Tan7. Love Her Like She’s Leavin’ (Featuring

don Henley)8. One Of Those Lives9. Toothbrush10. Be The Lake11. eastwood (Featuring Clint eastwood)12. new Favorite Memory13. don’t drink The Water (Featuring

Blake Shelton)14. I do now15. Life’s railway To Heaven (Featuring

Marty Stuart, Sheryl Crow and Carl Jackson)Fans can pre-order This Is Country

Music on iTunes at http://bit.ly/gC00iy and receive the track “Old Alabama” immediately.

reigning CMA entertainer of the Year and Grand Ole Opry member Brad paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him three GrAMMYs, 14 Country Music Association Awards and 14 Academy of Country Music Awards which includes five consecutive Male Vocalist awards. He has 18 #1 singles and has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums. paisley’s innovative and entertaining H20 World Tour played to over 879,000 fans in 2010 and placed #1 country tour for attendance by pollstar. His 2011 tour, H2O II: Wetter & Wilder, will kick-off May 28th at Heinz Field in pittsburgh.



Texas roadhouse by Dale Martin

Pat Green has built a very successful career by doing things his way. He wrote his own songs, recorded his own Cd’s and surrounded himself with very talented musicians. He waited until his Cd sales and fan base were big enough that the major labels came calling rather than the other way around.

pat and I go way back, I was at many of his first shows when there weren't that many paying customers. One thing I’ve always admired about pat is his work ethic, which he once told me he got from his dad. In one of our first interviews Green said his dad always instilled a solid work habit in his kids, if you work hard you will be successful.

At the early shows I attended, pat was one of the first guys there and one of the last to leave. He paid his dues and when success came, he had a good head on his shoulders and made smart business decisions. We’ve kept in touch and had many conversations throughout various stages of his career.

during the early years, pat and the band would play any venue with electricity. As their popularity grew, the gigs and money got better. pat switched from a Chevy Blazer to a van to a nice tour bus. The work ethic remained though; he was always first to the venue and one of the last to leave. He is a very hands-on guy, carefully looking over every detail of his career.

pat released a steady stream of hit albums that sold more copies than many major nashville stars. Green finally signed with the universal republic label and then moved over to BnA records. After a few years playing the nashville game, pat decided to go back to his earlier business plan of controlling his own affairs. He left BnA and became an independent Texas artist again.

In our last conversation, pat told me about his second volume of ‘Songs We Wish We’d Written’. This one will be slightly different than the album he recorded with Cory Morrow back in 2001. It will have several other artists on it, many of pat’s friends in the music business.

He also talked about recording a live Cd and dVd for his longtime fans. If that wasn’t enough, he is writing new songs for a brand new studio album. He’s currently on a tour all across Texas and surrounding states so check out his website at www.patgreen.com.

Lone Star Music held their annual awards show last month at the recently refurbished Texas Music Theater. Once the home of Gordo’s on the square in San Marcos, the building was completely remodeled into a state of the art music venue.

In their first week of operations they hosted the Lone Star Music Awards and welcomed Texas artist Charlie robison. The awards this year had a few new faces and some older veterans. Gruene Hall won again for ‘Best Live Venue.’

Brady Black, with randy rogers Band, won for best musician. Songwriter of the year went to ray Wylie Hubbard. Javi Garcia was nominated twice for album artwork, once for his album and once for designing the artwork for Mike McClure’s ‘Halfway out of the Woods’. He won for his tasteful work on McClure’s album. The Turnpike Troubadours won twice, once for emerging Artist and again for Album of the Year. The Trisha’s took the Best Female Vocal award.

The evening definitely belonged to surprise guest randy rogers, who along with band mate Brady Black, opened the show with a cool acoustic set. rogers won for best live act, best male vocalist and best song, ‘Interstate,’ which he wrote with fellow songwriter Sean McConnell. You can see more info on the theater at texasmusictheatersanmarcos.com.

Taylor Swift continues to dominate the album sales charts plus the concert trail. Her San Antonio show at the AT&T Center sold out in mere minutes, a feat she accomplishes at every city on her tour. She will be at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Oct. 25, at the erwin Center in Austin on Oct. 26 and in Houston at the Toyota Center on nov. 5.

Whether you are a fan of her music or not, there is no denying the fact that her legions of fans will follow her anywhere. She has certainly set the music world on fire by easily crossing over several formats to have hits on both the country and pop charts.

Willie Nelson continues to tour and record at a pace that would kill an artist half his age. Most likely that’s the inspiration for two of his biggest hits, ‘On the road Again’ and ‘Still is Still Moving to Me.’ He just hosted a benefit concert in Hawaii that raised $1.6 million for victims of the Japanese earthquake and then announced that this year’s July 4th picnic will actually be held on July 3rd in Springdale, Arkansas at the brand new Osage Creek Amphitheater.

His latest Cd pays tribute to his old friend ray Charles, titled Here We Go Again and features special guests Wynton Marsalis and norah Jones. Texas fans can catch the red Headed Stranger in Midland on May 1st, in Beaumont on May 4th, in new Braunfels May 7th and Corpus Christi on July 1st. All this info and much more can be found at www.willienelson.com.

If you are planning on attending the annual CMA Music Festival, which I still refer to as Fan Fair, in nashville, you may want to get your tickets now. They are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and are going fast. A four-day ticket package starts at $115, but prices vary on how may shows you attend and where your seats are located. The lineup this year includes Jason Aldean, easton Corbin, Sara evans, Brad paisley and the Zac Brown Band on June 9, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Ashton Shepherd and Keith urban on June 10, Trace Adkins, Little Big Town, rascal Flatts, reba Mcentire, Josh Turner and Chris Young on June 11 and The Band perry, the Janedear Girls, Miranda Lambert, darius rucker and Blake Shelton on June 12th. The concerts will all take place at the Lp Field in downtown nashville.

KVeT FM announced today that Chris Bender will join the KVeT Morning Show on Monday, May 2, 2011; branding the KVeT Morning show as ‘Bob & Bender in the Morning.’

Bender returns to his roots within the Lonestar State with 15 years of broadcast experience under his belt. Most recently Bender co-hosted mornings with ‘The Bob and Bender Show’ at KBuL-FM in reno, nV, and prior to that held the morning post at WYOY-FM in Jackson, MS. Bender is a native of Houston and has been on the air since 1996, having debuted at KZII–FM in Lubbock.

A musician and country music fan himself, Bender brings his comical take on pop culture and sense of adventure, joining Bob Cole and most recent addition, Jamie Ivey in the morning. Listeners can hear Bob & Bender on the air on 98.1 KVeT FM weekday mornings from 6-10 a.m. starting Monday, May 2, 2011.

Meet the entire cast of characters of the KVeT morning line up on line. Join the conversation and read on going blogs at KVeT.com.

Bob & Bender Debut Mornings kVET FMChris Bender Joins Bob Cole and Jamie Ivey on 98.1 KVET

According to April and Amy rankin, twins really “duet” better. Their new ep titled Silver Lining, certainly proves this.

The rankin Twins, a pop-country duo made up of identical twin sisters April and Amy rankin, 28, will release their sophomore effort, Silver Lining, on May 14. To celebrate its release, the rankin Twins are hosting an album launch concert at One World Theatre in Austin at 7 p.m. on the album’s release date.

“We have big plans for this ep. Clay Corn did an amazing job at really capturing our style and the sound we wanted him to produce. We think every song this ep has single potential,” Am. rankin said.

We feel like there was a little Linda rhondstadt and Beatles influences thrown in there. But, overall I think this is more of the rankin Twins style, and with the addition of the keys and organ, it was a driving force for the overall sound.”

Silver Lining builds on the success of the duo’s first album, a five-track ep titled Headaches and Heartbreaks, whose title track reached the top 50 on the Texas Charts. The ep was a result of April and Amy coming together to write

music for the first time, which provided a therapeutic release from a tragic time in their young lives.

“We are so proud of Headaches and Heartbreaks. It got us on the map and was an introduction of how we got here as musicians. Battling brain tumors and and broken hearts and focusing on the future instead of the past, Ap. rankin said.”

I think that Silver Lining is a little more defining in the fact that it has allowed us to hone in on our harmonies and song writing a little more. Giving the fans songs that they can relate to, and are yet still produced really well. “

Tickets for the album launch concert are available online at oneworldtheatre.org. Fans will also have an opportunity to win tickets and signed copies of Silver Lining through the rankin Twins Facebook fan page.

Country musician John dee Graham will serve as the opening act for the rankin Twins. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for the event.

For more information, visit therankintwins.com, and Auemusic.com.

Rankin Twins set to debut new album, Silver Lining


M A R K E T I N G S O L U T I O N S

G R A P H I C D E S I G N

P R I N T I N G

8906 Wall St. Suite 507Austin, Texas 78754

5 1 2 . 7 1 9 . 9 9 9 9


Spinach Salad2/3 cup vegetable oil1/4 cup red wine vinegar2 teaspoons lemon juice2 teaspoons soy sauce1 teaspoon dry mustard1/2 teaspoon curry powder1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper1 bunch or package fresh spinach, washed & torn into pieces5 bacon strips, cooked & crumbled2 hard boiled eggs, sliced

Combine first 10 ingredients in a jar, cover and shake well. Place spinach in a large salad bowl, pour dressing over and toss gently just before serving. Garnish with bacon and egg slices. 6-8 servings.

R E C I P E Grandma’s HINTS

Cat won’t take her medicine? Squirt medication on her paw and watch her

lick herself clean.•

Need to locate wall studs? Connect electric razor and run along wall. A

different tone from the razor will occur when a stud is found.

•Roast chicken always dry? Place whole apple inside of chicken to

moisten during cooking.•

Place aluminum foil under ironing board cover. This reduces ironing time

and gives off twice the heat.

—shirLeY BaKer

A

Specials available for March Rodeo & SXSW Issue

Don't miss out!Call sandra: 512-292-1113

a Goat That Wanted to LiveAll too often, the decision on a ranch

for which livestock go and those that stay is a matter of dollars and cents. Once in a while, an animal’s lease on life is a matter of willpower.

In a magnificent example of darwinian evolution, one of our meat goat does managed to break her own neck in a feeding trough, which had been safe for thousands of feedings.

“uh oh,” I said to my wife, “what are we going to do with her kid?”

“Beats me,” she sighed, “she’s too old for a bottle and too young to wean, we’ll see how much she wants to live.”

The surviving kid was small – no bigger than a smidgen. Soon the name, ‘Smidge,’ stuck.

each time we checked on her, she was full of energy, climbing around the rocks in our barnyard.

Her stomach enzymes were working well enough that she could nibble at grain. Then, she’d sneak up behind an unwary doe with an exposed udder and grab a quick snack. By the time the doe realized the nursing kid wasn’t her own, Smidge was off and stalking another involuntary donor.

unlike her own mother, the Smidge was smart, tough and adaptable – best of all – she wanted to live.

She was so small, that she could sneak through any fence and snitch a bite to eat. My wife and I were slowly losing control of our ranch to a smart and tiny goat.

Our grass was growing and spring turnout time approached. This is when lactating livestock need as much nutrition as possible.

However, we live in rough country. Our livestock guard dogs protect our sheep and goats from coyotes and the occasional cougar – as long as the herd sticks together.

If an inattentive animal wanders away, they become lunch for a predator.

For the Smidge, who had already survived more than her share, turnout would be a test.

The first day, she was running happily with the flock. That night she returned to the barnyard with the rest.

We breathed a sigh of relief.The next day, same thing. Smidge

returned with the rest of the flock, fat, full and happy. day after day, this tiny goat successfully negiotated her way through our high desert predators.

Finally, one day I was out fixing fence and I watched our flock drift by.

There was the Smidge, hovering around the main bunch. When a danger signal was called, whether by goat, sheep or livestock guard dog, Smidge would hightail it to the center of the flock and hide underneath the belly of the older, more experienced animals. She wouldn’t come out until the ‘all-clear’ signal was given and the flock relaxed.

The tiny goat wanted to live.The Smidge survived her first

summer out in the fields by being smart. Same thing for her second year. While she’s no longer small enough to dart under the bellies of the other goats when danger approaches, she’s always quietly in the middle of the flock, the safest place to be.

Late last winter, the Smidge had her first kid – a Smidglet – a healthy, strong doeling. The Smidge is a very attentive mother and we have high hopes for the little goat – and her kid – that wanted to live. – d. BinG BinGham

B i n G B i n G h a m i S a w r i t e r , r a n C h e r a n d

S t o rY t e l l e r . i f Y o u h av e a S t o rY t o Pa S S

a l o n G , C o n ta C t h i m at B i n G B i n G h a m .

C o m / B l o G .


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Ppat Green knows a thing or two about the partying

lifestyle that often entices young musicians. After all, he was only a college student when he hit it big. Although, after years of living life on the road as a headliner and supporting such major performers as Kenny Chesney, Keith urban and dave Matthews, pat found himself at something of a crossroads where partying didn’t make sense anymore.

“That is a tough way to live. It’s an occupational hazard that most of us get trapped in,” pat tells AOL’s The Boot. “When you are young, you don’t really have that healthy respect for your profession or for the people who are paying you to perform, to do your job. Back in the day, when I was drinking I thought ‘Whatever happens,

happens.’ now I do a lot to be really focused, to tighten up the shows. And that’s really fun.

“I don’t want to sit here and pontificate about being a mature person,” he clarifies. “I’m not. It’s just at one point or another, you have to take responsibility. Once you settle down and start having kids, life moves at a more natural pace. You come to a place where you respect your job more than you did before.”

That’s one reason that pat is taking his time choosing the best label to release his upcoming album. “This whole thing is a process,” says the Texas native. “When you are in your 20s and just starting out, there’s really only one way to do everything and that’s big. To be on the other side with a wife and kids and experience in the business,

you have a different viewpoint.”Although pat is proud of his past achievements, he’s

looking ahead to even sweeter success. The next album he records will have more of his stamp on the sound than his previous releases with major labels.

“Life is really good. I have a lot of optimism,” pat says. “I’ve had a wonderful run at [major labels] and had fun chasing the songs up the charts. now, I don’t worry about all of that. I don’t feel like I have lost anything of my old self. I just have more opportunities to explore. It’s like a brand new life.”

Catch pat Green at the Cattle Barron’s Ball, May 7th in Austin, Texas.

Pat Green Puts Partying Ways Behind to Focus on

New Life


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5/21-22: KOZ Rio Grande Turkey Hunt, San Marcos area. Learn to build a blind, set up, call and harvest a big Rio Tom. Leave Austin Sat. 5 am and arrive back noon Sunday. Hunting license, gun

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5/27-29: KOZ PINK SURVIVAL CAMP!What do you do if you get lost? If your plane goes down and you

have to live off the land? This is the popular weekend when you learn what to do when the going gets tough. South Texas. Leave Austin Friday 5pm, arrive back Sunday 2 pm.

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June 2011: June 10-12: ALL KOZ (includes PINK), EXTREEME WEEKEND:

Four wheeling, paint ball wars, skeet shoot and precision shooting, fishing, camping. This two night Adventure is intense and require lots of energy and the desire to have a ton of fun. Hidden Falls,

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July 2011: 7/4-9: KOZ PINK Fish Camp:This is no ordinary camp – it is all fishing all the time. Bass, Perch,

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7/10-16: KOZ Fish Camp boys:This is no ordinary camp – it is all fishing all the time. Bass, Perch,

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rockport, Fulton, Texas, is one of the best kept secrets that everyone knows about on the Texas coast. I have enjoyed this quaint but bustling area for years, and this year will be no exception.

The warm breeze off the bay, the sound seagulls and waves breaking on the rock-covered shore almost immediately takes me from my business to a sense of comfort. It seems as though my cell phone, e-mail and texting just don’t come up in my thoughts or the conversations once I arrive. Yes, I can do plenty of work from rockport and do, but it doesn’t seem to be as pressing or important. I like that a lot.

The early half of the year along the Texas coast is a favorite for me. Fishing is wonderful, and the days don’t get quite as hot as they do in the summer. Big redfish and trout frequent the sandy holes in the shallow waters within view of the shoreline. A good guide will not have to run far to put you into the middle of fishing heaven. Flounder also frequent a lot of the same areas, increasing the chances of the awesome “triple play” catch of flounder, red fish and speckled trout this time of year.

Captain Charles newton fishes from the rockport area and provides a great family style adventure or guys’ day out. We fished in April and boated some quality redfish. even with the high winds it did not hamper the catching. redfish and trout were plentiful and we packed some great redfish fillets, skin on, to take home.

I enjoy fresh fish a lot. I love fish tacos, broiled fish, fried fish, ceviche and anything fresh off the grill. My favorite, however, is a nice redfish fillet, skin on, grilled skin down, better known as redfish on the half-shell. I am not a big health food junkie, but this is both healthy and mouth-watering good. The only real requirement is that you go to the coast to stock up on a supply of them and you grill them skin down until they are done.

Another way to enjoy your fresh fish is to take it to one of the local restaurants that offers to cook your catch. Charlotte plumbers offers “cook your catch” as well as one of the best seafood menus in the area. The other must-visit restaurant is, of course, The Boiling pot. Fresh boiled shrimp, crab, crawfish and all the fixings are poured out on your table for a fun feast unique and tasty in so many ways.

I travel a lot and a night in my truck or in a wooden shack on the back of a ranch does not bother me. When traveling with my

wife, however, well she enjoys the creature comforts and quiet moments a nice hotel like the Lighthouse Inn in rockport provides. We have stayed there since it was built in 2002 and have enjoyed still quiet moments and lots of fun and exciting times with the kids and their friends (www.LighthouseTexas.com).

The area has cute shops, birding adventures and a sandy beach front, relaxing opportunities to fill your day if you don’t fish. The culture is flip flops and shorts, so packing is light and mostly casual. The area is well known for a variety of festivals from music to the popular wine festival. The rockport Festival of Wines is two fabulous days of wine tasting, entertainment, cooking demonstrations and more on the Texas Maritime Museum grounds, May 29-30, 2011.

rockport/Fulton is a close-by vacation destination or getaway that almost anyone can afford and enjoy. With gas prices soaring and most families unable to plan weeks away from home make traveling to the Texas coast a perfect choice. Give your kids a memory, or sneak away with your bride for a few days to the coast. There is no better time, and you know you need some sand between your toes and fresh seafood. It’s therapeutic. – TJ GreaneY

Rockport, Texas

Fishing in the Rockport area is a

blast!

Photo opportunities are everywhere in the Rockport/Fulton area.


by Sandra Greaney

everyone pretty much knows that Mothers day and Memorial day are in May but did you also know so is national Teachers day and the national day of prayer? And it’s also national Military Appreciation and Skin Cancer Awareness month! My suggestion… take the time to hug your mom tight, say “thank you” to military folks, schedule a skin cancer screening test, give a teacher an apple and hit your knees to say a prayer. And once you have checked all those things off your list, then check out what else is happening in May.

May 2 The Ladies NDP (National Day of Prayer) Luncheon

The luncheon will feature speaker patsy Clairmont at Austin Baptist Church. reservations are required. www.ndpaustin.org

May 7Live & Silent Auction Fundraiser

Jackie’s School of performing Arts is hosting a Live & Silent Auction Fundraiser to help raise money to fund tuition and dance scholarships for students of diverse economic backgrounds. There will be live music, dance performances, activities for kids, door prizes and lots of great items to bid for including a trip to beautiful Costa rica. For more information, contact Selina Jantz at 512-586-5405

May 7-8Old Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival

Loads of musicians, food vendors, artists and craftspeople that turn Sixth Street, originally named pecan Street, into a lively street fair. 512-469-6060. www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com

May 5-8Capitol City Salsa Festival On this weekend hundreds of groove-

addicted salseros will descend upon Austin, TX once again to cause calamity and make merriment unlike anything witnessed in these parts before. There will be plenty of learning to be had with workshops by the salsa scene’s best instructors and be dazzled by performances from the salsa universe’s brightest stars! www.ccsfaustin.com

May 26-June 12Kerrville Folk FestivalFor 18 straight days and nights over

30,000 guests come from all over the world to experience the magic of what is simply called “Kerrville.” The Festival is known internationally as a Mecca for singer songwriters of varying musical style. It’s a place where those just developing their skills have the opportunity to play their music along-side master craftsmen.

www.kerrville-music.com

May 28 & 29Austin Wine & Music FestivalThis festival is a unique celebration

that is 100% Local Wine, 100% Local Brew, 100% Local You. Located in the backyard of The domain in northwest Austin, the Festival grounds are bursting with beautiful happy wine drinkers, plenty of space to roam, relax and enjoy the good life splendors and don’t forget about the FABuLOuS music!

www.austinwineandmusicfestival.com

May 21-22Civil War Living HistoryLate in May 1861, The Civil War had

begun. The Texas militia is going to war

and the residents are sending them off with great fanfare. At 10:30 on Saturday morning, the unit will be presented with a flag. during the day, the troops will drill and prepare to depart for the east. Visitors are invited to visit the town store, talk with the residents and the troops about their lives, and how they feel about the war. Sunday, following church services, the residents will see the brave boys off. Head out to pioneer Farms to re-live a piece of history. www.pioneerfarms.org May 20 -22

Strawberry Festivalpasadena, Texas is the place for the

38th Annual Strawberry Festival. It will be 3 days of family fun, entertainment, carnival, specialty acts, mud volleyball, a cook-off, mutton bustin and so much more! Visit www.pasadenatexas.com/strawberry_festival or call 281-991-9500.

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HENNIG HEIGHTS

By Paul Schattenberg Though feral hogs are well-known

pests to landowners throughout the state, there is still much people are unaware of regarding their behavior and what may be done to manage them, said Texas AgriLife extension Service experts.

To help fill in the blanks on feral hogs, a group of AgriLife extension experts have developed several fact sheets relating to management of this problematic species, said dr. Jim Cathey, a specialist in wildlife ecology at Texas A&M university in College Station and contributing author to these publications.

Cathey and other AgriLife extension personnel – Chancey Lewis, assistant; Matt Berg, program coordinator; dr. Jim Gallagher, wildlife specialist; nikki dictson, program specialist; and dr. Mark McFarland, soil fertility and water quality specialist – collaborated on several new feral hog fact sheets reflecting a variety of expertise and perspectives.

“We tried to address the realistic and practical aspects of feral hog identification and management through these publications,” Cathey said.

“Their content is based on what we know from our individual experience and professional expertise, as well as from input received from farmers, ranchers and other landowners who have had encounters with feral hogs.”

The new fact sheets address topics ranging from recognizing evidence of feral hogs to methods of capturing these non-native animals.

Feral hogs cause an estimated $52 million in damages to the Texas agriculture industry each year. They also cause problems in suburban areas, and in rural areas they compete with wildlife for food, cover, and space.

“Feral hogs not only damage crops and other property in the plum Creek Watershed and other areas of the state, they also have been identified as a possible source of non-point pollution to the water table in many locations,” McFarland said. “And their aggressive rooting and wallowing contributes to the problem of soil erosion in many areas of the state.”

While the publications are focused on feral hog management in the plum Creek Watershed area of Travis, Caldwell and Hays counties, most of the information is applicable statewide, according to the authors. The publications include photographs, capture-method building instructions and tips for successful capture.

The new fact sheets can be found on the plum Creek Watershed partnership website at http://pcwp.tamu.edu/feral-hogs/capture-techniques and may be downloaded free from that site. Color versions of these publications may be obtained for a charge from the Texas AgriLife extension Bookstore at https://

Hogs in Plum Creek and New Information on How to Deal with Themagrilifebookstore.org, and also are available in Spanish from that site.

One of the new publications titled “recognizing Feral Hog Sign” deals with indicators of feral hog activity, including damage from rooting, crop damage, wallows and rubs, tracks and trails, droppings and beds.

“Hogs are very mobile and often travel from field to field in search of food,” said Gallagher, who works at the Texas A&M AgriLife research and extension Center in uvalde. “It’s important to know where they’ve been and to anticipate where they may be going in order to increase the chance of success in capturing them. recognizing their sign will help landowners in that process.”

Additional new publications “Box Traps for Capturing Feral Hogs,” “Building a Feral Hog Snare” and “Corral Traps for Capturing Feral Hogs” give detailed instructions on how to construct and use these different means of capture.

A new associated fact sheet titled “placing and Baiting Feral Hog Traps” provides instruction on how to choose promising locations for trap placement and the best types of bait to use. It also includes a hog bait recipe, list of baits and trapping tips.

“Feral hogs are not considered wildlife and are not classified as a game species in Texas,” Cathey said. “Instead, this exotic species is considered free-ranging livestock.”

Cathey said feral hogs and their damage are the responsibility of the landowner where they are found, and, as a result, landowners spend considerable time and money in attempt to manage these animals.

“Once feral hogs are established in an area, complete eradication is unlikely,” he said. “There is no silver bullet or a single quick fix.

However, by using multiple approaches, landowners and managers can limit the size of feral hog populations and reduce the level of damage.”

Cathey said each management approach referred to in the new fact sheets may be viewed as one option in the “toolbox” for feral hog management.

“A combination of techniques will likely be needed to have a sustained effect and diminish feral hog impacts,” he said. “And to produce the best results,

these different techniques should be used simultaneously.”

In addition to these new publications, other publications and materials relating to feral hogs can be found at the plum Creek Watershed partnership and AgriLife Bookstore websites.

“The feral hog problem in the plum Creek Watershed area is substantial,” said Jared Timmons, an AgriLife extension assistant who addresses feral hog issues in the plum Creek watershed.

Timmons said he and other contributors from AgriLife extension, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife research Institute, u.S. department of Agriculture – Animal and plant Health Inspection Service and Texas Wildlife Services soon will complete another feral hog publication. This publication, “using Fences to exclude Feral Hogs from Wildlife Feeding Stations,” also will be available at both the partnership and bookstore websites.

“Hunters and wildlife managers often provide feed for white-tailed deer in Texas, and use an estimated 150,000 tons of corn to feed primarily deer each year,” Timmons said. “In addition to corn, many deer managers also supply high-protein pellet feed, but research has shown much of this supplemental feed is consumed by non-target species such as feral hogs.”

He said to meet management goals and reduce feed costs, deer managers should take steps to prevent feral hogs from accessing deer feed, and that the new publication will provide “useful, practical information” toward reaching these ends.

Timmons added that the plum Creek Watershed partnership website also contains an online tool for reporting feral hog sightings or control measures, with one type of report for cooperating landowners and another for the general public.

Funding and support for the plum Creek Watershed partnership is provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board through a Clean Water Act §319(h) non-point source grant from the u.S. environmental protection Agency.

For more information or technical assistance on feral hogs in the plum Creek Watershed area, contact Timmons at 254-485-4886 or [email protected].


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S

H

by Kendall Hemphill

by Jeff Gore

Officially Texas Samuel Colt was having some financial problems in

1846. His Colt patterson revolver had been somewhat successful since he had invented it in 1836, but poor sales had caused him to close the doors of his new Jersey factory in 1842. He was making insulated cable for the uS government, to be used in conjunction with Samuel Morse’s telegraph machines, when Samuel Walker contacted him four years later about making some more guns.

Walker was a Texas ranger, and the rangers had gotten hold of some of the pattersons, which were .36 caliber, didn’t have a strap over the cylinder, and had a fold-away trigger which popped out when the gun was cocked. It was a good revolver, but the design was delicate, the parts were many and subject to breakage, and the caliber was somewhat light for frontier work against bandits and indians.

The little gun had made its Texas debut at the Battle of Bandera pass in 1841, and was a big hit with the rangers. Captain Jack Hayes and about 50 rangers were attacked

there, just south of Kerrville, by a bunch of Comanches. reports put the number of indians at anywhere from 100 to 600, so the rangers were definitely outnumbered.

up until then, the Indians usually waited until the rangers had fired, and then rode in and shot several arrows while the cowboys were reloading. When they tried that at Bandera pass, they got a surprise – the rangers kept shooting. One old indian later said, “The rangers had a shot for every finger of the hand.” The revolver made a

huge difference, and at that point the tide really started to turn in the indian wars.

The story goes that Sam Walker went to see Sam Colt in 1846, and explained to him that the rangers needed a bigger gun, more sturdily built, so it could be used as a club when it was empty. And the caliber should be larger, .44 or .45 at least. The rangers wanted 1,000 of them, and they wanted them yesterday.

Colt was happy to oblige, but he no longer had a factory. So he engaged eli Whitney Blake, nephew of the cotton gin inventor, to build the guns in his manufacturing plant. The original run was 1,100, and they sold for about $10 each. The revolvers arrived in 1847, and the model was dubbed the Walker Colt, the precursor of the dragoon.

Sam Walker was a contemporary in the rangers with Samuel ‘Bigfoot’ Wallace, who arrived in Texas after the Battle of the Alamo and before the Battle of San Jacinto. According to Texas lore, Walker and Wallace were once on a reconnaissance mission, and snuck into a Comanche camp before sunrise. A dog started barking at them, and roused the camp.

Walker and Wallace determined their presence was

unhealthy and took flight. As they passed a meat pole, Wallace grabbed a rack of ribs from it. As they ran, he offered to share the ribs with Walker, who declined on the grounds that he was a little busy.

After a few hundred yards, with Comanches chasing them and bullets and arrows flying by, they found a gulley and took cover. Walker turned to Wallace and allowed that he wouldn’t mind helping him on those ribs now. But it was too late. Wallace had eaten them all on the trip.

Walker unfortunately died in battle during the

Mexican-American War, shortly after the gun that bears his name arrived in Texas. But I think he’d be proud that the Walker Colt has been nominated to become the official Texas state firearm.

My friend, randy Young, recently sent me a blog entry, or something, by a fellow named Jonathan McClellan, who pointed out that Texas does not have an official state gun. McClellan opened nominations with the ruger LCp .380, which is what Gov. perry recently shot a coyote with, and the Larue Tactical OBr 556, which is an Ar-style .223 made in Leander. Both are excellent guns, and would be good choices.

There was a write-in nomination for the STI 2011, which is a 1911-style pistol made in Georgetown, and is also hard to beat. Still, the 1847 Walker Colt probably epitomizes Texas best, and has a long, distinguished history to back up its claim to Texas fame.

But there are other choices. personally I’d like to nominate the Bond Arms ranger. The ranger is a double-barrel derringer made entirely of stainless steel, and chambered for .410/.45 Long Colt. The ranger comes with a replica of the old Texas ranger badge inlaid in the grips, and is an excellent example of firearm quality. Besides, it’s made in Granbury.

Actually, there are too many good choices to have to settle on one official state firearm. But Texas is big enough, I think, not to have to get by with just one. And since we already have four official state theatrical plays, I have another suggestion.

What we need to do is designate an official state rifle – the Larue OBr, a state pistol – the STI 1911, a state revolver – the 1847 Walker Colt, a state pocket pistol – the ruger LCp, a state derringer – the Bond ranger, and maybe some other state firearms. This is Texas, after all. It’s too big for just one state gun.

And the state barbecue dish should definitely be ribs . . .

K e n d a l h e m P h i l l i S a n o u t d o o r h u m o r C o l u m n i S t a n d

P u B l i C S P e a K e r w h o n e v e r e at S r i B S w h i l e r u n n i n G f r o m

i n d i a n S . w r i t e t o h i m at P o B o x 1 6 0 0 , m a S o n , t x 7 6 8 5 6

o r j e e P @ v e r i z o n . n e t

Hello again. Wow the last month has flown by and a lot has happened. not only have literally hundreds of acres in north central and west Texas burned under intense range fires fueled by years of drought and high winds, along with a couple of very careless people, but as I write this there are hundreds of acres burning still.

The wind is howling outside as it has been non stop for the last month. A few years ago, just a few days after Christmas, a fire burned just about half of the town of Cross plains. That same day, it burned over two thousand acres all around our house in Coleman County. It came within a few yards of our house and the wind changed directions. Our house and miraculously our livestock were saved.

The other day it was almost the same scenario as a dear friend of ours called for prayer. He was rattled, even a little frantic. He had been evacuated as had the entire town of Fort davis with nothing but the

clothes on his back, his laptop and his album of their wedding pictures.

For the next twenty-four hours, no one knew for sure what would become of his home. In fact, it looked like the whole town could burn. The smoke engulfed him and the heat from a huge wall of flames rushed toward him almost before he could get away. The night before he had read these words in the Bible.

In Isaiah 43:1-2, it says “But now, this is what the Lord says – He who created you, oh Jacob, He who formed you, oh Israel: “Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will

be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” He said to himself and in prayer, the things around him meant nothing. Just the people he loved, namely his wife and children. He thought to himself if he lost everything else, he would still have them and trust the Lord.

The next morning it was obvious that the flames had come within a few feet of his house and even burned the home of neighbors across the street, yet his stood. I am not going to promise your house will never burn or you will not have hardship and loss. I am saying that we have got to trust the Lord in everything. The things of this earth will pass away. It is our relationship with the Lord that lasts. Invest all you have in that. Trust the Lord. As you do, pray for the wind to die and the rain to come for those who have been and are suffering from the fires.

Keep praying, keep trusting and thanks for reading. – JEFFw w w. j e f f G o r e . o r G

What we need to do is designate an official state rifle – the Larue OBr, a state pistol – the STI 1911, a state revolver – the 1847 Walker Colt, a state pocket pistol – the ruger LCp, a state derringer – the Bond ranger, and maybe some other state firearms. This is Texas, after all. It’s too big for just one state gun.


I

Texas Tales

The old Texas rangers who gathered in Austin for a reunion in the early fall of 1897 surely figured they had fought their last fight. After all, they had battled and survived Mexican soldiers, Comanches and outlaws. But that’s before they heard what some folks in Tennessee were up to.

Meeting in the Capital City on the night of October 8, the aging rangers got word that certain parties in the Volunteer State were agitating for the removal of Sam Houston’s remains from Texas to his old stomping grounds in Tennessee. Some of the old rangers had known Houston. The others all knew of his place in their state’s history.

Houston came to Texas in 1832 following a drunken sabatical among the Cherokees in what is now Oklahoma. Before then, he had served as governor of Tennessee, his political career there ending concurrently with his short-lived first marriage. Only four years after crossing the red river, having assured Texas’ independence from Mexico by defeating Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Houston became the first president of the new republic of Texas.

He lived to see Texas admitted as the 28th state in 1845, dying at 70 of natural causes on July 26, 1863 during the bloody Civil War he had tried to avert. His family abided by his wishes and buried him in Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville, the Walker County town he and his wife Margaret had settled in because it reminded him of his boyhood home in

Tennesse.But 33 years after his death, the

sentiment had risen in Tennessee that Houston should be exhumed from his Texas grave and shipped “home” to the hills of his youth. The former rangers gathered for comradery in Austin learned of this idea in a letter from Marie Bennet urwitz, president of the Cuero-based San Jacinto Chapter of the daughters of the republic of Texas and the daughter of a former ranger.

Mrs. urwitz wrote that “a proposition has been made the family of Gen. Houston for the removal of the remains of that immortal chieftain from Texas to Tennessee.”

She continued, “I hope your patrioic and venerable body will offer a strong protest against any such proposition. A state which would allow [Houston’s removal] is not worthy of the grave of [Ben] Milam, Bowie, Travis or the memory of such a man as your [former ranger captain] Jack Hays.”

The aging rangers, used to saddling up and riding hard at a moment’s notice, acted quickly after hearing Mrs. urwitz’ letter. Voting unanimously, the veterans approved this resolution:

“Whereas, we have learned that there is a proposition to remove the remains of Gen. Houston from this state to Tennessee; be it “resolved, that we, the ex-rangers of Texas, are unalterably opposed to the removal of the remains of that hero from the land of his choice and the field of his illustrious and imperishable fame.

“resolved, that the remains of our immortal chieftain should abide in their final rest in the sacred soil of Texas, which he successfully defended and that an appropriate monument worthy of Texas should mark the grave which will be sought by patriotic pilgrims in increasing numbers through future ages.”

Texas newspapers of the day are silent on how it all played out, but Houston’s

remains stayed put in Huntsville. doubtless, most of the veteran rangers who voted for the resolution to keep the hero of San Jacinto in Texas would have defended Houston’s burial place with force of arms had the movement to move him progressed further.

As for the former rangers’

recommendation that “an appropriate monument” be placed over Houston’s final resting place, that took a little longer. not until April 21, 1911 – the 65th anniversary of San Jacinto – did assorted dignitaries show up for the dedication of a large granite monument at Houston’s grave.

Sharing the limelight with Alonzo Steele, the battle’s last survivor, the “Great Commoner” William Jennings Bryan gave

the keynote speech at the unveiling of the massive stone, which features a trio of bas reliefs of Houston by sculptor pompeo Coppini.

“It is [the] willingness to die for what one believes is right,” Bryan said that spring day, “that makes civilization possible.” – MIkE COX

The Black-eyed Pea!I can’t remember when the love affair began. Maybe it

was the first time I looked into Ann Margaret’s hazel eyes. I was sitting in the front row of the State Theater, and she was on the screen. I was mesmerized by her eyes. I was an “eyes” man in my teen years.

The next time I looked at those eyes they were swimming in their natural juices and cozying up to hunks of ham.

And even today I think of Ann Margaret every time I eat black-eyed peas. The tragedy of the aging process is that now I am more interested in the peas than I am the lady – and still would be if she looked now like she did back then.

I am a black-eyed peaholic. If I couldn’t eat them, I would sniff them. If I am to re-marry she must have eyes that look like black-eyed peas and would cook black eyed peas even better than my late mother.

I am told that Yankees feed black-eyed peas to their cattle. With a mentality like that, I can’t understand how the South managed to lose the Civil War to them. I suppose that under some circumstance, I, too, would feed black-eyed peas to a cow, but I’d have to love that cow

like a brother.Some people have a fascination with the food

chosen by a condemned man for his last meal, others think it is weirder to even have an appetite for a last meal. But I can understand why one would want to conclude his days here on earth with his favorite food. Without a doubt my choice would be black-eyed peas, hot homemade cornbread with country fresh butter, and some baby back pork ribs just to express my disdain for vegetarianism. If the Lord hadn’t meant for

us to eat meat, he wouldn’t have made tooth picks. And I would have a appetite, because I would have the joyous anticipation of a one way trip to heaven where all the black-eyed peas are garden fresh and angels churn fresh butter while their mothers spend time lovingly preparing acres of cornbread.

Forever, poets have sung the praises of spring, for its gift of rebirth, for the return of birds and grass and flowing streams and the disappearance of cold weather. They extol it as a time of union between man and woman, the season for romance. But I look upon spring as that magical season when you place the little black-eyed pea into the earth. And water it. And fertilize it. And wait for God to send forth his greatest miracle when that little seed pushes that first green harbinger of ecstasy through the ground.

When I see it, bells ring and the whole world is filled with a symphony of joy. Hallelujah, give praise to the coming of the black-eyed pea. We know they are here when the star shines bright over Hoovers restaurant, the Bethlehem of black-eyed peas and wise men pay homage to the annual birth of the tiny legume, and we celebrate and feast ourselves and give thanks that we live in a free land where we can eat all the black-eyed peas we want. God bless America, and the black-eyed pea!

Your emails are welcome send them to [email protected].

After having assured Texas’ independence from Mexico by

defeating Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Sam

Houston became the first president of the new republic of Texas.


TToday is April 18th and Sandra, the

publisher of this magazine, asked that our articles be turned in today. Whoops! It’s already 10 p.m., so I guess tomorrow morning will have to do.

This day has been full of deadlines. Tax day, April 15th, was last Friday, but Washington d.C. was celebrating the anniversary of the emancipation proclamation, and in so doing, bought me a few more precious hours to do my taxes. did I take full advantage of the gift? nope. I squandered the time, and consequently today saw me rushing to file an extension. Whatever!

I also had promised my wife that I would bathe and dip two of our dogs on Sunday. Well, it’s Monday, so after work tonight I got that done. now, finally here we are again enjoying our monthly conversation.

I think that it is probably a good thing I have to get this written tonight, because I would otherwise become increasingly depressed watching the talking heads on cable TV telling me how this country is going to hell in a hand basket. There’s my tie-in. If we don’t curtail our spending, we may all have to depend on the chicken in our backyards to survive. So on to things chicken.

A lot of the questions this past month

have been related to soft egg shells, and what can be done to prevent that condition. I suspect that a lot of it is the result of an early warming trend. usually this happens later and is heat related. More about that in a minute.

Soft shells could mean a lack of calcium or Vitamin d in the diet. Older hens need more as they age, and warm weather means the hens eat less and thus consume less calcium. Limestone, crushed oyster shell, and even vitamin-mineral preparations placed in the water can make a big difference and should alleviate the problem. If the condition worsens or does not improve, then serious disease may be the culprit. Infectious Bronchitis comes to mind immediately, and antibiotic therapy may be needed.

Sometimes an egg may be expelled prematurely and have a soft shell – the chicken may have been frightened or stressed. egg shells are formed right before the egg is laid, so some unsettling event could cause the egg to leave before it was ready.

Well, it’s late now, and a sudden quiet has settled over the house. I guess the dip must have worked on the dogs, because earlier the whole place was shaking like a ride on the old wooden roller coaster at Six Flags in Arlington.

adios – miKe YounG

Tailwind pictures announces opportunities for movie enthusiasts to chase their dreams and appear in “Blake’s Country,” starring country music teenage sensation, Kylie Morgan. The film begins principal photography in August, and is announcing a sweepstakes for a teenage girl, between 13 - 18 years, to appear in a scene in the movie.

Slated for release in december 2011, Blake’s Country is a movie for anyone with a dream and passion to pursue it. It’s the story of a young girl choosing between giving up her dream of singing or returning to the stage she loves. The film’s star is Kylie Morgan, just 15-years-old, but already an established singer/songwriter who has been voted by the Country Music Association (CMA) as “Who new to Watch.”

“We want everyone – from teens to adults – to walk away from this movie feeling inspired and empowered to follow their dreams, “ said ron Morris, president of Tailwind pictures. “It’s especially important for teen girls to find their voices, and not just the singing kind. Morgan’s character, Blake nelson, will touch the ‘inner voice’ in so many girls.”

The Blake’s Country “dare to dream” Sweepstakes launches today and invites girls, between 13 - 18 years, to live their dreams by entering their names to win the grand prize – appearing in a Blake’s Country movie scene with Morgan. The winner, a friend and guardian will be flown to Oregon for the filming in August. Airfare, transportation, hotel and meals are included in the winner’s package. Second prize is a 3-day, 2-night trip to nashville for the winner and guardian to attend the movie premiere in december. Fifty third prize winners will receive a Blake’s Country t-shirt. The first 500 girls who sign up to enter the sweepstakes will receive a signed Blake's Country movie poster. Free to enter, the sweepstakes form is available now at

www.blakesfan.com. Submissions close on June 15. Winners will be notified on June 30.

Follow the launch of the Blake nelson Fan Club, www.blakesfan.com, which gives members the inside scoop on the movie production, Morgan’s songs, and more. Free to participate, fans can earn points for joining and referring others to the club – which can be used for purchasing her songs and specialty items. They also can track Morgan’s cross-country bus tour from her hometown of Oklahoma City to the production town of Bend, Ore.

Three inspiring songs, recorded by Morgan, from the yet-to-be released Blake’s Country album are being made available today for download from the Blake nelson Fan Club’s music page. Songs include “Country Girl,” “High Heels,” and “Find Myself.” Cost to purchase is $1.29 per song.

For further information, visit http://www.blakesfan.com.

Tailwind Pictures announces Opportunities for Film Enthusiasts to appear in “Blake’s Country” and Chase Their Dream


Pthe outdoor classroom by Larry LeBlanc

panfish, whether you call them, bream, sunfish, perch, bluegill, crappie or whatever, are some of the most populous fresh water fish in this great state of ours. If caught in sizes that range from 1 pound up, and filleted, they are great eating. We all know that crappie are the most sought after and many of we anglers consider crappie the optimum in freshwater fish dining. They are so popular that the Texas parks and Wildlife department (TpWd) has to regulate the number and size crappie that may be taken. The rest of them, however are free from those restrictions and that is because of the mental attitude of many anglers.

When we take our children out fishing, the first fish they usually catch are members of this panfish lot. The reason is the small panfish will bite on hot-dogs, worms, bread, shrimp; you name it, and they will take it. noise is not too much of a problem for the small fish either, so the talking from the bank or squirming around in a boat is of little consequence. That is how we picture bream; small, feisty little fish for the kids to catch.

If you want larger, eating size, panfish then it is important to be a little more careful about the noise, and necessary to get down to a more serious fishing technique.

You know, after some considerable thought; I cannot remember the last time I participated in, or heard of, a perch tournament, or a bream rodeo. I have yet to see a “sunfish boat” given as a prize at a tournament.

no matter, let’s take a look at some serious fishing

techniques that will help us take home a mess of these hard fighting, for their size, good eating inhabitants of our lakes, ponds, and rivers.

When a panfish reaches the size of a man’s hand, it has been around long enough to become leery of noise and anything out of place in their surrounding. When it grows larger, they are as wary as any black bass ever was. Adopting that attitude is how they live long enough to attain the larger size. With this in mind, quite must be the first order of the day. Any unnatural noise will spook the larger bream into the next county. A paddle banged against the boat, a tackle box lid banged open or shut, a dropped can or water bottle, even a squeaky seat, are all examples of everyday fishing noises that can scare away the quarry.

Once your fishing environment has been brought to normal a good location must be found. In large lakes head out to the thickest, most out of the way, cover you can find. dense stands of trees, logs and other structures under the water, that offers hiding places for the bream. Look also for water that will run 12’ to 22’ deep. Just because the small bream are around the rocks and boat docks, in shallow water does not mean the big ones will be there also.

Before you get all head up to go fishing for panfish in one of the large lakes, consider also that many record panfish, are fish taken out of relatively small ponds. So don’t get discouraged if just want to wet a hook for a little while, when you consider the work necessary to hook up the boat; and assemble all of the fishing gear, time, and money to go to the lake. Find a nice farm pond and give it a try.

You catch a cooler full of good hand size bream and you will have a lot of fun and a lot of good eating.

PHO

TO B

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RRy

J. LE

BLA

NC

Guide Butch Terpe shows how he has to rig a crappie jig with a split shot to get the jig deep enough in windy conditions.


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A Day in the Life

5:07 a.m. – Awaken in anticipation of the alarm’s bothersome tone set to start its morning screeching in just three minutes. Abruptly turning it off and reaching for the light, my mind slowly reminds myself of what it is that I am suppose to be doing, when, where, time, tackle, baits, conditions…

5:21 a.m. – remembering that my phone is still on my bed stand, I make a quick run back to the house.

5:37 a.m. – The first stop of the day. The only sure bet is this particular 24-hour gas station. Swipe, and the boat’s fuel is filling fast. I reach for the Stabil treatment, measure out how much I need to mix with the newly loaded fuel and complete with a printed receipt for tax record. Ouch. Fuel is high right now if you weren’t aware. A quick run into the store for the last minute necessities; 99 cent Green Tea, bag of ice and an apple fritter.

5:52 a.m. – Back in the truck and en route to the lake to meet clients. realize I am listening to a 90’s pop music station and make a quick change, still pondering how long I had been listening to MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This.”

6:17 a.m. – pull into the park with two boats in line to launch and don’t yet see the clients I will be guiding for the day. Having a minute to wait before clients arrive, I pulled out the Temple

Fork Outfitter (yeah, I just did that) rods we would be fishing with and make a last minute decision to cut all the baits off and change plans. Buzz baits over a shallow flat.

6:28 a.m. – Clients arrive. I explain where the life jackets and fire extinguisher are in case they lose me somewhere along the way and we are off.

6:33 a.m. – We arrive to our starting water. A little windy but not near what was anticipated.

6:39 a.m. – First strike and it’s a miss.

6:41 a.m. – Same location and Fish On!

6:59 a.m. – Let’s move. The fish should be eating better this time of year. They are somewhere.

7:07 a.m. – First cast and Fish On! Client is pleased with the 4-pounder and we take a couple pictures.

7:32 a.m. – A few missed fish and I make a decision to change tactics and location.

7:51 a.m. – There’s the wind that was supposed to be blowing… We arrive to a “for sure” spot with new baits; Shakey Head rigged Get Five dinero in Green pumpkin and a small Carolina-rigged Stanley Side-Winder in Watermelon red.

8:03 a.m. – The magic begins to unfold. A large mouth barrels the surface as

the client frantically yells, “It’s HuGe!”

8:05 a.m. – pictures. Smiles.

8:07 a.m. – With the wind gust growing in strength, the boat is finally back into position and cast from the guys aboard are slung back out to the “sweet spot.” One lands short due to a back-lash.

8:11 a.m. – Back-lash is finally taken care of as I notice his line moving the opposite direction as the wind. “SeT THe HOOK!” Fish On! Another good one and as it’s being fought, I am trying to keep the boat in position with the howling winds and keep from eating his line with my trolling motor, I hear, “I got one too!” At this point, complete disorder.

8:16 a.m. – Both fish are landed, baits are changed due to mauled plastic from aggressive fish, pictures taken and sent to wives, buddies and placed on Facebook. Lines are back in the water.

8:21 a.m. – The chaos continues… Cast after cast… After cast. “Jackpot.”

10:47 a.m. – “I’m tired of catching them here, can we do something else?” I was in complete agreement. I have an idea.

10:51 a.m. – I tie on double-Take Hooks with a ribbit frog on their rods. One is watermelon seed, the other is black and orange. The clients drink a bottle of water, look at pictures from previous fish and we all have a good laugh about some of the funny stories that played out… *Insert:

Fish Tale of the one that we never got to see.

11:07 a.m. – We arrive. perfect. The grass flat was patchy and the wind had bait piled deep into the edges. I lift the trolling motor shaft as the guys jump up, grab their poles and inquire as to what they do with the frog.

11:11 a.m. – After a quick lesson, they are fishing and I am guiding them on the best looking areas to cast.

11:17 a.m. – An explosion throws the clients frog out of the water. A miss.

11:20 a.m. – Again an absolute detonation and the sound of drag screaming… Fish On!

11:23 a.m. – “I might never put this frog down… Where do I buy these?” – Addicted client.

11:23 a.m. – Mid-explanation of where to get them and some explanation of when and where to fish them, Fish On!

12:15 a.m. – Six more fish. “Our wives are going to be mad if we don’t get back…”

A day in the Life brought to you by: Champion Toyota of Austin, renewal by Andersen of Austin, Brazos Children’s Center, Stanley, Temple Fork Outfitters, ranch road Creative Solutions, Kids Outdoor Zone, Get Five, X-point Hooks, Vicious Fishing, Country Line Magazine, Bass Champs.


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