National Treasure Restored

Drum roll for Mike and Wanda Day of Telford, Tennessee for renovating a dilapidated farm house that played an important role during the Battle of Limestone Station, Tennessee on September 8, 1863. The house at 138 Davy Crockett Road, Limestone, Tennessee has been a family project since the Day’s family purchased it in 2006. Three generations of their family have worked on the ca 1825 home that local legend says served as an infirmary to the wounded Union Army after the Battle of Limestone Station. A Tennessee historical marker was placed near the home on October 20, 2000. I first saw the house on a visit to nearby Jonesborough during the 2007 National Story Telling Festival. The Spring House at the rear of this house became the cover for my first book in the Westward Sagas series (Spring House – ISBN 0-9777484-0-5 – Plum Creek Press). I look forward to seeing the restored home on my next trip to Tennessee.

Job Well Done!

 

Heritage Center Gala

I attended the opening gala of the South Texas Heritage Center at the Witte Museum, May 3^rd with friend, Mamie Carter, advisory trustee and long time member of the Witte. A black tie affair, I chose to wear a bolo tie crafted by Jaime Buitron and black goat skin Lucchese boots with my tux. As formal as this cowboy gets, but appropriate for the opening of the Heritage Center named in honor of King Ranch heirs, Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg.

The mud wagon of Captain Richard King, founder of the famous King Ranch, was on display. It drew much attention, as well as a vast collection of ranching memorabilia, donated by South Texas ranchers.   

Dinner was served by the RK group in the garden, under the stars.  The sculpture of Gutzon Borglum’s “On the Trail” could be seen from our table. Borglum created Mt. Rushmore; a winter Texan, with his studio in Alamo Heights. Agnes Harwell, Witte Board Trustee, entertained our table with tales of her childhood days in San Antonio.  

After dinner, we were entertained by The Sounds of Cactus Country, who played both kinds of music; country and western. The Texas style fandango finished with an impressive fireworks display that reflected on the waters of the San Antonio River.

The South Texas Heritage Center officially opens to the public on May 26, 2012. If you like Texas history, you will be impressed with the exhibit.

San Antonio River at the Witte

Talkin’ Texan

Being a fifth generation Texan, I have often been told I talk funny. When I travel I sometimes feel intimidated by the comments on my accent from people who aren’t from Texas. Can you imagine being told by a cab driver from Brooklyn that you talk funny?

There are different dialects spoken by natives of the Lone Star State. Texans from the piney woods of East Texas have a twang that surpasses any Georgia cracker you will ever meet. I enjoy the accents in West Texas the best and love the way they say “bidness” (business).

Texas has been a melting pot of diverse cultures for 300 years, starting with the Canary Islanders to San Antonio, followed by land impresarios bringing settlers from Germany to the Texas Hill Country, Alsatians to Castroville, and Polish settlers to Panna Maria in South Texas. Each came with their native tongue, now five or six generations later. They all sound the same with a friendly Texas drawl and a tip of the hat. How ya’ll doing? I love that drawl and sure missing hearing it when I’m away from home.

Over the years I’ve found that words used in my family were not always understood outside the home. You should have seen the look my waitress gave me when I told her the glass of milk she brought was “blinky,” which to me meant it was about to spoil. Frequently older members referred to being “all stove up,” which was their way of describing joint or muscle pain. I have no idea where the word “stove up” or “blinky” came from. Are they unique to my family? Can anyone tell me?

 

Turn Out the Lights, the Party is Over

As the Willie Nelson song goes, after the last float in the Flambeau Parade passes Saturday night, the 2012 San Antonio Fiesta is over. The city will be back to normal by Monday morning; many organizations that make this grand event possible will start planning for next year’s Fiesta, as always looking to make it bigger and better.

The grand finale of Fiesta is the Flambeau, the largest illuminated night parade in America. Flambeau is a French word, for a long candlestick or burning torch. The early Flambeau parades were lit by torch-bearing brigades of men carrying pyrotechnic type flares on the end of 5 foot poles. Today, thanks to long lasting batteries and portable generators, lighting the parade has been greatly improved and much safer.  

Known as the people’s parade where everyone can participate, if their entry is approved by the parade committee. Shriners in fez’s, dressed as clowns, riding bikes and little motor cars. It’s hard to tell who is having the most fun, the spectators or the participants. Lighted floats with Fiesta royality and special guests from all over. It’s a grand ole time in San Antonio every April. Come next year and the señorita’s will show you their el zapatos.

Viva Fiesta 2013!

Pilgrimage to the Alamo

The annual Pilgrimage to the Alamo doesn’t draw as much media attention or Fiesta revelers and spectators as other Fiesta events. The Alamo Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas’ annual pilgrimage to the Alamo is the only silent and somber event of the week long Fiesta, San Antonio celebration. The procession of Daughters and Sons of the Republic of Texas and other heritage, civic, school and military groups, step off from the Municipal Auditorium at 3:30 p.m. and slowly proceed to the Alamo, bearing memorial tributes to the Alamo heroes.  

Once a year, the chains are removed from the grassy area directly in front of the Alamo Chapel to allow laying of the wreaths as the procession reaches the Alamo. Names of the Alamo Defenders are read and a brief memorial service is held ending in Taps. It is a proper and fitting start to Fiesta honoring those 189 men who died defending the Alamo, which is why San Antonio, Texas celebrates Fiesta.

Defenders of the Alamo, click here – http://www.thealamo.org/battle/defenders.php

Remember the Alamo, Goliad and celebrate San Jacinto!