Category Archives: Texana

Cardinal at the rancho

Posted on November 23, 2011 | Comments Off on Cardinal at the rancho

Snoop’s shot of one of our backyard buddies. It’s been long enough since the Rangers lost the series that it’s safe for the bird to show his face again.

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Posted in Blogosphere, Rancho Roly Poly, Texana

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The badge gang in the air

Posted on November 22, 2011 | Comments Off on The badge gang in the air

Much as I dislike the new militarization of the police, with their black SS uniforms and automatic rifles and flash-bang grenades, especially when their SWAT teams charge through some ordinary person’s front door without so much as a by-your-leave, I have to applaud this idea.

It’s got the stupid armored personnel carriers beat. It might even be useful for stealthy following of fleeing suspects in their cars, cutting down on the number of bystanders killed in high-speed chases by the Houston badge gang without flashing lights or sirens.

There is the reasonable worry, however, that the gang will escalate and arm these things.

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Posted in Blogosphere, Science/Engineering, Texana

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More rain this week?

Posted on November 21, 2011 | Comments Off on More rain this week?

So says WeatherBELL meteorologist Joe Bastardi (formerly of Accuweather):

“Rain is coming for Round Rock  and surrounding environs in the southern plains  early [this] week and  it’s something that is at a premium in a La Nina winter.  The  area from the Trans Pecos  northeast through  northeast Texas and into Oklahoma and Arkansas  could have widespread  1-2 inch amounts…”

Of course this is similar to the forecasts last week, when we got a mere quarter inch altogether. We’ll have to hope Mr. Bastardi knows better.

Meanwhile his colleague, Dr. Dewpoint (Joe D’Aleo), sketches out the wholly natural and therefore repeating AMO and PMO causes of our ongoing drought:

“We have many Texans reading our blogs and the serious drought has affected their lives. Almost every year, other parts of the world have experienced serious drought.  It is of course most likely in areas that are semi-arid to begin with but sometimes extends into areas where rainfall is normally abundant.“

UPDATE: As of Wednesday, Nov. 23, we’ve had about an inch of rain with more expected Friday-Saturday. No drought-buster, but welcome.

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Posted in Blogosphere, Rancho Roly Poly, Scribbles, Texana, Weather/Climate

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Psychedelic Cow

Posted on November 20, 2011 | Comments Off on Psychedelic Cow

Snoop’s good work from his recent visit to the Rancho, this one of the painted cows in front of the Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin.

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Posted in Blogosphere, Scribbles, Texana

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The worst Texas team ever

Posted on November 19, 2011 | Comments Off on The worst Texas team ever

They have no offense worthy of the name. They can’t score points! The star running backs were healthy but they couldn’t do it. Neither quarterback could consistently connect with his receivers and, in any case, the offensive line didn’t give them time to pass. Only the kicker was consistent with two field goals, and, unbelievably, three tackles.

The defense kept the offense in the game but still gave up 17 points to Kansas State. Not to mention sorry coaching (kicking a field goal with 4 minutes to play instead of going for a tie was stupid) and horrible officiating (will someone please find Cooper Castleberry a guide dog). So they lose again, 17-13, which very likely heralds their last two games, as well. Two bad years in a row. Pathetic.

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Posted in Blogosphere, Scribbles, Texana, Texas Football

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Fozzy’s dilemma

Posted on November 19, 2011 | Comments Off on Fozzy’s dilemma

If college football were honest (and the Penn State 10-year child-rape coverup is just one more proof that it isn’t), then injured Texas running back Fozzy Whittaker’s future wouldn’t be so questionable. As Cobb says:

“College football is big business and the kids should get their share, but they don’t. When the NCAA jumps on the case of this or that star athlete getting money, they are ridiculously hypocritical. Any first year law student could figure out a more equitable business plan that pays student athletes in trust.”

Fozzy could have a fat trust account waiting for him by now, which would make his busted knee, acquired in indentured servitude to the NCAA, less of a dilemma.

Million-dollar Texas coach Mack Brown agreed that Fozzy hasn’t gotten a fair reward from the university, but that he will heal and eventually play on Sundays, implying that his servitude is okay because some day he’ll get the big pro bucks. But he (and all the others who aren’t as good) really ought to have the money already waiting for them. They’ve earned it.

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Posted in Blogosphere, Texana, Texas Football

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Egg Nog vs Skim Milk

Posted on November 18, 2011 | Comments Off on Egg Nog vs Skim Milk

Every time I see some liberal, such as a particular columnist in the Democrat daily, for one, refer to Fox News as “Faux News,” I’m reminded of this quote from Stanford economist Thomas Sowell:

“Watching CNN after watching Fox News Network is like drinking skim milk after you have gotten used to egg nog.”

Which is undoubtedly why Fox News is far and away more popular than CNN—much to the consternation of the Dems, alarmed that one of the six television networks doesn’t toe their political line.

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Posted in Library, Texana

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