Marval Movie

What the heck am I going to write about for the month of April?   www.a-to-zchallenge.com
I am going to fill 26 days with ........................drum roll..........
Eye on Texas.   This crazy eyeball sculpture is in Dallas across from the Joule Hotel.  But Dallas and Fort Worth are too obvious to explore. I always say you should look in your own backyard for fun. Well, Texas is a huge state, so that's a lot of terrain and there are a multitude of little cities and towns.

 I'm going to pick a place for each letter of the alphabet and advise on the excitement - it could be one traffic light, maybe one historical marker, or perhaps something beyond unique.  Join me as I peruse a map and search out some good eats too.

I have a bizarre subtheme in mind too. But you'll have to read my blog daily in April to see what else is in store.

Oh, we're gonna have a ton of fun, y'all..........See ya in April

Eye on Texas - Today is the letter C. Let's visit Cut and Shoot, Texas (population 1000) and located near Houston.

per Wikipedia:
According to one local legend, Cut and Shoot was named after a 1912 community confrontation that almost led to violence. According to differing versions of the story, the dispute was either over:^[4]

• The design of a new steeple for the town's only church,
• The issue of who should be allowed to preach there, or
• The conflicting land claims among church members.

Whatever the circumstances were, a small boy at the scene reportedly declared "I'm going to cut around the corner and shoot through the bushes in a minute!" This statement apparently stayed in the residents' minds and was eventually adopted as the town's name.^[5] It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.<sup>[6][7]


Bonus -  Downton Abbey's Countess Violet to Lord Grantham - Your father always told the village what they wanted.

funny how a tv show quote could apply to old Cut and Shoot back in the day. However, their town name would probably be very bland.</sup>

Eye on Texas - Let's visit Dripping Springs, Texas located west of Austin. It has a population close to 2000 people and the spring has a steady trickle.




Three families from Mississippi settled in Dripping Springs in 1854 thanks to the abundant trees, wildlife, and water. Farming expanded and the production of cotton. Livestock proved important to growth with wool and mohair from sheep and goats.

Today with its location near Austin and Lake Travis, tourists can enjoy the bounty of the Hill Country and no doubt some tasty BBQ.


Bonus -Let's have a Downton Abbey quote from our favorite cook Mrs. Pattmore
"Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I wish I had a sow's ear. It would be better than this brisket."

 Eye on Texas - E is for Eden, Texas near San Angelo is central west Texas. Half of the 2800 person population are inmates in the For-Profit Prison, Eden Detention Center
 I wonder if they feel blessed?
Founded in the 1840s, Eden was named after Frederick Ede and became official in 1882. Farming, oil, livestock, and hunting - Eden has it all, along with these restaurants - The Burrito Lady, Chuy's BBQ, Happy Hollon's Grub Bus, and more. Various festivals can be enjoyed - the Spring Stampede, the Green Apple Music Series, and Christmas on the Square.

Eden looks like a lovely little community  www.edentexas.com.    Just don't pick up any hitchhikers in prison garb.

Bonus Downton Abbey quote by Lady Violet  " I do hope I'm interrupting something."

I shall give a Texan translation "Hey, am I interrupting something, y'all"

www.a-to-zchallenge.com
 Our Letter F today travels to Fredericksburg Texas located in the hill country. Founded in 1846, with its large German influence, today it has a population of 10,000 and a large tourist flow.
There's a biergarten on the main street, and winery tours abound.  Peaches, lavender, and wildflower seeds are important agriculture products. Plenty of cutesy shops will keep you poking into corners.

Hungry? I bet the Longhorn Café has a monster chicken fried steak, or Porky's Burgers will offer cholesterol heaven.

Eye on Texas brings you the letter G with all guns blazing from Gun Barrel City Texas. ( I liked the name)
www.gunbarrelcity.net

This is a young community with the motto "We shoot straight with you". It's southeast of Dallas and now has a population of 5000. The town emphasizes access to Cedar Creek Lake, so plan on zooming on a jet ski in the summer.

Hungry?  Check out the First and Last Bar and Grill  or I'm betting the Jalapeno Tree can set your mouth on fire.

Let's end with the city manager's recipe of the month featured on their web site

Bill Hanstrom’s CORNBREAD CHILI CASSEROLE
1 15 OZ Can Wolf Brand Chili/NO BEANS
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn (drained)
1 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Chopped Bell Pepper
2 Cups Shredded Cheese
2 Packages Cornbread Mix (prepared per instructions)
Heat chili and pour into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.  Spread corn, onion, bell pepper and cheese over chili.  Pour the cornbread mixture over the top of ingredients.
Bake at 375 for 20 – 30 minutes or until cornbread is done.
Serve with Picante Sauce         


     

Eye on Texas is 30 miles of west of San Antonio to visit H for Hondo Texas
It was established in 1881 thanks to the Southern Pacific Railroad.  I picked this town for its sign


Hondo seems like a regular suburb. The reason to live here is to be close to San Antonio which is way cool with the Riverwalk, the Alamo, and slurp worthy margaritas.

Thus, let's throw in another town  -
 647 people live in Happy Texas - the town without a frown.  Apparently it was named in the 1800s when some cowboys were happy to find water there. That's sorta the story of Texas - looking for that magic elixir to quench the thirst.

And a bonus quote from Downton Abby's Dowager Countess - Why do you always have to pretend to be nicer than the rest of us?

Eye on Texas is NOT going to Italy, Texas.  I am making a rude assumption that they have bad pizza

Idalou, Texas is near Lubbock and involves cotton farming. Good for them, but does not make for a thrilling blog post.  Yawn

How about Iraan Texas - I bet that name can cause some issues these days, if you misspell it. This Pecos County town in West Texas was named after ranchland owners Ira and Ann Yates. 1926 discovery of oil is key to the boom growth at that time. Today the town of 1,600 has NO tourist attractions.



Let's throw in a bonus Downton quote from the Dowager - First electricity, now telephones. Sometimes I feel as if I'm living in an H.G.Wells novel.

So much for the Letter I

 Eye on Texas - J had a shock this morning. She looked for her J post and it wasn't there. She was NOT Jolly, because she had picked Jolly Texas to kick things off.  So I am winging it.
 Then I picked Justin Texas because that's where I drive my hour to work. This weekend it's packed with folks for NASCAR. Hee haw. That's why I did not work on Friday. I did not need any part of that circus.
Justin is also famous for its Justin boots.
And I can also vouch for a darn delicious chicken fried steak at Mom's Café

Sorry this is rushed, but that's Joanne's J adventure.

Have a great weekend.  (I checked - my K is intact for Monday)

Jolly good!

 Eye on Texas visits K for Knickerbocker. It's an unincorporated community but I liked the name.


For any attractions, food, hotels, etc. you need to head to San Angelo.  But looks like Knickerbocker has that spare Texas rugged look.  

Kick Ass K

 La Grange is located north west of Houston along the Colorado River.

On January 17, 1849, Heinrich Ludwig Kreische, a recent German immigrant, purchased 172 acres (70 ha) of land which included the tomb. He built a three-story house and, in 1860, began building a brewery. By 1879, it was the third-largest brewing operation in Texas, with its flagship product being "Kreische's Bluff Beer." Kreische maintained the tomb for the rest of his life, but the tomb and Kreische Brewery began to deteriorate after his death in 1882. The brewery closed in 1884.
 Probably one of the most notorious, but famous, spots is located just outside of La Grange - the famous Chicken Ranch brothel.

Representation in popular culture[edit]

• ZZ Top attracted international attention to La Grange with its classic rock song "La Grange" (1973), which referred to "that shack outside La Grange".
• La Grange's attractions inspired the hit stage musical play in 1979, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, as well as the 1982 movie based on that play.
• The town is also mentioned in the song "Northeast Texas Women" by Willis Alan Ramsey.
• Charlie Robison mentions La Grange in his song "My Hometown" ("We worked 80 hours makin' time-and-a-half, but La Grange was too damn hot").
• A local playwright composed a musical featuring La Grange in "Heart of the Tin Trunk".

Thanks to Wikipedia for our tour of La Grange, Texas today. 

end with ZZ Top guitar licks and growl.....just outside La Grange........

Eye on Texas - let's head west to Marfa, Texas for the letter M.

Marfa is a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, located between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park.  The city was founded in the early 1880s as a waterstop; the population increased during World War II, but the growth stalled and reversed somewhat during the late 20th century.
 rugged desert plains. Make sure you have plenty of gas in your pick-up truck if you choose to trek out here
 Today, Marfa is a tourist destination and a major center for Minimalist art. Attractions include Building 98, the Chinati Foundation, artisan shops, historical architecture, a classic Texas town square, modern art installments, and art galleries.

I always thought the Prada, Marfa sounded cool - it was just plopped out in the desert - a bare storefront. What does it mean?  or stand for?
Marfa may be most famous for the Marfa lights, visible on clear nights between Marfa and the Paisano Pass when one is facing southwest (toward the Chinati Mountains). According to the Handbook of Texas Online, "... at times they appear colored as they twinkle in the distance. They move about, split apart, melt together, disappear, and reappear.

I always thought I'd like to visit Marfa, Texas but it's a loooonnnnggg  drive through a whole lot of desert nothingness to get there. Texas is a huge state - check your map. If you visit Marfa, fill me in on the cool factor.

 
 Stephen F. Austin University is located here. There is a restored historical train depot as well as other museums.
 random informasi - the city of 20,000 people is the largest producer of blueberries in Texas. It's known for its azaleas, and forested areas.
.
From Wikipedia - In 1912, the Marx Brothers came to town to perform their singing act at the old Opera House (now the SFA Cole Art Center). Their performance was interrupted by a man who came inside shouting, "Runaway mule!" Most of the audience left the building, apparently thinking a runaway mule would provide better entertainment. When they filed back in, Julius (later known as Groucho) began insulting them, saying "Nacogdoches is full of roaches!" and "The jackass is the flower of Tex-ass!"

Plenty of history to enjoy in the Nacogdoches area. And any town with a university such as Stephen F. Austin University has plenty of entertainment and restaurants. Enjoy!

Oh dear - what does the Countess on Downton Abbey have to say -
"Why would you want to go to a real school? You're not a doctor's daughter. "