I Love Texas & Other Idiosyncrasies

This morning I did my daily look at Facebook to see the daily look at former Fort Worth native and admirer of what the Bass Family has done to downtown Fort Worth, now exiled in Tacoma, MLK's, daily face photo, when I saw that MLK had shared a photo of a heart that says, "I LOVE TEXAS" on it.

I sure do love writing run-on sentences. But, I digress.

There were 3 comments regarding the I LOVE TEXAS heart.

I found the 3 comments amusing....

Tamera Royer: Hell yea.

Cow Thief: You can get the "I LOVE TEXAS" ones, but only at a few places. This is a special production run from NECCO. At one time I would get them and give them out but it got to the point to where people were DEMANDING them!

Tara Butler: Who doesn't?

Yeah. Who doesn't love Texas? There is so much to love that is so lovable in Texas.

From MLK's Facebook I LOVE TEXAS heart photo I learned that there is an I LOVE TEXAS Facebook page.

On the I LOVE TEXAS Facebook page I learned what John Steinbeck thought about Texas via the I LOVE TEXAS Facebook page's page description...

"I Love Texas" is all about the Great State of Texas and why we love her! 

"Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word. A Texan outside of Texas is a foreigner." John Steinbeck

From the above we learn that, according to John Steinbeck, former Fort Worth native, MLK, is currently a foreigner.

MLK is temporarily returning to Fort Worth during the 4th of July time frame. I do not know if MLK's visit to Texas will be of long enough duration for her to lose her foreigner status.

Morning 12 Of April Dawns Blue & Dry In Texas

It appears that the 12th morning of April is beginning with a blue sky, judging from the limited view from my primary viewing portal on the outer world.

That outer world is currently heated to 31 degrees above freezing, heading to a supposed high today of 76.

The weather predictors are not predicting any rain to electrical action for today. The weather predictors are predicting rain and electrical action for the following 4 days, from Friday through Monday.

I got some interesting comments to yesterday's bloggings about the Bass family and David Lunsford.

I think I will go swimming now before it gets any hotter and whilst swimming I will ponder from whence my attitude towards Fort Worth's Bass family comes. Among other things.

Fort Worth's Corrupt Conflicts Of Interest From Yesterday & Today On My Blog & In Fort Worth Weekly

Yesterday I got a blog comment from someone named Anonymous to a blog post from over 3 years ago; January 4, 2009, to be precise.

The blog post commented on was titled "Corrupt Conflicts Of Interest Taking Over Fort Worth."

The comment seemed to allege an erroneous allegation about someone named David Lunsford.

About David Lunsford the January 4, 2009 post said...

And in yet one more example of a conflict of interest, this morning I learned that Lead Gas Drilling Inspector, David Lunsford, now works for a pipeline company. Lunsford has been quoted as saying he rarely received complaints. Lunsford was known to dismiss gas drilling concerns out of hand. One can not help but wonder how much effort Lunsford put into protecting the public, when he had a cushy pipeline job waiting for him.

I do not remember who was sending me info about these conflicts of interest and David Lunsford, now, over 3 years later, though I sort of have a slight inkling as to who it was.

I referred to this individual as "Deep Throat." Very original.

I hit the publish button on the comment, yesterday, and thought no more about it.

Until today when I was reading the latest edition of Fort Worth Weekly.

The comment from Anonymous, to my blog post from over 3 years ago, was......

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Corrupt Conflicts Of Interest Taking Over Fort Worth": 

From Check your facts - David Lunsford had no cushy pipeline job to go to. He left because of the illegal corruption brought about by the new city manager. In fact because of his high standards and not wanting involvement in the city's illegal actions he quit. SO before you go throwing blame around you need to check your facts. 

And then, just a few minutes ago I'm reading this week's FW Weekly's Static column titled "Smart Career Move", to read the following two paragraphs....

Remember Fort Worth Mayor Ken Barr? He helped draft the city’s first gas well ordinance in 2001 and then stepped down as mayor. Barr’s departure allowed the oil-rich ex-Sen. Mike Moncrief to become mayor and provide protection for the industry in those early years before anyone knew to ask questions about pipelines, water usage, toxic emissions, infrastructure damage, decreased property values, etc.

What happened to Barr? He went to work for Chesapeake. So did Brian Boerner, Fort Worth’s former environmental manager. The gas industry also hired David Lunsford, who was Fort Worth’s lead gas inspector in those early years and never met a drill rig he didn’t love. Meanwhile, little known (and ethically challenged) Eastside resident Danny Scarth served on the city’s gas drilling task force in 2006 and was so friendly to drillers that they financed his campaign for city council, where he remains.

Methinks maybe it is this guy or gal named Anonymous who needs to do him or herself some fact checking.

This Morning I Heard From A Relative Of Geronimo About Jesse James

I get a lot of comments to my various blogs. They are often interesting. Or amusing. Or both.

But it is not my blogs that usually get the best of the comments, it is my Eyes on Texas website that usually gets the best of the comments, only on that website, I call the comments "Feedback."

Years ago, after a local bit of nonsense sprung up in Granbury about Jesse James, I added "The Truth About Jesse Jame" to my Eyes on Texas website.

This morning I got "Feedback" from a relative of Geronimo, asking me about Jesse James.....

The man known as deacon reminds me of some of the Jennings. They were in Kansas City, Missouri at that time, left in 1869. Albert A. Jennings, who is a cousin of the James Brother, as well and the Youngers, he was there in Missouri for while since he left Reddish River North Carolina after his marriage to his wife Mary Pollanna Muse. 1853, the son of John Thomas Jennings and Nancy I. Irving or Irvin, one of the founding people probably founded the place between Fort Worth and Dallas. I suspect Albert A. Jennings was a member of the James gang. For some reason he changed his last name from Jennings to Gennings or Gennins, like he was on the lam.

Also have you heard the story were Jesse James sold the rifles and ammo to the Lakota Sioux that ended in the destruction of another cousin, General George Armstrong Custer, even though he really deserved what he had did to my red brothers.

Guess I would classify myself part Indian, for interest sake, i am married to the great great great granddaughter of Geronimo, through his second wife and daughter Tosey, who married Jose Ramirez. Of course my wife was born in a place called Idabel, Oklahoma.

On your page you should have the photo of Jesse James when he was there, took with some sheriff or somebody of that time.

On The Dried Out Tandy Hills Looking At The Upgraded Tarrant County Courthouse & Bass Family Damage To Downtown Fort Worth

Close Up Look At Beautiful Downtown Fort Worth

I decided to go with my sunny optimistic nature and go to the Tandy Hills today assuming that sufficient time had passed since Sunday's deluge to dry the trails sufficiently to allow mud-free hiking.

My sunny optimistic nature was not disappointed.

But, I would have been happy to have Mother Nature dial back on the humidity a bit.

In the picture I zoomed in, as best I could, on the Tarrant County Courthouse. That is the pointy structure to the right of that short skyscraper that looks like it is not completed yet.

Downtown Fort Worth does not have any, for want of a better way to say it, interestingly designed skyscrapers. I assume there has never been enough money in the downtown Fort Worth skyscraper budget to build a memorable one.

The twin towers to the south of the courthouse, the eastern one of which you see in the picture, are particularly odd. It's like some C-Student architect thought it clever to have cut-outs and indents that give the appearance that the building gave up being completed. And no one thought to tell the C-Student architect that that particular design looks tacky. And so it was built.

I am not sure, but I think these particular twin skyscrapers are buildings that the Bass Family helped bring about. The Bass Family really is responsible for a lot of what ain't right about downtown Fort Worth.

Or so it seems to me.

I know there are those in Fort Worth who are beholden to the wonders that the Bass Family allegedly has brought downtown Fort Worth, but methinks Fort Worth would be a lot better off if the town put on its big boy pants and did not rely on one family's demonstrably bad taste to dictate how the town looks.

Anyway, after a multi-million dollar remodel the Tarrant County Courthouse's clock tower lost the scaffolding that has covered it for a long time. I believe there is still work to be done.

How is the plan to take down the Tarrant County Courthouse Annex coming, you know, that building with the fake covering that looks like yet one more bad downtown Fort Worth building designed by a C-Student architect?

At least that particular eyesore is not called the Bass Tarrant County Courthouse Annex, unlike way too many other eyesores in the downtown Fort Worth zone, that have the Bass name, in various iterations, attached to them.

The 2nd Wednesday Of April Dawns In Texas After A Night With The Searchers

Looking through the bars of my patio prison cell on this second Wednesday of April it would appear that this particular day in Texas is starting off with a clear blue sky, despite the weather predictor's prediction of rain and thunder for today.

Currently, at my location, it is 31 degrees above freezing, heading to the weather predictor's predicted high of 80.

Changing the subject from my favorite one to something else.

Last night I watched the John Ford/John Wayne movie, The Searchers.

I've been wanting to watch this movie ever since I read that it was loosely based on the Cynthia Ann Parker story.

Very very very loosely based would have been far more accurate. The movie started off with a caption letting it be known that what you were watching was in Texas. But, near as I could tell, the majority of the movie was filmed in the Monument Valley of Arizona and Utah.

I don't know why John Ford could not have used some of the classic Western scenery that exists where the West begins.

I am sure if someone tried real hard some classic Western scenery could be found in Texas.

I think the sun has brightened up the outer world sufficiently that I can go swimming now and enjoy the classic Texas scenery that surrounds the swimming pool.

Pedaling Past Huffines Veridian In Arlington's River Legacy Park With A Lot Of Other People

Bike Resting At The River Legacy Park 7 Mile Marker

I had intended to ride my bike with the Indian Ghosts at Village Creek Natural Historical Area today. But, that park was closed due to flooding.

So, I headed to River Legacy Park, instead.

I pedaled all the way to the end of the paved trail, to the 7 mile marker, at the far northeast side of River Legacy Park.

When I decided to give up bike riding, well over a year ago, I really thought I would never see this location again.

It has now been several years since the River Legacy Park paved trail has terminated at this northeast location. When this trail was opened I remember reading that the trail would soon be extended to the east, to eventually connect with the Dallas paved trails along the Trinity River.

But, that particular river vision has not happened.

I was very surprised at the number of people I saw biking, blading, walking and pushing baby strollers at River Legacy Park today. Such a change from when I first visited this park soon upon my arrival in Texas.

There seems to be an uptick in visitors in all the parks I visit.

Methinks Texans are getting more active and this is why Texas is not ranking as high as it once did in various obesity level rankings. This is not a sad state of affairs in a state which claims everything is bigger in Texas. This is one area where I think Texas does not want to be bigger.

I am looking forward to biking at River Legacy Park on a Saturday or Sunday when the weather is good. It should be very busy, seeings how it was so busy today, on a Tuesday.

The Huffines development, that abuts the north side of River Legacy Park on the east side of Collins Street, that was sort of mothballed after the 2008 economic meltdown, continues to have work done.

New Trail To Huffines Veridian Development

I saw a large sign being constructed near where the River Legacy trail goes under Collins Street. The sign looked like V's. If my memory is serving me correctly, the Huffines development is called Veridian, hence the V's.

Paved trails are being constructed from the River Legacy Park paved trail to the Huffines development. That was a bit of a surprising development. Seems like such a trail would be developed after the development got developed.

Pedaling around 12 miles on the River Legacy Park paved trails sort of indicated to me that I have been missing this type of exercise. I don't think I was pedaling at as fast a pace as I used to.

The 2nd Monday Of April Dawns Blue & Fog-Free In Texas

Looking out my primary viewing portal on the outer world, on this 10th morning of April, there appears to be a blue glow phenomenon occurring.

I did not hear any of the predicted thunderstorming last night and it does not appear that any of the predicted rain fell on my location.

And this morning the predicted fog has not fogged up the view, unlike yesterday's foggiest day I've ever seen in Texas.

When this second Tuesday of April ends a third of April will already passed in to history.

Today I am hoping, if Sunday's rain have not left the park closed, to go biking with the Indian Ghosts who haunt the Village Creek Natural Historical Area in Arlington.

Before I do that I think I will go swimming before it gets any hotter than the current 30 degrees above freezing.

Walking Around Calm Fosdic Lake Getting Bit By Fire Ants

The Fosdic Lake Mirror

Going to Oakland Lake Park to walk around Fosdic Lake was my walking choice today.

Walking in addition to, this morning, putting in a lot of walking miles, or so it seemed, at Academy Sports, Wal-Mart Supercenter and Super Target.

Driving in a dense fog in North Texas was very strange today. It seemed like I should have been hearing foghorns and big waves crashing.

Walking around Oakland Lake Park today I saw a lot of evidence of brightly colored eggs being destroyed.

As you can see in the picture, Fosdic Lake was very calm today, even though water was falling over Fosdic Falls. The lake was acting like a perfect mirror, reflecting the line of trees that line the western shore.

There were a lot of people enjoying the calm after the storm, and before the next one, today around Fosdic Lake.

The grass in Oakland Lake Park is in dire need of mowing, or harvesting into hay bales.

Today I sat down for a bit, my feet buried in the tall grass. After a couple minutes of sitting I realized I had fire ants visiting my shoes. I go out of this relatively unscathed, with just a few fire ant bites, unlike the last fire ant attack incident, when I was on the ground to take a picture and stood up to find I had a lot of fire ants on me.

I had myself a fine swim early this morning. Right now I'm thinking that cool pool water might make fire ant bites feel better.

The 2nd Monday Morning Of April Is Very Foggy In Texas

The Monday morning view from all my viewing portals on the outer world is the foggiest I ever remember seeing from this location.

It is a thick fog that feels like drizzle when you step outside.

Apparently the weather predictors have now decided to predict rain and more thunder from now through Wednesday.

I do not know where I will be getting any bi-pedal endorphin inducing aerobic stimulation today.

Of late I have managed to make the swimming a bit more strenuous and perhaps a bit more aerobic. But I don't know if that aerobic-ness has reached an endorphin inducing level.

I went to Miss Puerto Rico's yesterday late in the afternoon for the first time in a long time. I did not stay long. We need not discuss why.

I got back to my abode looking forward to watching The Amazing Race to find that once again some sports thing running on too long had delayed the start of the race. I have no idea what sports thing did the damage last night. I'm fairly certain it was not football. That would seem to leave baseball, basketball or golf as the likely culprit.

I think I will walk out into the super dense fog and go swimming now before it gets any foggier or lightning starts striking.