Fw: Joe Nick Patoski

For about four decades Joe Nick Patoski has been writing and radioing about Texas.  Consequently, his blog "Notes and Musings" is replete with Texana worth reading.  It's strong on music, and Joe Nick has an abiding interest in the land. Sample entries of February are TCU Texas Book Award Texas Land Trust Conference Willie's Place at Carl's Corner Listen to Jalapeno Radio Live Saving Radio Jalapeno KEDA Burns The Ballad of El Molino Bill Mack on WIllie's Place NPR Does Marfa (and so does JNP) He introduces himself with "Y'all come in and take a look around. Have your enjoys. If you have any specific questions, or want to know more about why it's so dang hot in Texas, where the best spring water swimming is, hidden hidey holes of Mexico, the origins of alt country, why radio is the way it is, or other semi-arcane subjects, send an e-mail. I'll write back. --Joe Nick "

Judy Alter on Will Howard in Dallas Morning News

Last Sunday Judy Alter wrote in one of her occasional Dallas Morning News "Texas Letters" column about Will Howard, publisher of Will's Texana Monthy and host of the Texas Parlor etc.  Her kindness and generosity are exposed.  Thanks to Judy.  Hmm, she surely knows how to put the carrot out in front of this bibliographer.  Read more at   http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/books/stories/DN-bk_alterhoward_0222gd.ART.State.Edition1.4c00ec8.html   Keep up with Judy at http://judys-stew.blogspot.com/

A Forest Woodlot - Clark

"A Forest Woodlot" is provided by Jeff Clark up in Red River County.  The blog's self-describes itself as   "My goals on the property are sustainable personal wood production while increasing wildlife habitat and biodiversity, managing the pond for wildlife and enjoyment, and creating accessibility for my disabled wife to enjoy nature. I have found that most forestry literature is for midwest and northern states, and Texas agencies are set up for the large property owners and corporations. I will be posting any information I find useful, reviewing forestry books, and documenting the work."   As a forest steward, Clark will be recording his progress using diverse sources with an eye toward shaping information, much techical but some more personal to his situation, useful to Texans.  He's posted 12 book reviews so far.   A rather civilized approach to our tall, brown and green citizens.   http://texaswoodlot.blogspot.com/

Western Literature Association Blog

The Official Blog of the Western Literature Association The  new (January 2009) blog of this long established association has few entries called up by a search for the word "Texas," but Texas western writers have long kept the association in their bearings.  It's still new; give it a chance to grow.   Its self-description begins "The blog is associated with the Western Literature Association, and our intended goal with the WLA Blog is to provide a forum for accessible and readable commentary on and analysis of the literature, culture, and popular culture of the American West. In keeping with the Western Literature Association's goals and purposes, the WLA Blog is interested in the study of the West in all its varied aspects, the frontier, the Trans-Mississippi United States, the frontier experiences of other nations (especially Canada and Mexico), and in the multiple forms (film, literature, music, etc.) through which the West has been represented. We hope the WLA Blog will provide a lively forum for readers and writers interested in the American West."   Read more at   http://westlit.wordpress.com/

Being Texican - Laura Garcia's blog

Being Texican - Mexican life adapting to the great nation of Texas Being Texican:  Mexican Life Adapting to the Great Nation of Texas   Her self-description is "My name is Laura Garcia. I was born in Mexico City a 25th of July in 1987. I have lived almost all of my life in Monterrey Mexico and am currently studying at UT Austin for a year exchange program. I will be going back home in May. Since being here I have learnt to appreciate where I come from and cherish the valuable cultural heritage I was born into. I hope this exploration of my own culture and experiment of living in Texas can prove useful and entertaining to you =)"   Laura's blog is new.  It offers her (and maybe us) the opportunity to watch her compare, contrast, and mix being Mexican and Texan.  She studies journalism and media.  She has posted, among other things, one book review, Mexican Enough by Stephanie Elizondo Griest.   http://lauragrb.wordpress.com/

French Legation Site and Blog

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas begin their website with this information: "Nestled in a quiet, green corner of the bustling modern capital of the State of Texas, the French Legation was originally built in 1840-41 to be the residence of the charge d' affaires who represented the government of France in the Republic of Texas. The Legation became the home of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Robertson in 1848, remaining in their family until 1949, when it was acquired by the State of Texas. Under the custodianship of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the site has been lovingly restored and furnished with items original to its time period. It is the oldest extant frame structure in Austin." Read more at http://www.frenchlegationmuseum.org/ The French Legation Museum Blog http://frenchlegation.wordpress.com/  was started in December 2008.

Home Range - Henry Chappell

Henry Chappell, novelist, essayist, journalist, blogs under the title Home Range: Notes on Literature, Nature, Working Dogs, History, Other Obsessions and Sundry Annoyances   About Me begins:  "Henry Chappell was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1960 and grew up in central Kentucky in the small town of Campbellsville. He graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1982 and moved to the Dallas, Texas area where he worked as an electrical engineer in the defense industry. Weekends, he explored Texas through hunting, fishing, and birding trips. In 1986, he read John Graves' Goodbye to a River and knew then and there that he wanted to write. Shortly thereafter, his articles, essays and short stories began to appear in various regional and national magazines. Over the past decade, he has written scores of articles for publications such as Orion, Field & Stream, Sports Afield, Gray's Sporting Journal, Concho River Review, Texas Highways, GORP.com and Texas Parks & Wildlife." http://www.byhenrychappell.com/   His books include Blood Kin, The Callings, 6666: Portrait of a Texas Ranch, and At Home on the Range with a Texas Hunter

Houston Radio History

The blog "Houston Radio History: A salute to Houston broadcasters and broadcasting" is about to post its 100 posting on their topic.  http://houstonradiohistory.blogspot.com/ Its quite admirably done.  It's not just a collections of anecdotes out of chronological sequence.  The side bar allows readers to select the period of their interest or even scoot into television history of the Bayou City.  And the graphics are attractive.   The annotation for HRH given in "Texas Blog Notes" is "A History of broadcasting in Houston and the surrounding area from before World War I, taken from newspaper accounts, official documents and interviews." By Bruce Williamson.  Statement of Purpose begins: "Discussions of the origins of radio in Texas usually recite developments and achievements in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio while developments in the early years in Houston are often overlooked" and continues on.' " http://texasblognotes.blogspot.com/   You may wish to get Chris Varela's book  "Kotton, Port, Rail Center: A History of Early Radio in Houston" reviewed at http://texasbookshelf.blogspot.com/search?q=radio

Texas Boy Publications blog

A New Blog in Town SELF-DESCRIBED AS : " Texas Boy Publications currently publishes only books written by Marva Dasef. So don't query me. I'm using this blog to advertise what I have for sale. Plain and simple marketing. "I do plan to post information on other writers' books, publishing in general, and any other information which might prove interesting. "Currently, I have four editions of the same book available. This is how it breaks down. Trade paperback / 8.5x11 Large Print / 8x10 Large Print / Kindle Tales of a Texas Boy: Twenty tales from the life of a boy growing up in West Texas.

French Letters blog

Folks associated with the published book French Letters: Virginia's War, Tierra Texas, 1944 by Jack Woodville London have started a blog.    http://frenchlettersthenovel.blogspot.com/

Texas Authors of Romance Ficiton - a blog

Well, folks, here's a corral full of Texas romance writers - the TARF blog is dedicated to just that.  The entries includes books BY Texas authors and some books of Texas romance are included.  Most are not Texana by content.  I haven't figured out whether they'll include Texas romance by non-Texans - probably not.  But in the meantime, snuggle up, toss your hair, cut a glance, or whatever serves your fancy.  Apparently, vampires may apply.

Sarah, Kate, and Natalie at NTHC

Sarah, blogger at http://northtexashistorycenter.blogspot.com/2009/02/news-from-history-center.html posts that Kate's go the the TSHA.  Good going, Kate.  Now let's watch Natalie, see if she can do the high wire act.   " My partner in crime and original author of the blog, Kate, has accepted a position at the Texas Historical State Association. My new partner's name is Natalie and she is a great addition to our crew."

Austin Photos Blog

The "Austin, Texas Daily Photo" occasionally has historic photos.  http://austintexasdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/historic

McKinney historical photos

The blog "McKinney Daily Photo" often has historical images.   http://mckinneydailyphoto.blogspot.com/

Texas on the Potomac

The Houston Chronicle blog "Texas on the Potomac Washington News with a Texas Accent" has a recurring feature on "Today in Texas History." http://blogs.chron.com/txpotomac/ http://blogs.chron.com/txpotomac/2009/01/today_in_texas_history_irlene.html

Coach Eubanks & 7th Grade history

Coach Eubanks has a blog to aid his instruction of his 7th grade Texas history class.   http://visd7thss.blogspot.com/

Celia Hayes Blog

San Antonio Texana author Celia Hayes also blogs at http://www.ncobrief.com/   Includes daily life, cultural commentary, and some Texana too.

Lisa Waller Rogers

Lisa Waller Rogers has a blog.  Very interesting, but little Texana.  However, in her "About Lisa Waller Rogers" notes she shows her several books of Texana for young readers.   http://lisawallerrogers.wordpress.com/about-lisa-waller-rogers/ A Texas Sampler: Historical Recollections (primary source material/all levels, Texas Tech University Press, 199 was a 1999 finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters Best Book for Children/Young People Award. It is endorsed by First Lady Laura Bush.   Angel of the Alamo: A True Story of Texas (middle grade biography, W.S. Benson & Co., 2000) was a 2005 nominee for the Texas State Reading Association Golden Spur Award. Get Along, Little Dogies: The Chisholm Trail Diary of Hallie Lou Wells (middle grade historical fiction, TTUP, 2001) was a finalist for the 2003-2004 Lamplighter Award. ·       The Great Storm: The Hurricane Diary of J.T. King, Galveston, 1900 (middle grade historical fiction, TTUP, 2002) won the 2002 Western Heritage Award for Outstanding Juvenile Book and was a 2004-2005 Lamplighter Award Finalist. In acknowledgment, the Texas House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 995 stating that "Ms. Rogers has distinguished herself as one of the premier storytellers of our time."   · With the publication of Remember the Alamo: The Runaway Scrape Diary of Belle Wood (middle grade historical fiction, TTUP, 2003), "Lisa Waller Rogers has created a new children's classic of Texas literature," wrote Deborah Hardin in the Southwestern Historical Quarterly (October 2004), the oldest continuously published scholarly journal in Texas.   All books are available for order online at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble