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