The Alamo

For some odd reason or another I was thinking about “My Favorite Movies” and which ones were listed on my profile this morning. Made a minor change in that I added one film, and deleted one film and one book. I also re-ordered the listing of the movies.

Because, you see, I realized my favorite movies seem to sum up my being and my life’s experience. Call it a spiritual autobiography, if you will. So, for the next few postings I’ll offer a few thoughts about what each means to me and why they are listed. Might omit one or two as I don’t feel they are quite as in tune with my life as the others are; then I might not, deciding they fit in too. This is all in an effort to get back to posting, BTW.

Obviously The Alamo is first, the movie of my youth. John Wayne was and remains one of my heroes. His film The Alamo, speaks to everything I hold dear in life, particularly independence, self reliance, sacrifice, respect, duty, honor, courage… It was a very idealistic movie that made a tremendous impression on me when I was at an impressionable age. The fact that I’m from Texas and visited the Alamo many times might have something to do with it too. I was also brought up with the impression that those traits were admirable and they remain so today. Maybe too much so for my own good, for I’ve never been one to do anything half-way.

Red Neck Ugly

I spend waaay too much time on Youtube searching out older Country Music. Have been a fan of Tony Douglas and The Shrimpers since the mid 60's and I've found a couple of their videos posted by one "red_neckugly". This is one of the best videos I've seen. Check it out. Anyway, Red Neck is trying to generate interest in a site for the fans of older style "Country". I sent them an email in reply to a comment they had made to me. This is it.

Hey Red Neck:

Appreciate the reply to my comment (justlookin11) on Youtube.

A website where real country music fans could congregate sounds great to me. I suppose I quit buying the newer CD's and listening to most of the new country sound about the time Randy Travis lost his popularity. it just ain't the same as it was.

Talk about memories. Have lived in Waco, TX all my life, rodeo'ed for a time and every weekend we weren't at a show we were at either The P & L Casino in Gholsen on the county line road, Geneva Hall in Elm Mott or Buddy Moore's Western Club on the circle in Waco. Those were great times, I polished many a belt buckle on those dancefloors. Waco was on a circuit that most all the big names traveled. We would get them the day or so after they played Panther Hall in Ft Worth, the Longhorn Ballroom or Deb's Danceland. The only "stars" I remember I didn't see in person were Bob Wills and Hank Thompson. Serious regrets about both.

Seems like every time Bob & the Playboys were nearby someone else great was here too and we always thought we'd catch them next time since they were around so often. Then Bob had his stroke. Did get to hear Tommy Duncan though. And am an aquaintance of Dick Gimble, Johnny's son. He's a musician and he and his daughter play together from time to time, sometimes even with Johnny.

Hank was from Waco, he went to Waco High about the time my mother in law was there. I heard tell he was made fun of in High School for being a "hillbilly picker" and it put him in a mind not to return once he made it big. Oddly enough, his last live performance was in Waco, at the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo. Unfortunately, they scheduled him for 5:00 pm on like a Tuesday and I couldn't get there in time. Suppose mgtmt. thought no one wanted to hear an "over the hill" country singer.

Anyway thanks for the comment, thanks for the postings and if you put together a site for us fans of oldies, let me know.

So if anyone out there who wanders across this post has an interest in "real" Country Music; go to Youtube, hear a great song and see a great video, then email Red Neck and let them know you enjoyed their efforts. And, if it's the case, let them know you're supportive of the proposed website.

It's a sad day

It would seem that political correctness and social justice are more important to "The Episcopal Church" than maintaining continuity with an historic faith the Anglican Communion has attempted to follow for nigh onto 2000 years. I suggest it will get worse before it gets better; and where we, as a Diocese, end up yet remains to be seen. From my point of view the "liberal wing" of "the Church" has won out.

Fortunately, the apparent intent of D025 is strictly in regard to same sex relationships; however, down what path will our Church go trod? Surely the desire to recognize the needs of all God's children is paramount; but at what cost to the greater good? At times isn't a call to repentance and change also a part of the equation?

I've long felt that I am a Texan (a citizen of that great Republic, not the State). Likewise, I've long said I'm Anglican first and foremost; and will remain so, but where does that mean I find myself? If I've learned one thing from EFM, it is that when politics are allowed to be mixed with matters of faith, politics wins out and the faithful are the lesser for its inteference.

'Tis a sad day, my brothers & sisters.