The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You...

...All the live long day

The eyes of Texas are upon you

And you cannot get away

Do not think you can escape them

From night till early in the morn

The eyes of Texas are upon you

Till Gabriel blows his horn

University of Texas [Austin] "Fight Song"
Lyrics written in 1903 by John Sinclair
[sung to the tune of I've Been Workin' on the Railroad]

I was aware of this song in my youth [before residing in Texas]...didn't realize it was a university theme 'til I read it online just this week.

...Now, here are some Texas "Eyes"
Let me get this first one out of the way before the 'fun' eyes show...


Texas Alligator Eyes

In order [top left to right]:

Savannah Sparrow - Green Heron

Barn Swallow - Red Shafted Flicker

Brown Pelican

Cooper's Hawk - Osprey

Kitties, Winston and Tahoe

...Hello Spring!!

linking to: Nature Notes, Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday

HODGEPODGE

1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'? throw caution to the wind--never been one to take risks much...three sheets to the wind--don't drink very often, can't be me...run like the wind--the only time that would happen at my age in ANY MONTH is if I would be chased by someone or some thing...don't see that happenin'...see which way the wind blows--it's like just 'wait and see, then take action. So, guess that'll be more me than the other idioms. PS...sometimes the use of Beano helps. Sorry, couldn't resist. Besides, that's not an option this week; breaking wind.

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food? We have tossed salad most every night. So it'd have to be a combination of green foods, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, diced green zucchini, fresh spinach leaves, kale, iceberg lettuce with other veggies of different colors.

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell! Our garage!!! When the power is off and we're out and about...can't get the door to open 'til the power comes back on. Have to go into the house, unlock everything and open it manually.

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why? Wicked Witch of the West. I collect witches. And in the book by McGuire, her name happens to be Elphaba!!-"I've always been green, and no I didn't chew grass as a child." Yoda would come in second on my list of 'favorites'...he's so wise:-"Do or do not. There is no try!"

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not? I really can't say. I think it would depend on the leader, and what/whom is being lead!! Sometimes it would suffice, other times...well, scare tactics work. Seriously it just depends!

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU...but only when it's performed by the late Whitney Houston.

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take? We have one planned this Spring. We're gonna just take it one day at a time and go where we choose to go each day. No itinerary or schedule, just one mile at a time and see some new things. Texas is a big state; we're gonna remain within its boundaries.

8. Insert your own random thought here. After mentioning the novel I finished, Lincoln Deception, Bud and I finally watched the 2012/2013 drama, Lincoln, starring Daniel Day Lewis. I was impressed with the likeness of Mr. Lewis' portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, and Sally Fields and "Madame President" Mary Todd Lincoln. But I can't say too much about the movie context. Sure, it was good, and it was entertaining. I especially enjoyed the debates in the house ---back then, they WORKED for their money, unlike the idiots Congress we see today. But thing is, at least for me, with the characters and celebrities playing the historical figures, we hardly knew who they were throughout the first half. After about a couple of hours into the movie, then and only then were 'names' shown as closed captioning! By that time, I was quite frustrated. I blame it all on Steven Spielberg. Oh, and the ending? If I were director, I would've faded to black when Mr. Lincoln said his last words and leaving, walking through the hallway, readying to attend  Ford's Theater's play on the fateful evening...

LINCOLN "Am I in trouble?"

WILLIAM SLADE "No, sir."

LINCOLN "Thank you, Mr. Slade."

Slade hands Lincoln his gloves as Colfax and Ashley drain
their drinks and rise.

LINCOLN "I suppose it's time to go, though I would rather stay."

He leaves the room.

On the way out, Lincoln tosses the gloves on a side table.
Slade grabs them, considers chasing after Lincoln, then
thinks better of it. He walks back towards the office. Then
some strange feeling stops him, and he turns around again.
Lincoln is walking away, past the petitioners' chairs, down
the empty hallway.

Here's where I think the movie should've ended...

Slade watches till Lincoln turns the corner, and he's gone.

Instead there is another 10-15 minutes of what we all know happened...the assassination....plus added a flashback of Lincoln's speech. Unnecessary in my opinion.

linking to: Wednesday Hodgepodge