What the Blazes – Everything’s Big in Texas

by Bennett Owen

Feel the heat: The Texas Forest Service undertook controlled burns on April 17 near the McDonald Observatory. CREDIT: Frank Cianciolo/McDonald Observatory. Image from TheAtlantic.com

As I write this, death tolls and damage estimates are still being calculated from the weekend tornados and firefighters in West Texas are still waging combat against some 8000 wildfires that have charred an unbelievable 1.6 - million acres… a chunk of real estate twice as big as Rhode Island.  Officials say some of the infernos are traveling 100 yards per minute. Yes, you read that right. And there’s plenty of fuel left to burn thanks to a prolonged drought in the region. Add those fierce West Texas gales and it’s a recipe for disaster. 

Shot near Strawn, TX, Monday, April 18, 2011. Credit: (Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Max Faulkner)

One rancher in the northwest part of the state said the wind was so strong over the weekend it blew pasture gates right off their hinges. The loss of land, possessions and livestock is truly staggering and statistics don’t even begin to tell this story. See the video here.

A charred motorcycle and car sit near the burned home of Linda and Bobby Lanter. Credit: (Star-Telegram/Ron T. Ennis)

The Texas Cattle Raisers Association is taking donations that will be used to buy feed and fencing supplies for the ranchers hardest hit. To help out, go to TexasAgriculture.gov. Or call 512-475-1615.

Cody Tillery, 17, carries donated water inside the Red Cross shelter  Graford, Texas Tuesday April 19, 2011. Credit: (Star-Telegram/Ron Jenkins)

We’ve been poking some good-natured fun at West Texas lately but this is no laughing matter and our prayers are for courage steadfastness as the Lone Star State faces down yet another daunting challenge.

A Texas Legend

by Bennett Owen

Everything’s big in Texas and their heroes seem larger than life as well, spanning the gamut from Davy Crockett to Lance Armstrong. And now a Hollywood legend ranks among them as well…the mighty…the immortal…Robert Duvall.

Dave Rossman /For the Chronicle: Bob Schieffer and Robert Duvall with Lester and Sue Smith, chairs of "An Evening with Legend Robert Duvall and a Tribute to the Texas Epic Lonesome Dove"

He was the guest of honor Thursday evening (Feb. 23) as a part of the annual fundraising dinner to benefit the Texas Children’s Cancer Center in Houston.

Duvall is a native Californian but considers himself an honorary Texan based on his love of Tex Mex cooking.  But Texans revere him for his portrayal of crusty Texas Ranger Augustus McCrae in the western epic, Lonesome Dove.  Austin native, and CBS News personality Bob Schiefer interviewed Duvall, whose money quote for the evening was…”Let the English play Hamlet. I’ll play Augustus McCrae.”

Here’s a compilation of past honorees in the Texas Legends event…

More than 800 people attended this year…tables were going for up to $75,000 and the dress code was “Cowboy Chic”.  The fund raising drive netted nearly $9 million for the Children’s Cancer Center. 

This also allows me the opportunity to show my favorite scene from Lonesome Dove…the smirk of satisfaction on Duvall’s face at 1:38 is positively priceless.