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It seems everywhere you look in Texas right now, there is fire. Even the areas that seem clear of fires aren't. Haze fills the sky and the possibility of any area catching on fire is a real threat. Today was a relatively calm day, but overall things have been hectic.
On September 6, the Texas Forest Service responded to 19 new fires for 1,490 acres, including new large fires in Red River and Rusk counties. In the past seven days Texas Forest Service has responded to 172 fires for 135,051 acres.
In Bastrop County, 785 homes have been reported destroyed. An additional 238 have been reported lost on other fires in the past three days, for a total of approximately 1,023.
Yikes.
One of the biggest issues is that the state is dry and most of the state hasn't had any rainfall since early July. Some spots have had little, but not enough to make an impact. Even now a cold front just passed through and stirred up activity in the Gulf of Mexico. Forecaster think a tropical depression may form from this. But, all the models that show such that also show that system will either head to Louisiana or Mexico.
The only good thing is it may just create enough activity to break up the high pressure system that blankets the state and has prevented rain. We need that to happen. Otherwise, what's going on in Bastrop may look light in comparison.
It's been a while since I talked food on here. But I'm back with a food post well worth it.
When people think Texas, barbecue almost quickly comes to mind when thinking about food. And not to stereotype but most of your barbecue joints are either run by some guy in a cowboy hat or a black man. You can often tell what you are getting just by looking at the cook. And that's why Pit Stop BBQ in Temple, Texas is a mindboggler.
The place is small and if you don't know the town of Temple, it's not too easy to get to. Fortunately it's not too difficult either.
Walk in the door and you are greeted not by a cowboy or a black man. Here you are greeted by a Korean woman. And it doesn't take you long to realize this woman is great. She is friendly and makes sure you feel welcome.
And her Pit Stop BBQ has a rule: Try it before you buy it. And she will make sure you do. Even if you know you want ribs, and order rids, she grabs some brisket and sausage and gives you samples.
Pit Stop BBQ in Temple, Texas, is a fine tasting oddity as barbecue goes.
I'm not going to say it's the best barbecue in Texas, but so far it's the best in this area. I've tried all three meats and none have disappointed. My favorite so far is the ribs. She even says they don't need sauce, puts some in a cup just in case, and then when you try them you realize she's right, no sauce needed. The flavor stands alone.
As if it isn't strange enough to get barbecue from a Korean woman, one of the best dishes Pit Stop Barbecue served is chicken jambalaya.
That's right, go to a Texas barbecue joint, get served by a Korean woman and order a Louisiana specialty.
What a great place.
The photo attached is a little older. The items are the same, but the prices aren't though not much off, and the address is now 502 South1st Street.
From our blog at prosportswrapup
It's a few hours to post, and you don't have your picks in, what to do?
Easy, go with the crowd. There is a reason Dialed In was the early favorite in this wide open field. Four career starts, three wins and one place when it got crowded on the rail. A decent post position combined with a nice closing speed will make him tough to beat, and a good bet especially if the odds are 5-1 are higher.
ArchArchArch would be a favorite if he hadn't got stuck on the first post. That won't play well into his stalking/closing style as he's very likely to get lost in the crowd. The plan is to pull him well back so he'll be clear of the field, but then he'll also have to pass 18 horses and that's no easy task. I'd avoid him.
Twice The Appeal is going to get some play just because Calvin Borel is on the mount. Borel has won three of the last four Derbys and you can't discount that. you also can't discount that this isn't exactly a great horse. The Grade 3 Sunland Derby was his best race, with a nice even stretch run to be the best. His stalking nature will keep him in midpack early, but he won't have enough to stay up with the closers in this field. He's looking to become the first Sunland Derby to win the Kentucky Derby.
So if you want to find a good play consider some type of exotic play (exacta, trifecta, superfecta) with Dialed In and the following:
Midnight Interlude. A computer model that was fairly accurate on Friday's Kentucky Oaks has Interlude winning today. More importantly, he's a Bob Baffert horse, and Baffert is on a roll this weekend. the big concern is the same that we have with Dialed Up...he only has four races under his belt.
Brilliant Speed--This is going to be a big long shot, but a good risk/reward pay. Bettors will back off because he's not a dirt horse, having run primarily on turf. But this horse has awesome closing speed and is one of the few in the field bred for long distances. Plus, most Churchill Downs experts note that turf horses often do well on the Churchill dirt.
After those three I'd consider Nehro, Animal Kingdom and Mucho Macho Man as my final selections. and if it rains and the track gets muddy, Soldat has to be given consideration.
I find it interesting how it seems no one has any money.
People everywhere say they aren't getting raises if they even have a job, because the employers are making no money.
The Fed government is apparently broke, and state governments all over are slashing budgets making things worse as a snowball effect happens. They slash, the programs they slash have to layoff to meet the budget, etc
[ Click here to read more ]
I find it interesting how it seems no one has any money.
People everywhere say they aren't getting raises if they even have a job, because the employers are making no money.
The Fed government is apparently broke, and state governments all over are slashing budgets making things worse as a snowball effect happens. They slash, the programs they slash have to layoff to meet the budget, etc
[ Click here to read more ]
In the big scope of things, what conference Texas, Texas A&M, and all the other school are in doesn't matter much. But it sure is good to still have the Big 12.
An extra large Pac 10 really made no sense. Even though as it is now you don't really get a sense of a true Missouri-Texas rivalry, it would be even harder to imagine a Texas-Washington State rivalry.
[ Click here to read more ]
It's not quite summer yet, and that's perfectly fine. But the crack of the bats can be heard all across the country and all across Texas.
Sure, in Texas there's the Rangers and Astros, but if you can't get to Dallas or Houston with ease, chances are, no matter where you live in the state, you are still an hour or less away from a pro game, albeit a minor league team. But the thing about the minors is that they can often be funnest games. With promotions, fan-friendly, family-friendly entertainment and affordable tickets, a trip to the ballpark can be a great way to spend an evening. Plus, since it's a smaller park, and the teams love to cater to the fans, it's easy to meet players, and get autographs. Not every minor league player turns out to be a Lance Berkman, Ian Kinsler or other big stars, but they all have potential and its easier to get those autographs when they have potential in the minor than when they are using that potential in the majors.
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I plan to revive this blog, just been super busy with other stuff.
I noticed that we are nearing the one-year anniversary of the story I posted about the truck that rammed into the hotel. I think it might be fun (or demented) to go to that hotel on the anniversary and knock on the door of the people in the room that was hit and show the curretn tenants the story and ask them how they feel.
Why? I don't know
[ Click here to read more ]
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Comment by CenTex Guy
on Obama Voters are Really on Top of Things...
Texas Musings
And do you think we shoud continue to try hunt him down.
Some funny anwers ensued.
But yeah, it's much easier to not be informed. Thinking for youself takes too much time. Like when I read Obama's "Universal" health care plan, and did a little research...the numbers don't add up.
But it was much easier to take his word for it because the sound of everyone having health coverage just sounds good.