A Baker's Dozen of Texas Resolutions

How to start off y'all's New Year with Texcellence

Y’allogy is 1836 percent pure bred, open range guide to the people, places, and past of the great Lone Star. Texan is spoken here. I’d be much obliged if you’d consider riding for the brand as a free or paid subscriber. (Annual subscribers of $50 receive, upon request, a special gift: an autographed copy of my literary western, Blood Touching Blood.)

Dallas, Texas skyline during a New Year’s celebration.

Resolve, and keep your resolution; choose, and pursue your choice.

–Samuel Johnson

In the turning of time and the coming of a New Year we’re confronted with the ubiquitous practice of declaring what ought to continue, what ought to change, and what ought to be championed for the coming year. But honesty compels us to confess that most of us will start off rip-roaring only to find our roaring beginning to rip and show signs of wear as the year wears on. We’ll forget ol’ Sam’s advice to keep our resolutions and pursue our choices. It’s understandable. Resolving to lose weight is good and all, but when confronted with tacos most of us will crumble like a corn chip. What we need are better resolutions—ones that are easy to keep. To help all of us with that I offer this baker’s dozen of Texas resolutions.

1. Resolved: Remember the Alamo and Goliad daily.

2. Resolved: Listen to one Willie song daily.

3. Resolved: Incorporate “howdy,” “y’all,” and “fixin’ to” into my vocabulary.

4. Resolved: Eat more authentic Texas chili. (That means without beans, y’all.)

5. Resolved: Raise a glass in salute to Texas Independence Day (March 2).

6. Resolved: Learn the lyrics to “Amarillo By Morning.”

7. Resolved: Drink Dr Pepper at 10, 2, and 4.

8. Resolved: Ride a horse.

9. Resolved: Fly the Texas flag with pride and honor, and learn the Texas Pledge of Allegiance.

10. Resolved: Learn how to make homemade guacamole and tortillas (flour and corn).

11. Resolved: Eat more authentic Texas barbecue. (Dickey’s and Spring Creek and their ilk don’t count.)

12. Resolved: Learn the nuances of “Bless your heart.” (It isn’t necessary a blessing.)

13. Resolved: Read and/or watch Lonesome Dove.

These resolutions will not only start y’all’s New Year off with Texcellence, but keeping them will ensure y’all have a Texcentric 2025. And that, my friends, is a good year, indeed.

Happy New Year.

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