Texas Twiggy
Ten Texas Things Worth Sharing
I can deal with hurricanes. But it’s extremely frightening to have the earth move so much. Being a Texan, you kinda known when to get the heck out of Dodge.
Shelly Duvall
Howdy, y’all.
By now you’ve heard the news that actress Shelly Duvall passed away last month due to complications from diabetes. Dubbed the “Texas Twiggy” by gossip columnist Earl Wilson in 1970, most folks know her from her portrayal as Jack Nicolson’s wife, Windy, in the Stephen King based horror film The Shining (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick. A versatile actress, that same year she starred in a movie on the opposite spectrum, bringing to life the comic book character Olive Oyl in Popeye, costarring Robin Williams. What many may not know, however, is that Shelly was a Texan through-and-through. Born in Fort Worth (July 7, 1949), she died in her Blanco home (July 11, 2024) at the age of seventy-five. This edition of Ten Texas Things Worth Sharing features Shelly’s super fan along with some other Texas related items I’m a fan of. Enjoy.
Celebrities: Sarah Lukonski is a super fan of Ms. Duvall, not only running the Shelly Duvall Archive on social media but also becoming friends with the reclusive actress in her latter years. Texas Monthly writer Meher Yeda recently published an interview with Sarah about her fandom of all things Shelly: “Meet the Fan Who Befriend Shelly Duvall Over Peach Cobbler in Johnson City.”
Olympics: Speaking of super fans, who isn’t a fan of Simone Biles? After winning gold in the Women’s Team and Women’s All-Around events, Women’s Vault, as well as silver in Women’s Floor at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Simone has become, with eleven medals, the winningest female Olympic gymnast of all time. And the fact that she’s a Texan makes that remarkable feat all the sweeter. Not only is she the GOAT of women’s gymnastics, she can jump like a goat. During her floor routine she’s been measured to jump seven feet in the air. In a fun article, Dan Solomon puts together a list of things the four-foot-eight Simone could leap in a single bound: “A Partial Inventory of Items Simone Biles Could Jump Over in Her Floor Routine.”
Television: Since few of us (or none of us) were at the Paris Games—and even if we were, we probably couldn’t get a a ticket to see Simon jump in person—we’ve had to watch her on television. Once the Olympic are over and we can no longer root for our Texas Olympians doesn’t mean, however, there isn’t quality Texcentric content on the old tube. Friend of Y’allogy, J. B. Saucedo, whom you probably know as the creative genius behind Texas Humor, has a new gig. He’s taking over the wheel at Texas Country Reporter from longtime host Bob Philips. New shows will drop in September. I know you’ll join me in wishing that J. B.’s tenure rolls along like a gravy train on biscuit wheels.
Books: Thinking of friends of Y’allogy, fellow Substacker and Texan has a new book out: A Natural History of Empty Lots. Y’all really ought to subscribe to his newsletter (“Field Notes”) and pick up his book. Christopher is the best guide I’ve discovered in finding and appreciating nature in our ever-increasing urbanization.
Movies: Shelly Duvall’s quirky style and roles reminded me of an article written for Texas Highways about the equally quirky Houston-born director Wes Anderson of The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Life Aquatic (2004), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and Asteroid City (2023) fame: “The Wonderful Story of Wes Anderson.”
Music: There’s nothing quirky about George Strait or his music. Y’all’ll be glad to know he’s coming out with another strait-shooting album in September: Cowboys and Dreamers. And speaking of new music, our favorite East Texas gal, Miranda Lambert, is also coming out with an album in September: Postcards from Texas.
Boots: With cowgirls on the mind, I told you Henry Camargo is a master bootmaker who doesn’t just construct boots for cowboys, he also builds boots for cowgirls. If you or your lady don’t want to drive to the Valley, but are in the market for women’s boots, then check out this article about lady bootmakers making boots for ladies: “Meet the Next Generation of Female Cowboy Boot Designers.”
Museums: My cousin Cathy is the president of the Graham Chamber of Commerce. She recently posted on her Facebook page that the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center will exhibit the Lonesome Dove Collection from The Wittliff Collections. If y’all love the book, and especially the miniseries, and are in the area, stop in sometime between September 4 and October 26, 2024, and say “Howdy.”
Podcasts: If y’all are interested in Texas history, particularly early Texas history, then I can’t recommend Brandon Seale’s podcast enough: A New History of Old Texas. His episodes on the Apaches have been helpful in the novel I have coming out in December. (More on that in upcoming Y’allogy posts.)
Y’allogy: Apaches have a long history in Texas, so does another native people: Comanches, who were great raiders and stealers of women and children. In 1836, a group of Comanches attacked the Parker homestead and carried off Rachel Plummer. This is her story, from the archives: “Texas Tales: The Capture of Rachel Parker Plummer.”
P. S.: Shelly wasn’t related to veteran actor Robert Duvall who portrayed Augustus “Gus” McCrea in the miniseries Lonesome Dove.
Until next time: Be brave. Live free. And remember: God and Texas, y’all.
Y’allogy: Texan Spoken Here.
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