Gypsies At Heart: Converted Texans Ceremony

Today we and a few of our neighbors attended the Converted Texan Corral at the Hynes Event Center in Mercedes. Approximately 300 people attended the event. Winter Texans get a lot of credit for the economic impact they bring to the valley and, of course, when you convert to being a full-time Texan then you could possibly have even more economic impact. So, this ceremony was to give the Converted Texans some of the same applause and adoration that we received as Winter Texans.

CONVERTED TEXAN CORRAL

Entertainment

Leslie Blasing

Here she is taking a picture of us, but she did perform for quite awhile.

Welcome

Kristi Collier

Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Texas Pledge

Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible.

Texas State Song

"Texas, Our Texas"

Texas, Our Texas! all hail the mighty State!
Texas, Our Texas! so wonderful so great!
Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test
O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.
(chorus)

Texas, O Texas! your freeborn single star,
Sends out its radiance to nations near and far,
Emblem of Freedom! it set our hearts aglow,
With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo.
(chorus)

Texas, dear Texas! from tyrant grip now free,
Shines forth in splendor, your star of destiny!
Mother of heroes, we come your children true,
Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you.

Chorus

God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.

DANCING WITH LESLIE BLASING

LUNCH

Lunch consisted of large burgers with all the fixings, chips, iced tea and cupcakes.

I took a few pictures during lunch at our table.

Our next door neighbors: Tom & D'Esta Crouch

Verda Nelson

Ted & Delores Wipf, our neighbors across the street

Tom & Sharon Newcomer - They used to live in Southern Comfort but moved to John Knox Village, a retirement village and continuing care center near our place. There are quite a few prior residents of Southern Comfort who live there now.

CONVERSION CEREMONY

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign football team, university, barbecue sauce, jalapeno peppers, boot-maker or pickup truck of home or which I have heretofore been a fan or a consumer; that I will support and defend the Texas way of life, and the customs of its citizens against all anti-Texans, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will perform acts of chili-preparation greatness; and that I will take this obligation freely without any reservation, because great barbecue joint don't require them; so help me y'all.

The conversion went well until we were asked to give up our football team and/or university - there was a big cry of dissent at that point and many of us just didn't speak those words. Lee and I should have been quiet on the jalapeno peppers too! lol

We each received a Converted Texan Certificate suitable for framing, a Converted Texan pin, and a large coupon book with savings on restaurants, shops, and services in the Valley. There were also a lot of door prizes but no one at our table was that lucky!

Once I got home and started to put this together, I decided to look up all things Texas and so here is that list:

The Texas State Bird: Mockingbird