Dreher Column Lauds Christian-Raised Meat

Columnist Rod Dreher had a thought-provoking essay in yesterday’s Dallas Morning News about the importance of Lent. About how abstaining–in his case, from eating meat–for a certain period each year can be good for the soul, etc. At one point in the piece, though, he vows that after Lent is over and meat is back on his family’s table, “it will be meat raised by Christian small farmers in the Dallas area …” Huh? Who cares if the farmer that grows your food is Christian or Jewish or Muslim or–God forbid–atheist? Does it taste better if the farmer prays the rosary or speaks in tongues? Would Rod feel better if only Christians read his columns? Come on.

Greenville Avenue Parade Getting Closer …

And it’s supposed to be 67 and sunny. Are you as excited about it as Tim is? I doubt it, since Tim wrote his column about the GA St. Patrick’s Day parade in this month’s print version of FrontBurner. Are you as excited about it as I am? Doubtful, unless you, too, had this uncomfortable exchange with your wife on Sunday:

Wife: This weekend is not going to be one of those Greenville Avenue parades where you disappear and come home sometime after dark.

Me: Um, wait, let me check. Why, yes. Yes it is.

Wife: What are [our daughter] and I going to do?

Me: Um … try to keep up?

Weird that she didn’t laugh.

Solution? I started planning a vacation I can’t afford to Mexico for the whole family. Small price to pay for some extra leash. See you Saturday.

Re: Barnett Shale Continues to Give and Give

Wait, I’ve seen this episode before. School on top of gold mine. Insanely rich people getting richer. Doesn’t it end with someone shooting Mr. Burns?

Skinner: I’m afraid we’ve got no legal recourse against Mr. Burns and
         his slant-drilling operation.  The oil belongs to whoever
         pumped it first.
  Willy: What about all the expensive stuff we wanted?  Can we still
         have it?
Skinner: No!
          [Willy tears his shirt open and sobs]
  Willy: Blast it!
Skinner: In fact, to pay for the construction and operation and
         demolition of our new derrick, the school will have to
         eliminate all nonessential programs: music –
          [Tito punches through his bongos]
         — and maintenance.
  Willy: Argh, I’ll kill that Mr. Burns!  And, er, _wound_ that Mr.
         Smithers.  Out of my way!  [he storms out]

The Barnett Shale Continues To Give And Give And…

This time it’s the Carroll ISD that’s the beneficiary.

Don’t Make A Craigslist Purchase In Person

If they’ve figured out how to rob you in Seattle, they’ll soon figure it out in Dallas.

Appreciating The Shelby Cobra Daytona

This post is a reminder that Dallas’ own Carroll Shelby once proved that Americans can still build cars.

More Proof That Chuck Norris Is Awesome

The troops love him. And according to Khaled Hussein, a police trainer in Falluja, Norris is a role model:

“I’ve seen his videos, he’s a hero. He saves the city, he protects women and children and he fights crime wherever it is. We should all be like Chuck Norris.”

Jessica Simpson Gets Around

The Blonde One made an appearance to promote her handbag line Saturday at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco, only to end up in Kuwait this morning in time to do an interview on the Today Show. She’s there to perform for the troops as part of the Operation MySpace concert. In the interview, Jessica said she’d be singing a medley of patriotic fare and will screen her upcoming stinker Major Movie Star for the soldiers. The concert, which can be seen on MySpace beginning at 1 p.m. CST, also features Disturbed, the Pussycat Dolls, and host Carlos Mencia. Seriously? That’s the best we could round up for our boys fighting overseas? Carlos Mencia and a Major Movie Star screening? Yeesh.

Ebby Marks Her 97th

Ebby Halliday celebrated her 97th birthday with the help of her physician Dr. Hugh McClung, who hosted a dinner for the uber-Realtor Saturday night at The Palm Restaurant in the West End. Everybody in the joint joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to Ebby, who’s also set to receive the 79th annual Linz Award March 26 at the Fairmont. You can recite all these facts, but they don’t do justice to the utter remarkableness of this public treasure, who has retained such a clear-eyed vitality she puts the rest of us laggards to shame. Forget Jesus and Willie; my mantra for all questions in life has become, “What would Ebby do?”

Fun With Timmy

Tim was “working from home” on Friday, so there was a lot of work to do around here. It being Friday, and with half the staff out preparing for spring break and such, not much of the work was done. So we messed with Tim’s office by stacking everything on his desk in his chair, which we then placed on his desk. And then we rummaged through his drawers, looking for hair product and pictures of himself. We scored on both accounts. Enjoy the video, or don’t.

Sandra Crenshaw to Write a Book?

Loyal FrontBurnervians will know the name Bethany. She is a prolific and often sage commentor on this blog. And now she’s BFF with Sandra Crenshaw. Get your cactus juice ready!

Leading Off

Hey gang. Due to the fact that I’ve spent the past 12 hours trying to shake off a cold, and the last four trying to sleep, I’m going to trust that Bethany, Gwyon, Nate, and the rest of the getalong gang can get things started this morn. Remember: if you bring up a new topic, links are always appreciated.

Avenge me.