D is for...DON'T...Mess With Texas

The phrase Don’t Mess with Texas is a trademark of the Texas Department of Transportation, and is part of a statewide advertising campaign started in 1986, to reduce littering on Texas roadways.

The campaign's target was mostly aimed at the 18-35 year old drinking male group which was the most likely to litter...and less likely to be able to afford the fine! To make sure they got the message the campaign was prominently shown on road signs on major highways, as well as in television, radio and print advertisements.

As an in state campaign, it was originally not intended to become a cultural icon, and beyond its immediate role in reducing litter, the slogan became a Texas cultural phenomenon and the slogan has been popularly appropriated by Texans....

Yep....I'm one of those Appropriatin' Texans....

 Though it appears on countless items of tourist souvenirs, the phrase is actually a federally registered trademark, and the department has tried at times to enforce its trademark rights, with limited success....Whew! 

That's a relief!  I'm thinkin' it will be okay to continue with this 'D'...Don't Mess With Texas Post without the State of Texas breathin' down the neck of my ...

Don't Mess With Texas Women

T-Shirt

...cause I wanted to share with you a few

 Don't Mess With Texas Laws...

In Borger, Texas it is against the law to throw confetti, rubber balls, feather dusters, whips or quirts (riding crop), and explosive firecrackers of any kind.

In El Paso, Texas...Churches, hotels, halls of assembly, stores, markets, banking rooms, railroad depots, and saloons are required to provide spittoons "of a kind and number to efficiently contain expectorations into them.  In Port Arthur, Texas, obnoxious odors may not be emitted while in an elevator. 

Then for sure if you're cruisin' and imbiben' in Texas you should be aware of this law...

It is unlawful for a person to consume an alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle upon a public roadway, if the person is observed doing so by a peace officer....duh!

....To Know These GuideLines To Livin Life In Texas

~Don't squat with your spurs on.

~Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
~If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
~Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
~There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works.
~If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
~The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.
~There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves...(I put this one in for HiHoney....thankfully he is an avid reader)
~Never miss a good chance to shut up....This one is my Cue to turn this 'Letter D' Post over to Jenny!

Just Click on Jenny's AlphabeThursday

 for More of the

LETTER 'D'

PS...Sometimes HiHoney reads my blog, so I'm including this for him as a reminder that we have a BIG Anniversary coming up and

Don't Mess With This Texas Woman.

While enjoying an early morning breakfast in a Ft. Worth cafe, four elderly Texas ranchers were discussing everything from cattle, horses, and weather, to how things used to be in the "good old days."

Eventually the conversation moved on to their spouses. One gentleman turned to the fellow on his right and asked, "Roy, aren't you and your bride celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary soon?"

"Yup, we sure are," Roy replied. "Well, are you gonna do anything special to celebrate?" another man asked.

The old gentleman pondered this for a moment, then replied, "For our 25th anniversary, I took the misses to San Antonio. For our 50th, I'm thinking 'bout going down there again to pick her up.