Richard Stout, "Evenings Fall," 1967

David Adickes, "Three Men on a Beach," 1953

Jack Boynton, "Inland Lights," 1956

Emma Richardson Cherry, "Southern Morning," c. 1930

I wore faux coonskin on my head, and once told an adult that everyone called meplain old David, but that my real name was Davy Crockett.

The boys were very taken with all the re-enactors and even volunteered to be getup at 5:30 for the commemoration of the battle’s bloody pre-dawn conclusion.

I distinctly remember the panels in which Texian sharpshooters killed Mexicansoldiers and celebrated.

You feel them whether the gray on your head comes from your own hair or fromyour coonskin cap.

Yes, the epic battle was to some extent fought in defense of slavery. Jim Bowiehimself was a big-time slave trader.

Stephen L. Hardin made a name for himself with his military history of the TexasRevolution, "Texian Iliad."

Kiss your grits

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub will be one of the judges.

Branch Water Tavern

Ouisie's Table

John Travolta in "Urban Cowboy"

A familiar sign

Mickey Gilley, founder of Gilley's Club

Memorabilia from Gilly's

First class service defines PBR.

Tired of waiting for $10 cocktails? PBR has you covered.

Can you keep up with the Professional Bull Riders?

PBR first-timers line-up on the dance floor.

The epic deck view delights the riding the professionals.

Mastering the mechanical bull requires a distinct finesse.

Midnight with his prosthetic limb on his rear right leg.

Midnight's artificial leg

Midnight with Ranch Hand Rescue owner Bob Williams

Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert

Jimmy Fallon gave Houston lots of love — if not necessarily long laughs.

Jimmy Fallon and his announcer/sidekick Steve Higgins clowned it up at theHouston Rodeo.

But Leroy Shafer (left) upstaged the fake comedy cowboy.

Alto's Island

Red Lavender

Lady Antebellum on the stage at RodeoHouston Friday night.

Lady Antebellum got the prime Friday night Rodeo slot, but did the performancemeasure up?

Lady Antebellum's spent a long time on the road and it's starting to show.

Lady Antebellum will say goodbye to the Rodeo crowd for another year.

Rascal Flatts lead singer Gary LeVox

Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney

The long-established country music superstars know how to please their fans.

LeVox sings the hits

Rascal Flatts

Oh, Rodeo food, you’re so tempting with your fried everything.

Berryhill is a new addition to the Rodeo food choices this year.

Baked potatoes: We saw these at every booth where barbecue was offered.

Freebirds lets you build your bowl with choices of chicken, steak, pork orveggies.

Keith Urban

Keith Urban

Keith Urban

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw

Walk around the livestock show and you will see lots of Brahman bulls.

An auction drew a major international crowd of buyers.

Livestock 101: From left, a bull, a calf and a cow.

Selena Gomez is still trying to find her voice at the microphone.

Selena Gomez probably isn't sweating our Rodeo review.

While the rest of the stadium of tweens and tortured parents squealed to Gomez'swarble, I took quick notes on the performer's follies.

Let's start with the lowest point of the night — a mid-set break to introduceher father and sing "Happy Birthday."

But the biggest omission of her RodeoHouston night was not paying tribute to theoriginal Selena.

The set for Selena Gomez' Sunday show at the rodeo

Chitra Divakaruni

"One Amazing Thing"

Janet Jackson

Jennifer Nettles

Nettles and Kristian Bush, right, rocked the rodeo

"It's always been country western and it's always been gay," says bar managerHarwood. "It's gone through several owners, but it really hasn't changed."

Decades before "Brokeback Mountain," Houston's own Brazos River Bottom provideda glimpse of gay cowboy grit.

In comparison to the strobe lights and stardust of the Fairview strip, theBottom offers a decadent dose of authenticity.

You don't want to get in a goat's face.

This woman knows how to milk a goat. Take a bow, Dana Tyson.

Maria Todd (with morning co-host Brad Booker) ... well, not so much.

Clay Walker

Clay Walker

Clay Walker

Clay Walker

My Flaming Heart is set to make an entrance this Rodeo season.

Flirty rodeo styles with embroidered details are popular rodeo looks from MarloMiller.

Embroidered boots, $275-$410, Chick & Chica.

Old Gringo Swarovski crystal and leather boots, $1,399, Marlo Miller Boutique

Men's cowboys boots, $75-$245, My Flaming Heart

Gently worn women's leather boots, $75-$245, My Flaming Heart

Men will find tongue-in-cheek odes to Western wear at My Flaming Heart.

Frida shirtwaist with open back and contrasting collar, $185, My Flaming Heart

Old belts become upcycled cuffs. Leather cuffs, $42-$48, My Flaming Heart

Put the "girl" in cowgirl with a floral dress, cashmere sweater andstatement-making belt buckle at Marlo Miller.

Sliced geode belt buckle, $149, Marlo Miller Boutique