This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

I am an odd number.  Taking away a letter, and I become even.  What number am I?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Nicknamed the “Lone Star State”, Texas is admitted to the American Union on December 29, 1845, as the 29th state.  

Here are a few interesting facts about Texas:

• Capital City:  Austin
• Most Populous City:  Houston
• State Flower:  Bluebonnet
• State Bird:  Mockingbird
• State Motto:  Friendship

The state flag of Texas immortalizes its motto with the colors of blue for loyalty, white for strength, and red for bravery.  Its single star design is traced back to the days of the independent Texas Republic from 1836-1846.

The Johnson Space Center is located in Houston, and it opened in 1964.  NASA’s flight control is found in the Mission Control Center.  The entire site is also called the Manned Spacecraft Center, and it is named after President Lyndon Johnson.

The city of San Antonio has grown up around one of the most treasured sites in Texas, the Alamo.  The Alamo was at the center of the fight for Texas independence from Mexico in 1836.  Built in 1718 as a Spanish mission, it is later transformed into a military fort.

The infamous Texas Rangers are the oldest law enforcement agency in North America.  In 1923, Stephen Austin organizes the first group of Texas Rangers (ten in number).  

The popular soft drink Dr. Pepper traces its history to Waco and Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store.  In need of carbonated drinks to be served at the drug store’s soda fountain, pharmacist Charles Alderton creates the recipe for this refreshing soda in 1885.

Two American Presidents have birthplaces in Texas:  Dwight D. Eisenhower (Denison) and Lyndon B. Johnson (Stonewall).  

top left and MOVING clockwise: rio Grande river at big bend national park, texas bluebonnet, apollo moon mission’s saturn v rocket (outside johnson space center), historical collection of texas rangers badges, state capitol in austin, morrison’s old corner drug store (in waco), flag of the lone star state, scene outside of the alamo.  (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Seven.