IN MEMORIAM: Texas Bloggers Remember Lady Bird

Lady Bird Johnson was a uniquely Texan First Lady. From the small East Texas town of Karnack in Harrison County (near Marshall in Harrison County), to her days at the University of Texas to her tenure in the White House, Texans more than anyone perhaps understood–and respected–Lady Bird the most.

Thus, it’s fitting that so many Texas bloggers have paused this week to remember Claudia Alta Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson.

She was far more than merely the wife of Lyndon Baines Johnson. She was a legend and phenomenal human being in her own right.

Tonight, we bring you a recap of Lady Bird Johnson memorial posts from the bloggers who knew her best–Texas’ fine Progressive bloggers. Though a few knew her personally or had met her, Texas bloggers, perhaps more than any other in the nation, are certainly best suited to sum up her well-lived life:

Could Be True at South Texas Chisme notes that every time he sees a bluebonnet, he will forever think of Lady Bird.

Krazypyppy at TexasKaos informs us that it was Lady Bird who brought issue of the environment forward to an issue of national consciousness.

Texas diarist NoWeasels at Daily Kos notes that–first and foremose–Lady Bird was an environmentalist.

Matt Glazer at Burnt Orange Report offers a note of sadness on the passing of Lady Bird while Karl-Thomas Musselman, BOR’s publisher, shares personal experiences of meeting Lady Bird in this excellent post.

Hal at Half Empty brings us a wonderful video of Lady Bird.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson shares wonderful family memories–which are uniquely Texan–related to Lady Bird.

McBlogger at McBlogger, in his unique style, reminds us of how much it sucks to lose someone you respect.

In a beautiful and well-written post, Jaye Ramsey Sutter at Winding Road in Urban Area discusses Lady Bird and notes how President Bush’s comments about “missing” Lady Bird bother her following his earlier antics during the day.

Perry Dorrell at Brains and Eggs brings us memories of another blogger (Prairie Weather) and the fruitful generations of wildflowers she has enjoyed as a result of some seeds from the old Johnson Ranch.

Muse at Musings has a poignant post sharing personal memories of encounters with the Johnsons and reminds us, so fittingly, that Lady Bird Was Ours.

Vince Leibowitz at Capitol Annex reminds us that Lady Bird was a true progressive and of her importance (and unfluence upon) modern American First Ladies.

Lady Bird, all Texas bloggers will miss you. Many of us were at a loss to write much today because with your passing, it seemed as though a shining light (who had been around for the entirety of all of our lives) had gone out. But, as we drove along the roadsides and saw the summer wildflowers today as we went to work, school, and about our daily travels, they seemed perhaps more beautiful than before. Perhaps that is because we appreciate them so much more now that you are gone. You will be forever missed. An environmentalist, a progressive, a human being who valued all people–you were what we all aspire to be, and did so in an unassuming yet dynamic way. And, in the process, you became a fixture not only of the movements which you led or moved within, but within popular culture itself. You set an example for us all. Godspeed, Lady Bird.

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