Egypt cowboy ups.

Disrespectful? Or shrug and “lighten up?”

Marketing attempt? (Any publicity is good publicity!)

Feel free to decide.

Only in Texas.

Anubis in Texas. (Photo: Houston Chronicle)

It’s Go Texan Day In Houston.

The world-famous Houston Livestock Show and Concert Rodeo gallops to life this week. Now decked out with a city slicker name tag, Rodeo Houston is a huge event raising money for scholarships featuring a carnival, shopping for western items, much food, and big musical acts of all types – with a sprinkling of steers, cowboys, cowgirls, and horses. (You can still wander the livestock “barn” and arena if you want to see animals.)

But today is beginning of rodeo season in Houston – opening with the extreme rivalries of  the World Famous Bar-B-Que cookoff and beer guzzling contest on the Reliant Park grounds. (Such a big event, it has a whole weekend to itself before the rodeo actually opens….drivers of family cars are probably appreciative)

So how does Egypt fit in here? (Although there are some lovely Arabian horses scheduled in events…just don’t tell the Quarter horse cowboys – never the twain shall meet. It’s a horse life style thing.)

Take a look.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston has been hosting a “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and Great Pharaohs Exhibit” which opened with great fanfare. Considering there have been numerous King Tut and mummy exhibits around in the past few years, not sure how attendance has been.

Odd news articles appeared talking not so much about the wonders and history of the display, but more appealing to the, well let’s say, “common touch.”  Articles talked about the ancient toilet seat, and how some of the statues were naked. Hmmm. OK, these were 3rd graders. What better way to encourage a family to visit the King Tut exhibit?

Anyway, it looks like MFAH decided it would be great if the 25 foot seven ton statue of Anubis, now standing in front of the museum, joined in with the Go Texan spirit. So workers draped a jaunty cowboy bandana around his neck and buckled a cowboy belt around his waist.

Cool or cruel?

Anubis is the guardian of the ancient Egyptian afterlife.

So he must be a fun guy right? A party animal ready to celebrate. Tears of joy obviously.

It’s not quite like burning Qurans.

Or baptizing Anne Frank as a Mormon.

But feels sort of hillbilly-ish?

It’s funny.

Just a big Hee Haw.

Go on. Go Texan, ya’ll

Rodeo on:

Houston Chronicle:

• “A feather can complete your rodeo look”  (Hair feather fashion for chicks by chicks)
• It’s Go Texan Day. Is your kid ready?” Pictures of Go Texan kids
• “King Ranch has the goods” Western shopping. The famous cattle ranch brand has branched out.
• “Rodeo Success by the numbers” What is Go Texan and the rodeo all about?
• “Whoa: Horses snarl traffic on Katy Freeway” Yes, we have horses and wagons in the streets. Multiple Trail rides travel in from all directions.
• “Trail Riders approach Houston” photos of 2012 trail rides and parade route
• “Rodeo 2012 isn’t all music, carnivals, and bull riding” Lots to do. Don’t wear new boots.
• “A Primer for rodeo concerts” What musical groups will be there.
• “Best Food at the Rodeo carnival” – wacky treats available this year…(Mardi Gras is so last week.)

ABC / KTRK videos

• “Hairstyles for the rodeo on a budget”. Hair fashion for the perfect cowgirls. Stylist shows feathers and bandanas for your hair (and under your hat!)
• “Cowboy boots on a budget” – gotta have boots! Quality cowboy boots and fashion in Montrose resale store
• “Add Bling to your boots for the Houston Rodeo” Hottest trend in bling rodeo fashion: cowboy boots, jean jackets, and jewelry. Do it yourself – or buy ready-made.

Get yourself a horse or a mustang convertible,

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.