Jalapeño Sunflower Seeds

sunflower

Hardware: iPhone
Software: app

Eat Spit Be Happy
Red item on Monday – jalapeño sunflower seeds
I was born and raised in East Texas. Western edge, but still, East Texas. Professionally, socially, and occasionally for pure entertainment, I’ve spent much time in rugged and sparse — and sparsely beautiful — West Texas. Almost a year ago exactly, I snapped a similar image.

https://www.astrofish.net/2010/07/mango-con-chile/

This time, it was in a Texaco super store with marginally clean bathroom, cold Dr. Pepper, and then another one of those items that made me wonder. South on interstate 37, going towards the coast.

The lettering is for the red theme, as is the flavor, hot. Did I buy any? No. What this speaks to me about is the odd confluence of culture, language, land and traditions. A simple image, caught on a phone camera, and yet, the oddest point is how natural it all seems here.

I’ve grown to love South Texas. Weird is normal, here.

That was from a coast trip, last month.

Wasn’t until I imported the image that I saw the motto, “Eat, Spit, Be Happy!”

I have to question whether hot jalapeño salsa (flavored) sunflower seeds are available — and enjoyed — elsewhere in the world. I’m not sure, but I’m guessing this is another one of them South Texas anomalies.

Where else, who else, would suggest that?

Eat. Spit. Be happy.

About the author: Born and raised in a small town in East Texas, Kramer Wetzel spent years honing his craft in a trailer park in South Austin. He hates writing about himself in third person. More at KramerWetzel.com.

  • Magical Mystical Teacher Jul 11, 2011 @ 9:21

    I do like sunflower seeds, but jalapeno? Um, not so much!

    GIVE ME RED RIBBON

    Give me red ribbon to tie in my hair,
    Not yellow or purple or green;
    But burgundy, chestnut, carmine or rose—
    These are the colors with sheen!

    Give me red ribbon to tie in my hair,
    Not saffron or opal or blue;
    But fuchsia, magenta, ruby or blush—
    Something of sanguinous hue!

    Give me red ribbon to tie in my hair,
    Not indigo, salmon or grey;
    But scarlet, vermilion, dahlia or pink—
    Colors like these make my day!

    © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

    Narrow Red Alley

  • rhubarb Jul 11, 2011 @ 10:25

    Another voice from the harem speaks: David jalapeno sunflower seeds may be available in the Los Angeles area, but I’ve never seen them. Maybe I need to haunt Texaco stations more. However you’ve piqued my curiosity and I’m going to start looking for them. Love the name “David”. So Mexican/Latino, y’know.

  • rhubarb Jul 11, 2011 @ 10:27

    P.S. it’s a ConAgra brand and available through Amazon.

  • Kim,USA Jul 11, 2011 @ 14:18

    that’s my hubby’s favorite!
    Barn & Cherries are red

  • Liz Jul 11, 2011 @ 14:24

    Sounds delicious.

    Moms…Check Nyo
    Yummy-as-can-be

  • Kramer Wetzel Jul 11, 2011 @ 16:21

    Isn’t David, like, Old Testament?

  • Ralph Jul 11, 2011 @ 17:59

    I’m not Texan, obviously, yet I do like some heat with my food – perhaps as I age, the taste buds need a bit of spice. Yet, jalapeño seems a bit harsh, the fiery heat sitting on my tongue a long time while working the seed from the husk. Sea salt is a better choice if one is from bland New England…

  • iphone Jul 11, 2011 @ 19:35

    Ralph, you make it this way, and I’ll put you on fish, show you old airplanes, and make sure we don’t get anything too hot for your tastes…

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