Why I love Texas #1:
Today I was stopped by the sheriff while running down a country road to warn me of the horse loose on the road ahead. It caused quite a commotion!!
Why I love Texas #2:
I had been using a certain outhouse and was having trouble with the door blowing open because the latch had loosened up. I tried tightening it with a screwdriver to no avail. A cowboy came by and knew how to fix it in a jiffy- with a twig!
Why I love Texas #3:
Running in bluebonnets
Why I love Texas #4:
It's not a cup holder, it's a BEER holder!
Why I love Texas #5:
There's something special about small town life, a kind of easy grace that makes doing even mundane chores seem simple, even enjoyable. Case in point, today while driving I noticed a strange whining noise coming out from under my hood. New to town, I stopped by the garage where the guy had recently done a state safety inspection on my car, and he kindly referred me to a local mechanic nearby. I drove up and the mechanic quickly came out and took my car into the service bay. The owner welcomed us and told us local history, even gave us local theatre recommendations. 15 minutes and 20$ later we were on our way with a well running car.
Why I love Texas #6:
Today I took a nap on the bench on my deck. Wind and birdsong lullaby. My alarm was a hummingbird who apparently mistook my ear for a flower. Have I died and gone to heaven? Somebody pinch me, quick!
Why I LoveTexas #7:
Luckenbach!! The little town with a big heart.
I have always loved this place, since I first heard of it in my teens. A place where pickers gather under the live oak trees, the dancehall shakes and shines with unbelievable talent, and where EVERYbody is, not only SOMEBody, but a friend waiting to happen.
I spent the majority of the weekend there for the 6th annual Thomas Michael Riley music fest, and I'm a better person for having done so. I'm happy to report that the legendary "Luckenbach state of mind" is alive and well and free for the taking. Do yourself a favor and get there!
Why I love Texas #8:
I hang my wash outside on the line. In the sun and the wind. They dry in like 5 minutes. And smell like... everything good and beloved and fresh rolled into one. Happy. It's the little things.
Why I love Texas #9:
COWBOYS!!! 'Nuff said!
Cowboys are tough and strong and can do anything and make it look easy. GOOD cowboys also have a soft underbelly. I have learned this through close observation and field research. LOL
Tonight, and let me remind you, it was a WEDNESDAY night, I went to Hondo's with friends to hear Michael Hearne and Kevin Higgins. This was great Texas music, real songwriters, real guitar players, outside under a starry sky, and FREE. We watched 2 little blonds, a little boy about 3 and his older sister about 5 as they danced, owning the floor, twirling, arms waving, free and joyful.
Texas music gets in your blood, and it's hard not to dance
Why I love Texas #11
Running on a cool Texas morning, the ditches deep with a tangle of wildflowers, black angus yearlings who run along the fence line with you as if inspired, darting songbirds, black faced sheep. Life is good!
Why I love Texas #12:
Most of the traffic jams I encounter on my daily rounds are caused by a tractor. That is all.
Why I love Texas #13:
They have big boot tent sales here! I really really like boots.
Why I l love Texas #14:
The Highway Greeting. Folks here say "Howdy" when passing each other on the highway. Whether I'm walking, running or driving the red-dirt Subaru, I get the greeting. It's either a full-out-the-winder wave, the finger lift, or my personal favorite, the cowboy hat nod/chin tuck. Whichever way it goes, I feel like I've just been hugged. Goodbye Midwest stoicism!!
Why I love Texas #, oh, I don't know? 100,000,001?
Today I was out running in Fredericksburg. I started out when it was kinda drizzling, because I love running in the rain and I am NOT a hot weather runner. After I'd run about 3 miles the sun came out and the humidity was crippling and I was DYING. I ran up to the brand-spanking new Fredericksburg Town Pool, yet to open. I decided to see if there was anything posted about an opening date and walked to the entrance. There were some workmen there, who told me the opening date, (June 8, I believe). I said, "Wow I wish I could jump in there right now!" And THEY said, "Go right ahead! We need someone to test it out."
So I jumped right in and I swam in my running clothes, cooled off, and was able to continue my run in wet-conditioned comfort.
Only in Texas! Thanks, worker-guys, for being life savers today! I'm getting a season pass to that pool FYI.
Oh PS- Those guys even asked me if I wanted them to turn on the water slide for me. LOL
1 comment:
I love this post. Makes me feel as if I am discovering Texas with you.
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