Encyclopedia: T

T is for Texas

I remember the first time I found out Neal was from Texas. We were walking out to his car, which was parked on my street in Provo. It was our first date, and I saw his license plates and said, "You're from Texas?!" I don't know why that was so unexpected, and, at the same time, so very cool. (Probably had something to do with the fact that he was cute and taking me on a nice date.) Turns out, 3 years later, I was moving here with him. And I couldn't have been more excited. I loved all the time I had spent at his parents' house in Tyler, grew to love the people, their funny way of talking, the storms, the noisy night time bugs, the big sky full of stars, and the barbeque.

Texas really is a great place. Sure, our kids learn the Texas (national) anthem. And pledge. Sure, they sing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" during the seventh inning stretch at Astros games. Sure, the Texas flag can legally fly at the same level as the US flag (it's the only one that can). These are just some of the things that make it so fun to live here and be a part of it all. Did you know that the British equivalent to Home Depot is actually called TEXAS? I love that. There have been so many times since we've lived here, that I've thought, "Oh wow, that is SO Texas," or "(s)he is SO Texas." (Of course, you can do this in any state, but Texans are one of a kind.) These comments have never been derogatory, of course. Just amusing. And sometimes amazing (like in the case of the extravagantly large blonde hairdos [accompanied by some extravagantly large diamonds] you can see at the big fancy Galleria mall. I thought that was passé. Apparently not.)

I'm proud that I've borne three little Texans and that we've made such a lovely home and even more lovely friends in this wonderful place. We'd really like to stay somewhere in the state, and we're working on that as we speak. We shall see, but whatever happens, Texas holds a special place in my memory.

Here in Texas:

• It is illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
• To be elected in the state of Texas, one must believe in a supreme being.
• Forty percent of the farm-grown catfish in the United States is consumed by Texans.
• It is illegal to spit on the sidewalk. (I wish had known this so many times.)
• Rodeo is the official state sport of Texas, though High School Football is more popular.
• In Texas, it's illegal to put graffiti on someone else's cow.
• Texas is the only state to have the flags of six different nations fly over it. They are: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States.
• The last battle of the Civil War was fought on May 12-13, 1865 at Palmito Ranch, Texas. It was a Confederate victory.
• The official dish of Texas is chili.
• El Paso is closer to Needles, California than it is to Dallas.
• In Texas, it is still a "hanging offense" to steal cattle.
• You can be legally married by publicly introducing a person as your husband or wife three times.
• Texas is as large as all of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois combined, in fact, the Dallas/Fort Worth airport is larger than New York City’s Manhattan Island.
  

So, in the immortal words of Davy Crockett,

"You'all can go to hell. I am going to Texas."

T is also for Toile, & To Kill a Mockingbird

special thanks to this fun website, and my image was found here