Don't Mess With Texas

On Facebook, I had put on my wall that I miss Texas and I do. I shall now wax poetic about the greatest place ever.

Texas history is rich and full and colorful. It had influences from Mexico, Spain, France, Native American, and from wherever all the settlers came from. Texans fought hard for independence and the right to govern themselves. And they won that right. Even after it joined the US, it still reserved the right to remove itself and become a country unto itself. How freakin' great is that?

The state of Texas is vast and seemingly endless in some places. It encompasses many different types of geography. It has a little bit of something for everyone. There are the Piney Woods of East Texas. You could always go Hill Country in South Central Texas. There is always the Gulf Coast of Texas. The mountains of West Texas and the desert.

I am from North Central Texas. I grew up outside of Ft. Worth, Texas in a little bitty town. At that time it was small and when football season was over, there really wasn't anything else to do. We did live close enough to Ft. Worth that big city was only fifteen minutes away. I had the best of both worlds. Our malls were big and our hair was bigger. We had high school rivalries and used to cruise Camp Bowie. That was just nuts, but it was fun too.

Football rules in Texas. Friday night is the best night ever and there are so many ways to soak up the essence and be a part of Friday Night Football. I was in marching band. I loved it. It was one of the funnest things I have ever done. People who think it's easy should try to memorize several songs, and marching steps and counts at the same time. Sometimes you're running and playing at the same time. You have to maintain your playing while you're racing to get to your next spot. Every week, a different group was highlighted. We had drill team, flag core, and majorettes. They were actually very good.

Our football team was very good. They made the playoffs several times and even got to go to State. That was incredible. It certainly brought everyone in town out and together and showing solidarity for their home town boys. The town was empty of people on those Friday nights.

Our cheerleaders were fantastic. Most of them were gymnasts of some level. We even had a couple that could have trained for the Olympics and had been scouted for that reason. They made it all the way to Nationals and got to go to Florida for the National Championships. They got more and more daring every year and always had great routines.

The student fans are the ones that really make a football game. They have such a great energy and are really fun. They would yell really loud and paint their faces and their bodies and just show off. I loved 'em.

People in Texas drive as fast as they can all the time. They are not afraid to speed, and the cops are not afraid to pull you over. The problem is deciding who to pull over. It's like shooting fish in a fish bowl. None of them know how to use their brakes that's for sure. If you do the speed limit, you will get run over. It doesn't matter if you are in the slow lane or not. The slow lane is not slow, it's just not as fast as everyone else. Buckle up and hold on is the best advice I can give you.

We like things big in Texas, and that includes our vehicles. The bigger the better. Usually the bigger the truck, the smaller the woman driving it. My sister has a Suburban and will not trade it for anything, except another Suburban. She drives that thing like it's a Mini Cooper. She can get in and out of anywhere in that bad boy. That's how they make 'em in Texas.

I always say that any good Texan is a proud Texan. I am a good Texan. I am proud to call that state my home. I don't live there now, but I yearn to go back. My heart pulls me that way each day. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I have recently reconnected with several friends that still live close to the area that we grew up in. My problem with that is that I have so many new friends here that I would miss if I were to go back. Decisions, decisions, but not for right now.

If you get a chance to go to Texas, I would highly recommend it. There is art and culture; outdoor activities like kayaking, rafting, and rock climbing; hunting and fishing is abundant; beaches and islands to explore; theme parks and fairs and so much more. Find something you like to do and you can do it in Texas. Enjoy!