Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Welcome to Texas!

Greetings to all my Blog Around The World friends! I am sorry to be a bit late posting my Texas tour - I had a bit of miscommunication, but I am sure it was my fault - figures!

Anyway, welcome to the Great State of Texas!

Now, I know the other Texas sites will probably give you a lot of great Texas info, and I can't wait to read it all, but I thought I'd just tell you what it means to BE a Texan.

Bear in mind, I am not only a Texan, I am a seventh-generation Texan and a bona fide member of the Texas First Families. Pretty impressive, huh?

Everything is bigger and better in Texas. Why do we say that? I'll tell you why - we believe it!

We can't help it, though. It starts before we walk into school - especially if BOTH your parents are native Texans, too. And when you walk into that school, it intensifies!

As you've probably already found out, our capitol is the biggest of all the states. Not only that, our flag can be flown at the same height as the United States flag. Why? Because we're Texas, that's why!

Please don't take this as conceit. It really isn't. It's just who we are and what we're taught.

We appreciate that all the states of the magnificent country are special. We just like that ours could hold most of them. And, that we really could cecede from the rest of you and survive just fine.

Here are a few of my favorite Texas things:

Our state bird - the mockingbird - no other bird on earth can sing like this one. Even though they'll make off with your tomatoes and ruin your garden, nothing is prettier than the mockingbird song late in the evening.

Our state shell - the lightning whelk - so pretty and you CAN hear the ocean in it. This shell is only found on our Gulf coast.

Our state flower - the beautiful bluebonnet - a blue so blue it will hurt your eyes when you come across a sun-splattered field of them. No photo can do them justice.

There's so much more - real cowboys - do I need to describe this? Thought not.

Rodeos. The coast. Canyons. Deserts. Ranches. Flowers. Fruits. Three of the country's largest cities (Houston being the best one, of course!). Fairs. Longhorns. Roadrunners. Tex-Mex food.

Mostly, though, it's the people.

Even in the big cities, you'll find our native Texans to be kind, courteous, gracious, and welcoming. What are our big cities anyway? Small town people who relocated for work. We still have southern manners with a little bit of wild west attitude.

So, come on down, y'all, and stay a spell - enjoy the Lone Star State! After all, the word, "Texas," comes from "tejas" which means, "Friend."

You have a Friend in Texas :-)

50 comments:

Leslie said...

Thanks for the warm welcome~ I have a brother in law who lives there. We keep meaning to stop by, but haven't yet. I am a former Texan with a soft spot in my heart for the whole state. I guess it never goes away! Your daughter is beautiful! Enjoy your BATW spotlight!

Rela Pantaleon said...

Finally, a real Texan!!!

As a recent relocatee, I now know and understand some of what you mentioned.

Anyway, wanted to add a photo of an armadillo in my blog today but it just wouldn't fit. Would you like an armadillo? :) Questions - is the Armadillo the state animal? Why is the armadillo almost always related to TX?

Ronnica said...

This whole comment is said (typed) tongue-in-cheek, so don't take it the wrong way!

"Please don't take this as conceit. It really isn't. It's just who we are and what we're taught." Umm, whatever. I call it like it is, and it IS conceit. It just rubs me the wrong way, I guess. Maybe it was my 4 years in Oklahoma? You know what they say, if Oklahoma is shaped like a toilet than that makes Texas...

Visiting Texas is like visiting another country, that's for sure! I think it's the only place in the States where I felt like I WASN'T in the States. San Francisco even felt more familiar to me.

Elena said...

My mom was born and raised in Texas, but now lives in Idaho. I have a soft spot in my hear for Texas. Thank you for sharing today.

Ashley said...

Congrats on your feature!

Gina said...

OOH, I am so coming to visit. Maybe I'll get Betty Blogarina to fly me down in her Jet. Great post. Your non-conceit made me chuckle. Have fun being a BATW gal today.

Unknown said...

Great post!!

Kerrie said...

Great post my dear friend...!!!

But just so as you know and for a little perspective...Queensland is more than FIVE times the size of Texas...!!! However our state's population is around 4.3 million (but growing by 1,200 every week, or so they tell us) whereas your population is around 23.5 million...so much open space here.

Can you imagine...??? You are going to have to Come On Down...!!!

Joy said...

Hi Neighbor coming to visit you from the Houston area via BATW. I'm a transplant, but love it here. Good luck with your new job.

taratoons said...

Stopping by from BATW. Nice post. I hope you enjoy your day.

Julie said...

I'm here from BATW. Just wanted to say hi y'all! : ) I used to travel to Texas for work off and on and I loved it!

Caroline said...

Texas seems like a good place to live. My hubby's work headquarters is in Texas. Big place, that state.

Happy BATW day to ya!

Melisa Wells said...

Great post! I'm visiting via BATW from Illinois...I used to live (for 2 years) in Ft. Worth; was in middle school at the time and really enjoyed it down there.

That bluebonnet photo is to DIE FOR. Gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Happy BATW day!! What a great post! There's nothing wrong with state pride!!!

Linda said...

I'd love to visit Texas one day! I know a few CA transplants who live there and they love it.

But don't you guys have BIG bugs there!?!

gary rith said...

Wow, that's a gorgeous blue alright!
Maybe you should invite all of us to your house for a new year's party? Bet the winter weather is nice!

Kendra said...

Visiting via BATW...

Great post! I've been to Texas only once - San Antonio a few years ago - and I really enjoyed it there. My hubby started graduate school at A&M before transferring back to Purdue, so he has a big time soft spot for Texas. He'd drop anything to go back!

Unknown said...

I love the state flowers and thanks for the welcome to Texas. This is my first trip and I love it.

Brian and Staci said...

Greetings from your neighbor here in OKlahoma! I did NOT know that you could fly your flag at the same height as the American Flag...whoa! And that bluebonnet field...gorgeous! We do LOVE visiting Texas...especially that second weekend of October :) None other than The Great Red River Showdown!!! Great post! Nice to meet ya!

Melissa B. said...

Hey there, gal! Hope all is well down Houston-way. Of course, I'm visiting today from BATW--isn't it groovy? Did Gustav hit y'all at all? Hope everyone is safe and dry. Well, this Native Texan (Big D) thinks you did a right good job showin' us all around. Thanks, chica!

TheMama said...

Well hi from MA!

It's WICKED AWESOME to meet you!

Shell said...

Loved your post. The shells and bluebonnets are lovely. One of my best friends is from Texas. Texans are proud and warm people to me.

oº˚ Homeschool Mom˚ºo said...

Stopping by from Louisiana to say hi! Loved your post and i will be back to read more.

Becky W said...

Yay for Texas!! I was born in San Antonio and lived there some of my life. I love it! I also love Craig Biggio - Go Houston Astros!! Thanks for letting all of us BATWers come by

Lady Dorothy said...

Greetings from the Central Coast of California!

I loved this line: "We still have southern manners with a little bit of wild west attitude." Fun combination!

Shannon said...

I'm here from BATW to say hello! My husband used to do a lot of traveling to Dallas/Fort Worth and Waco for work... but its one state that I have yet to visit!

Aubrey said...

The last time I was in TX was many, many moons ago and it was to Lubbock. I would love to go back to REALLY visit/site see. Thanks for the welcome!

Our Crazy Happy Family said...

Greetings from North Carolina! Thanks for the tour!

Nik said...

Thanks for the memories of TX - some things you do forget after a while of being gone. I'm about to post my tribute to the TX in all of ya'll.

Aunt Julie said...

Lynda: You're SUCH a wonderful Texas Tour Guide! I lived in Tejas so many years ago, it's really grown up a lot since my high school daze. The thing I miss most, though, is the Chicken Fried Steak (I know, I shouldn't crave it!), the BBQ as only Texans make it, and a decent enchilada dinner. Do you ever go to Ninfa's, or is it way too "commercial" now? I remember when she only had one restaurant! Oh, and I soooooooo miss me some bluebonnets!! BATW has a great way of making us all closer, doesn't it?

Mrs. X said...

Oh I love going to Texas! We always eat the greatest food, and the people are so nice.

Frizzy said...

I'm not from TX but I love it just the same. My hubby's mom's side of the family lives in Seguin near San Antonio. I could move there in a heartbeat if it weren't for the dawgone HEAT and HUMIDITY! UGH.

Kelly said...

Wow, 7 generations of Texans...too cool to have that kind of heritage and ties to a place!! Love the post and the pictures!

Susie said...

Greetings from Wisconsin! Congratulations on your day in the sun at BATW. I loved your post! It permeates pride in your state and who you are. I like that!

Wendy said...

Don't know how much more TX homesickness I can stand. Loved your post. I miss the mockingbirds (and that wonderful dance they do, have you seen it?)and the bluebonnets and indian paintbrush and evening primroses in the fields in the Spring. (sigh)

Texas can fly its flag equal to the US flag because technically, it's still a republic. They never gave that up when they joined the Union. That's right, they are legally a *country*. I looove that. :-)

Hope you enjoyed your BATW day. I loved visiting. Sure miss all y'all in Texas. Go Aggies! Whoop!

Jen said...

Thanks for sharing your piece of heaven. There's so much to learn about Texas. One day I'll visit my friend, Texas.

CaraBee said...

What a great intro to Texas! I love Tex-Mex food and pretty much every person I have met from there has been super nice.

Just Lisa said...

Oh, how I would love to walk through a field of bluebonnets! They look so beautiful!

Debbie said...

I LOVED IT LYNDA!!! You did a great job!!

Gramma 2 Many said...

What a wonderful post!! Some day I will make it down there. I would love to soak up some of your warm weather. I hate winter with our long rainy season. Can't get enough sun, but my husband can't tolerate the heat so here I am in the Beautiful PNW.
Enjoy your day to shine, and the conciet is tolerable for today.

I Love Purple More Than You said...

Your state flower is so beautiful! Very impressive how deep your Texas roots go. With roots that deep, I would've expected you to have bigger hair though. ;) You know, with everything being bigger in Texas...

Fun to learn some more about Texas!

B. said...

I love bluebonnets and Houston has some great shopping!

Cristin said...

I drove through some of Texas on a cross country trip... but I know I didn't get the full effect. I have family there and hope to visit for real some day.

Thanks for stopping by my blog on my SITS day!

Laural Out Loud said...

Texans really are a brood of their own! Fun post to read.

Heathahlee said...

Our Mississippi state bird is the mockingbird, too...I'm so glad you enjoy hearing it. My opinion differs slightly...LOL. I had no idea y'all had a state shell. I wonder if Mississippi does?

I would love to come visit Texas for longer than the last time I came through. We were on our way to Arizona and drove through the panhandle, so I really didn't see anything except cows and grass. I thought there was more to it, and from your beautiful description, I now know there is!

Penelope said...

I've never been to Texas, but I've always wanted to go! I never knew Texas (or any state for that matter) had a state shell! Thanks for the post!

Briana said...

Love the post (I'm in Texas too). I love the mockingbird and love seeing and hearing it all around!

Tracy P. said...

That was a beautiful welcome...sorry I showed up late! Those bluebonnets are amazing!

just a girl... said...

LOL, I cant believe I found another Texan and this time by luck. Hail to the Texans

The Hultman's said...

I'm a new memeber of blog around the world so I am a little late... Hope Hurricane Ike is nice to you! We're in Austin and and are keeping our Texas Peeps in our prayers!

 
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