On Being Texan

Tomorrow is one month to the day since Poppy and I arrived in the great republic of Texas, and while I still wake up in the middle of the night wondering where the heck I am at times, there are more times when I just can't stop grinning at how wonderful it is to be a Texan again.

So, I thought I'd share some of those things I see in a day that bring my smile on:

• We are NOT the South - that's those other places like Mississippi, North Carolina, Louisiana - we are Texas - a very different thing and don't you forget it.
• Fresh-brewed sweet tea is an option at just about every restaurant - I haven't been in one yet that didn't serve it.
• Dr. Pepper is also an option in just about every restaurant.
• Can anyone say Blue Bell ice cream sandwiches! OMG!
• Billboards that proudly compare the size of the DFW airport to the entire island of Manhattan - you guess which is bigger.
• An NFL stadium like no other on the planet - we do everything bigger in Texas.
• The way we take our pick-up trucks so seriously.
• We say "yes, ma'am" and call complete strangers hon and darlin'.
• While we complain about the heat, we are proud of our ability to survive in it - kind of one of those "I can talk trash about my state but don't you be talkin' no trash about my state" things.
• Steak and Mexican food are absolutely amazing here - we love us some cow!
• "Just around the corner" can mean anything from 2 blocks to 50 miles - all depends on how you look at it.
• We can sing things like "I want to check you for ticks" and sound romantic doing it. Go figure.
• When I say, "I'm from Harlingen," people actually know where that is.
• Our state fair is the biggest in the country - love that.
• There's no state income tax - love that more.
• We don't do mullets in Texas - thank goodness.
• Everywhere you go, people are wearing or displaying somewhere on themselves or the vehicles our in-your-face slogan - "Don't Mess With Texas."
• It's the only state I've seen that has hundreds if not thousands of Texas-shaped swimming pools across the state.
• It's the only state I've seen potato chips made in the shape of.
• The Luby's cafeteria menu tastes the same as it has since I was three years old. And Poppy Anne is already falling in love with the same dishes I grew up loving.
• There's a lot more I'm sure, but these were top of mind for me this week because I realized these are all things that help define "home."  It's a great feeling, especially on the rough days.