Well, HELLO there Girlfriends! Wow, it’s been a while since I posted and sister, let me tell you it has been a whirlwind …
Where to start? With three California-to-Texas road trips under our belts, we made the full-time move to Fort Worth a few months ago … Nicknamed “Cowtown,” my new hometown is a down-to-earth, bonafide cowboy town with a cool vibe, mixing boots and boutiques with BBQ and gourmet cuisine. Botanical gardens, river walks along the Trinity, country drives to local wineries, genteel neighborhoods and social outings. I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven, and finally feel at home back in the South after three decades away.
I knew I was back where I belonged when I opened the “Amy, Welcome to Texas!” email from our new utility company, TXU Energy … their handy “guide” to the Lone Star State had me in stitches … I thought I’d share it with you for some giggles, along with some tidbits of my own:
Dear Amy:
Howdy!
(That’s Texan for ‘Welcome!’)
You may be new to the Lone Star State, but it won’t take you long to feel right at home. Let us help you get settled.
1) Names can be confusing.
Some of our towns don’t sound like they’re spelled. For example, Italy (not the country) is “IT-lee.” Good luck with Mexia, Buda, Waxahacie, Refugio and Boerne.
**Sigh. The truth hurts, girlfriends. I still call Plano “PLAH-no” instead of “PLAY-no,” and Bowie “BOH-ee” instead of “BOO-ee,” and Foch Street “FOCK” instead of “FOSH” with a long O (‘OH’). Who would have EVER known??
2) You can eat tacos at every meal.
Want to start a fight between two Texans? Ask them which city makes the best breakfast taco. Fact is, tortillas go with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
**And oh my lord, you’ve gotta try the Bourbon and Coke Pulled Pork Bahn-mi Tacos at the Woodshed … heaven on a plate in the form of little tacos with pickled veggies, and you can even bring your dogs to sit alongside in the plentiful indoor/outdoor seating, with fans in the summer and heat lamps in the cold season. You just can’t go wrong!
3) Learn the bluebonnet squat.
Every spring, you’ll see folks in their Sunday Best, pulled over on the highway, squatting for a photo with our state flower. This is normal. It’s a thing.
**Ok, I’m actually still waiting to see this “thing” happen, but I’ve definitely seen the bluebonnets in bloom and it’s agorgeous sight to behold, gals. And another of my favorite roadside phenomena are the outdoor metal sculpture vendors along every highway. Buy yourself that Texas Lonestar or your favorite Texas university logo worked in metal, to prickly pear and agave cacti – even a rooster or a roadrunner, if you please!
4) There’s something for everyone.
Whether you love Friday night lights or the symphony, backyard BBQ or fine dining, there are plenty of activities and culture to enjoy.
**Like I said, it is the best of all worlds here, and I love it when my friends and family come to visit and I get to show off everything Fort Worth has to offer. I love wandering around the art museums, grabbing some sushi, binge-watching football, catching the rodeo down at the stockyards – sometimes all in the same day!
5) It’s a rule: no beans in the chili.
The official state food of Texas can’t be improved. Please don’t turn your chili into vegetable stew.
**At first I was like wait, WHAAAATT??? No beans in the chili?? One of my favorite childhood meals my mom makes is her red bean chili, so this was a definite departure from the norm for me. But I’ll tell you what, the all-meat chili here in Texas is delish, and you won’t be sorry! In fact, I think I’m going to have my own version of a chili cook-off … or even better, a “flight” of mini-chili bowls LOL!
6) We’re polite and neighborly.
Don’t feel old when you hear us say “ma’am” and “sir.” That’s just how we were raised. And go ahead, ask us for anything – we’re always willing to lend a helping hand.
**This is for real – in my new neighborhood, within the first month my neighbors were helping me find a plumber, recommending doctors, and taking in the Fed Ex package off my front porch because it was pouring rain and all of the documents inside were going to turn to mush. I found new, instant girlfriends at the pickleball courts who not only taught me the game and made room for me in the weekly lineup, but also made me promise to stop saying “I’m sorry!” every time I hit it into the net or out of bounds – there are no “sorry’s” in pickleball with this new squad of mine. Friendly competition with mimosas – woohoo, I love these gals to pieces!
Yep, TXU Energy did a mighty fine job of welcoming me to my real home … and now that I’ve gotten (mostly) settled in and the boxes are unpacked, I’m easing back into reflecting and writing.It’s funny how the body and soul can feel so perfect when all the pieces fit together. I’m living and loving it up, “down home” style – so keep an eye out for more girlfriend conversations comin’ your way, ya’ll!