A Cowboy is a Man with Guts and a Horse

This weekend I was able to enjoy a new experience — my very first rodeo!

Growing up in the Midwest, it's no wonder I have never been to a rodeo before. Lucky me, my fella and I received tickets as one of our Christmas presents.

Number one, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised when we not only sang the National Anthem before the show, but also prayed beforehand. I wish these values were dispersed throughout America!

The show itself was good fun. The ladies and gentlemen who participated, and their horses, are amazing athletes. I particularly enjoyed the bronco riding, calf roping, and the trick riding.

I took many pictures in the hopes that a few would come out okay. Here are a few for you to get a taste of the action:

It is something I look forward to going to again. The stock show part of it I could leave. I love animals, but it just wasn't as interesting as I thought it might be. Staring at the ground to make sure I didn't step in any droppings didn't help. I'm a city girl; stepping in animal droppings is not normal.

Oh, and I must mention that the brisket-topped nachos were ah-mazing. Only in Texas...

— E

Only in Texas...

Have I ever found PEACH Jam in a restaurant.

I'm certainly not complaining about it.

— E

What I Love About Texas, Part 1

It has been a few months now since I moved to Texas.  As I mentioned previously, I have discovered a lot about southern living that has reminded me what a city Yankee I am.  Yet, some of those things make up what I love about Texas...

The glamorous Southwest,
Hollywood-style.

• I love living in a state with so much neat history.  I mean, cowboys people!  Who doesn't love cowboys?  The Europeans do; they think all Americans are crazy cowboys.
• The food!  Biscuits and gravy, cornbread, brisket, barbecue, steak, Tex-Mex, fried everything.  Mmm...
• The accents.  They range from barley-there-southern to full out drawl.  I love it because it is still a novelty for me.
• The state pride is overwhelming sometimes.  People are just really, really proud to be from this state.
• Fort Worth.  Now, I really haven't been anywhere outside of the general Fort Worth area, yet, but it is a pretty cool city.  There is a lot to do, and close by!  This is very exciting to me after living in a small town hundreds of miles from a real city.  I have enjoyed going to the Science Museum, Stockyards, Casa Mañana Theatre, and numerous, delicious restaurants.
• The culture.  It is hard to explain, but things are just different around here.  It is nice to meet people who still understand the foundations our country were founded upon.  People seem to have morals; men still open the doors for ladies and the ladies don't get mad about it; like I said, a strong sense of history.  Perhaps I'll be able to put it into words a little better someday.

Those are the things I can think of this morning... that's why it's part one!  I'm positive I will be finding even more to love about this state the longer I am here.  And, of course, things I miss about home.

I definitely am not regretting my decision to move down here, though, and that is the main thing.  Can't wait to see what else I'll be discovering!

— E