Goodbye Old Friend

Our dog, Mercedes, died today.  She was 12 1/2 years old.  She was our first dog.  Sheri and I bought her from a German Shepherd breeder when we lived in Tennessee (before Seminary.)  I don't remember her mother's name, but do I remember her father's - Ace of Spades.  I remember her father because he was very impressive - a huge, sable German Shepherd.  Thus, Mercedes had good genes.  And she demonstrated that fact well all of her life.  She was smart, I usually say, "too smart for her own good."  She was super easy to train.  I think we had her housebroken after only one or two accidents.  She picked up the game of fetch in just a couple attempts as well.  And once she understood that I was the alpha male of the house, she would always come with my whistle.  Mercedes was an excellent hunter.  I've never kept a perfect tally, but here is the record of her kills: 1 rabbit, at least 4 squirrels, a couple of rats, 2 opossum, and one bird that I witnessed her jump up and grab in midair.  Of course, she followed the instincts of her breed and always felt the need to herd something.  Whenever she came inside, she would always check to see where all the cats where.  I think she tried to herd the girls as well when they were just learning to walk.  She was always protective of them and the whole family.  She always kept watch - guarding the backyard in the four houses we called home during her lifetime.  Mercedes was the epitome of loyalty and faithfulness.  Whenever I was anywhere in the house or the yard, she was always right by my side.

During the past year, her health degenerated.  As German Shepherds are prone to do, she developed severe arthritis and weakness in her hindquarters.  She developed major problems with incontinence as well.  In the last of her days, she was in quite a bit of pain.  She lived a very long life by German Shepherd standards. 

Goodbye Mercedes, our loyal friend.  You will be missed.   

Livin' Right in the Lone Star State

We have lived in Texas for just over six years. In that time, we have become more immersed in the culture of the state. Yes, Texas has a culture all its own. We have discovered some "requirements" of calling Texas home. Here is a list of citizenship requirements I have discovered so far:

FOOTBALL - The most blessed sport ranks very close to the Divine in Texas. The state requirement is to participate in some capacity: play it, watch it, coach it, discuss it, etc. Your level of participation does not matter - little league, high school, college, pro - it's just important that you do it. Extreme team loyalty is expected, and encouraged.

BARBEQUE - This is the state food, really, state meal. There is but one proper menu, as follows - smoked beef brisket, baked beans, cole slaw and or potato salad, bread, sliced onion, pickles, iced sweet tea to drink, and for dessert, ideally peach cobbler. No variance or substitutions allowed. The state meal is almost universally served at any large gathering of people. Other meats may be smoked or grilled, but the previous menu is the only true Texas barbeque.

TRUCKS - Pickup trucks a versitle vehicles, that are very useful in many situations. If you have the means to afford and maintain a truck, it is highly recommended that you acquire one - even if you live in a metropolitan area. Brand loyalty (Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc) runs high and is a source of personal pride.

HUNTING/FISHING - The hunting of deer is an annual event in Texas that almost knows no bounds. Everyday life and activities cease to exist at the opening of the season as equipment is purchased and prepared, trips planned, and weapons locked and loaded. Speaking of equipment, be prepared to open your wallet. That 100 or so pounds of deer meat will be the most expensive piece of meat you own once all costs are factored in. But that doesn't matter, it's all about the experience. Fishing, particularly along the Gulf Coast, is a year-round affair. It can be a less expensive means of recreation, unless you buy a boat, then your costs will exceed hunting exponentially.

RODEO - Not just any rodeo, but the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  It's the largest in the nation.  Every early spring all of Texas gathers together for this 3 week event.  And it's not just cowboys riding bulls. There's acres of vendors selling their wares, amusement rides, agricultural education opportunities, and music concerts every evening.  No invitation required, just show up.

BOOTS - Cowboy boots are the required footwear. They go well with trucks, barbeque, and well, pretty much everything on this list. Just go buy a good pair.

BLUEBONNETS - the Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) is the state flower of Texas.  It blooms all over most of Texas in the early spring as wildflowers filling open fields in a sea of blue.  They are beautiful to see.  What is required of all Texans is to photograph your children sitting among them.  Your photos are to be placed on your wall or mantle, or on your Facebook page.

BUC'EES - It's a gas station and it is a required stop for all Texans.  A number of their locations are huge.  We're talking something like 40+ gas pumps, 30-50 thousand square feet of everything you can imagine for sale inside.  But the real reason you must stop at Buc'ees are their bathrooms.  We are talking stalls that go on to the horizon.  Buc'ees is the perfect stop before or after a long day of football, hunting, fishing, or rodeo.  And here's the best news: soon we will be able to fulfill our state requirements without traveling halfway across Texas!  They are building their largest facility, 60,000 sq. feet, in Texas City - but 15 miles from my home.  How awesome!

Texas friends: am I missing anything?  Let me know!