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!
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