How Big is this Place?

Maybe because I live on the very Eastern edge of the state, but I rarely think about how big Texas actually is. This morning, around 3 a.m., I was woken by a state-wide "Blue Alert" because 406 miles away a police officer had just been killed. To put that in perspective: my former home in Mesa, AZ to Venice Beach, Los Angeles CA is ALSO 406 miles.

I did a bit of digging and discovered these facts: 

North and South Carolina fit easily inside Texas with room to spare for Virginia, Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. 

Also of note, I live closer to Chicago, IL than I do to El Paso, Texas. 

I live closer to Miami, FL than I do to Phoenix. 

And finally, Texas is twice the size of Italy and about the same size as the Ukraine.  

On the Facebook

There are a few ways to get news around here. All of them include Facebook. This was posted the other day. And let me say this, it is a pretty typical kind of post. 

Marty pointed out this happened on the Arkansas side and that might have played a role in the poor grammar... I think they were speaking into their phone and Google couldn't translate the drawl. But, that's off topic. 

Texans Love Their Football

According to that bastion of accuracy, Google there are more than 9,000 high schools in the State of Texas. Breaking this down further, there are 252 5A schools, which consist of 1300-2200 students. 

Currently undefeated, Texarkana's own Texas High is ranked fourth in the state in 5A football. They are in the same company as schools in Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, Lubbock and Houston. Even area rival high schools* are getting behind Texas High, cheering them on to the state championship. 

*There are 3 in Texarkana, TX, one in Texarkana Arkansas, and 5 more throughout Bowie County. However I believe only Texas High School is ranked 5A

It Was Bound To Happen (Part 2)

When I came home last night from some Corona-thing, Marty said, "Don't look in the trash can." 

Well now, though I can respect that kind of talk from my husband of 26 years, it didn't stop me from asking the very obvious question: "Why?"

"I just killed a snake and I hadn't gotten around to putting it in the outside trash just yet. I thought I had more time before you got home." And then, Marty looked at me and said these words. "It was on the back porch. I'm pretty sure it was the same one Polly found last week on the front porch." 

Though I appreciate his effort to appease me, I am pretty sure it isn't the same snake. First, the snake Polly found last week was black. This now-dead one, I'm told, is tan. (Marty could not confirm it was a copperhead and I wasn't opening the trash can). Second--and this is just me--I'm pretty that snake didn't slither to the back yard just to hang out on the back porch. To be fair, I don't know what goes on in the inner workings of such a creature's mind, but perhaps this one came from the woods behind our home?  

Ever proactive and terrified that I'm following through on my threat to move back to Phoenix*, Marty told me he'd already set out even more Snakeaway from the bag he'd purchased last week. He offered to buy another bag as soon as this one ran out if it would make me "feel better." It won't make me feel better. But yes, he can buy more and liberally distribute it everywhere.  

*And for anyone reading this who wants to point out there are snakes in Arizona, I'm aware. When I was six, there was a rattler in my Phoenix backyard. My little brothers and I have been terrified of snakes ever since. However, since then, most snakes have been driven out of the suburbs. And, the majority of the time they are polite enough to let others know they'd like to be left alone.  

My Texas Card

During Lunch Bunch Thursday, I made the mistake of saying I'd never tried Blue Bell ice cream. I said this the same way I'd say, "I've never tried to impale my eyes," or "I've never won the lottery's mega-millions." You know, one of those casual in-conversation statements. 

It is no exaggeration when I say, every single member of my lunch party dropped their fork and gaped at me, as if I'd actually forgotten to mention I'd won the lottery the day before, right after I'd impaled my eyes. Deb, the Queen of the Corona's snapped, "There goes your Texas card!" 

And the shaming began... 

The shaming continued during dinner last night before we saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame. What? I hadn't YET tried this wonderful Texas treat? It had been more than 24 hours since I'd made my fateful confession. What was wrong with me? How could I willingly miss out on 66 wonderous flavors of creamy goodness? 

The true answer is I've had Michigan ice cream and I doubt anything will top that. However, my Texas card was on the line. So, at the grocery store today, I bought Blue Bell ice cream. Let's just say, it isn't isn't Michigan ice cream nor is it the worst ice cream I've ever had. 

In order to have my Texas card reinstated, it wasn't as simple as sampling Blue Bell. I had to pledge my loyalty to Dr Pepper, Wataburger, the Alamo, the Texas Rangers and promise to always hate the cheating Houston Astros. Nobody brought up the Dallas Cowboys or Tex-Mex, which probably was a good thing, because I'm not sure I'm that good a liar. 

I'm pleased to say I'm now an "official" Texan once again. 

Too Bad The Weather Isn't Checking the Calendar

Turns out there's a law in the South that states a wooden door hanger must be displayed on all homes. I'm just doing my part. 

Yesterday

Today

21 Days

 Well now, after 21 days, Bonus dad left the hospital today and was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for his rehabilitation. Hopefully he can go back to Arizona soon.