Ella, this chum wouldn't happen to be Fibula (my first Santee which I still have a fondness for and like to keep up with)!

I was born in Texas and lived there just long enough to be properly indoctrinated in how to be, shall we say, braggadocious. I have numerous relatives there that I still visit. One in particular, an 85-year-old uncle that lives in "The Valley" (southern Rio Grande area filled with retirees) that I love to trash talk with. If you'd like to see some of the Texas related webpages I made for birthday gifts for him, PM me and I'll send the URL.

In short, like I told Fibula in a Texas thread last year, Texas is big, and Texas is hot. Take your time and experience the culture. Try the TexMex food in small dives. Read James Michenor's book, Texas. Watch the local TV programs and listen to local radio stations to get some "flavor."

I like Lyle Lovett's song -- You ain't from Texas, but Texas'll take you anyhow!