Genetics

It's a good thing I went with the dressy boots. I went to the historic Majestic theatre Sunday night with every best dressed cowboys and cowgirls in town. Now, when I say best dressed there are two distinct categories. There's the dressy cowboy hat, dressy blazer, best pair of jeans and dressy boots kind of cowboy (typically older) and the OK boots, OK jeans, OK baseball hat (usually white or cammo) and t-shirt with the arms cut off. I fell nicely in the middle with my new (dressy) cowboy boots, jean skirt and Seahawks t-shirt. For such a beautiful theater it was a shock to find out a person could take snacks and drinks to the seat. So, even though I wasn't really in the mood for it, I ordered a Miller Lite and carefully carried my plastic cup of beer to my seat. Let's be honest, the real reason I was hesitant was because I could picture myself taking a sip at the wrong moment and spitting beer all over the nicely dressed cowboy in front of me. Larry isn't the laugh till you cry kind of comedian but rather the laugh 'cause you can relate to him kind. I've discovered something most scientists haven't invested much time studying over my two days in the lone star state. Not only are things like eye color, hair color and shape of your nose genetic, but apparently redneck is a very strong gene through the generations. I've never lived anywhere that could remotely be considered country, but every time I get in these situations I just feel like its home.

Yesterday was Pat's day. Having lived in Texas for five years the last couple times we've been here he's always excited to show me his old stomping grounds. For years I've heard him talk about the Green Mansion. If you're like me you're picturing a green colored big house on a hill. Well, I was sort of right. It is a mansion (by late 1800's standards) but it has nothing to do with the color green - it's actually Gruene, the last name of a very smart man who settled this little community along the Guadalupe river. The town of Gruene still exists and is just like stepping through a time warp. It was a day I really regret not having a better camera, but then there's always the debate of having to carry all that gear around. The Gruene dance hall is the oldest dance hall in Texas and possibly the country. It's exactly what you'd see in a romantic Sandra Bullock country movie and was actually used for the dance scene in John Travolta's movie "Michael." It would have been heaven to see a good band play and dance the night away in my new boots. We also spent some time sitting along the Guadalupe river - an absolutely beautiful spot. Of course, Pat has conquered the river many times over the years he lived here. It is Texas tradition in the heat of the summer to gather your friends and a large cooler of drinks and float the river. In fact all the businesses along the ten miles of river cater to tubing (or toobes as most businesses call it). But it's been 16 years since he's been here - much has changed, much has stayed the same.

The last couple of days have been filled with many things I desperately needed: sun, rest, water, beautiful scenery and history. I've spent some serious brain power debating my ability to pack up and move here. Off to the missions today.