Hey, ya’ll! I am new here to Louisiana and I got to thinking: I don’t want to “Texas your Louisiana.” Recently, Texas has been flooded with out-of-state residents seeking blue skies and wide-open spaces. We Texans are known to be friendly so we like to joke: “Don’t (insert state here) My Texas.” With that thought in mind, I would like to clarify a few misconceptions about Texans that my new friends here in Louisiana might have.
Every Texan has cows grazing in their front yard.
Not true. I did not meet a cow up close until my twenties. I had to experience this on my husband’s family’s farm in LOUISIANA. In my opinion, they can be really pretty animals but stink to high heavens and make a big mess wherever they roam.
The Texas flowerbeds are filled with cacti and caliche (a sedimentary rock used on a lot of remote roads and in landscaping).
Nope. I grew up with azalea, hydrangea, and Knock Out roses blanketed in pine bark mulch in our flower beds. Also, I’ve never seen tumbleweeds rolling through East Texas!
There are oil derricks in all of the backyards.
Most of us have never seen an authentic oil derrick. Yes, I grew up less than twenty minutes from the “world’s richest acre” in Kilgore, Texas. It is the most famous acre in the history of oil discovery. To be honest, I’ve never visited this famous acre. Shame on my Texas roots!
We all own a horse.
No, I have never owned a horse but I have ridden a few horses in Texas, and it’s been pretty exciting. I went with my family to Galveston where we rode horses on the beach. We were instructed to ride the horses on the sand only … no riding in the surf. Did I ride my horse on the sand? No ma’am. Where is the excitement in that? I rode that beautiful horse out into the gentle surf and it was one of the most memorable thirty- seconds of my life. That majestic creature was an absolute marvel as we galloped over the waves. The sea splashed all around us, sending salt air across my face. It was magical … until the owner rode out and told me to keep him on the sand!
Another myth: all of our fellas are Cowboys.
Nope. I married the most wonderful guy who is more preppy than a cowboy. In fact, it took almost ten years for him to relent to wear a pair of cowboy boots (he’s worn them ragged by the way).
Don’t worry, Louisiana! I may be from Texas but I will not be adding cacti to the roundabouts. You will not see a cow or a horse in our yard. On the other hand, if someone happens to find oil deep beneath our Louisiana land, we may just have to put up an oil derrick and strike it rich!
*Dedicated to my momma who had the idea for this fun article. Thank you for sharing ideas and helping me embrace my silly, creative side!
