I have lived 99% of my life in Texas.  If you count the vacations, that’s the 1% I’ve not.  Honestly, if I ever had to live somewhere else in the US, it would be Colorado, Estes Park to be specific.  If it had to be somewhere that is not the US, it would be Scotland, most likely on the Isle of Skye (if I’m getting particular).

But I can’t see any foreseeable reason to have to leave Texas.  And seriously, why would I?

Yes, it’s brutally hot in the summer.  That’s why A/C was invented, duh.  Yes, the humidity is horrible.  But that’s why I don’t have to spend millions of dollars on moisturizer like they do elsewhere (or like I would have to if I lived in either of the other places). I would be happy to tell you endless stories about visiting other “dry” places and the effect that it had on my skin and mucus membranes, but honestly, I would bore you to tears and they you’d stop dropping by and having tea with me, so I won’t.

What I will happily expand on is why Texas will always be my home, and why if you are not living here, you are missing out.

Since there are so many, I will list the “top ten” reasons you should get to Texas as fast as you can:

10:  Blizzards.   Yes, it does freeze here occasionally.  It has snowed, more so in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area than here in Houston, but I can honestly say that we have never encountered a “blizzard” in the true sense of the word.  Now, that’s not to be said that any snow shuts down the city, because, let’s face it, it happens so infrequently that those who are native Texans simply do not know how to drive in the stuff.  But rain, thunderstorms, tropical storms, hurricanes and the occasional tornado, we got.

9. Diversity.  I’ve been to all parts of our amazing state, and Texas is by far the most diverse state I have ever seen.  I do not think that we are lacking any culture.  It is amazing!  We have so many restaurants, grocery stores, community centers, religious buildings, clothing shops, and just about anything else you can imagine.  The best part is that everyone is so open and friendly that they are happy to explain things to you.   Which leads me to:

8.  Friendliness.  When ever we travel, I always say that it’s nice to leave Texas so you know how amazing it is to be back.  Other than most people not knowing what a blinker is, and forgetting to wave when you pay it forward on the roads, I have to say that Texans are among the most friendly.  Needing directions?  We got ya.  Collecting for a good cause?  Yup, here ya go.  Showing appreciation for all the hardworking people out there (Men and Women in Blue, our awesome Fire Fighters), those in the military, and anyone else who does a job that puts your life on the line?  Oh yes, we adore you!  Welcoming new neighbors?  Yuppers.  Basically anything that makes you feel at home and welcome, we got that!

7. Culture.  Texas is not all barren and desert like.  Oh no!  Houston has an amazing theater district which has Broadway caliber productions.  We have many, man concert venues (and crazy fans), huge sporting venues and a college run PBS station.  If you want refinement, we can help you with that!

6. Medicine.  People from all over the world come to the Medical Center in Houston to receive care.  We have some amazing pioneering doctors who discover and preform medical procedures of all sorts here.  I won’t really go into detail here, but trust me when I tell you that if you ever need top notch medical care, we can do that.

5. Housing.  Oh my word!  Do you need a house?  We have many, many, many areas to fit your needs.  Condo’s, townhouses, duplexes, apartments, single family homes…. no yard, small yard, large yard, acres, estates, ranches…  We have it all.  And it’s all close by.  Or you can choose to be far away.  And the best part, our housing is affordable.  That 1000 sq ft home in Estes Park that is 2.5million, is no where near that here. Seriously.  That’s why Houston is continually rated the 4th largest city in the US.

4. Seasons.  We may not have 4 distinct seasons.  However, Spring is breath-taking, Fall is glorious and Summer has it’s moments.  Winter?  Humm… I don’t know if you would really say that we have a winter, more like a “harsh” fall.   There are so many activities to do in each season that it works out perfectly for us!

3. Sports.  Texas does not lack sport options if you are one for sports.  There are 2 professional football teams in Texas, The Cowboys and the Texans.  We have a Soccer team, the Dynamos, a basketball team, The Rockets, a baseball team, The Astros and a whole plethora of other college teams that kick some serious butt.  You prefer High School teams, dude, we have a whole subculture centered around “Friday Night Lights”… and a tv show about it.  And tailgating?  We have made that an art.  And don’t get me started on the world famous Texas Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Actually….

2. The Texas Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 40 years,  even if you are not a “country music” fan, I’m sure that you have heard of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Seriously, the whole “season” (which is about 2 weeks) is a pay-per-view event now.  The concerts are cool, and not just country music, but the best part is watching the rodeo.  These cowboys have some real skill – heck, it’s an art form of it’s self.

1. Tex-Mex food.  Tex-Mex food is amazing.  It’s all cheesy and tomatoey, yummy food that is like no other.  It should not be confused with Mexican Food, which is different, even though they both begin with Mexican dishes.  You have not lived until you have had some spot on fajitas or a queso that is life changing.  Seriously.  Our salsa does not have corn or black beans in it (that’s just wrong and should not be called salsa – sorry, not sorry), but can be served warm or cold.  Guacamole?  Oh yes, please.  The humble avocado should be considered it’s own food group… And you’ve never had tamales like some good, homemade tamales that are sold out of the trunk of a car or a Taco Truck.  Heck, we love our Tex-Mex so much, it created a breakfast taco and a breakfast burrito.  Here in Texas, we take our Tex-Mex seriously and I will say, when we’ve cone on holiday, the things we crave and must have upon returning to Texas soil is some good Tex-Mex, and a  Whataburger.

This is by no means the best things about being a Texan, but a list of the 10 things that I think about the most when asked where I am from.  There are SO many more things that I’ve not even touched on, the aforementioned Whataburger, the Frio River, Garner State Park, the Palo Duro Canyon, the Houston/Dallas rivalry, and about 1000 other things.

But ya know what, come and see them for yourself.  We’ve got plenty of room for you.