Days 23, 24 and 25

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5. 

TWENTY-THREE Minimal hills which makes outdoor recreational activity much easier to manage.



TWENTY-FOUR The great and ever so cultured Austin, TX.




TWENTY-FIVE Cheap Gas.




What do you love about Texas? 

Day 22...and 21

So I skipped yesterday. It's easier to be lazy and watch four episodes of How I Met Your Mother.
I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.


TWENTY-ONE & TWENTY-TWO. The Freakin' Weiss sisters.




So one of them now goes to graduate school in Colorado...the other lives in Abilene. But both are my Texas frands who totally 'get it' about Colorado. They share my love for nature, mountains, beer, John Mayer, camping, Chacos, Longs Peak, and introduced me to bird watching.
I always wanted an older sister/mentor and Saundie stepped into that role graciously. Julie is both generous and relaxed, she totally accepts me for all my crazy.

Day 20.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5. 


TWENTY. The spectacular group of frands I made at Hardin-Simmons University. 


Without Texas I never would have gone to good ole' HSU and met some the most influential group of crazy hilarious people. Good times, good food, good choreographed dances, good out of control games, good snow days, good drinks, good porch talks, good offensive costumes ect... ect...

Day 19.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5. 

NINETEEN. Bike Fort Worth is happening.

http://fortworthology.com/2010/02/08/a-look-at-bike-fort-worth/
         

         

Day 16. 17. 18.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.

SIXTEEN. The Food Cart park I never new existed in the Fort Worth Cultural district.

Could there be anything better than a couple hundred people sandwiched between half a dozen food carts? Maybe if one of the food carts was veggie and another offered cake pops. Oh--and that we can all sit outside on a balmy Friday in mid-January. That's kind of nice.

SEVENTEEN. The "Out Spokin' Bicycle Club of Fort Worth."

Yeah that's what it's called. I knew I loved to bike but would never have classified myself as a hardcore extremist bike rider, but these guys have fun and kick -27 miles- in the butt.

EIGHTEEN. Holla, I lovsa that Summa gurl.


Summer has been my friend since 9th grade, I wanted her to be my friend sooner, but she thought I was a little weird. Things change I guess, I got cooler or she got weirder...
Either way, without Texas, I would never have known my dear friend.


What do you love about Texas? 

Day 15.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.

FIFTEEN. Oh yes, do I love Tex-Mex.



Liberal amounts of chips and salsa, warm freshly made tortillas, and copious mountains of melted cheese. Can there be anything that clogs the arteries better? But it tastes sooo good!

What do you love about Texas? 

Day 14.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5. 

FOURTEEN. Supporting the adoption of my fairly new, Portland loving friends Meaghan and Jay Semple.




Here is there story:

We live and work in Fort Worth, Texas. Jay is a Family Interventionist with 

a local non-profit, and Meaghan is a Counselor. We enjoy working with 

people - Jay specifically likes working with fathers, and Meaghan likes 

working with children. We both love getting out in nature (ie. hiking, 

biking, walking), spending hours in coffee shops, watching movies and 

spending time with friends.

We are in the process of adopting through an agency here in Fort Worth, Texas called Gladney (http://adoptionsbygladney.com/). We have completed the first phase which includes tons of paperwork and a home study. We are officially approved and waiting to be matched with a birth mother, which could be up to a year from now. 

We have truly been amazed by the support of friends and family through this process. God's provision is astounding, and we are so thankful. 

Jay and Meaghan Semple

They make living Texas just a wee bit easier. 

What do you love about Texas? 

Day 13.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.

THIRTEEN. The friendliest of friendly people.

This morning I was slouched in my Honda Mouse, punching the radio buttons between NPR and NPR music while I waited with astounding patience in the daily traffic grind on 820.  Cars were merging from the on-ramp, sleazily squeezing into the sardined line of automobiles. I graciously slowed for one small Kia sticking its nose into my lane, the driver rolled her window completely down, stuck out a friendly hand and waved furiously. WOW.

There is a surplus of smiles in grocery stores, at baseball games, coffee shops ect. People are just so friendly.

What do you like about Texas? 

Day 12.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.

TWELVE. I love that Texas is beginning to 'get it.'

So I will not ignorantly say there have been no outdoor/cylclists/runners/foodies/winos in Texas...however, we are no Portland or even Austin here in Fort Worth. But it is so exciting to discover a very urban, cultured Fort Worth I never knew existed.

And the best part?

We get days like this in January!

Which means our rooftop/patio living can happen all throughout the winter months...sporadically of course.

What do you love about Texas?




p.s. For Ft. Worth blogs check out:
Fortworthology
Mosey Street Style
Fort worth beer
Etsy Fort Worth

Day 9. 10. 11.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.  


NINE. My thoughtful and compassionate work friend-- Debbie Daniel.

I work at Apple Glass, which means the entire office is men and then there is Debbie and me. She has been a great friend to a girl struggling to find her bearings in the 'adult world'.

TEN. My ever so curious, over-hyper dog Latte.

Latte shakes off her hair like rain drops, covering every rug, carpet and couch pillow. If you leave the gate open she will seize freedom William Wallace style. But boy do I love her endearing expressions and vibrant personality.

ELEVEN. A relaxed, goofy work environment.

I can do this and not get fired. Enough said...

Day 8.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5. 

EIGHT. The fresh, bright and breezy early spring.




I remember biking to class in late March/ early April in Bermuda shorts and a thin cardi, soaking up the crisp morning which melted into a friendly sunny afternoon. The kind of sunny that kisses gently, rather than turning you into a sweaty puddle every time you step outside.  A span of time when forgetting deodorant would not be a total tragedy; sundresses are fun, not itchy and chaffing. Hammocks or quilts on the lawn seem inviting with a Sonic slushy, and Jane Austen book in hand.

Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and avocados are cheap as dirt and at every farmers market. Mmmm. what a fabulous time in Texas, the early spring. 


What do you love about Texas? 

Day 7.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5. 

SEVEN. The glorious, unexpected color of a West Texas sunset.







I will not be the first one to praise Texas for its landscape, my heart is buried deep in the Rocky Mountains. However, breath becomes stuck in my throat when a West Texas sun rolls away leaving traces of magenta, auburn and golden plumage feathery in the expansive sky.

Silhouettes of trees stand stark and distinct against the brilliantly painted sky.
A sight I will always be stunned by; a vision of God's creativity and goodness.

What do you love about Texas? 

Day 6.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.

SIX. Ah, the great and ever so smooth Shiner Bock.


Yes, it's true there is great and even better tasting beers around the world; but when your choices are between corporate urine beers such as Bud light, Coors and :shudder: keystone, Shiner is a beacon of light guiding Texans toward a smooth, hopsy appreciation for the art of brewing.

What do you love about Texas? 

Day 5.

I am practicing a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I  post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.

FIVE. Dinner with my Village/Community group in Fairmont, Fort Worth.
American food night:


These two introduced me to the City Church in August, which meets downtown Fort Worth at 5o'clock Sunday nights.


If I did not have this precious, challenging, compassionate community I would have found my self deeper in the sorrow of post-graduation.

(In order of last nights dinner)
Kristiane: Understanding, listener, giver.
Nathan: Observer, servant, compassionate.
Lincoln: Talented musician, subtle funny guy, protector.
Andrew R: Lover of Hymns, pursuer of knowledge, loser of current 'Words with Friends' game.
Whitley: Singer, Joyful smile, great heart for the least of these, Bananagrams.
Patrick: Questioner, depth of though, laughter.
Megan W: Mother, observer, wise.
Baby Gibson: Brings great joy and life to us all. 23 inches long!
Andrew Y: Funny guy, intellectual, musician, adaptable.
Jay: Direct, patient, cook.
Meaghan: generous, encourager, compassionate, giver.
Jess: Entrepreneur, dreamer, spirit.
Rachel: Practical, committed, brave.
Sara: Foodie, lover of people, hostess.


What do you love about Texas? 

Day 4.

I am fasting from hating Texas. Here are things 2, 3 and 4 I love about the drawling state:

FOUR-- The oh-so spectacular Sharky's Burrito.
 
A perfect blend of Spicy ranch, homemade tortilla chips, well proportioned burrito and all under FIVE dollars. What a treat, and only in Texas.

THREE--The Gathering 

The church I attended in college was a life spring of community. My character was molded weekly within the walls of Pioneer and I owe the adults who spent hours each Sunday preparing meals for all of us mooching college kids. Occasionally I would fill a to-go box with poppy-seed chicken and eat off it for a week.

TWO-- The thrifting, can I get an AMEN?

Note the boots: Thrifted


Note the sweater: Thrifted


Note the dress: Thrifted


Note the glorious loads of crap: Thrifted


Note the mother of all record players: Texas freaking thrift


What do you love about Texas?

Day 1.

Today I am starting a thirty day fast from hating Texas. I am going to post one thing I love about Tejas everyday until February 5.

ONE. Two wiwwal nuggets of pure, authentic joy in my life: 
Bryce and Travis. 

Photo by: D. Ventriere

New life so young and pudgy has filled my heart with a fresh taste of love; the instant their eyes opened I was hooked. Being Aunt Krisi is a new shift in our family, one which has made Texas a place of snuggles, learning and spit-up in my hair (which is totally acceptable).

Stars at night.

I collapsed into bed last night, allowing pieces of me to become numb with sleep. Slowly I decompressed from hours of travel and a week of nuptials, family, good beer, old friends and plenty of fresh Northwest cuisine.

However-- airplane coffee or anxiety kept my mind active.

 Returning to Texas has never been a spirit lifter for me, nothing about the landscape or fatty meats and canned veggies smothered in gravy entices this mountain/produce lover. I despise camo, mesquite BBQ, hand guns and Rick Perry.

When the Pilot clicks his intercom to inform us of the final descent into Dallas, heaps of reality plop on my head and absorb into my brain. I am once again flying into Texas with no return ticket. Will I ever enjoy flying 'home'? Can I rise up and mold a passion for southern culture?

Answer-- I don't care to figure it out... for now.


Here is what I will illuminate--
GREAT JOYS...starting right now.

Old friends that teach and laugh.


Discovery and passion all rolled into a tasty drink.


An intuitive, reasonable and patient uncle.


Pure, grandeur.




A creative, compassionate, intentional ginger.


Joys from this week. What are some of yours?