Texas

[jajeanpierre]

Okay, well, the valley is directly south of San Antonio, about 4.5 hours south. It's right next to the Mexican border. It's technically the Rio Grande Valley, but "the Valley" is it's nickname because it sometimes feels like a totally different entity than Texas or Mexico. And we definitely grow lots of tropical fruit down here. Loads of citrus, but other crops as well, such as corn, cotton, lettuce, cabbage, soy, etc.

I know it seems like the political stuff takes over, but it'll pass once everyone remembers what forum we're on, haha! I welcome you to Texas! It's kind of a weird place to live because it always seems to be a culture shock for people. I hope you're adapting well. There are loads of people on BYC to assist you with any issues you may be having. If you have any questions, I can try to answer them. Or I'll see if I can point you in the right direction. ^_^

Thanks. I've lived in many places of the world, so I wouldn't say I've suffered culture shock, although I am more than a little surprised at the gun culture here. I live in the Hill Country and find the people very, very welcoming.

 

[mandaleigh1981]

Good Morning Texans!!

Uglychickens how is your dog doing?

Lisa

Mornin' sunshine!

 

[jajeanpierre]

That explains a lot!!!! Lmao

What does this mean?

 

[mandaleigh1981]

Thanks. I've lived in many places of the world, so I wouldn't say I've suffered culture shock, although I am more than a little surprised at the gun culture here. I live in the Hill Country and find the people very, very welcoming.

The Hill Country is beautiful and full of historical sites. My ancestors came over from Germany and my dad's side settled in Fredericksburg and my mom's side settled New Braunfels. I am all German except for one stray Irish grandpa (my mom's dad). The gun culture can be a shock if you aren't accustomed to it. Though it seems like a lot of the farming communities in the Midwest are very similar in that respect. Maybe its just more of a rural thing. Though being awesome is purely a Texas thing! The one truth about Texans is we are way more proud of our state than anything else.

 

[uglychickens]

OMG!! That's terrible! I'm sorry for your dog and you! I hope he gets better soon.
Thank you maybe I'm gonna have to tie him up for now on... He's never been on a leash or a tie out or anything except the banished area to restrict his movement... I still don't know what he saw I was slowing down for a stop sign at the time thank goodness I wasn't going 55 or it would have been a lot worse...he's on pain pills and sleeping in his dog house rite now but he's still in a lot of pain...

Our old dog did that same thing only she was attached to a leash and she nearly hung herself.

 

[uglychickens]

I don't know why that came out like that!

 

[uglychickens]

The Hill Country is beautiful and full of historical sites. My ancestors came over from Germany and my dad's side settled in Fredericksburg and my mom's side settled New Braunfels.  I am all German except for one stray Irish grandpa (my mom's dad).  The gun culture can be a shock if you aren't accustomed to it.  Though it seems like a lot of the farming communities in the Midwest are very similar in that respect.  Maybe its just more of a rural thing.  Though being awesome is purely a Texas thing!  The one truth about Texans is we are way more proud of our state than anything else.  

Too true! Lol I think the gun culture down here started because of how this state started... If was a dog eat dog state still is in some places. My little town still has the rules on book that if anyone got caught stealing your livestock you can string them up from the nearest tall tree!

 

[LBejaran]

Thanks. I've lived in many places of the world, so I wouldn't say I've suffered culture shock, although I am more than a little surprised at the gun culture here. I live in the Hill Country and find the people very, very welcoming.

Yeah, guns are a very big part of Texas culture. I've found that as I get older (I'm 21 now), I'm much more open to guns than I was when I was younger. It's just something you get used to and, depending what lifestyle you live, it becomes more of a necessary part of your life than you ever expected it would be. I'm looking into getting a license for a gun. I have a feeling I may need one eventually.

The Hill Country is lovely, for the most part. I have some family up there. The only issue I've ever had up there (and this is not based on the entire population of a town or an area, so I don't mean to offend anyone who may read this), is that I faced a bit of...ugh, racism. I think it depends on the time of year or something, but when I made my way to Fredericksburg for the first time last year, it was not pleasant. There were just a few places where my Mom, sister and I got stared and glared at pretty bad. And this past summer, I went into an ice cream parlor there and everybody stopped and stared. I have no idea why. It was very uncomfortable.

That being said, there were parts of the town where people were very kind to us. I think it might have just been a few select places. But I suppose you can face that kind of stuff anywhere in Texas, if you're unlucky enough.

Anyhoo, enough of my troubles. Things up there are beautiful and honestly, I'm totally jealous that you live up there, haha!

 

[TexasLisa]

Gun culture??? America has always had her guns. Before America became a country, it was mandated by law that most men and some female heads of household, within a certain age, own and carry firearms to be ready to fight in the standing militia. This included carrying your guns to church. Guns were considered a tool back then and should be today. The colonists were always being attacked, if not by Indians but by Britain's European enemies.

Okay, chicken (hawk) story: I am working (seriously I do this at times

)...I hear a slight ruckus outside the window. I see Penny (speckled sussex) walking by ruffling her feathers. I figured she was picking on the chicks again. I peered past her and saw a small hawk on the ground watching them. I go running outside and I have 2 older hens and a 16 wk chick/poult walking by without a care. The hawk was smaller than my girls. I chased the hawk off. What gives? My flock runs if a hawk is overhead, but this little guy they didn't pay any attention to except to ruffle their feathers.

Lisa

 

[uglychickens]

Yeah, guns are a very big part of Texas culture.  I've found that as I get older (I'm 21 now), I'm much more open to guns than I was when I was younger.  It's just something you get used to and, depending what lifestyle you live, it becomes more of a necessary part of your life than you ever expected it would be.  I'm looking into getting a license for a gun.  I have a feeling I may need one eventually.

The Hill Country is lovely, for the most part.  I have some family up there.  The only issue I've ever had up there (and this is not based on the entire population of a town or an area, so I don't mean to offend anyone who may read this), is that I faced a bit of...ugh, racism. I think it depends on the time of year or something, but when I made my way to Fredericksburg for the first time last year, it was not pleasant.  There were just a few places where my Mom, sister and I got stared and glared at pretty bad.  And this past summer, I went into an ice cream parlor there and everybody stopped and stared. I have no idea why. It was very uncomfortable.

That being said, there were parts of the town where people were very kind to us.  I think it might have just been a few select places. But I suppose you can face that kind of stuff anywhere in Texas, if you're unlucky enough.

Anyhoo, enough of my troubles. Things up there are beautiful and honestly, I'm totally jealous that you live up there, haha! 

I got stared at too when I first moved into town... I don't think it's a racist thing as much as it is a new person thing, I live in a town of 300 people and new people just weren't seen!