Lone Star Meanderings Blog
Every region of the country has its own colorful sayings. Texas is NO exception. Texas folks don’t mind newcomers . . . and in lots of small Texas towns, if you’ve moved in during the last 50 years or so, you might still be considered a newcomer. Learning Texas slang helps ease the transition. Remember, that the slang is based off history. Texas Saying . . . Faster than you can shake a stick. Meaning . . . pretty darn quick. The ‘tighter than Dick’s hatband’ was one of my mother’s favorite expression. She referred to folks who squeezed a nickel harder than she could as tight-fisted, cheap, or just plain old mean money-spirited. I […]
Protecting our creative babies is always important. How do you protect yours?
Learn about the pressure – maybe it’s more polite to say intense conversation – among The Society of Authors, The Authors’ Guild, and Amazon senior executives?
Landfall Hurricane Ian is coming ashore the western coast of Florida between just south of the Tampa/St Pete area and north of Fort Myers. RIGHT NOW! Both areas are in extreme danger of heavy storm surge. Some meteorologists are predicating between 8 to 15 ft of surge. Keep in mind, the storm surge is caused by water being ‘sucked’ up into the vortex of the hurricane and then pushed out as the storm makes landfall. Where does all that water come from? The ocean & the bays. Look here – this is what Tampa Bay looks like as the water recedes. Thanks, Tampa PD for the pics. Have you been through a hurricane? A natural […]
After the shut-down of Covid of 2020 . . . After the closures and work shortages of 2021 . . . And after the multiple versions & cautions of new virus strains, climbing fuel prices, and racing inflation . . . Are you traveling again? If so, what should you expect? Be prepared for a few givens in this new travel age: Gas prices are higher – substantially – in certain parts of the country, Gouging the travel consumer on gas prices is more obvious than in years past, Expect to pay higher prices for rooms (this applies whether your choice is a hotel room, a cabin by the lake or in the mountain, or […]
Part I I don’t give negative book reviews. I will add someone to my own personal list of ‘not to buy again’, but reading is subjective. Unsolicited opinions are better kept behind sealed lips. Authors don’t always hit my Black List after one poor read – it depends. A newbie author’s first release is given more leeway. A successful author switching genres gets a pass. But let’s face it – time is precious. Readers value their quiet moments to escape into a story. Authors must be diligent and dedicated to serving up their readers the tastiest story treats. Recently, I read – and painfully finished a book – by an extremely well-known author. The character […]
Fireworks, food, and 4th of July fun. Here’s where to go in 2022. North Dallas – Where to Celebrate Frisco Freedom Fest! Plan on a visit to the Frisco Square for fun & fireworks. This festival will be held around the Frisco Public Library @ 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco, TX 75034. (For the general vicinity, click on this mapping link.) This is a 2-day party, starting on July 3 and ending with a flash-boom-bang of fireworks @ 10pm (approx) on July 4th, 2022. July 3rd is an evening of races (come on, folks, you know there’s no running in this daytime Summer heat.) Races include: Cornhole Tournament Dachshund Races Hotter ‘n Firecrackers 5K Glow […]
When September temperatures start to – consistently – hover in the 90s, and evenings dip into the 60s, Texans call that a COLD front. Meaning: September is FESTIVAL TIME in Texas. NORTH TEXAS AREA State Fair of Texas will return this year. September 24th – October 17th. Plan your day to include rides on the Midway, plenty of ‘snacking’ stops through the food booths, visit the showroom floors filled with vintage & new car releases, plan for musical entertainment along with the way, with big shows culminating nightly under open Texas skies. Details revealed & tickets purchased at Howdy Folks – State Fair 2021! With a massive Ferris Wheel – 212ft & 6 inches looming […]
Prospective vs. Perspective Being a Texas girl, I’ve learned that most of my species – folks from Texas – talk like we have a mouth full of marbles. Consonances are slurred; ending letters are dropped; and short words are dragged out to infinity and beyond. But Texans are NOT alone in this enunciation battle. As I’ve traveled extensively through Southern states, I’ve crossed many a verbal sword with store clerks, waitresses, hotel receptionists, even roadside assist. Add masks to the talking mixture, and the language minefield explodes with confusion. HOWEVER, not all word snafus are a result of poor pronunciation. At times, it’s a simple matter of playing the game: what’s the right word? A […]
The Dallas/Fort Worth area offers an array of end-of-summer fun. Just because the school bell is ringing in the distance, doesn’t mean that happy indoor and outdoor activities shouldn’t be enjoyed. Give the family some final summer memories to keep them warm through the upcoming winter months. Grapevine – Going back in Time. Nash Farms Nash Farm hosts First Fridays each month. August 6th, 2021 – Meme’s Pickles – an experience to delight the taste buds on making pickles. Most activities are free to the public, but check out the specific details in case tickets are needed. Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch and feast while in the great outdoors. Visit the Nash […]
In Texas, there’s a joke about seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, Christmas. Texans learn early in life to take advantage of that ‘almost summer’ season. Trees bloom quickly and leaf to provide sidewalk cover. Temps can range from the balmy mid-70s to a bit of early summer scorch in the 90s: all in one week. When temps allow – Texans are ready for outside adventures. March, April, & May are prime months for small town exploration. Granbury, Texas from Dallas is a short hour & half drive – depending on traffic escaping from Dallas, and an even shorter drive – generally less than an hour, from Fort Worth. And once explorers hit US Hwy […]
