•A friend of mine who loves Texas County as I do (and that’s a lot) recently said, “it’s like being in a different country.”
What he meant was it’s like there’s a whole separate culture and attitude here – one that simply isn’t found in the big cities. I agree.
And I cherish the fact it’s that way. I like being greeted kindly in Walmart (by most people; there are the inevitable frowners who walk around seemingly annoyed and bothered by, well, everything), going to local eateries and events, driving along country back roads and seeing wildlife all over the place.
And because of my job, I get to meet numerous really cool people who do really cool things that contribute to making this a really cool place.
What a great “country” to live in.
•My wife and some friends had a great time last Saturday night.
We went to Garold McCoy’s “Shed” on Highway Z and enjoyed great food (especially the wild hog and brisket) and wonderful music played by McCoy and his South 63 Band. The atmosphere was all about fun from the get-go, highlighted by the sounds of some men who know how to play their instruments (and have pretty dang good voices to boot) and the lighting above and around the dance floor and stage.
Our friends moved to Texas County from Chicago last year, and McCoy reveled in the opportunity to poke some fun at them while also making sure they got the full Shed experience.
Oddly, the crowd Saturday wasn’t that big, and I’m not sure why more people weren’t there. But I guess that left plenty of room for all the folks doing their various forms of dances.
McCoy and Co. will be hosting a fish fry and playing some good dance tunes again March 25. I’d recommend checking it out.
It’s quality entertainment for a low, low price (starts at 6 p.m.).
•Speaking of music, have you been watching any of season 12 of “The Voice?”
For goodness’ sake, there are a bunch of highly listenable singers in the competition this time around, like Valerie Ponzio (whose version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” should be recorded on the double and released for radio airplay), Jack Cassidy (who ain’t doing his famous family lineage any disservice and whose version of Joan Osborne’s “One of Us” made my skin crawl), tiny Anatalia Villaranda (whose pipes don’t even belong in her 4-10 frame), Taylor Alexander (who absolutely killed a skillfully countrified version of a pop standard – Cher’s “Believe”) and a lot more where that came from.
And the humorous banter between coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton has never been better. They’re masters of light-hearted insults and my wife and I find ourselves laughing out loud at the verbal jabs they throw at each other.
•So how about that snow on the ground Saturday and Monday mornings?
I’m sure you’ll agree, that was pretty strange considering the way winter has gone so far (remember, it doesn’t end until spring begins on Monday). And I’m also sure you’ll agree, after that “Summer of February” we had, have no business complaining.
•Why do dogs chase cars?
Gertie (the Permapup) has been known to do it, and I’ve asked her, “what if you catch one? Then what?”
It doesn’t stand to reason.
•A friend recently shared this pretty funny joke with me:
Jesus and John the Baptist began writing long papers on their computers at the same time and the power went out after a while.
Who finished his paper first?
Jesus – because Jesus saves.
Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.