Things I miss about Texas

Texas sunset, complete with bug splatter

We crossed over the Louisiana line into Texas Friday night just about sunset–albeit a couple of hours later than intended. Considering this is the first long trip we have taken since my last trip to Texas in fall of 2019, we cut ourselves some slack. From here, we still had an hour to go…across the back roads from Tyler to Cedar Cove Ranch–where we have never been. Still, it was a reminder of how much I miss Texas sunsets. The sun does disappear from view in Mississippi, but because of the tree lines that surround our little hill and most of the “north hill country” where we live, I do not often see much more than a glimmer of orange through the trees, or shining on top of the pines across the road.

After 9 hours instead of the predicted 7 1/2, I was giddy with hunger and fuzz brain and felt like I was wired up to a light socket. I ate dinner standing up chatting and catching up with folks I have not seen since the funeral of Rand’s dad in 2016. The rest of the crew had eaten at the original supper time, but after Randy and I ate, we all journeyed outside to the fire pit and sat around in a circle telling stories and laughing as we caught up. The stars were so beautiful in the dark night sky–with no hint of city lights anywhere. The coyotes howled across the lake, which shimmered and sparkled in the moonlight, the sound of the gentle waves lapping at the dock and shoreline. It felt like home.