Falling Into Place or How To Fit a Square Peg...

This Sunday, the 22nd, marks the beginning of the Fall Equinox....although one would never know it here in the sun belt where temps are setting records for the month of September.

 

 

Here in my part of Texas, we rarely see a true "fall" where the leaves turn to beautiful shades of orange, yellow and burgundy.  To see those brilliant colors, y'all would have to travel to East Texas. What we do see in my neck o'the woods is a lot of brown...as in dead grass, plowed under crops and tans.

 

 

Fact is, here in Texas our four seasons consist of Football, Christmas, Summer and Show Time...all of which allow for the continual wearing of flip flops!

 

My personal favorite time of the year is Show Time when there is a plethora of fairs, festivals, and antique shows boiling up across the state like a mess of greens floating in pot-likker.

 

How do y'all like that 10 dollar word plethora? Just another fancy way of saying a "mess of"!

 

There isn't a town, city or metropolis that doesn't have some kinda festival.

 

We celebrate cotton, salt, yams, syrup, pecans, peanuts, wine and just about anything that gives us an excuse for a party. Heck, we even got ourselves a fire ant festival.

 

 

Come to think about it...there is even a festival planned in Mineola that will have Big Foot as a special guest.

 

Like I said...any reason to party is reason enough.

 

'Course for me...the biggest party is the one starting next week in the junker's Neverland...Round Top/Warrenton.

 

Can you hear the excitement in my voice...she says twitching like a Chihuahua!

 

I've got the suitcases out and I'm getting ready to head to my happiest place on earth, the Greatest Show on Dirt...Zapp Hall.

 



 

 

Before I do though, I thought I might impart some sage...read that "older than dirt"...advice to some of y'all that have never been down that red, dirt road to the most glorious cow pastures this side of the Brazos.

 

As you turn onto Hwy. 237 (which BTW...is two lanes), prepared to be shocked and awed.

 

You are going to see more antiques, junk, people and boutique clothing in just a few days than would normally take at least two lifetimes to see...and that's just the start.

 

But today, what do you say we talk about the people and clothes...two things that are near and dear to my heart. So what say y'all we slap some red lipstick on, pull up a chair and start some backtalking?

 

 

This is probably one of the best people watching opportunities in the history of ever. From the corner of your eye you may spy Dale Evans and to your left Brave Heart. Yeppers...it's just that diverse.

 

So tighten up those bra straps before dismounting from your vehicle, slap on a smile and please...leave your inhibitions in the car with your three piece suit.
 

 This ain't the time to be stuffy...or bashful.  Y'all are here to relax, party and have a good time...remember?

 

Think of the shows as one long excuse to play dress up instead of playing it safe.  And by that I mean to dress the way you would if no one was looking.  You can be as gaudy or bold as you dare and the only thing limiting you is you.  Trust me...outlandish is the order of the day. It's all in the attitude.

 

BTW...you'll stick out more in your normal attire rather than in a get-up.  I mean really...where's the fun in being "normal" and besides, aren't you here to break free of your routine...even for just one day?

 

Yes you are here to search for that one "find", but more importantly you're here to smile out loud.  Reimagine yourself as an archaeologist. Get yourself a fedora and a multi-pocketed vest or just pull on a pair of khaki shorts with grungy Doc Martens...and start digging. 

 

Getting gussied up doesn't mean you have to dress uncomfortably. Aw contrary mes amies. This is Texas and as you may or may not know, Texas in the fall can be quite...ahem...warm.

 

But just because it's cooler in jeans/shorts and a wife-beater doesn't mean you can't accessorize to the hilt.

 



 

~Don't exercise...accessorize!~Talking Trash

 

Throw on a pair of Jackie O shades, make that hat count, bring some leopard Converses,

fringe out your back pack, but for gosh sakes...never kick style to the curb over comfort.

 

 

And at night...throw caution to the wind.  'Cause that's when the call of the wild means putting on the dog.

 



 

Blow the cobwebs off those cowboy kicks and get 'em dusty with some genuine Texas dirt.

 

Now is the time to drag out those holey jeans you just thought needed patching.

Stack every bracelet you own clear up to you al-bows. Put a little jingle in your jangle to let 'em know you are ready to rumble rhumba.

 

I know...I know...all the etiquette books say never to wear white after Labor Day, but y'all...this is the Greatest Show on Dirt where we never say never.

You want to wear white?  Well guess what...so does everyone else...24/7 twelve months a year!

 

Etiquette books?

 

We don't need no stinkin' books on propriety.

 

We just make up our own rules as the days roll on.
 

 

 

Wear white, wear black, wear red.  It's night time and under the Texas stars everyone is beautiful in their own way and anything goes.

Still don't know what to wear. Simple...wait 'til you get there and treat yourself to gorgeous, one of a kind creations.  Cowboy hats, gauzy feminine wearables, boots, jewels out the wazoo...all just waiting on you to come fall in love with.  You can always tell your accountant to  file it under business expenses!

 

Do y'all get what I'm laying down?

 

As the Nike ad says...

 

~Just do it!~

 

You can thank me after you get back home with your truck bed filled with junk, your head full of dreams and your suitcase stuffed with memories...all because for one brief moment in time you were a brave heart.

 

 

 

Next up...UCS!