What I Miss about West Texas

I grew up in the South Plains, went to college in the Big Country, and started my career in the Panhandle.  I spent over half my life in the Western portion of the state of Texas and I have many fond memories of my life there.  Growing up there had a major influence on my life.  Although I love living in McKinney and love the job I have, there are many things that I miss about West Texas.  In no particular order, this blog post will highlight the top 4 things I miss about West Texas.

 Texas Tech Football

Growing up about 15 miles outside of Lubbock, my dad took me to many Texas Tech football and basketball games as a kid.  Every male in my family loved Texas Tech Football and the Dallas Cowboys.  I really enjoyed watching the games in person and can remember a time when you could get $5 tickets and sit in the grass on the North end zone. 

Family trip to the 2009 Cotton Bowl

When it came time for me to choose a college, I decided fifteen miles from home was a little too close to home.  I ultimately chose McMurry University in Abilene which seemed like a great distance away at the time.  It took me about two and half hours to drive from Lorenzo to Abilene, which seemed like the perfect distance to me.  Far enough for me to get away and gain some experiences on my own but close enough where I could drive home when I wanted to.  Even while going to college at McMurry, I always made it back to Lubbock for at least a game or two each season.

My brother and I at the Cotton Bowl

As a life-long Tech fan, I am excited about the Kliff Kingsbury era.  I always enjoyed watching the Tech games when both Spike Dykes and Mike Leach were at the helm, but I quit going to games during the Tommy Tuberville era and have not attended a game since 2010.  I still watched all the games I could on TV, I just refused to buy a ticket that went towards Tuberville's salary.  Although it was probably time for Leach to go, I did not enjoy the product Tuberville put on the field.   That being said, I am looking forward to the 2013 season.

West Texas Restaurants

The say that distance makes the heart grow fonder.  This couldn’t be more true when it comes to my favorite eats in the region.  Any time that my wife and kids go home to visit my mom and grandmother, we always make sure we eat at Taco Villa.  Not only do we eat there, but we have been known to take burritos home with us and freeze them to eat later.  It is fast food at its finest.  What other Mexican fast food chain can you get both taco burgers and curly fries?  We used to really enjoy eating at Rosa’s Cantina too, but a couple of years ago one opened up in Frisco just two miles from my house.  We couldn't have been more excited.  Now if we could just get a Taco Villa in McKinney.  Other restaurants I really miss in the region are listed as follows:

Lubbock area -Taco Villa, Gardski’s, Cagle Steaks, Dimba’s Chicken and Seafood, and One Guy from Italy

A high quality meal at Taco Villa.  Tacos, Taco Burger, Burrito, and Mexi-curls

Abilene area- Perini Ranch Steakhouse (located in Buffalo Gap), Alfredo’s, Harold’s BBQ (recently closed down, but made one final trip there the month before it closed).

My wife and I took one last trip to Harold's before they closed the doors for good

Amarillo area- Coyote Bluff Cafe, Taco’s Garcia, and Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner (located in Canyon).

Coyote Bluff has fantastic burgers and fries

Hunting the Region

Growing up on a farm, I had plenty of opportunity to hunt as a kid.  I started out hunting pigeons with a pellet gun and later moved on to hunting the dangerous prairie dogs and jack rabbits.  As I got older, I was able to hunt dove, quail, and pheasant with my dad and maternal grandfather.  Later still, I was able to be included on a deer lease with my dad and grandfather.  As I mentioned in a previous post, there are few memories that are more enjoyable than those spent outdoors with my family.

My first whitetail buck that I killed in Dickens County

The ranch land of the area has some of the best deer hunting in the state.  Many counties in the region offer hunting for both Whitetail and Mule Deer.  Although Whitetails are much more numerous, I actually enjoy hunting Mule Deer better.  Even the farmland of the region offers a wide variety of wing shooting, including dove, quail, and pheasant.  The current drought and predators have taken their toll on quail and pheasant, but they are still there if you know where to look.  I am not especially fond of eating duck or geese, but there are plenty of opportunities to hunt them as well.  Many playa lakes dot the area, which means it could also be a paradise for waterfowl hunting if you know the right people and have access to the right water or fields.  Ducks, geese, and Sandhill cranes (ribeye in the sky) are abundant in the region.

My 151 inch Mule Deer buck I killed in Randall County

The People

In my opinion, you will not find better people than West Texans.   I still have a lot of friends and family in the region and we don’t get to see them near as often as we would like.  Now that I have children, we tend to focus on them more during our trips, which doesn’t leave much time for us to visit with old friends.  I especially enjoy my visits to my hometown when we visit my mother and grandmother.  Most everyone in West Texas always seems willing to lift a hand and help their neighbor when needed.  Although we have made some great friends here in the Metromess, the people as a whole are much friendlier in West Texas.

My oldest daughter on the Polar Express with my mom

My grandmother holding my youngest daughter

Why I Like to Hunt

There are few things I like to do more than hunting.  Although I love to read, play video games (especially the various Call of Duty games), watch sports, and occasionally play tennis, there is nothing that I enjoy more than hunting.  I love being in the outdoors in pursuit of game.  Although I will occasionally bird hunt, my quarry of choice is deer. 

A lot of people out there have misconceptions about hunters and hunting.  Some think that we are Neanderthals; others think we only hunt to put trophies on the wall and are cruel people who like to kill innocent animals (now worries there as I only harvest animals that are guilty of being tasty).  These misconceptions could not be farther from the truth with most hunters.  I would like to share why I like to hunt.  I will also share a few pictures I have taken or were taken of me over the last few years.

Me hunting a ranch that bordered Palo Duro Canyon

Another view of Palo Duro Canyon

I Enjoy Being Out of the City

           

Waking up at 5 a.m. to be in a stand, tripod, or blind before sunrise may not appeal to everyone, but it allows hunters to get settled in before deer start to move in the morning.  Few things are better than watching the sun rise or set over the Texas horizon.  I am also of the opinion that the best time to view nature is the first thirty minutes after sunrise and the first thirty minutes before sunset.  This is when you will see a lot of animals moving across the landscape.

Thick brush in Palo Duro Canyon

My view for Thanksgiving lunch in 2011

I like scanning the terrain for animals and just taking it all in.  Hunting is a spiritual thing to me.   Being out in nature, I feel closest to God.  When I harvest an animal, I feel blessed that I have been provided the opportunity to take an animal that will provide nourishment for my family.  Nothing is better than getting away from the city for a few days and relaxing in the outdoors.  Every time I get back from hunting, I fell refreshed and rejuvenated.  I just wish I could go hunting more often.

Texas sunset in Eastland County

My view from a blind 

I Enjoy Viewing Wildlife

This may seem odd for some to believe, but hunting isn’t just about the kill.  I have had many memorable hunting trips where I never even pulled the trigger.  During some trips, the only "shooting" I do is with a camera.  Just watching animals interact in the wild is a great experience.  There have been many times I have seen multiple animals, but never pulled the trigger. 

Young Whitetail buck who just exited the brush

Same Whitetail buck eating a turnip in a field

Most hunters don’t shoot every deer they see and I am no different.  There have been times when I have been hunting for a mature buck and all I see are does and young bucks.  Other times, I am specifically looking for a mature doe to put meat in the freezer, but I only see young ones.    Even while targeting a specific animal, it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the beautiful creatures that God has put on this earth.  Even watching squirrels, birds, or rabbits can be enjoyable.

Mule Deer does going under an electric fence

Young Mule Deer buck

Same Mule Deer buck jumping a fence just 20 yards from my pop-up blind

I Enjoy the Fellowship

My father loved to hunt and shared his love for the outdoors with me.  Some of my best memories as a young man were hunting with my dad and grandfather.  I enjoyed hunting with my family, whether I was hunting deer or just hunting rabbits and prairie dogs behind our house.  I feel blessed to have grown up on a farm and had the opportunity to hunt dove, quail, and pheasant on our family land.  Although there were no deer on our land, my dad would take me deer hunting when he had the opportunity.  I plan on sharing my love of hunting with my daughters and I hope to instill my love for the outdoors and hunting in them.

My dad's best Whitetail he killed in Floyd County

When I got a little older, I also was able to enjoy hunting with my brother and friends.  Even today I enjoy hunting with friends and making new friends on hunting trips that I take.  After a day of hunting, it is always nice to set around the cabin and share a meal with other hunters.  These times of fellowship and stories are always the perfect end to a day of hunting.

Cabin in Eastland County

I Like Eating Wild Game

If I did not enjoy eating wild game, I would not hunt.  Venison is just about the healthiest red meat you can eat and it is absolutely delicious.  There are few things I enjoy eating than a free range, hormone free, and organic venison dish.  I enjoy chicken fried venison, venison fajitas, venison breakfast sausage, smoked sausage, jerky, and ground venison. My wife and I have made tacos, meatloaf, and chili from ground venison. 

Venison steaks and venison sausage to go along with some chicken

Chicken Fried Venison Backstraps

I often get asked how I could enjoy “cleaning” a deer.  Although it can be a time consuming task, there is nothing distasteful about it.  Gutting, skinning, and quartering a deer may seem gross to some, but it is not different than handling meat one gets from the grocery store. I enjoy eating dove, quail, and pheasant as well.  Duck is not a favorite of mine, which is why I don’t hunt ducks.  Well that and the fact you are usually cold and wet while hunting for waterfowl.  I can handle being cold, but cold and wet is not much fun.

Cleaning a buck I killed in Eastland County

There are many other reasons that make hunting enjoyable, but those are the primary reasons.  I am not some bloodthirsty cave man looking to put heads on a wall.  I am just a guy who enjoys the outdoors, spending time with other hunters, and eating what I cook.  This was the first year in several years that I was unable to go hunting due to many reasons.  My second daughter was born in August and hospital bills took away my hunting funds.  We also had to buy two sets of tires, a new hot water heater, and a new fence in the months prior to my daughter's birth.  Hopefully we will be blessed in 2013 and I will once again be able to pursue my favorite hobby.

Things a Father Learns From His Daughter

I am a father of a 4 year old and a 5 month old.  The 5 month old pretty much lies there, eats, and poops, but the 4 year old has taught me many things.  There is rarely a day that goes by that she doesn’t amaze me with something she does or says.  Here are a few things I have learned from her the last four years.

Kids can be much more logical than you give them credit for.

My dad passed away when I was 21 years old.  My oldest daughter knows my mother who she calls RaRa and my grandmother who we call Nanny, but one day she asked me who my daddy was.  I had to explain to her that he died and was in heaven with Jesus.  I guess she was thinking about death the next day when I was driving her to daycare, because we had the following conversation

Daughter-“Will I die and go to Heaven with Jesus?”

Me-“Most people die when they get older and they will go live in heaven if they are good.”

Daughter-“Nanny must be really bad.”

Me-“Why would you say that?”

Daughter-“Because she is really old and still lives with RaRa.”

Kids can pick up technology much faster than I can.

My daughter has been using the iPad and iPhone for a couple of years now.  She loves playing educational games, looking at pictures, watching videos, and playing Angry Birds.  She can successfully navigate the aps and features of these devices without any issues.  Last week I received an email from her daycare that said her class would start using desktop computers this spring to enhance their curriculum. M wife and I were both concerned because Kennedy only had experience with iPhones and iPads. Turns out that we had nothing to worry about. After a two-minute tutorial by my wife, my daughter quickly got the hang of using a desktop and a mouse. She was easily able to navigate the Nick Jr. and Disney Jr. websites and play various learning games. About 1 hour later, she comes in and said, "Look what I did." She had printed out several full color copies of princesses that she had dressed up and changed their clothes. Although slightly amazed that she picked the desktop up so quickly, I still have no idea how she learned to print. Lord help us all if she learns to shop online like her mama too.

Kids hear more than you think and take everything literally. 

During a recent downpour, I mentioned that it was “raining cats and dogs.”  For the next hour, my daughter stood at the door anxiously awaiting a kitty or a puppy to fall from the sky.

I am a huge college football fan and my favorite team is Texas Tech.  Former Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury was recently hired to replace the hated Tommy Tuberville as the head football coach of the Red Raiders.  I suppose my daughter overheard a conversation my wife and I were having about Kingsbury and the hire.  The next day, we had this conversation.

Daughter-“How can a berry be a king?”

Me-“Uh, they can’t be kings.  I have never known a berry or any other fruit that has been a king.” 

Daughter-“But you said the new ball teacher’s name was King Berry.”

Kids love you unconditionally.

Whenever I have a bad day at work, I can feel better instantly with one hug from my daughter.  She is always excited to see me and always runs to the door when she sees me coming in the door.  With one hug or kiss from her, the troubles of the world just slip away.

My Top Ten Books of 2012

Now that I have children, my wife and I don’t get to go out as much as we used to.  Since we spend a lot more time at home, I have started reading a lot more over the last few years.  I decided to compile a list of my favorite books that were released in 2012.  I like a variety of genres, as you will be able to tell from my list.   In no particular order, these are my top ten favorite books of 2012.

Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan

By Sean Parnell

Non-fiction

My review: Lieutenant Sean Parnell's account of his platoon's deployment on the Afghan-Pakistani border is one of the best accounts I have read about the war in Afghanistan. It is a story of heroism, but Parnell is very humble in the book and always gives credit to his men rather than himself. This book really gives a lot of insight into the every day life of a soldier fighting insurgents. It describes the bonds within the platoon, the rivalry with other platoons, and the mind numbing rules of engagement that our troops are required to abide by. The book also gives the reader a sense of the Afghan people and their culture. This is probably the seventh or eighth book I have read about the Afghan campaign, but it is unquestionably the best account I have read so far.

Live by Night

By Dennis Lehane

Fiction

My review: Dennis Lehane continues to show why he is one of America's best writers. Regardless of the era, Lehane always weaves an interesting tale. Live By Night follows Joe Coughlin along his meteoric rise as an American gangster. Those that have read The Given Day, will recognize Joe as the youngest son of Boston Police Captain, Thomas Coughlin. Joe was only a fringe character in The Given Day and it is not necessary to read that book before reading Live By Night. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the themes woven within the plot. Lehane paints a vivid picture of prison life in the 1920s and power of the criminal underground following the Volstead Act. When Joe is able to leave prison, he must endure the Florida heat, racial tension, the KKK, the emptiness of a broken heart, and other gangsters who don't like the success of Joe and his crew. This was a brilliant novel and I anxiously await Lehane's next book.

The Round House (Winner of the 2012 National Book Award)

By Louise Erdrich

Fiction

My Review: The Round House was not what I expected, but a good read nonetheless. Louise Erdrich really takes the reader into the life of a 13 year old member of the Ojibwe tribe named Joe. The book is a coming of age tale set in 1988. The plot centers around Joe's mother being raped and his family struggling with the aftermath. There is little mystery in the novel, because the attacker is identified early on in the novel. Even though the reader finds out early on who attacked Joe's mom, the book takes you on a journey through heartache, anger, healing, and the bureaucratic red tape that surrounds those that live on tribal land. I also thought the ending was perfect, although somewhat sad.

Meat Eater: Adventures from the Life of an American Hunter

By Steven Rinella

Non-fiction

My Review: Meat Eater is a fantastic read that I would recommend to anyone. Outdoor writer, chef, and TV show host, Steven Rinella, shares the hunting stories from his past that have molded him into the person that he is today. He explains his love for hunting and the outdoors when he was growing up in Michigan. He explores hunting for various types of game and the things he learned from these various experiences. He reflects deeply on hunting in general, trapping, fishing (which he considers a form of hunting), hunting ethics, the beliefs of non-hunters, and culinary tips for preparing wild game. Much like his previous book, American Buffalo, Rinella takes us on a spiritual journey through the past and through our own souls. I enjoy Rinella's writing and enjoy watching his TV show (also called MEATEATER). This was a heartwarming and amazing read that makes me anxiously look forward to his next book.

The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate

By Robert D. Kaplan

Non-fiction

My Review: The Revenge of Geography takes geopolitics to an entirely new level. Robert Kaplan splits the book into essentially three parts. The first part looks at geopolitics in general and specifically looks at the theories of well-respected intellectuals of the past. The second part of the book looks at the various areas of the world (Russia, China, India, Iran, etc.) where there is potential for conflict with neighboring countries or political unrest within. The last third of the book deals primarily with the United States and what our future might hold if we continue with current involvement abroad and what that might mean at home. I have always enjoyed the writings of Robert Kaplan and this book did not disappoint. If you are looking for an easy read, this book is not for you. This book actually created more questions for me than answers and I had to stop reading several times to research events and people Kaplan referenced. The Kaplan quote I thought summed up this book the best was, "...we must never give in to geography, but must be fundamentally aware of it in our quest for a better world."

Insurgent (Book 2 of the Divergent Series)

By Veronica Roth

Fiction

My Review: Dystopia at its best.  If you are a fan of the dystopia genre and have not read the first two books in the Divergent series, I highly recommend that you get started.  Roth has produced another winner in the Divergent Series. Insurgent answered a lot of questions that Divergent did not. It also has a cliff hanger ending that makes you anxiously await the final book in the trilogy. This book was action-packed from beginning to end and there were very few lulls in this novel. As much as I liked this book, I did find that I had a harder time relating to the "new" Tris, who was still emotionally scarred by an action in the previous novel. I can't wait to see what Roth has in store for the readers in book three!

The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation.

By Jim Donovan

Non-fiction

My Review: This is one of the better books I have read on the history of the Alamo and war for Texas Independence. James Donovan does a great job of researching a variety of sources and giving the reader an in-depth look at the Alamo and those that died defending it. I liked this book much better than Donovan's first book, A Terrible Glory, which was a look at Custer's last stand. The one thing I did not like about the book is that I thought it could have used more maps in the book. It would have been useful to have a map that showed Mexican troop placements during the siege and the movements on the day of battle. A map of Texas with towns, colonies, forts, etc. from 1836 would have been useful too. When he mentioned them in the book, I knew where they were located, but it would have been a helpful visual for those not familiar with that area of Texas. I would recommend this book to any person that is intrigued by the story of the Alamo and it's defenders.

The Shadow Catcher: A U.S. Agent Infiltrates Mexico’s Deadly Crime Cartels

By Hipolito Acosta

Non-fiction

My Review: Former Federal Agent, Hipolito Acosta, gives an insightful look into the world of human smuggling. Acosta had an interesting career and earned many accolades for his investigations and undercover operations. I think he does a great job of telling his life story. He was a very brave man who risked his life many times to help bring fugitives to justice and enforce U.S. laws.

I Suck at Girls

By Justin Halpern

Non-fiction

My Review: Justin Halpern's second book is absolutely hilarious. I was a huge fan of his first book and this book did not disappoint. His father's wisdom is shared throughout the book. It is laugh out loud funny. Halpern has a great sense of humor and a knack for storytelling. This is a quick and enjoyable read. This book was every bit as funny as his first book.

Gone Girl

By Gillian Flynn

Fiction

My Review: Gone Girl was literally a novel that I could not put down. Flynn's storytelling is spectacular. Nick Dunne is the hometown golden boy who has returned home to care for his ailing parents and is the number one suspect in his wife's disappearance. Amy Dunne is his uprooted wife who was dragged from her beloved New York City to Missouri and has gone missing. Each chapter alternates from the point of view of the husband to the point of view of the wife (going back in time to when they first met and eventually getting to the present). This thriller is unlike any I have ever read and I loved everything about it up to the ending. As amazing as the book was, I detested the ending.

Nick and Sam's Restaurant Review

My wife and I had been anxious to try this highly touted Dallas area steakhouse for some time.  The restaurant has won numerous critic's choice awards and was highly praised by several Dallas area publications.  Some friends invited us to dinner and they too wanted to try this place, so we got a sitter and met them at Nick and Sam's.  We had reservations for 8:30, but were not seated until 9:00.  Not a big deal, because it was crowded and we had to wait for a table to become available.  When you enter the restaurant, one of the first things you notice is the noise.  In addition to the vibrant bar scene, the music is playing so loud that you have a hard time hearing others in your party speak.

When we were finally seated, I drooled at all the options on the menu.  I started with a Ceasar salad and my wife started with a half dozen oysters.  She claimed the oysters were great, but my salad was pretty basic and wasn't any better than one I could make at home with dressing from a bottle.  Neither of us were terribly hungry, so we both ordered 10 ounce filet mignons.  They had a large selection of sides that sounded appetizing, but since we couldn't order the entire menu, we settled for the creamed corn, lobster mac n cheese, and potatoes au gratin.  The steak had a lot of flavor, but mine was over-cooked.  I ordered it medium rare, but what I received was closer to medium well.  The creamed corn was a little too runny for my taste, but the lobster mac n cheese and the potatoes au gratin were absolutely fabulous.  Without a doubt, those two sides were the best part of the meal.

 I would rate this steakhouse a 2 on a scale of 5 when compared to other up-scale steakhouses such as Bob's Steak and Chophouse, Del Frisco's, Pappas Brother's, III Forks, Capital Grille, Rick's Chophouse, etc.  Despite the impressive lobster mac n cheese and the potatoes au gratin, I was very disappointed in this restaurant.  The steaks were pretty average for a high end steakhouse, the noise level didn't allow for normal conversation with our party, and the service was poor to fair.
Nick and Sam's
http://www.nick-sams.com
Livin the Good Life Rating=2