WHO AM I?!!

Despite the threat of raging storms, we have not seen a lot of rain, per se, or should I say per capita! The beautiful, if somewhat ferocious, light shows we have witnessed, as others have undergone tempests causing flooding and tremendous damage, have rarely led to precipitation, although we have encountered a few cloudbursts, and even prolonged periods of splosh!  Thankfully, for me, I have been able to resume outdoor exercise and continue to be the eccentric who defies the elements.  Little do they know!

Being regarded as 'a local' has been a little bit of a habit as of late, and being asked for 'recommendations' is always a little unnerving.  I am considered the 'wise sage' when it comes to entertainment in the city, (I shall leave out the word 'old',) as apparently, I have ventured to places of which others know not!  

I do rather enjoy when people move from another state and I can greet them with the "Welcome to Texas" slogan.  We are a proud state, independent and for the most part, a little 'old fashioned'.  I may be chastised for that last comment, but there are still the quaint 'southern' ways that make it special.  Again, I may be chastised for that last comment, and asked to explain 'quaint' together with 'southern' as history does not always depict the 'south' for being 'quaint' or, indeed pleasant.  However, I digress and do not intent going on a snowballs trip down a somewhat awkward memory lane.  (I may be chastised for that last comment, using the work 'awkward'....!)

Old fashioned is a word I would use when referring to 'politeness'.  Despite the younger, younger generation's inability to do anything without their 'handheld' devices, (the 'z' rather than the 'x',) there are still enough older folk to remind me that this was a 'door opening' community.  There is still an element of 'Stepford' about Austin, and politeness is in abundance in local stores and communities.  I held the door for a gentleman only last week.  He immediately took over the task of holding told me that it was a "gentleman's job to hold the door for a lady!"  Little does he know!  "Why thank you Sir", or "Howdy, ma'am" still tickles me.  The late, great Dennis Waterman (English actor) once gave an interview, and said how foreigners perceived the English as either speaking with a plumb in their mouth, or a cockney. (I may have misquoted, but it was the gist of the sentence.)  There was no in between.  When I came to Texas, I realised that people really did talk like they did in the movies!  "Well, I do declare!" was a phrase used by one of my husband's friends, that made me laugh over and over again.  However, once again, the rabbit trail has been slipped down, and I am so 'off piste' it will take more than one pair of skis to get me back along the trail!  

Where was I?  Indeed!  "Welcome to Texas".  I do not have the drawl, and do not add the 'y'all' as a suffix, but I still enjoy it when I can use the phrase.  Unlike the "Hey! How y'all doin'.", when walking into a shop, and knowing that it is rhetorical, "Welcome to Texas" has a certain affectionate quality.  

Bringing Europe to Texas is not a new thing.  New Braunfels, which is about an hour away from me, is renowned for its German influence, and with many people from south of the border, Spanish and Portuguese bent, albeit somewhat modified.  Although I have attempted to debunk the myth that English food is bland and boring, I do tend to venture further afield, bringing Greece to the table!  My moussaka, made with Indian eggplant, and parmesan cheese, was perhaps not quite as authentic as an Athens' taverna, but did taste original.  A dessert recipe came from an old 'simply take' card that had been produced by Sainsbury's supermarket, which I had been using as a bookmark.  Despite being the American staple, apple pie, in any shape or form, can claim British nationality!  Taking green bean casserole and sweet potato pie back to England, gives reason to announce, "Welcome to Texas", but does not give the real feel of the people!  Occasionally, very occasionally, I go Tex-Mex, to see the reaction of the natural born natives of this state!

Warmer and warmer it got during the week.  Getting dressed for work has always been a 'thing' for me.  If I am dressed for work, my mind is dressed for work.  Imagine my surprise, when the Texan on the news programme that was playing, said the very same thing!  Apparently, there has been a move to make 'casual' the norm, as the younger generation are more 'comfortable' and able to work better if they are in more 'flexible' clothing.  The presenter claimed that he could not imagining not 'dressing' for work.  A suit and tie is the norm for him, and I was delighted!  

"Do you have a card?  I am an attorney and need to serve someone", said the less than well dressed man who entered my office.  Of course, there was no reason to suspect him not being an attorney, as a dark pair of jeans and white button up shirt, perhaps with a 'conventional' tie, perhaps with a 'bolo' tie.  He was far more casual, but again, in your own office, you wear what you want!  Perhaps 'doing research' calls for casual clothes, despite 'digging' not being in dirt with a shovel!  I digress!  I gave the man a card and did not expect to see him again.  I was wrong!

The office opposite ours has not had a 'full time' occupant since the speech therapist vacated.  A new company sign was put on the door, and someone did appear to move in, but they never appeared to take up full occupancy. We wondered whether they worked at night, but there did not seem to be any sign of movement.  As stealthily as they moved in, (despite my managing to catch them when they first entered the building,) they moved out!  'In and out like a flash', would be tortoise like compared to how they came and went!  This week someone new appeared to move in.  I was more than a little curious.  Nosey is such a misunderstood adjective!  We thought, at first, it might be the 'construction' company that have taken three offices in our building.  However, there was a dog laying on the carpet, and no one in the 'construction' group appear to have canines.  Someone left, in a hurry, and I looked out of the window to try and get a glimpse.  

I decided that they were nothing to do with the construction company.  The man whom I saw comingback in to the office looked more like the English actor Bill Bailey, and resembled a sixties hippy rather than someone who would be putting down irrigation pipes.  Not that I have anything against sixties hippies, as I would have loved to have been part of that scene, minus the contraband!  The freedom aspect always seemed to be so appealing.  Of course, I think I may have been slightly disillusioned!  I grabbed our mailbox key and exited the office.  Stealth was not my forte.  In the furor to see the new person, I rushed out so fast that I nearly knocked the poor man over.  Of course, not by design, but perfectly coordinated, nonetheless, I apologised and introduced myself.  "Welcome to the building", I said, wondering why I say that, as it makes it sound like we are all spying on each other. when in actual fact, it is only me who is doing the spying!  Spying?  Perhaps 'curiousing' would be a good, if not made up, word!  Suddenly, out of the back office, a figure emerged.  It was too late.  He had been spied upon!  It was the 'attorney'.  "Hello" I said with great gusto.  "Hi." he replied, looking as if I recognised him.  "Again", I confirmed his suspicions.  "Yeah, we met.  She has such a cool office", he recovered.  Is that the best he could do?  Perhaps he is an attorney.  Perhaps he does think I have a cool office.  However, I am still doubtful.  The non-construction guy introduced himself and told me that they are a tech company, and deal in something I did not catch.  Perhaps it was hippy slang!  He seemed very pleasant and I told him that we are always here and if they need anything....(Like what?  ridiculous statement number two....and as you know doubt know, I probably have many more lined up!)  

The eccentric Englishwoman hobbled out in her stilettoes and made it to and from the postbox without encountering anymore prey!  

The week continued, with rain here and there.  We were frantically busy/  In fact we broke record after record in 'numbers' but that was probably due to one of our clients being very behind and finding someone to help 'catch up'.  Grant won tickets to a hockey game, but there were only four, and no one else won so I let him distribute them fairly.  Samantha and Edward are now a threesome with the baby so I bowed out.  

After a swim, I sat and listened to the thunder rolling on Saturday.  It got closer, and closer until the wind was quite ferocious, and the skies dark grey.  I gave in and headed home.  Thankfully, I have an umbrella and it was used!  I returned an hour later when the skies were blue and rain appeared to be a thing of the past.  However, the thunder still rumbled well into the evening.  

American Mothers Day is upon us, which means we are almost half way through May!  It seems impossible, but here we are!  The wind is still quite fierce but I think it will be warm enough for me to have a couple of hours respite in my preferred location!  Hopefully it wont be too busy.  

We actually have a few things planned for next week, plans that are set in stone as much as plans can be set in stone!  Never say never!  I shall report more in .......... another story!