For the new book, My Name is Falon, the editors wanted me to write a biographical blurb for the dust jacket.  In that blurb, I made the statement that I was a “Texas woman” and that my “roots in the Lone Star State” went back several generations.  But later on, when the whirlwind of jacket design settled, I started asking myself what I meant by that.  I’ve heard others say (with some pride) “I am a Texas woman,” but what does it mean?

If all being a Texas woman means is that we’re females born in this state, or even that our ancestors were, how does that distinguish us from anyone else? Is it just geography?  Wearing a hat and boots?  Sporting a “Native Texan” sticker on the bumper of the F-150?  I doubt it. These are just trappings. (Though I do love my Nocona’s!)  So what is a Texas woman?  I gave it some thought and came up with a list:

1.  When the going gets tough, a Texas woman gets going.  She rolls up her sleeves and does what has to be done.  If there’s nothing that can be done, she grits her teeth and rides it out.

2.  A Texas woman does not whine. Or, if she does, she has the good grace to feel bad about it later.  Instead, she counts her blessings because, Lord knows, things could always be worse.

3.  Texas women say “ya’ll” and “fixin’ to” without apology.  They ain’t squeamish about “ain’t”, and they aren’t afraid to end a sentence with a preposition — as in: “Which shop ya’ll fixin’ to go in?”

4.  A Texas woman is hospitable.  Texas is the “Friendship” state, and its women are happy to open their homes and hearts to others.

5.  That said, Texas women do not suffer fools gladly.  If you’re fixin’ to act like a doofus around a Texas woman, you can expect her to yank you up by the short hairs and set you straight.

6.  Texas women love rain.  They do not complain when it’s wet for more than two days in a row.  They understand we need every drop we can get.

7.  A Texas woman is honest — unless she’s talking age, weight, or hair color.  She’ll give you the unadorned skinny on things as she sees them.

8.  A Texas woman helps.  Helping is programmed into her DNA from way back when her pioneering ancestors had to pull each other along to survive.  So she’ll come early and help set up, and she’ll stay late to tear down.  She’ll bring a casserole, a box of Kleenex, a bottle of wine, or a baseball bat — whatever is needed.

9. Finally, a Texas woman is a woman of faith.  What I mean by this is that she understands that she is part of something bigger than herself.  The sun will come up tomorrow, and she’ll press on.

For all you Texas women out there, I am humbly grateful to be in your company.  For you yellow roses who have been transplanted in other places — bloom!  Take the best of home and make your corner of the world a better place.  And for you new ladies, those who are visiting, or who have moved here — welcome.  I hope you’ll make a place for us in your hearts as we try to make a place for you in ours.

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