You Know You're in Texas When...: 101 Quintessential Places, People, Events, Customs, Lingo, and Eats of the Lone Star State

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (1/07) Donna Ingham says it all: "Texas is bluebonnets in the spring, blue northers in the winter, and Blue Bell ice cream any time. Texas is Aggie jokes, Big Tex, and the Cadillac Ranch. Texas is Willie Nelson, Lance Armstrong, and LBJ. Texas is Juneteenth, the Kerrville Folk Festival, and a trip to San Antonio's River Walk." But, there is more. And, Ingham is sure to remind us of what we already know or bring to light much of what we don't know in her book "Your Know You're in Texas When...." For example, did you know that: "Three major airlines are headquartered in Texas: Continental is in Houston, American in Fort Worth, and Southwest in Dallas." "Lance Armstrong - the seven-time Tour de France winner trained in the Texas Hill Country and continues to raise millions for cancer awareness." "Dr. Pepper - first created in Waco in 1885, it is now one of the top three soft drinks in the United States." "Janis Joplin - inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, this Texas-born blues-rock singer lived fast and died young." "Live Music Capital of the World - that's Austin's slogan, and the city tried to live up to the claim." "Neiman Marcus - began as a specialty store in Dallas, this Texas institution now has an international reputation." `Chester A. Nimitz - Born in a small landlocked town in central Texas [Fredericksburg], he went on to command 5,000 ships during World War II.' Yes, Texans are proud of their state, and it is often referred to as a country of it own. Donna Ingham captured the essence by creating a book highlighting many of the idiosyncrasies that separate Texas from other places in the world - "You Know You're in Texas When...." Well, at least those of us who live seem to think so - there is a reason why we have to wear 10-gallon hats!