If I will not be the one who gets into trouble for not talking genealogy here, I have to relate my experience from moving from the Pineywoods of east Texas to the short grass prairies of the High Plains of west Texas as a result of being stationed in eastern New Mexico in the Service. As a relative youngster back then, I had never been out of eastern Texas for long. After receiving orders to report to my first duty station, I distinctly recall driving west into Abilene at night. I was extremely tired and thought that I had better stay in Abilene before I drove on. "Ah, some lights ahead! Abilene couldn't be over 5 or 6 miles ahead!" Fifty miles and an hour later, I arrived in Abilene, dog-tired and astounded that one could see city lights at such a distance! For a year after I arrived on the High Plains, whenever driving at night, I imagined that I could see dark trees overhanging the road. I would quickly realize that the trees were nonexistent when I would see some distant farm house light shining miles off on the side. Going from the closed tree-covered environment of east Texas to the open prairies, I actually experienced what I would call the inverse of claustrophobia. Now when I go home to east Texas, I feel closed in! (Note that I still call it home!) I have always said; had the Europeans lived on the High Plains when they were formulating their astronomical theories, the flat Earth theory would still be viable! : ) Not living in Texas for the past few years has made me realize that all parts of Texas are special, as are the friendly people who live there. Ron Albuquerque, NM LeeFamilyTree@aol.com wrote: > I can't begin to tell all of you how much I have enjoyed the comments about > the East Texas county issue. I wrote Sharon Church (the one who started this > mess) a little note the other day and I think she is enjoying it too. > We must all realize of couse that we are giving her fodder for a great book > that would rival the likes of "Bubba Goes To Texas" > In response to the "Central Texas" issue; think about it, who would want to > tell someone they were from Central Texas ? It has no romance !! North ? > maybe a little. South ? depends on who you are talking to. West ? > Everybody likes to make fun of West Texans and I should know because I am > one. For instance "It's so flat in West Texas you can lay on your belly and > see for five miles" > But now EAST Texas has romance, character, history and most of all, class. > If you don't believe it just ask someone from East Texas.......... > Keep em coming guys and girls , hell I might write that book myself. > Sammy Lee