Waxahachie, TX

Y'know, the trouble with Texas is that it's so big. And the maps are so small. So when someone at work told me there was a Chitauqua (no, I didn't know what it was, and still don't - see below) going on at Waxahachie (which I have learned you have to pronounce "Wauxahachie", otherwise people laugh), and I looked at the map, it was only a couple of inches away, I figured, hell, why not.

75 miles later, I reach Waxahachie - at least I now know the scale of the map, which is helpful, because it sure as hell isn't shown anywhere. There's obviously something going on, because all the streets are blocked off and it's tough to find somewhere to park. Anyway, it's a farmer's market cum craft fair, with a country band playing in the square. Some notable scenes are the Cadillac, the "cowboy's last ride" (only in America!), a pair of jalapeno wreaths that Val would love if only I was allowed to bring them back, and me eating a corn dog. By the way, a corn dog is a hot dog on a stick, dipped in batter and deep fried. And yes, I asked what it was before I bought it!

I'm sure you know what a pizzeria is. A taqueria is the same idea, but serving tacos. And I discovered what a pecan tree looks like. I didn't know this until I asked two "good ol' boys" sitting on the porch of the house next door.

Anyway, it was fun, but it wasn't the Chitauqua. Now Waxahachie is a pretty small town, so I'd guess that having two events happening on the same day is unusual, if not unique. By the time I found this out, it was a bit late to check out the Chitauqua, especially since it was $25 to get in. So I still don't know what it is.

I headed back towards Dallas, and stopped off to see a movie that's just come out - Under the Tuscan Sun. Good movie - not great, but very good. When I came out, I was about to pull back onto the highway when I spied a Caribbean restaurant. I was the only white face, but it was worth it for the jerk chicken, rice and peas, and Red Stripe. I still have some in the fridge for tomorrow.

The reason I was pulling back onto the highway is because I'd heard on the local TV station a couple of weeks ago reports of spontaneous bluegrass breaking out in Garland, a nearby town, on Saturday nights.  Garland, like most towns in TX, is small in population, but pretty spread out. But I looked for Main Street, and followed it until I hit the town square. Sure enough, there were about half a dozen groups of people jamming bluegrass scattered around the square, with a small audience surrounding each. Each band consisted of at least a fiddle, banjo and guitar, but often there were as many as 6 or 8 playing a variety of instruments. They were mostly older people (older than me, that is), both men and women, with the occasional teenager, usually playing electric bass. They were just having fun, and the participants would occasionally break up, and join other groups. Apart from being a fun thing to watch, the curious thing is that there is nothing at all else going on in Garland. No bars catering for the refreshment of the performers or audience, no restaurants. Oh, there was the coffee bar a couple of blocks away that were trying to entice people by offering 10% discount coupons. Enterprising, but not very successful, I suspect.

Country band

Cadillac

Cowboy's Last Ride

Jalapeno wreaths

Corn dog

Taqueria

Pecans

Garland pickup band