The Scent of Goat

It is kinda ironic that I ended up in Bertram, Texas. I have to believe that God works in mysterious ways or at least has a sense of humor. I was first introduced to this rural area through my roommate in college. (Later, she introduced me to my husband, so I guess I have her to thank or at least to blame.) The first time she took me to her home I had no idea where we were going. We traveled down this two-lane country road for like what seemed like forever. There was nothing there, nothing even to look at. What I should also mention was even though the speed limit sign said 40 my driver, this native country dweller knew better. I knew at any minute a car would come around the curve and run us off the road. What I soon discovered is that there rarely were other cars on the road. I would also learn later how to navigate turns and hills to ensure this didn’t happen. Think of it has a hidden curriculum of country driving. Finally we come up on a bush. Yes a bush and she whips a left turn onto her driveway. I had to wonder how in the world did she know what bush to turn at? To my surprise we arrived at a normal house tucked away in what I thought was the middle on nowhere. The only thing that was a little concerning to me was the gun on top of the fridge. Really I wondered? Why? What happens if it like falls on top of me. I mentioned something to her. Hey there’s a gun on top of your fridge. Completely expecting her to lock it away in a safe box far away from me. She looked at me totally perplexed that I would be announcing to what was to her obvious. It was almost like ya, and… She said simply it’s funny to me that it is weird to you, yet another clash of cultures. I am terrified of guns and that really hasn’t changed. However at least I have come to expect to see them. My husband has them tucked in every nook and cranny of our house. I stumble upon them everywhere it seems like, making the bed, folding clothes, putting things away in cabinets and even vacuuming. The other day I was vacuuming and as I was coming around the curtains I heard something hit the wall and slide down to the floor. Really? Behind the Curtains! What was funny that in the fall something broke off. Hehe. I wasn’t apologetic in anyway I hate them all over the house. Maybe he’ll learn. One of my favorite stories about my first visit to this other world happened one time when I was staying with my roommate at her parent’s house. I believe her sister mentioned that we should go ‘to town’ to get ice cream. ‘To town’ I thought this might be a good thing maybe I will get to see some civilization or at least things that I recognized. I didn’t realize that ‘town’ was the main highway and ‘the store’ was the Exxon or the Shell Stations. The sisters debated which one to go to and finally deciding on the Exxon because it had better selection. Really? What do you mean better selection? We’re not debating between Hagan Daaz and Ben and Jerry’s are we? As we enter the ‘better selection’ convenience store. My roommate and I overheard someone talking in the aisle. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sound of his voice. I felt as though we were definitely in Hicksville. My roommate was laughing. As her mother came in the store she greeted the hick talking man as if it was her long lost son. She went in for a big hug. He however immediately stopped her informing her that he smelled like goat. Goat really the only place I had ever seen a goat was in a petting zoo, and I had definitely never referred to myself as smelling like one. At that remark I lost it. Literally rolling in the aisles of that huge conveniences store with more options than the shell station. Turns out the goat smelling, southern talking gentlemen was her cousin. One minute she was making fun of him, the next minute she was related. Oh the irony I thought. I have learned that out in country you either know someone anywhere you go or your related. Get me back to a target or something and some solidarity.