Fresh Air

Everything IS Bigger in Texas

Years ago, before we moved to Austin, we’d heard that old tired saying, “EVERYTHING is bigger in Texas”. Yeah, sure. And then we moved here, unpacked our stuff into our new (BIGGER) house, tossed the moving boxes into the new (BIGGER garage) and then went “out back” into the fabulous oasis now known as our backyard. The meshed canopies of the towering oaks provided respite from the relentless (HOTTER) Texas heat as I wandered around exploring. And then I saw it. IT was HUGE. IT was black, and angular and had beady eyes that would have been staring right at me had it actually cared to acknowledge my presence. It was, without a doubt the BIGGEST spider I have ever seen. I marched right back into the house and told my husband to pack it all back up ‘cos ain’t no way we’re living anywhere that has spiders THAT big.

Of course, we didn’t move. We stayed, and after a while, after finding no more such beasts hanging out in the backyard, I started to relax.

Since then, we have become accustomed to everything being BIGGER in Texas. Bugs, hail, lunch portions. All win, hands down. Now when we hear people pooh-pooh that old saying, we just smile. They’ll know soon enough.

The photo, by the way, was taken at the park on Talleyran in Northwest Austin. This caterpillar kept my whole crew busy for about an hour. Perhaps he isn’t the biggest, but he was certainly the finest.