One of the things I've grown to like about Texas

is also, paradoxically, one of the things that used to drive me crazy. I remember flying back to Texas for a funeral, and standing at the car rental counter at the airport where the clerk insisted on making friendly small talk to me and my puffy, teary eyes. He just kept talking and talking and asking me questions (picture that guy in the beer commercial, "Well, how are ewe? I'm fine. My brother in law picked me up from the airport ..."), seemingly oblivious to the fact that I was about to burst into tears at any moment. All I could think was: Just give me the damn car keys! But then he asked, "What are you here for?" And I said, "A funeral," and he was blessedly quiet ... for a few seconds.

All that friendly chatter used to drive me a little batty. Now I find it endearing. There's another thing I now find sweet (seriously, I just said "sweet") that used to bug me. A lot of people use these friendly endearments. For instance, last night at a local pub the bartender said, "Can I get you another one, darlin'?" (And not in a creepy way.) Today at lunch I was paying for a sandwich with a credit card, and I asked the cashier if she needed me to sign the slip. "Oh no, baby," she said and touched my hand like I was doing her a huge favor by asking. So ... there you go. I've come full circle. What used to bug me, now makes me smile. I wonder what's next ...