Texas tasties

Waller, Texas, is about an hour away from Houston on the road to Austin. It's a small bedroom community just off the freeway. At the Love's truck stop near the exit, there's an Arby's, but before you see the Arby's you'll see a red-and-white sign with an arrow pointing you to the left and The Lunch Box. We were hungry and decided we'd combine a breakfast/lunch stop.

I lobbied hard for The Lunch Box, and after Annie drove the main drag, which isn't very long, she turned in. Pat Hoffman and her gang of workers in white T-shirts were ready to greet us as we walked in the door to several tables covered with red-and-white checkers. Pat stood behind the deli preparing cold cuts and accessories as we looked over the menu on the wall behind her.

Yesterday's special included meatloaf, corn, fried okra and a roll. I don't usually eat lunch, but this is a vacation, and this is Texas where one must sample the food. So, I ordered the special, while Mother had a BLT and Annie, a chicken sandwich. Pat encouraged Annie to go scoop up some of the salad bar, compliments of the house. We visited with everyone and made 'em guess where we were from. Finally had to tell them "Idaho," after they guessed several Midwestern states before we pointed them Westward.

We enjoyed our lunch and had a great time visiting with the ladies who recommended places to visit and told us about how the urban sprawl is slowly coming their way. I'd never had Okra before and kinda liked it; the meatloaf was delicious, and I assured Pat that the full plate of two huge slices of meatloaf and the trimmings was much more than I ever eat. As we left, Pat, who's originally from New York, insisted we needed some of her fresh-baked brownies (about 4 by 4 inches) for the road. We tried to pay for them, but she refused.

So, if you're driving the road from Houston to Austin, check out The Lunch Box. You can eat at Arby's anywhere (including at Pierre and Denise's franchise in Sandpoint, Idaho), but Pat's establishment in Waller provides a tasty food stop as well as a staff of really friendly ladies.

We moved on through some rather torrential rains to Austin and our luxurious, swanky hotel. Annie has done well in arranging our accommodations. After relaxing for a while and talking to our cousin Brendan, we arranged to meet him, Stephanie and their adorable daughter Elizabeth at Stubbs Barbecue Restaurant near 6th Street at 6 p.m.

We visited the Texas State Capitol on the way. I met a Capitol guard who can't wait to retire and move to Whitefish, Montana, and I met Adrianne Eml, who just started a job inside the Texas State Senate. I think she said she was a messenger. Whatever she was supposed to do, she charmed me with her enthusiasm and natural friendliness.

Eating at Stubbs fulfilled a family responsibility for Annie and me. After all, when one of Stubbs' number-one fans happens to live at your house and use the mopping sauce every time he stokes up the barbecue, ya gotta go there. We weren't disappointed. It's a rustic place, not the least bit fancy but exuding charm with posters on the wooden walls, showing some of the folks who've performed in the downstairs stage area where people stand and drink beer, talk and listen to the music. It came as no surprise to see Willie Nelson's picture on the wall.

We ate upstairs in a back room where the music wasn't quite so loud. After all, we had cousins to meet. By the way, Stephanie is a distant relative of Willie Nelson, so we knew we were among the bluebloods of the country set. Mother didn't notice her barbecue too much because she was having such a good time talking family with Stephanie and Brendan. Elizabeth did notice the French fries and enjoyed her fair share.

Afterward, we accompanied the Shorts of Austin to their home not too far from where we're staying. We visited for another couple of hours and enjoyed hearing Brendan's stories about teaching creative writing at Washington, D.C.'s St. Albans School where children of political bluebloods attend.

Stephanie told us some interesting stories about her work at a psychiatric hospital. We could have talked longer, but the yawns started getting in the way, so we said our good byes and promised to meet again. Great couple!

Today, it's on to San Antonio. Tonight, the rodeo. We hope Rowdy's there, but if he's not, it's still gonna be a good show with the rodeo followed by Montgomery Gentry.

Yup, we're having a great time and eating well. Happy Saturday to all!