My mother once said casually, but as if bestowing the greatest compliment, “Texas people are cute; they’re a lot like people from North Carolina.” Yes, I answered, but they have better jewelry. They have ranches, too. People in Texas have ranches like people in North Carolina have azaleas.

His Grace and I were lucky to be invited again this year to visit longtime Houston friends who have a place in South Texas. Their middle name is Hospitality; and that’s an understatement. We were there ostensibly to shoot, but the real point is to visit and have a good time. People from Texas are very good at that. His Grace is originally from Iowa, but he’s picked it up–having a good time, that is–like a native. We Tarheels are pretty good ourselves. More on that tomorrow, but meanwhile, enjoy the scenery: