Boots, longhorns and squirrels

To get into the Texas spirit...




I remember one time, while at a wedding in Chicago, one of my new friends gasped in glee when I told her I was from Texas. “What does your horse that you ride to school look like?!?” she asked excitedly.
I hear the Europeans also have a fascination with our land –apparently they have “[grown] to be especially fond of” [1] Texas.

Texas is its own land. It has its own language, clothing style, legends – Texas has its own culture. Of course, now in the bustling modern age, I’m pretty sure none of us could really be classified as Texans by our appearance. I haven’t really noticed anyone who wears a cowboy hat and boots every day, or talks with a particularly strong Southern accent. But even as a native Texan who has never ridden in an Oregon Trail-esque wagon to school, when I think of all things ‘Texas’ I immediately picture the cliché wide open prairies, tough cowboys, their infamous hat and boots, and “the tales of…free spirits.” [2] Texas has this indescribable feel about it, in all its “picturesqueness and romantic realism.” [3] The paradox of romantic realism can make sense only about a place like this. I reflect warmly about those who “followed the law of the wild” [4] and made Texas the place that it is.

The totem – the symbol— that represents Texas and our dear alma mater could not be a more perfect choice. “The cattle I am thinking of made their reputations in fierce, hardy, persistent, resourceful, daring efforts to maintain freedom.” [5] The description of our fearless longhorns sounds very well like it could be reminiscing about our legendary leaders: Stephen F. Austin, Davy Crockett, William B. Travis, Sam Houston, James Bowie...the list goes on. The cries of “Remember the Alamo!” ring through my head. The longhorn represents the determination of the people of Texas. Parallel to the longhorn’s persistence in returning to their querencia, the land they love, the heroes of Texas fought with equally insistent perseverance to free their home. The dauntless longhorn spirit similarly represents THE University of Texas and how “it is full of the pride and energy of life.” [6] As students here, we are meant to acquire the noble traits of the longhorn as we set out to initiate the change in the world.

As a Hindu, I find it most amusing that longhorns are now my new source of pride. All my life, I have been taught that cows are sacred – that they “[are] a gift of the gods to the human race” [7]– and now I worship Bevo. However, as much longhorn pride as I have, I cannot help but feel an affinity for an adorable creature which has recently captured my heart: squirrels! Squirrels are not a new thing for me – there were plenty scampering around right in my backyard. Perhaps the memories and feelings of home they bring are why I am so attached to them. But, that by itself cannot be it. I know I have plenty-a-times had conversations about and adored squirrels with friends. Something about them inspires me. They are constantly moving, darting, running around. Their energy seems to have no bounds. I wish I could share their ability to never tire. But, in their busy daily routines, they also take time to slow down and stop. Slow down and be aware of the present. All the times that I have passed by squirrels, they have been extremely alert and conscious of my passing presence. And what I love the most is how they are not afraid to explore. Even though we big humans potentially portray large threats to them, they will many times still bravely crawl over and say hi with their large unblinking eyes. It all sounds silly and I can’t explain it. They’re just too cute…I can only wish I could be that cute.


Footnotes:

[1] (822X)

[2] (814X)

[3] (819X)

[4] (829X)

[5] (829X)

[6] (832X)
[7] (902B)