Everything's Bigger In...

Just take a guess where we'll be traveling to this week.  It's a state that my little sister has said she'd love to move to in the past, as well as my dad.  Hell, even my mom had an offer to move down there.  Also, there's a joke around here that Alberta (where I'm from) is the Texas of Canada.  Ha, ha....ha?  Bad joke.

The one and only Melinda decided she wanted to share a bit of her home town with us.  Let's check it out!

1.  Tell us about yourself!

My name is Melinda Mae Bullock, but you can call me Mel*Mel or just Mel for short.  I'm just recently turned 27 years old on January 4th. I'm from a small town in Texas called Granbury. It's about an hour or so away from the big cities Ft. Worth and Dallas. I have lived here all of my life and was raised by my grandparents. My mother and sister died in a car accident and my father left before I was born. My grandparents mean everything to me. 

I'm a Graphic Designer by profession, just really getting started in my field. At the moment I'm a color corrector for a solar light production company. I make things look good before they go on the boxes. LOL! I have been there for 3 years now, getting as much work experience I can get before the next opportunity comes my way.

I love animals!!! I have 2 female dogs (Border collie mix and a Scottish Terrier) named Riley and pepper. I also have a black bunny named Bella. 

Pets!

As for my personality, I consider myself kind, open-minded but shy at first. I'm the one of the quiet ones who have to watch out for, just kidding. I just don't like to embarrass myself before I get to know someone. The quiet ones always makes the best listeners. My friends also come to me when they need to vent about something. I think I'm down to earth, taking life one day at a time. I prefer smaller crowds, so most likely you won't find me at a club or bar. I have also felt more comfortable that way. 

I love watching Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes, and hope to be in my own bakery one of these day. I really enjoy the artistry of wedding cakes. I started decorating a few years ago, so I'm not as good as I like to be.

2.  Can you tell us about Granbury?

Opera House

I was born in Ft. Worth Texas on January 4th, 1984. I was raised in Granbury. I don't want to bored you to death with details but here are a few interesting facts.

Granbury is a city in Hood County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,718.

Founded in 1863, Granbury started as a square and log cabin court house. Many of the buildings on the square are now registered historic landmarks, including the Granbury Opera House, which still hosts Broadway productions. The city name originated from the Confederate General Hiram B. Granberry. Some scholars believe his name was misread as Granbury on a document, thus the city name is spelled differently, but recent findings have concluded that Granberry chose to spell his name Granbury. Recent expansion of the city was possible from the damming of the Brazos River in 1969, which formed Lake Granbury, a long, narrow lake which flows through the city.

Granbury (Hood Country) is a nice town. It’s getting bigger everyday. It's mostly where a lot of people retire and/or come visit because all the history. Since you like the history I will tell you a little about my town. Granbury and Hood County are rich in Texas history. David (Davy) Crockett's wife, Elizabeth, settled in Hood County following the Texas Revolution against Mexico. Crockett, as well as other Alamo participants, received land grants. The Crockett family received land in what is now Hood County. Elizabeth Crockett is buried in Acton State Historic Site, the smallest state park in Texas. A large statue of Elizabeth Crockett marks her grave site. Several of Crockett's descendants still reside in Hood County. I don’t believe we are but I'm related to Daniel Boone somewhere down the line.

Jesse James is reported to be buried in the City of Granbury Cemetery. A few years ago this was a big news story. They dug up his grave to find out if it is really him, I'm not really sure what they found. Contrary to the popular legend about James, it is believed by many, including many of his adult grandchildren, that James changed his name and lived to old age in Granbury.

John Wilkes Booth, according to Granbury legend, moved to Hood County and assumed the name of John St. Helen. There is a store on the historic town square that is still called St. Helen's. I think for a short while he was an actor in our opera house. It’s still opened today. It has been said it is now haunted by him. That show "Ghost Lab" came out about a year ago and did some investigations and heard voices and foot steps while they were there. The old opera house saves a seat for the ghost for every show.  

Rinky Tinks

As for the places to visit, if you like watching musicals or plays I would suggest going to see a show at the opera house or Granbury Live. The downtown square has tons of cool shops, including a retro ice cream shop called Rinky Tinks to visit. This town lately has become mostly a tourist / retirement destination. So sometimes being younger it feels like there's never anything to do. We are still one of few places that still have a drive-in movie. I highly recommend checking that out. Granbury is made up of mostly a lake so boating, a few water sports, swimming and fishing is a big here.

3.  I know this is somewhat vague, but what is life in Texas like? 

Texas has crazy weather. One day it'll be super hot and the next could be snowing. Summers here can be HOT!!! lol We usually hit 3 digit degrees here. (100 degrees F or 37 degrees C) Winters here varies, most days can be warm then we may have chilly days. In this part of Texas, it doesn't really snow much here. If it does it's like 1-2 inches which melts later that day or the next. Last year was the first year it broke record. I actually got to make a snowman. I have never gotten to do that before. The people here also varies, I have come across some real nice caring people to downright hateful people. We have a saying "Everything is bigger here in Texas". I'm not really sure if that's true, but everyone likes to drive bigger trucks have bigger portion meal, so that means the people here are bigger too. LOL!


4.  I love learning about other cultures, and I'm kinda curious what other cultures live in Texas?

Square Celebration

Our ethnicities are growing. Since we are so close to the Mexican border we do have a lot of Hispanic people here. In my family, we have a background with Native American Indian. At my work, we have had Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Philippine, Indian, Vietnamese and Puerto Rican people. So I would say Texas is well mixed. It's been interesting working with different cultures and hearing different languages. 

5. What are some holidays you celebrate that international readers may not be aware of?

Celebrations

Some United States Legal Federal Holidays are :

Martin Luther King Day (3rd Monday in January)- This day honors the late civil rights leader.

Presidents Day/Washington's Birthday (3rd Monday in Feb.)- Celebrate pass presidents (Washington and Lincoln.)

Memorial Day (last Monday in May) -This day is dedicated to the memory of all people who has passed in war.

Independence Day (July 4)- The day of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776

Labor Day (1st Monday is Sept) -A day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women.  Celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Columbus Day (2nd Monday in Oct)-Commemorates Christopher Columbus landing in the new world in 1942.

Veterans Day (Nov 11 every year)- This day is to honor all men and women who have served America in its armed forces.

Thanksgiving Day ( 4th Thursday in Nov)-Day of thanks. To be thankful for what we have.

Huthouse Hotel

Other U.S Holidays include:

Groundhog Day (Feb 2)- Legend has it that if the groundhog sees his shadow, he'll return to his hole, and winter will last another six weeks

Mardi Gras (March 8)- particularly celebrated in New Orleans, The last 3 days to feast before lent.

St Patrick's Day (March 17)-To honor patron saint of Ireland. 

April Fool's Day (April 1)- origins are unknown some say its a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar.

Patriot Day AKA 9/11 - Sept 11- To remember the September 11 attacks

Pearl Harbor Remembrance day (Dec 7)- To remember the attack on Pearl Harbor.

6.  What got you interested in pen palling and communicating with others around the world? 

Front of City Hall

I had a couple of penpals while I was in grade school, those were really class projects or a introduction of my grandparents friends kids. When I really got into it was about 5-6 years ago, I moved in with my boyfriend for the first time. It was away from home so I didn't know anyone yet. I was feeling kind of lonely so i went online and google penpals and found a site, I placed an ad and it went from there. I have been doing it every since. I love penpalling!!! I get excited  when i get mail that's is not a bill. Its really interesting meeting people from other places around the world. It has really opened my eyes to other cultures. 

7.  Can you give us a sneak peek into your life and Granbury? 

Melinda was able to send a TON of photos, so I tried to do little collages of all them.  They're too good not to show!  Thanks Mel!

Some of the cakes Mel's created: 

Photos from Mel's childhood, including her deceased sister and mother.  Thank you for sharing these.  (Mel is the dark haired girl.)

Mel's home:

Granbury:

(Aerial view, City Beach, Dam)

(Downtown, Drive-In Movie Theatre, Granbury Live)

(Statue, Court House, Lake)

(Dam, Old Jail turned Museum, new Town Hall)

County Airport

Buildings throughout Granbury

Riverboat Randoms

I want to thank Mel for sharing so much with us!  Granbury looks like a cute little town, doesn't it?

If you're interested in sharing a part of your life with us, please feel free to contact me!  eeegadserin (at) gmail (dot) com.

Ciao bellas!

~E