In Praise of Texas Women 09.02.19

I’ve seen this photo before and today it popped up in a FB group I follow (yesterday was the birthday of both Ann Richards and Liz Carpenter). I never met any of these women, but one time when my mom was visiting we were eating lunch at Texas French Bread when Ladybird and a friend came in and sat near us. I remember being struck by how similarly dressed she and my mother were; denim skirt and a crisp collared blouse, minimum amount of jewelry. I’m pretty sure neither of them ever had a Chico’s Kind of Day in their lives.

Another time I was by myself at Jason’s Deli in Westlake and Liz Carpenter and a companion were there eating dinner. To my delight she toddled over to the soft serve ice cream machine and got herself a tiny cone before leaving.

And when they were filming a scene downtown for the movie “A Perfect Life” and using one of my cars, we were all treated to a catered BBQ lunch on the grounds of governor’s mansion. I was one of the first ones there and Ann Richards was sitting at a long table near the front talking to someone. She looked up and said, “Come on in! The food’s over there,” pointing to the buffet.

So technically I can say I have eaten with three out of the four women pictured here. And the Queen is still alive so…