A Tale Of Two Cities

This is where I work during the week: 

Laredo, Texas Named Least Diverse Metropolitan Area in the U.S.

Laredo, Texas, where Hispanics make up 96 percent of the metropolitan area, is the least diverse area in the United States. In 2011, of the 24,680 students in Laredo schools, 99.5 percent were Latino and 97 percent were economically disadvantaged.

It's not just Laredo. It's practically all the Texas border towns. In fact, many of them "are becoming less diverse because of rapid growth of the minority populations."

We compare this trend, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, to the spread of fire ants. They're advancing from south to north, in swarms, and you can't stop them.

But it could be worse. Let me hasten to add that, during my stays in Laredo, I've never felt threatened (at least on this side of the border), ostracized, or even uncomfortable (aside from the unrelenting heat). The Hispanic culture has a lot to admire and enjoy - a strong sense of family, a strong work ethic, a zest for life. Like any group, it also has it's share of losers (welfare addicts, professional racists, druggies, etc.), but overall the Hispanics I'm familiar with add more to the fabric of this country than they take away.

And I've learned a lot about being a minority. If you've ever lived or traveled in a country where the people don't look like you or talk like you then you know what I mean.

Now if only I could find a few radio stations down here that broadcast in English...

On the other hand, this is where I live: 

Small town gets big recognition: Boerne among America's best 

Boerne has been named one of the top 10 small towns in the United States in a new national ranking.

The town northwest of San Antonio was ranked fourth by Livability.com, a national website that highlights more than 500 of America’s best places to live and visit.

We actually live about 10 miles outside of Boerne, but our mailing address is "Boerne, TX."

The Hill Country town offers inspiration through the natural beauty of the area’s rivers, lakes, caves and trails, as well as the historic buildings, eclectic shops, restaurants and people, the site says.

The Guadalupe River is about 3 miles from our house, with the Guadalupe River State Park a few miles more downriver. - lots of tubing, kayaking, and canoeing in the summer.

 

We're also only a couple of miles away from The Cave Without A Name.

Boerne’s historic district includes about 30 shops, and the city has seven art galleries. The community turns out big numbers for events such as the Boerne Berges Fest celebrating the area’s German heritage, the Harvest Moon Celebration and the Kendall County Fair.

 

Dachshunds take to the track during the Weiner Dog Races at Boerne's Berges Fest

Boerne is surrounded by wineries and home to the Dodging Duck Brewhaus, which makes unfiltered and unpasteurized beer. In fact, nearly half of Boerne's approximately 70 restaurants are independently owned and operated.

The Dodging Duck got its name because it's located across the street from a city park that features a dammed-up creek that forms a small pond which attracts migrating ducks. They waddle into the street looking for food. When they do so, they end up dodging the cars. hence the name.

The Dodging Duck Brewhaus

One of the reasons I like this place so much - homemade beer and plenty of wine.

Livability.com editors narrowed down 500 cities to those with 25,000 or fewer residents, then looked at median household incomes and home prices, crime rates, unemployment rates, average commutes and distances to large cities. They also considered the quantity and quality of each town’s lifestyle advantages.

Top 10 Small Towns:

1. Papillion, NE
2. Golden, CO
3. Brattleboro, VT
4. Boerne, TX
5. Chardon, OH
6. Bedford, VA
7. Yankton, SD
8. Clive, IA
9. Danville, KY
10. Sheridan, WY

In an interesting coincidence, town #10 -- Sheridan, Wyoming -- is about 30 miles from the ranch we visit every summer.

Life is good...