Dillard: Thus is East Texas
Published 5:15 am Thursday, March 19, 2026
Well, for those who didn’t heed my dad’s “words of wisdom” about not planting anything until after Easter, I hope your bedding plants survived the freeze of March 15-17.
And by the end of this same week, we will be right at the 90-degree point. I have a phrase for that: “Thus is East Texas.”
East Texas is where I have lived most of my life, and I love it. No place is more beautiful, in my opinion. I do wish we had more of a winter season and spring season, but, again, thus is East Texas.
Have you ever done the Azalea Trails in Tyler? If not, you should. This year, the scheduled dates are March 20-April 5. Jerry and I did it a few years back and may try to again this year.
I love azaleas, and when there are hundreds of them in full bloom, the only thing that may rival East Texas azaleas’ beauty is Amen Corner at the Master’s Golf Tournament (when everything is in full bloom). Azaleas mixed with dogwoods – heavenly.
Caddo Lake is a jewel of East Texas. The moss-covered trees, the winding water. We’ve taken family pictures there, and you can literally spend a day walking, exploring and just enjoying the beauty of East Texas nature.
Jefferson and Marshall are two other jewels of East Texas. The old homes, the downtown areas – go explore and see what all we have to be proud of here in East Texas. By the way, we’ve also had family pictures taken there, as well.
And East Texas can proudly claim Canton Trades Days. I will admit: I only go to Canton once a year, and that is around Christmas. It is a wonderful place to go and peruse, eat, and come home with things you didn’t know you “needed” (that’s what I tell my husband, at least – I “needed” it).
It is held the weekend before the first Monday of every month. If you go, find this little booth out by the big parking lot that sells fried pies and grab an apricot fried pie – literally, the best!
Back to the weather: We basically have two seasons in East Texas – summer and not quite summer. When I hear people complain about it being too hot, too cold, too windy, too much pollen, too much rain, not enough rain, I think to myself, “Must not be a native East Texan.”
If you were raised here, all of these things are no shock. The weather is not predictable at all, yet somewhat predictable. It’s always going to be hot for a good amount of time during the year (even Thanksgiving and Christmas). Now, not 100 degrees hot, but still, it’s hot. My definition of “hot” is when I am running my air conditioner and ceiling fans at the same time – then it’s hot.
I have noticed there’s no pleasing East Texans, or at least, we like to come across that way. “It is too dang hot!” “Brrrr! It is too dang cold!” “It is so humid!” “This pollen is about to drive me nuts!”
But, with all the complaints, there’s one other thing that East Texas has that nowhere else has in such abundance – Southern hospitality and pride. While East Texans may complain about certain things, a non-native better not ever complain because we are very protective and proud of our East Texas.
Yes, it was cold the first part of this week, and some complained. Yes, it’s hot today, and some are complaining. But, when I go outside, look at all the pinks, purples, bright greens, yellows – but when I step outside at the end of the day and see all the stars at night, so big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas — I stand a little taller and am proud to live where I live.
Go out and enjoy all the treasures we East Texans have been blessed with. Make plans to go explore Caddo, Marshall, Jefferson, the Azalea Trails and Canton and do it with pride.
I’m proud to be an East Texan. (Oh, and if you make homemade apricot fried pies, let me know. I’m feeling the need!)
Happy spring!
— Dawn Dillard is a proud East Texas gal who loves all things southern, especially cooking, music and family. She can be reached via email at DLDplays88@aol.com.