Cowboy boots are probably better than regular shoes, but they should be somewhat snug so they resist being pulled off in a slide. Bike specific boots are usually reinforced at the heel, ankle and toes to better resist sliding abrasion and side/heel impacts. You don't want a bruised heel, trust me. A non slick sole is also good. Putting a foot down and feeling it sliding away from the bike is not a pleasant feeling... Many bike specific boots will also be weather proof (assuming water doesn't enter from the top).
Don't skimp on gloves. Forget about the palm gloves where you fingers stick out of them. They might look cool (to some folks) but they are essentially worthless in terms of offering ANY protection. You can generally get a decent pair of gloves in the $50 range, especially if you watch for sales. I'd stick with leather. I like armor or extra leather across the back of the hand covering the knuckles. I came off a bike and rolled. Having the backs of your hands smacking pavement, even with a glove on, HURTS! I also like gloves with the extended cuffs, but that is just a personal preference because I ride in all kinds of weather and like them to cover the ends of the jacket sleeves.
Staying out of Houston traffic is a good idea in general. I have a lot of riding experience, even in Houston, and I hate it. It feels like playing Russian Roulette every time I do it. Like you, I don't even like to do it in my truck
I suggest spending the first 4-5K miles just cruising back roads and places that don't have a lot of traffic until you get comfortable just operating the bike controls. Ideally, you want to get to the point where you aren't having to think much about executing actions like shifting, braking, etc,... so that you have more of your attention to focus on the things around you.
Oh yeah... That saying, "You go where you look!" It is 100% true. If you stare at the white line at the outside of a corner, you WILL run wide and likely leave the road. I have been known to say OUT LOUD and repeatedly in my helmet, "LOOK! LEAN! ROLL!", whenever I have gotten in a corner a little faster than my brain is telling me is okay. Keith Code talks about that. The instinct is to chop the throttle, stand up the bike, maybe brake, and look straight ahead (which is NOT the direction you want to go!!) It is counter intuitive, but leaning more and rolling gently on the throttle as you look through the corner is the BEST thing you can do once you are in the corner.
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