by Phil Houseal | Jun 11, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Food, History, Philosophy
June 11, 2025–Maybe the solution to all our so-called modern problems is this: Live like your great grandparents lived. Not literally, but metaphorically. Recently our power went off and it got me to thinking again about how our ancestors coped. Let’s just go back 150...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 4, 2025 | All Articles, History, Philosophy
June 4, 2025–I’ll probably get teased for saying this, but manly men love our leather bags. My addiction began in 7th grade when I received a briefcase for Christmas. It was a black plastic briefcase that snapped open to reveal pockets under the lid for pens, slide...
by Phil Houseal | May 28, 2025 | All Articles, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
May 28, 2025–In high school I read the novel Bridge of San Luis Rey, and I revisit it at each stage of life. The story starts with the collapse of a rope bridge over a river in Peru, resulting in the perishing of assorted travelers who were crossing it. Through the...
by Phil Houseal | May 22, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
May 21, 2025–“Great music makes our lives better.” While the Lone Star State is revered for its western swing, outlaw country, Tejano, blues, and the whole Austin music scene, Joseph Kuipers is on his way to making it known for cello. Kuipers’ TexasCellos is launching...
by Phil Houseal | May 14, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Philosophy
May 14, 2025–What value do you bring? I’ve posited before that the key to success is maximizing your energy level. That is, recognize when during the day you feel the most energy; consume the food that creates the most energy, and discard relationships and activities...
by Phil Houseal | May 7, 2025 | All Articles, Philosophy
May 7, 2025–Don’t you hate when columnists write lists of disjointed observations? Me too. So you can skip this one. Still here? Okay, here we go… If your town or state is named “New” something, it is derivative and therefore gives you less reason to be proud....
