by Phil Houseal | Aug 10, 2022 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
August 10, 2022–This morning I woke up as a cow. Rising from rest, hind end first, I immediately started searching for something to eat. There… there was a nice patch of grass. I cropped the green greedily, with no attempt at chewing. My only concern was getting...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 20, 2022 | All Articles, Education, History, Philosophy
July 20, 2022–I’ve stumbled on a diversion called Today I Learned That, which I acronym as TILT. Unable to resist exploring my own ignorance, I followed where it led, purposefully seeking holes in my knowledge base. There are many. Today I Learned That: Winnie the...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 15, 2022 | All Articles, Education, Events, History, People of the Hill Country, Venue
June 15, 2022–When I first came to Texas, the day called “Juneteenth” bewildered me. Every time I asked what it signified, native Texans would mumble and turn away. I got the feeling it was a litmus test to screen “yankees,” in the same way no real Texan ever called...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 8, 2022 | All Articles, Education, History, People of the Hill Country
June 8 2022–While I was wandering the country as an itinerant musician, the first place I visited upon arrival in a new town was the local library. As an avid reader and news junkie B.C. (before computers), the library was my link to the larger world outside of Ford...
by Phil Houseal | Feb 23, 2022 | All Articles, Education, Music, Philosophy
Feb 23, 2022–I am a college student again. Proud member of the Senior Audit program at Schreiner University. Dr. Eugene Dowdy bravely accepts adult beginners into his string ensemble class, allowing us to saw away sitting next to serious music students who started...
by Phil Houseal | Jan 6, 2022 | All Articles, Education, Philosophy
Jan 5, 2022–Our assumptions are so powerful we defend them fiercely. Even when they are wrong. “Papa… I have a question.” When my 6-year-old grand says this, I know I am ready to have my assumptions challenged. “When we are celebrating Christmas day here, what...
