by Phil Houseal | Aug 13, 2025 | All Articles, Education, History, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
Aug 13, 2025 “My nose itches. I smell peaches. Someone’s coming with a hole in his britches.” That is an example of an ominous adage delivered in a pleasing rhyme. I don’t know what it means, but it’s fun to say because it could portend doom while sounding like...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 16, 2025 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country
July 16, 2025 “It’s a lot of emotions happening all at once, and your adrenaline is pumping. You feel grief and the shock of destruction contrasted with gratitude for the community support and pride to be in a position to help. Only after you get back home do you feel...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 11, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Food, History, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
July 9, 2025–What if Texas was a country (some say it is) and each of the other 49 states represented a foreign culture (some say they do)? How would you describe new arrivals in the frame of all the other “hyphen-Americans?” Here’s how that might sound from my...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 25, 2025 | All Articles, Events, Music, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
June 25, 2025–You know you’re not in Kansas anymore when you look into a box full of bags labeled “Fiona’s Noses.” You would be in Shrek’s Swamp. And yes, I know I mixed metaphors, but the magic of Fredericksburg Theater Company’s production of Shrek rivals the Land...
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...
