by Phil Houseal | Jul 6, 2022 | All Articles, Philosophy
July 6, 2022–Why are we moved by the blues? Or a bird trill in nature? Or the lilt of a violin? Why is there renewed interest in vinyl records? In “This Is The Voice,” author John Colapinto presents research conducted in the 1920s that shows humans are attracted to...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 2, 2022 | All Articles, History, Philosophy
June 29, 2022–If you want to ponder how all common knowledge is probably not true–and by everything, I mean everything told to you by advertisers, the government, scientists, well-meaning aunts, scriptwriters, and neighbors–spend some time listening to 1930s and 1940s...
by Phil Houseal | Jun 22, 2022 | All Articles, History, Philosophy
June 22, 2022–One thing that recent lockdowns, winter storms, shortages of essential products, and economic fluctuations have taught me is this: I am grateful I know how to be poor. Not poor like our parent’s and grandparent’s Depression-era poor, but poor as in “only...
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 | Jun 1, 2022 | All Articles, History, Philosophy
June 1, 2022–As a kid, I expected to see a lot more anvils dropping on heads. Like every child of the black and white TV era, cartoons and comics informed my worldview. Inside the pages of those Sunday funnies and on the Saturday morning Looney Tunes, we learned the...
by Phil Houseal | May 25, 2022 | All Articles, History, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
May 25, 2022–Like the dog with its head hanging out the window of a car, we only notice other dogs. I’ve been crisscrossing the state the past several weeks, sharing seats with riders of various bents. What I have learned is that while many are in the same vehicle,...
by Phil Houseal | May 18, 2022 | All Articles, Food, History, Philosophy
May 18, 2022–We all like to count the ways we are “too busy.” “There are not enough hours in the day.” “I just don’t have time.” “I wish I could, but…” So I decided to actually time how long it took me to do each of my myriad regular daily tasks. The impetus...
by Phil Houseal | May 11, 2022 | All Articles, History, Philosophy
May 11, 2022–I don’t understand those who enjoy driving. While the romantic version is that of an intrepid traveler rolling over miles of ever-changing terrain, the reality is that you are sitting inside a 4-foot by 5-foot room, pressing your right foot on a pedal. If...
by Phil Houseal | May 4, 2022 | All Articles, Food, History, Philosophy
May 4, 2022–When I was a paperboy, every Christmas customers would give me a treat as I collected for their weekly delivery. This surprised me at first, because at age 11 I was unfamiliar with the concept of tipping for service. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I...
