March 2 is Texas Independence Day. It is also the birthday of two of my heroes, both named Sam, a fitting confluence of events. Sam Houston was born on March 2, 1793, in Rockbridge, Virginia and died at the age of 70 in Huntsville, Texas. His colorful career included serving as a member of Congress and governor of Tennessee, a stint living with the Cherokee Indians where he earned the sobriquet “Big Drunk,” hero of the Battle of San Jacinto, twice president of the Republic of Texas – and a U.S. Senator once Texas joined the United States. His political career ended because, as governor, he opposed...
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DOWNTOWN DALLAS — As part of my Beautiful Mystery Companion’s birthday celebration, which we usually manage to stretch into a week, we returned to Café Momentum, our favorite restaurant. It is our favorite not just because of the food, which is superb. Café Momentum is consistently rated one of the best restaurants in Dallas, featuring exquisite meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients. Located on Pacific Avenue across from Thanksgiving Square, what makes this place special is its mission. It is a culinary training facility for youth aged 15-19 who have been involved in the juvenile...
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I went exploring on our land earlier this week, on a blustery winter day, clad in rubber boots, a beanie and a heavy coat. Despite the foul weather, mist fogging my glasses, it felt good to get outside after a rainy weekend kept me cooped up inside, mainly working on my graduate course.
Although we have lived on Three Geese Farm for two-and-a-half years, the part of our 57-acre property that is east of Glade Creek remains somewhat of a mystery. I was aware that Witcher Creek empties into Glade Creek but didn’t realize until recently that the confluence is actually right at the bridge on Mackey...
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It has finally come to pass. Gatsby, our rescue Cavapoo pup, has been certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He can legitimately wear his therapy dog vest and volunteer in classrooms, nursing homes and other public places.
The entire training process took a little more than a year. When we adopted Gatsby from Texas Star Rescue here in Longview, he had spent the first nine months of his life as a puppy mill dog, locked up in a crate for almost his life. He was afraid of everything, spent hours hiding in corners and under couches. Our hearts nearly broke watching him trying to figure out how to run in our backyard....
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Since this is the off weekend before Super Bowl LVIII (58 in English), it seems a perfect time to weigh in on the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance that has dominated sports news for months. For the 12 people in America who are unaware, Taylor Swift — the dominant figure in popular music — and Travis Kelce — the superb tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are heading to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in six years, are an item. Sightings of her in a luxury box with Kelce’s mom, Patrick Mahomes’ wife and others, spike television ratings to atmospheric heights.
Unsurprisingly,...
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