Stronger Than Podcast – An Introduction
Well…it’s happening. I’m excited and terrified and nervous and happy and juuuuust a little bit nauseous. We’re launching a podcast. A friend posted something today that pretty much sums up what’s happening in my brain: “Have you ever felt called o do something that terrified you? Something that will cause the voices of doubt, fear,…
Read MoreVisiting Hot Springs Arkansas in 48 Hours | How to See It All
A Brief History of Hot Springs, Arkansas Let me start out by saying Hot Springs is one of the strangest places we’ve ever been. The city is riddled with a checkered history dating back to civil war times and even earlier. Did you know it was run by gangsters and the Las Vegas strip was…
Read MoreHouston Moms, City Mom Collective, and Fire Prevention Week
When we were early on the road of our house fire we were moving minute by minute, it was all we could muster. I was writing then to ease my mind and my heart. I was just putting the emotion to paper (or to computer screen I guess). Then we made this blog. Hurting humans…
Read MoreExploring Texas While Studying Texas History
Fourth graders and seventh graders in Texas are required to learn Texas history as per Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. Growing up here, also learning Texas history, I figured every state had their students spending 1-2 school years learning about their state’s history. By college I realized this was rather unique to Texas…
Read MoreHamilton & Our First Date in 2 Years
In May 2018 I saw Hamilton with my friend Brittany. I’d heard some of the music, I knew it was supposed to be amazing. I knew my American History loving, history degreed husband would love it. In 2019 tried to buy tickets for Bill and I for the 2020 show, but financially we couldn’t do…
Read MoreWhen Barbecue Brought Me to Tears : Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
This past weekend was the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, more commonly known in Houston simply as Cook-off. I did a little math and the first time I visited our team’s tent was 20 years ago. I was 16 and I had no idea that many of the people in that…
Read MoreInstagram Reel Trends, Cultural Appropriation and the History of US Italian Immigrants
There is a current Instagram Reel trend I’d like to talk about. Its set to a classic Sicilian tarantella, Che La Luna and the creators use a traditional (and stereotypical) Italian hand gesture through the whole reel as they list things that make sense to their situation… “Things that make sense in our large family”…
Read MoreDreams, Pathways, and the Journey
I came across these pictures from March 2018. It was just a year after our house fire and 3 months before our contractor would walk off the job, stealing $100,000 and our toilets. We were at a dealer, looking at campers when I took this picture. Issa liked the bunk beds. The dream of adventuring…
Read MoreCamping Gear List | What to Pack for the New and Seasoned Camper
We’ve camped for a REALLY long time. Kindergarten is my earliest memory of camping. My mom picked me up from school in her white Lincoln Continental. The back seat was piled with sleeping bags, the tent, a cooler…all the things. I sat on top of the gear pile, my tiny head grazing the ceiling and…
Read MoreLonghorn Cavern State Park – Burnet, Texas
Longhorn Cavern State Park was an absolute surprise. I’d done some research and realized it was just down the road from Inks Lake State Park (review coming soon). Longhorn Cavern is a day use only park, so no camping here. Entry to the park is free, entry to the cavern is by paid guided tour…
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