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🪶 Letter from the Editor

The ice and cold temps came through last weekend as predicted — it was the kind of quiet and cold that coats the grass and makes the world look like it's holding its breath. By Tuesday morning, the sun was already working on it, and by afternoon, we were back to mud and birdsong. Winter in the Hill Country doesn't stay long, but it always makes sure you notice it.

I've been thinking a lot this week about calendars.

Not the pretty ones on the wall — the digital ones, the ones that ping and remind and fill themselves when you're not looking. January started so gently. There was space to breathe, to sit with a cup of coffee without checking the time, to say "let me think about it" and actually mean it.

And then, somewhere around this week, the calendar started filling again.

A meeting here. A deadline there. A favor for a friend that became three favors. Suddenly the white space is gone, and you're back in the current, wondering how you got swept up so fast.

This edition is about that hinge — the moment before busy hardens into normal. In our featured story, we dig into what it looks like to notice the creep before it takes over. Our business insights explore saying no as a strategy (not a failure) and treating time like the finite resource it is. Hazel Mae and Fern tackle prep work and procrastination with their usual mix of grit and grace. And our horoscopes this week are all about pacing and boundaries — permission slips for protecting your energy.

Out on the porch, there's plenty happening: the Chamber Awards, Willis Alan Ramsey at the Odeon, the Castell Chili Cook-Off, and a whole spring calendar of festivals, fiddle contests, and farmers markets. Our 4-H kids are breaking auction records, and our communities are rebuilding stronger after last year's floods.

And then there's Sam — a scrappy little terrier mix with big ears and a bigger heart, looking for her next chapter. If you've got room for a loyal, low-drama companion, she might just be waiting for you.

This week, I hope you find a moment to pause before the rush. To look at your calendar and ask: Is this what I want to be carrying? You don't have to change everything. You just have to notice.

The ice melts. The calendar fills. But you still get to decide what's worth your time.

Take care of yourselves out there.

— Katie Milton Jordan
Editor, The Townie
📬 [email protected] // 📞 325-475-4991

The Two Insights Your Business Needs Right Now

Running a business in this region has never been simple — but right now, it’s especially easy to misread the signals.

Some things are working better than they look. Other things feel “fine” right up until they aren’t. Based on what we’re seeing across shops, services, ranch-adjacent businesses, and Main Street operations, here are two insights worth sitting with this week.

Insight #1: Saying No as a Margin Strategy

It makes sense to say yes right now. Work is here, the phone is ringing, and after the slow stretch of the holidays, momentum feels good. You want to catch up. You want to make the most of it while it lasts.

But there's a version of yes that costs more than it earns.

The job that pays but drains. The client who needs more hand-holding than the project warrants. The favor you agreed to because saying no felt harder than saying yes. These aren't bad decisions — they're familiar ones. And they add up quietly, eating into the margin you thought you had.

Saying no isn't about being difficult. It's about knowing what your time actually costs — not just in dollars, but in energy, focus, and capacity for the work that matters most. A full calendar isn't the same as a profitable one. And a busy season built on the wrong yeses can leave you more depleted than a slow one ever would.

The margin you protect now is the margin you'll have when something important shows up. And something important always shows up.

Insight #2: Time as a Financial Input

We talk about money like it's the main constraint — and sometimes it is. But for most small operations out here, time is the tighter bottleneck.

You can find capital if you have to. You can borrow, save, stretch. But you can't manufacture hours. And every hour spent on low-return work is an hour unavailable for the work that actually moves things forward.

This is easy to forget when the calendar fills up. Busy feels productive. Full feels successful. But time, like cash, has a conversion rate — and not all hours convert equally.

The question isn't just "Can I fit this in?" It's "What does this hour cost me elsewhere?" Sometimes the answer is nothing. Sometimes it's everything.

Treating time as a financial input doesn't mean squeezing more out of every minute. It means being honest about where your hours go — and whether the return matches the investment.

A Small Townie Takeaway

This is the week the year starts to accelerate. The quiet of January gives way to the pull of February, and suddenly the pace feels set.

But pace isn't destiny. You can still choose what gets your time. You can still hold the line on what matters. And you can still say no — not out of fear, but out of clarity.

The calendar will fill. Let it fill with what's worth carrying.

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Fresh off the Porch

Events

Mason — Mason County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Night (Thu, Jan 29, 6:00 PM, Old Peanut Mill) — Mason County Chamber A celebratory banquet to appreciate local businesses and community members over the past year. Tickets are pre-sale only, and neighbors will gather for an evening of dining and recognition.

Mason — Spring St. Farmers Market (Sat, Jan 31, 6:00 PM, Spring Street) — Local Vendors Local vendors and farmers will line Spring Street for an evening market. Stroll among fresh produce, homemade goods, and crafts under the stars. It's a relaxed community outing to support homegrown makers and enjoy friendly small-town vibes.

Mason — Mason County Wineries Scholarship Dinner (Sat, Feb 7, 6:00 PM, Murphy Creek Cellars) — Mason County Wineries Mason's winemakers unite for a five-course wine-paired dinner. Proceeds fund scholarships for Mason I.S.D. graduating seniors. An elegant night out for a great cause, where each ticket helps send local youth to college.

Mason — Willis Alan Ramsey in Concert (Sat, Feb 14, 7:00 PM, Odeon Theater) — Odeon Theater Texas folk legend Willis Alan Ramsey takes the stage in Mason. Music fans can expect an intimate evening of Americana from the singer-songwriter behind the cult-classic 1972 album. It's a rare chance to see a revered artist in our small-town theater.

Castell — Castell General Store Chili Cook-Off (Sat, Feb 21, 12:00 PM, Castell General Store) — Castell General Store The Castell Chili Cook-Off brings hearty competition to this Llano River hamlet. Chili chefs will battle for hot prizes and bragging rights. Come hungry for chili tastings and enjoy a spicy afternoon of music, cold beer, and Hill Country camaraderie along the riverbank.

Junction — Texas Sheep Dog Trials (Thu–Sun, Feb 12–15, 6:00 AM–Dark, Hill Country Fairgrounds) — Texas Sheep Dog Association Top herding dogs from across the U.S. and Canada converge in Junction for this four-day trial. Spectators can watch amazing canine athletes maneuver sheep through gates and pens by whistle and hand commands. Bring lawn chairs – admission is free for this family-friendly showcase of skillful dogs and handlers.

Fredericksburg — Fredericksburg Crab Festival (Sun, Mar 8, 12:00 PM, Bankersmith TX) — Bankersmith Dance Hall An afternoon crab boil in the Hill Country. Alaskan snow crabs are shipped in for a casual feast with live music and cold drinks at the Bankersmith dance hall. It's a lively countryside festival where you can crack open big crab clusters and kick back on a Sunday Funday.

Brady — 35th Heart of Texas Country Music Festival (Mar 14–23, multiple dates & venues in Brady) — Heart of Texas Country Music Association A ten-day celebration of traditional country music in the "True Heart of Texas." Evening dances and concerts feature artists like Jody Nix, Moe Bandy, Jake Hooker, and the Bellamy Brothers. Ticketed shows span the Ed Davenport Civic Center, local dancehalls, and the Heart of Texas Events Center, drawing country fans from all over.

Fredericksburg — Hill Country Indian Artifact Show (Sat, Mar 21, 8:00 AM, Lady Bird Johnson Park Pavilion) — Central Texas Archeological Society Arrowheads, fossils, and prehistoric artifacts take center stage at this annual show. Collectors and history enthusiasts will find high-quality Native American artifacts, tools, and jewelry on display or for trade. It's a hands-on history experience, with experts on-site to identify mystery rocks and artifacts.

Llano — Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF) (Fri–Sun, Mar 27–29, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM, Grenwelge Park) — LEAF Organization After a hiatus, LEAF returns to transform Llano's riverside park into a world of natural art. Rock balancers, sculptors, and artists from around the globe will create and compete outdoors, alongside live music and food vendors. Don't miss the famous World Rock Stacking Championship, where gravity-defying rock towers rise from the Llano River banks.

Mason — Mason's 10th Annual Chamber Music Festival (Fri–Sat, Mar 27–28, times vary, Odeon Theater) — Odeon Preservation Association Classical music finds a home in Mason with two days of concerts. The Artisan String Quartet kicks off Friday at noon with "Be Serious," and on Saturday night solo violinist Patrice Calixte leads an "Italian Seasonal Favorites" gala performance. Hosted by the Odeon preservation association, this festival brings big-city culture to our small-town stage.

Llano — Llano Fiddle Fest & Contest (Sat, Apr 4, 9:00 AM, JLK Event Center) — Llano Fiddle Fest Committee A toe-tapping Texas fiddle showdown. Morning youth fiddle contests lead into an evening concert featuring country artist Kelly Spinks. This 48th annual event draws fiddlers statewide to showcase old-time tunes. With divisions from pee-wee to professionals, it's a day of family-friendly music celebrating our Texas heritage.

Mason — Mason Arts & Wine Festival – Spring Edition (Sat, Apr 4, 10:00 AM, Mason Square) — Mason County Chamber A special spring weekend arts fair coinciding with the solar eclipse crowd. Local Hill Country artists and Mason County wineries team up for a day of art booths, wine tastings, and live demos. Stroll the historic square with a glass of local wine in hand and enjoy eclectic artwork, all under the spring sunshine.

Community Features

Fredericksburg — Youth Livestock Show Shatters Records Gillespie County's hardworking 4-H and FFA kids earned over $1.5 million at this month's Junior Livestock Show auction. The four-day event saw generous bidders supporting the next generation of ag leaders. From prize steers to homemade quilts, nearly every project found a buyer, with funds going straight to local youths' education and future projects.

Menard — County Cheers Flood Recovery Progress Menard County Judge Brandon Corbin's annual report highlighted local resilience. Eighteen months after the big flood, Menard has improved its emergency response and even managed to trim property tax rates. From repaired low-water crossings to new warning sirens installed, neighbors are optimistic that the lessons learned have made their tight-knit community safer and stronger.

Business/School Highlights

Mason — Mason County Junior Livestock Show Success — The 101st Annual Mason County Junior Livestock Show & Expo brought about 130 local 4-H and FFA exhibitors to Fort Mason Park over Dec. 30–Jan. 2 to show livestock and compete in showmanship and sales. The event showcased youth dedication to agriculture, life skills, and community support through premium sales and awards.

Llano — Stock Show Success The Llano County Junior Livestock Show kicked off the new year with strong participation from local FFA and 4-H chapters. For four days, students showed pigs, goats, lambs, cattle, and more. Special events like the Shining Star Show gave children with disabilities a chance in the ring, and a Friday BBQ fundraiser drew hungry crowds. The show wrapped up with a Saturday auction benefiting the youth exhibitors – ensuring these young ag entrepreneurs earn back some of their project investments.

Awards/Recognitions

Junction — Hometown Heroes Honored The Kimble County Chamber's Annual Awards Banquet on Jan. 15 brought the community together at the Coke Stevenson Center. Outstanding local businesses, civic volunteers, and youth leaders received accolades for their contributions. From the Business of the Year to lifetime volunteer service awards, Junction celebrated the folks who keep their "Land of Living Waters" thriving. It was an evening of pride, applause and a few happy tears in small-town Texas.

Hill Country Weather

After an Arctic cold snap iced over the Hill Country earlier this week, expect a gradual warm-up. Highs will climb from the 40s into the 60s by the weekend, with plentiful sunshine once the ice melts. Nights remain brisk (hard freezes in the 20s), but a dry pattern should dominate. Keep those faucets dripping on frosty nights, but look forward to a mild, sunny start to February.

Rural Policy & Funding Watch

In Kerrville, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced a $10 million recovery fund to revitalize small businesses hurt by last July's flood. Partnering with a nonprofit lender, the program will provide grants and zero-interest loans to hard-hit Kerr County enterprises. The goal is to keep rural businesses open and local workers employed. The funding is first-come, first-served, aiming to be fully distributed by the flood's one-year anniversary. It's an unprecedented private infusion intended to speed up economic recovery in our small towns where every mom-and-pop shop counts.

Economic & Small Business Intel

Rural entrepreneurs are getting a lifeline. "When a business closes, families leave," notes Austin Dickson, CEO of the Kerrville-based foundation behind the new flood relief fund. This initiative isn't just charity – it's strategic economic development. By targeting core employers and cultural centers (think beloved cafes, feed stores, and local outfitters), the program intends to stabilize the backbone of the Hill Country economy. Already several flooded businesses – from a historic general store in Hunt to river outfitters along the Guadalupe – have applied for grants to rebuild stronger. In other news, rural bankers report that despite inflation, consumer spending in our small towns stayed resilient through the holidays. Local shops and eateries in Mason, Brady, and Fredericksburg all say folks shopped local in droves this winter, providing a welcome boost to close out the year. With new funds and community loyalty, our rural economy is cautiously on the upswing.

Agriculture & Livestock Notes

Winter moisture has been spotty, and drought persists across much of the Hill Country. Gillespie and Mason counties remain in a moderate drought stage, with burn bans still in effect. Dry grass and high winds led to a few scares – Gillespie County firefighters doused two brushfires sparked by welding work just last week. Ranchers continue to supplement feed as pasture grass is thin. Many stock tanks are low; we'll be praying for a soaking rain this spring to replenish water and grow some grass. On the bright side, cattle prices are holding strong. Tight supplies after last year's herd culling have 500‑lb calves fetching around $2.30/lb at regional auctions – giving cow-calf producers hope for better margins. Sheep and goat markets also remain solid heading into spring. And congratulations to all our local 4-H and FFA youth for a successful stock show season – those premium sales will help fund plenty of next-year animal projects!

Market Snapshot

Pecans: The 2025 Texas pecan harvest was modest – around 32 million lbs statewide amid weather challenges. Demand is steady, and wholesale prices are robust. Fancy in-shell pecans are averaging about $2.80–$3.00 per pound in bulk, with retail gift-pack pecans closer to $6–$8/lb.

Hay: Winter feeding is in full swing. 4x5 round bales of coastal bermuda are running $90–$120, and supply is tight given last year's drought. Many farmers cut only half their usual hay, so folks are hauling bales in from out of county.

Beef: Live cattle futures hover near record highs (around $1.35/lb live weight), and local sale barns report brisk trade. Beef prices may stay elevated until pastures recover and herds rebuild.

Eggs: Backyard chickens to the rescue – egg prices finally eased after the holiday spike, now about $3/dozen at the store, as flock sizes rebound from 2025's bird flu losses. Keep an eye on feed costs though, as corn prices have ticked up.

Grant Watch

Funding opportunities abound for rural communities: The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is celebrating 30 years of community grants by offering a one-time $100,000 grant in its current cycle. Hill Country towns and nonprofits in the LCRA service area can apply for this boost to fund parks, community centers, emergency services or other infrastructure. The deadline for the January 2026 cycle is fast approaching, so get those applications in. Meanwhile, Texas Rural Funders just highlighted a new grant helping rural libraries provide mental health resources – a reminder that grants aren't just for roads and water towers, but quality of life too. Also on the radar: a USDA Rural Development grant up to $45k for community facilities (LOI due Feb 1). Pro tip – Texas Rural Funders launched a "Power Your Proposal" toolkit this month to help rural leaders write winning grant applications. Let's bring some of these dollars home to our Hill Country communities!

Tourism Pulse

With wildflower season on the horizon, Hill Country towns are gearing up for spring visitors. Wine tourism is already in swing – the annual Wine Lovers Celebration passport event runs Jan 26–Feb 27, featuring over 55 local wineries. Vineyards from Fredericksburg to Lampasas are seeing steady weekend traffic as couples tour and taste. This mid-winter bump is a welcome sight after the slow post-holiday weeks. Looking ahead, advance bookings for spring break and the March wildflower bloom are ticking up. Fredericksburg B&Bs and state park campgrounds report higher early reservations than last year, suggesting a strong spring turnout. The bluebonnets may be thinner if rain doesn't come, but expect plenty of Texas road-trippers regardless. Finally, our smaller towns like Mason and Junction are marketing new events (rodeos, cook-offs, and music fests) to draw visitors off the beaten path. All signs point to a busy spring tourism season, so polish those guest room welcome signs and get ready to say "howdy" to folks exploring our beautiful Hill Country.

✨ Advertise in The Townie ✨
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The Moment the Calendar Fills Up Again

There's a specific week each January when it happens.

You've been coasting, more or less. The holidays loosened something in you — not just time, but expectation. You stopped checking your phone at dinner. You let the inbox sit overnight. You remembered what it felt like to drink your coffee while it was still hot, sitting on the porch in that thin winter light, watching nothing in particular.

And then, without warning, the calendar fills back up.

It starts small. A meeting rescheduled from December. A phone call you'd been putting off. Someone asks if you can "hop on a quick call" — and suddenly you're looking at a week with no white space. The quiet January you'd been living in starts to feel like a memory you can't quite hold onto.

This is the hinge moment. The place where the year pivots from open to occupied.

The Creep Is Quiet

Busyness doesn't announce itself. It doesn't walk through the front door with a suitcase. It creeps — one "yes" at a time, one "I can squeeze that in," one "it's only an hour."

And before long, you're back in the pattern you swore you'd leave behind. Running from one thing to the next. Eating lunch at your desk. Telling yourself you'll rest when things slow down — knowing, somewhere deeper, that things don't slow down unless you slow them.

Out here in the Hill Country, we know this rhythm well. Ranchers feel it when calving season overlaps with fence repairs and a truck that won't start. Business owners feel it when February bookings stack up before January's invoices are even sent. Parents feel it when school schedules, sports, and work collide into a blur of car seats and cold coffee.

The creep doesn't care what kind of work you do. It just waits for you to stop paying attention.

What January Offered

There's a reason those first few weeks of the year felt different.

It wasn't just the break from routine — it was the space to breathe. To think. To notice. January gave you room to hear yourself again. To remember what mattered before the noise came back.

That space is worth protecting.

Not because rest is a reward you earn, but because clarity only comes when there's room for it. You can't hear the still, small voice when you're running from meeting to meeting. You can't notice what needs tending when your attention is shattered into a hundred tiny pieces.

The gift of early January wasn't laziness. It was presence. And presence is what busyness steals first.

The Art of the Pause

Here's the thing about a filling calendar: it doesn't ask permission. It just fills.

Which means the only way to protect your margin is to build it in before the requests arrive. To look at your week not as empty space waiting to be claimed, but as a garden that needs tending — with room for growth, yes, but also room for rest.

Some practical ways to hold the line:

Block "no meeting" mornings before someone else fills them. Put your own priorities on the calendar first — even if it's just "think time" or "walk the property." When someone asks for your time, pause before answering. Not every request needs an immediate yes. And when you feel the creep beginning — that familiar tightness in your chest, that sense of running behind before the day has started — take it as a signal, not a mandate.

You're allowed to slow down. Even now. Even when the calendar says otherwise.

A Word for This Week

If your January has already filled up, you're not behind. You're just in the hinge.

This is the week to notice — not to fix, not to overhaul, but to see. Where did the time go? What snuck onto your calendar without your full consent? What are you carrying that someone else should be holding?

You don't have to burn it all down. You just have to pay attention.

Because the creep only wins when we stop noticing. And out here, on these backroads and in these small towns, we've always known that the best life isn't the busiest one. It's the one with room to breathe. Room to sit on the porch. Room to watch the light change and feel the wind shift and remember, even for a moment, that you're not just surviving the week — you're living it.

The calendar will always try to fill itself. Your job is to decide what's worth the space.

Dear Hazel Mae & Fern,

I've been putting off sharpening my garden tools since last fall. Every time I walk into the shed, I see them hanging there — the loppers with the dull blade, the pruners that crush more than they cut, the shovel with the rusted edge. I know I need to do it before spring hits, but I keep finding reasons not to. It feels like such a small thing, but it's weighing on me more than it should. How do I get myself to just do the boring prep work?

— Rusty in Pontotoc

Hazel Mae says:

Well now, sugar, let me tell you something my granddaddy used to say: "A dull blade makes hard work harder and easy work impossible."

You're not lazy. You're just staring at a task that doesn't feel urgent yet — and our brains are wired to chase the fire, not prevent it. But here's the truth: every minute you spend sharpening now saves you ten minutes of frustration come March when the henbit is waist-high and your loppers are chewing through branches like a tired goat.

Here's what I want you to do:

• Pick one tool. Just one. The pruners, probably — they're the easiest win.

• Set a timer for 15 minutes. That's it. You're not committing to the whole shed, just one small victory.

• Get yourself a flat file or a whetstone and look up a quick video if you need a refresher. It's not surgery, honey — it's just metal and patience.

• Wipe everything down with a little WD-40 when you're done. Rust is just neglect in slow motion.

Once you've done one, I promise you'll want to do another. Momentum is a funny thing — it hides until you start moving.

Fern says:

There's a reason this small task feels heavy, and it's not about the tools.

Prep work asks us to believe in a future we can't see yet. To sharpen a blade in January is an act of faith — faith that spring will come, that the garden will need tending, that you'll be there to tend it. When we're tired or uncertain, that kind of faith can feel like a reach.

But the tools don't know that. They just wait, patient as stones, for the hands that will pick them up again.

Maybe the gift of this season isn't efficiency. Maybe it's trust. Trust that the small, unglamorous work matters. Trust that readiness is its own kind of hope. A sharp blade says: I'm still here. I'm still planning. I'm not done yet.

Let the sharpening be a quiet promise to yourself — not a chore, but a covenant with the season to come.

Hazel Mae (one last word):

Alright, here's your marching orders for this week:

• Gather your tools in one spot (yes, all of them — stop pretending you don't know where the trowel went)

• Sharpen the pruners and loppers first — they'll see the most action

• Check wooden handles for cracks; sand and oil if needed

• Hang everything back up where you can see it, not buried behind the Christmas decorations

And Rusty? Next time you walk into that shed, you're gonna feel like a different person. That's not nothing.

Got a question for Hazel Mae & Fern? Send it in. We'll put the kettle on, pull on our boots, and walk it out with you. [email protected]

✨ Advertise in The Townie ✨
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🔋 Pacing & Boundary Readings — Week of January 29, 2026

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19) The urge to sprint is strong this week — and honestly, you've got the fuel for it. But pace isn't about speed; it's about sustainability. You can cover a lot of ground without burning out if you build in rest stops along the way. Let the fire carry you, but don't let it consume the whole tank by Wednesday. Save something for the weekend. You'll thank yourself.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20) You've been holding a steady line, and that's exactly right. This week invites you to protect what you've built — not by adding more, but by refusing to let others erode your margins. Someone may ask for more than you can give. You're allowed to say "not right now" without explaining yourself. The fence you maintain is the peace you keep.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20) Your mind is running three conversations at once, and your calendar is trying to keep up. This week, try catching yourself mid-yes. Not every interesting thing deserves your time right now. Boundaries aren't walls — they're filters. Let through what feeds you; let the rest pass by like clouds. You don't have to attend every thought that arrives.

Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22) Home is calling louder than usual, and that's not avoidance — it's wisdom. This week, your energy is best spent close to the hearth. Let the world spin without you for a few days. Tend to the people and spaces that ground you. The outside noise will still be there when you're ready. For now, the porch light is enough.

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22) You want to say yes to everything that shines — and this week, a lot is shining. But even the sun sets, Leo. Your task is to notice which commitments fill you and which ones just look good from a distance. Protect your mornings. Guard your creative energy. The applause will wait; your well-being won't.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22) The list is long and your instinct is to conquer it. But this week, efficiency isn't the goal — discernment is. Some tasks can wait. Some can be handed off. Some don't need doing at all. Before you optimize, ask: does this actually matter? The answer might surprise you. Rest is not a reward for productivity; it's the soil it grows from.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22) You've been bending toward others for a while now, and the stretch is starting to show. This week, practice the gentle no. Not dramatic, not defensive — just clear. You can hold space for people without losing your own. Balance doesn't mean splitting yourself evenly; it means knowing when you've given enough.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21) Something beneath the surface is asking for attention — not action, just acknowledgment. This week, let yourself sit with what's unresolved. You don't have to fix it yet. Boundaries this week aren't about keeping others out; they're about making room for what's already inside. Give yourself permission to not know. Clarity comes to those who wait.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21) The open road is calling, but your energy is finite. This week, pace your adventures — mental and physical. Not every horizon needs chasing right now. Sometimes the bravest thing is to stay put and let the restlessness pass. The world will still be wide next week. For now, let your roots drink deep.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19) You've been climbing steadily, and the view is getting better. But this week, pause on the ledge. Look around. Notice how far you've come before you plan the next ascent. Boundaries for you this week mean saying no to urgency that isn't yours. Not every fire needs your water. Some things can burn themselves out.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Your ideas are multiplying faster than your hours, and that's a beautiful problem — but it's still a problem. This week, choose one thing to protect. One project, one relationship, one corner of your life that gets your full attention. The future you're building doesn't need everything right now. It needs the right things, tended well.

Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20) You feel everything this week — the pull of others' needs, the weight of unspoken things, the ache of what's unfinished. Your boundaries aren't selfish; they're survival. Give yourself permission to float instead of swim. Not every current needs to be fought. Some just need to be waited out. Rest now, and let the tide do its work.

💫 Until next week, pace yourself like a lantern in the wind — steady enough to stay lit, wise enough to know when to dim.

Meet Sam — a one-year-old wire-haired terrier mix with ears that could pick up radio signals from three counties over and a face that says, "I've seen some things, but I'm ready for better ones."

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If you've got a quiet house and a patient heart, Sam's looking for you. Give the shelter a call or send an email — this scruffy little lady deserves her next chapter.

🤖 AI Translation: If Sam were human…

"Recently relocated. Not by choice. Looking for someone who doesn't mind a little quiet at first — I promise I warm up. I'm low-maintenance but loyal, and I've been told my hair has 'character.' Ideal weekend: a slow morning, a long walk, and someone who doesn't rush me. No drama, just steady. Swipe right if you believe in second chances."

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