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✍️ Letter from the Editor

The last of October always feels like standing on a porch between two worlds — one where the air still hums with Halloween laughter, and another where marigolds and memory take over. Around here, both belong.

This week, The Townie carries that spirit — equal parts candy corn and candlelight. You’ll find fall festivals from Llano to San Angelo, a spotlight on a Brady craftsman keeping hunting traditions alive, and a bookshelf of ghost stories that comfort more than they scare.

We built this issue like a Hill Country porch: wide open, a little weathered, and full of stories worth lingering over. So grab your coffee, pull your chair close to the rail, and settle in for the turn of the season. November’s coming — and it’s bringing gratitude, good company, and a chill in the air that reminds us what’s worth keeping warm.

See you out there under the porch lights,
— Katie

[email protected] // 325-475-4991

November is rolling in with cooler mornings, whitetail season excitement, and plenty of small-town happenings. We’ve rounded up charity walks, fall festivals, hometown heroes and new local ventures to keep your autumn spirit high. Grab a jacket and a friend – let’s see what our towns have in store this week!

Events

• Mason — Seaquist House First Saturday Tour (Sat, Nov 1, 10 AM–1:30 PM, Seaquist House) — Seaquist House. No reservations needed for guided tours of this historic 19th-century mansion, which opens on the first Saturday of each month. Visitors can step back in time exploring the lovingly preserved rooms and learning about Mason’s heritage.

• Mason — Mason Historical Museum Tours (Sat, Nov 1, 11 AM–4 PM, Mason Co. Historical Museum) — Mason Historical Society. The Mason County Historical Museum opens its doors for free tours this Saturday. It’s a come-and-go opportunity for all ages to explore local artifacts and stories, with volunteer docents sharing Mason’s rich past.

• Mason — Texas Top Gun Shootout (Thu, Nov 6, 9 AM, Katemcy Rocks) — Katemcy Rocks Offroad. Off-road enthusiasts will converge at Katemcy Rocks for a high-octane rockcrawling competition. The annual “Top Gun” shootout spans two days of engine-roaring fun, with drivers tackling extreme terrain for a shot at $10,000 in prize money and ultimate bragging rights.

• Fredericksburg — Walk to End Alzheimer’s (Sat, Nov 1, 8 AM, Lady Bird Johnson Park) — Alzheimer’s Association. This charity walk invites families to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care and research. Participants will gather at Pioneer Pavilion in LBJ Park on Saturday morning to honor loved ones and support the fight against the disease.

• Fredericksburg — Hill Country Vet-Fest (Sat, Nov 1, 10 AM–10 PM, Marktplatz) — Veterans Council. A day-long festival will honor veterans and military families with music, food, and festivities in downtown Fredericksburg. The community is invited to show support, enjoy live entertainment, and celebrate the service of local heroes at this free family event.

• Junction — Roosevelt Gun Show (Sat, Nov 1, all day, Roosevelt Community Center) — Kimble County Chamber. Gun collectors and enthusiasts will head to the small community of Roosevelt for this one-day buy-sell-trade show. Local organizers promise a wide array of firearms, gear, and friendly conversation for those looking to browse or barter.

• Harper — Opening Day Fish Fry & Concert (Sat, Nov 1, 11 AM, Harper VFD Station) — Harper VFD. “Catfish, Bucks & Fire Trucks!” The Harper Volunteer Fire Department is serving up a catfish lunch on the opening day of hunting season (meals start at 11 AM until sold out). Raffle prizes and an evening benefit concert at The Station on 290 round out the day, with all proceeds supporting Harper’s fire and EMS services.

• London — Saturday Night Dance (Sat, Nov 1, 8 PM, London Hall) — London Dance Hall. Tiny London, TX keeps the tradition of live country dances alive this weekend. Doors open at 7 PM with music by Johnny Dickinson & Justice kicking off at 8 PM; all ages are welcome to two-step the night away at the historic hall on US-377.

• Castell — Hunters’ Ball (Sat, Nov 1, 7:30 PM, Castell General Store) — Castell General Store. Celebrate the start of deer season small-town style with an evening of music, dancing, and hearty country fare. This annual tradition draws hunters and locals alike for a fun night under the stars in Castell, complete with prize raffles and plenty of Texas hospitality.

• Llano — “A River Runs Through It” Plein Air (Sat, Nov 1, 9 AM–3 PM, Llano River downtown) — Llano Art Guild. Artists from around the Hill Country will set up their easels along the Llano River to capture its fall beauty on canvas. Art lovers can stroll by the riverbanks to watch the creative process in action during this informal outdoor painting event.

Community Features

• Brady — Mission Volunteers On the Move — The Mission at Brady is back with six community service projects planned over two weekends. Relaunched by local churches after a hiatus, the volunteer effort mobilizes neighbors to repair homes, spruce up yards, and support those in need—tangible acts of kindness bringing the town together.

• Doss — Heritage Festival Celebrates Community — The tiny town of Doss recently hosted its annual Heritage Festival, bringing families together for music, food, and fun. Doss School students performed traditional songs and dances as neighbors shared their German pioneer traditions—making this year’s celebration a heartwarming small-town success.

• Llano — Local Art Show Highlights Hill Country Beauty — The Llano Fine Arts Gallery is featuring a “Llano Showcase” exhibit by local artist Shea Daniel-Youngblood through late December. Her paintings capture the charm of Llano’s landscapes and landmarks, inviting residents to see their hometown through a creative lens (gallery open Thu–Sun).

• Castell — History on Display at Country Gallery — The Hill Country Gallery in Castell is showcasing a 30-year retrospective of Texas Cache magazine throughout November and December. This free exhibit features artifacts, photos, and stories from the beloved local history publication, offering a nostalgic look at Hill Country life since 1994.

Business/School Highlights

• Junction — Gear Haven Outdoor Shop Opens — A new sporting goods store, Gear Haven, held its grand opening and ribbon cutting in Junction on Oct. 21. Located at 911 Main Street, the shop is a welcome addition for local hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, offering gear and supplies close to home.

• Fredericksburg — Local Print Shop Expands — Blue Ribbon Screen Printing & Embroidery celebrated a ribbon cutting on Oct. 30 at its new Fredericksburg location. Established in 1989, this homegrown custom apparel business has become a Hill Country staple, now kicking off its next chapter in a larger space.

Awards/Recognitions

• Mason — Teacher of the Year Honored — Mason ISD has named Mrs. Tedder as its 2024–25 Educator of the Year, recognizing her kindness, patience, and unwavering dedication to students. Colleagues, parents, and students surprised the beloved teacher to celebrate her commitment to education and the positive impact she has on the community.

• Menard — Band Marches to State Again — The Menard High School Yellowjacket Band is headed back to the State Marching Contest after clinching top ratings at regionals. This marks another trip to state for the proud small-town band, whose members have worked hard to continue their tradition of excellence in music.

Events confirmed as of Oct 29, 2025 — always double-check before you go! If we missed your event, tag us on Instagram @TheTownie.ai or hit reply with the details.

🌤️ Weather at a Glance: Week of October 30 - Nov 6 , 2025

Well, y’all — the Hill Country’s fixin’ to give us a mixed bag this week, so grab your flannel and keep your eyes on the sky.

We’re startin’ off with sunshine and dry air today and into Thursday, high fire-danger in the mix thanks to gusty winds and low humidity — best be careful with any burnin’ or grilling outdoors. Highs will creep into the low to mid 70s for a couple days, then dip into the upper 60s by Saturday with a chance of a passing shower. After that, we bounce back into the low to mid 70s for early next week. Nights are gonna remind you it’s fall: lows dipping into the 30s and 40s. No major storms in sight — just that one “maybe-drizzle” day Saturday — so record-setting rain ain’t on the agenda.

So: watch the wind and fire risk early in the week, enjoy the golden afternoon light, bundle up at dawn, and let that one Saturday cloud roll by. It’s hunting-season weather with a wink — good for prepping, enjoying, and stepping outside with purpose.

Halloween Weekend in Our Small Towns (Oct 30 – Nov 2, 2025) 🎃

It’s Halloween weekend in the Hill Country, and we’re ready for costumes, candy, and a cornucopia of fall fun across Mason, Menard, Gillespie, Kimble, McCulloch – and our nearby big-town neighbors in San Angelo, and Kerrville. As October 31st approaches, we’ve got a full dance card of trunk-or-treats, haunted houses, live music throwdowns, and harvest festivals to keep your whole family (and your sweet tooth) happy through Sunday. Here’s the roundup for Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2025, sprinkled with small-town charm and plenty of pumpkin spice. 🎃👻

🎃 Family Fun & Trick-or-Treats

Mason & Menard – Trunk-or-Treat Traditions: Mason and Menard are keeping it classic with Trunk-or-Treats in church parking lots Friday evening. Mason’s First United Methodist Church hosts candy-packed car trunks from 5:30–7:00 PM on Halloween night. Down in Menard, First Baptist Church invites everyone from 6:00–7:30 PM – complete with games, prizes, free hotdogs, and friendly smiles for all the little ghouls and goblins. Bring a big candy bag and your best costume – small towns, big hearts, and big candy hauls await!

Fredericksburg Firehouse Trick-or-Treat: In Fredericksburg, even the firefighters are getting in on the fun. The Fredericksburg Fire/EMS Department is hosting a Halloween Open House & Safety Fair at the downtown fire station (124 W. Main) on Friday from 4:00–7:30 PM. Trick-or-treaters can tour the station, meet our local heroes, and grab candy in a safe, educational setting. There will be fire trucks, public safety demos, treats, and handouts – a perfect stop before your Main Street candy crawl.

Kerrville Family Fright Night: Kerrville’s biggest Halloween bash is Family Fright Night, taking over Louise Hays Park on Friday starting at 5:30 PM. This free city-run festival brings bounce houses, carnival games, trick-or-treat booths, and an all-ages costume contest to the park. Local businesses and groups will decorate tents and trunks to hand out candy (they’re preparing for 3,000+ kiddos!). There’s food truck fare for purchase and contests from cutest to creepiest costume. It’s the place to be in Kerrville for a safe, lively Halloween night under the stars.

Llano’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat & Sweet Treat: The town of Llano will be hopping Friday evening as well. First Baptist Church of Llano is holding a community Trunk-or-Treat in their parking lot from 5:30–7:30 PM – expect decorated cars and candy bowls aplenty. Just around the corner, Arrowhead Bank is hosting its annual “Ghosts & Goblins” sidewalk trick-or-treat from 5:30–7:30 PM with treats galore and Halloween décor outside their back door. And here’s a pro tip: stop by Llano River Creamery anytime on Halloween in costume, and the folks there will reward you with a free scoop of ice cream. Now that’s a treat no trick-or-treater can refuse!

👻 Haunted & Spooky Nights

San Angelo’s Haunted House at the Y: Ready for a real scare? San Angelo’s YMCA is transforming into a Haunted House for two nights, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Doors creak open at 7:30 PM and the frights run until 11:30 PM both nights. A $10 admission benefits Toys for Tots and the Y’s programs – so your screams are for a good cause. Expect classic jump-scares around every corner and a maze of spooky scenes winding through the Y’s halls. It’s family-friendly horror (recommended for older kids and teens) with plenty of volunteer “monsters” eager to make you shriek. Enter if you dare!

Llano Community Center Haunted House: Over in Llano, our neighbors have brewed up their own haunt. The Llano County Community Center presents its 2025 Haunted House on Friday (Oct. 31) and again Saturday (Nov. 1) from 7:30–9:00 PM. This volunteer-run spook-fest has become a local tradition – they turn the community center into a winding house of horrors, complete with eerie lighting and live actors ready to startle. Admission is nominal (bring a few bucks donation), and proceeds support the community center. It’s a small-town scare with big spirit, so come support and get your adrenaline fix after dark in Llano!

🍻 Adult Nightlife & Live Music

Fredericksburg’s Costume Party at The Top: Grown-ups need playtime too, and Fredericksburg has you covered. The Top Bar & Music Venue is throwing an all-day Halloween Costume Party this Friday (Oct. 31). Festivities kick off early with Happy Hour from 1–4 PM (think $3 beers and spooky-themed cocktails). Live music by Raquel Rivas cranks up at 7:00 PM and goes until 10:30 PM. Don’t miss the costume contests at 9:00 PM – they’re awarding prizes for best individual and couple costumes, so dress to impress. With food trucks on site serving Tex-Mex and burgers, you can make a whole night of it. Come for the drink specials, stay for the music and people-watching – it’s Fredericksburg’s biggest Halloween bash for the 21+ crowd.

Honky-Tonk Halloween in Llano: If country is more your style, Sundown in Llano is hosting a Honky-Tonk Halloween that will two-step you into November. One of Texas’s reigning queens of honky-tonk, Amber Digby, takes the stage at 9:00 PM Friday with her band Midnight Flyer. They’ll be serving up pure classic country tunes while patrons in costume dance the night away. Sundown promises door prizes, a costume contest, food, candy, and drink specials – all with that friendly Llano vibe. Pull on your boots (and maybe a cowboy hat or fangs – your call) and join the hometown crowd for a boot-scootin’ spooky time.

Kerrville’s Outlaw Country Bash: In Kerrville, Gravity Check Saloon & Arena is turning Halloween night into an outlaw country party. Local favorites the Heartbreak Outlaws take the stage at 7:00 PM on Oct. 31, bringing high-energy country rock to the saloon. Expect a lively mix of music and Halloween revelry – the saloon encourages costumes, so you might two-step next to a cowboy ghost or a punk rock pirate. With an outdoor arena and plenty of space, this will be a boot-stomping good time under the Hill Country sky. Grab a cold one from the bar, enjoy the “festive vibes” and kick up your heels – Kerrville knows how to throw a country Halloween shindig.

Brady’s Monster Mash at Pardners: For those near Brady, Pardners Nightclub (the biggest dance hall around) is hosting a Monster Mash Bash on Halloween night. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with a live DJ spinning from dusk till 2:00 AM. There’s a costume contest at midnight (so plan your late-night strategy accordingly) and plenty of dancing and cold drinks in between. Cover is about $7 – a small price for a big night of fun. This bash is 18+ and known to draw folks from all over McCulloch County. If you’re craving neon lights, loud music, and creative costumes, Pardners will scratch that itch. It’s the kind of small-town Texas dance hall Halloween where a witch, a cowpoke, and a vampire can all do the Cotton-Eyed Joe together by night’s end.

🍂 Fall Festivals & Markets

San Angelo’s Fall Fest Finale: Who says the fun has to end on Halloween night? On Saturday, Nov. 1, Kirby Park in San Angelo hosts the 12th Annual Fall Festival from 4:00–7:00 PM. This family-friendly fest extends the autumn joy with pumpkin-themed games, STEM activities for kids, face painting, cake walks, and yes, another costume contest (for those kiddos who refuse to take off their Elsa or Spider-Man suits). It’s a community-run event and completely free, held in one of San Angelo’s favorite parks. Consider it a relaxing Saturday wind-down: bring a lawn chair, enjoy live music and food vendors, and let the kids run off that residual candy energy in the bouncy house.

Llano Courthouse Farmers Market (Nov 1): Saturday morning, take a breather from the ghosts and goblins and stroll Llano’s Courthouse Square, where the Farmers & Crafters Market will be open 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. You’ll find homegrown produce, local honey, baked goods, and handmade fall crafts from all over the Hill Country. It’s the first weekend of deer season, so expect a few camo jackets in the mix with the costumes! Many vendors will have autumn décor and treats – think pumpkin bread, spiced nuts, and early holiday gift ideas. Our tip: grab a cup of cider from a vendor, meet your neighbors, and soak in the small-town charm on the square. Nothing beats a crisp November morning in Llano with local goodies in hand.

St. Margaret’s Fall Festival – San Angelo: Cap off the weekend with a Sunday fun-day at St. Margaret’s Church in San Angelo, which is holding its annual Fall Festival on Nov. 2 starting at 11:00 AM. This is a beloved community event featuring old-fashioned carnival games, cake walks, live music, and plenty of homemade food (enchiladas, anyone?). They’ll have candy and prizes for the kiddos and plate lunches for sale until they run out. It’s a great chance to gather as a community, give thanks, and celebrate the season. By Sunday afternoon, we’ll all have a candy hangover – a leisurely fall festival with family and friends is just what the doctor ordered.

If we missed your event, tag us on Instagram @TheTownie.ai or hit reply now with the details so we can add it next time! 🙌

Events confirmed as of Oct. 29, 2025 – always double-check before you go! Stay safe, have fun, and Happy Halloween from all of us in our hometowns! 🎃👻🍂

Hunting Season Prep: More Than Just Camo

Featuring Heart of Texas Taxidermy in Brady, TX

The first cool mornings of fall bring a different kind of buzz to the Hill Country. Feed stores smell like corn and diesel. The talk at the café shifts from summer rain totals to “where the deer are movin’.” Pickup beds fill with blinds and burlap. Around here, hunting season isn’t a pastime—it’s a pulse.

As opener dates creep closer, every ranch road and back porch seems to hum with anticipation. For some, it’s about tradition—granddads and grandsons swapping stories in deer blinds. For others, it’s business—processing plants firing up, local cafés stocking extra coffee and biscuits for the pre-dawn crowd. But for Joel at Brady’s Heart of Texas Taxidermy, hunting season means something even more lasting: helping folks preserve the memories that come from time spent outdoors.

“I grew up on a ranch near Dallas,” Joel told me over the phone, his voice calm and grounded, the kind that sounds like it’s earned its quiet confidence outdoors. “Spent my whole career in law enforcement before retiring, and I’ve always loved the outdoors. When I got my first buck as a teenager, I took it to a taxidermist and was just hooked watching the process. The detail and care that go into it—it’s real craftsmanship, not just preservation.”

For Joel, that fascination never faded. What started as a hobby with a buddy years ago has become his full-time calling. Today, at Heart of Texas Taxidermy, he focuses on mammals only—from whitetail deer and wild hogs to exotics like axis and blackbuck. Each animal is handled personally, one at a time, in a small shop built on patience and respect.

“I tell folks to expect about a six-month turnaround,” he said matter-of-factly, “but I usually get things done sooner than that. I like to do it right. Every animal tells a story, and you don’t rush that.”

That same philosophy runs deep in the hunting community he serves. In this part of Texas, dove season kicks off September first, setting the tone for the months ahead. “Dove season’s kind of the starting gun for the year,” Joel explained. “Then you’ve got whitetail deer season opening November first and running through winter. Spring turkey comes later, around March or April. Most hunters plan their whole year around those opener dates.”

It’s a rhythm that shapes more than calendars—it shapes local economies, too. Restaurants stay busy, gas stations sell out of ice and jerky, and small businesses like Joel’s find themselves at the intersection of tradition and craftsmanship. But for him, taxidermy isn’t about trophies as much as it is about reverence.

“Turkeys’ll humble you,” he said with a soft laugh. “They’re smart and they see everything. To get one, you’ve got to learn to sit still, be patient, and pay attention. They’ll teach you to appreciate nature for what it is—not just for the kill.”

Joel’s proudest mount wasn’t the biggest buck or the rarest exotic—it was a particularly challenging turkey that reminded him why he fell in love with the outdoors in the first place. “You’ve got to figure out where they roost and where they strut. Get yourself in their path, then just wait quiet as you can be. There’s a lot of peace in that.”

It’s that mix of patience, discipline, and respect that defines the best hunters—and the best craftsmen. “I tell new hunters to be patient, move slow, and learn their habits,” he said. “Spend more time listening than calling. Respect the woods. Everything out there’s paying attention.”

If that sounds more like philosophy than hunting advice, that’s because for Joel, it is. From the way he talks about his work, you can almost picture the shop itself—quiet, steady, filled with the kind of wisdom that only comes from decades spent outdoors. “Hunting’s as much about the quiet and the sunrise as it is about bringing something home,” he said. “Take care of the land, take care of your game, and the rest takes care of itself.”

That’s a message that fits right into The Townie’s kind of storytelling—the kind that celebrates the real texture of rural life. In small towns across the Hill Country, hunting season isn’t just about camouflage and cartridges; it’s about connection—to the land, to family, and to the local businesses that keep those traditions alive.

So whether you’re out scouting this weekend or sipping coffee on the porch while the trucks roll by, take a moment to appreciate what this season brings: a reminder of how much life in the Hill Country still runs on nature’s clock.

And if you do bag something worth remembering, bring it to Joel at Heart of Texas Taxidermy in Brady—where every mount is treated with the kind of care that honors both the hunter and the hunt.

“Every mount has a story,” Joel told me before we wrapped up. I could almost see him nodding toward a deer on the workbench as he said it. “My job’s just to help you tell it.”

Heart of Texas Taxidermy
📍 Brady, Texas
📞 972-965-4090
💻 heartoftexastaxidermy.com
Open Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM
For after-hours drop-off or pick-up, call ahead.

Know Someone Who Lives by the Rhythm of the Seasons?

At The Townie, we celebrate the people who keep our rural traditions alive—craftsmen, growers, makers, and doers who remind us that the land still sets the pace. If you know someone whose story captures the spirit of small-town grit and Hill Country renewal, we want to hear from you. The best stories aren’t told from a distance—they’re shared around tailgates, shop benches, and front porches all across Mason County.

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Q: When to hire first employee vs. staying solo?

Dear Walt & Nadine,

I run a solo bookkeeping business, mostly working with local farms, tradespeople, and a few small shops. It started as a side gig, but now I’ve got a steady roster and a waitlist I haven’t touched. I’m buried.

Clients trust me with their books — which is great — but it also makes me nervous to bring someone else in. What if they mess up? What if I can’t afford the help long-term? I’ve never managed anyone before, and I don’t want to become the bottleneck or the burnout.

Also, if I do take the leap and hire, how do you know when someone’s not the right fit? I’ve seen friends keep bad help way too long because they didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Thanks for the reality check,

Signed,
QuickBooks and Questioning It

WALT SAYS: Bookkeeping’s a trust game, but so’s running a business. You either build systems or build excuses.

If you’ve got a waitlist and no time to take a breath, it’s past time. Hire slow, yes — but don’t stall forever.

Start small. Part-time admin help. Someone to chase receipts, prep reports, or handle simple client check-ins. Keep it hourly and tight. You’re not giving away your business — you’re buying back your time.

As for firing? If they’re sloppy with details, ghosting deadlines, or making you redo their work — that’s money walking out the door. Don’t get sentimental about it.

You’re not running a charity. You’re running a business.

— Walt

NADINE SAYS: Your instincts are good — hiring is a big decision, especially in a business built on accuracy and trust.

But being busy isn’t a badge of honor if it’s keeping you from growing — or resting.

Your first hire doesn’t have to be a full-fledged bookkeeper. Think smaller:

• A remote assistant to handle calendar management, data entry, or invoice prep.

• A junior staffer you train in your process, starting with internal work before touching client files.

Pay attention to your pain points: What do you hate doing that someone else could handle without risking your reputation? Start there.

And on the firing front — set clear expectations from day one. That way, if things don’t work out, you have documentation and direction, not just disappointment.

You don’t need to be perfect at managing. You just need to be clear, fair, and willing to course-correct.

You’ve got a solid foundation — the right help can turn your waitlist into revenue, and your workload into something sustainable.

— Nadine

Click here to 👉 Submit your classified to The Townie.

Reader Q:
Alias: Cash-Flow Cowboy
Subject: Wrangling a Rancher Budget

Okay, you know we have thoughts.

Laurel here: You’re not alone, Cowboy. Whether you're ranching, freelancing, or living on seasonal income, lots of folks are riding the same budgeting bronco. The trick isn’t about making your income predictable—it’s about designing a system that expects the unpredictability.

Reese jumping in: And ditching the shame. Budgeting with variable income is harder, yes. But it’s not a personal failure if your spreadsheet looks more like a storm map. It just means you need different tools—and probably a mental reframe or two.

Here’s how we’d ride this out:

1. Flip the Script: Budget Based on Your Expenses, Not Your Income

Instead of trying to forecast what you’ll earn each month, build your baseline budget around your essential expenses—the lowest monthly amount you need to keep your life and ranch running. Think of this as your “bare bones” or “minimum viable lifestyle” number.

👉 For example: $3,000/month covers mortgage, food, feed, gas, insurance, and utilities. That’s your baseline.

2. Calculate Your Average Monthly Income

Look back at the past 12 months (or as many as you can) and tally up what you brought in. Divide that total by the number of months to get your average monthly income. This is your planning number—not your highest or lowest month, but your realistic middle.

3. Build a “Hill and Valley” Fund

This is your secret weapon. In fat months, you set aside the surplus into this fund. In lean months, you pull from it. It’s not a rainy-day fund—it’s a regular cash flow smoothing tool.

🔁 Think of it like this: You’re creating your own paycheck, smoothing the hills and valleys into a level pasture.

4. Use a Two-Account System

Set up:

• A holding account (for all incoming income, no matter when or how it arrives)

• A spending account (where you transfer a fixed monthly “salary” based on your budget)

Each month, you pay yourself from the holding account into the spending account—same amount, same day. This creates structure and keeps you from overspending in flush months.

5. Treat Big Paydays Like Business Revenue, Not Personal Windfalls

It’s tempting to go on a spending spree after a livestock sale, but those checks need to last. Use a percentage system:

• 50% to your hill-and-valley fund

• 20% to long-term savings

• 20% to reinvest in the business

• 10% for lifestyle upgrades or treats

(Adjust those ratios to fit your reality, of course.)

6. Give Yourself a Seasonal Budget Review

Quarterly check-ins help you course-correct without getting overwhelmed. Ask:

• Are expenses creeping up?

• Is my hill-and-valley fund keeping up?

• Am I stashing enough during high-income months?

And a final reframe, from both of us:

Budgeting on variable income isn’t about control—it’s about rhythm. When you design a system that matches your life’s natural flow, you stop fighting the chaos and start working with it.

You’re not bad at money. You’re just living outside the 9-to-5 mold. And that’s a strength—not a liability.

Yours in stable(ish) spending,
Career & Money with Laurel & Reese

Dear Hazel Mae & Fern,

Last week I was sipping sun tea in short sleeves, and now the forecast’s calling for a freeze tonight! I’ve got a few container plants on the porch (rosemary, lemon balm, and one sad tomato I can’t seem to give up on). What’s the best way to protect my plants from these surprise cold snaps without dragging everything into the living room every time the temperature dips?

– Chilled in Cherry Spring

Hazel Mae: Honey, welcome to fall in Texas — where the mesquite still thinks it’s summer and the weatherman’s guessing like it’s bingo night at the VFW. First off, bless you for hanging onto that tomato. I respect the optimism. But let’s be real: if it’s already looking sad, you might want to go ahead and thank it for its service and let it go.

Now, for the others — gather ‘em close to the house wall. That radiant heat off the bricks can buy you a few extra degrees. Drape ‘em with an old sheet or a feed sack (NOT plastic, unless you want a crispy rosemary come morning). And if you’ve got a string of Christmas lights still tangled in the garage, now’s their time to shine — literally. Wrap 'em gently around the containers for a little low-level warmth. Cozy as a casserole.

Fern: I always say: plants speak in seasons, not in days. And while the calendar may claim it’s still autumn, your rosemary knows better.

For container plants, proximity to shelter matters. The porch is a fine buffer, but the north wind can still nip. A burlap wrap or even a cardboard windbreak can shield delicate leaves from sudden shock. And mulch — even a quick scatter of leaves or pine needles at the base — helps insulate the roots.

That lemon balm will likely bounce back even if it wilts, but your real gift is your attention. These little acts of care — a wrap here, a move there — root us just as much as they do the plants.

Stay warm out there, neighbor.

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Five Ghostly Reads That Warm More Hearts Than They Chill

The air smells different this week in the Hill Country—cooler, quieter, tinged with mesquite smoke and marigolds. Porch lights flicker a little longer at dusk. You might notice an extra candle in the window or a photo of someone’s abuela propped up beside a sugar skull. Across our small towns, families are setting out tamales and sweet bread, whispering prayers, and telling stories that invite the past to walk among us for just a little while.

Because that’s what Día de los Muertos really is—not a night of fright, but a celebration of memory. And few things bring memories alive quite like a good ghost story. The right kind, that is—the kind you can share between generations without nightmares to follow. Below are five anthologies of spooky stories that keep the heart warm even as they raise the hairs on your arms. Ask your local librarian for them, brew a cup of cinnamon tea, and read them aloud as the candles burn low.

👻 1. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

Ages 8 and up
A classic among classics, this collection has been haunting campfires and bedtime stories for more than forty years—and somehow still feels playful. Schwartz gathered American folk tales passed down through oral tradition, adding just enough suspense to make kids squeal with delight. “The Big Toe,” in which a child digs up something he shouldn’t, remains a rite of passage for brave readers. The magic of this book isn’t in terror—it’s in the laughter that follows a good scare.
Moral takeaway: Courage is built one giggle and goosebump at a time.

🕯 2. Ghosts: A Treasury of Chilling Tales Old and New edited by Marvin Kaye

Ages 10 to 14 (and grown-ups who miss the library stacks)
This is the sort of volume you’d imagine tucked under an old librarian’s arm—sturdy, atmospheric, and full of timeless short stories from authors like M.R. James and Agatha Christie. The tone leans mysterious rather than menacing. “The Upper Berth,” for instance, is a seafaring ghost tale that hints at things unseen but never gruesome. It’s the perfect read-aloud for middle-schoolers testing their courage.
Moral takeaway: Curiosity and respect for the unknown can coexist.

🕊 3. The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn

Ages 8 to 12
Technically a novel, but it reads like a miniature anthology of heart-soft hauntings. When two children discover a buried doll that opens a portal to the past, the story unfolds as an exploration of grief, friendship, and forgiveness. Hahn writes with tenderness that honors both loss and hope—ideal for families walking through their own remembering this week.
Moral takeaway: Healing often begins when we stop being afraid to look back.

💀 4. The Shadows Behind: Latin American Ghost Stories edited by Carolina Orloff and Pablo Martín Ruiz

Teens and Adults
A modern treasure that gathers short tales from across Latin America—stories where the supernatural mingles naturally with everyday life. You’ll meet kind spirits who protect travelers, houses that hum with old music, and echoes of La Llorona that feel more mournful than menacing. Though written for mature readers, most stories rely on mystery and mood rather than horror. It’s a bridge between cultures and generations, perfect for those honoring ancestors while savoring a shiver.
Moral takeaway: Remembering where we come from is its own kind of magic.

🌙 5. Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories edited by Roald Dahl

Adults & Older Teens
Before he became the king of children’s fiction, Dahl spent years collecting what he considered the twenty finest ghost stories ever written. None feature monsters or demons—only the lingering presence of love, regret, and unfinished business. The standout “Harry” by Rosemary Timperley captures the ache of a mother who senses her lost child near. It’s melancholy, not macabre—a grown-up reflection for grandparents who once told their own spooky tales under the stars.
Moral takeaway: The past never fully leaves us—and maybe that’s a gift.

A Candle for the Road Home

In our towns this week, marigold petals mark paths from porch to table, guiding spirits home with color and light. The stories above do something similar: they open small doorways between the seen and the unseen, not to frighten, but to remember.

Día de los Muertos reminds us that when we speak of those we love—when we tell their stories, cook their recipes, or laugh about their quirks—they live on. In that way, a ghost story can be a form of grace: a reminder that love itself is undying.

So, after the trick-or-treat candy’s been sorted and the house grows quiet, light a candle. Tell a story—any story—about someone who once filled your world with light. Then listen closely. You might just hear the faintest whisper of a chuckle on the Hill Country breeze.

🕯️ November Preview Readings — Week of 10/30/25

As candles flicker beside framed faces and the air turns cedar-sweet, we enter a tender threshold — a week that reminds us to honor what’s gone and listen for what’s returning. November doesn’t rush. It lingers at the gate between memory and motion, asking: what do you carry forward, and what do you finally lay down?

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
This week nudges you to slow your fire, not snuff it. You’re used to sprinting toward the next thing, but even flames need tending. Light a candle not for what’s ahead, but for the parts of yourself that made this version possible. Rest is not retreat; it’s recognition.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
The world smells like woodsmoke and promise. You’re craving stability, but November offers something better — steadiness. Make small rituals sacred: sweeping the porch, brewing coffee, remembering names of those who built the ground beneath you. Gratitude is your form of rebellion.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20)
Your mind is a lantern this week, flickering with ideas and echoes. Conversations feel haunted — not by ghosts, but by the words you never said. Write them down. Even if no one reads them, the air does, and it listens well.

Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
Family energy hums like distant music. You may find yourself visiting old memories, or they may visit you. Instead of pushing them away, offer them a seat. There’s healing in hospitality, even to the parts of you that once ached.

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
You shine brighter when you honor the quiet ones. Let this week humble and hallow you — help a neighbor, compliment a stranger, tip big. You don’t need a stage; you are the sunbeam through the church window, finding your way to every pew.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
You’ve been holding order like a candle in a windstorm. This week asks you to let a little chaos in — not disaster, but divine mess. Dust off old goals and see which still hum when you hold them close. What no longer resonates can be released, gently.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
Your balance returns in layers: beauty, belonging, forgiveness. You’ll sense it in color — marigolds, rusted barns, sunset skies. Reach out to someone who drifts across your mind like a breeze through curtains. Connection is the light that never burns out.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
This is your season of sovereignty. You walk between worlds naturally — passion and peace, shadow and shine. Use it well. Speak less but with precision; act slower but with potency. You are the living proof that transformation is not a one-time act, but a devotion.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Restless heart, the road calls — but before you go galloping off, take stock of the stories worth carrying. Maybe the pilgrimage this time isn’t miles but meaning. Learn from your ancestors, even the unruly ones. They too once dreamed of elsewhere.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You’ve been building all year, brick by quiet brick. Now November asks you to pause and look up. The stars above the barn roof are your shareholders — they want dividends in joy. Let yourself linger by the fire; your legacy won’t crumble if you breathe.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
You are the keeper of ideas that don’t yet have names. This week, something clicks — a pattern, a purpose, a plan. But don’t rush to codify it. Let it hum like a radio signal from the beyond. Genius sometimes wears overalls and smells like rain.

Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Your dreams feel crowded, full of faces you miss. That’s not melancholy; it’s memory weaving itself back into the present. Leave an empty chair at your table, even symbolically. Love doesn’t vanish; it just changes its mailing address.

💫 Until next week, keep your marigolds bright and your porch light glowing.

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