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✍️ Letter from the Editor

If you’ve ever driven past a warehouse, a feed store, or a quiet little workshop and wondered what’s happening inside, you’re not alone. I think about that all the time — the hum behind the doors, the people making things work, and lately, the machines joining them.

This week’s feature on Fredonia Peanut Co. might just be my favorite story we’ve published all year. Because tucked inside that feed warehouse is a sign of where rural Texas is headed: forward. A yellow-armed robot stacking fifty-pound bags might not sound poetic, but what it represents sure is — grit meeting innovation, tradition shaking hands with technology. That’s the real Hill Country spirit: practical progress rooted in pride.

And that’s the same spirit behind something new we launched on November 1 — the Townie Business Circle.

If you love The Townie, you’re going to love this: a paid membership just for business owners who want more of the good stuff — community, visibility, and practical tools to grow. Members get quarterly networking mixers, special invites to VIP events, and an extra monthly dose of Townie content focused on helping your business thrive.

Think of it as our “innovation arm” for local enterprise — a place where hard-working folks can connect, collaborate, and stay ahead without losing that small-town soul.

So as you read this week’s stories — from off-road rock crawlers to art shows, from school awards to weather shifts — know this: our towns aren’t fading. They’re adapting. And if you’re building something here, we’d be proud to have you at the table with us.

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

Events

• Junction — Area Farmers Market (Saturdays, 9 AM–Noon, Schreiner Park) — Junction Farmers Market. Saturday morning means farmers market under the pecan trees in Junction. Local growers and artisans set up with fresh produce, baked goods, homemade jams and more. It’s a weekly tradition that keeps our community connected (and well-fed) all season long.

• Mason — Texas Top Gun Shootout (Fri–Sun, Nov 7–9, 9 AM daily, Katemcy Rocks Offroad Park) — Katemcy Rocks. Rock crawlers, start your engines! The 4th annual Top Gun Shootout at Katemcy Rocks revs up this weekend for off-road glory. Drivers from all over will tackle Mason’s toughest granite trails competing for bragging rights (and a big prize). Spectators are welcome at this high-octane Hill Country showdown.

• Mason — Mason Elementary’s 12th Annual Veterans Day Program & Lunch (Tue, Nov 11, 10:45 AM, MHS Gym & Commons) — Mason ISD.
  Mason Elementary invites the whole community to honor local heroes at its 12th Annual Veterans Day Program. Students and the MJH Band will share heartfelt tributes, music, and speakers in the MHS gym. A complimentary lunch for veterans follows in the MHS Commons—a warm thank-you from the kids and community.

• Llano — Wings, Wheels & Wine Airshow (Sat, Nov 8, 9 AM–2 PM, Llano Municipal Airport) — Llano Chamber of Commerce. A day of vintage planes, classic cars, and local wines awaits at the Llano airport. The annual Wings, Wheels & Wine event takes off Saturday with aerial stunts at noon, plus a classic car show and wine tasting on the tarmac. Bring the family for an only-in-Llano experience under the autumn sky.

• Mason — Wild Game Dinner (Sat, Nov 8, 6 PM, Fort Mason Park Community Bldg) — Mason County Chamber of Commerce. Mason’s legendary Wild Game Dinner is back for its annual feast. From venison chili to bacon-wrapped quail, come sample the hunt’s bounty. Raffles, auctions, and tall tales round out this Saturday night tradition. Hosted by the Chamber (and countless local volunteers), all in support of community causes – and full bellies.

• Fredericksburg — Casino Night Fundraiser (Fri, Nov 14, 6 PM, Hangar Hotel) — FBG Police Foundation. Feeling lucky? Fredericksburg’s Hangar Hotel turns into a Vegas-style casino for one night to benefit our police foundation. Try your hand at blackjack and roulette amid the WWII aviation décor. It’s all in good fun to raise funds for those who keep Fredericksburg safe. Dress is Hill Country casual – just bring your game face and generosity.

• Menard — Kat Hasty Live (Fri, Nov 14, 7 PM, Silver Spur Saloon) — Silver Spur Saloon. Menard will be kicking up its heels as rising country artist Kat Hasty takes the Silver Spur stage. This intimate Friday night show brings big talent to our small town honky-tonk. Grab a burger and a cold one, and enjoy heartfelt Texas tunes in the heart of Menard. It’s not often we get a live show like this – see y’all there!

• Harper — Lukefest BBQ Cook‑Off (Fri–Sat, Nov 14–15, 7 PM Fri & all day Sat, Harper Community Park) — Lukefest Committee. Harper’s annual Lukefest fires up for a good cause. This two-day BBQ cook-off began as friends helping a friend, and it’s grown into a community tradition supporting suicide loss outreach. Come out Friday night and all day Saturday for delicious brisket, live music, auctions and small-town fellowship – all to lift up a great cause.

• Mason — Live @ the Odeon: The Peterson Brothers (Sat, Nov 15, 7 PM, Odeon Theater) — Odeon Theater. Austin’s own Peterson Brothers are bringing their soulful blues to Mason’s historic Odeon Theater. These young phenoms mix blues, funk, and good old rock ’n’ roll, and they never disappoint. It’s a Saturday night jam session under the Odeon’s neon glow. Don’t miss this chance to see homegrown Texas talent on our small-town stage – tickets at the door.

• Brady — Heart of Texas Country Music Cruise (Sun–Sun, Nov 16–23, departs Galveston) — Heart of Texas CMA. All aboard for country music on the high seas! Brady’s Heart of Texas Country Music Association sets sail Nov. 16 on a week-long cruise packed with classic country entertainment. Local legends and fans will two-step and sightsee together, proving you can take Brady’s honky-tonk spirit anywhere – even offshore. Safe travels and smooth sailing to our hometown cruisers!

• Fredericksburg — Historic Home Tour & Market (Sat, Nov 22, 11 AM–5 PM, Pioneer Museum & various homes) — Gillespie County Historical Society. Peek inside Fredericksburg’s most charming private homes all decked out for the holidays. This self-guided tour features eight unique homes (from historic to modern) plus a Christmas Market at Pioneer Museum. It’s a once-a-year chance to get inspired by local architecture, history and yuletide décor – all while supporting the Historical Society’s good work.

• Kerrville — Holiday Lighted Parade (Sat, Nov 22, 6 PM, Downtown Kerrville) — City of Kerrville. Kerrville ushers in the holidays with a downtown lighted parade and the arrival of Santa (via fire truck, of course!). Floats will twinkle down Water Street to the courthouse, where “Lights on the Island” flips the switch on a riverfront winter wonderland. This free Hill Country tradition seems to get a little brighter (and bigger) every year.

• London — Turkey Ball Dance (Fri, Nov 28, 8 PM, London Dance Hall) — London Dance Hall. After the turkey and football, come dance it off in London! The historic London Dance Hall’s annual Turkey Ball features legendary Texas swing by Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys. All ages are welcome at this post-Thanksgiving shindig. It’s boot-scootin’ fun in a tiny town with a big heart – a perfect way to work off that pumpkin pie.

• Fredericksburg — Redbud Artisan Market (Sat–Sun, Nov 29–30, 10 AM–5 PM, Marktplatz) — Redbud Artisans. Find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts at this open-air market in downtown Fredericksburg. More than 40 Texas artisans will set up shop with pottery, jewelry, woodwork, and gourmet goodies. Live music and local food add to the festive flair. Shopping small has never been so fun – or so Hill Country. (Free admission.)

• Junction — Wild Game Dinner (Sat, Nov 29, 5 PM, Coke Stevenson Center) — Kimble County Chamber of Commerce. Hunters, gather ’round – it’s Junction’s famous post-Thanksgiving Wild Game Dinner. The banquet hall fills with the aroma of wild boar chili, Axis kebabs, and more. Big raffles (guns, gear, and getaways) spice up the night. Proceeds support the Chamber’s work, so bring your appetite and your lucky streak. It’s a delicious way to wrap up Thanksgiving week in Junction!

• Mason — Light Up Our Town (Sat, Nov 29, 6 PM, Mason Courthouse Lawn) — Mason Chamber of Commerce. Mason is flipping the switch on Christmas! Our courthouse lawn becomes a “Western Wonderland” as thousands of lights blink on at 6 o’clock sharp. There’ll be cookies, cocoa, caroling, and even a cowboy Santa sighting. This small-town Christmas kickoff is all about community – come feel the Mason spirit shine bright.

• Llano — Starry Starry Nights (Opens Sat, Nov 29, 6 PM, Badu Park) — Llano Chamber of Commerce. Llano’s riverbank will glow every night from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s. The Starry Starry Nights light trail opens Nov. 29 with thousands of twinkling lights reflecting off the Llano River. Stroll through candy cane tunnels, sip hot cocoa, and feel the Christmas magic along the water. It’s a free, nightly walk-through wonderland that’s pure small-town Texas Christmas.

• Llano — Dickens Christmas (Fri–Sun, Dec 5–7, various times, Downtown Llano) — Llano Chamber of Commerce. Step back in time with a Victorian Christmas weekend in Llano. The whole downtown transforms with costumed carolers, wassail and an old-fashioned holiday market. Evening light displays, a Christmas parade, and horse-drawn carriage rides bring 19th-century charm to our 21st-century town. It’s a weekend of Dickens-era delight – Hill Country style and free for all.

• Fredericksburg — Light the Night Parade (Fri, Dec 5, 6:30 PM, Main Street) — Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. Fredericksburg’s Main Street becomes a holiday fairyland for the annual Light the Night Christmas Parade. Over 150 illuminated floats, marching bands, and merry-makers will dazzle the crowd. H-E-B is sponsoring this year’s spectacle, and rumor says Santa himself will make a grand appearance. Pro tip: arrive early – Main Street fills up fast for this magical night!

• Menard — Christmas in the Park (Sat, Dec 6, 4 PM, Low Water Crossing Park) — Menard County Chamber of Commerce. Santa’s making a special stop in Menard! Christmas in the Park brings free cocoa, cookies, and small-town holiday cheer to Low Water Crossing Park. As dusk falls, the park will light up with festive displays. It’s a homespun celebration along the San Saba River – the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season with neighbors and friends.

• Fredericksburg — Bush Gallery Reopening (Sat, Dec 6, 9 AM, National Museum of the Pacific War) — NMPW Museum. Fredericksburg’s museum district gets a dose of “new” history as the George H.W. Bush Gallery reopens at the Pacific War Museum. A ribbon cutting at 9 AM will unveil refreshed exhibits honoring our WWII heroes. Be among the first to see the updates – a meaningful way to remember the past and celebrate our local connection to history.

• Brady — Christmas in the Heart & Parade of Lights (Sat, Dec 13, 5 PM, Brady Courthouse Square) — Brady Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Brady becomes a Hallmark movie set for the annual Christmas in the Heart celebration and Parade of Lights. Starting at 5 PM, enjoy kids’ games, bounce houses, live music and carriage rides on the square. Then as night falls, a lighted parade winds through downtown, spreading small-town Christmas magic. Join your neighbors for an evening of sparkle and cheer in the True Heart of Texas.

Community News

• Brady — Halloween in the Heart Brings Sweet Treats — Brady’s “Halloween in the Heart” brought out princesses, superheroes, and plenty of goblins downtown on Oct. 31. Hundreds of costumed kiddos enjoyed an evening of trunk-or-treating, games and candy galore at Richards Park, all organized by local volunteers. It was small-town fall fun at its finest – no tricks, just a safe, sweet night for all ages.

• Fredericksburg — Food & Wine Fest Toasts Big Turnout — Fredericksburg’s downtown bustled with flavor during the five-day Food & Wine Festival in late October. Organizers report this year’s turnout was one for the books, with visitors sampling Hill Country wines, local chef demos, and live music at Marktplatz. Proceeds from the foodie festivities will support area charities – a toast to doing good while having a good time.

• Mason — Art & Wine Fill the Square — Mason’s historic square turned into an art gallery and wine garden on Oct. 25 for the Fall Arts & Wine Fest. Local wineries poured their best blends while Hill Country artists set up booths along the sidewalks. Neighbors and visitors mingled, shopped and sipped under perfect autumn skies. It was a picture-perfect day of small-town culture – proof that a fall Saturday in Mason can be downright magical.

• Llano — Pumpkins Afloat on the Llano — Who needs jack-o’-lanterns on the porch when you can watch them drift down the river? Llano’s Lighted Pumpkin Float delighted crowds on Oct. 25 as glowing carved pumpkins bobbed along the Llano River at dusk. Families lined the riverbank enjoying cocoa and treats while the floating jack-o’-lanterns created a spooky, sparkling scene. Chalk up a new Llano tradition that literally lights up the night!

Business/School Highlights

• Fredericksburg — Beloved Boutique Finds New Home — Custom Touches, a Kerrville home décor boutique known for its farmhouse flair, has officially made Fredericksburg its new home. The Chamber welcomed the shop with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 5, introducing locals to Custom Touches’ unique furniture and design finds. It’s a win-win: Fredericksburg gains a fresh Main Street shopping spot, and the owners get a warm Hill Country welcome.

• Fredericksburg — 50 Years of Keeping Us Comfortable — Hill Country AC & Plumbing, a Fredericksburg fixture since 1974, celebrated 50 years in business with a community open house on Oct. 29. Generations of locals have trusted this family-run company to keep their homes cool in summer and cozy in winter. After half a century of service, this legacy business is still going strong – and still in the family. Here’s to the next 50 years!

• Mason — School District Earns Top Marks — Mason ISD is all smiles after earning an “A” in the latest state school ratings released in late October. School officials credit dedicated teachers, involved parents, and hardworking students for the success. This little district proved it can deliver big results – a true team effort. It’s academic excellence, the Mason way. (Go Punchers!)

• Fredericksburg — Hometown Author’s Cookbook Debuts — Fredericksburg foodie JeriLynne Byford launched her new cookbook “The Vineyard Table” with a celebratory signing downtown on Oct. 20. The book, filled with Hill Country wine-paired recipes, flew off the shelves as neighbors lined up to support their hometown author. If you need holiday gift ideas (or just new recipes), Fredericksburg’s cookbook queen has you covered.

• Menard — Jazz Band Hits a High Note — Don’t let its size fool you – Menard High School’s jazz band can swing with the best of them. This fall, the Yellowjacket musicians clinched a spot at the state jazz festival, a first for Menard ISD. The community gave them a big send-off (and even bigger congratulations afterward). These talented teens put Menard on the musical map, and we couldn’t be prouder of their toe-tapping success.

Awards/Recognitions

• Fredericksburg — Cabernet Grill Earns Wine Industry Honor — Ross and Mariana Burtwell, owners of Fredericksburg’s Cabernet Grill, received the prestigious 2025 “Doc” McPherson Award for their contributions to Texas wine and hospitality. Presented at a special dinner last month, the award recognizes the Burtwells’ decades of farm-to-table excellence and dedication to elevating Hill Country wines. Cheers to local folks making big waves in the wine world!

• Menard — Hometown DA Honored Statewide — Menard County’s own Tonya Ahlschwede has been named Texas District Attorney of the Year for 2025. Known for her integrity and a tough-but-fair approach, Ahlschwede was honored by her peers for exemplary service in the courtroom and community. It’s a proud moment for Menard to see our small-town DA earn a big-time honor – congratulations, Tonya!

• Kerrville — Campground Shines Nationally — Yogi Bear would be proud: Kerrville’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort (Guadalupe River) was just ranked one of the nation’s top “glamping” campgrounds. The 2025 Campspot Awards highlighted Jellystone’s family-friendly fun – from comfy cabins and a mini water park to riverside campfire vibes. It’s official: our Hill Country campground is among America’s best spots to camp in style.

Editor’s note: All listings verified and current for the November 6, 2025 edition of The Townie.

🌤️ Weather at a Glance — Week of Nov 6 – 12, 2025

Well, pull up a chair and sit a spell—this week’s weather in the Hill Country is goin’ through a bit of a wardrobe change. The first half (Thursday through Saturday) is gonna treat us like late summer: sun high in the sky, highs in the upper 80s to near 90°F, and nights mild in the 40s and low 50s. Then somewhere around Sunday through Tuesday, you’ll want your flannels and a windbreaker—temps drop into the 60s (day) and colder dark nights into the 30s and 40s.

No big storms barging in, and that’s some good news for porch-sittin’ and fire-sittin’. But heads-up: the sharp chill Sunday and Monday morning means frost is a possibility for sensitive plants and pipes. High winds may tag along Sunday too, so hold onto your hat and don’t let a gust steal your sweater. Otherwise, expect dry skies and a weather tale of two halves—hot then cool—and plenty of reasons to love it small-town style.

The Robot in Fredonia: How One Small-Town Innovation Points to the Future of Rural Texas

Tucked inside a feed warehouse off RR 1222, a robotic arm is stacking fifty-pound bags straighter than any human ever could. But the real story isn’t the robot—it’s what this kind of innovation means for our kids, our schools, and the future of small-town work.

I hadn’t expected to find a robot in Fredonia, Texas.
But there it was—tall, yellow-armed, and steady as sunrise—stacking fifty-pound feed sacks into perfect, ruler-straight columns inside the warehouse at Fredonia Peanut Co. Outside, pickups lined both sides of the road, proof that Customer Appreciation Day wasn’t just an event—it was a ritual.

Inside, the hum of machinery blended with bursts of laughter and conversation. The place was clean, organized, and confidently busy, the kind of space that tells you people take pride in their work. Even on a Saturday, the crew moved with practiced rhythm, feeding bulk-ordered product into the bagging line while the robot took over from there—lifting each filled sack and stacking it into the neatest rows I’d ever seen.

I liked to think the operators talked to it like an old friend; did it have a nickname?
One worker chuckled when I asked if the robot ever got a break.
“Only when we run outta bags,” he said, sliding another empty bundle onto the conveyor.
That’s when it hit me: this isn’t the future coming to rural Texas—it’s already here, humming in the back of a feed store.

Across the road, the Little Peanut Café buzzed with locals swapping ranch stories and weather reports over steaming mugs of coffee and a healthy dose of chisme. You could picture them glancing toward the warehouse, maybe not realizing they were sitting across from one of the most quietly transformative pieces of equipment in Mason County. Because that robotic palletizer isn’t just about efficiency—it’s a data point come to life, the kind of thing Texas 2036 keeps hinting at in its reports on rural prosperity and the future of work.

Those reports say what we’re seeing right here: small towns are entering a new season of possibility if they can marry their grit with modern tools. Automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing aren’t about replacing people—they’re about helping communities stay competitive while creating new kinds of jobs that keep talent close to home. When you see it through that lens, Fredonia Peanut Co.’s robot isn’t a novelty—it’s a signal flare.

Every bag that arm lifts represents an idea: innovation doesn’t just belong in cities with skylines. It belongs on dusty county roads too, in family-run businesses that have quietly fed the Hill Country for generations.

Watching that mechanical arm glide back and forth, aligning each bag with near-surgical precision, I couldn’t help thinking about how many local kids drive past this place without realizing there’s a career in that rhythm—programming it, maintaining it, improving it. The future of rural work isn’t confined to laptops in glass towers; it’s right here in motion control, hydraulics, and problem-solving.

I left the warehouse and eased down 1222 with that thought rattling around:
If this kind of innovation is already happening here, quietly, what else is possible in the Hill Country?

Fredonia Peanut Co. isn’t an exception; it’s a preview—a small-town proof-of-concept showing that rural Texas can innovate, adapt, and thrive. And that’s a sign of a bigger shift happening across the state—one that might just rewrite what prosperity looks like outside the metro maps.

That bigger shift isn’t some far-off dream cooked up in a think-tank boardroom. You can feel it right here in the Hill Country—quiet, steady, and practical. It’s in every business owner who decides to modernize instead of shut down, in every superintendent looking for ways to give kids a reason to stay, in every high-schooler who’d rather learn to wire a control panel than move to the city for an entry-level desk job.

Statewide research from Texas 2036 backs it up: rural regions that adopt new technology early and invest in workforce training grow faster, retain talent longer, and bounce back from economic downturns quicker. Translation? When we pair our small-town resourcefulness with 21st-century tools, we stop chasing prosperity—it starts growing here.

From labor shortage to learning opportunity

For decades, the story has been: young people leave, and help wanted signs stay up. But a robot like the one at Fredonia Peanut Co. flips that script. Machines can take on the muscle work so humans can step into higher-value roles—running, programming, and maintaining them. Those are jobs that pay better, last longer, and keep local economies steady.

The challenge now isn’t convincing rural communities to work hard. It’s helping them work smart. That starts in the classroom.

Teaching the future, not the past

Across Texas, students can already earn dual-credit certificates in automation, industrial maintenance, and robotics through local ISDs and nearby community colleges. The state’s Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant can help fund those labs, welding booths, and robotic arms that give kids real-world experience before they ever toss a cap at graduation.

These programs don’t just train “future engineers.” They create tomorrow’s operators, troubleshooters, and innovators—the ones who can keep a palletizer humming or design the next generation of one. In a world where skilled trades are aging out, that pipeline is pure gold.

So imagine this: a Hill Country high school lands a JET grant, installs a small robotic training cell, and invites Fredonia’s crew to demonstrate how theirs works. Kids who once thought they’d have to leave town to find a tech job suddenly realize the technology is already down the road. That’s how rural mobility really works—not packing up and moving away, but leveling up right where you are.

Why this matters beyond Fredonia

Innovation doesn’t have to look flashy to change lives. It just has to stick. Every small-town investment in automation, broadband, and technical education is a quiet vote for long-term stability—keeping farms productive, supply chains local, and families rooted.

And let’s be honest: nobody out-innovates rural Texans when it comes to problem-solving. We’ve been hacking, fixing, and re-using long before “innovation” became a buzzword. The difference now is that tools like robotics, AI, and data analytics give that same creativity a louder engine.

The call home

As I replay that scene in Fredonia—the whir of the conveyor, the precise swoop of the robot arm, the easy chatter of the crew—I can’t help but see it as a love letter to what’s possible. This is what staying competitive looks like when you don’t have a skyline to lean on.

So if you’re a teacher, think about how to get your students’ hands on the technology shaping tomorrow’s jobs. If you’re a business owner, look for one process that could be modernized to save your team’s backs and boost your margins. If you’re a parent, nudge your kid to peek inside that CTE lab instead of scrolling past it.

Because the next chapter of rural prosperity isn’t being written in Austin—it’s being welded, coded, and calibrated in places like Fredonia.

Full circle

Fredonia Peanut Co. didn’t set out to make headlines. They just wanted to work smarter, keep product moving, and take care of their people. But in doing that, they’ve given the rest of us a glimpse of what the Hill Country’s next generation of industry can look like.

The robot in the warehouse isn’t replacing anyone—it’s reminding us who we’ve always been: inventive, adaptable, and proud to get the job done right.

And that, my friends, might just be the most Texan thing of all.

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Q: Partnering with another local business for holiday promotion

Dear Walt & Nadine,

The holidays are coming up fast, and I want to do some kind of cross-promotion with another local business. I’ve seen other towns do “shop hops” or themed events where stores send customers to each other. We’ve got a few shops nearby that I think would be open to it, but I’ve never planned something like this before.

How do I make it worth the effort — for me and for them — without it turning into a confusing mess or just a lot of unpaid labor? What makes a good partnership actually work?

— Collabing in a Cul-de-Sac

WALT SAYS: Start small and keep it simple. You don’t need a 12-stop scavenger hunt and matching T-shirts. Two or three of you agreeing on a shared weekend, maybe a flyer, maybe a discount or giveaway if they visit both spots — that’s enough.

The biggest mistake I see? Nobody tracks if it worked. If you send folks next door, ask your neighbor to jot down how many came from you. Do the same for them. If it doesn’t bring in sales or solid leads, fix it or skip it next year.

Also — pick partners who pull their weight. If someone’s always “too busy” to post or print or show up, don’t partner again. Holiday time is gold. Don’t waste it.

NADINE SAYS: Cross-promotions work best when everyone has clear roles, shared goals, and a similar audience. Before you dive in, ask: What does success look like? More foot traffic? Email signups? A festive reputation boost? Get agreement on that first.

Next, make it easy for shoppers to participate. A shared map, punch card, or passport can be fun — but only if you explain it clearly and make the “reward” appealing (a small gift, raffle entry, exclusive discount, etc.). Promote across all your channels, but also right in your windows. Foot traffic matters.

One last tip: Meet once after it’s over. Swap notes. What worked? What flopped? It’s how you turn a one-off into a tradition.

—

Want us to help you plan a festive promo that actually brings in business? Write us. We’ll be the ones sipping cider and counting receipts.

— Walt & Nadine

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Dear Laurel & Reese,

I’m a pretty practical person, but lately I’ve been eyeing all these home robots and smart gadgets—robot vacuums, automated blinds, voice-controlled everything—and wondering: is any of this actually worth the money?

Some of it looks like pure luxury. But some of it might actually save time or energy, which is worth something, right? I’m also torn because I really value the old ways of doing things. I like opening my own windows, sweeping my own floors. There’s something comforting about keeping things simple.

How do I figure out if this tech is financially smart, or just a flashy upgrade I’ll regret? And how do I weigh that against preserving the slower, more hands-on life I’ve worked hard to build?

Sincerely,
Sentimental but Curious

Let’s start with this: you’re not just asking about gadgets. You’re asking about values.

You’re straddling two worlds—one that promises convenience, efficiency, and slick automation, and another that values ritual, simplicity, and a slower pace. That’s not a frivolous tension. It’s deeply human.

First, the financials:

If you want to do a cost-benefit analysis, here’s how to ground it:

1. Identify the pain points. Are you trying to save time, cut energy bills, or support aging in place? Don’t buy a robot vacuum just because it’s cute—buy it because you’re sick of sweeping.

2. Estimate actual savings. Smart thermostats, for example, can reduce energy bills by up to 10–15%. That might mean $150–$300/year depending on your home. A robot lawnmower? That could save $1,200+ annually if you're replacing a lawn service.

3. Add in time value. How much is an hour of your time worth? If a robot mop saves you an hour each week, that’s 52 hours/year. Multiply that by your hourly rate (or what you’d pay someone else to do it), and you’ve got real numbers.

4. Factor in maintenance and lifespan. Most smart tech isn’t forever. What’s the expected lifespan? Are there subscription fees, parts, or upgrades?

5. Look at insurance or security benefits. Smart home devices can reduce homeowners’ insurance premiums or deter break-ins, which has both financial and emotional value.

But what about the soul of the home?

Reese here—let’s be honest, some of this tech is designed to make you feel like your house is a spaceship. If that’s not your vibe, you don’t have to opt in.

You can say no to the surveillance-y stuff, or opt out of auto-updating everything. You can mix the new with the nostalgic: a smart plug for your vintage reading lamp. A robot vacuum that runs while you’re gardening barefoot. Automating the boring parts of life doesn’t mean you’re erasing the meaningful ones.

Here’s our challenge for you:

Don’t frame this as tradition vs. tech. Frame it as intention vs. automation. Choose tools that support the life you love—not the other way around.

It’s financially “worth it” if the tech gives you back time, comfort, or energy you’ll actually use well. It’s emotionally “worth it” if it helps your home feel more like yours, not less.

And if that means keeping your analog coffee grinder and handwriting your grocery lists on the fridge? We love that for you.

—

Career & Money with Laurel & Reese

Q: Winter garden prep for Hill Country climate

Dear Hazel Mae & Fern,

We’re into November and I’ve got the itch to put the garden to bed right — but I’m not sure what that looks like in our neck of the woods. What should I be doing this time of year to prepare for winter in the Hill Country? I’ve got a mix of veggies, native perennials, and one stubborn basil plant that refuses to quit. Help!

— Cold Feet in Castell

Hazel Mae: Well, Cold Feet, bless that basil’s heart for hanging in there. But honey, it’s time to face facts — November in the Hill Country is a trickster. One minute it’s 80 degrees and sunny, the next it’s frost on your windshield and your tomatoes looking like they’ve seen a ghost. So let’s not dilly-dally.

First thing: Clean up the annuals. If your summer veggies have fizzled out, pull ’em up and toss them in the compost (unless they’ve got disease — then they go in the trash, no questions). Same goes for any flowers that are more brown than bloom.

Perennials get a trim, but don’t go overboard. Leave enough growth to protect the crowns — it’s their little winter coat. Native plants know how to hunker down better than most of us, so they’ll be just fine with a light haircut and some mulch.

Speaking of mulch: Layer it on like gravy at Thanksgiving. Three inches deep around your perennials, trees, and any overwintering crops. It keeps the soil cozy and cuts down on weeds come spring.

And that basil? Snip it, dry it, and say your goodbyes. It won’t make it through a hard freeze, no matter how brave it’s acting.

Fern: Sweetheart, I always say — putting the garden to bed is like tucking in a child after a long day. You don’t just slam the door and flip the lights off. You hum a little. You check for monsters. You fold the blanket just so.

Start by tending to your soil. After your summer plants are cleared, layer on compost or leaf mold — even if you’re not planting a fall garden. Let the earth rest and feed itself. It’s the kindest thing you can do.

If you do want winter greens, now’s your moment. Collards, kale, mustard — they love the chill and they’ll make you feel mighty accomplished in January. Just keep row cover handy for those sudden cold snaps.

And don’t forget the little things:
– Drain your hoses and store them to keep them from splitting.
– Clean and oil your garden tools so they don’t rust.
– Jot down what worked and what didn’t while it’s still fresh.

Winter’s quiet, but it isn’t empty. The garden still breathes under that mulch. And come spring, it’ll thank you with green so bright it makes your heart hurt.

Hazel Mae: Well now I’m tearing up. Fern gets me every time. Cold Feet, you’ve got this. Tuck that stubborn patch of earth in with love, and pour yourself something warm — you earned it.

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Book Summary: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger

A Field Guide to the Garden of Gratitude

Picture your life as a garden. Not the manicured, magazine kind, but a living, breathing patch of earth that grows what you plant—and sometimes what you don’t. It’s got rows you’ve tended, corners gone wild, and maybe a few weeds that keep coming back no matter how often you pull them. This is the metaphor we’ll walk with for the next few pages, because it captures the main lesson of The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz better than any chart or checklist:
A good life is less about chasing the right harvest and more about learning how to tend your soil—especially the soil of gratitude and relationships.

1. The Secret Isn’t Success, It’s Soil Health

Waldinger runs the world’s longest study on adult development—a 75+ year project that’s tracked hundreds of people across their entire lives. Some grew rich, others didn’t. Some became famous, others faded quietly. What surprised the researchers wasn’t who “made it,” but who stayed alive and well.

The people who aged best weren’t the wealthiest or the smartest. They were the ones with strong, supportive relationships—the ones who knew how to stay connected.
That’s the equivalent of soil health in a garden. You can buy the fanciest seeds (the degrees, the houses, the promotions), but if your soil is depleted—if gratitude, empathy, and belonging are missing—nothing truly grows.
Gratitude is the compost. It’s what turns the mess—the disappointments, the detours, the daily grind—into nutrients. When you look at what you already have and give thanks for it, you feed the ground of your own well-being.

2. The Garden Needs Daily Watering

One of the strongest findings in Waldinger’s study is that relationships don’t maintain themselves. They need small, consistent acts of care: a text, a visit, a question asked with genuine curiosity.

Think of gratitude as water. You can’t water your garden once a year and expect it to thrive. The same goes for relationships and for your own mental landscape.
When you notice something good—a friend’s check-in, your dog’s goofy face, the morning light hitting the kitchen table—and you pause to feel thankful, you water the roots.
This isn’t forced optimism. It’s not pretending your garden has no weeds. It’s simply refusing to let dryness win. Gratitude keeps the soil soft enough for growth.

3. Weeds Are Part of the Process

The study found that everyone faces hardship: divorce, illness, money trouble, loss. There’s no such thing as a weed-free life. The difference between those who flourish and those who fade isn’t the absence of weeds—it’s how they respond when the weeds come.

Gratitude doesn’t erase pain; it transforms it. When you can say, “This hurts, but I’m still grateful for what’s left,” you reclaim agency. You become the gardener, not just the gardener’s assistant waiting for rain.
You see this in rural life all the time. A drought hits, a storm blows through, but the farmers who’ve learned to compost failure—who fold it back into the soil as wisdom—grow stronger. Gratitude is that alchemy: turning rot into fertilizer.

4. The Garden Grows Best in Company

Loneliness is the silent blight of modern life. Waldinger’s data showed it’s as bad for health as smoking or obesity. Humans, simply put, are social organisms. We thrive in networks of care.
But community doesn’t mean a crowd; it means connection. Gratitude strengthens those roots.

When you express appreciation—to a friend, partner, employee, or even a stranger—you’re building mycorrhizal networks underground. Those invisible fungal threads that let trees share nutrients with one another? Gratitude works the same way in human systems. It sends signals through the social soil that say, you matter to me.
For you, that might look like thanking the person who shows up early to a Townie event, or writing a quick note to someone who inspired your work. These gestures may seem small, but they enrich the ecosystem you depend on.

5. Sunshine Comes from Attention

Waldinger’s team found another pattern: the happiest people were the ones who learned to notice what was good. Their attention was a kind of light.
In our metaphor, attention is sunlight. Wherever you aim it, things grow.

We live in a world engineered to hijack our focus—to drag our sunlight onto every pest and problem. But gratitude reclaims your beam. It says, “Yes, there are weeds, but look at this tomato plant. Look at this patch that’s thriving.”
That shift isn’t naive—it’s strategic. It’s how you keep your ecosystem alive long enough to bear fruit.

6. Seasons Change—So Must You

One of the book’s quieter truths is that a good life isn’t static. Relationships evolve. Values shift. You outgrow certain rows of your garden. Sometimes you have to pull up what used to feed you and plant something new.

That’s not failure—it’s adaptation. Gratitude helps you navigate these seasons without panic.
When a friendship fades, you can be thankful for the chapter it gave you. When work changes, you can honor what it taught you. Gratitude lets you close doors gracefully instead of slamming them.
You become the kind of gardener who trusts the seasons. Who knows winter is just the soil resting for spring.

7. The Tools That Really Matter

If you summarized The Good Life into a few gardening tools, they’d be these:

• Prune regularly: Let go of what drains you. Even a healthy plant needs trimming.

• Fertilize connection: Show up for people before you need them. Ask real questions.

• Rotate your crops: Try new activities, meet new people, learn new things to keep your life nutrient-rich.

• Tend to your roots: Know where you come from and what sustains you—family, community, purpose.

• Keep gratitude close: The trowel you reach for most often. Every act of appreciation aerates the soil.

Gratitude isn’t a bonus feature of the good life—it’s the technique that keeps everything else working.

8. When the Garden Looks a Mess

Waldinger reminds us that many people in the study only realized the value of relationships late in life. They’d focused on status, wealth, or productivity—on growing taller plants rather than stronger roots.
But here’s the hopeful part: it’s never too late to start tending the garden differently.

You can start today, with a simple inventory:

• Who are my three most nourishing relationships, and how can I thank them this week?

• What am I overlooking that’s quietly thriving?

• What corner of my life feels overgrown with resentment or stress—and how might gratitude loosen that soil?

The book’s wisdom isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence. About getting your hands dirty again.

9. Gratitude as a Renewable Resource

The beauty of gratitude is that it multiplies. You can’t run out of it by giving it away. Every thank-you you offer plants another seed in your own garden.
When you express appreciation, your brain releases serotonin and dopamine—the same neurochemicals that foster calm and joy. You literally become more fertile ground for well-being.
And people around you feel it too. Gratitude creates what Waldinger calls “mutual upward spirals”—a virtuous cycle where appreciation sparks connection, which sparks more appreciation, which enriches everyone involved.

10. The Garden at Dusk

When the day winds down and the light gets low, the question the study ultimately answers is this: What makes life feel worthwhile?
Not money. Not youth. Not even perfect health. It’s love, in all its plain and practical forms—showing up, listening, forgiving, saying thanks.
The good life, then, is a garden tended with care. Gratitude is the gardener’s stance: knees in the dirt, eyes open, heart soft.

You can’t control the weather, but you can tend the soil. You can choose what you water. You can honor the plants that are still alive instead of mourning the ones that didn’t take.
That’s the essence of the book, distilled: a good life is one you grow, one day and one thank-you at a time.

So when you look around at your own patch of Hill Country—your work, your family, your neighbors—don’t ask, “Is my garden impressive?” Ask, “Is it alive?”
If you can answer yes, and mean it, then you’re already living the good life Waldinger spent a lifetime studying.

🦃 Pre-Thanksgiving Readings — Week of 11/06/25

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
You’ve got the spark to get things rolling—holiday plans, travel lists, or that half-finished project that’s been calling your name. This week’s about leading with warmth instead of hurry. Take time to notice who’s showing up for you without being asked. Gratitude looks good on you—it softens the edge and steadies the pace.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
You’re craving comfort, and rightly so. Think mashed-potato conversations and slow mornings where the coffee pot hums longer than usual. Give yourself permission to move at the speed of scent—pumpkin bread cooling, cedar smoke drifting. You’ll find that steadiness isn’t laziness; it’s how you gather strength before the rush.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20)
Your words carry extra warmth this week, so use them like honey instead of salt. You may be pulled between planning and procrastinating, but conversation is your compass—pick up the phone, check on an old friend, start the playlist for the drive home. Your gift is connection; unwrap it early.

Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
You’re the keeper of tradition, even when you swear you’re not doing it again this year. But here you are, pulling out Nana’s pie dish and humming under your breath. This week, lean into the rituals that heal more than they demand. Let the house smell like memory, and you’ll remember why you care so much.

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
Spotlight’s yours, but you’re learning that generosity shines brighter than grandeur. Offer your humor, your stories, your extra seat at the table. Folks remember how you make them feel more than how perfect the centerpiece looked. Your joy is the décor that never fades.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
Your lists have lists, but there’s wisdom in letting one thing stay undone. This week asks you to trade precision for presence. Stir the gravy, not your anxiety. The mess, the noise, the imperfection—all proof you’re living among people who matter. That’s better than spotless counters any day.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
You’re the balance-keeper, but even you deserve to tilt toward indulgence now and then. Light the candles just because. Let a conversation linger past bedtime. Gratitude is your currency this week—spend it freely and watch how peace follows you like porch-light moths.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
Something deep stirs beneath the small talk—maybe a truth you’ve been holding too tightly. This week invites release. Write it down, burn it, bless it, or bake it into something sweet. Transformation doesn’t always roar; sometimes it smells like cinnamon and closure.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Your restlessness has roots this week. Travel if you must, but even a short drive down a dirt road can feel like pilgrimage. Gratitude isn’t a checklist; it’s motion—a reminder that joy grows when you keep exploring. Take your curiosity to the potluck; it’s contagious.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You’ve been carrying the load like a pro, but even strong backs need a good chair and a deep breath. Delegate a dish, decline a duty, and dare to relax. When you slow down, folks see your heart as clearly as your hustle. That’s real leadership.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
You’re seeing the bigger pattern—the way every friend, favor, and funny mishap connects. This week’s about weaving community out of mismatched threads. Let spontaneity be your hostess; invite the unexpected guest; toast to imperfect plans. The future begins at the table you set today.

Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
You’re tuned to the subtle songs—grace notes between gratitude and grief. Let yourself feel it all: the missing faces, the full hearts, the hum of belonging. Your empathy fills the room like soft light through lace curtains. Keep it on.

✨ Until next week, may your gratitude come easy and your coffee stay warm.

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