Every month I answer reader questions about life, love, and queso as a spirited Texan named “Boots.” Quite often I also have the privilege of profiling people and well-loved travel destinations. Poetry assignments don’t come around as much, but when they do—I faint, then cheer, then write for weeks to find the right 20 words to put in print.
Dear Boots: Reindeer Games + the Holiday Grind
In this special holiday edition, Boots answers a question from her young daughter about reindeer + gives a shout out to everyone stuck in the holiday grind.
“Catch the Light” Magnolia Journal
The holidays offer so many places to look, in every shimmer and sparkle is a chance to reflect on the ties that bind.
Dear Boots: Car Washes-R-Us + Middle-Aged Fashion
What happens if we end up with more car washes than cars + advice from Boots on what to do when you feel pressure to ‘dress your age.’
Dear Boots: Military Movers and Shakers + the Texas State Fair
Advice for a Wacoan who's not sure she's a Texan followed by an ode to all the deep-fried, butter-sculpted goodness of the fair.
“Welcome Back to Perini Ranch” Wacoan Magazine
It was a joy to (re)visit, enjoy, and write about Perini Ranch, an acclaimed Texas eatery in a converted hay barn.
Gabriela Salazar Artist Spotlight, Magnolia Journal
Gabriela Salazar works, lives, and breathes flowers. She also believes that, if we'll slow down enough to let them, flowers can guide us to more peaceful and synchronous ways of living.
Dear Boots: Neighborhood Pools + Bleach Gone Bad
Pool-owning neighbors want to know, do they really have to share? And the lesson every generation must learn for itself: bleach is permanent, y’all, forever and ever amen.
“Less is More” Faith and Leadership
DaySpring is a church in Waco that is contemplative and Baptist. What does that mean? The Divinity School at Duke University has a magazine called Faith & Leadership, and they sent me in to find out.
Dear Boots: Waco Renaissance + The Best Summer Ever
Waco is a small town with big dreams and Boots has thoughts about those ch-ch-ch-changes. In this issue she also offers advice to parents angling for the best summer ever. (Spoiler: Slow the roll, y’all.)
Dear Boots: The Total Eclipse of Texas Edition
In this very special edition of the monthly Dear Boots column, Boots offers deep-ish thoughts on viewing the total eclipse over Central Texas.
Emily Knighton Artist Spotlight, Wacoan Magazine
Emily Knighton is not just a gifted artist, she’s also a gift to Waco. Along with art skills, her classes gently instruct children and adults alike on how to create space in this busy world.
Dear Boots: St. Paddy Birthday + Sofa Disputes
What do you do when your special day is also special for millions of green-beer revelers? Followed by advice for a husband who has temporarily forgotten his wife is more important than his ugly old couch.
Dear Boots: Fiery Roommates + Chili When It’s Chilly
Boots advises warring roommates on fire + friend safety and a reader asks about seasonal adjustments for the most beloved dish in the land.
Dear Boots: Regifting Xmas + Bad Case of the Blahs
Boots counsels a reader whose house decor was ruined by Christmas and then gets serious about getting happy in the long, dark days of January.
Dear Boots: Texas-flag Clothes + Forgotten Tickets
Boots reminisces over dollars not spent and encourages anyone with state pride to wear it (literally) on their sleeves.
“Capturing Home” Magnolia Journal
Kate Martindale + Amy Neunsinger have a 14 year friendship at the base of their creative partnership. This dynamic puts so much trust into their design process, it was a joy to go deep into their work for this feature about Capturing Home, their show on Magnolia Network.
Dear Boots: Front Porch Decorating + Football Rivals
This month, Boots puts her editorial experience to good use as she advises readers on how to create a festive front porch before diving into the hotbed of high school football rivalries.
Dear Boots: Freshman Questions + Waco Haters
Boots offers an out-of-state mom ideas for staying in touch with her freshman son and what to do when people hate on something (or someplace) you love.
Dear Boots: Saucy Sister-in-Laws + Summer Camp
One you can’t live with and the other you don’t want to live without. Temperatures are rising in July, and Boots matches by bringing some heat.
“Thanks to the Rain” Magnolia Journal
This poem was inspired by an afternoon pick-up at my daughter’s daycare. Because my husband is in farm and ranch we have a complicated, dependent relationship on rain. This was me, having a little more fun with it.