Whether you’re the one doing it or the one who has to listen to it all night, snoring can interfere with the restful sleep that’s so important for optimal health and wellness. It may even be a sign of a more serious problem: sleep apnea. If left untreated, this sleep-related breathing disorder can cause daytime exhaustion, headaches, memory loss and even affect your heart.
If you are a chronic snorer or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a custom-made oral appliance from Dr. Sandi Hamm’s dental office may be all you need to finally get a good night’s rest.
Contact Dr. Sandi Hamm at 817-477-4441 to schedule a FREE consultation!
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GOT GERD?
Do you suffer from heartburn, acid reflux, or regurgitation?
Have you awakened in the middle of the night with a burning sensation in your chest or throat?
Do you feel a metallic taste in your mouth in the morning?
Have you been on over-the-counter antacids or acid reducing medications?
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms you may have GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. If left untreated, GERD can lead to Barrett’s esophagus and even esophageal cancer.
Call our office today for an appointment and let us help with our multimodality diagnostic tools including endoscopy, pH monitoring, and manometry.
Our doctors are well versed with state of the art treatments including a no incision GERD correction procedure known as TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication). We also work with a multidisciplinary team with access to robotic hernia repair and LINX procedures.
Call our office for an appointment today! 817-877-0888
309 Regency Pkwy Ste 201 Mansfield, TX 76063
8200 Matlock Road Ste 160 Arlington, TX 76002
2220 Bryan Place Ste 104 Midlothian, TX 76065
Fashionable
Howdy! Welcome to our TEXAS issue.
I’m proud to be a Texas gal—born and raised in this great state. Growing up in Texas for me was quite the experience. I was raised in Keller, back when it was a tiny town with one grocery store and a Dairy Queen.
Looking back on my Texas upbringing, I think about my larger-than-life father, a man who started as a shoeshine boy on the streets of Dallas and became a mega boot retailer, known as Morgan Boots. The flagship location was right here in Arlington. He drove snazzy cars, flew in private jets, and opened boot stores throughout the states of Texas and Oklahoma. As a girl, I remember having thirty pairs of boots in my closet, at one time.
We road in every state fair parade, had friends like Crazy Ray from the Dallas Cowboys, country singers like Charlie Daniels and Ronnie Milsap, and the real Lone Ranger. Dad was even invited to the White House to meet the president. My dad was the largest Justin Boot dealer in the world. Talk about a Texas family, I was part of one and we made some amazing memories together.
I hope you enjoy our September issue. We can’t help but be proud of it.
N. Richardson/Murphy/Sachse/Wylie Flower Mound/Highland Village/Argyle
SOUTH TEXAS MARKETS
The Woodlands/Shenandoah/ Magnolia
Spring/Champions
Cy-Fair
Fort Bend
Katy / Fulshear
Memorial
LIVING MAGAZINE
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TO GET THIS ISSUE AND
A partner of Chansen Media Group
letters from OUR MAYORS
mayor DAVID COOK MANSFIELD
If you attended the MISD Back to School Bash last month, you may have seen some city volunteers passing out pencils to the kids and talking to parents about the 2020 Census.
These volunteers are members of the Mansfield Complete Count Committee. They’ll be at many of our special events and festivals this fall and early next year in preparation for the upcoming Census. The Complete Count Committee is helping our residents understand the importance of completing their Census forms and explaining how an accurate count of Mansfield residents can help our city. Our goal is to increase the response rate and have a “complete” count of the city.
Census Day is April 1, 2020. Residents will receive
notification prior to April 1 with instructions. And for the first time ever, people will be able to reply to the Census online. They can also respond via phone or mail. It’s easy, it’s safe and it’s important. Congressional representation as well as distribution of federal funding and grants is based on population gained from the Census.
Our complete count committee is ready to answer your questions. Look for them this fall and winter. Can we count on you?
mayor RON JENSEN GRAND PRAIRIE
Grand Prairie is growing! Now open, enjoy Michael’s, Ulta, Burlington, Conn’s, Petco, Burkes, HomeGoods, Ross, Zero Degrees and Olive Garden on SH161 and Mayfield. Opening late 2019 are Fuzzy’s, Salata Salad, Blaze Pizza and First Watch breakfast cafe. Main Event opens early 2020 at Warrior and SH 161. Just north, Living Spaces is open. This destination furniture and home decor store features Magnolia Home furniture among others. Firehouse Subs is now open and Chick-fil-a with a double drive through is under construction at Pioneer and SH161. Down south, Andy’s Frozen Custard is open on Carrier and I20. Up north, the popular FireHouse Gastro Park is open in historic Fire Station No. 1 on Main Street. And, Zavala’s Barbecue is open Saturdays for barbecue and
mayor JEFF WILLIAMS
Tuesday-Friday, 6-11 a.m. for coffee and breakfast tacos. More than 50 new retail stores and restaurants are opening in Grand Prairie in 2019-2020. Grow GP!
Live Life Grand,
William Butler Yeats wrote, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Here in the American Dream City, we’re blessed with many life-changing teachers. From some of the best schools in the country, in our Arlington ISD and local private schools, to our outstanding colleges and universities—attracting students from all over the world—Arlington is a great place to learn. None of that would be possible without the men and women who’ve dedicated their lives to education. Most of us can look back on that one teacher who made an indelible mark on our lives. I know I can. As our schools settle back into session, we want to tip our hats to our local teachers, school staff, and administrators. Thank you for giving selflessly of yourselves. You may never know the impact you’re making.
ARLINGTON
You may have seen the heartwarming photo of Hill Elementary 6th grader Joshua Brown, coming to the aid of Arlington Police Officer Jerrick Wilson. When Wilson’s shoe came untied during the Arlington Independence Day Parade, he couldn’t bend down to tie it, because he was carrying the American flag, and young Joshua dashed out to lend a hand. In recognition of this small but powerful act of kindness, the Arlington City Council proclaimed Aug. 20, 2019 Joshua Brown Kindness Day. Way to go, Joshua. Thanks for making Arlington a kinder place to live, work, play, and learn.
ARLINGTON / MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE
ONGOING
ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL
Arlington
Come check out some amazing performances that are scheduled! 224 N. Center St. ARLINGTONMUSICHALL.NET
ONGOING
THE LOT
Mansfield
Come and enjoy some really great music! Visit our website for information event listings.
THELOTDOWNTOWN.COM
SEPTEMBER 6 - 7
MUSIC ALLEY
Downtown Mansfield
On Friday 9/6, enjoy the VIP Experience from 5-8pm. Saturday 9/7 from 4-10pm there will be 4 stages with live music, food, drinks, games and more! FREE.
SEPTEMBER 6 - 8
SUMMER SLAM PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
Mansfield
Come and enjoy a weekend of pickleball, food, fun, fellowship and more. Tournaments will be played at Fieldhouse USA. Lots of seating.
MANSFIELDTEXAS.GOV/EVENT8509/ MAN SFIELD-SUMMER-SLAM-PICKLEBALL
SEPTEMBER 7 - 14
ARLINGTON FIELD OF HONOR
Arlington
september 6
FAMILY DAY AT THE LAKE
Arlington Parks and Recreation
Spend quality time with your family enjoying an evening at Lake Arlington. Games and family entertainment provided. Take a boat ride, shoot a bull’s-eye, or catch a fish. There will be archery, kayaking, fishing, food, boat rides and more. With so much fun to have you won’t want to leave! 5:30pm-7:30pm. $5 for children up to 14 and $10/Adults and teens 15+. Limited spots available! Register online or call 817-275-1351. Richard Simpson Park, 6300 W. Arkansas Lane.
Hosted by Arlington Veterans Park Foundation. See a patriotic display of 1,000 flags honoring past and present military, law enforcement and first responders. You can purchase a flag to honor someone you know. Come out and see this amazing display! 6pm. Veteran Park, 3600 W. Arkansas Ln.
ARLINGTONFOH.ORG
SEPTEMBER 11
9/11 COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY
Arlington
Hosted by Arlington Field of Honor. A free 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony with Pentagon survivor Brian Birdwell, who will share his story. Come out for a moving experience to the bravery of those who responded to this horrific attack. 12pm-1pm. The venue is Texas Live! 1650 E. Randol Mill Rd.
ARLINGTONFOH.ORG
SEPTEMBER 14 - OCTOBER 7
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL
Theatre
Arlington
Based on the Twentieth Century Fox film. 316 w. Main St.
THEATREARLINGTON.ORG
SEPTEMBER 14 AND 21
MOBILE ADOPTION EVENT
Arlington
Adorable adoptable pets looking for new homes will be available at the mobile adoption unit for immediate adoption! Visit with adoptable cats available inside PetSmart! Adoptions will be at the Petsmart® in South Arlington, 203 E. I-20 (Arlington Highlands) 10:30am-3:30pm.
SEPTEMBER 26
12TH ANNUAL TASTE OF GRAND PRAIRIE
Traders Village
Hosted by The Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce. Come and enjoy some amazing food, meet with different businesses and crafters and ride on some spectacular rides! All food samples are FREE! Gates open 4:00p.m. for Seniors and 5:00 p.m. for all others. Tickets are $10 for Adults, $5 for Senior Citizens, $5 Students (K-12). Rides wristband can be purchased for an additional $5. All proceeds benefit the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce. 2602 Mayfield Rd. For more information call 972264-1558.
TASTEOFGP.COM
SEPTEMBER 28
49TH ANNUAL EUNICE CRAFT FAIR
Arlington Parks and Recreation
Enjoy bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, and snow cones! 50+ vendors. 9am3pm. Eunice Activity Center, 1000 Eunice St. FREE! For more information call 817-277-8091 or email Kelly.geer@arlingtontx.gov.
Discover A Great Concert Experience!
SEPTEMBER
John
Eddy
Felix
Freedom
Crystal
Sons
The
Sara
Little
The
Haggard
Upcoming
UPCOMING EVENTS
SARA EVANS
Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 pm
Arlington Music Hall
She’s had five #1 singles, sold millions of records, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist Award and claimed a Country Music Association trophy for her signature song, “Born To Fly.” It’s tough to imagine many accomplishments Sara Evans hasn’t already checked off her bucket list.
TOBY KEITH
Thursday, September 5 at 7 pm
The Theatre at Grand Prairie
TAKING BACK SUNDAY
Thursday, September 12 at 8 pm Texas Live!
FREEDOM - A GEORGE MICHAEL LEGACY
Friday, September 13 at 8 pm Arlington Music Hall
AARON STEPHENS
Saturday, September 14 at 7 pm
The LOT Downtown
LENNY KRAVITZ
Saturday, September 14 at 8 pm
The Theatre at Grand Prairie
ARLINGTON GIVES! DAPHNE WILLIS
Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30 pm
Levitt Pavilion Arlington
JOJO SIWA
Tuesday, September 17 at 7 pm
The Theatre at Grand Prairie
DEEP BLUE SOMETHING
Friday, September 6 at 8 pm Levitt Pavilion Arlington
THE SIXTIES SOUND
Friday, September 27 at 8 pm
The Theatre at Grand Prairie
QUAMON FOWLER & THE UTA ORCHESTRA
Sunday, September, 29 at 8 pm Levitt Pavilion
COMING TO THEATERS
SEPTEMBER 20 // AD ASTRA BRAD PITT, RUTH NEGGA DIR. JAMES GRAY (THE LOST CITY OF Z)
Roy McBride (Brad Pitt), an astronaut following in the footsteps of his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones), travels to the outer reaches of the solar system to discover what exactly happened to him, stumbling upon secrets that raise questions about our place in the cosmos.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2000 // REMEMBER THE TITANS
DENZEL WASHINGTON // DIR. BOAZ YAKIN (FRESH)
Widely regarded as one of the best football films ever made, and worth revisiting just in time for football season, this fictional but based-on-a-true-story tale focuses on AfricanAmerican coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) as he attempts to integrate the T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971.
THIS MONTH IN MOVIE HISTORY OUR BOOK PICK
SEPTEMBER 24 // THE WATER DANCER BY TA-NEHISI COATES
The dramatic first novel from MacArthur Fellowship recipient and National Book Awardwinning author Ta-Nehisi Coates tells the story of Hiram Walker, whose loss of his mother to slavery in mid-1800s Virginia gifts him with a mysterious and magical power that years later saves his life—and unexpectedly compels him to escape from the only home he’s ever known.
9/30/19
Accepting New Patients Extended Hours and Saturday Appointments Available
Steven Havard, MD and all of us at Havard Heart would like to extend our gratitude to our community and Living Magazine readers for voting Dr Havard as BEST Cardiologist 2019. We are proud to have served the Mansfield, Arlington and surrounding areas for more than a decade. We are also excited to announce that we are expanding our office in order to provide increased preventive cardiology and wellness programs to our patients. We anticipate the move into our new office by the end of the year and look forward to further growing our comprehensive cardio-vascular approach to vein therapy and expand upon what traditional vein centers can offer. We invite you to come in and visit so we can thank you for allowing us to continue to serve our community and all of your cardiovascular needs.
PLAYINGfair
THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
RETURNS THIS MONTH-AND IS GIVING BACK
COURTESY: MELISSA TATE
WITH OPENING DAY SET FOR SEPTEMBER 27, the State Fair of Texas is nigh upon us. And you know what that means… deep fried fair food the likes of which you’ve never seen, midway games, free concerts from big acts like Daughtry (October 5), Billy Ray Cyrus (October 13), and 98 Degrees (October 19), and all your favorite tummy twisting amusement rides. But amidst all the fun, there’s a whole lot more that goes into the State Fair of Texas that you may not know about.
Did you know the State Fair of Texas is a nonprofit organization, with one of their top priorities being Texas education? Since 1992, the Big Tex Scholarship Program has awarded over $11.3 million in scholarships to high school seniors around the state of Texas. During the summer they offer summer camp to local children of all ages as a way to educate them on gardening, cooking, agriculture, and creative arts. They also offer a SAT prep course for DISD students in order to prepare them for college applications.
The State Fair of Texas also has its very own produce garden on-site called the Big Tex Urban Farms, which donates fresh fruits and vegetables to Fair Park area organizations and individuals throughout the entire year. In 2018, Big Tex Urban Farms donated over 12,000 pounds of fresh produce and over 400 eggs to local residents. Another way they contribute to the hungry in their area is by collecting leftover food from State Fair concessionaires the day after closing each season. This food is disbursed to organizations throughout Dallas to help those in need. But they don’t stop there when it comes to giving back. The State Fair of Texas has also helped establish two different cohorts to help individuals get their ideas and businesses off the ground. The Nonprofit Infrastructure Initiative Cohort (NPII) is a six-month training program designed to help groups that are currently ineligible
The State Fair of Texas runs from September 27 through October 20. Check out BIGTEX.COM for ticketing information, food details, the complete concert schedule, and all the details you’ll need to make your trip a good one.
for non-profit status to build their mission, vision, and structure so they may gain funding and make an impact in the Southern Sector of Dallas through their passion and ministry. Concessionaire Cohort for Fairs, Festivals and Expositions (CFFE) is a fivemonth cohort designed to help entrepreneurs in the food service industry prepare their product to be sold on a larger scale in fairs, festivals, and expositions. Both cohorts are lead by classroom instruction, mentorship and hands on training.
The State Fair of Texas also offers numerous opportunities for individuals to get involved themselves. There are hundreds of Creative Arts competitions to be entered and judged before Opening Day and over 20 cooking contests you can enter during the fair season. They are continuously making efforts to utilize Texas and locally based companies and artists, just like the new live music they are bringing to all of their stages this year. Each stage will feature local Texas musicians sharing their talent with passersby.
So as you head to the fair this year, hold that corny dog just a little higher as you take in all the goodness the State Fair of Texas has to offer, knowing your involvement is contributing to so many wonderful causes in our Great State of Texas!
AND THIS YEAR WE’VE GOT A SPECIAL TREAT FOR LIVING MAGAZINE READERS!
JUST VISIT OUR INSTAGRAM @ LIVINGMAGAZINE THEN FIND AND LIKE OUR TEXAS BASKET POST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE PACK INCLUDING TICKETS TO THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS AND PLENTY OF OTHER GOODIES.
PHOTOS : KEVIN BROWN/STATE FAIR OF TEXAS, JESSICA SOTERO
A MESSAGE OF HOPE
Local pastor delivers welcoming words
IN MID-AUGUST HUNDREDS OF INCARCERATED MEN CAME TO THE CHAPEL AT THE COFFIELD UNIT expecting to hear their normal weekly Gateway Church service. However, on that day, something was different. Pastor Robert Morris, the founding lead senior pastor at Gateway Church, made a surprise visit to the 439 men in attendance to personally deliver a message of hope and encouragement. Morris says, “I was honored to minister to the men at our Gateway Church Coffield Campus Wednesday.
They were so welcoming and gracious, and we have seen so many hearts changed by God’s saving grace.”
Morris was excited to share a message with the men at Coffield and then surprise Gateway’s seven other church campus locations by airing the recorded message from the Coffield chapel during normal weekend services. Morris also shared that “anyone’s heart can be made new. We’re so thankful Jesus forgives all people who come to Him in repentance and accept Him as Lord of their life. Our motto at Gateway is ‘we’re all about people,’ and we believe that’s true no matter where you are, even in prison.” The full message, titled “Why?” can be viewed on gatewaypeople.com.
Gateway Church, a multi-campus church with six locations across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and one location in Jackson Hole, has recently added a campus dedicated to an underserved community—the H.H. Coffield Unit, the largest incarcerated population within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. Located outside Tennessee Colony in Anderson County, which is 90 minutes southeast of Dallas/Fort Worth, the Coffield Unit houses more than 4,000 criminal offenders.
Committed to discipling the incarcerated and their families, Gateway Church launched the Coffield Campus in November 2018, and the initiative was announced to Gateway Church members on January 27, 2019. Weekly attendance at the Gateway Church Coffield Campus averages 400 people, and since its inception, there have been more than 1,000 decisions for Christ.
Through the ministry, inmates can experience regular worship and attend Gateway classes centered on discipleship, marriage,
and parenting to help prepare them for life after incarceration. Additionally, there are groups at Gateway campuses for families of the incarcerated to help them through this period, as well as prepare for life once their loved one is released from prison.
“Since we started having Gateway services at Coffield, men’s lives are being changed. Men who were convicted of felonies are turning their lives around and reconnecting with their families,” says Coffield chaplain Allen Barker.
The Gateway Church Coffield Campus runs like any other campus, with inmates serving as greeters and ushers and operating the sound, video, and audio.
Stephen Wilson, an ex-offender who went to seminary school and has been ministering in prisons for years, serves as the Gateway Coffield Campus pastor.
ERIC & LEANORA EIDSON
LOCAL TEXANS BORN AND BRED
BY MEREDITH KNIGHT PHOTOS BY LAUREN MEDEAN LOCATION UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
Eric and Leanora Eidson are home folks. Leanora grew up in Midlothian as an MHS Panther, Eric graduated in Arlington as an AHS Colt, and both attended and graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington. They met at church in Arlington, and fell in love here, ultimately getting married here. So, it was a no-brainer for the couple to build their home and establish their business right here in The American Dream City. “UTA and Arlington have been so good to us. It is so great to see both Arlington and UTA growing and the spirit of the Maverick spreading across campus in the form of the spirit horses. We wanted to keep that Maverick spirit going even in our business” Dr. Eidson says. At Atlas Vein Care on Matlock Road, Eric, aka Dr. Eidson, spends his days treating conditions related to the veins of the leg— and amassing a loyal and grateful patient base.
His is a highly specialized practice where Dr. Eidson has successfully treated thousands of his Arlington neighbors—and those who travel to him from neighboring towns. “I always knew I wanted to care for people,” he said. “But it wasn’t until my residency, when I saw patients coming through the hospital suffering from life limiting issues in their legs that I realized vein care was my calling.” “Sometimes patients simply don’t realize that vein problems are more than just varicose veins. I want to use my knowledge and skills to educate and improve lives and it’s a blessing I get to do that on a daily basis.” His patients would certainly agree.
As a physician board certified by the American Board of Osteopathic Family Physicians and a diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine,
WHAT’S A D.O.?
AS AN OSTEOPATHIC DOCTOR (DO) DR. EIDSON IS A FULLY LICENSED AND CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN WHO CONSIDERS THE MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH—NOT MERELY SYMPTOMS—OF HIS PATIENTS. DOS LOOK AT THE WAY THE SYSTEMS OF THE BODY WORK TOGETHER AS WELL AS THE PATIENT’S LIFESTYLE, DIET, EXERCISE, AND STRESS LEVEL, TO PROMOTE NATURAL, HEALTHY HEALING OF THE BODY.
Dr. Eidson is uniquely qualified to partner with his patients suffering from a broad range of veinrelated conditions, performing every medical vein treatment himself.
Venous Insufficiency—What You Should Know
Venous insufficiency (venous reflux) is a medical condition where blood within the veins no longer flows toward the heart but toward the ankle and feet. Over time pressure builds within the veins and, if left untreated, can result in:
• Varicose Veins
• Leg and Ankle Swelling
• Leg Pain and Aching
• Night Cramps
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Skin Darkening and Discoloration
• Skin Breakdown
• Ulcers/Wounds on the Legs
• Blood Clots
Skin Darkening and Discoloration
With the added pressure in the lower leg veins, small blood cells can leak out of the vessel wall and become deposited in the tissues causing the skin to appear discolored. As these blood cells break down and are absorbed, the pigment remains in the tissues, usually leading to permanent skin discoloration. The discoloration will worsen if venous reflux is not treated.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Also called RLS, Restless Leg Syndrome is a neurological disorder that makes the body feel uncomfortable and restless, with constant impulses to move and readjust your arms and legs, making it difficult to relax or get a good night’s sleep. Dr. Eidson has had great success in reducing or eliminating RLS symptoms by treating venous insufficiency.
25+ million Americans suffer from a variety of vein symptoms due to venous insufficiency and venous reflux. Fortunately, Dr. Eidson is extensively trained and experienced in treating varicose veins and offers relief through these state-of-the-art, minimally invasive, in-office procedures. As he loves to tell his patients, “No more vein stripping. We have such better options now that give much better results with little to no down time.”
• Radiofrequency Ablation utilizes an FDAapproved catheter which employs heat to close the malfunctioning, problematic vein. Your body simply reroutes blood through a nearby healthy vein and, over time, absorbs the unhealthy one.
• Venaseal Treatment. In a similar fashion (but without the use of heat) Venaseal uses patented medical adhesive “glue” to close the vein. Again, your body naturally reroutes the blood and absorbs the problematic vein.
• Foam Sclerotherapy is also known as chemical ablation and is used to treat “branch veins”. These smaller veins are injected with a medicine that causes the vein to spasm and collapse and seal shut. It’s often used in conjunction with other vein treatments.
• Microphlebectomy, also known as ambulatory phlebectomy, is a safe and effective in-office procedure used to remove larger varicose veins through tiny incisions using local anesthetic, with no sutures or stiches required.
In addition to providing these life-changing procedures for relief of vein-related issues, Dr. Eidson counsels with patients on lifestyle changes they can make to improve their vein health and offers medical compression socks for temporary reduction of venous reflux symptoms. Most insurances, including Medicare, cover the treatment of medical vein disease, but most require patients to try those annoying compression socks first.
Hablamos Español.
DR. THOMAS EIDSON IS:
• BOARD CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY PHYSICIANS
• DIPLOMATE OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF VENOUS AND LYMPHATIC MEDICINE
• EXCLUSIVELY FOCUSED ON DIAGNOSES AND TREATMENT OF VEIN-RELATED PROBLEMS OF THE LEG
IN 1995, I GOT MY FIRST CELL PHONE. IT WAS A GANGLY LOOKING DEVICE, SMALL ENOUGH TO
FIT IN MY PURSE BUT NOT MY BACK POCKET.
I REMEMBER HOW CONVENIENT IT WAS—I NO LONGER HAD TO STOP AT A PAY PHONE AND HOPE I HAD A QUARTER. THESE DAYS I HAVE A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH MY PHONE. I LOVE THE CONVENIENCE AT MY FINGERTIPS, BUT HATE HOW IT CONSUMES MY TIME.
Technology seems to move at the speed of light. According to Buckminster Fuller, “until 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every century.” Now, because of the Internet, it doubles every twelve hours, and along with increased knowledge comes decreased privacy.
It seems everyone knows everything about everyone, and those in the spotlight are scrutinized for every action and at times for their “presumed” actions. While we’ve come to expect such speculation, gossip, and drama-generation from tabloid rags and television shows, it’s become all too common a practice among those in the church world as well. Believers have sacrificed honor for criticism, Biblical confrontation for open discussion on social media. We live in a time when beliefs and values often stem from what’s been preached in the pulpit, rather than what is written in the Word. Biblically illiterate Believers follow Christ based on what their favorite celebrity preacher tells them instead of investigating, meditating, and intimately knowing Christ themselves and learning how to “rightly divide the truth.” Consequently, when that preacher has a misstep or falls out of line, many fall with them. Those who don’t fall come out swinging, blasting his or her belief or false belief, never truly knowing or understanding the context of said action.
Nary does a month gone by where some Christian brother or sister isn’t being talked about on social media. Every time I see it, my heart hurts. I wonder why fellow Christians don’t take to their knees instead of their keyboards? I Peter 4:8 admonishes us, “Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others] (AMPC). Obviously, we’re not talking about covering up blatant sinful lifestyles of unrepentant leaders, but there are Biblical methods that should be followed when dealing with such individuals. As far as other Believers, shouldn’t we give them the benefit of the doubt? If a tele-evangelist attends a godless concert, shouldn’t we first assume they’re there to
share the gospel? If a young musician shies away from a theological debate, shouldn’t we first assume he or she is simply naive? Rather than viscerally filleting other Believers in the open court of social media, shouldn’t we cover them with love and intercede for them in the secret place? I can’t help but believe the vicious cannibalism among Believers not only hurts our witness, but discourages non-Believers from ever wanting to join such an unmerciful tribe.
Those with a strong sense of justice and prophetic bent are quick to point fingers and claim their motive is to expose sin and protect the body of Christ (in my younger years, I was the same; now I’ve learned I need mercy). While there may be a time and a place for such, in general exposure and protection is the job of Holy Spirit. In fact, in John 16 we find Jesus withholding some information because the disciples weren’t ready to hear it; He deferred to Holy Spirit saying, “When He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth” (NKJV). If Jesus trusted Holy Spirit’s guidance, why don’t we?
Of course we need wisdom and instruction from godly leaders. Proverbs 11:14 tells us there is safety in the multitude of counselors. Interestingly enough, however, the verses before tell us wise and faithful ones keep silent and keep secrets. If we strive to cultivate a culture of honor by seeking both justice and mercy, the truth will never be hidden, and true love will always triumph.
More than ever, we need to seek intimacy with the Father, fellowshipping with Him daily in prayer, Bible reading, communion, and gathering with other Believers. We need to remember the Great Commission is for all of us—our main focus should be the lost. When we stand before God, He will be more interested in whether or not we shared the gospel than in our opinions of other Believers.
What if we all became fishers of men rather than critics of ministries?
Lisa is a freelance writer, speaker and author of four books. To contact Lisa or follow her blog, visit LisaJenkinsMoore.com or connect at Facebook.com/LJenkinsMoore.
School Day Smiles
Dr. Corey Menou is a welcome addition to our practice. He was first exposed to pediatric dentistry during a mission trip to Mexico and knew he'd found his calling. He received his DDS from LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans, then completed his pediatric dental residency at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. While there he also gained valuable experience caring for medically fragile patients at Children's Healthcare in Atlanta.
A graduate of Texas A&M, Dr. Danny Wright completed dental school and pediatric residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children, trying new restaurants, and traveling. He is an avid snow skier and Aggie football fan.
Dr. Deborah Sullivan grew up in Texas, wandered away to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill to obtain her dental degree, then got back to Texas as fast as she could to do her pediatric dental residency at Texas A&M University, Baylor College of Dentistry. She loves her family, her church, her dogs…and teaching children about going to the dentist.
PET CLUB
“This is Turbo, our rescue guinea pig! He enjoys the outdoors and loves to munch on his favorite summer treat, watermelon. He is three years old and loves to cuddle.”
- BRIANNA M.
Pierce Brosnan
“This fine fella is our cat, Pierce Brosnan.”
- MEGAN T.
Accessorize your fur baby with collars and charms from brklz, which will keep your pup lookin’ good with one-of-a-kind style! BRKLZ.COM
Bistro
“This is my dog, Bistro. She’s a 5-year-old terrier mix. Tell me how cute she is!”
- MICHELLE P.
PET TRIVIA QUESTION!
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ANIMAL FACTS IS INCORRECT. WHICH ONE?
A) When happy guinea pigs jump up and down it’s called “popcorning”
B) The oldest guinea pig lived to be 15 years old
C) Guinea pigs have four toes on their front feet and three on their back
D) Young guinea pigs start to run at about one month of age
PET CLUB MEMBERS
Every month, all Living Pet Club members are automatically entered to win our giveaway! To join the club and receive a free membership magnet for your pet, send your pet’s name, your name, your address, and a clear photo of your pet to pets@livingmagazine. net. They might just turn up in a future issue of Living!
PETS@LIVINGMAGAZINE.NET
restorative RETREATS
WHERE TO WANDER IN SEARCH OF WELLNESS—ALL WITHIN STATE LINES
BY SAMANTHA GLUCK
There are a few reasons you could probably benefit from a wellness retreat. You can’t go wrong with chasing wellness, and we can all use a few days away from the usual every now and then. You can pay more attention to yourself than your surroundings. And lastly, anything that has “treat” in the title can’t be that bad.
BUT WHAT, EXACTLY, IS A WELLNESS RETREAT?
Wellness retreats are typically tucked away in tranquil, secluded spaces, often surrounded by natural scenery. This provides guests with the perfect setting to leave the overwhelming demands of their lives behind. A retreat director and specialized experts guide participants in various activities during their stay.
Wellness retreats are about more than simply helping guests relax and attain an overall feeling of inner peace. Whatever your particular interest or personal concern, it’s likely there’s a retreat that addresses it with exquisite precision. In fact, our fair state boasts a diverse selection of retreats, including yoga retreats, spa retreats, silent retreats, retreats for couples, and ones focused on fitness, spirituality, self-discovery, and yes, even silence.
In addition to the calmness and relaxation that inherently flow from almost any retreat, you’ll experience tailor-made learning sessions, workshops, and adventures in line with your unique interests.
ELEESA H.
I have tried many diet plans in the past with only limited success. I went to Diet Solution Centers Weight Loss Center hoping this would be the one and I am totally satisfied with my results! I have lost over 27 pounds and 5 inches in my waist! I have gone from a size 12 to a size 8 in 8 months! The loss as been gradual but very consistent which has made all the difference. It has changed my life and helped me be more of the person I want to be. Heather and Celeste at Diet Solution Centers Burleson have been so helpful and informative. They are always so friendly, positive and supportive in helping me reach my goal. Thanks Diet Solution Centers!!
wellness Texas style
If you’re feeling like you need a break, you can find some fantastic wellness retreats right here in Texas:
Rancho Cortez Fitness Ranch
Located in Bandera, you can get a workout the Texas way with horseback riding, hikes, campfire meditations, and a variety of other dude ranch activities. (RanchoCortez.com)
Retreat in the Pines.
This women-only retreat sits nestled in the Piney Woods near Mineola. The beautiful hideaway features yoga, meditation, and detox sessions. No experience is necessary to join in on the fun. (RetreatInThePines.com)
Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort.
Unwind and relax with a halo therapy salt cave inhalation session. You will also learn about holistic skincare and how to keep skin healthy at home. Located in Boerne, the scenery is gorgeous and the pampering world class. (TapatioResort.com)
Montserrat Retreat House.
If you’ve never experienced a silent retreat, this may be just
the getaway for you. You’ll learn about spiritual meditation in the Ignatian tradition during this silent, screenless retreat on the shores of Lake Dallas. (MontserratRetreat.org)
J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa.
This resort accommodates the entire family with quiet, full-service pampering for adults and guided kid-centered fitness and outdoor activities for the younger set. Enjoy hot stone massage, an adult-only pool with bistro service, fitness classes, and beautiful natural surroundings.
(bit.ly/2jCvBYF)
Lake Austin Spa Resort.
If you’re looking for an overall holistic and luxurious wellness retreat, this place offers an intimate setting with water views, world-class cuisine, and a large selection of courses to help you live your best life. (LakeAustin.com)
where wellness and retreat meet
Still on the fence about the value of a wellness retreat? Consider these seven reasons why it may be your perfect getaway:
ZERO PLANNING FOR YOU. Retreats are usually all-inclusive—that means food, activities, workshops, and everything else is planned out for you.
MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE. Those on retreat with you will share your concerns and interests.
SECLUDED, CALM ENVIRONMENT. The serene setting and natural surroundings encourage you to unwind and relax.
SAY BYE TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE. The sameness and hustle of your day to day will melt away.
EXPERT GUIDANCE. You’ll have access to experts who conduct training, workshops, counseling, and more.
LESS EXPENSIVE. Retreats can often cost less than a traditional planned vacation.
LASTING BENEFITS. All retreat activities and accommodations are designed to work together to help you achieve your unique goals.
a weightyISSUE
TAKING ON OBESITY IN TEXAS
BY DAVID BUICE
This (probably) isn’t the first or last time you’ll hear the phrase “everything’s bigger in Texas” in this issue, but when it comes to our waistlines, it’s not such a great thing. Let’s be honest—far too many Texans are carrying around too much weight, and too many of us are not just overweight but obese (as determined by body mass index, or BMI).
TEXAS VS. THE NATION
Comparing our state to the rest of the country, Texas has the 14th highest adult obesity rate in the U.S., currently 33 percent. That’s up from 21.7 percent in 2000 and 10.7 percent in 1990, meaning that an average Texan is about three times as likely to be obese as compared to just 29 years ago.
For our young people the situation is no better. In 2017, 18.6 percent of Texas high school students were obese, the 5th highest rate in the country.
STATE EFFORTS TO FIGHT OBESITY
Whatever your age, obesity can have serious health consequences including stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, just to name a few.
To their credit, the state legislature and the Texas Department of Agriculture have made efforts to confront the obesity problem by establishing minimum physical activity requirements for grades K-12, along with school nutrition guidelines and vending machine rules.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
However well intended, obesity statistics indicate that if waistlines are going to shrink in Texas, it will probably have to come through individual awareness and self-discipline as opposed to guidelines and requirements.
HERE ARE THREE THINGS EVERYONE CAN DO TO COMBAT OBESITY:
DIET
Limit your consumption of fast and fried foods, fatty and processed meats, foods with added sugar (baked goods, cookies, some cereals), alcohol, sweetened juices and sodas, and highcarb foods like bread and bagels. Concentrate on consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and water.
SLEEP
A recent study in the UK suggests that sleep deprivation may contribute to obesity through hormonal changes that increase appetite. Adults should aim for 7 to 8 hours per night, children and teens 8 to 11 hours.
EXERCISE
Try to get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of high intensity exercise per week.
Regarding exercise, Dr. Marc Hamilton, professor of kinesiology at the University of Houston’s Department of Health and Human Performance and a leading authority on obesity, calls our sedentary lifestyle “the new smoking.” He insists that a burst of exercise once a day simply isn’t enough to offset the damage caused by sitting for hours at a time. In addition to regular workouts, he strongly suggests incorporating a few minutes of physical activity at a time throughout our workday to offset the threat of obesity and related illnesses. “Every minute counts,” he says, when it comes to fighting obesity. With any success, we’ll one day be proud to proclaim that not everything is bigger in Texas.
life STYLE
LONE STAR HALLMARKS ARE OUR MOST FAMOUS CULTURAL EXPORT
Travel to virtually any location on the planet and mention you are from Texas, then stand back and wait for a reaction. Besides the mistaken belief that we all ride horses to work and have oil wells in our backyards, people definitely have ideas about what it means to be a Texan. Ours is the state where Southern and Southwestern join together to create a unique style that is recognized worldwide.
fun FACTS
TEXAS STEREOTYPES
EXPLODED DURING THE 14 SEASON RUN (1978-91) OF THE ORIGINAL Dallas TV SHOW. THE HATS WERE BIG, THE DRAMA WAS BIGGER, AND THERE WAS NO MORE PRESSING QUESTION THAN “WHO SHOT J.R.?”
Walker, Texas Ranger CAME ONTO THE TELEVISION SCENE IN 1993. ONE MIGHT ASK IF POP CULTURE EVER REALLY EXISTED BEFORE THE ROUNDHOUSE KICKING STAR, CHUCK NORRIS.
THE ORIGINAL
Neiman-Marcus STORE OPENED IN DALLAS IN 1907. IN 1927, THE STORE STAGED A SHOW CALLED, “100 YEARS OF TEXAS FASHIONS” TO COMMEMORATE TEXAS’ INDEPENDENCE FROM MEXICO.
TEXAN 101
BLUEBONNET
The state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet. The state bird is the mockingbird. And if there were such a thing as a Lone Star state shoe, you can bet your sweet bippie it would be the cowboy boot. Whether paired with Levis, overalls, a sundress, or cut off denim shorts, it’s footwear that proudly says, “Howdy, y’all! I’m from Texas.” Sure’nuff.
THE STETSON
It’s no secret that much of Texas history is tied up in the Old West. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that our choice in millinery is, too. The Stetson cowboy hat is so iconic you don’t even have to call it by name for everyone to know exactly what you’re talking about. The good guys wear white hats. The bad guys wear black hats. While the cowboy hat wasn’t invented in Texas, we do have more cowboy hats than you can shake a stick at. The three largest cowboy hat manufacturers—American, Resistol, and Stetson—are located in Texas.
BUCKLE UP
If you’ve got your boots and a hat, you’re going to need a belt buckle the size of a chicken fried steak to complete your classically Texas look. This is a style that came into fashion during the heyday of Hollywood westerns in the 1950s. Real life cowboys adopted the style and a fashion stereotype was born.
BIG HAIR
They say everything’s bigger in Texas, which has to include iconic Texas hairstyles. “The bigger the hair, the closer to God.” Hairstyles have changed in recent years, but if you’ve never gone crazy with a purple can of extra super hold Aqua Net, you may need to turn in your Texan card.
COWBOY ATTIRE
Nowadays, Western chic is more common than full-on cowboy and cowgirl attire. Still, as Texans, we tend to like our accoutrements. The denim jackets we’re so dearly fond of made it into mainstream fashion, but ours are more likely to involve a rhinestone or two. In Texas, you can have your flag and wear it, too. When it comes down to it, it might not be outlandish to say our traditional style icon is Big Tex, who has proudly stood guard in classic cowboy attire over the State Fair of Texas since 1952.
get the GLOW
HOW TO COMBAT DULL, LACKLUSTER SKIN
BY AUDREY ASHE
(moisturizing) properties, is considered a natural source of glycolic acid, and because of its small particles (especially brown sugar which is softer), it makes an excellent facial and décolletage scrub. Use this recipe to polish your lips, too!
INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp. mānuka honey (purported to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties)
adiant, velvety soft skin is absolutely mesmerizing—a beauty must for all people of ages. Eating right, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of ZZZs are essential for glowing skin, but there’s one culprit that can hold you back from the gorgeous skin you covet—dead skin cells.
In Texas, scorching hot summers cause sweat and oil to build up in dead skin cells, exacerbating the problem. The cold, dry winters contribute to a build-up of flaky skin and dry patches. A solution for fresh-looking, polished skin is to exfoliate using a consistent regimen with adjustments for seasonal changes. We’ve rounded up a few strategies to help you get started.
SKINCARE PRODUCTS
With so many facial exfoliating products on the market it can take time to find the one that works best for you. Before you start buying products to try out, it’s worth talking with your dermatologist or
scheduling a consult at a medical spa. This will eliminate trial and error and should save you time and money in the long run.
Minimally, use a gentle skin cleanser with exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), and beta hydroxy acid (BHA). In addition to daily cleansing, follow a special exfoliating routine to help keep dead cell build-up at bay. Boost your glow with an exfoliating serum with moisturizing properties at night or use a mild scrub once or twice a week. Take great care not to over scrub, which can cause micro tears in your skin that accelerate the aging process.
PEELS AND MICRODERMABRASION
There’s a reason why peels of varying strength and microdermabrasion are popular services offered by dermatologists and medical spas—they work! Not only do they renew your skin and improve its tone, they address fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage, among other things. A light peel along with microdermabrasion is a common combination designed to deliver noticeable results right your first treatment.
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
A drop or two of essential oil (my favorite for this scrub is sweet almond)
DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a small bowl and mix together well. Store in a jar with an air-tight lid at room temperature.
Apply one-half teaspoon of the scrub to clean, wet skin and massage very gently in a circular motion. Avoid the eye area. Rinse face well and pat dry.
right by THE RIVER
A TEXAS CUSTOM HOME BUILDER PLANS ONE OF HIS OWN JUST OFF THE PEDERNALES
JEFF DEREBERY’S CUSTOM LINDAL HESTIA HOME IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY, JOHNSON CITY
ORIGINAL PLAN BY ARIS GEORGES OF OM STUDIO DESIGN FOR LINDAL CEDAR HOMES
BUILT AND MODIFIED BY JEFF DEREBERY AND JANICE FISCHER
PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTO DESCRIPTIONS COURTESY OF LINDAL CEDAR HOMES
CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Jeff Derebery
knew exactly what he wanted when it came time to construct his own 3,000 square foot dream dwelling—and had his own plans to prove it. Ultimately he decided to modify and customize a premade plan for a Lindal kit home called Hestia, and would do much of the construction and finish work himself.
The large, open, intimate courtyard is the heart of the home, and is surrounded by the rest of the structure and bordered by glass hallways and sliding glass doors that provide access from the great room and master suite.
Rich, clear cedar soffits, turquoise copper panels, charred Japanese style yakisugi siding, and a glass-paneled entry door combine nicely with the entry lighting.
UPLIFTS THE LIVING, DINING, AND KITCHEN SPACES, WHILE JEFF’S WIFE JANICE SELECTED NEW STICKLEY FURNITURE TO FIT THE HOME’S AESTHETIC.
The master suite, with a view to the river on two sides, opens up to the courtyard and features modern accents on the bedside tables and headboard.
The 350 square foot screened porch contains a casual eating area, a small gas fireplace, and rich clear-cedar siding that makes for a comfortable indoor-outdoor living area with a beautiful view of the river and Hill Country.
In the master bath, counters of leather-textured black granite, porcelain slate-look tile, polished concrete floors, and cedar stepping mats combine to provide a luxurious, spa-like feeling. A large rain shower is installed behind the tile wall near the tub.
ABOUT THE MANUFACTURER
Since its start in 1945 as a post-WWII kit home company, Lindal Cedar Homes has become the world’s largest manufacturer of custom post and beam homes, and specializes in helping you design and build your own house with an efficient kit of parts and hundreds of designs. Lindal.com
FEATURING RED DOT AWARD WINNING CABINETS FROM IKEA, THE KITCHEN ALSO HOSTS COUNTERS AND AN ISLAND WITH A WATERFALL EDGE, BOTH TOPPED WITH QUARTZ IN A MARBLE PATTERN. THE ACCENT CABINETS ABOVE THE KITCHEN WINDOWS WERE MADE BY A FRIEND.
If you dream of lounging and cavorting around your very own pool come summer 2020, now’s the best time to get moving. I
swim SEASON
IF YOU’VE EVER WANTED TO PUT IN A POOL, NOW’S THE BEST TIME—AND HERE’S WHY
BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT
PRICES ARE LOWEST IN THE FALL . Pool companies need business in the fall and winter. They need to keep their employees busy to keep their crew together. And they may be willing to cut you a deal to make that happen.
POOL FENCING CAN BE CHEAPER, TOO. There are many great options when it comes to fencing around your new backyard getaway. Lucky for you, fencing companies are trying to scare up business in fall too and might make it worth your while to hire them for your job.
THE GROUND IS TYPICALLY DRY. Dry ground makes installation faster, easier, and less messy as concrete trucks, excavation equipment, and dump trucks can hopefully get in and out without sinking and creating ruts in your yard.
FALL IS BETTER FOR POOLSIDE LANDSCAPING . Fall’s the best time for planting trees and other landscaping, so they’re established and ready for growth when the weather warms in spring. Installing your pool now gives your grass four to six months to recover from the disruption of construction and allows your new landscaping time to fill in and be lush and beautiful by pool party time.
YOU’LL HAVE YOUR CONTRACTOR’S UNDIVIDED ATTENTION . Come next year, when your pool builder has a dozen pools under construction, they won’t always be available to answer your questions and address your concerns. Build in fall and you might find they have time to make your project a main priority—or one of just a few, anyway.
BEAT NEXT YEAR’S PRICE INCREASES . If manufacturers plan to increase their prices, they’ll likely do so at the beginning of the new season. Building in the fall means you can take advantage of this year’s pricing. If you’re financing the project, interest rates may increase as well.
DELAYS WON’T MAKE YOU CRAZY. Unexpected setbacks and snags are inevitable with any construction project. A week of rain halts progress. An inspector or electrician doesn’t show up when they said they would. Building now means each maddening delay won’t spell missed swim days. You’ll have plenty of wiggle room to get your construction completed in time for the summer months.
YOU’LL HAVE TIME TO PLAN THAT FIRST PAR-TAY. If you’re dreaming of that first get-together around your new backyard oasis, building now means you’ll have plenty of time to shop for the perfect poolside furniture, accessories, and pool games (which could also be on sale) and get everything ready to debut your pool with family and friends come spring.
THERE’S JUST SOMETHING THAT FEELS GOOD ABOUT A PAIR OF BOOTS WITH A SUMMER DRESS. THIS MONTH WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A COUPLE RANCHINSPIRED LOOKS THAT’LL BRING YOU ONE STEP CLOSER TO A LITTLE SOUTHERN COMFORT.
Of all the quaint, old-timey Texas places to visit, I couldn’t resist checking out Comfort—the name not only piqued my curiosity, it spoke to me. Most of us are looking for a little comfort these days, and what better way to find it than in a literal geographic sense?
The adventure began with a drive from Buda (just outside Austin) to Comfort. Taking an off-thebeaten-path route, I passed by grazing longhorn cattle, outpost cantinas, crossings with names like Purgatory Road, and over creeks as dry as a brittle bone waiting for the next downpour.
Having simply put Comfort, Texas into the GPS, I arrived at my destination around high noon—a grain elevator just outside the historic district.
It didn’t take long for me to realize Comfort is a place without much pretense—a community that hasn’t become a caricature of itself to cater to tourists. Nestled along and around historic High Street are a handful of shops and galleries offering an eclectic assortment of artwork, antiques, and merchandise, and surprisingly, a dose of low-key sophistication Comfort-style. Many are located in well-preserved historic buildings dating back to the 19th century. Equally interesting, most of
the town’s inhabitants are descendants of the original pioneer families. When you have a good thing going, why not stay put and enjoy it, right? Since it was lunchtime, I popped into High’s Café & Store for a bite before the explorations began. Having missed their renowned breakfast, I chose a half portion of their peppered pimento cheese sandwich—a decision made only after waffling back and forth between their market meatloaf sandwich and this cheesy Texas classic with a jalapeno kick. Let’s just say the wait staff was supremely patient with me. In addition to “Comfort food,” High’s menu features items that appeal to an assortment of patrons, such as lump crab cakes, avocado toast, and a Greek salad flax wrap.
Afterward I checked out Comfort Antique Mall. With over 30 dealers, they have a little something for everyone. Next up was Studio Comfort Texas. Inside, I marveled at this treasure box with a beautifully curated collection of quality professional fine art by local painters, photographers, printmakers, sculptors, and jewelers.
Although High Street is the main attraction, the side streets host a variety of intriguing stores. Take Juniper Green Antiques, for instance. The owner, a retired NASA systems engineer, possesses
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PHOTOS CLOCKWISE: FAUST HOTEL, BAT TOWER, TINSMITH’S WIFE, THE ELEPHANT STORY PHOTO BELOW LIMESTONE RESIDENCE
tremendous knowledge of metal goods, particularly old copper. He travels to Europe annually to procure old copper items which he restores, along with other antiques. Nothing for sale in the shop is under 100 years old. If you’re into needlework, The Tinsmith’s Wife provides loads of inspiration and quality products for knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross stitch, and punch needle embroidery. Elephant Story—back on High Street—further rounds out Comfort’s varied collection of merchants which are too numerous to exhaustively mention. Filled with a collection of merchandise imported from Asian elephant countries, the owners use store proceeds to promote Asian elephant conservation.
One of the most whimsical, authentic old buildings I’d seen in a long time had a weathered sign hanging on it—Comfort Little Theater—and a distressed blue façade you’d pay dearly for if you wanted to reproduce it in the city. The row of old commodes lined up out front completed the look. Although the theater closed up a while back, the space is now a book depot where the Comfort Public Library holds book sales throughout the year. A tallish shingled structure also caught my eye because it looked oddly out of place in Comfort, or probably anywhere for that matter. Whipping out my phone, I learned it is one of the two last hygieostatic bat roosts in the world. Erected in 1918, the idea was to use bats to reduce malaria-carrying mosquitos. The roost is designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Before bidding “Adios!” to Comfort, my last stop involved tasting some good ol’ Texas “moonshine” at family owned and operated Hill Country Distillers. Offering hand-distilled spirits made with ingredients native to Texas, such as prickly pear cactus, their seasonal libations get a flavor boost from regional fruits. If you enjoy visiting wineries, it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon in tasting rooms around the Comfort area sampling some of Texas’ finest wines.
Returning to Austin via backroads kept the feeling of homespun Texas charm going until, regretfully, I had to enter the freeway and head back. I had found what I was looking for in Comfort and then some—a serene, laid-back hamlet full of new things to explore that ignited my imagination and enriched my life experience as only the Lone Star State can.
PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM : JUNIPER GREEN, HISTORIC MARKER, HIGH’S CAFE & STORE
WITH SO MANY STATE PARKS IN TEXAS TO CHOOSE FROM, IT’S EASY TO FIND A FUN AND AFFORDABLE OUTDOOR
ADVENTURE THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE. COOLER WEATHER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, AND NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO START PLANNING WHICH PARKS TO VISIT. HERE ARE A FEW SAMPLES TO SPARK YOUR INTEREST.
PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK
Did you know the Lone Star state is home to the second largest canyon in the U.S.? Tucked away in the Panhandle about 30 miles from Amarillo, you might say it’s one of Texas’ best kept secrets. At 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and up to 800 feet deep, Palo Duro Canyon offers a breathtaking landscape complete with colorful rock layers, hoodoos, caves, mesas, wildlife, and plants. The namesake state park comprises only around 10 percent of the canyon.
Stop by the visitor center on the canyon rim to learn more about the canyon, its fossils and artifacts, and the Native American history. A drive through the park loop takes roughly 45 minutes without stops. Hiking along one of the 11 moderate trails through million-year-old caprock formations is a popular park activity, but if you’re less inclined to hoof it yourself, check out nearby riding stables located in and around the canyon.
LONGHORN CAVERN STATE PARK
This is one cool state park! Literally. A steady 68 degrees Fahrenheit inside the cave makes Longhorn Cavern a great destination even when the hot sun is doing its best to keep you indoors. The flow cave, formed by an ancient river, is filled with minerals, including smooth dolomite and glittering calcite crystals. Kids and adults alike enjoy the 90 minute guided cave walking tour. The engaging, knowledgeable guides share insights into the cave’s formation, geology, and history. In some places the cave ceiling gets low, so be prepared to stoop on occasion and wear shoes with good traction.
If paranormal activity is your thing, apparently it occurs quite regularly in the cave. Plenty of people have used it over the centuries, including Native Americans, confederate soldiers, and outlaws. It was even a speakeasy with a dance floor and band during prohibition. Guests on the regular tour often report seeing sudden moving shadows or sounds of children laughing.
DAVIS MOUNTAINS STATE PARK
Located about a half hour from Marfa you’ll find Davis Mountains State Park, one of Texas’ off-the-beaten-path “hidden gems.” Visitors find tranquility among the mountains, where they can backpack, ride mountain bikes, stargaze, hike, camp, view native bird species through a large bird blind, or take a scenic drive. If you have a horse, you can even ride your own horse on the park’s equestrian trails.
Sitting at roughly 5,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level, this 2,709-acre park is known for its stunning vistas and surreal sunsets followed by dark night skies which make it a star gazer’s dream. If you don’t have a telescope to bring, no worries. There’s something magical about relaxing under the heavens trying to find constellations and simply ruminating on the vast expanse of the universe. Head to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory and Frank N. Bash Visitors Center located about 10 miles from the park, where you can take night sky constellation tours and view celestial objects through a number of telescopes on certain evenings. Check the observatory for schedules and tickets.
PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK
This fascinating oasis where the Pedernales River cascades over huge, tilted, layered steps of limestone is just 30 minutes from Austin. Listen to the refreshing, peaceful sound of running water on a summer day and enjoy the pools filled with blue-green water. Take in the view of the Pedernales Falls from the scenic overlook at the north end of the park. The river drops about 50 feet in elevation over a distance of 3,000 feet.
Swimming in the river as well as tubing, canoeing, and kayaking are some of the park’s main attractions, along with hiking and mountain biking. If you plan to swim, read about swimming safety tips online at TPWD. texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/ swimming-safety before you arrive.
MONAHAN SANDHILLS STATE PARK
Many of our nation’s states boast impressive sand dunes. Not to be left out, Texas has its own sandy geological wonder located. Monahans Sandhills State Park is filled with beautiful rolling dunes with little pockets of life interspersed through them that shift with the prevailing winds throughout the year.
Aside from its desolate and strange beauty, Monahans is a go-to spot for sand surfing thanks to its refined surface. The best conditions for sand surfing are after a rain.
Rainwater dampens then compacts the sand, allowing you to go faster on the way down a sandhill. You can rent a disk or bring your own. Some park visitors improvise with a large piece of cardboard.
It’s best to visit the 2,709-acre park—located in the middle of West Texas—on a calm day with little to no wind, so you can avoid the blowing sand.
FOR A COMPLETE LIST WITH LINKS TO EACH PARK, VISIT TPWD.TEXAS.GOV/STATE-PARKS AND GET INSPIRED.
TEXAS flavor
RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY MELISSA TATE
CLASSIC TEXAS TASTES HIT THE TABLE THIS MONTH BY WAY OF A SIZZLING STEAK, PUNCHED-UP POTATOES, AND A PORTABLE TAKE ON OUR STATE’S (IN)FAMOUS CAKE
CAST IRON SKILLET STEAK
MAKES: 1 STEAK | TIME: 60 MIN
INGREDIENTS: 1 beef steak, about 1” thick | salt | pepper | steak seasoning (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS: COMPLETELY THAW steak if frozen. Sprinkle both sides of steak with salt and pepper or steak seasoning, let stand at room temperature for 45 minutes. PREHEAT large iron skillet over high heat until extremely hot, 4 to 5 minutes. SPRINKLE 1-2 teaspoons of salt in skillet then pat steak dry with paper towels to remove any moisture. PLACE steak in skillet. Flip every 30 seconds for 2 to 4 minutes until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Let rest 4 minutes before serving.
HOW DONE ! If going by internal temperature, medium rare is 135 degrees, medium is 140 degrees, and medium well is 145 degrees. If going by color, rare is seared with red interior, medium rare is seared with pinkish interior, medium has a pink center surrounded by brown meat, medium well has a faint pink center, and well done is solid brown throughout.
TWICE BAKED POTATOES
MAKES: 4 SERVINGS TIME: 90 MIN
INGREDIENTS: sea salt | 4 large russet potatoes | 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature | ½ cup sour cream | 1¼ cups grated cheddar cheese | 6 slices bacon, cooked, cooled, and coarsely chopped | ½ cup finely chopped fresh chives
INSTRUCTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 375˚F. Rinse, dry, and lightly coat potatoes with salt. Place on a baking sheet and bake until tender to touch, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the butter, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Set aside. Once the potatoes are done, remove from oven and let cool a bit. WHEN the potatoes have cooled a bit but are still warm to the touch, cut off the top one-fourth of each. Scoop the warm potato flesh into the cheese mixture bowl and discard the top skins. Set empty potato skin bottoms aside. MASH the potato/ cheese mixture until all ingredients are incorporated. Add the bacon and chives, and stir until mixed well. Spoon this mixture back into the empty potato skins, pilling it well over the tops, and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350˚F 20 minutes then broil until golden brown.
MAKE IT PRETTY! Use a spoon with a thin edge to remove the potato flesh from skin and an ice cream scooper to add the mixture back to the empty potato skins.
TEXAS SHEET CAKE COOKIES
MAKES: 16 COOKIES
TIME: ABOUT 20 MIN
FOR THE COOKIES: 1 box milk chocolate cake mix | 2 eggs | 1/3 cup vegetable oil
FOR THE ICING: ½ cup butter | 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder | 3 Tbsp. milk | 2 cups powdered sugar
INSTRUCTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350˚F and line cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, and oil until smooth. Scoop out batter balls and place them onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. IN A MEDIUM SAUCEPAN, combine butter, cocoa powder, and milk over medium heat. Whisk together until combined. Remove from heat and slowly stir in powdered sugar until smooth. Drop a spoonful of icing on each cookie. Allow the icing to harden before enjoying.
ABOUT OUR CHEF
Melissa is a freelance food writer with a passion for hospitality and home cooked meals. Along with writing, she helps her husband run their working ranch and event venue in Rockwall, Texas. To follow her cooking and ranching adventures visit MelissaTateTX.com or find her on Instagram at @MELISSATATETX
A SMATTERING of stuff
THAT’S MAKING US SAY “WE LIKE IT!” THIS MONTH
REPRESENT
Pay homage to our fair state’s roots by displaying a memento from the distant past—these reprints of vintage maps from different eras in Texas history would find themselves right at home in the archives of your local historical society or—well—your house.
$15 TO $100, ETSY.COM/ SHOP/VINTAGEIMAGERYX
STAY GLASSY
As we head into the fall season, why not represent Texas with a piece from Salado Glassworks? Grab a piece or attend an event to make your own at their studio in Salado if you’re looking for a little road trip, or check out their in-stock items like glass pendant light
BUST A MOVE
Celebrated annually in the United States since 2010, National Dance encourages people to express support for dance as a valuable form of exercise and artistic expression with an official Dance Day routine. This year’s song is “Electricity” by Silk City and Dua Lipa.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, AMERICANDANCEMOVEMENT.ORG
THAT’S FAIR
We’d of course be remiss not to mention the unfaltering State Fair of Texas in this month’s Living Likes, which kicks off toward the end of this month— prepare your stomach, put on your walking shoes, and let’s hear your best Big Tex. Howdy!
SEPTEMBER 27 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, FAIR PARK IN DALLAS, BIGTEX.COM
