Good Evening TXK
After 25 long years of living under the rule of Mom’s regime, with a brief (glorious) stint in an apartment with walls thinner than my patience, I have officially been crowned king of my own castle. And not only that, but this castle is the house I grew up in, my childhood home. It’s my very own full-circle moment.
This house is where I grew up eating Eggo waffles before school, watching Britney Spears on Good Morning America, brushing my Justin Bieber hair for hours, and walking around with my phone incessantly filming all my family members like a documentarian. And now it’s mine. Well, kind of. I’m renting it from my mom. But still, it’s mine.
The deal was always that once my mom got married to John, she’d move into his place, and I’d take over hers. Now that she’s off living in wedded bliss, I get to rule the roost. Was it more bittersweet than I had expected? It was. But I’ve waited so long for a place that felt like mine. A place where I can fully just... be.
With great power comes great responsibility, and even greater control over the thermostat. So, like any good monarch, I’ve established some house rules for my kingdom.
So without further ado, welcome to Bailey Gravitt’s Kingdom. You are cordially invited to stay, just as long as you don’t overstay, because I love to be alone.
Rule #1—Granny, I Love You, But You Gotta Call First.
My granny is a living legend. She’s an angel on earth. She’s a prayer warrior. And of course, she’s the queen of clean. She’s my neighbor, living right across the street, but occasionally she forgets this is no longer her jurisdiction. So, when I knew the house would be mine, we had a little chat over steak fingers from Dixie Diner. To avoid any misunderstandings, I made sure she understood I love her, but this is my castle now. She is still the best person I know, so of course she’s welcome… she just needs to call first.
Rule #2—BYOF—Bring Ya Own Food, ’Cause I Ain’t Got None.
I may have upgraded to a house with three bedrooms, but the fridge still screams “bachelor.” I have water bottles in abundance and plenty of plates and silverware, but unless you’re into eggs and almonds for dinner, don’t expect much. If we’re gonna eat, we’re going to Ironwood Grill like the civilized people we are. There will be no dinner parties at this palace.
Rule #3—Don’t Touch the Thermostat Unless You’re Paying Rent
This house is not a democracy. Everyone knows I like to be in control. Baby, this is a dictatorship. And I’m keeping it at a breezy 70 to 72 degrees at all times. This is not my best friend Alex Ouellette’s house. We’re not going from frozen tundra to tropical rainforest every ten minutes. We’re stable and consistent here. Please be seated.
Rule #4—If I’m In The Bath, I’m Off The Clock
My friends are constantly complaining about my phone being on do not disturb. To which I say, “You’re welcome.” Because the only thing separating you from a fully unhinged version of me is a solid three-hour bath. The bathtub is my peace. The bathtub is my therapy. That’s where I process life, cry in silence, and write these iconic articles. Do not come over looking for me. Do not text twice. And by all means, do NOT FaceTime me unless you’re in the emergency room. Thank you in advance.
Rule #5—All Are Welcome. Always.
Ok, maybe not all, because people scare me, but my home, while small, has room for everyone I love. Friends I’ve had since we were in the nursery together and friends I met last weekend at Zapata’s. I don’t care who you are, where you’ve been, what your past looks like, or how messy life feels right now. My door is open. There’s a guest room with clean sheets, a couch that reclines on both sides, and a handle of Tito’s on the kitchen cabinet. I want people to feel safe, loved, and truly known here.
The greatest homes I’ve ever had the pleasure of stepping into aren’t necessarily the most beautiful ones. Sometimes those can feel a lot more like a museum than a cozy place to relax. The best ones are filled with warmth, and presence, and friends, and family, and noise, and chaos. I love those who let you take off your mask and sit on their couch in your mess without shame.
That’s the kind of house I want to build… physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
At the end of the day, I’m just a boy in his childhood home, trying to make it a soft place for others to land. And you know… party.
Welcome home.
LIVE MUSIC
September 5
Big Al & the Heavyweights
Fat Jacks Oyster and Sports Bar
8 pm
September 12
Gospel Music Show
Hempstead Hall
7 pm
September 13
Lane Bricker
Whiskey River Country
10 pm
September 14
The Lighthouse Boys
First Assembly of God Church
6 pm
September 20
Wyatt Putman
Fat Jacks Oyster and Sports Bar
8 pm
September 20
Battle of the Bands
Hopkins Icehouse
11 am-11 pm
September 21
CASA Songwriters on the Edge of Texas Featuring Jason Boland
Northridge Country Club
5 pm
September 27
Alan Jackson Tribute
Elk’s Lodge Neon Antler
8 pm
September 27
Lucas Sousa
Whiskey River Country
9:30 pm
LOCAL EVENTS
September 4
Jordan World Circus
Four States Fairgrounds
6:30 pm
September 11
Sewing Lessons: Tied and True Aprons
TRAHC’s Artspace
12-4 pm
September 12
Downtown Live!
Downtown Texarkana
6-9 pm
September 13
Septemberfest
1915 Olive Street
7-10 pm
September 13
Monster Truck Tour
Texarkana 67 Speedway
7:30-10 pm
September 16 & 17
$park: Financial Literacy Workshop
Texas A&M Texarkana
9 am-12 pm
Space Limited
September 20
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Spring Lake Park
8 am
September 20
Ride to Remember
Arkansas Welcome Center
2:40 pm
September 20
Do the Haven Hustle 5K & Car Show
300 Olive Street Texarkana, Arkansas
8 am
September 21
From Islam to Christ Testimony of Kenza Haddock
First Baptist Church
6 pm
September 25
State of Economic Development
Canvas Special Events Center
11:30 am-1 pm
September 27
Tough Kookie Cancer Seminar
Southwest Center
10 am-3 pm
September 27
Newk’s Cares 5K
Spring Lake Park
9 am
