On my very first day of middle school, I was silently washing my hands with my head down, when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a girl who was scanning me up and down. She looked a little taken aback by me before she asked if I was gay. I didn’t know there was a “gay” way to wash your hands, but apparently, I had mastered it. No, I wasn’t wearing anything flashy or attention-grabbing, just some flip-flops and an Aeropostale tee, looking overly plain.
Navigating a Roundabout … We know roundabouts differ from what we’re used to seeing around here, and if you are not familiar with them, they can be a bit tricky to navigate. … Roundabouts actually have several advantages over the stop signs or traffic signals found at more traditional intersections. They are designed to improve the traffic flow and reduce the number of crashes. However, they only work if everyone knows how to navigate them properly. Once you understand the basics, it’s really pretty easy.
Front Porch Refresh … Your front porch is the entryway to your home, setting the stage for the warm welcome awaiting inside. Transforming your front porch doesn’t have to be complicated. From adding a splash of color with vibrant plants or ceramic pots, to updating your wreaths and doormat, sometimes, it’s the simplest changes that make the biggest impact.
Pets hold a special place in our hearts, becoming integral to our daily lives. While some people prefer either cats or dogs, others find room in their hearts for both. In our household, we’ve discovered that focusing our attention on one pet at a time suits us best, and currently, that’s a dog. Our oversized Bernadoodle, Palmer, makes our lives better with his presence. He stands out as the most affectionate yet challenging dog we’ve ever had because he struggles to make friends easily.
Mudbuggin’ … As spring grows closer, and the days start warming up, we’re hitting that sweet spot in the year—crawfish season. It’s time for the tradition we all love—diving into piles of those spicy, delicious mudbugs. If you have lived in the south for any amount of time, chances are you have been exposed to the ritual of dining on boiled crawfish. This year, thanks to some wacky weather our crawfish buddies were playing hard to get. The reason we’re seeing fewer crawfish basically boils down to not enough rain and way too much heat.
Businesses and organizations founded at the beginning of the twentieth century that remain strong today epitomize resilience. Withstanding monumental events, including a world war, The Great Depression, the attacks of 9/11, a global pandemic, and more, these century-old establishments have navigated periods of economic prosperity and downturn, strategized around new competitors entering the scene, and triumphed over older competitors seeking an edge. They are a testament to their founder’s power of vision and the unwavering dedication of a long line of loyal employees.
Gary Kusin was born a third generation Texarkanian. His grandfather immigrated to Texarkana on his way to Monroe, Louisiana, to join his brother’s highly successful mattress manufacturing business. “The train stopped in Texarkana on a Saturday at lunch and all the farmers were in town selling their produce,” he said.
