Just like that, a new year is upon us and we are back with another issue of Texoma Farm & Home! As we step into this fresh new year, may it bring you endless joy, success and good health.
May every day be filled with new opportunities, exciting adventures and moments of laughter and love.
Let go of the past and embrace the future with hope and confidence, knowing that each challenge is an opportunity for growth.
May your dreams take flight and your hard work bear fruit in ways beyond your imagination.
May you find happiness in the little things, strength in difficult times and kindness wherever you go.
Surround yourself with positivity, cherish the moments that matter and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Here’s to a year of new beginnings, fresh perspectives, and boundless possibilities. Wishing you peace, prosperity and the courage to chase your dreams. May this year be your best one yet!
Happy New Year!
Austin & Jennifer Lewter Publishers- Texoma Farm & Home
Financial strategies to consider as retirement draws near Texoma Farm
Freedom is often cited as a benefit of retirement. Many professionals look forward to the day when they retire and have more free time and the freedom to spend that time however they choose. Of course, the opportunity to spend retirement how one sees fit typically requires considerable financial freedom.
Financial planning for retirement is often emphasized to young professionals beginning their careers. But it’s equally important that people on the cusp of retirement continue to look for ways to protect and grow their wealth. As retirement draws near, professionals can consider these strategies to ensure they have the financial freedom to make their golden years shine even brighter.
• Plan to grow your wealth in retirement. It’s widely assumed that retirees need less income after calling it a career because the need to save for retirement is no longer present. However, some expenses, including health care, may rise in retirement, which underscores the need to continue growing your wealth. Cost-of-living also will increase over the course of your retirement years, which highlights the need to keep growing wealth in retirement. It can be tricky to protect your existing retirement savings as you approach the end of your career while also growing that wealth, so it is best to work with a financial planner to navigate that situation.
• Maintain a mix with your
investments. A model from the Schwab Center for Financial Research indicated that a hypothetical retiree with a $2 million portfolio in year one of retirement will have slightly less than $1 million left 30 years later if her portfolio maintains a mix of 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds and cash. The model found that a second hypothetical investor with the same size portfolio in year one of retirement will run out of funds prior to year 29 if his portfolio is 20 percent stocks and 80 percent bonds and cash. Though conventional wisdom suggests limiting risk as retirement nears and eliminating it entirely upon retiring, modern retirees are living longer and may therefore need to maintain a mix of investments to ensure they don’t outlive their money.
• Make the maximum allowable contributions. Many aging professionals may not have saved as much for retirement as they might have
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hoped to upon starting their careers decades ago. In fact, a 2024 survey from Prudential Financial found that many 55-year-olds have fallen far short of establishing the level of financial security they will need in retirement. The Prudential survey found that 55-year-olds had a median retirement savings of less than $50,000, a number that falls considerably short of the recommended goal of having eight times one’s annual income saved by this age. If that situation sounds familiar for professionals nearing retirement age, then now is the time to begin catching up.
Make the maximum allowable contributions to a 401(k) plan ($23,000 in 2024) and/or an IRA ($7,000). In addition, the Internal Revenue Service notes that IRA catch-up contributions remained $1,000 for individuals age 50 and over in 2024.
Retirement can provide a sense of freedom professionals have worked hard to achieve over the course of their careers. Some simple strategies can help professionals on the cusp of retirement achieve the financial freedom they’ll need to enjoy their golden years to the fullest extent.
2025: The Year to Hear Well Again
Sponsored Content
The beginning of a new year brings positive changes for many. Perhaps you’ve made resolutions and an impressive commitment to see them through. We hope one of your goals is to hear well. Especially if you struggled to hear or understand family and friends during the holidays. Maybe someone suggested that the TV was too loud. Or there was a conversation you didn’t follow. Maybe old and dear friends called to catch up and you had to ask them to repeat themselves.
At HearCare and Associates in Sherman and Gainesville, we know that admitting you have hearing problems can be a challenge – even if you’re simply acknowledging it to yourself. The first step to better hearing is to have your hearing evaluated by trusted professionals.
According to Kenneth Sheppard, Jr., LFDHI and co-owner of HearCare & Associates in Sherman and Gainesville, it’s not uncommon to delay making the decision to have a hearing evaluation until the difficulty is significant.
“Some people are proactive, but for others, it might take having something happen in their life, or with someone they love – or they miss something very important,” Sheppard said.
You’ve heard many of the excuses and maybe used some of them yourself. Even if you’ve adjusted to your hearing difficulty, it takes enormous effort. It’s exhausting to always remain vigilant about reading lips, filtering background noise and trying to understand voices.
“Did you know your hearing loss changes over time, just like your eyesight?” said Jill Sheppard, B.S., SLP/Audiology, Licensed Fitter and Dispenser of Hearing Instruments (LFDHI) and co-owner of HearCare and Associates. “We want you to enjoy the new year, hearing well and being fully engaged with all that matters to you. We’re inviting you to come in soon for a hearing evaluation, so you can hear for yourself the many benefits provided by the latest technology and design improvements.”
At HearCare, the evaluation process is thorough, painless and, some say, even fun. Once you’ve made an appointment, you can expect friendly, professional service from professionals who prioritize your care. It begins with a conversation to understand your situation and what’s important to you. Your ears will be checked and then a hearing test administered while you sit in a glassed-in booth and raise your hand when you hear a sound. Your results are available immediately.
“Your hearing health is a priority for you – and for us,” Jill Sheppard said. “We want you to be an educated consumer. We’ll work with you to ensure you know about all your options, including hearing aids customized to your hearing needs and your budget. We’re here to answer your questions and provide the excellence in customer service you’ve come to expect.”
Additionally, if it’s been a while since you’ve had your hearing checked, you’ll want to know about the latest advances in technology, including the new WIDEX SmartRIC™ engineered for comfort (even if you wear glasses), sound quality, and the longest battery life available.
Start the new year hearing more clearly and understanding with greater ease. Call HearCare today at 903-868-2650. Happy New Year!
Playing recreational softball can have many health benefits, including improved physical fitness, mental well-being and social skills.
Tips to get children excited about exercise
Texoma Farm & Home
Human beings need to engage in physical activity to stay healthy. But too many children are not getting the exercise they need. Only 50 percent of boys and less than 34 percent of girls between the ages of 12 and 15 are adequately fit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children who are not physically fit are at greater risk for chronic diseases. In addition, children who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of retaining that extra weight into adulthood.
Getting children to exercise regularly can be an uphill battle with so many distractions, such as electronic devices, vying for their attention. But parents can explore the following ways to get children more excited about physical activity.
• Choose interactive toys. Select toys for kids that require movement. These can include sporting activities, scooters, bicycles, and even video games that involve physical activity. Kids will be moving while they play, which is a first step.
• Set an example. Children may be more likely to embrace physical activity if they see their parents exercising regularly. Adults can share their passions for activities that encourage movement, whether it is hiking, heading to the gym, swimming, or rock scrambling.
• Make it a contest. People can be very competitive, especially young children. If kids know there is a prize or reward attached to doing something, they may have more motivation to engage with it. Offer a prize to the person who can log the most minutes of physical activity each week.
• Make things social. The more people involved in an activity, the greater the chance kids will want to be involved. Therefore, invite their friends, cousins, classmates, and other relatives to participate.
• Look for new ways to exercise. Plan vacations and day trips around an activity. Perhaps the family can learn how to surf or snorkel on a trip; otherwise, a trip to the zoo or a museum can involve a lot of walking.
• Find reasons to walk. Kids and parents can walk to or from school each day to get exercise. Parking further away from stores ensures some extra steps as well. Take the stairs in malls instead of elevators or escalators.
• Encourage participation in team sports. Afterschool athletics often involve multiple days of practices and games or meets, which can be all the exercise a kid needs to be healthy. Athletics also present a fun way to exercise with friends. Kids need physical activity to stay healthy, and there are various ways to make them more inclined to be active.
By Grace & Faith builds on tradition of home decor
By Jessica Edwards
Leah Fuhrmann comes from a long line of home decorators. Her great-grandmother owned Holland’s Gift Store and her grandmother loved to decorate. Although her mother never opened her own store, Fuhrmann caught the bug. A longtime labor and delivery nurse, her dream has always been to open a gift store of her very own.
“I thought it was always going to be a dream,” Fuhrmann said. “I didn’t believe it would become a reality.”
When a global pandemic resulted in Fuhrmann becoming an online nurse, she decided it was time to look for another career path. Her engineer husband, Matthew, built houses. His father had been in the
Leah and Matthew Fuhrmann own By Grace & Faith located at 1002 Pecan St. in Lindsay.
(Courtesy photo)
construction business and Matthew began working for him after high school. The couple wondered if they could combine her dream with his expertise and create a new business.
It was about that time that Ben Davis, renowned window treatment professional, revealed to the Fuhrmanns that he was interested in selling his business. Davis sold windows and blinds to Cooke County for 30 years. Matthew Fuhrmann’s father used him for several construction projects, and over time he became close with the Fuhrmann family.
The Fuhrmanns were interested, but the timing wasn’t quite right. Finally, three years later, Davis let them know he was still wanting to sell the business. Then, a 20-year-old building in Lindsay suddenly became available. Fuhrmann had always loved it and decided to make an offer and see what happened.
The building had been home to an insurance company and was zoned as a commercial property. While it had always been a business, nestled in a residential area it felt more like a home. It was the perfect location for Leah’s vision.
The Fuhrmanns closed on the building at the end of November 2023 and By Grace & Faith opened its doors that following April. Named after the couple’s daughters, it also reflected values that were important to the Fuhrmanns: God, faith, family and friends.
A home décor and gift store, blinds and window treatments seemed to fit in with their vision for the new business. Nervous at the thought of starting two businesses simultaneously, the circumstances would become a blessing to the family.
“The window treatment business has been instrumental in helping us to get By Grace & Faith off the ground,” Leah Fuhrmann said. “We got a lot of word-of-mouth calls, and that year our window treatment business helped support the store in its infancy.”
By Grace & Faith provides Christian-focused gifts for babies, baptisms and confirmations as well as candles and Bible study books. It also sells home décor, like rugs, lighting fixtures, items for the kitchen (dishes, textiles, etc.) and window treatments. Staff can also provide decorating help if needed.
The Fuhrmanns wanted to create a space where people could come and shop for their home in a comfortable environment where they didn’t feel pressured to buy.
“In addition to providing quality products at good prices, we really want our store to feel warm and cozy and be a place where people feel welcomed and invited,” Leah Fuhrmann said. “We pride ourselves on creating a personal experience where our shoppers feel helped and heard.”
The biggest challenge in opening this new business has been getting people into the store. To help draw people in and learn more about the store’s offerings, Leah Fuhrmann is planning several community events at By Grace & Faith, including a Galentine’s shopping event from 4-7 p.m. on Feb. 12; a Graduation Celebration for high school seniors from 3-7 p.m. on March 26; and a bridal shower event for wedding vendors from 6-8 p.m. on April 16.
To learn more about By Grace & Faith, visit their Facebook page or swing by their store at 1002 Pecan St. in Lindsay. Store hours are Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Waterfront Lunch
by Matthew Summerall
It was a warm and humid spring day when my Mother asked me to go to lunch. I agreed and asked where we were going, but she didn’t respond right away. I thought it odd that she didn’t answer me, but we got in the car and drove to the beach. The beach was not a short drive from her home, but it wasn’t a long one either. We were in the car for about 20 minutes when she decided to pull over at this roadside produce stand. She told me she had been here before and said that I would like it. We both got out of the car and walked up to a big, burly oaf of a man behind the counter. The produce that he carried were fruits and vegetables that I had never seen before. Fruits like Graviola and Jabuticaba, the Brazilian grape tree fruit. The man running the stand, who I’ll call Tiny, also made his own brand of juices and honey from the fruits of these trees. We picked out a few different fruits and juices and hit the road again to the beach. This stand was truly special to my Mom because she would always come to this stand when the fruits were in season.
On the road again, my mother started talking to me about her life growing up. She talked about her relationship with her family and how her older brothers were physically abusive. She told me that, in the midst of all of that trauma, she wanted better for herself and a future free from abuse.
Many things she spoke about, I had never heard her speak of before. As my mother was telling me some of the atrocious details of her childhood, I realized how proud of her I was for making the choice to live a better life and to rise above what she experienced. I asked her if she was proud of her life, and she said that she was very proud of herself.
After a little less than an hour in the car, we arrived at the restaurant; Rancho Del Mar was a beachfront restaurant that served fresh seafood caught that day and ranch specialties such as steaks and fajitas. We took a table by the water and enjoyed the view while also enjoying a delicious lunch consisting of fresh, grilled grouper, fries and slaw. After finishing our lunch, I walked
with Mom down to the pier. She told me she was so very proud of me, my marriage, my teaching career and my accomplishments. Out of nowhere, she leaned in and gave me a big hug. We embraced in a moment that I will never forget. I will always regress to that sweet four-year-old that never wanted to leave my Mama’s side when I felt her loving arms around me hugging me. When we let go, I felt a big brush of wind and fell off the pier into the water.
The next thing I remember is awakening in a cold sweat from falling asleep on the couch. It had all been a dream. I could still feel my mom’s embrace around me. It meant the world to me to feel those arms again, especially since she had passed away two
years earlier. Our loved ones are always with us. Whether we understand why, are confused, upset, or angry, they are there. They want us to succeed and to be happy.
Thank you, Mom, for giving me life, love, and a joy of cooking and good food.
A special education teacher during the day, Matthew is an old soul with a zeal for life. A self-described Chili King, Matthew loves a good AM radio station, the great American songbook and sweet iced tea. He lives in north Texas with his wife, Megan, and their beautiful Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bella. You can follow Matthew on Facebook and Instagram as BigSumBites.
Apple Watch Series 10: almost ultra
by Andrew Utterback
Iwas watching the iPhone 16 event back in September with anticipation for the Apple Watch Series 10. Rumors said it could look just like the Apple Watch Ultra with squared off edges and a flat display. The possibility of that alone had me with my wallet out and my Series 5, that I had been using for three years, ready for the “old tech” drawer. Plus, this was the tenth Apple Watch, and we all remember how significant of a redesign the iPhone X was.
Just a few minutes into the start of the event, Tim Cook said the Series 10 would feature a “beautiful new design.” I was beyond excited for the few seconds in between that statement and the teaser trailer that showed the exact same design as last year’s watch. Which was the same as the year before that (I could continue).
Though this is not to say the Series 10 is without improvement.
The headlining new features of the world’s most popular watch are its new display, which is the biggest one yet, and its sleeker profile. Toss in a few health upgrades and a faster chip and you get an upgrade, that while still minor, is one of the more substantial of the past few years.
Imagine an Apple Watch in your head and there’s the design of the Series 10. The watch still has the exact same form factor as the Series 7, 8 and 9, with a few differences in the dimensions.
The Series 10 is “nearly 10 percent thinner” than its predecessors and the display size options are now 42mm and 46mm, the 46mm option being the largest Apple Watch display yet. The Ultra is definitely still a larger total package, but the Series 10 is the new screen real estate champ.
The bigger screen isn’t all that noticeable coming from a Series 7 or newer. My 44mm Series 5 definitely looks small sitting next to the Series 10, but since most of the screen size bump comes from smaller bezels, you don’t notice much of a difference on your wrist.
The Series 10 really does feel slimmer, though.
I never had any problems with my Series 5 fitting under dress shirts so the Series 10 also passes the formal attire test and feels just a little slimmer than my Series 5. If it means I bump my watch into just one less door post, that’s a win.
The new display is also an LTPO wide-angle OLED display, the first from Apple. The claim from the Apple Newsroom press release is that this new display is “up to 40 percent brighter than Series 9 when viewed from an angle.”
Can you notice this? I think so…
The watch face is very easy to read from an angle, but I didn’t really have any problems with my old one either. The off-angle clarity is quite good, though, so I never have to be obvious when I twist my wrist to check a text when I’m in the middle of a boring conversation.
The display also refreshes at once per second instead of once per minute when the display is in always-on mode so a ticking minute hand can now be seen on some watch faces.
In all of the Series 10 ads I’ve seen, the large display is the feature that gets promoted the most. It’s not drastically larger though than the past few watches, but you can notice it when reading a long text or scrolling through a watch app with a lot of information.
Jet black aluminum is the new color and my personal watch finish of choice, which makes this the first jet black Apple product since the iPhone 7 (my first phone). I have to say, this is a very good looking watch. The jet black paired with the larger display makes the Series 10 my second favorite looking Apple Watch behind the glorious matte black titanium Ultra 2.
Speaking of titanium, the Series 10 is now offered in a titanium finish, which runs you around $300 more.
And speaking of the Ultra, the Apple Watch Series 10 inherits some of its big brother’s features. It gets the Ultra’s water
The Apple Watch Series 10 features the biggest display yet.
(Photo by Andrew Utterback)
temperature sensor and depth gauge, as well as the depth app for diving. The Ultra can still dive up to 100 meters, 50 more than the Series 10, but the fact that these features are no longer Ultra exclusive is definitely nice.
The Series 10 has the new S10 chip which makes everything you do on it just a little bit faster. In my use, there hasn’t been a single time where it was laggy or slow to open anything. Performance gains will likely be noticed long-term as the watch should stay this fast for longer.
Fellow tech nerds and I heard Apple say “bigger display and thinner body” and got nervous. As we know by now, the key to battery life is not exactly thinness and better displays. However, battery life on the Series 10 has been excellent for me. My busiest day included well over 10,000 steps being tracked, many notifications checked and a workout. I still wasn’t below 20% at the end of the night.
I’m currently writing this part of the review in a coffee shop at 4:55 in the afternoon. I’ve been wearing the watch since 8 in the morning, and after 9 hours of notification checking and light usage, I’m sitting at 79%.
I have yet to play 18 holes of golf with the Series 10, but I imagine it would take something like that with 4-5 hours of constant workout tracking and GPS usage to kill this battery before you go to bed.
Do I wish it lasted more than one day?
Definitely, but I’m okay with the one day battery life if it means we can have the watch be as thin as it is.
Even if you do run it down, the Series 10’s battery can now charge from dead to 80% in around 30 minutes. Meaning if you’re someone who uses sleep tracking on your Apple Watch, a quick half-hour on the charger while you shower and get ready for bed is enough to charge it fairly close to 100%.
New to the Series 10’s slew of health features is sleep apnea detection.
Apple says the watch uses the user’s heart rate, respiratory rate and wrist temperature to alert of possible sleep apnea. One should still check with a doctor for a full diagnosis, but like the Apple Watch’s irregular heart rhythm warnings used to detect signs of AFib, this can be a helpful heads up, if you will.
The Series 10 also has improved speakers that now allow for media to be played straight from your wrist. I queued up Spotify on my watch and sure enough, I had my playlist playing right from my watch.
I thought this was mostly useless after seeing this feature in the keynote (and mostly still think it is), but the one valid use case I’ve seen is that you can use your Apple Watch as a speaker in the shower instead of your phone or a Bluetooth speaker.
The speaker upgrade is most useful for taking calls on your wrist, and the person on the other line can now hear you even better thanks to neural engine powered background noise suppression.
Let’s run through what else you get.
All of the WatchOS 11 features have been great, with the most noticeable being notification summaries, smart stack and
The bigger screen makes information easier to read, especially outdoors.
(Photo by Andrew Utterback)
health/fitness upgrades like training load recording and the new vitals app for sleep tracking data.
The Series 10 also has a metal back instead of ceramic, and the almost iconic red dot on the digital crown for cellular models is now discreetly integrated into the body.
“Double Tap,” the feature that lets you tap your thumb and index finger together to perform actions on the watch, has actually been one of my most used features. This was introduced last year on the Series 9 and is extremely useful when you are holding something and can’t bring your other hand over to act on the notification.
Last year, I was strongly leaning towards getting an Apple Watch Ultra. I’ve gotten to the point where my mountain climbing and deep sea diving are just too much for the normal Apple Watch… Okay, not really.
But the larger screen, better battery life and a few of the “Ultra” features were all things that I wanted and was willing to pay a little extra for.
Not twice as much, though.
$800 for an Apple Watch is a hefty price tag and hopes were so high for the Series 10 because I wanted the tenth generation “redesign” to be Ultra-reminiscent.
It wasn’t, at least not design wise. But, it turns out that’s alright, because what we got is an Apple Watch with a bigger screen than the Ultra, a much thinner and more practical design, all-day battery life and even some “Ultra” features all for $399 for the 42mm and $429 for the 46mm.
I can easily recommend this to anyone with a Series 5 or older and especially those considering the Ultra.
I’ll be interested to see what Apple does with the Ultra 3 next year because the Series 10, as it sits in the watch lineup right now, is shooting above its class. And I promise that’s not the Jet Black iPhone 7 nostalgia speaking.
‘Balloonerism’ is more than a posthumous cash grab
by Caroline Crain
Posthumous albums can feel haphazard, but “Balloonerism” defies the norm. Mac Miller’s “Balloonerism” is a project loaded with history and emotion. It is his second posthumous album, released on Jan. 17, 2025, just two days before what would have been his 33rd birthday. The release also marks the anniversary of his 2009 album “Swimming,” adding even more weight to the occasion.
Originally recorded in 2014, this lost project was created during the same period as the albums “Watching Movies with the Sound Off” and “Faces.”
It was meant to be a priority, but took a backseat to other releases. Over the years, bootleg versions circulated, but now fans finally have the official release.
With 14 tracks born from a week-long creative burst, the album represents Miller’s profound artistic evolution.
A statement from Miller’s estate revealed the significance of “Ballonerism,” calling it a project close to his heart. The album is rich in introspection and artistry, with Miller exploring mortality and purpose through his unique lens.
In order, here is what I noted from each track in “Balloonerism.”
Tambourine Dream
This opener sets the tone for the album with no lyrics, just the steady rattle of a tambourine. It feels like a dream sequence that ushers you into Miller’s world. While simple, it hints at the contemplative journey ahead.
DJ’s Chord Organ (feat. SZA)
This track is a battle between melancholy and hope. Miller’s somber tones are balanced by SZA’s more upbeat and beautiful vocals. The line “Cocaine is ruthless” pierces through the haze, reminding listeners of the harsh realities Miller explored. His production alter ego, Larry Fisherman, shines here with its lo-fi, almost tragic vibe. The song feels like a sorrowful conversation, where Miller doesn’t speak much, but lets the music convey the depth of his emotions.
Do you Have A Destination?
This is where Miller’s rapping finally comes alive, and it hits hard.
Lines like, “I went to sleep famous, and I woke up invisible”
is a gut punch. It’s a powerful reflection on fame, addiction and searching for purpose.
5 Dollar Pony Rides
This one is one of my favorites from the album. This track feels like a love song wrapped in funk and repetition. It’s smooth and undeniably catchy, which gives it a mainstream vibe, but it doesn’t feel shallow. This song highlights the theme that quick fixes are paid for with loneliness, missed opportunities and emotional disconnection.
Friendly Hallucinations
Fantasies swirl together in this track, finding profound ways to challenge reality.
It has a funky beat like the previous track, but it’s more introspective. Knowing the path that Miller’s life ultimately took, it is quite eerie to hear him delve so deeply into the topic of addiction in songs like this one.
Mrs. Deborah Downer
Highs and lows– this song is another dive into the complexities of life, addiction and the struggle to find clarity in the midst of chaos. The sound is relaxed, but heavy at the same time.
This is the type of song I would put on to just lie down and stare at the ceiling.
Stoned
This mellow track seems to be about a troubled girl that Miller gets “stoned” with, offering weed as a temporary solution to their problems.
Through this troubled relationship, Miller also explores themes of escapism, numbness and insecurity.
Shangri-La
A slow beat underscores this song, which critiques superficiality and the constant chase for material wealth.
The final line, “Live your life ‘cause you can lose tomorrow” is a poignant and yet again haunting reminder of life’s fragility, especially in light of Miller’s death. It’s a deeply reflective track that lingers long after it ends.
Funny Papers
This one was definitely my favorite. The track hits hard, exploring life, death and everything in between. Miller’s existential reflections on time and purpose, especially with the line, “Why does it matter at all?” make it feel almost like a riddle you can’t quite solve.
The track’s mellow, jazzy vibe complements its heavy themes, making it both soothing and thought-provoking at the same time.
Excelsior
I really liked this track – “Funny Papers” was a hard one to follow, but “Excelsior” definitely held its own.
This song touches on stories of childhood wonder and how the complexities of adulthood can strip it away. This song is the shortest of the album (other than the intro track), but it is a powerful reminder of how we can lose touch with the magic of life.
Transformations (feat. Delusional Thomas)
This song was a strange and unexpected addition to the album to say the least. Miller’s helium-voiced and twisted alter ego, Delusional Thomas, takes the reins on this track.
It’s an odd detour, but it adds an unpredictable layer to the album’s overall vibe.
Manakins
This is one of the deepest tracks on the album and another one of my favorites. Miller confronts his fear of normalcy, the struggles of life and the inevitability of death.
Hearing him sing the lines “Feels like I’m dyin’, I’m dead” took on a new weight, especially considering that he really is – it really made me reflect.
Rick’s Piano
This track feels surreal, like Miller is speaking from the beyond. He explores fame, death and bliss, asking, “What does death feel like?” and “Why does death steal life?” The repeated mantra “The best is yet to come” is hauntingly ironic, adding an eerie layer to the listening experience.
Tomorrow Will Never Know
The album’s closer is a 12-minute epic. Miller sings for five minutes before the instrumental carries the listener through the rest of the journey.
The lyrics touch on fear, love and the mysteries of life and death. The final minute—a simple phone dial tone—feels like a gut punch. The album’s description dubs the song “haunting,” and there’s no better word to describe how it leaves you
reflecting on everything that came before.
In conclusion, I thought “Balloonerism” was a haunting, surreal and reflective journey through Mac Miller’s struggles with drugs, uncertainty and the looming presence of death.
The recurring themes of addiction and existential questioning are heavy throughout the album, but its posthumous release gives them an even deeper meaning knowing how his story ultimately ended. It never feels like a cash grab, but rather a raw and emotional testament to Miller’s artistry.
With each track, “Balloonerism” peels back layers of Miller’s complexity, making it a powerful and meaningful addition to his legacy.
Mac Miller’s “Balloonerism” album cover. Miller commissioned artwork for the album while he was still alive.
Advanced reproductive technologies in equine breeding expand genetic reach, success
By Ava Wright
Equine breeding is evolving with the continued use of advanced reproductive techniques like artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These technologies are helping breeders overcome geographical and biological barriers, expanding genetic diversity and improving breeding success rates.
AI, which utilizes both fresh and frozen semen, has long been a cornerstone of modern breeding practices, allowing breeders to access elite stallions’ genetics from anywhere in the world. Frozen semen broke down traditional geographical limitations by enabling semen to be transported internationally, permitting breeders to use genetics from stallions located thousands of miles away. Though freezing and thawing sperm require precise techniques to maintain quality and motility, the ability to use frozen semen has sig-
nificantly broadened genetic options for breeders and expanded global breeding networks.
“Frozen semen has drastically changed genetics globally,” said Nichole Webster, an equine breeding professional specializing in reproduction. “Now a single stallion can have foals on different continents in the same year. It’s a powerful tool for improving genetic diversity and expanding breeding opportunities across the globe.” Webster, who holds a degree in Equine Science from Colorado State University, has an extensive background in the field. She was the breeding manager for SDP Buffalo Ranch and Fults Ranch and served as the Breeding Technician/International Import and Export Coordinator for Reata Equine Hospital and Weatherford Equine Breeding Center.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted equine breeding by enabling breeders to make more informed decisions through data analysis.
Another key advancement, embryo transfer, allows breeders to produce multiple foals from a single mare by transferring embryos to recipient mares. This process is particularly beneficial for high-value mares, enabling them to produce more than one foal per year, maximizing their genetic potential. It also allows a mare who is unable to foal out to reproduce safely.
“If a mare has great genetic potential, either because of her show history or her genetics, ICSI and embryo transfer allow her to have more than one foal each year. This significantly enhances the mare’s genetic contribution to a breeding program,” Webster said.
ICSI, a precise method of fertilization, requires injecting a single sperm directly into an egg in a petri dish. This technique is specifically valuable when semen quality is low or when traditional fertilization methods face challenges.
The Department of Animal Science at Tarleton State University is refining these techniques through its research on the university’s broodmare herd. Dr. Rafael Martinez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science, highlighted the significant benefits these technologies bring to the herd. “Advanced reproductive technologies have significantly benefited our school herd in various ways. First, the use of artificial insemination enables us to keep our herd aligned with the most sought-after genetic bloodlines while also diversifying the genetics selected for each mare. Without artificial insemination, we would likely be limited to breeding with a single stallion, reducing genetic variability.”
Martinez also emphasized the role of embryo transfer in overcoming reproductive challenges: “Additionally, embryo transfer technology allows us to breed mares with compromised reproductive tracts that are unable to carry a foal to term. Through this process, we can retrieve an embryo conceived by these mares and transfer it to a surrogate mare capable of carrying the pregnancy.”
ICSI, another technique employed at Tarleton, is also proving valuable.
“We have also utilized intracytoplasmic sperm ICSI, a technique in which a single sperm cell is injected directly into an oocyte under a microscope. The fertilized oocyte is then cultured in an incubator, and if it develops into an embryo, it can be transferred to a surrogate mare for the duration of the pregnancy,” Martinez said.
Martinez noted that these technologies have greatly enhanced Tarleton’s equine reproduction program: “These advanced and sophisticated technologies, often used in human fertility treatments, have greatly enhanced our equine reproduction program, and we are proud to implement them within our herd.”
The advancements in AI, embryo transfer and ICSI have already made a lasting impact on the equine breeding industry, breaking down both geographical and biological barriers to breeding, both locally and globally. As these technologies continue to evolve, their ability to improve genetic quality, expand breeding opportunities, and overcome challenges on a worldwide scale remains immense.
This Month’s Featured Pet:
CM Heritage Farm
Whether you’re looking for something furry or feathered, CM Heritage Farm has it. This one-acre farm in Whitesboro is home to KuneKune Pigs (like the one pictured here); Narragansett Turkeys; Toulouse Geese; Black-Shoulder Peafowl; Muscovy, Khaki Campbell and Ancona Ducks; Tamuk Rabbits; Jumbo White Coturnix Quail; Nigerian Dwarf Goats; and four dogs, two cats and lots of chickens. To learn more about CM Heritage Farm, find them (and their animals for sale) on Facebook or email CMHeritageFarm@gmail.com
HOMEMADE PASTA MAKES FOR FLAVORFUL COMFORT FOOD
Pasta is enjoyed across the globe. Whether it’s the main course of a meal or served up as a side dish, pasta will seemingly always have a place on the dinner table.
Pasta may not be the first thing people think of when pondering comfort food, but certain dishes, including ravioli, certainly meet the comfort food criteria. Such is the case with this recipe for “Herb Ravioli” courtesy of Lines+Angles.
Herb Ravioli
Serves 4
For the dough:
14 ounces flour; for pasta
2 egg yolks
2 eggs
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the filling:
7 ounces baking potatoes
1 slice stale white bread
31⁄2 tablespoons soft butter
1 bunch finely chopped chives
1 bunch finely chopped parsley
Sprig chervil
4 ounces crème fraîche
1 finely chopped shallot
Salt Pepper
In addition:
Flour for the work surface
1 egg white
41⁄2 ounces bacon
1 bunch chives
Chervil or parsley, to garnish
1. Combine the flour, egg yolks, eggs, oil, salt, and 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water and quickly knead to a pliable dough. Form into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour.
2. For the filling, peel and quarter the potatoes and cook in boiling, salted water for 20 minutes.
3. Finely dice the bread. Heat 1 tablespoon
butter and fry the diced bread until golden brown to make croutons. Let cool, then reserve 1 tablespoon of the croutons for serving.
4. Drain and mash the potatoes, let cool slightly, then mix with the rest of the butter, salt, pepper, herbs, croutons, and crème fraîche.
5. Divide the pasta dough in half and roll out thinly into 2 sheets. Put teaspoonfuls of the filling on one of the sheets of pasta, leaving about 2 inches between them.
6. Brush the dough around the filling with egg white. Lay the second sheet of pasta dough on top and press together between the heaps of filling.
7. Cut out the ravioli with a pastry wheel.
8. Drop the ravioli into boiling, salted water and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, then take out and keep warm.
9. Dice the bacon and fry until crisp and brown. Wash the chives, shake dry and snip. Serve the ravioli onto warmed plates, scatter with bacon, chives and croutons and serve garnished with chervil or parsley.
HOME
What to know about kitchen cabinet projects
Kitchens have long been characterized as the busiest room in a home. Kitchens are where meals are prepared and cooked, but they also tend to be gathering spaces where families connect at the end of a day and where guests congregate during holiday celebrations and birthday parties.
All that time in the kitchen makes these popular rooms to renovate. Homeowners who want to give their kitchens a new look and feel without doing a full renovation can consider kitchen cabinet projects. An understanding of kitchen cabinet projects can help homeowners decide if this undertaking is for them.
• Cabinet renovations do not necessarily require replacement. Some cabinets may not need to be removed and replaced. The renovation experts at HGTV note that kitchen cabinet refacing can be a budget-friendly way to give a new look to cabinets that do not require replacement. Refacing can be as extensive as homeowners prefer, but such projects can create a whole new aesthetic in the kitchen depending on the extent of the project.
• There are many different types of kitchen cabinets. Homeowners who have never been involved in a cabinet project should know they will have many different options to choose from. Face-frame cabinets are a traditional choice made with a frame around the door and any drawers that might be included as part of the cabinets. Some additional options include full overlay cabinets, frameless cabinets, recessed panel cabinets, and Shaker cabinets. Homeowners hesitant to choose their own cabinets can work with a contractor and/or interior designer to find the option that aligns best with their current kitchen.
• Cabinet materials and finishes vary as well. Cabinets can be made from an array of materials, including wood, laminate, metal, and plastic. Cabinets also can be finished with paint, stain, glaze, and lacquer. Each finish has its own unique characteristics. For example, painted cabinets may need to be tended to with greater frequency than other options because paint can fade. However, painted cabinets remain popular because homeowners can paint them any color at any time.
• Consider the countertops when adjusting kitchen cabinets. Kitchens tend to have color schemes, and that scheme is often reflected in the color of cabinets and countertops. When tweaking just the cabinets, homeowners should give ample consideration to the overall color scheme of their kitchens. Interior designers can be invaluable resources for homeowners who aren’t quite sure how new or refaced cabinets will fit into an overall color scheme.
• Consider replacement if necessary. A kitchen cabinet replacement project will be more expensive than refacing the cabinets. But there are instances when cabinets require replacement. Excessive wear and tear, insufficient storage, a dated ap-
An understanding of kitchen cabinet projects can help homeowners decide if this undertaking is for them.
pearance, and cabinets that appear to be sagging off the wall are some indicators that replacement is necessary.
Updated cabinets can give a kitchen a whole new look, even if the cabinets are refaced instead of replaced.
Texoma Farm & Home
There’s no shortage of small projects that can change the look and feel of a home. Many of these undertakings can be achieved with a modest investment.
Small renovations that make a big impact
Homeowners may think they have to tear down walls or build room extensions to transform their homes with renovation projects. But small projects can yield impressive results, and that’s something homeowners working with limited budgets can keep in mind.
There’s no shortage of small projects that can change the look and feel of a home. Many of these undertakings can be achieved with a modest investment.
• Front door replacement: A new front door instantly improves curb appeal and can make a home more secure and energy-efficient. Painting the existing front door is an even smaller project that still offers appeal.
• Lighting addition: Whether a homeowner enlarges a window or adds skylights, natural light can produce incredible results. Investing in new lighting can feel like expanding a space without pushing out walls.
• Kitchen and bath fixture upgrades: Faucets and door pulls are used every day. Swapping existing fixtures for something a little more modern can unify spaces and provide subtle changes that enhance these popular spaces.
• Wood floor restoration: Scuffing and scratches can adversely affect the pristine look of a natural wood floor. Homeowners can polish a floor to restore its shine. A professional service will sand down and refinish older floors at a fraction of the cost of a
new floor installation.
• Exterior lighting: Lighting isn’t just important inside. A welcoming glow in the yard is awe-inspiring. There are many energy-efficient lighting options, including ones that do not need to be hard-wired to the circuitry inside the home.
• Staircase renovation: Coordinate the staircase to the style in the home with a decorative carpet runner. A secure runner is attractive and can help reduce slipping down the stairs. Tighten shaky railings or replace them while upgrading the stair treads.
• Interior paint: Change the color of walls, doors, cabinets, or even furniture with paint. All homeowners need is a paint color that inspires them and a little bit of time.
• Replace outlet covers: Upgrade outlet covers with screwless options. Screwless plates for outlets and light switches can make walls look more sleek.
• Entry organizer installation: Banish clutter from the home by catching it at the door. An entry organizer with spaces for shoes, coats, backpacks, and shopping bags can be eye-catching and functional.
• Carpets cleaning: Soiled carpets can look drab and dingy. Homeowners can rent carpet-cleaning machines or hire services to revitalize carpets with a deep cleaning.
Small changes around a home can create a big impact without breaking the bank.
Texoma Farm & Home
HOME
Backyard habitat: Attract winged friends with these bird feeders
Texoma Farm & Home
Birds are beautiful creatures that can make a lawn and garden feel even more serene. Providing snacks to supplement what birds naturally find in the wild guarantees up close and personal interactions with the scores of species that call neighborhoods home.
Bird feeders are particularly important in colder climates and during wintertime when food may be scarce. Keeping birds well fed helps them survive over winter and continue to repopulate in the spring. Bird feeding isn’t all for the birds, either. Ashley Dayer, an
associate professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech, argues that feeding birds also is a benefit to humans because it stimulates compassion for the animals.
The type of bird feeder a person places in the yard determines which species may be drawn to the property. The following are various types of feeders to consider.
Suet feeders
Suet cakes are high-energy food sources that attract birds like woodpeckers and nut-
hatches. They are particularly beneficial in colder months or regions where birds need extra fat for energy. These cage-like feeders snap around the rectangular suet cake and hang from a pole or tree.
Ground feeder
Ground feeders are simple screen-bottomed trays that sit several inches off of the ground or on a deck to help keep seeds and grain from coming in contact with droppings. Ground feeders are a favorite of juncos, sparrows, goldfinches, and cardinals, among others.
Sugar water feeder
These feeders come in different shapes, from tubes to round dishes, and are magnets to hummingbirds. They typically have red coloring to be more attractive to those highspeed flyers.
Nyjer bird feeder
Small birds like goldfinches love to dine on nyjer seeds, which are tiny, black thistle seeds. These feeders are tubeshaped mesh socks designed to hold this specific seed. The small feeding ports prevent seed waste and cater to the small beaks of finches.
Hopper bird feeder
These are the feeders many people think of when they envision bird feeders. Hopper bird feeders hold a large amount of seed and often have a roof or a design that mimics
a house or barn. The covered design helps to keep seeds dry and might be the best hanging feeder for people who live in areas with a lot of rain. Hoppers will attract blue jays, grackles, cardinals, and blackbirds.
Tube feeders
Tube feeders will attract an array of birds. They are cylindrical in shape with various ports to enable birds to perch and feed.
Window and smart bird
feeders
These types of bird feeders attach to windows to allow homeowners to view the birds up close. Smart varieties have cameras on the feeders that will send a feed via an app to a smart phone or computer. Some even may identify the bird species on the feeder at any given point in time. Bird feeders provide enjoyment for bird watchers and nutritious food various species.
