Issuu

MEET TERRY WILSON A Soldier's Approach to Leadership

OCTOBER 2026

CALLED

TO SERVE STEVE SNELL A lifetime of leadership, hands-on approach, and a deep, personal commitment to Williamson County

KIDS & EDUCATION 10th Annual Soirée Coming Together for Kids

ASK A PRO Giving Birds Places to Cool Off

PEOPLE

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CONTENTS OCTOBER FEATURES 10 COVER FEATURE • Steve Snell's Personal Commitment To Williamson County 15 BUILT TO LEAD • Meet Texas Representative Terry Wilson 22 KIDS & EDUCATION • The Georgetown Project Collaborates at the 10th Annual Soirée Sponsored by InnerSpace Cavern

27 ASK A PRO • Wild Birds Unlimited 32 POPPY TALKS • The Flurbenknocker Problem

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Keep

CATHERINE

TOTTY FOR TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY

SHE’S ALREADY ON THE JOB. Current Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector 25+ Years Banking & Financial Experience Proven Executive Leadership Experienced in State & Federal Regulatory Compliance Catherine Totty is honored to be serving Williamson County as Tax Assessor-Collector. She's bringing decades of financial and leadership experience to the office with a focus on dependable service, accountability, and treating people right.

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WHO WE ARE

n an age where the rush of daily news often overshadows the deeper narratives that shape our community, the Georgetown View constantly strives to be an eager beacon of positivity and unity. Far more than just a lifestyle magazine, our publishers and staff are committed to creating a means of getting to know what makes our community thrive: its people and their impact. Since its inception in 2009, the Georgetown View has not only reported on the great stories and people in our city but also taken pride in actively contributing to its enrichment. Through donations exceeding $100,000 in advertising, we have extended our support beyond the printed page to organizations that further amplify the voices of those who work tirelessly to make a difference, ensuring their missions reach as many eyes and hearts as possible. But we are also good at doing what we do–showcasing prominent local businesses and community agencies and initiatives like ROCK, Georgetown ISD students, FFA, 4-H, and many more on our covers and in multi-page features. These not only celebrate their contributions but also inspire readers to personally engage and participate in the missions of these community pillars. In every story, from first responders and veterans to the latest city events and programs, our purpose is to foster a sense of pride and connection. In addition to these, every November our

PUBLISHER Cathy Payne • cathy@georgetownview.com SENIOR WRITERS / CONTENT EDITORS Ann Marie Kennon • Charlotte Kovalchuk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Linda A. Thornton • Steve Fought CONTENT MANAGER Camy Reynolds GRAPHIC DESIGN Ann Marie Kennon • Joni Mozis BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Jesse Payne WEBMASTER Ann Marie Kennon ADVERTISING 512.746.4545 info@georgetownview.com Georgetown View is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication and a product of AdvocateNewsTX Newspaper. Copyright © 2026 All rights reserved. Georgetown View is mailed monthly via USPS to homes and businesses in Georgetown, TX zip codes. Mail may be sent to: Georgetown View P.O. Box 203 • Jarrell, TX 76537

"Giving Thanks and Giving Back" issue shines a spotlight on local nonprofits and philanthropic efforts, reminding us of the power of community support and the importance of gratitude.

SCAN THE CODE FOR E-SUBSCRIPTION AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE.

In short, we believe the Georgetown View is more than a magazine; it is a vital part of the community’s fabric that spotlights advocacy, education, and celebration. We hope you will agree it stands as a testament to what we can all achieve when we choose to focus on the positive and the possible.

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City of Georgetown Prop A Street Maintenance Sales Tax

Election Nov. 3 ABOUT PROP A: Not a tax increase, but reauthorization of current 0.25 percent sales tax

Everyone who shops in Georgetown pays it, including visitors

Revenue dedicated to maintenance of city streets

It generated $7 million in 2025 313.5 lane-miles of city streets maintained since 2022

Approved by voters every four years since 2002

KEY ELECTION DATES: OCT. 5

OCT. 19-30

OCT. 23

NOV. 3

Last day to register to vote

Early in-person voting

Last day to apply for Ballot by Mail

POLLING PLACES, DATES, AND TIMES: wilcotx.gov

Election Day

ELECTION AND SALES TAX INFORMATION: georgetowntexas.gov

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COVER FEATURE

by Ch a r lot te Kova lc h u k a nd A nn Ma r i e Ke nno n Williamson County Judge Steve Snell serving lunch to Sheriff Matt Lindemann during Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

A Responsibility

He Made His Own I

Thirty-one years in public service taught JUDGE STEVE SNELL that leadership means showing up—especially with things get tough.

n the spring of 2025, after 11 years as superintendent of Liberty Hill ISD, Steve Snell was preparing to retire. He and his wife, Amy, were praying about a simple question: How can God still use me? Serving as County Judge had never been part of Snell's plan, but after Judge Bill Gravell resigned to work for the Trump administration, Steve studied the role and the work looked familiar: bring people together, prepare for emergencies, manage growth, protect public resources, and make decisions with consequences likely to be felt for decades. “I feel like my entire career led to this point and prepared me to do the job,” he says. “As weird as it sounds, I really do think God put me in this place for a reason and wants me to serve people as best I can.” 10

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SERVICE BEYOND THE BUDGET Since taking office in April 2025, Snell has approached the position as another form of public service. The work takes place in Commissioners Court and budget meetings, but its purpose is found beyond those rooms: in the deputy answering a dangerous call, the family stranded in traffic instead of gathering around the dinner table, and the child who will inherit the community being shaped today. Public safety is not just a budget line to Judge Snell. It means ensuring people who run toward emergencies have the staffing and support to do their jobs. The county’s 2026-27 budget added 47.5 full-time positions, nearly half in public safety, and includes $1.05 million for law-enforcement raises.

His regard for those officers also appears in quieter moments. On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Snell helped provide barbecue and stood behind the serving line, handing meals to Sheriff Matt Lindemann (above) and all the Williamson County deputies. It was a small gesture beside the scale of county government, but it revealed something spreadsheets don't: gratitude expressed personally.

WHEN THE WATER ROSE The devastating July 2025 floods put that experience to an immediate test. Three people died in Williamson County, while homes and RV parks were badly damaged. Judge Snell helped direct the county’s emergency response, but he was also boots on the ground in affected communities, working along-

COVER FEATURE

We did not wait. We took immediate action, and we felt we saved lives and property by doing that. ~JUDGE STEVE SNELL

side responders and residents as rescue evolved into cleanup, recovery, and repair. “One thing I’m very proud of Williamson County is we took immediate action,” the judge says. Afterward, he partnered with the Central Texas Community Foundation to establish the WilCo Cares Fund, helping displaced residents meet urgent needs and begin rebuilding. He also joined Central Texas leaders testifying before state lawmakers about emergency preparedness, infrastructure, and better flood-warning systems—carrying the lessons learned on damaged Williamson County roads and riverbanks directly to the policymakers.

WILCO IN THE FUTURE Rapid growth presents a slower-moving version of that challenge. Williamson County’s population is expected to double over the next 25 years and Judge Snell has lived that transformation before. As superintendent, he guided enrollment growth from about 4,000 to 11,000 students and oversaw more than $1 billion in building projects. Every new school represented children who needed a classroom before overcrowding became a crisis and county planning works the same way. Roads must be planned before traffic overwhelms a community. Emergency services must grow before response times suffer. Water must be secured before families and businesses discover there is not enough.

Judge Snell is looking even farther ahead on water. He spearheaded a $500,000 study of existing supplies and future possibilities, including groundwater, reuse, and regional partnerships. “I want to make sure we’re securing water for the next 50 years,” he said. His education career also shaped a collaborative style he summarizes in three words: “Communication, communication, communication.” Today, he works with elected officials, department leaders, and municipalities whose cooperation is essential to a county too complex for anyone to lead alone. Still, the most revealing images may be the least formal: talking with schoolchildren on the courthouse steps, celebrating a new community library, or sitting beside a local veteran. He and his wife Amy recently celebrated 30 years of marriage and remain active at Celebration Church in Liberty Hill. “We live here, eat here, play here,” he says. “Community service—it’s in my DNA.” Steve Snell was appointed to complete an unfinished term. Now he is asking voters for the opportunity to continue work already underway. As voters consider who should lead Williamson County, Judge Snell hopes they will look beyond the title to the responsibility he has already made his own.

“As superintendent, you’re locked into the success that they’re building,” Judge Snell says. “Now I get to do it on a bigger scale for so many other communities.” Under his leadership, the county has continued long-range transportation planning and secured approximately $131 million in federal funding for roadway and trail projects. For him, mobility is about returning time to people whose evenings should belong to their families, not to congestion created because government failed to prepare.

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TEXAS SIT-REP

Stor y and photos cont ri b ute d by Rep. Terr y W i l so n , T X D i s t 20 .

Meet

TERRY WILSON 

A SOLDIER’S APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION, AND TEXAS’ FUTURE Long before Terry Wilson began working on state budgets, education policy, workforce development, or emergency preparedness, he spent 32 years serving his country as an American soldier.

hat experience continues to shape the way Colonel Wilson approaches his work as the Texas House District 20 representative. His record in the Legislature reflects a leader focused not simply on identifying problems, but on understanding the systems behind them, bringing the right people together, and investing in solutions designed to put people over politics and work for the long term. Nowhere is that more apparent than in one of his signature priorities: education.

EDUCATION WITH A DESTINATION Public and higher education became a major focus for Wilson after he was elected to the Texas House. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III in 2021, he helped oversee the portion of the state budget responsible for public and higher education—more than one third of the entire Texas budget. But he has consistently argued that educational success should not be defined exclusively by a four-year college degree. His interest in vocational education began during his Army career. As an acquisition executive, Wilson was responsible for moving completed military research and development into production. He saw defense contractors rely on foreign partners

because the United States lacked sufficient domestic production capacity and skilled workers. For him, the shortage was more than an economic concern; dependence on overseas manufacturing could also put American intellectual property and national security at risk. That experience became a catalyst for his efforts to expand Career and Technical Education in Texas. During his tenure as Article III chairman, Wilson helped direct major investments toward P-TECH programs that allow schools to partner with com-

At a Glance

RETIRED U.S. ARMY COLONEL 32 years of service • Decorated Combat Veteran TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE House District 20 LEADER IN THE TEXAS HOUSE Chairman, House Committee on Higher Education FOCUS AREAS Education & Workforce • Higher Education Property Taxes • Defense & Veterans Infrastructure • Disaster Preparedness PERSONAL Married to Shannon for 30 years and father to William, a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, and Benjamin, a member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets. Rep. Wilson earned a BS in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and an MS in Strategic Logistics Plans and Management from the Air War University.

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School is back in session.

TEXAS SIT-REP

College is one path to success, not the definition of success.

munity colleges, technical colleges, and industry. Students can explore careers as early as seventh grade and work toward certifications, college credit, associate degrees, and workforce experience while still in school. The goal, he has said repeatedly, is to give students multiple pathways to success while ensuring workforce programs correspond to jobs Texas actually need. That philosophy continues today. Recent state investments include approximately $850 million in a permanent Texas State Technical College endowment, as well as programs supporting equipment and short-term training for high-demand careers. Wilson also advocates greater cooperation among school districts, colleges, workforce boards, and employers rather than asking students to navigate separate systems on their own. Providing that education, advising, and opportunity requires training and retaining highly qualified educators, which is why he has helped pass and fund $4.2 billion this past session to provide raises and competitive salaries for educators statewide.

PROTECTING TEXAS’ FUTURE Wilson’s military background is also evident in his work on defense, emergency preparedness, and higher education research. During his time as Chairman of the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, Wilson focused on protecting Texas military installations while strengthening the communities surrounding them. His priorities have included military family quality of life, professional license portability for military spouses, preventing encroachment around installations, and ensuring Texas remains positioned to attract new military missions.

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The same emphasis on preparedness extends to natural disasters. Wilson has advocated stronger coordination among local responders and state agencies and, following devastating 2025 Hill Country floods, served on the Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. He carried legislation in the House requiring outdoor warning sirens in flash-flood-prone areas and supported stronger emergency planning for youth camps. Now as Chairman of Higher Education, his work similarly connects economic growth with national security. Wilson helped lay groundwork for the Texas University Fund, which established a $1 billion investment fund to support university research. More recently, he authored and passed HB 127, creating a Research Security Council to help Texas institutions protect sensitive research and intellectual property from foreign threats.

GROWTH WITH ACCOUNTABILITY Closer to home, Wilson has also focused on problems created by Central Texas’ extraordinary growth. In Williamson County,

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that includes the rapid expansion of aggregate production operations—the quarries and facilities supplying the sand, gravel, and crushed stone necessary for roads and construction. He has pushed for reforms addressing air quality, noise, traffic safety, groundwater use, setbacks, and reclamation while acknowledging the industry’s importance to a growing state. That balance is characteristic of his approach: economic growth and infrastructure are necessary, but so are accountability, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and protection of communities affected by that growth. Across issues as different as school finance, skilled trades, military readiness, research security, disaster planning, property taxes, and infrastructure, a common thread emerges from Wilson’s years in office. The mission may change, but the method is familiar: identify what Texas will need next, bring the pieces together, and start building before the need becomes a crisis.

AFFORDABILITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY As Central Texas grows, Wilson has emphasized the importance of ensuring families and small businesses can afford to grow with it. Reducing the burden of property taxes remain central to that effort. He also supports reining in rapidly rising home appraisals, arguing that meaningful relief requires addressing the appraisal process that drives tax bills higher. Wilson has also backed efforts to reduce burdensome regulations on small businesses, which he describes as the heart of the Texas economy. On top of having passed the first meaningful property tax reforms focused on small businesses, his approach connects fewer regulatory costs with local job creation and relief from the rising expenses facing employers and consumers alike. Energy and insurance costs are part of the same affordability challenge. Wilson supports expanding energy production to lower utility bills and prices at the pump, as well as curbing lawsuit abuse that he says contributes to higher health, home, and automobile insurance premiums. He also helped pass the constitutional amendment permanently prohibiting a state income tax in Texas. As new industries reshape the region, Wilson has called for local data centers to be held accountable for their effects on surrounding communities. For Wilson, attracting investment must go hand in hand with protecting taxpayers, managing costs, and ensuring economic growth improves residents’ quality of life.

PROPERTY TAX Property taxes can be complicated, but Rep. Wilson helps make sense of the numbers, policies, and decisions that affect local property owners. Scan the QR code to review previous SIT-REP articles and insights on property taxes—gathered in one feed. Pol. Ad. Paid for by the Terry Wilson Campaign

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TRUSTED CONSERVATIVE. FEARLESS FIGHTER. KEEPING TEXAS STRONG. Protecting Seniors: Charles Schwertner passed strong laws to protect seniors from abuse and neglect. Supporting Schools: Charles Schwertner voted to pass the largest education funding bill in Texas history and raise teacher pay. Keeping Texas Safe: Charles Schwertner fought to give law enforcement the support they need to protect Texas families and keep our communities safe. Protecting Kids Online: Charles Schwertner voted to give Texas parents more control over what their kids access on social media. Fighting for Small Business: Charles Schwertner supports policies to cut red tape for small businesses and create high-paying Texas jobs. Protecting Property Rights: Charles Schwertner passed laws to protect private property rights against big government abuse of eminent domain.

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S O L DIE R Retired from the US military with over 30 years of service, Colonel Terry Wilson is a highly regarded senior leader within the Department of the Army. His commitment to the security of our state continues through his support for law enforcement, dedication to getting criminals off the streets, keeping boys out of girl's sports, and stopping the scourge of fentanyl. Terry brings his decades of experience serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, military intelligence solutions, and research & development, to secure our state’s borders and support our military families, active duty, reservists, and retirees alike.

S TAT E SM AN Terry has spearheaded, and passed, legislation improving property tax transparency, cutting property tax rates, increasing teacher pay, banning surprise medical billing, promoting affordable healthcare, and defending the rights of parents to have a voice in their children’s education. In 2023, Terry co-authored HB 8, bringing new opportunities to high school graduates and adult learners alike through our community colleges and technical schools. In 2025 Terry passed HB 127, protecting our state's investments in research and development from foreign adversary nations, helping bring industry and manufacturing investment to Texas.

S E RVAN T Active in faith based initiatives, a Rotarian, and former assistant scoutmaster, Terry has continued to serve central Texas in multiple forms. Terry brought together local, state, and military leaders after Winter Storm Uri to bring power, water, and other vital resources to stranded and endangered communities. As State Representative, he works to help the people and small businesses of Williamson County, cutting the red tape of state agencies and making sure no Texan gets left behind.

TerryWilsonforTexas.com

Pol. Ad. Paid for by Terry Wilson Campaign Terry Wilson is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in O C TO B E R 2 0 2 6 uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

KIDS & EDUCATION

by A nn Ma r i e Ke nnon • p h otos c ou rte s y Th e Ge or g e tow n Proj e c t

CELEBRATE AT THE SOIRÉE A COMING TOGETHER FOR KIDS

with the Georgetown Project, YMCA, and Boys & Girl Club

Ten years of collaboration have turned one festive evening into lasting support for Williamson County children and families.

eorgetown may look prosperous from the outside, but children here still go to school hungry, sleep in cars and move from couch to couch without knowing where they will stay next. For Rob Dyer, CEO of The Georgetown Project, those often-unseen struggles are precisely why the organization exists—and why it has spent nearly 30 years bringing the community together on behalf of its youngest residents. “The Georgetown Project identifies needs and develops resources for children and youth,” Rob says. “We’re leaders in youth development, and that’s what the project is based on.” Its cradle-to-career mission supports children from their earliest years through their first steps into the workforce. Bridges to Growth offers toddler play groups, parenting education, ESL classes and a newly launched GED program. For older students, The NEST provides transportation, homework help, enrichment activities and a hot, family-style dinner after school. Youth employment programs help teenagers gain practical experience and prepare for successful adulthood. Sometimes those programs become a lifeline. Kelly Manfredini, Director of Development, recalled a student whose family had been moving between hotels and sleeping in their car. Through The Georgetown Project’s youth employment program, he secured a paid internship and used his earnings to cover the first and last months’ rent on a home 22

O C TO B E R 2026

ipating organizations—a milestone that reflects what can happen when three groups with a shared commitment to children choose to work together.

for his family. He gained job experience, Kelly says, “but he also helped his family not be homeless.” Requests for food, clothing, shelter, and other basic assistance continue to grow, making collaboration essential. The Georgetown Project brings schools, nonprofits, businesses, city representatives, and community leaders together to identify gaps, avoid duplicating services and build the resources local families need. “We’ve all had help somewhere along the way,” Rob says. “What we’re trying to do is provide the support people need so they can be successful and grow up to be successful adults.”

TEN YEARS OF CELEBRATING TOGETHER That cooperative spirit will take center stage at the 10th annual Soirée, sponsored by SportClips and presented by The Georgetown Project, Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown, and Georgetown Family YMCA. Over the past decade, the Soirée has raised more than $2.5 million for partic-

More than 400 guests attended last year, and organizers hope to welcome 500 people for this year’s Havana Nights celebration. The casual evening inside the Cutter Aviation hangar will feature casino games, auctions, raffles, cocktails, food, and live music from local favorites Slim and the Fat Tones. While the setting is festive, the purpose is deeply practical. Proceeds help the three partner organizations provide safe after-school activities, family support, youth development programs, and assistance for children facing instability. The Soirée also gives supporters an opportunity to see themselves as part of that shared work. Guests are not simply attending a fundraiser; they are joining a 10-year tradition of neighbors, educators, businesses, and organizations investing together in the future of Williamson County’s children.

JOIN THE CELEBRATION Community members can help by purchasing tickets, becoming sponsors, donating auction items or participating in the evening’s games, raffles, and auctions. Businesses can also bring employees, host a table, or use the event to introduce others to the organizations serving local families.

KIDS & EDUCATION

Two weeks later, The Georgetown Project and the Williamson County Museum will continue the celebration with the first Evergreen Extravaganza at the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center. Businesses, nonprofits and community groups will decorate trees and wreaths for an auction culminating in a festive gathering the night after Georgetown’s Lighting of the Square.

Both events offer a joyful way to become involved, but their impact reaches well beyond a single evening. Every ticket, sponsorship and auction bid strengthens a collaborative network working to ensure local children are safe, supported and given a genuine chance to thrive.

10TH ANNUAL SOIRÉE: HAVANA NIGHTS Saturday, November 14 | 6pm Cutter Aviation Hangar, Georgetown Airport 60 S. Terminal Drive Scan the code for tickets and sponsorships.

1ST ANNUAL EVERGREEN EXTRAVAGANZA Saturday, November 28 | 5–8pm Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center 1101 Woodlawn Ave., Georgetown Benefiting The Georgetown Project and the Williamson County Museum

COUPON EXPIRES OCTOBER 2026

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PROPA

Increased Wages for Teachers and Staff

Research has shown that “high-quality teachers in the

T E A C H E R A N D S TA F F PA Y

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”

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Early Voting October 19 - 30, 2026 Election Day - Tuesday, November 3, 2026

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GIVE BIRDS A HEALTHY PLACE

hen Texas temperatures soar and rain becomes scarce, backyard bird baths become more than decorative garden features. They provide essential drinking and bathing water when natural sources may be drying up. “Bird baths can be even more important than feeders during extreme heat,” says Christina Darlington, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Georgetown. Birds often have abundant natural food during late summer and early fall, when plants go to seed, but clean water can be much harder to find. Birds also use water to maintain healthy, flight-worthy feathers. Bathing helps them preen, a process in which they clean their feathers and distribute protective oils. Christina's bluebirds are especially enthusiastic visitors. “They take a bath every day when it gets really hot,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll have 10 bluebirds in there having a pool party.” To keep that party safe, refill the bird bath at least once a day during extreme heat, when water disappears quickly through evaporation. Replace dirty water promptly, and thoroughly clean the basin approximately every five days—or as soon as algae appears.

to Cool Off

Routine Cleaning Empty the bath and scrub it with a brush or scouring pad reserved for that purpose. Stubborn algae or mold may require a small amount of diluted bleach. Hard-water deposits can be treated separately with vinegar. Never combine bleach and vinegar, and always rinse the bath extremely well before refilling it.

Place the bath in shade when possible to keep the water cooler and slow algae growth. Christina discourages metal baths in sunny areas because they can become very hot. Stone and granite also retain heat, while lightweight plastic basins are generally easier to move and clean. Moving water offers additional benefits. A bubbler, dripper, or mister can help birds notice the water and discourage mosquitoes, which prefer still water for laying eggs. Hummingbirds rarely use conventional bird baths, but they may fly through a mister or splash in gently bubbling or dripping water. If standing water is unavoidable, refresh it frequently and watch for mosquito larvae. Use only mosquito-control products specifically labeled as safe for bird baths and follow the directions carefully. Finally, consider predators when choosing a location. An elevated bath can help protect birds from roaming cats, while nearby shrubs or trees offer a quick escape route. Also, she advises, keep the bath where you can see it. You’ll be more likely to notice when it needs attention and you won’t miss the pool party. O C TO B E R 2 0 2 6

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POPPY TALKS

by A nn Ma r i e Ke nno n

THE FLURBENKNOCKER PROBLEM

ctober traditionally seems to invite witches into the conversation. But rather than wade into the annual debate over costumes, candy, and spooky supernatural things, I thought we'd go Biblical about it. Poppy had this epiphany a few weeks ago when her chronological Bible reached Ezekiel — arguably one of the weirdest books in the Bible. He is, after all, the prophet who opens with numinous fourfaced, four-winged creatures traveling alongside wheels within wheels covered in eyes. And just when you think you've adjusted to his particular brand of WTH, chapter 13 introduces women practicing divination with mysterious things sewn onto their arms and equally mysterious coverings on their heads. My Bible helpfully footnotes these with some version of, “The meaning of the Hebrew word is unclear.” Which is unfortunate. We 21st-century people aren't super tolerant of unanswered questions. I have access to nearly the whole of accumulated human knowledge in my pocket, so when I want to know what an obscure Hebrew veil looked like, I expect someone, somewhere, to have an answer. Never mind that this particular detail has absolutely no bearing on salvation. Poppy is nothing if not a "but I still must know" kind of person. Apparently everybody in the sixth century BC knew what Ezekiel was talking about, so nobody thought to leave instructions for those of us arriving 2,600 years later. For all we know, everyone in his little corner of Babylonia would flash a patronizing smile and explain, "Oh, that's a flurbenknocker." Perhaps the length of one's flurbenknocker indicated rank. Apprentice diviners wore a modest eight-inch model. Experienced sorceresses earned shoulder-length flurbenknockers, and Grand Mistress soul hunters trailed six feet of fabric behind them so they could demand significantly larger handfuls of barley. For the record, there is absolutely no biblical or archaeological support for the Flurbenknocker Seniority and Barley Compensation Schedule. The barley, however, is real. Ezekiel says these women profaned God for “handfuls of barley and scraps of bread.” Whatever their mysterious accessories were, apparently women could survive on divination fees and get paid in groceries. I was thinking about this while working at my computer, producing intangible things so clients can pay me via an

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invisible signal that changes numbers in my bank account. I then use those numbers to purchase things like wireless data—which I also can't see, eat, wear, or sleep under. Suddenly, getting paid in barley doesn't seem so dumb. In fact, imagine archaeologists 2,600 years from now trying to reconstruct my life from fragments of surviving text: “I spent all morning working in Photoshop and when the wi-fi went out, I put on my Skechers, filled my Yeti, and ordered DoorDash for lunch.” Everyone reading that sentence in 2026 knows exactly what happened. But our future scholars might spend decades debating the ritual function of the “shop of photos,” if Skechers were new divination accessories, why a Himalayan Bigfoot might in fact be empty of anything, and whether DoorDash was some defunct sporting competition focused on food. Eventually someone would publish an uppity paper concluding: “The precise societal worship of wi-fi remains unclear.” Poor Ezekiel never knew he needed footnotes. Neither do we, because we assume the people reading our words live in our world and understand our flurbenknockers. Maybe that's worth remembering when ancient Scripture sounds especially strange. These people weren't just characters in a Bible story. They got dressed, went to work, bought food, used slang, followed trends, and understood cultural references nobody bothered to explain. Their world made perfect sense to them. And I'm pretty sure ours will eventually sound completely bonkers too.

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