Laura Rice

Foodie Vibes

Trying something new and different can be fun — but may also leave you wanting a little more. That was the inspiration behind this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

All the Holidays All at Once

Tis the season for a trip to any retailer to make you feel very confused about the actual date on the calendar. Is it really time to buy egg nog already? What happened to that bag of Halloween candy I saw here last week? Are those — little Santas?? That inspired this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Fading Light

We’re all experiencing darker evenings after setting the clocks back an hour last weekend – the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Imperfect Song

Early voting in the Texas midterm elections is coming to an end and voter turnout so far is down. That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem. Election Day is Nov. 8.

Texas Standard: November 04, 2022

It’s the last day to vote early in the midterm elections but Texans haven’t been showing up at the pace they did last time; we’ll look at why. And one of the races on every Texan’s ballot is for state comptroller. So what exactly does the comptroller do and what separates the two top party candidates? Also on the ballot may be a change to your city charter, what’s that mean and what’s at stake? And we’ll meet a 75-year old Texan running his 75th marathon. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

The Flood

Drought has crept back over much of Texas. Now, a burst of rain provides much-needed moisture to a parched land. The challenging, perhaps heartbreaking ebb and flow of this weather pattern was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

A Toddler’s Nightmares

Bath time, teeth brushing, stories, songs. The little one seems all settled — and then — a scream, a call, a cry. What could possibly be the matter? That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Overburdened Teachers

The school year is now well underway. Routines are set. If things seem to be moving smoothly, we have teachers to thank. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Something About the Fishes of Texas

The Typewriter Rodeo operates by request. And this request by a Texas Standard listener named Amanda left our poet a lot of room for interpretation. Want to request a poem? Just email texasstandard@kut.org.

The Joy of Summer Fruit

The calendar is officially fall but you may not be ready for pumpkin spice just yet. Thanks to modern appliances, summer standouts can still be enjoyed for months to come. That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

August’s Revenge

The calendar says fall but the temperature gauge does not. Is it August again? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Low Water

The last several weeks brought a bit of much-needed rain to most of Texas. But it hasn’t been enough to offset months of drought. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: September 12, 2022

Four months after Uvalde, what do we know about the role of the Texas Department of Public safety in the response? A deep dive into the history of Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw and the role he played (or didn’t) during the state’s deadliest school shooting. Also, Migrants are being released into the streets in El Paso, that’s because detention centers and shelters to support them are full. And energy prices are very high in Europe; we’ll look at energy weaponization. Also, what does it mean to re-wild and why is San Antonio an example of this tactic? These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Giant Cacti

This poem is about a plant — not a person. But in the wake of the sudden passing of an enormous political and historical figure, it’s easy to see parallels. A cactus was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem — but it’s lasting presence is similar to the seven decade reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Uvalde: What’s Next? – A Texas Standard Special (Rebroadcast)

Texans are still reeling from the stories of Uvalde. But are schools any safer now? Today we’ll hear from Texans: students, educators, experts in crime and mental health. But also victims and survivors. We’ll sort through going back to class in the wake of the state’s deadliest school shooting. Uvalde: What’s Next? A special rebroadcast on today’s Texas Standard:

It’s Finally Under 100 Degrees

There’s nothing unusual about long, hot Texas summers — except that this year’s severe drought has made this one feel particularly long and hot. Indeed, we did break some heat records across the state. But, wait, what’s that? Rain? A breeze? That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Early Morning Haze

Students across Texas are headed back to class. Parents and caretakers are readjusting to the school schedule. Everyone is figuring out how to get enough sleep with the new demands. That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Turtle Crossing

Who needs your help and what does it really mean to lend a hand? Those are the bigger, underlying questions that serve as the backdrop of this seemingly simple Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Uvalde: What’s Next? – A Texas Standard Special

Texans are still reeling from the stories from Uvalde. Are schools any safer now? We take a look today on a special edition of the Texas Standard. We will hear form Texans, students, educators, and experts in crime and mental health, but also victims and survivors. We’ll sort through going back to class in the wake of the states deadliest school shooting, today on the Texas Standard:

Ode to Summer

The season doesn’t technically change for another month, but the start of the school year starts to make a shift towards fall. It’s been a hot, dry summer in Texas and many are ready to move on. But, before we do, this Typewriter Rodeo poem highlights a few things we’ll miss.