poetry

STAAR Testing

Some students in Texas are taking the state’s standardized tests. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: April 27, 2018

Can the Governor force a disgraced ex Congressman to compensate taxpayers for the costs of a special election to replace him? We’ll explore your questions. Also, the National Rifle Association is coming to Dallas for its national convention next week. A writer for the Dallas Morning News says its coming full circle in a sense, since two texans turned it into the group it is today. We’ll hear how and why. Plus, an idea to get more future teachers to turn their sights to rural Texas. And an unlikely pick from an unlikely place: football’s Cinderella story from San Antonio. Also, the man convicted of murder who’s helping the wrongly accused get of jail. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Pollen!

It’s that time of year when just breathing can be challenging in Texas. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Grackles Be Stealin’

Those loud, black birds are infamous across Texas — and they were the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Distracting Springtime Roads

In Texas, it’s that time of year when everything is blooming and it’s pretty hard to drive right by without stopping. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: April 6, 2018

There aren’t enough people willing to work, so say’s Texas shrimpers. Now the Texas agriculture commission is asking the Feds for help. We’ll hear what he’s hoping for. Also: a year ago, nearly 250 people were laid off from a factory in Ft. Worth. Now they’re being asked to come back and the factories on the rebound. A locomotive company rediscovers it mojo and what it means. Plus the week in Texas politicism, and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:

Break Room Etiquette

You can see the box of pizza or donuts in the break room. The scent draws you to it and you open it with anticipation — only to find crumbs and a dirty butter knife. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: March 30, 2018

Through hail and high water, communities in Texas stand again because the weather is NOT gonna keep us down. Join me for a virtual tour. We’ll hit Refugio, Port Arthur, Austin and even Washington DC. Plus, the bombs that destroyed the facade of racial harmony: we’ll tell you more. And who exactly is Ronny Jackson? And can he manage a 200 billion dollar budget? Also oil, cattle-ranching, big hair and Cadillacs. Nothing better than a good soap opera! Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Forgot Your Password?

Maybe you’re the type who has one password for every account. But, if you’re like us, you have a few that you alternate between — and remembering which one goes to which account can be maddening. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

The Afterlife of Antiques

Antique stores dot the Texas landscape – often taking over old gas stations or restaurants – and filled past the brim with the belongings of yesteryear. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Texas Standard: March 23, 2018

It’s been more than half a year since harvey and is anyone testing the water near Houston? Some reporters just did, and what they’re finding is alarming, we’ll explore. Also, much is being made of why officials aren’t calling the Austin bomber a terrorist. We’ll hear an explanation. And after a church shooting that stunned the world, Texas offers grant money for recovery. How will the millions help Sutherland Springs. Also, the often overlooked coastal safe rooms that may have saved hundreds of Texans lives, plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 16, 2018

Now more than 300 federal agents join police in the Texas capitol city to get to the bottom of a mystery over package bombs left on front stoops. Three bombs, two dead and a whole lot of questions, we’ll explore. We’ll hear about the first fatality, a talented 17 year old en route to UNT’s celebrated music program. Also, water scarcity in El Paso at the heart of a case before the supreme court. And in east Texas, the explosion that occurred 81 years ago this weekend. An event so traumatic people didn’t talk about it for generations. Now they’re trying to make sure the victims aren’t forgotten. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Tea

When you ask for “tea” when ordering in Texas, people make assumptions about what exactly you mean. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

What If Phones, But Too Much?

When’s the last time you were without your phone? It seems they’re always with us. In fact, maybe you’re reading Typewriter Rodeo on your phone…right now.

Texas Standard: March 9, 2018

For the first time in history a US president will meet with the leader of North Korea. Vindication of a strategy or something else? We’ll explore. Also, an accused pedophile has his conviction thrown out because a judge used electric shock to coerce testimony. What happens to the judge? Nothing, so far. So who’s policing the bench? And a new vision for computing as apple reaches out to visually impaired coders in Texas. Plus fangs for the memories: 60 years of the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup.That and the week in politics from the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: