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.
Typewriter
Ode to an Austin Icon
John Aielli is one of those people who truly made Austin weird. He was known for his genre-defying show and meandering conversations. Aielli wasn’t just an icon of the music scene but a companion in kitchens and on commutes for decades. He died on Sunday at age 76 and was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Snow Cones
It’s hot. Want to drink something cold? Many Texans turn to snow cones. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Drought Rain
The grass is so dry, it’s been crunching underfoot. The earth is dusty and cracked. And then — welcome rain. Not the kind we wish away but the kind we wish for more of. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Good News
The news has been heavy for a long time — full of stories of suffering and loss. It’s natural and healthy to want to take a break. But sometimes finding the good can feel difficult. That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Leaving (Maybe) on a Jet Plane
It’s summertime and the travel season has returned with intensity. Flights are packed and lines are long — and delays and cancelations are likely for a multitude of reasons. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Grackle
Some embrace them as the unofficial mascots of Texas cities — looking at you, Austin. But others are put off by their scavenger natures. The grackle inspired this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Great Resignation
The pandemic changed life as it once was. Many lost jobs. Others began remote work. Everyone took stock of what was most important. Even two years in, we’re not seeing a workforce that’s back to “normal.” That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
An Edit Button on Twitter
It’s not the biggest thing in the world. It may be the smallest — a misplaced letter, forgotten punctuation, clumsy thumbs. But it can obscure your message, change its meaning entirely, or just make you feel a little silly. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Nesting Bluebirds
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, three species of bluebirds make their homes in Texas during part of the year. Right now, you’re likely to see those pretty little birds building nests or caring for young. But don’t mix them up with their bigger, angrier cousins. This poem came by request from Texas Standard listener Chase Brooke.
The Texas Power Grid
In February of 2021, the Texas power grid was within minutes of total failure because of high demand in response to unusually cold weather. Most Texans went without power for some period of time — many suffered in the dark and cold for days. Some also lost access to water. Hundreds died. The following winter did not provide a true test of the grid infrastructure — but a very hot summer could. Texas Standard listener Katy Manck requested this poem.
SCOTUS
A leaked draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade has dominated this week’s headlines. It was the inspiration behind this week’s Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Belated Eggs
The Easter holiday has come and gone. But do you ever wonder if all those hidden eggs have really been found? Shelf-stable candy might not be a huge cause for concern. But those real eggs… That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Road Trips
Record-high gas prices might mean many are scaling back on travel plans. But the warming weather and (currently) loosened pandemic concerns make a short escape to enjoy the outdoors somewhere in Texas sound awfully appealing. At least that was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
United
With the primaries just behind us and mask mandates continuing to lift, the rifts between us all seem very evident — Who will you support come November? Will you still wear that mask? What do you think of X, Y, or Z major issue? But looking overseas to Ukraine, we can see evidence of what it looks like when people from the same country come together despite all those other differences. What would it look like if we decided to do the same? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Efficiency In Pharmacology
Research has been looking into the potential benefits and harms posed by psychedelic microdosing — that’s taking very small amounts of substances such as LSD or certain types of mushrooms. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Aren’t We All Winners, Really?
A text of affirmation or encouragement is often appreciated. But perhaps you are among the many who receive such texts from total strangers — or more like bots — and often with a suspicious link to claim a prize. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Sports in the Time of COVID
The Winter Olympics are going on — so is the Super Bowl. Some aspects of both of those huge sporting events look very different these days, others look exactly the same. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Them Ol’ ERCOT Blues
Texans have (so far) not experienced widespread blackouts this winter. Still, many prepared for the worst heading into Winter Storm Landon. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
A Deviant Variant Indeed
The omicron variant of COVID-19 is highly contagious and has caused a huge spike in case numbers. That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.