Family & Friends,
JAMES TALARICO
Texas needs a leader that leads with a strong, steady Christian witness. James Talarico is that kind of leader.
He doesn’t wrap
himself up in scripture to grab power– he actually lives his faith, always
standing up for the neighbors around him.
That’s why Christians are standing with him for U.S. Senate...including evangelicals!
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| https://www.evangelicalsforabetterfuture.com/ |
A Man of Faith
At the center of everything James stands for is his faith. The grandson of a Baptist preacher, he, like myself, attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master’s in Divinity.
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| James Talarico leading worship service, APTS, 2025. |
He did it while serving in the Texas House of Representatives. For him, faith isn't a talking point. His life and career are rooted in the teachings of Jesus: love God and love your neighbor. He says that faith is the very reason he entered public service in the first place.
A Man Who Lives to Serve
A Teacher First
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| Talarico was a school teacher before winning his seat in the Texas House of Representatives |
Before James was a legislator, he was a sixth grade teacher
in one of the poorest zip codes in Texas. He saw, up close, what happens to a
child when they lose support. He hasn’t forgotten those children. They are why
he fights for public schools, and for every child sitting in one.
Meeting Families Where They Are
James Talarico knows firsthand that Texans are being squeezed by an affordability crisis that forces impossible choices. To him, real family values mean meeting families where they are — with paid family leave, affordable child care, and honest respect for the dignity of every family.
And this isn't just talk. As a state representative, James
led the fight to cap insulin copays at $25 a month in Texas, helped open the
door for Texas to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, and made
affordable child care one of his legislative priorities. He understands that
working families are struggling — and he's spent his time in office actually
doing something about it.
An Eighth-Generation Texan
James Talarico is an eighth-generation Texan. His roots here
run deep, and so does his care for where this state is headed. You can see it
in what he's actually done — from teaching in a public school classroom to
serving in the State House, he's kept the people he serves at the center of it
all.
He has a vision for Texas: schools that are the envy of the
nation, families that are stronger and healthier than ever, and an economy
that's second to none. As he puts it, "A giant state deserves giant
dreams."
The Leader Texas Deserves
James isn’t running for office to be served. He runs to
serve. Scripture asks us to look after the poor, the worker, the family barely
making it. James has built his work around that calling. He doesn't see this
race as a contest for power, but as a chance to put service ahead of self. A
lot of politicians talk about service. Fewer can point to the years that prove
it.
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| Greetings! There have been |
Setting up the New Home
My Monthly Meditations
September:
"Christian Nationalism is a
threat to American values"
"Always at my feet"
My Favorite Recipes
"Patriotic Icebox Cake"
My Favorite Quotes
Also in Terry's Library
including my current booklist,
my own poetry and written works
HOME & FAMILY
including my paternal & maternal
Ancestry Research
EDUCATION & CAREER
including pics of recent reunions
with former colleagues
FAITH & SPIRITUALITY
including the books that shaped
my spiritual thinking
LISTENING & VIEWING
including the Podcasts I enjoy
and Streaming recommendations
TRAVEL & LEISURE
including a photo gallery
of my favorite memories
of my Written Works:
MY POETRY
New for 2026:
"Porta-Potty Nightmare"
of WWI Veteran
Anton Janyska
MYSTERY:
"A Mostly Messy Murder"
(Excerpt)
COMEDY:
"Tales of Bubba -
Divine Interventions
Don't Always
Come Pretty"
SHORT STORY:
Beard v. Curtis -
The 1893 Shootout
at my maternal family's
dance pavilion
MY POETRY
FEATURED POET:
Arthur Sze
FRIENDS & FAMILY
If you were to meet me,
you'd hear me talk about ...
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| Chad and I, 1996. |
Chad and I have been friends for 30 years. We've had a lot of great times together. Check out a few of our excursions in my Travels section - including places like Berlin and Oregon. Travels aside, my favorite things we do together are at home -- preparing meals in the kitchen together around the holidays or cycling.
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| Chad & I cycling around Granger TX, 2026! |
Chad recently transitioned his Mom from his hometown of Jefferson to his home in Austin. Linda is a delight and I enjoy learning about their family history from her. Oh, and by the way, she's a badass Yahtzee player!
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| Photographer Matthew Lemke (r.) and myself were graciously invited to the home of our mutual friend Chad and his mom Linda this past Thanksgiving. Following our wonderful meal, we enjoyed seeing Wicked at nearby Alamo Theater - Mueller. |
My friend Dwight
I've known Dwight for 30 years also.
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| Dwight & I standing in front of our summer 2003 digs in Amsterdam. |
check out a few of our European summers in my Travels section - including England, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
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| Sagres, Portugal, 1999 |
Today Dwight and his partner Vincent
live in Travis Heights, Austin
and I don't get to see them
near as much as I'd like...
birthday get-togethers mainly.
We enjoyed our time recently
at the
Austin Mediterranean Festival
at St. Elias Orthodox Church
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| Dwight and I (above) along with Chad and Vincent (below) enjoyed gyros, baklava, gelato... and great Greek music and dancers! |
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| Me with buds Chad & Dwight trolling the food trailer park on S. Congress - Austin TX |
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| Joe and I, 2010. |
Joe and I have been friends for 25 years. We first met when I arrived in south Austin as part of the founding faculty opening Akins HS. He was the district supervisor for Social Studies. After my years in the classroom, I then went to work for him at Central Office.
Joe and I enjoy seeing movies together - especially epic historical dramas.
We get together often for dining out with our mutual colleague Sharon Kay (my former department chair at Akins). In April they took me out for my birthday. (pic below)
Jan and I have known each other for 35 years. She was the campus nurse when I attended Southwestern University. A few years later when I was in graduate school (seminary) doing my chaplaincy internship at Scott & White Hospital, she had started a nursing position there and we found ourselves car-pooling together.
A couple of our recent excursions --
Memorial for S.U. Art Professor
Star Varner
by Star Varner (in foreground).
Jan and I also recommend
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| Head Sushi Chef Shannon knows her stuff at Uchi |
with our 3 Aunts
Sandy, Sharon, Debbie
behind us.
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| I don't know what I would have done without the support of my Aunts during my Mom and Dad's final years. I'm especially grateful to Angie and Sharon. |
We love shopping & dining out
A Special Aunt
Terry's Family
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| Update on Mom & Dad |
is a fireman.
It was great watching what a proud Dad he was in April 2025
as we celebrated my niece Lauren’s wedding.
Lauren did an amazing job orchestrating the big event
Check out the pics!
recent A&M grad,
got a sparkly new
bauble on the final
stop of her European
summer tour.
Congrats to Lauren
& fellow Aggie, Will!
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| Looking forward to the big event - April 25, 2025 !!! |
niece Lauren [b 2001] and nephew Trevor [b 1999]
grow up together.
tied the knot over a year ago.
I enjoyed shopping sprees with them at Christmas and Birthday times. And especially loved watching from afar the joy and smiles they provided their grandma and grandpa, my folks.
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| CLICK HERE to see Terry's Family History |
It's a wonderful thing witnessing a family's legacy, it's very future, unfolding before you.
I may not be too crazy about the getting older part, but I certainly wouldn't wish Time reversed only to lose these happy chapters in our family's story.
Cheers to the happy couples!
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My brother Kelly and his wife Stacey!
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who came to my party on
April 16, 2023.
be with those who've been
a blessing in my life and made
my 60 years so enjoyable. And,
I wanted to give back to you
in a small way on this special day.
I enjoyed all the wonderful
side dishes you provided
alongside my barbecue!
+ View PARTY PICS
March 1, 2025:
A Joyous Reunion
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Throughout my life, I've credited her with bringing me out of my adolescent introverted shell by encouraging me to take the stage in the UIL One-Act Play competition.
It filled my heart with gladness and joy to be able to see her again and to have the opportunity to thank her for all she did for me.
Book Reviews & Recommendations
are found in my Reading & Writing section.
on my Monthly Meditations. [Email]
Featuring:
the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway, Multnomah Falls, Crown Point's Vista House, Silver Falls, Devil's Punch Bowl, Bridge of the Gods, Bridal Veil, Corvallis, Manzanita, Pittock Mansion, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Tillamook Creamery and much more...
Thank you Tyler G. for your March 1 note:
"Hello. My name is Tyler and I came across the link to your blog while viewing your LinkedIn profile. I read your Meditation on new beginnings. I've been worried about a buddy of mine who still struggles from time to time with a dark period he went through in the past. I wanted you to know I sent your essay to him because he needs to hear your words. I hope he takes them to heart and finds a way to move on. And I wanted to say thanks."
Thank you Brian Z. for your July 4 note:
"God Save Us From Trump, indeed! Dude, great work, thank you for recording every one of those! But, you do know they're not listening? That's how we know it's a cult."
Thank you Crystal C. for your October 10 note:
"This is wonderful Terry!...I love the way you have your blog set up!"
"Your story about your Mom and the JFK Assassination was beautiful. My Mom also would often talk about where we were on that terrible day. Your summation on the significance of that event for our country was also appreciated - [I] can tell you were a good teacher."
Enjoy looking through my Library
Avoid the 3 PsBsSs
Processed Foods, Phthalates, Plastics;
Beef, Butter, Breads;
you’ll be feeling better in no time!
Avoid the 3 F’s
misinformation, fear, anger and hate!
JOIN ME IN ENSURING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY!
JOIN ME IN ENSURING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY!
I drink it morning through late afternoon.
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| Best Bean Ever! |
While on vacation in Oregon I fell in love with the many varieties I discovered at Portland Coffee Roasters.
