Drought conditions throughout much of the state this summer likely will mean lower wildlife numbers this hunting season. Deer, quail and turkey numbers will be affected. Fewer forbs and reduced nutritional value in browse and other food crops along with typical predation are contributing factors. Learn more about hunting conditions for this season here.

The rains this past week were great across the state but be on the watch for armyworms in your hay pastures especially your coastal Bermuda fields. Armyworms can devour grass quicker than almost any other pest so be very diligent in watching for them in your fields. Learn about your regions weather here.

Traci calls me a coffee snob, but I prefer the term “fan.”

Specifically, I like a triple Americano with a touch of coconut oil take the edge off. Also, in case you are wondering (and if you are an espresso fan, I know you are), I DON’T use espresso roast for my espresso, I use Ruta Maya medium roast coffee beans; freshly milled seconds before the shots are pulled.

By the way, this has everything to do with groundwater in the Texas hill country…

By now you are probably thinking that I am very fond of my espresso machine. You would be correct. It’s a vintage 1993 Rancilio S-27, plumbed for water and drainage. Pure nineties Italian flair in the corner of our otherwise understated hill country kitchen around which the machine was