Summer tends to slow me down. The heat demands it. It moves slowly like lava, engulfing everything. Summer swallows my work and social calendar until they resemble the pace of the unhurried sloth. The sloth moves with utmost intention with no wasted movements at a glacial pace. I call this time of year when life shifts into slow motion, High Summer.
In High Summer, the buzz of busyness surrounding holidays is out of sight, kids are out of school, and everyone is out of the house trying to take advantage of the extended sunlight, usually by diving into the nearest pool, lake, or ocean. Some less intelligent beings, the author included, attempt to "beat" the heat by playing golf starting in the afternoon. The pros of this are that you play quicker because it's too hot for normal, well-adjusted people to play at that time. The con is dehydration and unsightly sunburns, which are guaranteed unless proper prevention measures are taken.
Amidst the symphony of cicadas and chickens clucking in dirt baths, and dogs giving half-hearted glances but no chase to passing squirrels, High Summer brings with it a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. It's a season of indulgence, where the flavors of iced tea and barbecue mingle in the air, and the evenings are best spent in the company of loved ones, sharing stories and laughter (and some wine) late into the night.
Light fabrics and vibrant colors reign supreme, reflecting the laid-back attitude that pervades the season. It's a time for breezy linen shirts and straw hats, for sandals, boat shoes, and loafers worn with abandon and sunglasses perched on sun-kissed noses.
While Fall may hold the promise of change and new beginnings, High Summer stands as a reminder to pause, to savor the present moment, and to embrace the simple pleasures that come with a season of sun-soaked days and balmy nights.
-M.D.G.
If you’re a frequent traveler, and I use that term loosely. Really, if you leave the country more than two times a year, sign up for Global Entry.
My wife has had it for years. I never got around to it and when we returned from the Grand Caymans recently I died a little inside when I saw her breeze through customs in under 3 minutes. I watched her come and go as I stood in line with every other U.S. citizen in the normal line, feeling like a shmuck, waiting for over 30 minutes. She's was probably already in the lounge with a cocktail.
If you're on the fence about applying for Global Entry, here a few reasons why I think you should take the plunge and do it.
1. Effortless Re-Entry into the Country
Nothing sucks more than coming back from an amazing vacation and standing in a long line at customs. There’s no worse way to end a perfect trip-trust me. Like I said previously, with Global Entry, you can skip the hassle and breeze through customs, making your re-entry into the country quick and painless.
2. Cost-Effective with Travel Credit Cards
Worried about the cost? Many travel credit cards will cover the $100 application fee (goes up to $120 in October) for Global Entry as a perk. I have the Amex Platinum and it covers it.
3. Global Entry members automatically receive TSA PreCheck.
Both are part of the Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler Programs. But if you get approved for Global Entry, you automatically receive TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck are shorter security lines at the airport where you can keep your shoes on and keep your electronics in your bags. This a major bonus, seeing as the TSA PreCheck application costs $70 on its own.
4. Simple Application Process
Applying for Global Entry is straightforward. The most time-consuming part is the in-person interview at the airport, but it’s a small price to pay for the convenience you gain. You’ll need to schedule an interview, but once approved, the benefits are well worth it.
I did my interview when I was reentering the country. They told me I was eligible (I already did the online application) and they sent me to a different booth for the interview. It took 5 minutes.
5. Easy Application Link
Applying for Global Entry is simple, and you can start the process here.
Don't end a great international vacation waiting in an endless customs line questioning every life choice you've ever made. You deserve better. Sign up for Global Entry.
Building a new house is more than just constructing a physical structure; it's about creating a space that reflects who you are and the life you want to live. For us, this journey began with a vision of blending the charm of the old South with the conveniences of modern living. When our family acquired five acres of undeveloped land near Austin, where my wife has kept her horses since she was a young girl, we knew we had found the perfect canvas for our dream home.
Let’s briefly get into why we settled on building a traditional farmhouse and the influencing factors. First and foremost, the land already has horses on it. It's just five acres, and we have neighbors close by, so a Greek Revival-style home with its grand columns would look out of place. While I love the elegant aesthetic of Greek Revival homes, they are more suited to sprawling estates. This was a “pull me back down to Earth” moment. Because overall, we wanted a home that would blend seamlessly with its surroundings, a house that looked like it could have been there for generations rather than something that turns into an eye-sore and jumps out at you.
Moreover, we considered the location. Being in Texas, we felt it was important to build a house that respects and reflects the local architectural traditions. There are a lot of ranch houses in Texas and a traditional farmhouse fits more naturally into the landscape here, evoking a sense of history and belonging. Think of the farmhouses built out of limestone with tin roofs in the Texas Hill Country. This style allows us to create a home that feels authentic to its environment, rather than imposing an incongruous design that might not be appreciated by our neighbors or future generations.
Onto the floor plan. First, for my wife, an open floor plan was a non-negotiable, it fosters a sense of togetherness and allows for easy interaction with guests. We don’t negotiate with terrorists, and we don’t negotiate floor plan designs. I understood the practicality of the open floor plan, but I also appreciated the charm of a closed floor plan with distinct rooms. But when it came down to it, I really didn’t have a leg to stand on when my strongest arguments were a drawing room, and a dining room would be historically accurate and would make our windows even. Ultimately, to my wife’s credit, she sketched out our 3,200 square foot two-story house on her own. She drew the rooms to scale and made sure our draftsman followed her plan to a “T” while building it in his software. Next we’ll get into the floor plan and I’ll explain why we made some of the choices we did.
We decided to build a two-story house, so it allowed us to save as much of the land as possible while accommodating our needs. Building up instead of out makes sense for us. We’re blessed to have this land and want to keep as much of it as possible.
The main living areas are designed to be the heart of our home, where we can gather with family and friends. The living room, with its cozy fireplace and large sliding windows, will provide ample natural light and open to the covered back patio, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. This space will connect effortlessly with the kitchen, emphasizing our desire for a home that encourages interaction. The kitchen is my wife’s heart. It’s her baby. It’s her Mona Lisa, I can’t wait to see how it ends up. It will feature a farmhouse sink, a large pantry, and I was able to convince her to carve-out a space for a wine fridge (the dual 300 bottle plus kind), and a bar for more casual eating.
Onto the bedrooms, creating comfortable and functional sleeping and bathing spaces was a top priority for us, obviously. The master suite will be a spacious bedroom with a view of the back of the property, including the horse barn. It will also have sliding doors that open onto the back covered porch. The en-suite bathroom will feature a free-standing bathtub and shower. I love a good bath and stand by the free-standing tub. The rest of the bathroom kind of squeezes the shower into the corner but it’s something I can live with, at least before I see it.
Walk-in closet is a must. This is why you build a custom home. Designing that closet and how it holds my suits and shoes will be like Christmas for me. It’s also split kind of down the middle but it’s better than our system now where my wife’s clothes are half in her closet then in our guest closet.
We've also planned for one guest bedroom on the first floor, with a bathroom that can be accessed through the guest room or the kitchen. It’s a risky move so don’t forget to lock both doors if you’re ever at our future house! Additionally, there will be three more bedrooms upstairs. The idea is that the two with the adjoining bathroom will be for future kids and the game room will be a billiards room until it’s a game room for kids.
Another major advantage of building a custom home is incorporating specialty rooms into our floor plan that ensures that our home will meet all our practical and personal needs. The mudroom/utility room, essential for a property with horses, will provide storage for boots and outdoor gear and easy access to the outdoors. It will include a sink, spots for a washer and dryer, a bench, and space for a freezer. The sink will have ample counter space for folding laundry, making this room incredibly functional.
My home office and or study will be my Mona Lisa. Given that I’m working from home right now, having a dedicated spot is imperative. It’s also big enough to use as a drawing room for entertainment. The furniture I eventually pick out will reflect its multi-purpose. Think small desk in corner vs. big banker desk placed predominantly. I’ve planned for built-in bookshelves to take up one wall for now in the study, with the possibility of adding more later. It will also feature a walk-in closet, which I’m considering converting into additional wine storage.
I originally was pushing hard to have a ventilation system put in similar to what Kirby Allsion has in his home that allows him to smoke cigars inside, but I couldn’t find one person who would take my side on this. Including one of my best friends who is in the a/c business. It’s a tough loss to take but it’s the open the possibility for a future golf simulator shed/cigar smoking area separate from the house.
We've also included a powder room under the staircase in the foyer—a great use of space that will be convenient for guests and family members alike.
The process of drawing exactly what you want in a new house has been a deeply rewarding journey, and our floor plan reflects the vision we have for a timeless, welcoming home. Each detail in the floor plan from the kitchen pantry to the specialty rooms and porches, has been carefully considered to create a modern functional space. As we move forward with the construction process, I’ll continue to share updates and insights. In our next post, we’ll delve into what excites me the most about this process, the traditional details! We’ll cover the process designing the exterior, including how I was able to draw in a wrap around front porch, after I was told it was impossible, the importance of getting the columns right, and our experience hiring an outside consultant to help bring that old soul feel to our home.
We’d love for you to follow along on our journey as we build our dream home. Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments and let us know about your own home-building or renovation experiences. Your input and stories are invaluable to us as we navigate this exciting process. Stay tuned for more updates and stories from and join us as we continue to create a new house with an old soul, one step at a time.