Welp, here we are…the last Thursday of 2022, and I’m sitting at my computer, hopped up on DayQuil, a semi-domesticated Corgi named Clifford snoozing contentedly under my feet, and absolutely nothing meaningful to say. Well, I have nothing meaningful to say; I can’t speak for Clifford. This seems to perfectly sum up my year, except for the dog. But let’s work with what we’ve got, shall we?
![](https://www.ericsiegmund.com/fireant/images/miscphotos/cliffordandsophie.jpg)
![](https://ericsiegmund.com/fireant/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/divider.gif)
Say, do you recall this post from a few years ago where I foolishly disclosed my plans to grow my own pecan pie from scratch, thanks to the efforts of a neighborhood squirrel? The tree that we carefully shepherded into the arborist equivalent of advanced childhood never even made it into puberty; the squirrels giveth and the squirrels taketh away.
We’re hoping for a different outcome for a different tree. Debbie harvested a few seeds from a local Texas mountain laurel, scarified and planted them, and lo and behold, one has sprouted and is growing like a…well…weed.
![](https://www.ericsiegmund.com/fireant/images/miscphotos/texasmountainlaurelseedling.jpg)
If you read about propagating TMLs from seeds, it sounds like there’s nothing to it, but we haven’t had a lot of luck in the past. Perhaps 2023 will be the year that we’re able to plant a homegrown tree that will eventually fill the air with the sweet aroma of grape soda.
![](https://ericsiegmund.com/fireant/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/divider.gif)
Christmas at Casa Fire Ant was a quiet affair…just the two of us, plus Clifford and Sophie, pictured above. At this time of life, Debbie and I pretty much pick out our own gifts and then feign surprise when we open them, although nowadays I can be surprised by something I wrapped myself, IYKWIM. I hit up James Avery for a couple of things she had picked out, and she gave me a custom creased cowboy hat from the Serratelli Hat Company.
It’s been decades since I’ve worn a so-called cowboy hat, but I’ve had a hankering for one ever since we move to the Hill Country and started frequenting dance halls. I had also never heard of Serratelli (and was a bit skeptical of the western styling capabilities of a company based in New Jersey) but as it turns out, they’ve been at it for almost 150 years. I was further reassured when my Army cavalry officer nephew informed me that while lower-grade officers wore Stetsons, higher ranking officers were often partial to Serratellis.
I have yet to try it out on the dance floor, but the most important person in my life likes the way it looks, so I’m pretty happy, too.
![Self-portrait of me and my new Serratelli cowboy hat](https://ericsiegmund.com/fireant/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mynewhat.jpg)
![](https://ericsiegmund.com/fireant/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/divider.gif)
Art comes in many forms, including ripped paper and black ink.
![](https://ericsiegmund.com/fireant/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/divider.gif)
I may have one last 2022 post in me, but I doubt that it will be very educational, and you know how I love to be educational. In fact, I’ll close this post with a lesson on how to be a better conversationalist at your NYE soiree. No need to thank me; this is just how I roll.
![Meme - How to be good at talking](https://ericsiegmund.com/fireant/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/talkinggoodmeme.jpg)
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Shoot cuz you could get a part on Yellowstone with that hat. You will need a horse though
Whew. I was afraid you were going to say SpongeBob SquarePants.
Unfortunately, I’m all hat and no horse. Or cattle.
Love the hat…and the mustache!
Thanks, Judy…I grew it myself! 😂 (The ‘stache, not the hat.)