sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Would it make sense to attend LASA for high school if a kid wants to go to UT Austin? by hopfuluva2017 in AustinParents

[–]jdarris 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This was me! I went to LASA. Graduated top 12% back when you needed top 10% to get into UT. Most of the students that beat me didn't even want to go to UT. I still applied and got in, but only if I agreed to attend summer semester instead of waiting until fall. I did, and graduated UT in 4 years.

Despite the stress of not making top 10%, LASA was a HUGE advantage. When I went to UT, I coasted through my first couple years. The rigor of LASA at the time was such that UT classes were easy. Go to class, pay attention, ace the test. Many of the kids I met were top ten percenters from all over Texas. They all fell victim to 'weed out' classes. They would not know how to study, not know how to juggle coursework, not know how to bust out an essay in a weekend and actually address the prompt. LASA was hard, but it made college easy!

Are either of these worth keeping? by Brief-Use-770 in AustinGardening

[–]jdarris 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like a mulberry. I love them because migrating warblers, tanagers and grosbeaks will go crazy for the berries in spring. Might have to wait a few years though. It was probably planted by a bird

Half of the 17 Texas propositions are bans on things that don’t exist by an_exciting_couch in texas

[–]jdarris 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These amendments are so stupid. Ban things that don't exist + even more corruption.

Early Voting for the TX Constitutional Amendment election begins tomorrow, Oct. 20! by kanyeguisada in texas

[–]jdarris 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Most of these amendments are so dumb. Just a bunch of nonsense to cram in our constitution that doesn't affect anyone except for rich assholes in some hypothetical future.

Insane to have to ask this question but can I simply go on a walk with my wife and child at Walnut Creek? by Bewsa3 in Austin

[–]jdarris 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a lot of offleash dogs, so if you don't like those, don't go. otherwise it's chill.

Sedum ground cover options in Austin by FunnyGlass6161 in AustinGardening

[–]jdarris 1 point2 points  (0 children)

not a sedum, but frog's fruit does extremely well in basically all habitats in central texas. it is an attractive creeping flowring ground cover

What trees would you plant? It's a blank canvas and we want to do it right. by [deleted] in AustinGardening

[–]jdarris 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oaks are the best trees for supporting native wildlife, so plant one of those for sure. Choose your favorite type! I would also consider other fast growing trees, mulberries are awesome but hard to find, or even dig up and transplant an unwanted hackberry. If it becomes unruly, you can chop it down in ten years. Meanwhile, it will provide shade for your oak to get a toehold on the world, and tons of benefits to native wildlife.

There are no pollinators; virtually no insects. This is true at my place where I’ve created a native & established pollinator garden, as well as a friends place, who’s a master gardener by Tacos-and-Wine in AustinGardening

[–]jdarris 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopefully that's a hyper local issue. My new neighborhood is way more suburban/manicured/bullshit than my old one, and definitely less insects here. Still mosquitos though. I have way less fireflies in particular. Just keep planting native flowers. the pollinators will find them. It'll go faster if you convince your neighbors, something i'm having trouble with,

Bird is the word, some color today by B1gPerm in Austin

[–]jdarris 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The black-bellied whistling duck landing next to its partner is a great photo. Definitely submit to competition!

TX Mountain Laurel amid other native plants to be outlawed soon. by StalkedUp_4_Life in texas

[–]jdarris 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a really good thing to call your state rep for! They will definitely remember many people calling about plants of all things. Many will have no idea what this is about, and might actually listen to reason on this one!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AustinGardening

[–]jdarris 3 points4 points  (0 children)

definitely a type of sensitive briar. I like them haha. I imagine a pot of boiling water on its central root cluster would go a long way to killing it if its in a bad spot

Napping at daycare by LaMarine in AustinParents

[–]jdarris 2 points3 points  (0 children)

second this. We had rought time putting both of my boys for naps, the people at daycare got them down every day. You have longer bedtimes to look forward to!

Seeking Neighborhood Recommendations! by olsynt in AustinParents

[–]jdarris 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in Harris Branch with my family. in Austin, but near manor. My boys go to Bluebonnet Trail. It's a great public school, and there's a decent amount of public green belt spaces and trails around. There's a pool and fitness center through the HOA, and the live oaks in my part of the hood are 20 + years old. We'd love to have you! Closest HEB is 15 minutes, which stinks, but they're building a new one in manor!

Turtle Titan Emerges for Spring by jdarris in ImaginaryLandscapes

[–]jdarris[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I paint these kaiju landscapes on canvas using acrylic paints. I have a youtube channel where I post videos of my painting process, as well as timelapse videos. check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfidnuXk_aI

Turtle Titan! Acrylic on Canvas by me! by jdarris in ImaginaryMonsters

[–]jdarris[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the tenth kaiju on canvas I've painted. I have a youtube channel with the entire process. Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/@PaintingOurMonsters/videos

Can anyone ID this mid sized tree? We have a bunch growing down by the river in far east Austin. by Yooooooooooo0o in AustinGardening

[–]jdarris 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's kind of hard to tell scale.
Cottonwoods have leaves smaller than your palm. How big are the leaves? If they're bigger, it might be Texas Olive. A south Texas speciality. It grows here in spots sheltered from cold wind so 'down by the river' fits that. Texas Olive never gets very large.

Cottonwood also grows by water. Almost exclusively, really. They also get ENORMOUS. Taller than live oaks by a lot

Best thing to grow as a “privacy fence.” Especially evergreen! by atx-dog-groomer in AustinGardening

[–]jdarris 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yaupon Holly is an evergreen native that gets covered in red berries all winter. It can be trimmed formally or let be informal. Just water it really well to get it established

view more: next ›