Henry Chappell

Happy 15th Birthday, Maggie! She’s amazing. Hears pretty well, shows no signs of senility, and still chases backyard rabbits and squirrels. My beloved old girl.

This is absolutely true. As I work my way slowly and painstakingly up the Krav Maga levels, I’m forever hearing from parents about how their kid memorized and demonstrated the required katas and earned a black belt in karate at the age of 13, at some MacDogo. I passed my 3-hour Level I test this past fall. Adjusting for my age, it was the most physically demanding thing I’ve done since my college football days. (The instructors opened a side door in case someone needed to run out by the trash dumpsters and puke.)I was covered with bruises and could barely hold my head up. If you’re thinking about taking up martial arts, know the truth.



 Read More 

Here’s my latest essay at The American Conservative.

Wyman Meinzer and I had a fine time signing copies of Horses to Ride, Cattle to Cut: The San Antonio Viejo Ranch of Texas last Wednesday in Hebbronville. Our thanks to Charlotte Hellen and the Museum Foundation of Hebbronville for hosting us and to the people of South Texas for their remarkable support of our work. I love the Wild Horse Desert.

 Read More 

My first piece in The New English Review, a little autobiographical essay.