James Decker
@jamesdecker2006.bsky.social
Just a small town mayor with blue hair. #StamfordTexas propagandist. #Westof98 essayist/podcaster. Rural agitator. Alleged Methodist. Westof98.Substack.com
Periodically, folks ask me for Wendell Berry reading recommendations. Today at #WestOf98, I’m offering just that.
I’m launching a recurring series on the influences that have shaped my perspective on the world.
I’m launching a recurring series on the influences that have shaped my perspective on the world.
October 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Periodically, folks ask me for Wendell Berry reading recommendations. Today at #WestOf98, I’m offering just that.
I’m launching a recurring series on the influences that have shaped my perspective on the world.
I’m launching a recurring series on the influences that have shaped my perspective on the world.
Today at #Westof98, I’m tackling two important topics: education and work.
It is impossible to discuss one without the other, when our nation’s education system was built to churn out workers.
So what happens when that same nation begins to deprioritize workers?
It is impossible to discuss one without the other, when our nation’s education system was built to churn out workers.
So what happens when that same nation begins to deprioritize workers?
September 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Today at #Westof98, I’m tackling two important topics: education and work.
It is impossible to discuss one without the other, when our nation’s education system was built to churn out workers.
So what happens when that same nation begins to deprioritize workers?
It is impossible to discuss one without the other, when our nation’s education system was built to churn out workers.
So what happens when that same nation begins to deprioritize workers?
Happy Independence Day! For 95 years, July 4 in #StamfordTexas has centered around preserving and perpetuating our western heritage. The 95th annual Texas Cowboy Reunion is underway, and at #Westof98, I’m sharing an essay that I wrote about the history and legacy of this event.
July 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Happy Independence Day! For 95 years, July 4 in #StamfordTexas has centered around preserving and perpetuating our western heritage. The 95th annual Texas Cowboy Reunion is underway, and at #Westof98, I’m sharing an essay that I wrote about the history and legacy of this event.
There is before the United States Congress a proposal to sell public lands to help solve our national housing crisis. I am bothered by this proposal.
June 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
There is before the United States Congress a proposal to sell public lands to help solve our national housing crisis. I am bothered by this proposal.
Today, on June 19, 2025, we celebrate Juneteenth as a national holiday. We celebrate in an America that is flawed but always struggling forward. By pushing onward, we acknowledge that freedom is a continuous journey worth pursuing every single day!
June 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Today, on June 19, 2025, we celebrate Juneteenth as a national holiday. We celebrate in an America that is flawed but always struggling forward. By pushing onward, we acknowledge that freedom is a continuous journey worth pursuing every single day!
Got asked to fill in and teach the adult Sunday school class at church today.
It was a direct quote from the great Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis in this book, but I definitely used the line, “adultery is for Hosea a favorite metaphor for economic irresponsibility.”
It was a direct quote from the great Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis in this book, but I definitely used the line, “adultery is for Hosea a favorite metaphor for economic irresponsibility.”
June 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Got asked to fill in and teach the adult Sunday school class at church today.
It was a direct quote from the great Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis in this book, but I definitely used the line, “adultery is for Hosea a favorite metaphor for economic irresponsibility.”
It was a direct quote from the great Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis in this book, but I definitely used the line, “adultery is for Hosea a favorite metaphor for economic irresponsibility.”
For Mental Health Awareness Month, I explore the meaning of the scene and the importance of channeling romantic heroism in meaningful ways.
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
May 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
For Mental Health Awareness Month, I explore the meaning of the scene and the importance of channeling romantic heroism in meaningful ways.
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Mary Magdalene first thought the resurrected Jesus as a gardener. Was it a mistake? I’m not sure that it was.
For the entire history of man, God has called us to tend and keep his creation. And so perhaps the gardener imagery is a reminder of how we should live our lives.
For the entire history of man, God has called us to tend and keep his creation. And so perhaps the gardener imagery is a reminder of how we should live our lives.
May 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Mary Magdalene first thought the resurrected Jesus as a gardener. Was it a mistake? I’m not sure that it was.
For the entire history of man, God has called us to tend and keep his creation. And so perhaps the gardener imagery is a reminder of how we should live our lives.
For the entire history of man, God has called us to tend and keep his creation. And so perhaps the gardener imagery is a reminder of how we should live our lives.
A few weeks ago, the long-closed Cliff House restaurant was demolished in #StamfordTexas. It ends one era while beginning a new one, but the memories remain. It caused me to revisit one of my most popular essays, the story of The Table.
You know the one.
You know the one.
May 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
A few weeks ago, the long-closed Cliff House restaurant was demolished in #StamfordTexas. It ends one era while beginning a new one, but the memories remain. It caused me to revisit one of my most popular essays, the story of The Table.
You know the one.
You know the one.
I cannot abide a “climate change”discourse which views rural people as an obstacle, grazing livestock as our foremost problem, and technocratic boondoggles as the solution for it all.
Yesterday for #EarthDay, I reprised some of my past thoughts on that very topic.
Yesterday for #EarthDay, I reprised some of my past thoughts on that very topic.
April 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I cannot abide a “climate change”discourse which views rural people as an obstacle, grazing livestock as our foremost problem, and technocratic boondoggles as the solution for it all.
Yesterday for #EarthDay, I reprised some of my past thoughts on that very topic.
Yesterday for #EarthDay, I reprised some of my past thoughts on that very topic.
In November 2017, I launched my writing project that became #Westof98. My first essay was about a community with vacant buildings, but good people.
I’ve revisited and expanded that essay today, to introduce the idea to a vast new audience and reflect on our own local progress.
I’ve revisited and expanded that essay today, to introduce the idea to a vast new audience and reflect on our own local progress.
March 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
In November 2017, I launched my writing project that became #Westof98. My first essay was about a community with vacant buildings, but good people.
I’ve revisited and expanded that essay today, to introduce the idea to a vast new audience and reflect on our own local progress.
I’ve revisited and expanded that essay today, to introduce the idea to a vast new audience and reflect on our own local progress.
Yesterday was Texas Independence Day. At #Westof98, I wrote something different for the occasion. “On Being Texan” examines the cultural pride of Texas, differentiates healthy patriotism from hollow jingoism, and considers my own rural rooted pride in a changing state.
March 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Yesterday was Texas Independence Day. At #Westof98, I wrote something different for the occasion. “On Being Texan” examines the cultural pride of Texas, differentiates healthy patriotism from hollow jingoism, and considers my own rural rooted pride in a changing state.
It’s good to be back on the water after a winter break.
Love God. Love your neighbor. Don’t spend your precious energy on things that don’t matter. Uplift people. Build community. Make the world around you better.
Love God. Love your neighbor. Don’t spend your precious energy on things that don’t matter. Uplift people. Build community. Make the world around you better.
March 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
It’s good to be back on the water after a winter break.
Love God. Love your neighbor. Don’t spend your precious energy on things that don’t matter. Uplift people. Build community. Make the world around you better.
Love God. Love your neighbor. Don’t spend your precious energy on things that don’t matter. Uplift people. Build community. Make the world around you better.
Revitalizing rural America will not happen by policy change alone. It also matters how we live with and relate to one another.
In “Jayber Crow,” Wendell Berry offers a vision of a rural community, both imperfect and aspirational. It is a powerful guide for living in community.
In “Jayber Crow,” Wendell Berry offers a vision of a rural community, both imperfect and aspirational. It is a powerful guide for living in community.
February 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Revitalizing rural America will not happen by policy change alone. It also matters how we live with and relate to one another.
In “Jayber Crow,” Wendell Berry offers a vision of a rural community, both imperfect and aspirational. It is a powerful guide for living in community.
In “Jayber Crow,” Wendell Berry offers a vision of a rural community, both imperfect and aspirational. It is a powerful guide for living in community.
A new era of farm policy is upon us and new Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has vowed to fight for farmers and rural communities.
This fight requires facing hard facts.
This fight requires facing hard facts.
February 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
A new era of farm policy is upon us and new Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has vowed to fight for farmers and rural communities.
This fight requires facing hard facts.
This fight requires facing hard facts.
Core to America’s promise is the independence of the yeoman. Whether they’re a farmer, small business owner, artisan, craftsman, or otherwise, they should be able to provide for their family, dependent on neither big gov or big biz.
February 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Core to America’s promise is the independence of the yeoman. Whether they’re a farmer, small business owner, artisan, craftsman, or otherwise, they should be able to provide for their family, dependent on neither big gov or big biz.
Whether we like it or not, we can only do so many things in life. Truly excelling at what matters most requires us to occasionally make hard decisions.
Today at #WestOf98, I’m pondering Ron Swanson’s critical advice on that point, and how “slow” life does not mean lazy.
Today at #WestOf98, I’m pondering Ron Swanson’s critical advice on that point, and how “slow” life does not mean lazy.
February 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Whether we like it or not, we can only do so many things in life. Truly excelling at what matters most requires us to occasionally make hard decisions.
Today at #WestOf98, I’m pondering Ron Swanson’s critical advice on that point, and how “slow” life does not mean lazy.
Today at #WestOf98, I’m pondering Ron Swanson’s critical advice on that point, and how “slow” life does not mean lazy.
I’m not big on celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a breezy quote that makes me feel good.
Today, at #Westof98, my approach is different. It’s a look at how history dulls the edges of uncomfortable work and how we should keep those edges sharp and be encouraged accordingly.
Today, at #Westof98, my approach is different. It’s a look at how history dulls the edges of uncomfortable work and how we should keep those edges sharp and be encouraged accordingly.
January 21, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I’m not big on celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a breezy quote that makes me feel good.
Today, at #Westof98, my approach is different. It’s a look at how history dulls the edges of uncomfortable work and how we should keep those edges sharp and be encouraged accordingly.
Today, at #Westof98, my approach is different. It’s a look at how history dulls the edges of uncomfortable work and how we should keep those edges sharp and be encouraged accordingly.
As the 89th Texas Legislature opens, I am revisiting my Five Rural Priorities for State Government at #Westof98.
These are not partisan campaign issues. They are real concerns lived out firsthand in rural Texas: broadband internet, economic development, healthcare, education, & infrastructure.
These are not partisan campaign issues. They are real concerns lived out firsthand in rural Texas: broadband internet, economic development, healthcare, education, & infrastructure.
January 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
As the 89th Texas Legislature opens, I am revisiting my Five Rural Priorities for State Government at #Westof98.
These are not partisan campaign issues. They are real concerns lived out firsthand in rural Texas: broadband internet, economic development, healthcare, education, & infrastructure.
These are not partisan campaign issues. They are real concerns lived out firsthand in rural Texas: broadband internet, economic development, healthcare, education, & infrastructure.
It’s my first essay of a new year, so I’m thinking about big picture of rural revitalization. I believe rural communities should spend less time figuring out how to attract something from the outside & more time strengthening the inside.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
January 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM
It’s my first essay of a new year, so I’m thinking about big picture of rural revitalization. I believe rural communities should spend less time figuring out how to attract something from the outside & more time strengthening the inside.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Last year on Christmas Eve, I wrote about embracing the darkness of the winter as essential to cherishing the seasons of light. Wendell Berry and Paul Kingsnorth were involved. I decided it was worth publishing again on Christmas Eve 2024.
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
December 24, 2024 at 7:03 PM
Last year on Christmas Eve, I wrote about embracing the darkness of the winter as essential to cherishing the seasons of light. Wendell Berry and Paul Kingsnorth were involved. I decided it was worth publishing again on Christmas Eve 2024.
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read it at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
My only political ideology is supporting the kind of community that brings this many people, well more than its population, to a state championship football game 150 miles away at 11 am on a Thursday morning. #txhsfb
December 19, 2024 at 6:27 PM
My only political ideology is supporting the kind of community that brings this many people, well more than its population, to a state championship football game 150 miles away at 11 am on a Thursday morning. #txhsfb
Christmas can be a difficult season. People are dealing with all sorts of pressures and stresses that tax their joy.
There is no “right” way to celebrate Christmas, other than to love people where and how we can.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
There is no “right” way to celebrate Christmas, other than to love people where and how we can.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
December 18, 2024 at 1:35 PM
Christmas can be a difficult season. People are dealing with all sorts of pressures and stresses that tax their joy.
There is no “right” way to celebrate Christmas, other than to love people where and how we can.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
There is no “right” way to celebrate Christmas, other than to love people where and how we can.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Our economic overlords have pushed us to buy bigger-faster,-cheaper-online, at the expense of the local and our neighbors. We can’t change that overnight, but we can find one ways this holiday season to purchase locally rather than away.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
December 11, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Our economic overlords have pushed us to buy bigger-faster,-cheaper-online, at the expense of the local and our neighbors. We can’t change that overnight, but we can find one ways this holiday season to purchase locally rather than away.
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...
Read more at #Westof98: westof98.substack.com/p/essays-fro...