I started Texas Master Gardener training this week, which is an ALL. DAY. commitment every Thursday for 12 weeks. The first class was several hours of talking about plant sex. Stamens. Pistils. Pollination. I giggled like a seventh grader. When this is over, I’ll be certified by Texas A&M to go out into the community and answer gardening questions, so if you’ve ever wondered why your hydrangea hates you, start warming up those texts.

In other news that feels both thrilling and mildly offensive, I booked Mason’s SAT date, and we’re officially starting college visits later this month. San Antonio for Trinity, Georgetown for Southwestern. His top criteria so far are that it’s not too close to us and that it looks like a “real college campus,” which is rich coming from a kid who’s been spoiled by years of wandering around SMU with me. Apparently, my gorgeous alma mater is “too close.”

HOW am I old enough to have a kid prepping for college and another one right behind him? I would like to speak to the manager of time.

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HIT PLAY

Saint Dolly Turns 80!

The angel who walks among us, Dolly Parton, turns 80 on Monday, and instead of asking for gifts, she gave us one.

She re-recorded “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” with Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah and Reba McEntire, with David Foster on piano and the Christ Church Choir lifting it straight into heaven. Proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research at Vanderbilt, because of course they do.

Dolly has been reminding us for 50 years that everything’s gonna be all right. I think we all needed to hear it again. Watch it, cry a little, believe in humanity for four minutes.

2026 RESOLUTIONS

Becoming A Mild Luddite

One of my biggest resolutions for 2026 is to be more intentional with screens: less doom-scrolly pacifier, more actual human with a pulse. I’m not breaking up with my phone completely; we’re just seeing other people. I started using a service called Brick that basically turns my phone into a useless slab unless I physically tap it against a little brick. It’s annoying in the best way.

I’ve also made most apps inoperable when I’m not at home, removed the phone holder from my car so it’s no longer the main character at stoplights, and stopped wearing my Apple Watch unless I’m actually working out. I dug out my old-fashioned watches and even picked up this cute gold one that reminds me of my granddaddy’s Rolex. I'll keep you posted on how all this goes!

WHAT I'M READING

The First Time I Saw Him

I just started The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me, which I inhaled like popcorn at the movies. I’m only a few chapters in, but it’s already fast-paced and as good as the first one. (Plus, it's a Reese Witherspoon pick, which have always been some of my favorites.)

SURVEY SAYS

Where Do You Sit In Class?

In my master gardener class, I immediately chose a seat in the front row, as I always do. My ADHD is so bad that if I’m not up close, I’ll end up watching everyone else or mentally redecorate the room instead of paying attention. Plus, I’ve always been a Grade A Teacher’s Pet.

So tell me, where do you sit in the classroom? Are you front row, making aggressive eye contact and nodding like you’re angling for extra credit? Way way back, hoping to be spiritually invisible and possibly sneak out early? Or somewhere safely blended into the middle, close enough to hear but far enough to avoid being called on?

Vote below!

Where Do You Sit In Class? Front Row Joe The Way, Way Back Close Enough To Hear, But Not Be Called On

SNAPPED

2016 Called

I’m hopping on the trend and posting an old photo from 2016. That's me and Todd in Positano, Italy, back when none of us knew what a global pandemic was. How cute were we?!

I've posted more throwbacks to 2016 on my Instagram: @thecooperkoch.

That’s it for this week! Between plant sex, college tours and Dolly reminding us that brighter days are ahead, my heart feels full. Thanks for being here, for reading and for growing right alongside me, literally and otherwise.

Until next time, always remember...

YOU ARE LOVED!