Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026". . . wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts & Sciences who through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church & Civil State." 030
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026This whole 🧵 speaks the truth . . . about me, even though I now live halfway across the country from the Old North State. Here in Houston, I have to get creative when ordering out so that I can construct my own Carolina Slaw Dog (a hotdog “all the way” with mustard, chili, onions, and coleslaw). 131
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026This whole 🧵 speaks the truth . . . about me, even though I now live halfway across the country from the Old North State. Here in Houston, I have to get creative when ordering out so that I can construct my own Carolina Slaw Dog (a hotdog “all the way” with mustard, chili, onions, and coleslaw). 131
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 01/10/2026“Dolly Parton” New icon by Kelly Latimore @klicons.bsky.social, who wrote: “She is the most requested person I’ve ever been asked to paint. “She is a saint. “I paint Dolly wearing a dress of many colors . . . “Signed Giclee Prints and Digital Downloads: kellylatimoreicons.com “ ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜⚓️ 1297
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 01/10/2026“Dolly Parton” New icon by Kelly Latimore @klicons.bsky.social, who wrote: “She is the most requested person I’ve ever been asked to paint. “She is a saint. “I paint Dolly wearing a dress of many colors . . . “Signed Giclee Prints and Digital Downloads: kellylatimoreicons.com “ ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜⚓️ 1297
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 25/09/2026This message is sponsored by the Oxford Comma Preservation Society: Defenders of Tradition, Form, and Clarity. 📖📝🕯️🦉📚🎓 2266
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 25/09/2026This message is sponsored by the Oxford Comma Preservation Society: Defenders of Tradition, Form, and Clarity. 📖📝🕯️🦉📚🎓 2266
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The Edward Albert Palmer Memorial Chapel in Houston was built in memory of Daphne Palmer Neville’s brother, who lost his life while saving his sister from drowning. It was presented to the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in 1927 as a chapel for the Rice Institute, later becoming a parish church in 1929. 191
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The architectural design of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church was inspired by the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Venice, Italy. 1121
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026126 years ago today in New York City, Mr. William Marsh Rice was murdered with chloroform in his sleep by the valet, who had conspired with a local attorney. Their scheme to steal his fortune eventually unraveled thanks to a bank teller who noticed a misspelled name on a suspiciously large check. 1148
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Yes, it was! I love asking folks, “Have you ever wondered why Main Street Theater, which isn’t on Main Street, is called that?” 001
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The architectural design of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church was inspired by the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Venice, Italy. 1121
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The Edward Albert Palmer Memorial Chapel in Houston was built in memory of Daphne Palmer Neville’s brother, who lost his life while saving his sister from drowning. It was presented to the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in 1927 as a chapel for the Rice Institute, later becoming a parish church in 1929. 191
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026That’s why the word “chapel” appears over the front doors and why there are owls, reflecting the fact that the Rice mascot is an owl, at the side doors of the church and Autry House. 🦉⚓️ 170
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Autry House, which is located on Palmer’s campus, was established as a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas to the Rice Institute, and served for many years as the de facto student center for Rice. What is now the church was originally built as a chapel for Rice. 140
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Mr. Rice’s wishes in his original will, therefore, were honored with the founding of the Rice Institute. I’m grateful not only for Mr. Rice but also for the bank teller and for Mr. Baker because without the three of them, Rice University and Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church wouldn’t exist. 250
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The bank contacted Mr. James A. Baker, who was Mr. Rice's personal attorney in Houston, Texas. Mr. Baker, who helped to prove that a murder had taken place, is the grandfather of former Secretary of State and Houston Episcopalian James A. Baker III. 150
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026126 years ago today in New York City, Mr. William Marsh Rice was murdered with chloroform in his sleep by the valet, who had conspired with a local attorney. Their scheme to steal his fortune eventually unraveled thanks to a bank teller who noticed a misspelled name on a suspiciously large check. 1148
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Well, that didn’t take long. Kyrie eleison.cnn.comDolly Parton’s estate accuses her nephew of threatening violence and to destroy his aunt’s legacy | CNNDolly Parton’s estate accused the country music icon’s nephew of threatening to commit violence and destroy his aunt’s legacy and business empire in court filings submitted Tuesday and asked a judge t... 152
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026“Experts predict that armadillos will be in all 100 counties of North Carolina within 15 years, and in Chicago within a decade.”smithsonianmag.comAn Armadillo Found in Ohio Is the Latest Surprise in the Armored Animals' Expansion North. Where Are They Now, and What's Driving Their Movement?Typically spotted in the South and Southeast, the creatures have been reaching increasingly distant states like North Carolina, Virginia and Illinois as winters become milder 242
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 23/09/2026“Experts predict that armadillos will be in all 100 counties of North Carolina within 15 years, and in Chicago within a decade.”smithsonianmag.comAn Armadillo Found in Ohio Is the Latest Surprise in the Armored Animals' Expansion North. Where Are They Now, and What's Driving Their Movement?Typically spotted in the South and Southeast, the creatures have been reaching increasingly distant states like North Carolina, Virginia and Illinois as winters become milder 242
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardAmy @amygee.bsky.social · 21/09/2026I gotta agree. I got to NC around 2:00 today and I haven’t seen the least little bit of lawlessness. 031
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Checked in with my mom and my extended family back in the Old North State to see if the streets where they live are “filled with lawlessness, filth and squalor” in cities that are “blood-soaked killing fields.” They’re not.newsobserver.comIn a dark, divisive NC speech, Trump tries to scare people to the polls | OpinionTrump called North Carolina’s cities “blood-soaked killing fields” and its streets “filled with lawlessness, filth and squalor.” | Opinion 073
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Checked in with my mom and my extended family back in the Old North State to see if the streets where they live are “filled with lawlessness, filth and squalor” in cities that are “blood-soaked killing fields.” They’re not.newsobserver.comIn a dark, divisive NC speech, Trump tries to scare people to the polls | OpinionTrump called North Carolina’s cities “blood-soaked killing fields” and its streets “filled with lawlessness, filth and squalor.” | Opinion 073
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 19/09/2026But wait, there’s more! “It does not include an assessment of the cost to repair damaged bases or buildings . . .” Also, “the war is expected to increase inflation for the first quarter of 2027, raising costs at a time Americans are growing more concerned about the economy.” 141
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 19/09/2026But wait, there’s more! “It does not include an assessment of the cost to repair damaged bases or buildings . . .” Also, “the war is expected to increase inflation for the first quarter of 2027, raising costs at a time Americans are growing more concerned about the economy.” 141
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardKidzBoptotenlieder @theodramatist.com · 17/09/2026I for one look forward to Trump's bold midterm campaigning strategy of going to every state and insulting that state 3172
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardThe Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 14/09/2026American oil executives warned for months that the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz was bound to cause a fuel crisis. Now, they say it is here.on.wsj.comOil Executives Say the Great Fuel Crisis Is HereTrump officials say the oil-market disruption is temporary, but Chevron’s Mike Wirth and others warn global supplies are running low, with no respite in sight. 14731
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 14/09/2026I definitely remember seeing this sketch on TV. 🤣 071
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Although I did serve as an Episcopal priest in South Carolina and now serve in Texas, my heart is anchored to the Old North State. And pointing out the information below to folks at Canterbury Cathedral is one of the highlights of my ecclesiastical career. 🤣 041
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 13/09/2026I've witnessed a version of this several times, at very busy intersections, within the last month here in Houston. 062
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 13/09/2026I've witnessed a version of this several times, at very busy intersections, within the last month here in Houston. 062
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Although I did serve as an Episcopal priest in South Carolina and now serve in Texas, my heart is anchored to the Old North State. And pointing out the information below to folks at Canterbury Cathedral is one of the highlights of my ecclesiastical career. 🤣 041
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026❤️ The Blue Ridge Parkway (My hometown is Kernersville, North Carolina.) 020
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026“The crucial East-West pipeline can carry up to 7 million barrels of crude a day . . .” 120
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026He was in town to sit/stand/whatever for an oil portrait. He said he took notes on my sermon and found it refreshing to attend a traditional liturgy that included one of the creeds because his own seeker-sensitive TV services did not. ⚓️ 051
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026On the Sunday before 9/11, I preached to Robert Schuller from the pulpit of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. At lunch afterwards, he suggested enclosing the churchyard in glass so that even in the rain people could visit the graves of their loved ones. Strange but true. 281
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 09/09/202612 weeks ago I had surgery for a mitral valve repair and maze procedure. Last week I had a cardioversion to shock my heart back into regular rhythm because low, persistent AFib continued after that surgery. This evening I used a KardiaMobile 6L for the first time and was thankful to see this result. 1102
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 09/09/202612 weeks ago I had surgery for a mitral valve repair and maze procedure. Last week I had a cardioversion to shock my heart back into regular rhythm because low, persistent AFib continued after that surgery. This evening I used a KardiaMobile 6L for the first time and was thankful to see this result. 1102
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardPatrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 07/09/2026I think we’d all be better off if we started with the realization that the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are really all one economy - in some ways that are obvious, and others we pretend not to notice - and worked from there. 5949
Reposted by Neil Alan WillardNeil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Important data from my homeland: 062
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 05/09/2026“He really changed my life. . . . He did.” 010
Neil Alan Willard @neilwillard.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Have you seen this episode of This Is Your Life from March 25, 1971? Skip to the 6:34 mark (probably having to endure a couple of ads), and you'll see the Rev. Edward T. Mickey describe the afternoon he first met Andy Griffith. Mr. Mickey was the first pastor I remember as a child in the 1970s.fawesome.tvWatch S01 E01 - Andy Griffith - The Best of This is Your Life | Free TV Shows | Fawesome TVWatch S01 E01 - Andy Griffith - The Best of This is Your Life - Free - Staring Ralph Edwards, Andy Griffith 210