Caitlin Harris Moore: The Five Question Interview

February 19, 2025February 20, 2025Leave a comment

Caitlin Harris Moore is the owner of Shepard’s Flock Farm, a woman-owned and operated Elgin-based permaculture farm specializing in Texas native habitats and the cultivation of seasonal produce. Caitlin teaches classes in her apothecary on the farm.

1. Why did you move to Elgin?

I grew up in a small town near Houston and went to Austin for college (Hilltopper pride). After college, I met my husband and we started our family. I really missed the comfort and speed of small-town life. We weren’t cut out for Austin. So we headed East – in search of bigger sky and fertile soil. Best choice we ever made – I love our community!

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

I’m very stubborn and particular. Once I have an idea in mind, there’s no letting it go. I like to get my hands into new projects. I pride myself on bringing things to fruition – with as little help as possible. I want to live a small life full of handmade things with worn-down edges and coffee stains.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

1. The Pythagorean Theorem (for greenhouse building) – I guess I learned it back in high school but those brain cells have come and gone.

2. I’m never going to go through that random bag of stuff I just shoved into the closet – it’s ok to donate it!

3. Getting enough sleep is not overrated. Being well-rested can fix almost anything. So boring but I think most epiphanies are, honestly.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

I am opening up a new piece of land for the farm. It’s a brutal process of hard manual labor but to me, it’s the most rewarding part of farming. I’m always reading Stephen King and always listening to angsty ’90s girl alt-rock, or a podcast about farming or murder.

5. Cake or Pie?

This question. Why so cruel? My initial answer is pie. It feeds that human desire to enjoy fresh seasonal native fruits in a simple form. But, I really love making and decorating cakes for my kids’ birthday parties. There have been some complicated ones! They never really turn out quite right but my kids think I am a magician and the joy it brings them is untouchable.

Instagram @shepardsflockfarm
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Erin Riley: The Five Question Interview

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Leave a comment

Erin is a South Carolina native who moved to the Central Texas area in 2018. She lives in Elgin with her husband and 3 kids. Together, with her business partners, she opened the Lightnin’ Bar in downtown Elgin with the goal of creating a welcoming space that features live music and helps to create a more vibrant downtown. In addition to running the bar, Erin works at a long-time Austin print shop and community space, Feels So Good, helping to host music festivals, vendor markets, and more.

1. Why did you move to Elgin?

When we were looking for a house to buy, we started checking out Elgin because we had a lot of friends that were moving out here. We loved the architecture and the close knit community of creatives that was beginning to form. It seemed like a great place to raise our kids while still being close to the city and our family in Austin.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

We saw a need in the community and felt that we could fill that need. Our original plan had a lot more to it, including a small grocery store and deli by day with a bar by night. We quickly learned that we should start small and once we started looking for spaces and found the right one, the Lightnin’ Bar was formed.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

That despite the growth Elgin is seeing, getting people downtown is a challenge. I started working with the Main Street Board to do my part to change that!

I’m originally from an island off the South Carolina coast and I’ve struggled with not being close to the ocean, but I’ve learned to love rivers, lakes, and have discovered some pretty great beaches in Texas.

In the last five years, I went from having 1 kid to 3 kids. I can’t even begin to express all that I’ve learned in that time, but I will say that 3 kids is way harder than 2 and we are still trying to figure out a balance. It truly takes a village, but we are lucky to have support here in Elgin and we are VERY excited for the new splash pad downtown.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

I do a lot of driving into Austin for work and I’ve been listening to a podcast called “Sounds like a Cult” that dives into all the fringe or even mainstream obsessions that we all follow that can feel very cult-like. Things like the Cult of Disney Adults or the Cult of Lululemon. It’s funny and easy to listen to, which is exactly what I need. And – anyone who has talked to me long enough has probably heard me go on about The Nightowl Podcast. It’s a local (Austin) podcast that visits haunted places in the region with different mediums. The stories that come out of it are wild. I’m secretly always hoping that the bar is haunted, but we haven’t had any weird experiences yet. I’d love to hear of any Elgin hauntings, though!

5. Cake or Pie?

I don’t think I’ve come across a cake I didn’t like. But I have had pies I don’t like. So…. CAKE!

Lightnin’ Bar Follow for information about music, events, and holiday hours.

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Talitha Gaylor: The Five Question Interview

August 27, 2024Leave a comment

Talitha Gaylor is the artist owner of Opaline Glassworks. She lives in a 125-year-old farm house in Elgin with her husband and dogs.

1. Why did you move to Elgin?

My family and I moved to Elgin eight years ago when our daughter started college at UT. We fell in love with a 125-year-old farmhouse and we have gradually worked on restoring it and creating our dream home. We have also fallen in love with this amazing community and our daughter recently bought a house here as well!

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

I have had a lifelong love for creating and writing. I spent 25 years as a teacher and school counselor, squeezing in opportunities for creative outlets. It’s such a privilege to be able to dedicate my time to creating full-time. I am a very goal driven person so maintaining challenging and interesting goals keeps me motivated. I also thrive on connection so from the moment I discovered the She Creates Community in Elgin I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

She Creates also led me to finding an awesome accountability group. They have taught me so much about productivity as an artist. I’ve always enjoyed working as part of a team so it’s great to have like-minded collaborators.

It’s hard to choose just three things I’ve learned in the past five years. Starting a new career after 50 has been a rapid learning curve, but I love it! Having an accountability group has taught me so much about establishing processes when I am creating.

They have also taught me about what it means to be a business person and how to promote myself and my business.

The most important thing I have learned is to truly regard myself as an artist, valuing my time and my work in higher esteem. I still have a LOT to learn but I’m enjoying it.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

I was lucky enough to be gifted an abundance of vintage glass recently so I’ve been working backwards on my stained glass projects lately. I usually choose a project and buy materials to create it. Now I am creating projects that lend themselves to the materials. It has been an unexpected challenge for me because the glass seems to break in different ways so it’s also a chance to improve my skills and try out some larger pieces.

I love junk journaling. It really helps me focus my thoughts. I was inspired by a friend to start 1000 Gratitudes and this has become part of my journaling. I have a lot of varied interests so reminding myself of what’s really important helps me follow through AND edit.

I also enjoy writing and I’m working on a Hero’s Journey story with a friend. I’ve been reading Fantasy Story Recipes created by Storyfolk and just finished reading Fairy Tale by Stephen King. I generally like to pair nonfiction and fiction on whatever theme or idea I’m exploring. I think it must be the teacher in me!