A Rodeo That Reminds Me of Home

This is an installment of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that provides a comprehensive overview of the most significant stories of the day, introduces new ideas, and suggests the best cultural content. Today's featured contributor is Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, a staff writer who has covered various topics, including election management in Maricopa County, the evolution of the Voting Rights Act, and the rise of election denialism.

Yvonne has a fondness for state fairs and rodeos, and she is eagerly anticipating an upcoming event in her home state. She also recommends watching movies starring Billy Bob Thornton, reading mystery novels by Chris Whitaker, and giving up the hair crimper by 2026.

The event Yvonne is most looking forward to is the Hondo Rodeo Fest in Phoenix, where she plans to enjoy live performances by the Turnpike Troubadours and watch cowboy competitions in various disciplines such as bull riding and barrel racing. Growing up attending rodeos and participating in county cooking showcases in Idaho, Yvonne still considers Idaho her home, and the smells, riders, announcers, food, and rodeo attire of the Hondo Rodeo Fest evoke strong memories of her childhood.

Although she has never attended the Hondo Rodeo Fest before, her husband, who grew up near Fort Worth, Texas, convinced her to try the rodeo scene in the big city.

Aside from the Hondo Rodeo Fest, Yvonne currently enjoys watching "The Real Housewives" in Rhode Island, British crime dramas, and re-watching Jed Mercurio's "Line of Duty." Her favorite actor to watch in any role is Billy Bob Thornton, who has impressed her with his ability to portray complex, unpredictable, and humorous characters across various genres.

Yvonne is also fond of the country band Flatland Cavalry, whose song "Mountain Song" transports her back to her childhood in the Mountain West, where she spent summers on the back porch of her family's apple orchard.

One of Yvonne's favorite singers is Willie Nelson, whose music is intertwined with her memories of family road trips in various states, particularly in California. She also loved reading "All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker, a gripping mystery set in small-town Missouri during the 1970s, as well as the New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's book "Regime Change," which chronicles the first year of President Trump's second term.

Yvonne cherished the music of Tejano singer Selena growing up and continues to enjoy her music today. She also recalls the painful experience of watching her daughter's natural curls get burned with a hair crimper, a process she now dislikes. Finally, Yvonne shared her admiration for Anne Frank's 1944 diary entry, which expresses her hope for humanity despite the absurdity and challenges she has faced.