You're Gonna Give It Where?

It is an amazing beautiful day!!! I'm sitting in Landa Park waiting on this gorgeous girl that I have plans with tonight. Something about Oktoberfest and copious amounts of cold beer. Who could turn down that invitation. However that's how the evening will finish is definitely... not how my morning started!

I made work this morning but had a half day scheduled to deal with a work related injury. About two weeks ago I was called to the office to help move a student from one wheel chair to another. Somehow during the course of picking the student up and setting him in his new chair I did something.

That something solidifies my earned age of 31. Thirty-one years of dragging feed sacks, bucking hay bales, throwing calves, rough horses, and bad women had finally worn out my lower back. Those experiences and the precise timing (that only I seem to have) culminated in a tearing of muscle. I sure felt it when it happened but, I stood up finished what I was doing and didn't cry about it till the pain never left after a few days.

I'll skip the workers comp spiel, but trust me it is a different process of health care.

Anyways, this morning is my second appointment with the doctor. It's one of those quicky med clinic places and there is nothing quick about the process. Except today the doc says he's not happy with my progress. "Let's give you a shot to speed things up", sounds fine to me doc. (Notice he said one shot) The doc walks out of the room and that's the last I see of him today. Probably collecting my insurance check and hitting the greens, yeah I saw that BMW in the parking lot.

Next walks in this barrel chest of a man nurse to give me the shot. Only there's more than one needle on his tray. As I'm non challantly dropping my pants trying to keep dignity for the situation I'm in, I happen to look back and see the thickest, biggest damn needle. Take a deep breath the nurse says...I'm thinking hell at least get me drunk first...where's the tequila, I'll even take the worm but geez don't stab me with that thing yet. He doesn't...whew maybe I avoided it...maybe it's for some other sap. Haunched over as I feel two little pricks in my lower back...Not bad I'm thinking to myself. Piece of cake...then I hear the nurse speak. "Ok for this next one...stand on your left leg and relax your right cheek." Uh huh....what for you just gave me that shot right? His unequivocal response...."Nope, one more and you know where it's going" Did he laugh? Does the prospect of making this big country boy whelp in pain bring this guy pleasure...It must! Because he's smiling telling me to breathe deep again! Just as I'm actually contemplating where that big needle is going I hear my inner voice state, "You're gonna give it where?" As the cold metallic (must be the size of a turkey baster) needle makes a very deep painful intrusion into the top part of my right cheek. Standing on my left leg, grasping the counter, my right leg spasms like a rabbit, but there's no fun here just a sharp pain, loss of some self respect, and the thought that I have a nicer bedside manner with my cattle and horses. How could you top that off? That's what I'm thinking as feel the slap of a band-aid across the location of the shot, and the nurse says "take that off after while."

Now imagine this....I'm not quite Sasquatch, but parts of me have more hair than others. And unlike a metro sexual...I don't shave my ass! Not for anybody!....so if the shot was painful....what's that band-aid being pulled off of skin and hair going to feel like? I don't know but thank God for the beer tonight and just maybe I can talk my date in to pulling it off fast.

We'll See

LB

Ride'Em Cowboy

The title pretty much sums up my life right now! Chugging up one side of life to slide right down the other (a great Chris Ledoux song) ....or in my case it's usually stomped on the breaks asking myself why I took this shortcut and why didn't I ever fix those trailer breaks! That's right about the time the pedal goes to the floor and the rear view catches my eye long enough to see the look of desperation in the cattle squashed through the trailer rails. What do you think a cow ruminates about in a situation like that? Think it actually contemplates the missed opportunities of green grass? Maybe it really was greener on the other side? Or maybe, what if she had been nicer to that old bull.....it just could have been true love! Alas the story has a happy ending. The "Ol' Ford" never lets me down and the breaks always manage to stop us...sometimes we're in front of the stop sign....and sometimes we're in the middle of the intersection but we're stopped. My life has seemed to become that scenario lately...too slow up the mountains and too fast to the bottom of the next one. What can you do about it but take it like the picture above "just knuckle down and ride it out."

My brother has coined a phrase "Leave '09 Behind." I'm thinking that should be on a t-shirt with a happy face. It has been a rough year, but with rough times we seem to learn a little more about ourselves. I admit ....I bring on most of my own troubles. I chalk it up to Irish heritage, a stubborn streak 2x the normal size, and the brash devil may care attitude I go through life with.

However, I've cleared some obstacles this year that make me feel like an Olympic hurdler..just not so much of the short shorts or all that damn running. The trials and tribulations have left me a little spent and for the first time in my life I'm actually letting go of things. To tell you the truth I'm in coast mode for the rest of the year. What does coast mode entail? It means I leave for work a little later than usual now days...(not the mandatory out the door by 6:45 am routine I usually have), I leave work a little bit earlier ( earlier than I usually do) when I can, I take mental health sick days and do nothing productive. My horses get rode more just for fun now than opposed to actually accomplish any training. Haven't competed for anything in a couple of months so the saddle's getting cold but right now I'm OK with that.

In the meantime my family is great, Jenn is wonderful, rain is here, and God loves me. So I'll just keep making my mark, keeping rhythm with the bucks, and just enjoying "one hell uv a ride!"

LB

Were They Seeds Or Seedless?

Awwww the latest in the stolen motorcycle saga. Most of you know our house was burglarized a couple of weeks ago. Good news is we know who did it..they were stupid enough to leave their footprints then they we're arrested in possession of my motorcycle on a back road to Cotulla, Texas at 2:00 AM in the morning. I'm having a hard time with getting my bike back though because they were smart enough to scratch out the vin number......that however is the only smart thing they did. I spoke with the DPS officer that made the stop and this is how he described the events unfolding.

"I was northbound on hwy. 97 about 2 in the morning, when I was passed by a newer Ford F-350 with at least a 10 inch lift heading south. However I could see what looked like a motorcycle leaning on its side in the back. I turned around and proceeded to follow, and when they didn't slow down for a speed zone I pulled them over. When the driver got out of the truck he looked like someone you wouldn't suspect of driving that vehicle"....(I think he was getting at that maybe someone who didn't look like a cholo at Easter should have been driving.) The driver wasn't alone, he had another passenger and the driver had a girlfriend tagging along. "Inspecting the bike I noticed the vin number had been scratched out....an immediate red flag!! I had the two (now suspects) unload the bike, because if they could get it up there then they could get it down. And further investigating revealed it to be stolen"

Now here's the reason for my call. My insurance company Progressive has been great to work with, but the adjuster called that there was a problem. My bike was being held and not released because the suspect (the driver or the f-350) was claiming I sold him the bike. That was the reason for the clarifying call to the trooper to ask him about that ridiculous claim. He responded, "yeap they said they bought it from a guy that sells watermelons on the side of the road and that they had been buying from him for a couple of months." That guy was apparently me, and apparently we've become great friends the last couple of months....so upon hearing this the only thing I could answer back with was..."Did they say if I sold melons with seeds or without?" Thanked the now hysterically laughing trooper and hung up the phone.

How does that conversation go on the side of the road? I think maybe it went like this....Hey mister...I need a watermelon...Well take your pic...I've got big ones, little ones, skinny ones, fat ones, and motorcycles!!! What....you sell motorcycles? Oh Jess...real fast ones, real slow ones, real stolen ones..$500 $500 you take...real nice!!! Hmm there's no vin #....don't worry it was dropped? maybe brushed up against a tree...and scratched off...but $500 I help you load! Oh I don't know....I tell you what...since you been such a great customer....you buy the bike then take any three melons you want...Free!!! You mean $500 and I get this beautiful like new bike with just that one scratch that accidentally made the vin # unreadable and.....and I get any three melons I want??? Yes...yes..special price for number one customer....just for you...Well then hell yeah...oh and I want 3 seedless!!

Stay tuned for the results :-)

LB

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Today is our Mom's birthday and we are wishing you a happy one. You're the greatest and we are two of the luckiest guys to have you for our mom. (not sure you can say the same about us sometimes....) Enjoy today and know that we love you and are thankful and blessed that you are a part of our lives.

Hasta

LB and Andrew

p.s. Yes we made the cake.

Schools should watch the Obama address!

Recently the school district I live in and work for decided they would not allow the live viewing of the President Obama address to students. Instead teachers were told they could pick up a burned copy from the librarian and further instructions were given

"The reason for showing the speech on a CD should be for educational purposes ONLY. It is our understanding that President Obama's speech focuses on the importance of education, staying in school, working hard and taking responsibility. A teacher should not present his/her own political views in the classroom to include this speech given by President Obama."

I agree with the instructions, but take a very sincere disagreement with the format, y'all know me I'm not very quiet about something I don't adhere too. I feel like as Americans we don't "adhere" to the things that we all share as rights of being Americans. I also believe that we are too quick to look for other motives or issues when we want to dismiss something we don't particularly care for. (myself included if we're talking about t.u. football, arabian horses, or chickens...yuck) For example, listening to anything from a President of the United States we didn't vote for.(and no I didn't) But, that is the very essence of the problem I'm having with students not being given a greater opportunity to view this address. I even responded to our administration and here is the response I sent.

My response:

I feel that it is a sad choice for us as a district to not allow better access of viewing the President's speech. I can understand if it's because of technology issues not to view it live, but for a district like ours that is so focused on empowering kids, I believe we are missing out on a great opportunity. Maybe I'm wrong and having teachers go and get a copy to show their kids is the only option, but if it's not the only option then we are not serving the best interest of our students. We know, as educators, that by providing this option many of our students will not view the address, and those are probably the ones who would have been inspired most by such an event. Now we also know that if a parent makes a request for their student not to view the speech, then that is perfectly within their rights as a parent. (and we should be thankful to live in a country that allows those choices.) However, I believe we should find a more effective way of ensuring that our students view this address.

For the record, I'm not proactive for this because of any political affiliation but I will give you my view on our kids experiencing the President's speech. (My view that has been shaped by having family roots that trace back to the Alamo, and as a student growing up in this great district, and having witnessed firsthand the many changes and challenges it goes through and will continue to go through long after we're gone. ) First off, I'm a Texan and that comes with lots of responsibility to my family, community, and state. Secondly I'm an American (I know this sounds different than most views but it's mine) and as an American we are obligated to certain responsibilities one of which is being led by an elected official i.e. President Obama. Now, I didn't vote for the man and I have different beliefs on a lot of subjects, but I do respect the office. Our President is the leader of the greatest nation in the world, and that also bares lots of responsibility, but when he takes the time to address the children of this nation. As per his position he should have the respect of that request. I agree that as educators we should not lower ourselves in to the trivial party debates but instead emphasize the message and how the contents relate to our students. As United States citizens and educator's it is our duty to lead by example, and what example are we setting by not presenting a better way to comply with his request? Please reconsider the format that has been outlined and find a better way to have his message heard by our students.

Respectfully,

LB

Many of you would think the guideline of picking up a copy and showing it is fair procedure. However, I know our school life...and as a teacher if I have to go to the ordeal of ordering a copy and coordinating it's delivery then the chances of me showing it to my students greatly diminishes. Ultimately we struggle with kids that don't feel like they have any control over their education. They easily take the path to doing as little as possible, and scrapping by or dropping out. Is that the kind of future we want running our country? If the President's message were made available to a broader range of students that would increase the opportunity of making a difference in a kid's life, then that is worth all the effort.

I fully believe in the office of President of the United States. We know how advantageous FDR's fireside chats were to the "Greatest Generation", and how it helped generate the effort that led to winning WWII. If President Obama's speech generated a 1/10 of that inspiration, I would call it a success. However, the fact is that he is our President, and regardless of political affiliation if he as president wants to address the children of our nation then we should find a way to enable that. If the child's parent or the child themselves do not wish to view it, then that is their choice to make and accommodations should be made. In the meantime, find a way to meet this request in such a way that a majority of the students have access to the contents. Give them a glimpse into the responsibilities of being an American Citizen.

On a side note practice setting the example for a few other American procedures ( honoring moments of silence, observing federal holidays, standing for the national anthem, and taking your hat off for the Pledge of Allegiance). Keep those in mind when we're out and about exercising our American rights and freedoms. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend and be safe in your endeavors.

PS the part in my email referencing me being a Texan first....well I am, and I am damn thankful for it!!

Adios,

LB

The Perfect Omelet

It's Friday Morning, June the 19th, and I have finally accomplished a task I've tried to tackle at various times over the course of my life. This morning it must have been a favor from God, the stars were aligned, or maybe I held my mouth just right....but I finally accomplished the perfect omelet! It being Father's Day weekend just makes the feat a little more special.

My father was a great cook I'm sure that came from having younger siblings to feed, and the lack of microwave ovens. He never ceased to amaze us with some of the meals he could put together given some eggs, flour, salt, and pepper. To this day a number of my fondest family memories are of us sitting around the table waiting for the next great feast he had prepared. There were the cold winter nights that were melted with scrumptious portions of Swiss Steak. Or special occasions that called for Swedish Tea Rings, a sweet pastry filled with various fruits, glazed with icing, and known to induce diabetes in the healthiest of people. However in the breakfast arena my father excelled, dad made the ultimate omelets.

My quest for my own perfect omelet started before I was out of high school. Dad thought it important that a guy know to cook. He related it in terms of women....if you want to impress a girl cook for her, if she leaves you...well then you won't starve!! That lesson has served me well in one way or another over the years. Judging by my figure lately I'm getting to be a pretty good cook, but the perfect omelet has eluded me all this time. I've pursued this quest every few months only to be so close then helplessly watch as my hard work and effort breaks, resulting in just another plate of fancy scrambled eggs. Wreaking of defeat, deterred by another failure I put away the skillet and wait for my courage to come back up for another shot at what seemed to be the unobtainable.

I miss the old man. My father was my best friend, he was always in our corner telling us there was nothing we couldn't accomplish. He wanted us to experience all life had to offer while meeting some great friends along the way, cherishing the ones we love and just simply having a ball. I learned so many things from my father. Lessons like your word is your bond, look people in the eye when you talk to them, manners are never lost, love your family and protect them, never quit, be strong, know many but befriend few, and lastly.....know how to cook.

Whoever it is in your life that you look up to as a father figure deserves your thanks. That's what this holiday is all about. Thanking the male that influenced us, whether it's your father, step-dad, grandfather, high school football coach, college professor, or just a good man. Thanking them is a rewarding experience and they deserve it.

Today, the old man would of been proud. I made the lightest, fluffiest omelet and it held together! Awww to relish and bask in the sight of greatness hence the pic I took. Too bad the pics blurry, but I honestly assure you that what you see is a damn fine specimen of cooking excellence. I should know....I ate it!

It's a 3 shirt morning!

What's a 3 shirt morning you ask? It's a morning that starts off like the picture to the right. Sorry I haven't posted anything in awhile, in fact the last couple of days I've been contemplating what I wanted to post. I guess this morning you could say I had an epiphany!!

There's a reason this blog is called "Mi Vida Loco", and for those of y'all who somewhat have doubts about the infamous Brooks boy's stories, again check the pic to the right. I'm telling you...between the two of us we really do get into some scrapes.

1st shirt....OK, maybe I'm not quite the athletic figure I used to be. As evidenced by the cricks, cracks, and groans I proceed to go through to make it out of bed in the morning. Including the first few bent over steps that mimic that ninety year old man off the Benny Hill show. That being said, I've decided to devote my summer to finally getting in a little better shape, than I've been in the last couple of years. This morning it entailed rolling out at 6 AM after thirty minutes of snooze buttoning, and walk/jog our ranch road a couple of times. Followed by some push ups, sit ups, squats, dips, and stretching (sometimes I actually like yoga). Not much but I admit by the time I was done I had soaked through my first shirt of the morning. On to the shower!

2nd shirt....I'm dressed for work 7:15 and on to the daily grind of life. Which this morning has me heading up to the office to finish a curriculum project. I'm not dressed like they typical teacher but for me its a clean shirt and a pair of jeans. However, I still have to feed the kids...a.k.a. the horses. This is a usual routine for me and it just involves filling up water buckets, throwing hay, and passing out the grain. Routine...a way of life that I take for granted. This morning was not routine. The mare in the pic is really a great horse. Lately she has been a little "bitchy" to say the least. Her morning "routine" is to snap at the gelding "Rebel" she's stalled next too before she gets any breakfast. Whatever was in the cards this morning wasn't routine. This sultry June morning she uplifted her rear-end and proceeded to say hello to Rebel with a kick that left her right hind leg stuck through the panel.

What happened next? Moments like this I feel at times have become second nature to me. Maybe it's these moments that have created the "shoot from the hip" attitude I go through life with. Sometimes not a bad thing. I know there is some urgency here, first thing is to sum up the situation..this is pretty much how it went in my mind, "Mare's calm, geldings not....is there anyone close to help? nope...all alone on this one bud, first thing, move the gelding...ok done, next? get the damn mare free!...how the hell am i going to do that? where's the chain? phone call to Andrew, and its not here...(typical) my first plan is never the right one!!! scratch that..ok need something that will support her and lift her....hmmmm I know i'll use the tractor but what can i tie around her? a regular ranch rope is to thin and likely will cause internal damage...not a good plan, but there are the load straps on the the flat bed, yanking one off, charging the tractor like a rough rider taking San Juan hill, the next moment finds me a little bewildered...did you know applying the right amount of gear, and way too much power that you can actually spin the tires on a 50 hp 4wd tractor?...kinda cool, but not noted right away, as I'm flying to the barn but a little impressed with my ability to maneuver the big red beast like she was a 10 second car on a back street of Military drive instead of the bulky farm equipment she is. Seconds seem like minutes as I feel the sweat pouring through me....tractor fits in the alley way of the barn check, wrapping the make shift harness around her and tying the rope off....thank you mom for all those boy scout meetings as I tie a knot that won't hurt the mare when she's lifted, lifting her gently she staggers to her feet like a hobo awakened from a great slumber but is standing on her own and looking puzzled at the contraption that has returned her to freedom. She seems to smirk at me with a look of...it was worth it!!! Damn horse but I still love her" 2nd shirt soaked and the sweat of adrenaline is rancid...I think of a Chis Ledoux line, "I think my 24 hour deodorant quit last night", but mine didn't last half an hour.

Late for work now but no time for another shower. Reapply the deodorant, snatch my 3rd shirt of the morning and off to work. I opt for the bike because the adrenaline is still pounding, and nothing seems as soothing right now as the wind in your face at 80 miles an hour. Not on time but not too late, sitting at my desk and marveling over the mornings events. Wondering why I'm not committed to an insane asylum? I chalk it up to another day in the odyssey called Mi Vida Loca, and if you don't believe me.....Well pictures don't lie!

A Memorial Weekend

Friday afternoon, I've had that itchy "just get away from work feeling" for quite sometime! That awareness usually leads to me being in a close relationship with Ol' Blue (my pickup) just driving around. Something about digging around on the radio finding a good song, windows down air blowing around, and "dropping the hammer" makes me feel more independent and livelier than the sometimes mundane routine called "my life." This day it involved sneaking out of work firing up Ol' Blue, and getting down the road. However, due to some other plans and a requirement to be at a meeting from 6-10 that night. I naturally of course found myself in the vicinity of the meeting I had to attend, but way too early. So with time on my hands and way too many devilish thoughts in my head I chose to visit my fathers grave.

My father is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. He is buried there because my father was a soldier, a veteran, and because he served with distinction and honor. But, the service to his country cost him in many ways. Many years ago, during an appointment with a doctor, somebody made the mistake of handing me an old medical dossier. I remember it was thick, the outside looked like it had been stained with drops of something dark at one point but had faded over time. Of course the kid who inherited his fathers fascination with reading anything opened it up to read the contents. What I read in those following passages has stayed with me forever. It was the medical history of my fathers Army career. I remember reading about the 15-17 GSW and wondering what GSW meant. This was before it was a common term on any evening tv program. I read about grenade shrapnel in his stomach, how he had lost part of lung, a shoulder blade, and was retired from military service with a 100% medical disability.
He spent countless time in a hospital bed, at George C. Beech. Approximately seven years being rehabilitated. However, those wounds would last him a lifetime. They would come and go in the forms of extreme pain, paralysis, and nightmares so black, cold, and lifelike that they could test the sanity of the sanest.

Dad never talked much about his service. The medals were buried deep and he never mounted them for others to see, or tell the glorious stories of how they were earned. I do know that I looked up to my father and I knew he was special. Maybe because growing up my biggest fear was the dark, but my old man never feared the dark. To me that was cool, I always wanted to find out if I was as tough as Dad. To this day I measure myself against everything he went through and overcame to be the man he was. I've never been shot at, wounded in combat, or had to relearn every muscle in my body, or rebuild every relationship I had known. I measure myself against that...that if the toughest thing I ever have to worry about in my life is paying bills...then life is pretty easy for me and nothing I'll come against will ever be the mountains my father had to climb to go on with his life.


I know he joined the service as a way out. Like many of the kids we see today he needed something better than what was going on, and being raised in a military family he saw a place that could provide for him and help him plan out his future. He just didn't know how bad things would get before they were good. He never regretted his service, in fact I speak with veterans and servicemen alot, and not many offer a bad word for the commitment they make or the time spent. However, they all agree Uncle Sam could do a little better job.


My drive through the cemetery is different today. It's not deafening silent like the legions of crisp marble white headstones usually are when I visit. It's usually me and Ol Blue with a few scattering of vehicles, but today is bustling with activity. Boy scouts and girl scouts in their stiff starched uniforms with scout masters busy watching over their actions. JROTC cadets are walking about directing traffic, and escorting the elderly. The main rotunda is surrounded with bleachers for the weekend activities. Being raised a respectful Aggie I cringe as my Ol Blue barely scrapes past parked cars and straddles the concrete curb, but trudgingly I make my way to a spot I know so well. I couldn't tell you the section or row number, what I can tell you though is my destination is fifty sobering paces from the steering wheel to the stone that bares his name. It's a somber place for me to visit and it has changed through the years. The final resting place of an old soldier has gone through several metamorphosis over time. From caliche with small name markers to the arrival of gently rolling grass and that signature headstone. The headstone itself since being placed has been rearranged and realigned still no matter its appearance the contemplation it brings me is always awe inspiring. Today, on this hot humid Friday afternoon I was awed again.

I don't care what your belief is about war. You have to honor the American soldier! Those men and women who have served in the armed services deserve this day. They make a sacrifice that most of us will never endure or understand. We'll never walk in their shoes or carry their burden nevertheless we can commemorate the accomplishment, the loyalty, and the commitment it takes to be a United States soldier. And for the few forsaken who will never come back, those that gave the ultimate sacrifice I am so thankful for you. Without someone willing to stand on the line and say evil will not cross then we would never be free. Memorial Day is for you and I hope wherever you are that you know we are proud of your service and are thankful for all that you do.

Do your part to thank a soldier. There are alot of ways to help out. Donate needed items, visit a veteran's hospital to hear their stories, or stand silently amongst a crowd of marble white headstones and say thanks. Whatever, you do just know that you couldn't be who you are without them.

Hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day.
Thanks
LB

What A Week

Well there sure is a lot going on around here. First off, welcome Miss Rylynn Riojas to the world! She's going great so far, but keep her and her parents in your prayers. Everyone else is doing fine and getting better everyday. The blessing are abundant around here and lots of praise to be said.
School is winding down and that means more time to play. The jet ski should be back from being serviced soon, and the boat has been on the list to be cleaned everyweekend since Easter....maybe next week? I'll be teaching summer school for the month of June but Friday's are off and that makes for a great time.
Guest F will be home tonight. Looking forward to some third grade flirting, maybe some dancing, and a whole lot of laughs. She's really a blast to be around....(maybe I'll get to take the Mustang out again).
The horses are doing great, cattle are fattening up. Except for theses 100 degree afternoons it almost feels like a pretty good spring. Even the wind has seemed to die down lately. Thank God, I thought it was beginning to feel like lbk or Amarillo around here.
The Kipp academy is coming out Saturday for their ranch party and I think they'll have a good time. Learning how to rope, what brands are about, a hay ride, and a great chance to see live the snakes of South Texas should be a blast.
Sunday, Mother's Day. What can I say? I'm blessed to have the greatest mother in the world. She's put up with a lot from me and yes she jokes about it, but its probably true that I am responsible for most of her gray hair. However, I love her. She's never tried to hold me back from anything I've wanted to accomplish, and that is a rare thing to have now days. I'll admit she is usually right about most things and I come around to seeing that eventually, but she lets me do it in my own way and time. I love her for that. So Happy Mother's Day Mom and I Love You. Those of us that are lucky enough to have an illustrious family understand how important they are to have in our lives. If you're one of the lucky ones then take the time to thank them. It doesn't have to be some grand gesture, but letting them know they're appreciated is a wonderful thing. Anyways, thanks for stopping by and y'all have a great time.

Hasta Luego
LB

It's Raining!!

It's raining WHOOP!!! Thank you Jesus, we sure need it. It's Monday and I'm dragging. This morning we kicked off our week of TAKS testing. Poor kids, it is such a stressful time for them especially for the kids I deal with. Many of them have become accustomed to being passed through the system. Now they have to actually pass this test to graduate and walk the stage, well technically there is always a way out for few (but thats another conversation).

Spent Friday in Giddings with my brother at a ranch sorting and we had a blast! Rebel is coming around and I'm confident he'll make a great horse. I just wish he would quit acting so much like myself. (is that weird to think my horse acts just like me?) At least he's not a whiner like another horse my brother owns but we won't mention names. LOL Give us some time to work out the kinks and we'll be a pretty damn good team.

Saturday was spent driving home and hanging out with some friends, good to see Fuller back at the house and his little brother. The highlight of the day was Michelle's brownie cake that said "Red Sux" not Red Sox just to antagonize Clay.

Went to church Sunday, felt kinda weird about that. Had a great speaker but some of the things he said I took exception too. For example, he called down some people that had some serious conditions, prayed with them and told them they were healed. I have my faith but something about the service just shook me as odd. Anyways, it was great hanging out with mom afterwards.

Still raining here and I am ecstactic!!! I think it's ten days till I see Guest F. Hmmm dinner (she thinks I can cook), dancing (we get around pretty good), a great band (yet to be determined), but anything with her is fun and I kinda miss her.

Y'all Have Fun

Well Done Mr. Gates

Howdy,


First off thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes for my friend. He is at home recovering and should know more in the next few weeks. However, he's in great spirits and is doing well.

We had a very special thing happen this week. As Former Students of Texas A&M (Aggies), we celebrated Muster. It's one of our traditions where we gather with fellow Ags and honor the passing of Aggies by calling role call and we answer here for them. It's a time for reflection on the values that were instilled upon us during our time at Texas A&M(Yes, I have values but I just hide them really well). This year I'm thankful to not know anybody on the Muster list, but I feel for those of us that do. If you haven't had the chance yet, then take the opportunity to watch Dr. Gates Muster speech at http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/43429717.html . Even for those that aren't Aggies you will gain some insight to what makes us tick ( just a little insight). Dr. Gates does a great job relaying our values as a university, and you get a view of how the debt of living in a free country is being paid. Thanks to all those that are out there defending our great nation, and we are wishing the best for you and your families.

Hasta Luego
LB

Cancer

The big C, the dictionary definition is malignant growth. That pretty much translates to growing disease. I'm old enough to know I won't live forever, but most days I am young enough to still feel bullet proof. When my best friend called Friday and said he had cancer and he would be having surgery today, well needless to say I felt exposed for the first time.

This couldn't be possible? In fact writting this I am still bewildered by the information. All I've been able to tell him is, "Let me know if you need anything." If you knew my friend you'd know he'd never "let me know." I think thats what we have most in common. Our innate ability to get things done and accomplished without too much help from anyone. Truthfully, I honestly can't remember him ever asking anything of me except when he called Friday. He asked me to pray for him. I don't know if he was on medication, maybe he was high, dellusional with fear, (he wasn't any of these things) but whatever it was (his belief in the power of prayer) he made a request to me and it floored me. I've always passed on prayer requests to him, and he's done the same to me. However this was different (this was for him), when I make those requests it is because I know my friend is a man of God. He has a very open loving relationship with God, trusts him completely, and invokes prayer to help those that need it.

I am a christian, and I know that the prayer of the saintly and the prayer of the sinner are both of equal weight in the eyes of God. However, I was still floored by the request. My friend who has been there for me through so many of my darkest days of lost family, lustful pursuits, and irish fits of rage. He knows the skeletons in my closet and the demons that I have, but he still recognizes me as one of Gods children and asked me to pray for him. I've felt short on faith so many times, but my friend has always helped me realize God is pulling for us and wants us to have joy and happiness. I am somber yet enthusiastic to pray for my friend. We don't ever know whats in store for us on lifes odyssey, but we can take solace that God will be with us.

My friend, I pray that the storm you are enduring be swift and light. That you take solace in your faith and I pray that you recover swiftly. I pray that the Lord be with your loved ones and friends and comfort them as you endure this difficult time. We all look forward to you being your usual self soon. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

As we encounter life we feel exulted at most of the challenges it brings. That first gawky kiss (never kiss a girl with braces), viginity (waiting is better), love (still working on it), friendship (I am truly bleesed in this area), and coming in to our own sense of the world around us (bigger is not always better). I am jubilant that my friend has helped me realize that on the darkest of days when the walls close in, and the wolves are at the door that faith will carry me through.

Here Comes The Rain

It's not a drought buster...but it's enough to keep faith. Good news it's Friday, but a little sad that Guest F's not around. Anyone have any fun filled weekend plans? I'm working at the ranch tomorrow then headed up to hippyville aka Austin, TX for a mini-reunion with some very cool old friends. Well hope everyone has a great weekend and we'll touch base Monday.
Hasta
LB

Welcome Y'all Come In

Good Morning,

It's about humid 70 degrees this morning here just South of San Antonio. Working hardly this morning...but if you're reading this then welcome to my blog aka Mi Vida Loco. I look forward to sharing the crazy things that go on in my life. Those might be anything from things in my past, last nights capers, or just my view of the minifying traditional American male. I won't divulge too much of myself right now, but tune back from time to time and check out the latest escapade. I guarantee you there will always be something to write about! This seems like a pretty cool idea, thanks Guest F.

Hasta Luego
LB