32....Damn!

When I wake up tomorrow I'll wake up to the body of a 32 year old man. Well I'll say man...and some might still say boy. But to me that's a compliment! I spent this years birthday vacation going to see one of my favorite performers with my favorite brother in the world. OK, he's my only brother, but we still had a blast.

Andrew and I found ourselves in Vegas for one of the Garth Brooks concerts. I don't think I could ever actually sum up the emotions of his performance. Seated 50 feet above one of my favorite all time entertainers waiting for the show to start, I heard several people talking about what song he would start with. I knew what song it would be..because much like Garth's life, the lyrics of this song plays to my own heart....and you should have seen the necks whip around when he belted out with "Much Too Young" the song I called as being his first. I've always said that song is the story of my life, and request it be played at my funeral one day.

Much too young to feel this damned old! Turning 32 is no exception. If you are only as young as you feel and age is just a number then hell...I'm never leaving 25 in my mind. Twenty-five was a great time...but 32 won't be so bad. Hindsight is twenty-twenty and I've had enough to last most people a life time, but I'm sure up for a lot more before my race is through.

Garth's show was one that was very special to me, almost like hearing the wind whisper my name. For awhile lately, I'd forgotten how much music means to me. I guess trading the radio for graduate books, and a mountain of multi-tasking had left my soul craving a good song yearning to reconnect with my inner child. So here's a play list of some of my favorite song memories.

Tracy Lawrence- "Gonna Live Forever, If The Good Die Young" Picture this song blaring out of two old 1983 F-250 radio speakers as I flew down back roads learning to shift gears in an old diesel like she was a Porshe 911 on a Grand Prix course. Yes, that good.

Top Gun Soundtrack- "Danger Zone" in a Sony knockoff tape player lifting weights and trying to be the meanest football player that I could.

Ernest Tubb- " Waltz Across Texas" She was the best dancing girlfriend I've ever had, and we could steal the show waltzing to this song. We never made it as a couple, but this song always started fireworks.

Conway Twitty- "That's My Job" I always knew no matter how bad it got, the old man would help me out. Quite frankly the world would be a better place if every father was like that. I'm lucky to have had a father that allowed us to step out on our own and let us be who we are.

Keith Whitley & Earl Thomas Conley- "Brotherly Love" the kid may have been a pain growing up but damn he's one of a kind! I have the best brother in the world and am proud of the young man he's grown up to be. Having him along this year for my birthday trip was special!

As I look to the next years of whatever my life brings...I've come across a song that puts a lot of it into perspective. Jason Aldean's "On My Highway"

On my highway the yellow lines, Have disappeared from time to time, And I've wound up on the wrong side of the road,On my highway I've gone to fast, Afraid that I might finish last, I hooked a curve too hard and lost control, Oh I never know which way it's gonna go,

(Chorus)

But what a feeling chasing the sun, Living my life like it's shot from a gun,Laughing a little bit more with every mile,Oh what a freedom racing the wind,Dying to know whats around the next bend, And smiling as I watch the years roll by,I'm learning how to take it day by day on my highway,On my highway I missed some signs, And left a damn good love behind,I see her in my rear view like a ghost,On my highway I've broken down,And cried when no one else was around,And prayed that God would save my soul,Ya I've paid a lot of heavy tolls,

(Chorus)

Yeah Yeah,What a feeling out on the run,Drinking up the rain soaking up the sun,Laughing a little bit more with ever mile,Oh what a freedom like a sail in the wind,Not looking back not forgetting where I've been,Smiling as I watch the years roll by,I'm moving on from my mistakes, And I'm learning how to take it day by day,On my highway,Oh oh yeah.


I'm blessed and looking forward to the next 32 years up around the bend.

Hasta compadres!
LB

Perseverance

Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but the ability to start over- F Scott Fitzgerald

That seems to be my quote this summer! Persevere...or maybe...survive, endure, tolerate, move forward, and don't compromise. It's turning out to be a late night and that figures for a long day tomorrow. However, seeing as I'm awake and with a million and one thoughts running through my head I might as well write some of them here. First off...wow! Summer is flying by but its brought about some great things.

My new job is wonderful and it's pretty cool to work where you can actually say what you think without worrying about stepping on toes. I'm pretty lucky (blessed) to be where I am and what I'm doing. Now if I can just figure out all the procedures...but I'll persevere!

Summer school is flying by but I feel it's about to get a lot faster! Taking 6 hours for the last summer session, and they might be a little complicated. The pressure of taking the hours now is better than extending it another year though...so I'll persevere!

Rebel has been injured all summer but he is feeling a little better. It has sucked not being able to compete, but its better to take care of your horse and win the gold buckle another day. I'm sure we'll start several paces back of where we were when he tore his knee up but....we'll persevere!

In the meantime we're blessed with lush green grass, fat calves, beautiful weather, the best of friends and family, and perseverance. Because things won't always go perfect, the future is never known, but this game called life we endure, must always go on!

LB

Happy Father's Day

Congratulations to Jeff and Karen Carawan and my cousins Cody and Roxanna Moore on having their first father's day. Both couples are expecting soon and we are all praying for a healthy baby girl and boy to spoil.

Today's a special day! A day to honor our fathers, and though they are not all with us it doesn't mean their spirit doesn't live on in our hearts. I'm thankful to be from a family of great men who lead by example on both sides of my family tree. From my grandfather who can boast of only being out of work two days in his life, to my uncles whose devotion to their children is awe inspiring. These men have dedicated their lives to providing for their families and raising wholesome good hearted sons and daughters. Today is your day and I'm honored to call you family.

Days like to today are bitter sweet for me. It's been several years since dad passed and at times it still feels as if he's here. My father was the greatest man I ever knew. I never told him that as much as I could have, but I did tell him I loved him every chance I could. The older I get the more I admit to myself that he was right about a lot of things. I'm grateful though that he loved me enough to let me find out for myself. It's no secret that I miss him. He was my biggest fan and best friend.

I have several friends whose fathers have passed away and they are in my prayers today. Our fathers....be thankful for the time we had with them...cherish their memories...strive to meet their expectations...and love the world the way we were loved!


Happy Father's Day Dad,

Love
LB

Memorial Day Quotes

As we're off to celebrate this Memorial Day, don't forget to say a prayer for the men and women that sacrifice for our Freedom. The quote below is from an old English Economist named John Stuart Mill. I discovered it when doing research for a paper years ago and it's always stuck with me.

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." John Stuart Mill

As the son of a veteran, I thank all those serving and their families for their dedication and support. Because of the American soldier I get to be who I am, a Texan and American, and that makes for a pretty good life!

Thanks
LB

Spring Finals!!!!

Spring semester is over, and I'm so ready for it! The thought of spending another beautiful evening listening to professors droll on about their subject is torture to the restlessness of my soul. Thank God for the IPhone! :-) I know class time is a much needed requirement for the furthering of education, but whatever happened to having a "walk?" I believe it was Thomas Jefferson that said, "Never let going to school, interfere with your education." Some attribute that to Mark Twain, but I thought it was TJ in some letter to somebody. Anyways, I've always tried to live by that rule. I abide that days off to pursue something else are much needed. So, with that being said here is to finishing Spring semester with two finals tonight and getting back to my life for a short time. I'm up for mowing the yard (after I fix the lawnmower again), riding some neglected horses, catching up with a few dear friends, cold beers on the front porch, getting the boat out (I'm a little sad this hasn't happened yet!) , and much needed time in the back pasture! Thanks for the study break.

Hasta Luego
LB

Happy Mother's Day

A Toast For Mom

Mom, what can I say....It's been 31 years and I'm still here today?

From sacking quarterbacks to gold buckle dreams, you've been an inspiration to all my brass rings. My biggest fan, my toughest critic...and when I'm down on my life, you convince me not to quit it. I say, "I Love You", and those words are so dear. Because what would my world be, without you here. I'm proud of you, and all that you have done. From the amazing teacher you are, to raising two stubborn Aggie sons. I know I've challenged you...sometimes to your wits end, but I wouldn't trade you, my precious mother, for any amount of treasure that's up around the bend!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

I Love You

LB

Rylynn Turns 1!!!

Happy Birthday Rylynn!!!

I never need much of a reason to fiesta, but this past Saturday was a very special occasion!My family and I were honored to help Miss Rylynn celebrate her first birthday with her family and friends. Ry, is the daughter of my dear friends Gilly and Andrea Riojas of Lampasas, Tx. She is such a captivating little girl, that any time around her has "Uncle LB" grinning from ear to ear. Rylynn is living proof that God answers prayers and I am forever gracious for getting to enjoy her. What can I say....I'm a sucker for a pretty smile! Her pony was a huge hit (Thanks Mom) and I'm looking forward to hearing of her adventures with "Uno" the wonder horse.

Feliz Cumpleanos
LB