It was a wild night. Two girlfriends, three boys under 12, and a whole lot of Paisley. Brad Paisley, that is.

A few years ago, I began to really like Brad Paisley’s music. I am inspired by anyone that can do anything with superior skill, and Brad can certainly make [...]]]>

It was a wild night. Two girlfriends, three boys under 12, and a whole lot of Paisley. Brad Paisley, that is.

A few years ago, I began to really like Brad Paisley’s music. I am inspired by anyone that can do anything with superior skill, and Brad can certainly make a guitar sing. That was initially what I found so intriguing about Brad Paisley. He can sure play.

Since discovering that fact, I have come to love his music. Quirky lyrics, and obvious sense of humor, and an underlying sense that he is quite intelligent and aware, he has been at the top of my entertainer ‘favorites’ for quite awhile.

I made no bones about wanting to see Brad in concert last year at Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo, but the dates just didn’t work out. This year they weren’t much better, but when my girlfriend Kim told me that her husband was Brad’s personal security for the show and she got us tickets and Meet & Greet passes, you know that I was going to be there!

I joked all the way down to Houston, goofing around like a swooning, lovesick teenager or something, but the truth is that I respect him as an artist. The real excitement for me was to inspire my son to play his guitar. I knew that little D would be starry-eyed, and I love being able to do extra-special things for little D that will be memories and moments that he will always remember, and inspire him along the way to do great things himself.

Mike (Kim’s husband) did not disappoint. We had a police escort into the stadium, complete with lights and everything. Wait- who is the entertainer here? Little D loved the attention and couldn’t believe that we parked right next to Paisley’s tour bus.

That bus behind me is Brad’s

We were loaded into golf carts, and whisked behind the scenes, through the bottom of Reliant, to the Meet & Greet area.

While I understand why it is what it is, the Meet & Greet isn’t all that exciting. Of course, you get a photo taken with the artist, get to meet him, shake hands, make quick small talk, but then you’re off. No autographs given, no personal photographs. We were ushered through there so quickly it didn’t even feel real. It was fun though, to see my son meet one of his music idols.

Brad likes kids,  and I’m sure that being a father to two boys, he has a soft spot for little guys. Brad walked right up to D and asked, “Hey there, what is your name, buddy?” and D introduced himself with wide eyes and a cautious smile. His voice was raspy like it gets when he is super nervous, and I smiled and introduced myself as well. As the photographer was snapping pictures of us in our ‘pose’, D grabbed his shirt and said, “you know, I play the guitar too!” and Brad said, “Really? You do?” and D answered, “yep, and I sing too!!!” Brad stopped and crouched on one knee and said, “thanks for telling me that- maybe sometime I can hear you play?” and David grinned from ear to ear and said, “sure!”… I thanked him for being so kind and he thanked me. Southern manners. Charm. Eye contact, a genuine smile, and a thank you.

Just what I would have hoped from him- and he delivered.

Just so you know, the photograph taken with him won’t go live until this afternoon, but I’ll post it as soon as I can. Ok?

We finished up with the Meet & Greet, got our autographed photos and waited for security to finish with the others and whisk us away on our chariot. Seriously, after having the Royal Treatment like the performers get, I think I’m spoiled. It is the only way to go. Police escort everywhere? Behind the scenes extras? VIP treatment is N-I-C-E. Thank you Mike, you are my HERO!

My son’s hero?

A man with about 100 subtle paisley-designed guitars with light blue guitar picks (yes, he gave David one too!)…

He put on a great show. Music was excellent. His band, the Drama Kings, are excellent. They segued between songs without missing a beat, and I think Brad spent more time OFF the stage visiting the crowd, than he did on the rotating stage! It was a great show, they performed songs from a variety of albums, including all of my favorites- except Online.

Little D was disappointed that he had forgotten to ask Brad to sing “Catch All the Fish” from his new album, but he lit up like a Christmas tree when Brad sang it anyway. Some other favorites from last were: “She’s Everything”, “Then”, “Welcome to the Future”, “Turf’s Up” (instrumental), and “Alcohol”. Truly all of the songs he sang were favorites, and I can’t forget “Mud on the Tires” and “Ticks”.

It was a great time, even though it was a school night, and we were out late with three little guys who have school today. Oh well, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a fun girl’s night, and a overall great time. Thanks to my great friends that made it happen and a trio of young boys who displayed their proper upbringing and manners while still managing to have a wonderful time.

Love you guys!

I freely admit that [...]]]> I received the article below yesterday in an email from a good friend of mine who’s family makes their living in the cattle business. They are the salt of the earth, like most ag families are, and their commitment to promoting agriculture, especially to our youth, is to be commended.

I freely admit that growing up I did not understand the importance of agriculture and farming. I did not have a clue. We’d fly past dairy pastures and tons and tons of cornfields and I would never even bat an eye. Farming and agriculture were not interests of mine and honestly, they seemed like boring, small-minded pursuits. The County Fair was exciting for the ferris wheel and cotton candy… my, my… how silly that seems to me now.

I admit my ignorance and am so thankful that I have had the opportunity through my marriage, to see the bigger picture and to understand the fascinating world of agriculture more now than most. Agriculture is far from boring. It is fascinating and it is integral to our lives. I know that now, but do you?

I have talked before about why we need farmers, why our kids need to understand where their food comes from and we just won’t survive without farmers… read this article by Baxter Black who does a great job of opening our eyes to the Big Picture. I particularly like Black talking about the ’short list of essential professions’. Ag jobs are right at the top, did you realize that?

Thanks Julie, for passing this great article on to me. Happy to spread the word-

“Most people just don’t get it,” said Ron, bemoaning the urban politicians that continue to whittle away at funding for county fairs and the ag extension service. “It’s all about the kids learning real life.”

To their misfortune, urban children have much less opportunity to connect with real life. They look at some farm kid working on his show steer every day for months. It is beyond their comprehension. “Why”, they think, ‘Would anyone want to waste their time in such a mindless pursuit?’ and then they whip out their Game Boy and fall into a trance.

Thank goodness there are some politicians, corporations and influential associations that DO get it. As farmers and livestock raisers continue to decline in numbers, it is even more critical that parents, county agents, ag teachers, 4H leaders, scientists and teachers instill in the next generations the realities of life that farming depends on. Does America want to become a net importer of food in fifty years?

I appreciate Mrs. Obama’s garden, Whole Foods specialty markets, organic and natural producers. They have a niche market. But who is going to feed the other 99% of our burgeoning population, much less a hungry third world?

Those kids, our kids who are fitting steers, doing chores, picking apples, showing hogs, driving the grain truck, learning to weld, riding pens, irrigating strawberries, managing a pasture, hosing the milk room, stacking hay and learning to read the sky are assimilating the mountain of knowledge that it takes to make dirt and rain into food.

Farm kids start learning the land and the livestock when they are old enough to carry a bucket. When they help with the daily chores they are practicing. It’s like taking piano lessons or tennis lessons except what farm kids learn has a much more profound objective; feeding us all.

Our culture expends a great deal of effort on future NBA stars, astronauts, environmental lawyers, doctors, and political science majors. But for every 100 rock stars, Rhoads scholars and Heisman trophy winners our country produces, we better make sure we spend enough to train at least two future farmers, so the rest of them can eat. That is the essence of the county fair.

Beneath all the fun, auctions, and show ribbons, the serious business of learning how to make a living off the land continues like an underground river.

The list of ‘essential professions’ is a short one. That’s the reality of real life. Farm kids hold our future in their hands. They are in training to feed the world. And fair board members and county agents get it.

Baxter Black

1. I have [...]]]> Ever have one of those days when you have about 2 million independent thoughts are banging around in your head? I don’t know that any one of them is worthy of an entire post, but I thought I would run down this list today about everything going on. You know I love lists!

1. I have been battling this mysterious head/chest cold for 3 weeks. Yesterday was the first day that I actually felt human. Hoping that that illness is on its way out. It has been extremely frustrating, painful, and exhausting to be so run-down when I have so much to do!

2. There is a male cardinal following me around the museum. Another outside my bedroom window at home. Even last week while I was lunching at a cafe in Hempstead, TX- a male cardinal continued to throw himself against the glass door near my table. Is this coincidence or is this supposed to mean something? I really wish I knew-

3. I am selfishly ecstatic to have Brad Paisley tickets for tomorrow night, but extremely worried about keeping little D out so late on a school night, considering he has 3 tests the next day.

4. The peach trees and the pear tree outside my house are in full bloom and I am thrilled.  I am hoping that this weekend I get a chance to till my garden and start ‘primping’ my yard. Loving the sudden springtime weather after having the 4th coldest winter in Texas history.

5. I wore absolutely NO MAKEUP to work today. It wouldn’t be so bad except that I have a few sun spots mixed in with my freckles and my eyelashes need some mascara. It felt great not to put on the warpaint this morning, just hope I don’t scare anyone!

6. I have been getting the ‘pull’ to design t-shirts again but feel like my style has totally changed.

7. In addition to t-shirts, I think I’m ready to dive back into handbags. Clutches, specifically. How I love clutch purses…

8. I met a very cool photographer last week. You should check out his work. What I would do to tag along on one of his photo shoots! Think he’ll let me?

9. If I could go on a shopping spree to replace my furniture, my whole house would suddenly be transformed into whitewashed and white slipcovered, easygoing pieces with eclectic accents. My house suddenly feels foreign to me, my style has suddenly changed 180 degrees.

10. I slept horribly last night. When I did finally fall asleep, I had a nightmare and woke everyone up in the house screaming. Glad I don’t remember details this morning.

11. A picnic sounds lovely.

12. Suddenly consumed by black and white photography.

13. Wondering whatever happened to my favorite Rice Volleyball sweatshirt? Gray with the half-zip? Man I loved that thing. I still wear my blue one from sophmore year, it is only…16 years old now. Just now starting to get worn-in. Makes for great pajamas…

14. The inside of my car is a disaster and needs to be cleaned. My car is usually pristine and that is quite a feat considering I have cream leather interior and a 6 year old boy! The interior of one’s car makes quite a personal statement, at least to me.

15. Time seems like it is speeding past me. I cannot get a handle on the things I need to do, want to do, should do. Feel like I am constantly racing and playing catch-up. Need more hours of productivity per day. Maybe buy a case of Red Bull and pull a few all-nighters?

16. We have all of these great hammocks from Venezuela. I love hammocks. This year I refuse to let the spring and summer go by without hanging some of them… instant vacation!

17. Really, what IS IT that smells so weird in Anthropologie stores? Is it just me? I love the store but cannot stand to be inside for more than 10 minutes.

18. For all of the hours everyone spends driving, why doesn’t someone come out with Car University? Seriously- listen to lectures in the car and take the tests online? I would do it!

19. Photoshop and Illustrator need to magically appear on my home computer.

20. Ceiling fans= Torture. Make me cold and sniffly. Besides, do you remember what I did to one while playing Wii Tennis?

This is just a small sampling of the independent thoughts I have dancing around in my head this morning. I know there isn’t a lot of depth to any of them and they are all over the place… typical me!

Have a great day!

Hopefully things improve.

I think my body is just going through a bunch of ’stuff’ right now. First of all, I am still battling this THING that almost everyone [...]]]> I always sort of cringe when I wake up grumpy and don’t feel particularly well. Starting the day off on the ‘wrong foot’ cannot be good, can it?

Hopefully things improve.

I think my body is just going through a bunch of ’stuff’ right now. First of all, I am still battling this THING that almost everyone I know has in some stage. I would call it a regular head cold except that it lingers, and lingers, and lingers. It moves from your head to your chest and then back up again. It doesn’t hinder your daily grind, but feels like a constant thorn in your side, always there, always bothersome, but not quite enough to keep you out of commission…

But let me be clear: even though I am not ‘out of commission’, I am miserable.

On top of the illness that I have had for more than 2 weeks now, I am 6 days into my Herbalife plight. Six days really isn’t very long and like everything else in my life, I want instant gratification but am not getting much. A few pounds lost and a wee amount of inches, but considering my strict adherance to the ‘guidelines’, I was hoping for more changes. Since the changes aren’t appearing on the outside yet, I have to assume there is a lot of changing going on in the inside…

Which explains why I’m making zillions of bathroom breaks, my stomach is alittle queasy and my head is often just a tad sore…

You are probably thinking that I am doing something wrong or that this Herbalife stuff isn’t good for me, etc… But you’re wrong. This is exactly what happened to me last time, and what happens to most people who start taking the products. Problem is that most people start feeling these changes start happening and they panic, quit taking the products, and revert back to their old habits. Unfortunately, this is all part of the process. The vitamins and supplements are flushing toxins, which explains my stomach problems, and my need for water and caffeine explains my headache. It will pass soon, as it did last time, and as it does for everyone who actually gives this a chance, and I will feel much better.

I’m certain of this because it has happened before. And it isn’t unbearable, it is just a tad of a nuisance. Maybe coupled with my bad head cold, it feels worse than it really is. I don’t know.

If you follow me on Facebook, you will see that one of my friends Kyley is also taking Herbalife. I didn’t know this, and was surprised to see her comment about my post yesterday that she has lost 52lbs and feels incredible! It is a fantastic product and once you are over the initial hump that I’m in right now, it is all blue skies!

Will keep you posted on my progress. Have a great day!

And that has not been sitting well with me over the past week because in addition to being insanely busy, I am also battling an awful (and I mean A-W-F-U-L) head cold. You know how you have a cold, and you wake up in the morning and your whole body hurts, your head feels as [...]]]> B-U-S-Y…

And that has not been sitting well with me over the past week because in addition to being insanely busy, I am also battling an awful (and I mean A-W-F-U-L) head cold. You know how you have a cold, and you wake up in the morning and your whole body hurts, your head feels as heavy as a bowling ball, and you just can’t muster enough ‘oomph’ to hoist yourself out of bed?

Yep. That has been my state of being for the last… oh, 6 days or so.

Except that I have HAD to hoist myself out of bed, there is just not time to be sick!!

Working backwards, let’s see…. this morning, we went to baseball practice. It was a good practice, though only about a half of the team showed up. Good little ballplayers and I’m having fun being out on the field with them. I am not officially coaching, but I happen to be a good hand to have around to hit balls at people and instruct. I was called ‘Coach Casey’ today by the other coaches, so I guess I’ve been allowed into the ‘loop’.

Got up at the crack of dawn to feed Ian the Pig. He is doing great and loves to be cuddled. I have really started to like his neat personality. Have never had a pig before, he’s really a cool little guy.

Got home late last night from Houston. We had two Brahman bulls competing in the Livestock Show and we spent all day at the rodeo. Our bulls did not fare so well, despite one being the Reserve National Champion. I don’t know. Like everything, the cattle business is largely political, so you have to understand that the best animal doesn’t always come out on top. Politics plays a HUGE factor- such is life. We were disappointed in the show itself, but enjoyed the midway and the shopping. Little D won so much loot at the games at the Midway that we could hardly walk to the truck to head home! Fun night!

This is Mr. Santerland, the Reserve Grand Champion Red Brahman Bull

And this is the gray bull, but I don’t know his name! (awful, aren’t i?)

Didn’t this turn out beautifully? Unedited!

Yesterday morning I also woke up at the crack of  dawn. When I say ‘early’, I’m talking EARLIER than my usual 5am alarm clock. I have been waking up lately between 4 and 4:30 for no apparent reason. It seems ridiculous to try and catch an extra 30 minutes of sleep, so I just get up and get a jump on my day. Consequently, I am more tired later in the day. Maybe my congestion being sick has something to do with my inability to sleep. Who knows.

Thursday I went on a trip that I had planned for the Museum where I work. We toured the Liendo and Bernardo Plantations in Hempstead, TX. Bernardo was probably the first plantation in Texas, and though it is long gone from the landscape, there is rich history still on the grounds. The state of Texas has state archaeologists excavating the site and they are finding all sorts of interesting information to help understand the history of early Texas.

Texas state archeologist  Dr. Jim Bruseth talks about the Bernardo Plantation excavation

Jared Groce was the owner of Bernardo Plantation and his son Leonard eventually moved from Bernardo and built his own plantation, which is Liendo. Both are integral places to the history of Texas, and it was an interesting balance to tour an archaeological site where no plantation house or slave quarters exist anymore, but then in the afternoon, to tour the beautiful Liendo and walk through the majestic rooms of the beautiful home.

What a beautiful front yard! Though he fought for the North, General Custer was stationed here at Liendo during the Civil War and his wife, Libby, traveled everywhere with him. While here, she fell ill, and it is said that General Custer spared the beautiful plantation house and grounds because of the beauty of it and its owners, Mr. and Mrs. Groce, who came to the aid of his ill wife.

It was a very long day, the majority spent driving or standing outside and I thought that my head cold was going to overtake me. I was miserable on Thursday. Absolutely miserable. Nevertheless, it was an exciting day of history and new friends, and maybe even a few ghosts.

Looking ahead, tonight we are going to a friend’s charity event and tomorrow is the Jonas Brothers concert! I asked everyone I possibly could yesterday at the Rodeo, trying to find last minute tickets for the Jonas concert and they were completely sold out. I don’t know how, but Big D pulled some strings for me and was just given 4 tickets! I have one happy little boy SO EXCITED to see the Jonas Brothers live tomorrow afternoon!

I also want to mention that our peach trees and pear trees are IN BLOOM! The temps are in the 60s and the cold weather seems to have passed. I am happy and hopeful that the worst has passed us and there are blue skies ahead…

Yesterday I didn’t get a chance to upload my post so I trashed it altogether. I had a busy day, and it was really hard to get moving yesterday as I have caught my son’s awful head cold. Waking up at 5am is painful already, but to do so with a head that feels [...]]]> Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday I didn’t get a chance to upload my post so I trashed it altogether. I had a busy day, and it was really hard to get moving yesterday as I have caught my son’s awful head cold. Waking up at 5am is painful already, but to do so with a head that feels as heavy as a bowling ball, coughing and hacking and watery eyes make it extra special, let me tell you!

Nevertheless, I made it to work (which is more than I can say for myself  this morning, though I’m going in this afternoon) and took part in all of the Sam Houston birthday festivities. If you have read much of my blog, you know that I can get teary eyed over just about anything. I guess it goes without say then that yesterday I got all misty and emotional as I sat at the grave of Sam Houston on his 217th birthday and listened to countless speakers speak about this great man. His family came from all over the country, as they do every year, to honor the great General.

More than his accomplishments on the battlefield or in the political realm, I am struck by what an exceptionally honorable man Sam Houston was. He was not perfect, certainly. That actually makes him all the more likeable and real to me. He overcame a lack of formal education to be a brilliant mind; he overcame alcoholism; he even overcame some doubts he had about God and found religion. Sam Houston’s mother placed a ring on her son’s finger when he left home as a young man, inscribed with the word ‘Honor’ that he wore for the rest of his life. He truly upheld her hope that her son would lead an honorable life. He certainly did.

As the speakers talked yesterday about his triumphs at the Battle of San Jacinto, or about his run for President of the Republic of Texas, I was choked up thinking about how he stood up for his convictions even when faced with complete ruin. He knew Texas couldn’t survive as a Republic and worked tirelessly to become annexed into the U.S. He befriended the Native American Indians. He disagreed with the Civil War. He saw people for who they were on the inside, not the color of their skin.

Even though he personally owned slaves, it is hard to call Sam Houston a slave owner. Joshua Houston was the only person besides his wife, that he trusted. Joshua Houston, his manservant, was considered a part of the family and Joshua felt that. When he was freed, he took the name ‘Houston’ to honor Sam. Eliza, Margaret’s ’slave’ was anything but. Called ‘Aunt Eliza’, this incredible woman did much more than keep house for Margaret Houston. She was her best friend. In fact, guess who is buried next to Margaret Houston in Independence, TX? Not her husband, but Eliza.

Sam Houston refused to sign a declaration to the Confederacy which is how he was removed from his post as the Governor of Texas during the Civil War. He could not and would not succumb to the belief that slavery should divide this great nation. Because he wouldn’t support the south, he was removed from office and shunned. He returned to Huntsville, TX and resided in the Steamboat House, where he fell ill and soon died of pneomonia, in relative obscurity.

I have posted before about how it is often the hardest option to do the right thing. It is often unpopular, it is often painful, and it can certainly be a lonely existence. Sam Houston certainly knew as much. But, he held fast to his honorable convictions and followed his heart about doing the right thing when it mattered most, not worrying about personal consequences.

Though being out in the cold and wind yesterday made me far sicker than I might be otherwise, I am so glad that I had a chance to take part in the graveside ceremony honoring General Houston. It gave me time to reflect on the great man and how much we owe him, not just as Texans, but as Americans. He was only one voice in opposition against the Civil War, and certainly one voice gets drowned out easily, but it doesn’t mean that it should go silent.

Then I tried to write something [...]]]> I am really out of sorts today and don’t know what to post. I wrote a whole post about making the most out of each day after I read about Layla Grace’s failing. But then I got all upset and decided not to upset you, too, so I erased it.

Then I tried to write something light and funny and it just sounded stupid.

So I deleted that too.

I would tell you about the phantom pain in my left leg that is suddenly gone (thank goodness) but I know you don’t really care.

And you shouldn’t.

Or that the snow is gone and it is warming up again. I really don’t want to type about weather because let’s face it: I have had weather ON THE BRAIN for the past month or so. Seriously, let’s talk about something – anything- but weather!

I thought about typing to you about how I’m not doing very well on my whole ‘get fit’ plight, but that I’m going to attack it with full force starting immediately. But you know what: I am sick of hearing myself say those things, so my guess is that you don’t want to read them again either. This time, I’ll just keep my fitness plans to myself instead of bolding stating- and then failing- at them yet again.

Or I could tell you about the drama that has been unfolding in the Pinto League boy’s baseball. No, that one I think I’ll keep to myself. It hasn’t been pretty. That is all you need to know at this point. Put it this way: I’ve been a squeaky wheel. VERY SQUEAKY.

I’m just sort of ‘out of it’ today. I’m really quite happy that my mysterious leg pain is gone, but I am suffering from mood swings and cramps (is that TMI?) and I just want to curl into a ball with my jammies on and watch Sex and the City reruns.

It is just one of those days.

I’ll be back tomorrow….