First day of spring

The official first day of spring is the same thing as the first day of the year to me. It is when everything begins a new. January first is just another cold ass day when there are still another two and a half months of winter. The grass turns green now, things start growing, plans get put into action, because you can actually go outside and do something, that makes it a new year, not some date on a calendar. And of course the ultimate sign of spring in the Texas hill country, the Blue Bonnets arrive cued up by heaven above! So in honor of spring I've put a fresh coat of paint on the barn, there is a new hive of bees set to arrive next month, some new bird houses are up, and we are ready for spring to start sining it's song.

in memory of Brian Young

I met Brian Young late last summer. He was playing a gig at The Friendly Bar in Johnson City. Brian immediately immpressed me with his powerful, but unpretensious talent. He captivated the room and had everyone smiling. In typical hill country fashion when he sat down at the bar next to me we struck up a conversation and I asked if he could play a party at our barn in October. He checked his calander and we set the date. Brian had been all over Europe and the States touring, but he loved the Texas hill country the best. Our get together at the barn was small, maybe a couple dozen people, and I was grateful Brian could do it. Everybody enjoyed it, especially Brian. I paid him when the evening was over and Brian went home to Comfort. After Brian left he called to tell me I had given him too much money. "No I said, thats your tip". "Wow that's great" he said. That's just how Brian was, very honest and unassuming. I got a call a couple of weeks ago that Brian was in a coma in a San Antionio Hospital. No details, but it was obviously dire. Today I found out Brian is gone. I told Terry, and she said, honey I don't know if you knew, but Brian Told me that night he played at the barn, that was his dream gig, playing for us out there at the barn. He said he had played all over, but that he liked gigs like ours the best. I am glad I could be a small part of Brian's dream gig, and I hope he gets a lot of them in heaven.
Cheers,Brian Young we'll miss you!

What's that? you missed it? it's spring

March 6th 2011
This morning I left the house and it was a clear 32 degrees and winter. I rode my bike 35 miles and during that time spring arrived; it also warmed to 65 degrees. The March winds took a break and some spring birds announced their arrival. It all happened to quick to get a picture. I should have been ready. I am a Texan, so I knew it would be fast, I was just too busy pedaling up the next hill. That's my problem, but I don't have the exclusive on it. We could all pay a little more attention to the world around us, and each other, and maybe spring would last a little bit longer.

dreaming...

Through this gate boundless dreams await, there are no borders in my house. The minds eye can see the soul of the universe in its abundance and glory.
Peace- 3-2-11