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

Be passionate!

My favorite place for dining and entertainment in Johnson City is The Friendly Bar Bistro at 106 N. Nugent Ave., just down the block from the bank. The Friendly Bar has a storied past, but Ed Thompson, manager and chef has turned the stories from the days of old on their ear. In a small establishment, Ed turns out delicous dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from all over. If you stop in once, you’re a regular, and Ed will know your name before you leave. Ed turns out amazing food from a tiny kitchen where the chef is your server, and every plate is inspected by the chef as it goes out. Last Friday night I had the Cesar salad and the crab cakes, Awesome all the way around. As I was eating alone at the bar, I watched Wheel of Fortune, chatting with the lady next to me Judy Moore, who is half of the Dos Amigos Band I was about to watch. We both wondered how much Vanna White makes, knowing it was more than we make since she has had her gig almost 20 years. Vanna is the same age as me, but I’m thinking she may have had a little work done, since she looks cover girl fresh at 54 years old.
Ed always has fantastic bands that play at The Friendly Bar Bistro. It reminds me of the 70’s in Austin, when you could sit down and have a beer and chat it up with whoever had the stage on a particular night. Ed is passionate about his little Bistro in Johnson City, and it shows, take a look and see for yourself.

http://friendlybarbistro.com/

Lake on Flat Creek 2-13-11 3:00 pm

One of the really nice things that I love about the Texas Hill Country is a peaceful, sunny, late winter Sunday afternoon that feels like spring and warms you with sunshine. And spending that day on a crystal clear lake, perfect for catching fish, and letting your mind wander as far away as the Moon. It’s hard to beat.

Bee day
2-6-11, I knew the bees needed a helping hand after the nasty weather last week. Today was nice, got to 70 degrees in JC. I mixed the bees a couple of gallons of food which should see them through the worst of winter, and put back 2 of the 3 frames I owed them in the honey super. The bees had built their own honey comb in the rest of the space. Most of it was empty and they had obviously been living off that honey. There were a few dead soldiers at the hive entrance, but the hive was surviving despite the recent cold temps. I removed the comb they had hanging from the hive top, but there was still a large piece of comb at the bottom of the honey super that was left for the bees. I still get rattled by the buzzing bees, knowing they are pissed to be disturbed. My new dome hooded bee suit is awesome, and keeps me protected, but once you have come face to face with a bee inside your bee suit it (and know the inevitable outcome) it is unnerving to hear them buzz so close. I work quick and don’t linger for a photo op.
Here is one I took at home:

Am I in central Texas???

Yep it's February 3rd at the BEE Ranch in Texas, but the weather feels like we're in the Arctic! It's been below freezing going on 3 days, and it snowed last night right after the sleet quit. Before it froze, 60 mile an hour winds ushered in the cold front. I don't know if it was a Blue Norther because it was dark when it arrived, but I do know that what ever you care to call it, this has been one strong sum bitch of a cold front! I hope my bees are doing OK, they survived a strong cold snap last winter, but it didn't last this long.
I'm including a couple of photos to show ny point.

ice ice baby...