A horse is a horse . . . And you?

Today's readings drew me into the mind of the horse. I know, I've got horses on the brain all the time, but Isaiah had a few things to say today that reminded me of how these magnificent animals operate. It made me want to be more like them.

The first thing you have to realize when you're working with horses is that that animal didn't wake up and start plotting his master plan to make you look like a fool. It's a horse. Anytime you get frustrated with a horse it's because you aren't communicating properly with that animal. If the horse doesn't get it, it's your fault. There's no malice in the heart of a horse. Of course there's no false, or painful speech coming from them. (unless maybe if you really pissed off Mr. Ed ;) ) They're just listening. Working. Always ready to make the next transition.

Luckily our Father in Heaven is a fantastic communicator. All we have to do is be more like the horses. Listen, work and be ready for the next transition.

Don't forget to read today's readings, especially Isaiah and the Psalm.

Trust (and Thursdays)

Another georgous Thursday has blown by. Late Wednesday evening after I got the horses rode and roped some calves, I sorted out the yearling heifers and loaded them in the trailer to deliver them back to the ranch. They were here to help finish the ranch horses I had showing in the Ranch Horse competition at San Antonio. I really don't have room for them here, so it's time for them to go back to the ranch.

Having loaded them the night before gave me a chance to take my time this morning. For some reason it seemed like the stars were shining a little brighter. There's a northern pushing through on Saturday, so maybe the front of it is clearing out the air a bit. Who knows. The point is that it was a beautiful morning. I fed the horses and loaded my right hand man Gus. Then after kissing my bride goodbye, loaded two calf roping horses and headed south.

Today was another one of those great Thursdays. We fed this morning and then I rode a couple three year olds. Two fillies. One will hopefully be headed to NCHA Cutting Hall of Famer Rusty Carroll and the other to NRCHA World's Greatest Horseman winner, Chris Littlefield. Time will tell, but they are both capable of going bigtime in my opinion.

After that Morgan asked me to put the first ride on a two that he just got up. He was almost no effort at all. One little hump during the first trot out and smooth sailing after that. He'll be fun.

After lunch we went to the Mulas to check water and then it was calf roping time. Mr. Greeson's son, Parke, has a highschool rodeo this weekend and wanted me to tune Roany up for him a little. Roany is the Reserve World Champion Calf Roping horse Dad sold to Mr. Greeson. He's pictured at the top of this post competing in Houston. Anyway, Morgan came with me to turn out, but more importantly, to help Parke with his roping. He was already roping better than the last time we went over there. I can get Roany jamming, no problem, but I can't teach him to throw the rope. ;) Parke has to do that part. And Dad is so much better at watching someone and communicating the changes they need to make in order to rope better.

My concentration is almost always within the horses. They usually teach me more than I teach them and today was no different. Ice Man, a grey stud of my grandfather's, had his first experience of me leaving him yesterday. Plenty went into reaching that day, but yesterday was the first time I roped, stepped off and left him to go tie the calf, and expected him to do his job on his own. So today I had planned to get off the gas a little and let him run a couple of breakaway calves and call it a day. After the second one, my breakaway sure enough broke away. The plastic loop broke clean into two pieces. I had a choice. Quit Ice Man, or rig him up for tie down.

Dad hadn't seen him go yet, so I decided to tie at least one down on him at this new place to see how he'd do. I got off the left and he did OK. So I scored one. Then on the second one, he hunted him hard from the start, stopped hard, so I stepped off the right and left him. He pulled great and I was so pleased with him.

Long story short, Joe, the other calf horse I took who his Roany's younger brother worked fantastic. It's hard to quit those kind because they're so much fun to rope on.

So we headed back to the ranch.

"Well, what'd you think?" I just had to ask Morgan on the way back. He hadn't said much.

He half grinned and said, "Hell I was kind of surprised. He looked good."

I feined disbelief and we had a good time with it. Truth is I was pretty damn surprised myself. That was alot to ask a horse. New place. New task. High pressure. But here's the deal. We, me and Ice Man, have LOTS of hard days behind us. There was so much preparation behind those two runs. I should have been confident in his ability and I wasn't. Hopeful would be more descriptive. Same with Joe and he's way further along than Ice Man.

So what I wanted to share today, other than a Thursday story that sounds more like vacation than work to me, is the concept of trust. Relationship trust. Not the romantic kind, but trust nonetheless. Everybody has their version of cold windy riding days. Hot sweaty roping days. Trials and tribulations that happen on your way to an accomplishment. Most of the people in your life aren't there for those hard days. They only show up for the performance. They don't see the hard part. And so you (and I) worry. Somwhere in me I knew Ice Man would do just fine or else I wouldn't have rigged him up in the first place. That's the trust I'm talking about. For me, though, it needs to be more prominant. I suspect it's the same for you.

So trust in God's ability to work through you. And in the abilities that He has given to you. And in the horses (or people) He has entrusted unto you. Be great. Sometimes our worst fear is not in being a failure, but in becoming something great.

Rugged Gear: Samsung Rugby A837 Phone

OK.

My wife got this phone for me for Christmas. Those of you who know me, know that very often I go off the grid for weeks at a time. And all too often too. Then when I finally get a chance to call you back, you get some weird story.

"Phone got stomped by a two-year old."

"Slung my phone of the side of the trailer on southbound 37 somewhere between San Antone and Georgewest."

"Dropped it in a water trough." (that happens alot ;) )

Well, I finally have the phone for me. It's buckin-horse-stompin-highway-slingin-water-trough-droppin-proof and it's 3G. I'll save you all the marketer speak, but if you need a new phone and you are in the field often, you can't beat this thing.

Actually, you can beat this thing. Soundly. And it still works. So good that I started this whole new category for the gear I use. And this phone is the A1 primo super power first in line to be included in the new Rugged Gear section.

Changes coming for Alamo Quarter Horse Breeders Assoc.

Last night was our wrap-up meeting for the 2008 AQHBA show season. This year wasn't as kind as years passed, but we are still doing well. Although entries were down a little bit in most events, cow horse events and roping were up and club membership didn't change much at all.

RanchForeman.com has been asked to take over the AQHBA website so we will do a redesign and provide hosting as well. We'll save the current look so everyone can see the before and after.

Our scholarship has not attracted much attention lately and so we are trying to rework the verbage to open it up a little. Currently, we require youth to be an AQHBA member and to have shown at least once. I am considering proposing that we approach local (Boerne, Northside SA) highschool counselers. We could still require ag majors and/or ag careers and let the kids come work a show or two in order to get qualified for the scholarship. If any of you have experience with giving scholarships, or even if you just have some thoughts about this, please comment below.

Last, but not least, we are going to bring in sponsorships for the first time in a VERY long time. If you, or someone you know, may be interested in getting some bang for their buck marketing, let me know.

Baling wire, Duct Tape and Love

You guys that are familiar with ranch/farm life know what a staple baling wire and duct tape can be when you're trying to hold all the pieces together.

There are quick fixes for the wrecks and messes in life just like baling wire and duct tape. The problem is that they hold together just long enough to mask the problem until you really need them... and then they fall apart: Just like baling wire and duct tape. ;)

If you drag yourself into a state of mind where you feel no pain, guess what... you won't be feeling anything else either. God allows certain circumstances in our lives to arise in order to shape us into people worthy of entering his heavenly kingdom. Don't despair.

Love, the true fix for the messes in life, will see you through it. Forgiveness may be required first. Forgive your friend, sibling, co-worker, brother, sister, etc. Forgive yourself. Love. And be loved.

2009 South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals

Horse Barn 2 will never be the same. We completed the 2nd Annual South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals in the barn yesterday and it was a huge success. Our group was very excited about the feedback we received from sponsors and contestants. The building is a little small for the crowd we're producing though so we're going to tear it down.

That's right, the 2009 STRRF was the last event Horse Barn 2 will ever see. Next year we will host the finals in a new state of the art equine facility.

This year saw some younger cowboys in the spotlight as well when we kicked off the McCoy's Little Ranch Hand Rodeo. Can't wait until the pictures come in. Check http://www.strrf.com for updates and pictures.

Congratulations to M & M Cattle Company!

Winning the Steer Loading, Steer Tying and the Milk Race put them over the edge for their successful defending of their championship win last year. Again, be sure to check out http://www.strrf.com for pictures and more information on M & M Cattle Company's Championship.

Make plans to attend. It's the fastest ranch rodeo you'll ever see. Edge of your seat excitement from start to finish.

Have you ever been lost?

Cowboy Church, held every sunday during the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo, has been a popular event since it's inception.

Yesterday, I was blessed by the invigorating message Pastor Jemerson shared with us. The energy and joy reverberated through everyone that joined him from his congregation over at 2nd Babtist. And by the time he was done, that energetic love for Christ had been sent through us all. To get such a reserved crowd participating in a service like he did just proves what a powerful voice for Our Lord he really is.

Anyway, he shared a story with us.

Have you ever been Lost? That's a question. Answer it out loud, right now. Have you ever been lost?
I know this woman. She like to go to parties and get dressed up and what not. Well she's always late. You know the drill. Of course my wife is not like this, ;) but you know what I'm talking about.

Well she gets loaded up and heads to the party. Downtown San Antonio, Texas. Commerce St. She rollin to her party when all of a sudden she realizes that every single car on the road is coming in her direction. Do you know what she thought?

I guess the party is over.

She was on a four lane one-way street thinking, "I guess the party is over." Pastor Jemerson laughed, "The party will be over if you don't turn around and go the right way."

John 14:6 is where Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through me."

There is only one way. Take some quiet, alone time and ask him where the party is. Sometimes the hardest part is to recognize when your lost, to pull over and ask for directions.

Let's Ranch Rodeo San Antonio!

It's time to get your game face on. I love the name of this print. It's a great photo, but the genius behind this image from Jeff Huehn, taken at one of our circuit rodeos this year, is the name.

Game Face


These horses are lined up right before the competition begins when they introduce the cowboys. It's an intense time. The calm before the storm.

That's what today and tonight are for our STRRF committee. The best Ranch Rodeo in Texas is going to be produced tomorrow, and we're putting it on. We're excited, and a bit anxious. We'll be receiving cattle this afternoon and getting Horse Barn 2 set up tonight.

You really should come out to the San Antonio Stockshow and watch the South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals. It starts at 1:00pm with the McCoys Little Ranch Hand Rodeo and the Finals for the Big Boys starts at 2:00pm. It's going to be a heck of a show.

If you want a print of Game Face, you should check out LazyJPhoto.com

Are you speaking God's language?

The readings for today can be found at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website. Read through them slowly if you have time. On the surface, we see that the Genesis reading tells us about Babel. The city from which God scattered people all over the earth and gave us different languages. The Psalm reminds us that we, as God's children, are blessed and Mark reminds us that we must deny ourselves in order to follow Christ.

Looking under the hood of today's readings reveals a subtle whisper from Our Lord that tells us to care. To be humble. To Love.

I don't pretend to know God's thoughts, but stopping us from "doing whatever we presume to do, " is more like keeping your child from the fire, not keeping him/her from going to college. In an effort to help us work together so He could work through us, different languages were necessary. We had to care then in order to learn each other's speech. We had to speak His language. Love.

The New Testament reading takes it one step further driving home the fact that we, like the people at Babel, put ourselves before anything else. The only way to truly follow Christ is to put ourselves last. Selflessness is rarest of all here in America. It's hard when you put your friends, even family, first and then get thanked by getting taken advantage of, or worse.

Remember, they don't trample you on purpose. They don't even know they are doing it. You do it too, and so do I. Therefore, don't be so quick to think you're getting the raw end of the deal. Just strive that much harder to live as Christ did. Deny yourself and pack your cross as best you can.

If we can do that, and speak God's Love, today's Psalm will ring true for us.

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Thursdays, Thursdays

What a great day!

I knew before I headed south this morning that today would be fun. Morgan let me know that we were bleeding mares this afternoon and that that was the only thing planned. So what did I do?

Well, naturally I called a good friend of mine, Shannon DeLaunne, and we stuffed a Gooseneck full of horses and rolled south. After sorting a set of shippers that Dad had penned already we headed for the arena. Nothing like a cool, breezy South Texas team roping session before lunch.

We had horses tied everywhere. They surrounded us. Plenty of steers to rope. Plenty of horses to get ridden. A vision splendid.

Wish I had some pictures or video to share. We had a FLiP video camera. We even knew how to use it. ;) We even set it up behind the heading box. And then, guess what...we forgot to turn it on.

So anyway, Doc Williams showed up around 1:20 with his two vet techs and we loaded up and went to the Little Quincy to get blood samples on 32 head of broodmares for coggins testing. Everything ran smooth and we were horseback at the arena again by 3:00.

Morgan met us a half hour later and then Mick and Dick showed up right after him. We're full tilt now. Couple of older horses to aid in the process of bringing along the colts. It's important to be able to shape a run for young heel horses. And young horses everywhere. Shaq and Morgan were shaping runs for me and Mellow Yellow. It was a little much for him just turning two, but he took it well and will be getting a much deserved break. Dick and Hercules had just finished helping me out with Bugsy. He's really getting fun to heel on now and Dick has Hercules looking like he might make his first county roping this year. Mick and J. Tim had some lead issues but that's why we're down there. He looked good when he quit him.

What I really enjoyed was seeing Quail back in action under my good friend Shannon. They fit. Quail looked great and Shannon roped well, too. What surprised me was his little mare Lucy. She made her debut today in the arena and took it level and calm. Nice little mare.

Of course there were plenty others, like the little paint out of Franky and Morgan's black mare and still others. I just don't have time to include them all. And it would probably bore you anyway.

So here's to one of those great we-roped-all-day-Thursdays.

I've got to hit the sack.

This Ranch Rodeo Thing Might Actually Turn Into Something

UPDATE:
Tonni and a few of the other wives got to meet Darius Rucker!


Another sarcasm filled post brought to you by the San Antonio Livestock Expo, free beer, and two Johnnie Walkers.

Dangerously close to overindulgence. OK, fine, a little overindulgent, but safe.

Anyway, our committee treated the leaders of our circuit rodeos to dinner at the International Room and then the rodeo in the S.A.L.E. skybox. It was great fun, but also a fantastic opportunity to get to meet the people responsible for the great ranch rodeos that get produced throughout the year in South Texas.

They were unbelievable. The perfect example of what can happen when you take action. These guys aren't trained fund raisers, professional stock contractors, or rodeo producers. There is no mindset for them to embrace in order to prepare them for what they do. There is only preparation and action.

What are you preparing to do? And when do you plan to take action?

Build Upon the Rock that is Christ

This morning we heard again from Mark's Gospel and I was reminded of politics in America. Wow, the spin that our media can put on things never ceases to amaze me. They can make either party look like the dredges of society, or the hometown hero, with the stroke of a pen. And it usually doesn't matter what was done. They can make a good deed look bad and a bad one, look good.

In Mark 8: 22-26, the story is that of a man who didn't come to Jesus, but who was brought by the towns people. The blind man had nothing to say. Here he is in the midst of the greatest healer of all time and he had nothing to say. The towns people, though, they begged Jesus to touch him and heal him.

It's no wonder Jesus took him from town. I can just see the paper the next day. "The Great Jesus Fails" He certainly did receive less than perfect results the first time, but all of His works are rooted in the faith of those being healed. And He gave the blind man his site completely the second time. Could you imagine what would be written if He did this in front of the people who brought the man to Him in the first place?

It's sad, the human condition. We find what is good, and because we are not, we go through tremendous efforts to tear down the goodness we find. For one day, try to not agree with the pessimists in your life. Don't argue, just don't encourage. Then do it again tomorrow. ;)

Look for the goodness in life. Build it up and watch your relationship with Christ grow.

First Pastoral Council Meeting

Not to long ago, the priest in Somerset, and a good friend of mine, asked me to be on the pastoral council for St. Mary's Catholic Church here in town. I had reservations, not because I didn't want to serve the church, but because I look twelve. I'm 30, but the Lord blessed me with youthful looks I guess. Anyway, it is generally the more experienced members of a congregation who serve on the pastoral council. Here I am, a transplant from south texas, that looks like a high school kid, trying to weigh in on how the church should be run.

Well, I'm posting this the day after the meeting. And my reservations were from the devil, as always. The other members welcomed me with open arms and mutual respect. I think I'm going to enjoy this opportunity to give back to my church.

So why did I post this today? I know you guys don't care that I'm on the pastoral council, and frankly, it's none of your business anyway. ;) But here's the point - You must do the things that you think you can not do. They will ALWAYS make you a stronger and more influential person. The Lord knows we need more influential Christians in this world.

The Lord Will Bless His People With Peace

Today's first reading brought us the story of Noah. What a great story. Psalm 29 tells us, "The Lord will bless his people with peace, " and I wonder if Noah had the passion for animal care that I do. Because plenty of people think about this story and focus on the pain in the a$$ it would be to build the ark, gather the animals, care for them, etc.

Every evening I thank God for allowing me to be entrusted with such magnificent animals as the horse. He grants us the stewardship that brings our hearts the most peace. Sure cleaning stalls are a pain, but it's part of the grind. We're supposed to rejoice in the grind as well. It's the cold and windy riding days, the muddy stall cleaning days, that make the show days successful. People don't see those windy, muddy, rainy, or whatever days that require that little extra from you to be successful. Of course I dread the grind some days and wonder about some of the horses that end up here. In the end, though, I'm doing what I love. And it's all because of Him. Rejoice in the grind!

Sure Noah may have doubted his task, but in the end he was with his family and God's creatures. So much hard work, and yet so much peace. Coincidence?

Ranch Gelding Sale

The horses have been shown and sold. Prime, our sorrel ranch gelding, didn't show the best. We drew a cow that ran over us a little, but that's no excuse. I just didn't get him shown and that's the bottom line. Whiskey, our bay ranch gelding, made a pretty good run. I was very pleased with how he did.

The sale seemed to reflect their performance, although there was more interest in the bay horse to begin with. Prime brought under $5,000, so we passed on the sale, otherwise known as a P.O. Whiskey, brought $9,800. Congratulations to Mr. Fullbright of Hebronville on the purchase. I'm pretty sure they have plans to make a head horse out of him. He has the ability to be a big-time team roping horse, so I'll be eagerly following his progress down there.

You can shove a horse to water . . .

What, . . . shove? Why don't you just lead him?

Exactly.

Great message today. Are you being shoved through life, or are you being lead? Does your financial situation, or your relationships, or whatever shove you through life? This way, then that, then back the other way.

It's mind boggeling.

It's stressful.

And it's wrong.

Our (my wife and I) financial situation leaves quite a bit to be desired. But guess what. We're not special. And neither are you. Everybody has it rough. Everybody thinks that their situation is the worst one. It's the same way with many, many other things in life. The only way to peace is through Christ. Take him by the hand. And follow him in His ways. He is waiting . . . patiently.

For those of you who know horses, this story will hit dead center. For the rest, picture doing this with your dog. Or cat. Wow, I just laughed out loud trying to imagine doing this with a dang cat.

Courtesy of Steve Friskup. (Auctioneer and leader of the 6:00 am church service for the competing cowboys)

Horse Barn 2 is directly across the street from Horse Barn 1 and houses the competition arena for equine events in San Antonio, TX. The street that seperates them is the main traffic area for all walks of life who have come to see the Rodeo, Livestock Show, Carnival, etc. Picture a young family with a toddler and a baby carriage. Showing there children horses for the first time. One brand new GMC delivering some rodeo dignitary to the arena floor at the AT&T Center is easing by as well. There go the Priefert horses, six jet black powerful Percherons headed to execute a beautiful exhibition. And there are people everywhere. All milling around seeing what they can see. Between Horse Barn 1 and Horse Barn 2.

Now. Turn your horse loose in the arena in Horse Barn 2. Take a couple of your friends and haze him over to his box stall in Horse Barn 1. You know the one. It's dark, very little shavings for him to bed down, and it's across the street. You'll get him out of the arena, and down one isle....maybe.

He'll run around for awhile. You'll be scared to death. He'll be scared to death. I can barely handle stockshows because of all the people and who-rah going on. I can't imagine how a loose horse would feel. You and your friends will try anything. Finally, he does what all horses do. He heads back to where he came from. You and your buddies haze him into the arena. If you just stand there awhile, odds are, he'll come right back up to you.

Then, you'll slip on his halter and lead him to where he needs to be. The safest place for him to be at the time. His stall. Isn't that easier.

Stop running around. Stop letting life shove you this way and that. Start looking for Christ. He'll be waiting for you and he knows right where you belong. Let Him lead you through a more peaceful life.

Ranch Horses, Texas Tech and Ranch Rodeo

What the heck does a major university have to do with ranch horses and ranch rodeo?

Well, in my case not much with the ranch horses, but I'm due to check in our two ranch horses for the Ranch Gelding Stakes and Sale in San Antonio today.

Quite a bit with ranch rodeo though. After I check in our ranch geldings, I'm headed over to meet our Ranch Rodeo committe for dinner. Tonight we're hosting one of the beneficiaries of our scholarship fund, Texas Tech College Rodeo, at the New Frontier Club.

Getting Busy with the S.A.L.E.

I'm going to be pretty busy towards the end of this week due to the San Antonio Livestock Exposition getting into full swing. Posts will be short, but I'll try to keep posting everyday.

The final STRRF committee meeting is tonight. This is an awesome organization that I'm so blessed to be a part of. Visit http://www.strrf.com to learn more about Ranch Rodeo in South Texas. It's a one-of-a-kind event.

Do you depend on money?

Today's the feast day of Saint Scholastica. I would call her the patron saint of the weather. You should read up on her though. Fascinating individual. There's a lot more to her than just the weather.

The reason I bring her up though is because she founded the nunnery. She was WAY ahead of her time, educating women and operating things as the head person in charge. This was unheard of back then for a woman. And what did it all need. MONEY. She didn't depend on money though, she depended upon God.

Today's reading is from Mark and I would just like to pull from it the part about corban. What a wonderful example of satan slipping into our lives under the cover of finances. So many people depend so much upon money that they use it to make their decisions.

I beg you to reconsider. I know, you have a mortgage, kids, etc. Guess what. You're not special. Everybody has financial issues. The poor, the rich, everybody. Use your financial situation to make your decisions and you'll continue to have those issues.

- Depend on the Lord to lead you. Read your bible. His Word Will Never Lead You Astray.
- Depend on people who are in the position you want to be in. Stop letting naysayers and pescimists poison your thought process. Sometimes this includes family and friends. Don't shut them out, but understand that they don't understand what they are perpetuating. In fact, you may be their influence. Lead by example.
- Depend on prayer. You'll be surprised by what He'll share with you. All you have to do is ask.

Do I depend on You Lord? What should I be doing more?

Embrace the Mysterious

Getting our new website up for our ranch horses kept me up all night last night. So, I think it deserves a plug: PerformanceRanchHorses.com

OK, enough plugs. The reason I bring it up though is because I slept smooth through mass this morning. No I didn't sleep at church. I didn't even crack my peepers open until well after the early service was over.

So why post?

Well, we had Faith Formation tonight and Fr. Ed had some great contemplative material as always. "Faith, " he said, "is your willingness to participate in the mysterious." So what can't be explained in my life? What can't I put my finger on?

1) My lonely soul anytime I'm away from the ranch. A part of me never leaves South Texas. And I fear, one day, if I don't return soon, I'll lose that part.

2) My love for my family. Can I prove it? No. Can they prove they love me? No. Not scientifically they can't. And the Lord knows we all have myriads of reasons why our family shouldn't love us. ;)

3) The peace I'm blessed with when entrusted with the care of such a magnificent animal as the horse. If God made anything better than the horse, he kept it for himself.

What is this stuff. It's all very real. And yet, is it? The vastness of the universe can easily be seen as mysterious, but the vastness within our very own bodies rivals that of the known universe. The only way to explain it is to show you what we saw:


via videosift.com

So what's mysterious in your life? Sure think about things like the movie, but also things closer to home. Have the willingness to embrace them. Have faith.

I Gave Away $30,000

Well, if you know me, you're already thinking, "Fat chance anybody is going to peal five bucks out of James' pocket." And you're right ;)

But today I got some first hand knowledge of why there are so many hard working folks behind programs like the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo.

I got a call right after church from one of the members of the Ranch Rodeo committee that I'm on asking me to help hand out a couple of scholarships up at the Stockshow. Sure, I got one when I went through and we work real hard to generate proceeds for our scholarship fund through Ranch Rodeo, so I loaded up and went to town.

Long story short, I didn't get a scholarship like this. We gave three, $10,000 scholarships away. One of the young men told me that his parents were so proud, and thankful, when he got his $500 scholarship through Bexar County. He told me he was about to call his dad and that this one, "...was gonna put him over the top."

Well I'd say so. Congrats to all the kids working hard to learn the ways of Agriculture. And thanks to all those who make it possible to reward them when they do.

American Farmer

A fella by the name of Paul Mobley came by the ranch not too long ago wanting to take some pictures. My grandfather is definitely not the picture taking kind, but he's not the kind to run somebody off his place either. Well, not if they didn't deserve it anyway. ;)

Well, they had a vague idea of what the pictures were going to be used for, but weren't entirely sure. I wasn't down that day and have been curious ever since.

Today I found out. A photography book was published about the heartland of America. It's available at Amazon.com or any Barnes & Noble. Here's a link if you want to get it now: American Farmer: The Heart of Our Country

John Morgan O'Brien, my Grandfather, appears on pages 130 - 133. Dad, Morgan, and my uncles, Mick and Dick are in there as well. I know it's not that big of a deal, but I was very excited about it. These guys work so hard and it's kind of nice when they get a little bit of recognition.

The entire book is very impressive. Paul is a great photographer.

Man is More Careful with Money than Principles

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles."

Why is that? People don't set out to compromise their principles.

I was thinking about faith recently because of the Fear and Faith post from Tuesday. Well, I had an invigorating conversation with my bride, Tonni, on the way to the ranch yesterday about how I think people should think of their faith just as they think of their money. Most people that I know who feel as though they have a weak faith, or need to work on their faith, or have no faith are missing the boat.

Team Roping Thursday

Today was one of those days I love. Work, then play. I guess there is a certain amount of work involved in the play since most of the time I'm roping on colts. I love bringing them along so much though that it just couldn't count for work.

My lovely bride accompanied me to the ranch this morning so I didn't plunge through the darkness to get there at 8:00am like I usually do. We pulled in around 10:30 and had a nice visit with Mom before lunch. After lunch, the crew headed to the Dick Shelton. Jesse reported that one of the bull calves that hit the fence last time we were there was in the water trap. He's probably 18 or so months and so if your familiar with cattle you know it's time for this guy to head to the auction barn.

When we arrived there were probably ~40 head of Brahman cattle in the trap. And there he stood. He wasn't alone though. There ended up being five shippers in the bunch and three or four replacement heifers as well. We had already worked this place this year, so there weren't many left. More than we thought though. So there he was. Probably 650 - 700 lbs. Short-horned, 6 inch or so, and straight out. Good to rope. Bad for you or your horse. High headed and ready to roll. Blessed by the large herd, it looked like he might stick around. If he had been alone, he'd already be gone.

Things went our way though and we penned the whole bunch save a few cows with babies. We loaded the shipper bulls and replacement heifers and headed for the house. Wow. That went way quicker than any of us thought. So guess what. We roped.

Horses and Pepper Steaks in Hondo

This morning found us in Hondo attending our first work meeting with Stan Sigman.

He has named the equine division of the ranch, Namgis Quarter Horses and we are so excited to be involved. It's not often you get to talk tech, marketing and horses with the same individual. This will definitely be one of those lasting fruitful relationships.

It was windy, overcast at times, and hasn't rained in almost a year. Not exactly a photographers dream circumstance. However, we did get some good material to use while designing the site and developing the Business Image for Namgis Quarter Horses. A few of the pics are shown below:









On the way back, Tonni and I had to stop into Hermann and Sons Steakhouse. She had the fried catfish. WHAT!? I know, what was she thinking. She said it was good though. I had their specialty. Pepper steak. Ground Steak stuffed with cheese and jalapenos. Nice!

Fantastic Conversation with Stan. Beautiful Horse to Photograph. Impressive New Breeding/Training Facility. And Great Food. What a blessed day!

Don't Be Afraid, Have Faith

Today's message revolved around Chapter 5 in Mark's Gospel. Verses 21-43

The reading's mostly about having faith, but mastering your fear has so much to do with having faith. It seems that things like fear, pride, arrogance, self loathing, low esteem and MANY more come from us. Confidence, purpose, humility and peace within come from Him.

Our Lord doesn't expect us to rid ourselves of fear and these other selfish notions. He does, though expect us to Live despite it. I capitalize Live because there is a difference between Living and simply existing. Don't let yourself just react through life. Vicitim of circumstance. LIVE. Get off of your ass and go do something to better your world.

Then faith shall be granted you. Then you will find that confidence you've been looking for. For it isn't confidence in yourself, but confidence in His ability to work through you.

Present Yourself and Get Noticed for Christ

Boy it was a windy son of a gun this morning. Headed over to the church house and got a good message though. The gospel was the same reading we heard a couple of months ago about Josech and Mary taking Our Lord, the then baby Jesus, to be presented in the Temple. This was the custom back then. People came in and out of temple all the time presenting new-borns. For all we know, Joseph and Mary could have had to stand in line and wait their turn.

Anyway, after presenting their baby, Simeon approached them. Then Anna. They were awe strickin. Here was a complete stranger, but known to be wholesome man, telling them that he could now die since he had seen the savior of the world. And Anna. Most women didn't even speak their mind back then, much less say all the things she had to say.

The point is, stick your neck out for Christ. How many times have we done something right even though we knew it would make everyone around us think we were crazy. Well, good for you if you're a regular at this. If not, take comfort in knowing that Simeon and Anna could do it and it gave Joseph and Mary so much encouragement. Remember, at this time in their lives, they're going on what they were told in a dream.

It would be kind of nice to have some real folks show some encouragement in what you believe wouldn't it?