yee-haw

Absolutely one of my favorite days of the year.  Quite possibly my favorite day of the year.

Branding Day.  Oh yeah. 

Not for any particular reason, but I've decided that it's just because of all of the memories it brings back each and every year.  I literally leave the farm planning how I can get back to a life out there. I'd do just about anything to get my entire family together, and even though it's barely that, there's enough to make it count. 

So we meet at Grandpa's farm in Rush, CO--where my Grandpa was born and where he and Grandma homesteaded some 60-some years ago.  I grew up out here, but took it for granted.  Now, I treasure every minute I get with Grandpa and every minute I get on the farm. 

It's changed a lot over the years--it used to be all the "Dad's" out there with Grandpa as the ringleader, but now, Uncle Murt runs the show--and we still do as we're told.  Grandpa is still right in the middle of it, but he takes a few minutes to catch up with us...

Now we bring our friends...

And there's a few more girls in the family now....(and I love that!)

And I love any girl who loves this boy--Jordan.  Jordan and I spent a summer together on wheat harvest.  Some of the best days of my life.  I'd do it all again in a heartbeat...



And it just wouldn't be "Sams" like if those boys didn't goof off just a little...first the rope, then the quad,  then the guns, then...well...I won't go on...

And the next generation is getting to see it all...

Well done, Grandpa, well done.  I love you, Grandpa. 





my own march madness

This weekend I had the pleasure, honor, whatever you want to call it, to play some full-court, co-ed, use-the-boys-ball basketball.  Let's rename that:  death wish.  It's been 5 years since I've played an organized game, and while I missed it, I haven't for a second missed that feeling of death creeping upon you as you pray you'll hear the whistle.  Lungs burning.  I've determined I just miss the competition.  Nowhere else in life do I get to throw elbows or run full-speed right at someone else. I'll stick to my bike riding or my "light jogging", but this sprinting up and down the court is borderline ridiculous.  I do play a mean game of horse (right Jeremy?) but that's because I'm using a girls ball and I'm totally used to standing half on concrete/half on grass/hovering over a small tree/with sprinklers on--I mean that's basically how we all grew up playing, right?

Um also, there are no photos.  The last thing anyone needs to see is the shade of red my face was the entire day or the mess atop my head we'll call a "pony tail".  So, just imagine this one comes with pictures. It's a much prettier sight.

It was SO much fun though--and all my old friends made it a blast!  We had a great time, and after regrouping at Southside, we decide to put Coy in charge and let him draw up some plays for next year. So, to Brian, Jenny, Coy, Mike, Tye, Nick, Eric, Jesse, Katie, Ashley, and Rachel--let's start getting ready for next year. Mike--thanks for setting it all up and working like a dog to convince us crazies that we should, indeed, play this game.  I loved it.

PS, no we did not win.  We didn't get last place, but we did not come in first.  

a ride around the resevoir

I had heard you could ride around the Aurora Resevoir and that it was a nice ride, so today I tried it.  I haven't been out on my bike (outside) yet this year, so I got out my mountain bike.  Well, actually, the beast is my brohan's, but since he's, you know, diving in Maui, I figure someone should ride it.  He may or may not know that I'm keeping it in good condition by riding it--gosh, he basically owes me :) 

So, the resevoir is about 2 blocks from where I'm staying, so I head out.  It has an awesome paved trail all the way around.  They've turned it into a really family-friendly place, too.  There's a beach and like 100 grills for summer barbeques--I'll be back. This is the marina--which for whatever reason, I have a hard time associating with Colorado--I hear marina and think east coast, with more water than a small pool, but we'll take whatever we can get.

Hello rocky mountains.  Have I ever told you I love, love, love Colorado? 

It's 8 miles around the resevoir--so not too far, not too short, and yes, 8 bathrooms along the way.  Any bathroom is a friend of mine.

Becuase there were hurricane-force winds at the exact moment I chose to ride, the windsurfers were at least able to enjoy themselves.

Yeah, that picture did not turn out so hot.  Back there, there really is a windsurfer, and no, he's not 12 miles away.  Camera phone.  Just roll with it.  Oh and here's some more water. 

Out to the east--looks like summer right?  Summer, please hurry...

Great day, great ride.  I'll have to go back.  

birds of a feather....wait, what?

It's not like this was the most eventful part of the day.  Okay, it probably was, but someone else had to know.  Got to work pretty early this morning, so it's very quiet.  I'm in my office just doin' my thing, and I swear I keep hearing a chirping, but completely ignore it.  What could it possibly be?? Right, nothing.  I'm hearing things.  It's 7am and I'm hearing things.  Awesome.  Clearly I need more jet fuel, I mean coffee. 

I keep hearing it, so I decide to start wandering. It's coming from a consult room down the hall.  Walk in and a bird, yep a bird, is just going crazy.  Chirping and flying and running into the window and chirping and flying...you get the idea.

Without skipping a beat, I grab a pair of gloves (safety and cleanliness, first, folks), and swoop in and grab it.  First try, kinda proud.  I mean, really, the bird is probably 9 days old, according to my calculations.  Then, I'll admit, I'm kinda freaking out, so my proud walk becomes a pretty fast walk, then a darn near sprint in my new high heels, until I reach the front door and free it.  (do you hear the freeing music here?) 

Again, like I said "not the highlight of my day", but worthy of telling the entire planet, right? 

George & Reba

I can't honestly say that George Strait and Reba were on my bucket list...I mean, of course they were, but when it came down to shelling out the cash, I held on tight.  But then, all day Friday, my bestie and I are hating our lives because we decided to not purchase. 

The call came at 4pm.  Kickoff to concert season, and I was game.

It's my friend who manages at Pepsi Center and works on the conversion crew.  Apparently after they've set up venues as the tour managers have planned, they can add seats if there's room.  And there was room. 

I called in and gave the Pepsi Center my credit card number, and asked about our seats.  I always like when you know somebody. I never know anybody.  He said "well you're a friend of Jeremy, we'll get you in the front row." Better than I imagined.  We missed Leann Womack (oh darn) and arrived for half of Reba.  We got to see her stand-up comedy routine, which she should take out of the setlist.  She really was great, though. 

Then came King George in all his glory.  He was much shorter than I imagined, but that seems to be the case for all country artists I've seen, except for Chuck Wicks and Blake Shelton. And I'd take either of them.  Or just Chuck, because I'd never mess with Miranda.   

So, he rocked the stage for who knows how long, sang some ballads and I checked another sumpin' sumpin' off that old bucket list.  And I'll be able to tell my grandkids I saw George...and they had better care.  I basically did this for them.  

Summer Concert Series 2011....and GO!