South Texas Shooters (Photography That Is!)

As I have aged and matured I’ve find that I care and am concerned more about those that are close to my heart, mind and soul more and more! Maybe because I come to realize that the next day is not promised to me and them, and that each day that I wake up and open my eyes I’ve been given a great gift! The Gift of LIFE!!

These days are filled with many forces and powers that pull at my insides, the news media, social media and sometimes just the guy on the street seem to be filled with negative news, stories and whatever else can be drummed up. I find that it appears that only the negatives are reported and not the good things that are happening all around us each and every day, every minute. I got so that I thought that caring and concern had died, thankfully it has not.

It LIVES all around us, we (I) have to open them eyes and see it happening. Be part of it happening, be that “Random Act of Kindness”.

Care about those that touch your heart, mind and soul, those that make you feel that smile creep up at the corners, those that make your heart warm!!!

I will at times send a text or message just to say hi, because I was reminded that they are the reason I just smiled, just to let them know hey I thought of you and want you to know it.

As the title of this entry is “When caring and concern die so do I!” I know it has not died nor am I, I still care, I am still concerned, I am still ALIVE!! 

Beginning tomorrow August 1st 2018 the last of my Leaders, teachers, instructors, coach’s, mentors and friends retires from the J*O*B after 30 + years.

A Boss, A Lead, A Pain in The A! He was part of the “Old School” yet moved into the new millennium  with little trouble, always keeping us on the move. Keeping us on the move, that’s what I do to earn a buck, make a living! We move people, we are the blue collar transit folks, out on the street 365, come rain or shine, high water or hell’s fire we are there. Keeping people on the move!

I learned a lot about how it’s done down here! This  isn’t  the Big Apple and things are done the Texas way! It took me a while but it soaked in with their help and a few kicks in the ass (well deserved)! They taught me, they let me fall flat on my face and fall on my ass, yet they picked me up and let me try again.

We argued, cussed and disagreed but we got it done.

The last of my teachers will move on to a new chapter in LIFE, he now will not have to swig a bottle of Mylanta because of my dumbass and he won’t bear them goofy ass questions about back in The Big Apple we did it this way!

No matter what we disagreed on, no matter what we did not see eye to eye on I looked to them for their Leadership! I will always have them as a friend, but I will miss That Leadership out on the Road!!!

With all my heart I say this, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LEADERSHIP! That special era has been closed and the book goes on the shelf.

“The Times They Are A-Changin’

On the eve of the 2018 NCAA D1 Softball regionals I find that I will miss capturing magical moments and I am sad, very sad that I am unable to support what has become family to me. It saddens me like a father who is forced to miss a daughters special moment on the field. Although the logical person can understand why I won’t be there. The human person feels as if he has let down his family in the most important time. At some point in time it will pass but never fade away!

I have been blessed by such an awesome family, each time I step out with the camera & lens in hand I pray that The Father will grant me the wisdom to “Click The Shutter at The Right Time”.

As my family heads to The Los Angeles Regionals I say a prayer and a wish for safe travels, fun times and magical moments on and off the field.

I apologize from deep in my heart, mind and soul for not finding a way to be there.

Let you know That I will Forever Care about You today, tomorrow and forever! Those past, present and future!

For those that I think of as my sisters, let each moment bring a smile instead of a frown, that each moment remind you of why you do what you do and that each moment be more rewarding than the past moment!

“Eat’Em Up, Eat’Em Up, Go Cats Go!

The Ole Guy with the camera will be rooting for ya!

The title has many meanings, but for this post it’s about this years and past years seniors at Texas State Softball in San Marcos.

For a number of years I have made a custom of matting and framing a print for each senior. This is a passion for me that has probably made me older (more senior) than I should be. It is a task sometimes that is mountainous picking the image to print and frame for each senior.

It is my way of saying “Thank You for all the hard work, hustle, grittiness, grace each has brought to the game, the field, classroom and to “LIFE”! Thank you for the privilege of trying to capture a moment on A Field Where Dreams Become True!!! Thank you for being the girls/women who are not afraid to get dirty and for cleaning up in such a beautiful way!

There are still some games to be played before the cleats, glove, bat and hair ribbon is put away, so I thank you the Class of 2018 and all the Classes before! Thank you for all them smiles and the warmest embraces known to this ole guy!

Years ago an Army friend told me that her biggest fear was being alone, at that time I did not understand what she meant or the seriousness of her statement. During our conversation that night years ago I never put together how serious her fear was, worse than the fear of being injured or killed in combat. Until recently I had not realized how much of a fear of being alone can make each day with the fur people (Cruiser & Red) is a blessing. I am lucky that each day I am blessed with a new day and a job that brings me in contact with others from all walks of life!!

From work I return home to the fur people and their unconditional love to have me back by their side. Their greetings at the door are at most times a event which makes me smile and feel welcomed. A few brief times I think why are they so happy to see me and then I remember that I am the only one with thumbs and who knows where all the good stuff is!! 🙂 Again until recently I did not fully understand and appreciate their blessings to me!

I am an over thinker and that is a curse to me, it has made me older that I am in real years, yet it has assisted me in staying alive! I again am over thinking, I know that my two companions will one day have to cross the bridge, my hope is that I cross over before them. I guess I’m being selfish for not thinking of them if I were to be gone, but I hope and have faith that they will be taken care of.

I now understand my army friends fear of so many years ago. I too now fear being alone, I find that the folks that I count on are unable or do not have or want to share time with this ole guy. I also fear that my way fo doing things, living life have alienated people, I care too deeply about others, I fear that scares people these days! Will sacrifice for the others first and without thoughts about me. Try to make others smile and feel good before self. In my military service I believed about “Selfless Service” “Mission First, People Always”! And many other sayings, mottos that I came to believe in!

Today I fight my fear of “Alone”, try to understand that sometimes there is nothing that can be done other than to be alone!! I also keep faith that the real good people in “LIFE” will always be there for me, as I am still going to be there for my Army buddy of so many years ago if she called on me!!

Last thought – Remember that someone may just need that hello, that pat on the back, that touch on the arm or that embrace that reminds them “They are Not Alone!”

Across this great country called the United States, on hundreds of fields from coast to coast, student athletes, prep for game day, for some this could possibly be the last season of organized ball, as they move forward into the real world, real jobs, real headaches, real sorrows and a multitude of real world emotions they have learned lessons on the field that shall last a lifetime, although at this moment it may not be seen or felt. It lays in reserve for the moment it is needed in real world, adult world it’s there, through uncountable lessons taught by parents, family, friends, teammates and coaches it’s there ready for use, but first let the season begin!

Sentiment

As the years pass along and I look back in the rear view mirror of Life I find that I have become more sentimental than ever before. This I attribute this to the aging process, just like joints that need more WD-40 and a multitude of other items which are not important.

I get sentimental more and more as each season begins, I look forward to it with great enthusiasm, for I want to see how much better these athletes have gotten, I want to see what the new athletes bring to the field, but most of all I want to reunite with what has become family!!! That is why I am sentimental. I get to gather with family, friends and hopefully make new friends!

Seniors

Each year the seniors step onto fields all across the country from D1 to D3 and it must be bittersweet for these athletes as they know that it is coming to a close. I shall never know what they feel deep down, but I do know that I look forward to seeing them on the field and watch the magic and leadership they bring on the field. I look forward to capturing the moments on the field that they make from the first game to the final game, I look forward to sharing those moments with them, their families, friends and the teams. I look forward to sharing a print with them at seasons end. This has become a tradition I have mixed emotions about! The hard part for me is to pick one image to present to each senior, the joyful part is to see the smile which they share with me! Although I know that this may be the final time I get to witness the greatness each one brings to the field, I know that the greatness has not ended, for as they move out into the real world they will do more great things in the real world. But I do know that each year I miss them as a new season begins. This year I have been blessed to have witnessed so many great moments from this years senior class as I have been blessed to watch over the past 10 years with the athletes from Texas State Softball program.

Softball

For some tens plus years I have been witness to many great moments on the field. I have been blessed to have become family with the softball program at Texas State. I know that all the great moments that I have witnessed and all the great moments that I shall witness are put together by the dedication, hard work, grittiness, blood sweat and tears of the athletes, coaches, parents, family and friends. Many hours of sacrifice, practice, heart and hustle are brought to the field at Texas State and across this country. I’m getting my gear ready for those special moments on the field. I’m looking forward to grace and grit, heart and hustle, but most of all I’m looking forward to all them smiles that bring a warmth to the heart!!

To this years seniors and to all the past winners at Texas State Softball I thank you for allowing me into the family, but most of all for allowing me to share my vision and images with you and all of the family. Looking forward to all that each and everyone will bring to the field!!!

Thank You!!!

In less than thirty days the fun will begin! The NCAA softball season begins, all across the country. Ground crews ready fields, in some cases coaching staffs and players double as ground crews. Long hours of practice, conditioning and sacrifice will payoff with moments on the field in front of family, friends, fans.

Long hours of mentoring, coaching, teaching and taking the place of parents in an effort to bring individuals into a special group called a team. Teaching plays, pitches, swings, fielding techniques, reading hands, positioning and countless other skills will be put to the test in less than a month.

For some it will be the last season of being on the field, sharing joys, heartaches, sadness, smiles, tears and a truck load of emotions. All will be put forth on the field, between the lines.

I look forward to a new year, a new season, new moments on and off the field with people who have become friends, family, sisters, brothers, daughters, folks who bring a special joy to my heart, people who make me want to be better, sharper than I have ever been before.

Each season I sit down and prepare the tools I use to capture memories on the “Field of Dreams” I check cameras, lens, batteries, sensors, cards to be sure they and I are ready for the season.

To say I look forward to the beginning of the season is an understatement, the field, the sport, the athletes, coach’s, parents, staff and all the other folks who make this sport so very special.

Texas State is my team, my family, they have been a reason for smiles, joy, tears, heartache and laughter for many years now. I have watched the girls become women on the field as well as off the field. They have been guided through these transformations by a very special and talented group of folks, their parents and their coaches!! So much sacrifice to give them the best chance to be the best that they can be!!! I am blessed to be a small part, a witness to greatness, a preserver of moments with my eye and lens!! I hope that I am there when they make that special road trip to Oklahoma for a World Series that will go down in the books!!!

To all those beautifully talented athletes past, present and future!!! Thank you for all that hard work and hustle, for all the grace and grittiness! I look forward to being at the field with y’all!!

Two words made different by one letter!

In life there are many hero’s just as there are many zeros.

Hero’s never set out to be hero’s they become by act, or by words or by deeds, sometimes by all three and more.

Zeros are made, made by fate, by circumstance, by deed, by choice and by others actions, words and deeds!

Zeros make themselves most of the time, but sometimes they are made by real zeros, by absolute Zeros, people that treat others as zeros, making others feel worthless, by tearing away piece by piece of a good persons skin of humanity until that person believes and feels like a zero and becomes a zero until a hero comes along and brings that person out of zero land and back into hero land.

Hero’s never set out to be a hero, they become as said before by action, by word, by deed! The hero saves life’s , many at a time, one at a time, they do not seek the number or the way, but they do save a life!

I wish to speak of my hero’s , the people that make my life fun, that make me want to wake up just so I can see and hear them make life better, not just for me but for many. My hero’s are your hero’s also, for they make life better for all by being there, for making us smile, for making us want to be like them, for leading us through life! They motivate, they inspire, they mentor, they coach us to be our best and to never return to zero!

Whoever your Hero is in your life, say thank you, be thankful, share their light with all in your life, for you will become a hero to others. If you should find a zero who is a zero by choice, leave them to their zero land for no matter how hard you work to be a hero they will not want to anything but a zero.

If you find a zero that was made a zero by the acts of a zero, become their hero and help them to walk away from zero land, motivate, teach, mentor, coach them to become another hero of life!!!

I have been lead to believe that I am a zero, until recently I believed that, then my hero’s reminded me that I am a hero too. I’m not a superhero, but just a life’s hero!!!!

Be that Life’s Hero!!!!

Well in a short time 2017 will be in the history books as the year closes out I look back with awe and amazement of many moments and images, of the many people that graced my days with smiles, conversations and kindness!

Finding the right words for 2017 difficult, but as the saying goes a picture speaks a 1000 words so I’ll save a couple hundred using photographs! Of the thousands of photos I’ve taken in 2017 I’ve chosen 12 images that mean a ton to me! Each photo will have an explanation as why it’s special to me. The people and sights that are associated with each image brings a smile to my heart. They center around the two most important reasons to smile; 1) Life Moments, 2) People!!!

People are life to me, they bring life with smiles, talks, greetings, a touch, a hug all the people things!!! To keep this reasonable I only submit these

January, saying farewell to a great boss!! Thank you Miss Alva!!

February, the honor of throwing out the first pitch at Texas State!!

March, one of the many awesome parents at Texas State 

April, Thank you Randi, Quincy, Paige and Krista for making someone smile!

May, Texas State Softball, past, present and future y’all make the heart smile!!

June, one of the most talented photographers I’ve met and an awesome person!

July, a person that always bring a smile to my heart!! Thanks Shelby!!

August, the person in this fur suit can make a cloudy day have sunshine!!

September, the honor to capture the moment she said “Yes”!!

October, I swear there is a person in there, just look at him smile!!

November, these kids are awesome!!!

December, Thank you to all the folks who make LIFE grand!! See Ya in 2018

With Christmas fast approaching and and the stores being madhouses with traffic crazier then ever, I’ve decided to post my grownup Christmas list and see how well it is received? As has been my way of life, I don’t ask much for me, but I do ask for much for others.

So here goes “My Grownup Christmas List”!

1. The gift of health for family and friend!
2. Joy and Peace for family and friends!
3. Love and Smiles for family and friends!
4. Fortitude and Strength for family and friends!
5. Courage and Wisdom for family and friends!
6. Patience and perseverance for family and friends!
7. Wisdom and Knowledge for family and friends!
8. Adventures Near and Far for family and friends!
9. To Smile and Grin when it seems all is lost!
10. To always have that shoulder to lean on, that hand to hold and that ear that always listens!!!
11. To remember that I am there if needed!!!
12. A warm place, food and love for the fur people in our lives”

This is My Grownup Christmas List, very simple and it’s what I want for you!!!!!!