South Texas Shooters (Photography That Is!)

Sundays are a day of rest and reflection, I’ve always been told this from my earliest memories.

In my youth I would go to church with grandma, as I got older I rebelled as most of the kids that I grew up with did, so my time at church became limited then non existent. Never did I stray from God and Jesus, but the act of going to church was not in the picture for me. When I served in the Army I would attend Field Services, under a tree, the back of a truck, the hood of Jeep, wherever the Chaplin could set up for the service. During one service some 30 plus years ago something happened at a Field Service that has stayed with me always. While we where at worship someone said “This don’t feel like church! At this point The Chaplin remarked Jesus doesn’t care where you worship, under a tree, in the biggest cathedral or in the smallest church or right here under a tree, He does care that you worship and believe in Him and His Father!

I was struck by those words that day so many years ago! I am no where near perfect and will never attain perfection as a person, I can attain being the best person I can be on this day and the next. There will be times when I fall, fail and forget, but I am always thankful for each day, its beginning and its end. I say to the Father thank you at the beginning and end of the day, I ask The Father and Son to forgive me for my sins and I add, please forgive me for the next time. I try not to sin each day, but I am human, I care, I believe, I give a damm!! When I care about you or about something I care with all the heart, soul and mind! When I don’t care I still care just not at 100%, does this confuse you, it sure does me!! I guess this is a oxymoron in a way, but it is my real deal!

As the title says it’s Sentimental Sunday. I’m getting sentimental as each day ages me once again. I see things on the news, I see things in social media, I hear things that people say to one another and I form a tear, because I care that someone left a kid in a car or a dog in a car, or placed a bag of kittens in the trash, or I hear of someone that is hurting from illness or injury and there is no response that I have at the moment. I get sentimental when I see someone succeed in life, I get sentimental when someone remembers someone! I get sentimental when an animal smiles, wags their tail, brushes against my leg, I get sentimental when someone does something good for someone else! I get sentimental when I see, read or hear about someone I care for get something good and deserving of all their efforts!!!

So folks I’m just getting sentimental so don’t be surprised if you see me share an image about something that happened in LIFE! It is meant to bring out the smile in you Courtesy of me and my lens!! I’m still gonna make some shake their head in wonder as to the meaning, don’t do a me and overthink it, go with it and enjoy!! I’m doing my best not to overthink and just to enjoy LIFE!!

Do not be alarmed that I don’t visit a church on a regular basis, I do believe in The Father and Son and the teachings They share with us!! I do visit the Fathers House to speak with Him in His Home, like One on One!!!

Remember that I always care about those that have touched my heart deeply, family and friends who are always in my heart!!!!

As my 12th season of Texas State Softball comes to a close I remind myself of the privilege and honor I’ve been given since that one Saturday afternoon 12 years ago when I just wanted to get a few shots of women’s sports for my portfolio. On that afternoon I became hooked on this team and the sport of softball as a whole!

Over the years I’ve been Blessed with meeting and becoming friends with many awesome and talented athletes, coach’s, SID’s, AT’s, parents, relatives and friends. In a lot of cases friendship has turned into family.

It is an honor to be part of The Bobcat Family!!! An honor to be included in many functions, events and moments!!

It is a privilege to be permitted to capture moments on and off the Field! I always remind myself that to never jeopardize the privilege and to be thankful to those that trust me with this privilege, I also Thank God that He permitted me to travel the path to meet these folks and capture the moment. I quote Ansel Adams: “Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter”

As the 2019 season has ended yesterday (May 10th 2019) I am again Blessed and Thankful for the Privilege and Honor to Capture Moments and Memories. Further Privileged to be able to share these moments with the athletes, coach’s, staff and families of these folks!!

I share some of my favorite moments from the 2019 season, I let you know that these are just the tip of iceberg of images that are my favorite!

Thank you My Bobcat Family!!

A strange title, but stick with me for a few more words, my thoughts might become clear as fine crystal or foggier than the Jersey Turnpike.

Lately I’ve been disheartened by so much uncaring, selfish people close around me. I understand that self preservation is a survial skill each person has inside them, you could say that’s standard equipment for all people, but it seems like these days that people want to survive by taking out the person to their left and right yet profess to be a caring person.

There is way too much uncaring around me! I’m concerned that I’m going to not care but then I stop and consider all the good, wonderful people that are close, True Treasures of people that are around me that I say NO, NO, NO to the selfish ones and remind myself that the caring wonderful treasures that I’m blessed with!!

I may care too much, try to hard to care, stumble while caring and sometimes in the name of caring screw things up. But to all the folks that I care about deep down, who bring me smiles and warmth to my heart I shall fight to my last breath to contiune to care!!

I will not allow the uncaring, unruly, selfish ones to ride with me on this Journey called LIFE!! I shall contiune to ride with LIFE’s True Treasures and pick up a few more along the way!!!

In less than 30 days Texas State Softball will take it to The Field Where Dreams Become Reality again!!

Over the past 12 years I have followed the program and attempted to capture moments on the field for the athletes, coach’s , family and university. Over the years my support for these folks has been strengthened by the countless smiles shared with me and the feeling of family shown to me.

It has been an added blessing besides being witness to phenomenal action on the field. To be blessed with knowing some of the finest people who make up the program, the student athletes, parents, family members, coach’s and all the folks that make up this amazing, talented program.

Over the years my interest has grown from simple “Let me get a few shots” to “Can’t wait to get to the ballpark”! I schedule vacation weeks so that I can support the team with Camera & Lens. I look forward to seeing the coach’s, athletes and Texas State Family so very much. It is a high point of my days to visit and trip the shutter. I look forward to seeing what the athletes accomplish after walking away from the field. I smile when I hear or see that they have accomplished another milestone. They have become family.

As the 2019 season is about to begin I again look forward to capturing the moments that become memories on and off the field. I commit to bringing my best game to the field with my eye, cameras and lens!!!

Thank You Coach’s, Athletes, Family Members and Staff at Texas State for an incredible ride!!!Looking forward to another season!!

Winners are shaped by leaders

The Field of Dreams

Communication, Leadership, Service and Teamwork very powerful group of words. During my lifetime I have heard these words used by many people, teachers, professors, officers, sergeants and leaders. Let me explain!

Communications – Everyday we communicate, words, body language, text messages, PM’s! To be successful in communication there has to be two elements, the sender and the recipient. Each has to do something to make it successful, the sender must communicate a clear message, the recipient must listen, hear and understand the message. Then each should, must let the other know message is understood and insure the message is given to the right parties. If we don’t communicate clearly, honestly and with intent, we risk doing such harm and making someone turn off hearing!!

Leadership – This is a difficult concept for some folks! It is my belief that you can send someone to all the schools, classes, seminars and courses there are and they will never grasp what Leadership is. Then there is those who are natural leaders and make leadership look easy, but most of all these folks make leaders out of the folks who follow, then we have a new crop of leadership. For those that never grasp Leadership fully you hurt others by your lack of Leadership! For the true Leaders you make Leadership attainable by all you Lead!! Thank you!!

Service – Service another concept that is easy for some and difficult for others. Service to others, service to a cause, service to country, selfless service and service to self! For most of my adult life I have been taught, trained and follow the concept of “Selfless Service” and again I believe that most of us believe in service to others. There are a small group of service to self and no one else types. I have seen too many of these types in recent years. I can hope that one day these types will open their eyes and get it right!!

Teamwork – Teamwork, whether it’s on a sports field or in a work place or just on the corner of your street. Look at teams that are family, they are always there for each other, they make each other stronger and they make sure they Win! Some folks talk big about teamwork, but have no clue what teamwork is! They talk about team, but their actions speak I, I and more I. As the saying goes “There is no I in Team”! If your gonna use the term Team/teamwork then become a part of the Team, don’t leave someone out or alone!! One day you’re gonna need that Team to keep You afloat!!!

Yes this is a rant and today I don’t apologize for it, it has to be said by me. I am so proud of the many people I care for and love for Their ability to Communicate, Their Leadership, Their Service and Their Teamwork!!!

Some fifteen years ago I renewed my love for softball while watching the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and I watched a group of talented women take the field and bring home The Gold! Then again in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games the love for the sport was strengthened even more with these Games. By this time I had begun to follow Texas State Softball and my love for the game was transferred to catching the moments on the field with a lens!

During this time I got the chance to meet the young women who was a member of both 2004 & 2008 Teams “The Real Dream Teams”! She was sharing her knowledge of the game with young athletes as an assistant coach. I found upon meeting face to face that this is a truly amazing and talented young women. Her caring and compassion for the game is just the tip of the iceberg, her love for life and caring for her kids is awesome!!

A few years later this amazing lady came to Texas State as the assistant coach and now as the associate head coach. I have been blessed with getting to know her better and her becoming a part of the family!! The caring, compassion, kindness and true heart has become a bench mark for others.

This past week she went to tryouts for Team USA and that grace and grittiness and a pitch that baffles the eye got her a spot on the 2019 Roster. It proves that ones age is still merely a number if you work hard, keep your work ethic pure and keep pursuing the dream.

In short I just want to say congratulations Coach O on getting a spot on the roster. I look forward to adding another Dream Team photo in 2020!!!

The 2004 Dream Team

A smile that drives away frowns!!!

Coach “O”

I was asked last week what has been the “Best Christmas Present” I’ve ever received. Upon thinking about it since asked I don’t have a all in one answer for that question.

I find that each Christmas is a best present, with each year and each day that I open my eye is a present.

This year I do have a Christmas wish list, so please take a minute and check it out and tell what you think!

My Grownup Christmas Wish

* Health for my family and friends

* Happiness for family and friends

* Strength

* Patience

* Love

* Wisdom

* Prosperity

* Attainment of Dreams

* Peace of heart, mind and soul

* Never ending smiles

* Respect

* Life

This is my “Grownup Christmas List” not for me but for the folks who through the years have been my greatest gifts and I wish for them each item on the list and more. For you have given me something that has so much value that I am rich and blessed beyond any dream possible.

Thank you to each one that makes Life so grand!!!

Today I was told that a co-worker, a friend and my sister passed away. After a long battle with various health issues she was released from pain and suffering. A funny, caring, loving and straight talking women who shared her knowledge of The JOB, This City and of Life!!!

Miss Sheilah was one of the first people I knew on the job, first as a bus operator who was kind, caring and most respectful, she also was not afraid to speak her mind and fight for what is right. When I got promoted to my current position she was always willing to share her knowledge, insight and thoughts with me. Part of my success is due to her sharing of her knowledge. We did not always agree, but we would always be there for each other on the road, something that I had thought was a military trait but found it is the trait of great people!!!

She could make you laugh, smile, frown, get so angry you thought you were going to blow the main transmission seal, but after all she is my friend and my sister!!!

On the passing of My Co-worker,, My Friend, My Sister, we who are left here will mourn your passing, we shall miss your laugh, smile and straight talk! But you are in a better place, without pain, suffering or dealing with tribulations of this place.

For today you join Our Father in Heaven and I know you are looking out for us!!!! Rest in Peace Sis, I got the Eastside for Ya!!!! I’ll keep them 10WA buses running on time!!!!!

Blessings are many if I (we) just look. There are so many Blessings, the act of waking up, moving arms, legs and opening of eyes to see all the beauty that surrounds you.

Grateful for the many Blessings that are provided to me each day, from near and far!!! So many moments to be grateful for, when I pull my head out of my but I realize that I have 1440 moments in a day to be grateful for!!!

Thankful for all the amazing, awesome family and friends that make those 1440 moments better!

This past Friday was a long 22 hour day, but what a 22 hours!! I did my best on the J*O*B* and then made my way to “The Field of Dreams”. For me it is like coming home for Thanksgiving, to reconnect with folks I’ve not seem in months and to meet new folks and hopefully forge new friendships. But most of all I get the privilege of capturing moments on the Field Where Dreams Become Reality!!!

Saturday was a beautiful day sent by God to remind us of His Greatness and Love!! I also had the privilege of capturing more of them 1440 moments for some hardworking talented student athletes, coaches and families.

When I begin to forget or complain about the bad moments I am so Blessed, Grateful and Thankful for my Texas State Family who remind me that there are more good moments than bad moments.

It’s a funny thing or maybe more ironic than funny. Years ago when I wore an Army uniform I was fond of say I’m getting too Old for This _____! (just use your imagination) I would use it during them times when we were busting our butts deploying somewhere, moving stuff around the warehouse, after a 5+ mile run or dealing with the many mind games of the time. Most of the mind games came from people that didn’t use their minds to begin with. For I found the toughest, hardest mind game is played out when you go someplace where you have a pretty good chance of coming back in a bag or box!!

I consider myself lucky, I cam back pretty much the way I left, all the parts attached and most of the marbles still inside the skull!!! Most times wiser than when I left, sometimes stronger than before.

Recently I find that the saying is very close to being real now a days!! “I am getting to old for this ______” Part of it is that the chronological thing called AGE is for real, well I should say that I let myself age physically , but funny thing is I still see things like when I was in my twenties, just a lot wiser and with the self discipline to know not to do that stupid shit again. I still see things with the wonder of a young man. But I also see things with the eyes, heart, mind and soul of an older man! I find that I am more prone to get angry, emotional and upset by the more than random acts of cruelty,  hate, violence and senseless acts of non-caring!

I find that I shed a tear more these days when I see or hear of act of caring, simply because it reminds me that there are still many good people around and they still do many more good deeds, acts of caring than the acts of hate and non-caring.

For each time I see or hear of these acts of caring I say Thank You to God and The Son Jesus Christ for keeping these folks out front. Their out front to remind me that “I’m Not Too Old for This ________! That although the body has aged and is slower and less likely to take the hit like before I’m still in the Fight and I still Care!!!

So if you should see me post something to remind us to smile, to care, it’s my way of reminding you that I Still Care! And I’m Not Too Old For This Shit!!!!