A Garwood Yippy Kai-Yay!

Hello from Holiday Inn Express in Midland, Texas!

Today's travels have me weary and I find myself throwing seductive glances towards that king size pillow top behind me.

I do, however have a little story...

So this morning around 7:15, I sat in Garwood drinking coffee with dad and Chuck while watching the Golf Channel. I had just opened the window blinds to let the morning sun shine through when I was suddenly startled by the sight of a young, paint colt trotting down the middle of Main Street in front of the house! This young colt had a long 20' lead trailing behind him attached to a large cinder block. This poor little pony was clearly spooked by the loud scraping noise cause by the cinder block that was chasing him down the road! Well, I bolted out of the chair and hit the door running. I ran out to the road trying to catch him and slow him down because highway 71 was only a hundred yards or so away. I get to the road, bare feet and all, and realize he is turning down the road next to the house that parallels the highway so I stop my pursuit (primarily because I didn't have a chance in hell of catching him). Then, out of nowhere, this sorrel colored pony comes running up from behind me and passes me dragging a long lead but with no block attached! That joker scared the heck out of me! By this time I'm just standing there watching her follow the paint around the corner. So I started heading back to the house for backup.

Dad in the meantime, had calmly gotten up, put on some shoes, and got into the truck just about the time I retreated to the garage. I jumped in the truck and we start the low speed chase! As we back out of the drive and started down the road, we find the pair of fugitives behind our neighbors barn standing there looking at us the truck. I couldn't help but imagine that they were saying to each other, "what in the hell do we do now"?!

So I climbed back out of the truck after we slowly eased up to them. In my bare feet, I executed my ninja cowboy skills and slowly approached these wild bandits. They were still startled and were not to thrilled seeing this big, ugly man trying to give them the sneak. I'd get close to a lead rope and they would trot a few yards off, closer to the highway. So, frustrated by their keen sense, in defeat I walked back and got into the truck.

We left them to see if we couldn't find their owner down the road. We made a few blocks but couldn't find where they had escaped from and finely decided to head back to try again. We rounded the corner and find them calmly munching on some delicious green grass! Dad inched the truck forward and managed to get close enough to stop the front tire of the truck on top of one of the leads! I slowly got out with my ninja cowboy skills on high alert. Mind and body 100% zoned in ready to pounce or evade and began to execute my well honed horse whispering skills. I gently talked to them. I may of mentioned that I wanted to be their friend and that I really did not want a hoof to the face or crotch or to any part of my body. To my surprise, the young paint walked right up to me and stuck his nose into my hand as to say "hey buddy, got an apple"?! I grabbed his halter and carefully walked him over and tied him off to a trailer. I then perfectly executed a swift, ninja cowboy prance and grabbed the sorrel's lead! Dad backed the truck up as I skillfully walked her over to the same trailer and got her tied up!

Success! (insert barefoot booty dance!)

We left the duo tied to the trailer and went back to the house to finish our coffee. I walked back outside an hour or so later to check on them and they had been found by their owner and were gone. Didn't even get to say goodbye to my new friends!

Anyway...That's all I got for tonight.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a great Monday morning commute.  I know I'll be a little more active in the blogging world this week as I am here on business and find hotel boredom the biggest motivator to start typing away.

Changing of the Seasons

As the first "cold" front of the year hit Texas this past Sunday, I cannot help but to reminisce as to why Autumn is my favorite season of the year. The cool, crisp dry air mixed with less and less daylight triggers wonderful memories of my childhood. I am just going to rattle off a few reasons and memories so bear with me...


My first recollection of "Fall" as a kid was in Whitefish, Montana. I can remember playing in a pile of leaves with my little sister when i was probably five or six.

With dad being a coach, Fall for the Besch family primarily means football season. I remember going to the games in Whitefish and playing football behind the bleachers (when mom would let me) with the other kids.

When I we moved back to Texas from Alaska, I was the ball boy for dads team and all the terrific memories spent with him on the sidelines, in a field house or on a school bus with the teams and players I idolized.

Dad being an avid hunter, the changing of the seasons had bucks running does and also the constant reminder from dad when ever we were driving in the truck to "look for deer!".

Halloween and all the costumes that my mom would go out of her way and spend hours creating for my sister and I. Karate Kid, Snow White, an Astronaut, Beauty, the Beast, a Princess, and a Mountain Man. Mom did it all. Thanks momma.

Mom's Birthday. November 1st. Not only did we have tons of candy (aka Loot) from the night before but we got cake too!

That afternoon in November spent with my dad and Molly hiding behind a row of hay bales and using them as a makeshift blind while deer hunting. Molly laying on a blanket reading a Babysitter Club book and Dad shoving his knee into the bale so I could sit and steady my rifle when that 7 point buck walked out into the pasture.

*theres a BSC book in that hoodie

The celebration with Dad and Molly around that beautiful 7 point late that November day.

 

The East Texas Yamboree in Gilmer. The parade with the marching bands, fire trucks, floats, and awesome cars carrying the royal court and Yam Queen. Those kick ass carnival rides like the Gravitron, Sizzler, and Tilt-a-Whirl. Spending those nights sleeping (or lack thereof) in the show barn with members of the FFA and their show heifers, steers, pigs and chickens.

 

 

Thanksgiving. Family, food, and football. And food. Turkey and ham are just fillers. We all know that we are there for the broccoli rice casserole, dressing, sweet potatoes with marshmallows and pecans, poppa's "green jello", hot rolls, pumpkin and pecan pie and my personal favorite, Shoe peg Corn.

 

Those Thanksgivings spent in the parking lot of some stadium and tailgating before a playoff game.

The cool, crisp, fresh air and the smell of burning oak and leaves.

New coats and jackets.

Bonfires in the backyard.

Just touched on some of the wonderful fall memories I cherish. Hoping there's many, many more to come!

Fast Pace Evolution

Well, I am ashamed that I have not been doing a very good job blogging. Since my last post, life has been going nonstop and what sometimes seems 1000 miles an hour. Between the start of football season for the Besch family, a new position at work, flying up to Boston to see Molly, David and Lance, and moving into a new home, I have not have the ti...... Ah BS... I have been lazy.

So before I started to just throw a bunch of words down, I decided to re-read my previous post and....

Wow.

Strange how I was ranting about my profession and have now embarked into a new career and path in life! Who knows whats going to happen! I'm excited for what may lay ahead and in store for me.

Its also funny how I was going to get my college degree to teach and coach for a profession and follow in the parents footsteps, if you will. Well for one reason or another, I branched away from that path only to now find myself in a role where I am teaching and coaching for a living!

Now I don't know why my career has evolved like this but I am a believer in that things happen for a reason. I think that what we do, where we go, who we meet, and what opportunities are presented to us... are not by chance. They are blessings. We act upon them accordingly, take what we have learned and live!

So I'll step off the 'ol soap box now and post some pictures. Oh... and Go Texans! Go Red Soxs!

 

Rice Field Attire and Gemini

This past weekend I spent in Garwood with my parents. Got to play golf Saturday with dad and some coaches. Sad to say but its was the last round I'll get to play with Dad for quite some time. Starting today across the state, my father and the rest of the high school football coaches started work. The famous "2-a-Days" have begun. So it was fun to get in a round, even with a 2pm Tee time in August! We got to play golf and then watch the Professional Football Hall of Fame inductee speeches as well as the first pre-season NFL game together. I'm already missing my best bud.

So as I was leaving G-Wood this morning to head back to the concrete jungle, I stopped by Larry's Super Service to grab a cup of Joe and one of their world class Fajita breakfast tacos. When I put the truck in park I noticed Kirk Engstrom and his son-in-law, Bill Ishee get out of their work truck. Damn it was good to see them! I knew right away that they had been cutting rice the past few days and had probably just leveled a few grain bins this morning and they were getting supplies for a long day in out in the field.

For five summers I worked the rice harvest for Kirk, his brother Truman and their cousin Brad. They are rice farmers and own, Engstrom Bros. Farms. Many 12 and 14 hour days were spent driving a bobtail truck or behind the wheel of a big green tractor and auger cart in the brutally hot July and August sun. Those times of my life are some of my fondest memories. Yes it was ridiculously hot and dusty and the work was far from easy, but I absolutely loved that work and the feeling of accomplishment it provided. At dusk, when you are dog tired, covered in rice, dust, dirt, and sweat, the best tasting beer in the whole world would be those that we would share that were iced down in the back of my pick-up truck back at the barn.

So when I stepped out of my pick-up this morning dressed in khaki pants and loafer shoes and yelled out to my old friends, Bill replied, "Besch! That ain't no rice field attire!". And to be honest, I was a little embarrassed and really jealous of those men right then.

Its not that I want to go through life performing a physically daunting, manual labor job but I found myself wishing I was in boots, jeans and a cowboy hat fixing to partake in the days events while harvesting rice. Too often I find myself yearning for that feeling of accomplishment. To feel satisfied about a honest days work.

So when I finished my job today behind my desk, fought traffic for an hour and fifteen minutes, and finally got home, I happen to notice my horoscope on Yahoo (which I find funny in that I seldom read my horoscope). After I read it, I read it again. Then again, thought about it and then.... laughed. It pretty much summed up my feelings from not only this morning but some of the things that have been running through my head for the past few months. It was perfect.

 

"Sometimes it's hard for you to figure out exactly what you're hoping for -- and right now, you're swept up in confusion. Try not to worry too much about it, as sometimes you just have to drift."

Historical Markers and Deer Feeders

I checked out of the Midland Hilton this morning at 7:30. I fueled up with unleaded, dark roast, and three 3 liters of Ozarka and started my long trip home. I decided to take a route to Interstate 10 that I did not drive in on Sunday. I am so glad I made that choice. Part of the reason why I choose a new route is to "pump" myself up about seeing a new and different scenery. After about an hour drive south of Midland, I noticed plateaus and mesa formations on the horizon and also began seeing more elevation changes along the way. Soon I found myself in what I have always imagined what the "desert" was like. And....

It.
Was.
Amazing.

The expanse across the valleys from one plateau to the other reminded me of Alaska. For those of us who live in south east Texas, we are familiar with a fence line to fence line or tree line to tree line way of life. As in how far and what you see in the distance. West Texas... you see for miles and miles! The road into Iraan traveled along the base of one plateau ridge line and around each bend, a new view appeared that would make you want to stop and take pictures. Which is part of the reason why it took me an extra 3 hours to make it home haha!

 

 

 

 

 

I told myself that I was going to take my time getting home today and enjoy the drive. So I kinda stopped to investigate very historical marker I came across. Now, I am so much more knowledgeable about west Texas history than I was yesterday! I saw some really interesting places. I crossed the Pecos River and learned about the expedition to find a safe crossing for the army in the mid 1800s. In Iraan I stopped at the very first oil well that struck the good stuff in west Texas. And i learned about the Government Road, which might of been my favorite place I visited to today.

 

 

 

 So when I was in Iraan, I "checked-in" on the ol Facebook. Short while later, my friend Brian Center commented/joked on my check-in about picking up a deer feeder for him in a small town south of I-10. Suuuurrrreee Brian! It just allowed me more time to explore and see! So, I got directions, drove to Sheffield, found the ranch road, unlocked the gate and cruised on into his old deer lease in Sheffield, TX. After locating his feeder, loading it into the back of the Chevy, strapping it down, and getting back off the lease, I had burned about 45 minutes. Not to shabby! While staring at the road in front of me after pulling out from the ranch road, I had a choice to make. Turn left, go back the way I had just came and jump onto I-10. Turn right, see how far that rabbit hole would go (Matrix reference. *there were no red or blue pills taken at any point during this trip. No animals were harmed either)

My right turn was the right call. I kept thinking of the movie Cars when driving this expanse of road. Just like Radiator Springs in Cars, Sheffield had been bypassed by the interstate and there was about a 35 mile section of highway that really wasn't used anymore. But damn, was it a awesome drive! I crossed the Pecos River (for the second time) and soon passed by the State of Texas Historical Site- Ft Lancaster. The fort was in operation in the 1800s and the state has kept it historically accurate as to how things were during that time. The 35 mile stretch of road that was not used that much anymore was actually a trail used during the fort's hay day. The supply line began from Indianola (present day Port O'Connor) to Ft. Lancaster and all the forts in west Texas. It was known as the "Government Road" to the army in the 1800s. I learned this tid-bit of info from a historical marker that was at a scenic picnic area on top of a plateau ridge that required some switchbacks, blind curves, and steep drop offs that was above and overlooking the valley I had just driven through.

So all in all, it was a great trip. Seeing new places and things and meeting new people always gets me going! Throw in an awesome drive and a little free knowledge to boot.... equals a success in my book. Can't wait until the next trip!



Its Not Always About the Catching

Well, I knew it.

I knew it wouldn't take long for me to write something about one of the biggest loves of my life. People who know anything about me know that I have a passion, almost obsession if you will, with fishing.  For a lot of people, fishing is just spending some free time and doing something in the great outdoors. They see going fishing as something to do when camping, on vacation, or even at an attempt at reconnecting with their childhood. But for myself, its is much deeper than that. Its part of my soul. It's also one of the most difficult things for me to explain. I do not have enough time this evening to even begin to introduce what fishing means to me but I can give a little insight as to how it first got into my blood. 

Thank you, Dad.

My father is my best friend. Since the time I was old enough to go with him, Dad was taking me fishing. My earliest fishing memories I can recall was with him in Rockport, Texas and and around Kenedy, Texas. I must of been about 3 or 4 years old when he would take me to stock tanks to catch bass. Hell, I can even remember what type of lure we were throwing, a Rebel crankbait- brown/orange crawfish pattern! I think I was around 5 when he strapped a life jacket on me and took me wade fishing in Rockport! I don't remember if we caught anything but he had me hooked (pun or no pun, its up to you)! Whether it was spending time together in a stream in Whitefish, Montana, ice fishing in Alaska, team bass tournaments in east Texas, or wade fishing down on the Lower Laguna Madre, I was spending time with my best friend. That in itself is why fishing is so important in my life.

DAMN GINA!!! Just look at those shorts!

 

 

 

 

Best buds!

 

 

 

 

In February 2010 my father and I picked up our brand new and very first bay boat. Transport Boats in Palacios, Texas custom built us a 21' Transport XLR8 LS with a 175hp Suzuki outboard. She was absolutely beautiful! Later that spring, we found out that my grandfather had been diagnosed with cancer. During that summer, in between his treatments, we would load him up in the boat and run off to do a little fishing. The time spent with my dad and grandfather during those trips will last me forever. Sure, we caught a few fish but there is one thing that I have learned in all the years of fishing... It's not always about the catching. The time we spent together doing what we loved was so very precious and provided us wonderful memories. That August, my grandfather passed away. The last time I spent with him was fishing on our boat and I feel so very blessed that fishing enabled us to spend those special moments together.

 

 

 

My grandfather- July 2010

 

 

 

 

Showing my brother n law the ropes! David did good!! Just a few more memories with the boat.

 

As of this week, dad and I decided to put the boat on the market. It has been difficult thinking about never setting foot on her again but everything in life changes and everything must come to an end. BUT, don't you think we will go boat less for long! We are going back to our "roots" so to speak. For as long as I can remember, dad has always wanted a Ranger bass boat. So, upon the sell of the bay boat, and mom already said yes (haha!), we will be ordering a brand new Ranger Comanche z521. It has already been a lot of fun spending time with dad talking about color options, electronics, motors, and all the other bells and whistles! Bitter sweet closing one chapter and yet opening another. Yet I'm already excited to spend more time fishing with my best friend in our new boat.

Here is a little preview to what we are looking to be fishing out of in the near future!

Asphalt and a Best Seller

As you know, I am in Midland Texas for a week of work. I left my parents house Sunday morning for a trek across the great state of Texas. With the "Chevy tuned up like a NASCAR pit stop", I pointed her west and set off to a part of the state I have never seen before. Along the way I managed to snap a few photos to capture my westward expansion. So it was on to I-10, passed by Buc-ees in Luling, through San Antoine, up through Kerrville, the home of Johnny "Football", passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly, twirly, gumdrops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.

 

 

 

 

 

No but really (if you didn't catch the Elf reference), I now understand what all the fuss is about with Texas Hill Country. The drive was beautiful. Every bend in the road seemingly brought a new awesome view across limestone littered canyons, ravines and across wide expanses with vista plateaus on the horizon. I honestly wished I was on horseback and a six-shooter by my side looking for injuns in the cliffs and rattlesnakes on the trail!

...Back to reality, It really was a great drive. I wish I had taken the opportunity to stop at some of the scenic pull-offs and taken some more photos. It was a beautiful day for cruisin' on a Sunday! Loved the 80 mph speed limits!

About 75 miles south of Midland, I had to pass through the vast metropolis of Big Lake, Texas. Big Lake is home of the fightin' Owls. It is also the former home of MLB Pitcher Jimmy Morris. Jimmy was the focus of the 2002 Disney movie, The Rookie, in which Big Lake was a major setting for the movie. It was really cool to say I've been through this small, now famous, west Texas town.

 

After my seven and half hour drive, I reached Midland. I checked into my hotel and immediately executed a perfect, professional face plant into my bed. I laid there for a few moments but realized the sun was going to still be up for a few more hours. There was a brand new place for me to explore! To hell with just laying in bed and wasting daylight! I jumped up, grabbed my keys and Costas and hit the road once more. 

Before I even left the hotel, I knew immediately where I was going. Only twenty short miles away from Midland is one of the most storied high school football programs, not only in the state, but the entire nation: Permian High School. Home of the Permian Panthers and MOJO. Permian was the focus point of Friday Night Lights, a best-selling book written by H.G. Bissinger. As you probably know, the book inspired a movie and a TV series. Bissinger's book managed to successfully capture the town, its people, and the mad culture that surrounds Texas high school football and is one of the best sports books ever written.

  As the son of a Texas high school football coach and a Texas high school cheerleader sponsor, the sport has played such an important part in my family and my life, so there was no way I was going to miss the chance of seeing the home of MOJO! I really wish that Mom, Dad, Molly, and David had been there to see it with me!

 

 

 

Ratliff Stadium. Hallowed ground. Home of the Panthers and is ranked as one of the top 10 sports facilities in the nation by USA Today. Come autumn and football season, Friday evenings will find 20,000 passionate fans filling the seats to support MOJO, which is the rallying cry and has come to be a second mascot for the school. Ask any football fan- anywhere- what MOJO is and they will most likely know about Permian football. She sure is elegant and beautiful in the soft glow of the west Texas setting sun. I think she almost looks a little anxious to get the new season underway.

 

 

And speaking of the setting west Texas sun, I caught this gem. My first west Texas sunset. I pulled over and stepped out of my truck. As the pump jacks were working and the dry warm breeze blowing, I managed to catch this photo with the suns rays shining through the clouds. The only thing that would of made this any more "Texas" would of been a ice cold Lone Star in my hand. Texas forever....

 

Couldn't sign off this post without including a photo of the classic icon of the west, the majestic Tumbleweed!

Do You Know A Great Tattoo Artist?

Ladies and Gentlemen,
This week I find myself far away from home on one of my adventures in exotic Midland, Texas.  For a traveler wandering the sand, stones, and tumbleweeds in this harsh, arid land that's riddled with pump jacks, oil rigs and ample amounts of dust... there is not much to do around here while "flying solo".

So this evening, while fighting a severe case of boredom and after finishing my spectacular room service dinner, (Rib Eye Steak with Maitre D Hotel Butter, Fingerling Potatoes, Vegetable Du Jour, Caesar Salad and a glass of Cab Sauvignon) I had a inspiring conversation with a friend.

It started as a simple Facebook message inquiring if I was interested in some Houston Dynamo tickets for this weekend.  Knowing to whom I was conversing with, I was not surprised to find that it had quickly evolved into a full fledged, laugh-out-loud, hour long, BS session in which I was very, very grateful.  You see, it had quenched that severe case of boredom I had been battling with.  However, not only did it cure my lack of stimuli out in West Texas, during this diverse intellectual conversation I was asked a simple question that could of resulted in life altering consequences (a slight exaggeration if you will).  What is the question that I know you are anxiously anticipating?

"Do you know a great tattoo artist?"

Now this might seem as the random of randomest questions but for those who know me, I believe its about "par for the course" for my personality and mad BS-ing skills, ability, and grace.  My reply is what kick started me sitting here at this desk in my hotel room at 1:09am throwing my thoughts out in digital form.  What was my instant, gut reaction reply?

"I do not. Maybe that's something i should know before I kick the bucket..."

Immediately after hitting the send button, I sat back and analyzed what I had said.  Maybe that's something i should know before I kick the bucket.  Now I do not have a philosophy degree (nor would I ever wish to have one just because it sounds so damn painful) and I am not big on preaching from an extremely structurally sound soap box but that little hamster inside my dome piece began hauling some serious ass on that little exercise wheel.

How did, "maybe that's something I should know before I kick the bucket" get me so riled up?  I sat on that oh so lush, pillow-top, Hilton mattress and began to brake it down to the most basic and naked idea....

Live life to the fullest.

(soap box warning)
Friends...take chances.  Think.  Sing.  Travel.  Explore.  Love.  Get dirty.  Cry.  Laugh.  Laugh till you cry.  Cry till you laugh.  Be spontaneous.  Work hard.  Look for ways to perform random acts of kindness for strangers.  Experience things in this world while you still can.  Don't look back when your physically unable to "Go" and "Do" and wish you had done so when you were younger.

My Grandma Dorothy has a magazine cut-out taped to her bathroom mirror that reads, "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, 'WOW . . . What a ride!'"  I hope that's how I am going about living my life.

So tonight I have added something and taken something off my imaginary "bucket list" while in exotic Midland.

One day, I want to know a great tattoo artist.

What did I take off my list?

I've always wanted to start my own blog.


Check ya later
-M