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For the past three years, Dad had been working with Audrey’s two oldest boys in developing a small broodmare farm.  Nothing big, just some really nice hand-picked mares.  It was amusing to watch them pour over stud pedigrees to get the genetics just right for a potential All American Futurity winner and exciting to watch the foals being born.

As with any new venture, they encountered some bumps along the way. One colt arrived prematurely and didn’t make it and another had to be fitted with a special shoe to help his tendon stretch out properly.

“Ol’ Magic Shoes” would pitch and buck until he could throw the shoe free and the next thing you know, there the boys would go, truck and trailer for another shoe.

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Jess Agrouvatin - Easter Morning

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Well, their first baby, Jess Agrouvatin, is a yearling now and is slotted to sell in the TQHA Yearling Sale in Houston next week.  Mother has stepped up and has been helping Bryson every morning and evening to hand exercise and groom Jess so he will be in top condition for the sale.  It is crazy to watch the coddling:

Don’t expose him to the sun during the heat of the day – that’ll mess his coat up.

Hand exercise him in the round pen in the morning and evening – that’ll build those hip muscles up.

Don’t let him near the other mares – they might bite him and scar his coat.

Give him “the” special mix of feed and vitamins …. and on and on it goes!

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So today, as I watch them start to pack their gear and supplies, I look with anticipation and regret at next week’s yearling auction.  The boys will be selling their first baby, Jess Agrouvatin, Hip #184, and what would normally be a farm’s time of celebration will be tinged with bittersweet memories with the absence of the one who started it all.

We are sure going to miss Dad, but are comforted at the same time as we see his legacy live on in the boys.

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For all men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever. – 1 Peter 1:24-25

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So this afternoon I loaded up my laptop and the dogs and headed back out to the ranch for two weeks of: ‘Don’t Talk to Me, I’m Researching’ isolation.   The drive out was unbelievable.  The wildflowers and colors were indescribable.

So for my city friends, all I can say is it was Pantone 7504, for as far as the eye could see!

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The Japanese don’t take this change of scenery for granted, they celebrate it with Hanami Festivals — which literally translates to ‘flower watching.’

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Here at the ranch, we also celebrate spring and the homecoming of Texas wildflowers.   I don’t think there is a more beautiful place than Texas in the spring.  Perhaps I’m a bit partial (maybe just a bit), but I believe God likes to stretch his muscles here in Texas in the spring.  How can you beat acres and acres of wildflowers with bright, blue skies for backgrounds?

I think it is God’s way of showing off.

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Texas Wildflowers in our Pasture

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However you welcome spring, do it in ‘Culture Clash’ style with Double D Ranch’s™ Tokyo Soul Shirt … it’s a nice mix of East meets West with cherry blossom embroidery on a very ‘Texas’ silhouette.

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Speaking of showing off…I have to show off what my nephew Taylor is up to.  Over spring break he built a new barn for his broodmares.   He finished just in time for his first foal.

Isn’t he something?

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Taylor's Broodmare Barn

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I’ll post more when it hits newsstands, but for now, here is a sneak peek…

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True West Magazine - April 2010

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As you can see, I’m still playing with my Wacom tablet…

I think I’m still light years away from free-handing my embroidery designs!

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One Act Play: The Day the Rooster Didn't Crow

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Congratulations to St. James Catholic School in Seguin, Texas for their 1st place at district level, PSIA One Act Play competition!

On to State!

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Special mentions and appreciation:

• my sweet nephew, Walker,  just so happens to be the strutting rooster and earned an  Honorable Mention for his performance
  
• Audrey & Hedy helped to block and direct the production
  
• and Double D Ranch’s Design & Pattern Department did an incredible job with costuming – thank you Geri, Anne, Suzie, & Barb!

Yep, every time I see one, I take them home with me.

My latest has a reputation as a real mover.  He really gets around …. if ya know what I mean!

He’s also kinda dirty, – but I don’t let that bother me.

I’ve had plenty of experience handling dirty men.

This particular one I found loitering around our HEB parking lot…. I don’t know if some other chick ditched him, or if he just got lost, but he’s mine now!

Yep…all mine.

His name is George B69692216H.

He came with tracking information from www.WHERESGEORGE.com.  Seems like he’s been gettin’ around since January 2007.  He started out in Bethpage, New York.  Got hitched up in Alexandria, Virginia back in March of ’07 and has finally wandered on down to Yoakum, Texas.   He’s traveled 1,550 miles in 2 years, 6 hours, 43 minutes at an average of 1.4 miles per day.

Boy, George sure does make the rounds!

But, there comes a time, like in all my relationships, when they come to an end.

I had to ditch George.

Yes I did, almost as quick as I found him, I had to get rid of him.  ( you know, I’ve never been able to hold a man for long)

We broke up right in the middle of Happy Hour.

Sure did.  I gave George to my assistant, Barbara, so she could by me a drink.  (I love Sonic iced tea and you can get all drinks 1/2 off during Sonic’s Happy Hour from 2 to 4… unsweet, extra ice, please.)

So there went George.

A brief little fling.

I’m way over him though…the break up wasn’t hard.  I’m experience that way.

Any way, I’m off on a new man.

Yep, I’m trying to pick me up a guy named Benjamin.

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and I almost forgot….today is George’s Birthday,

Happy Birthday George, wherever you are!

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If you have had a George in your life, I’d love to hear from you and if you want to learn more about the dollar bill tracking project visit: Where’s George.

We keep talking about how good and great Double D’s Culture Clash collection is, but then came along…

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The Bad:

an angry email from a consumer, which led to…

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The Ugly:

well, you can just read it for yourself.

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OUCH!

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Boy, it sure did make me homesick for a trail-ride.

I’m going to go dig up our trail-ride pictures for you and post them next week in celebration of the start of Texas rodeo season.  In the meantime, enjoy these riders from Adkins Texas as they make their way to San Antonio by way of Seguin.

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cold and rainy… wagon train a-commin’

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braving the elements and flying the colors

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The sign says it all except for: “come rain or shine!”

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couple of good lookin’ cowboys

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This lady and her three generations have been riding with the Mesquite riders for over thirty years.

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Every trail-ride has to have their “boom box”!

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Hey, I would want to make friendly with this guy… he knows how to travel!

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the “smart-cart” for the trail-rider set

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a little western “traffic control”

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and there’s one in every crowd!

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For more on the Mesquite Trail-riders and their overnight stay in Seguin, check out the local Seguin Gazette Enterprise’s story.

Forecasting Seminar

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Today I attended a fashion-forecasting seminar in New York.

I wore my very favorite red cashmere.  Long, belted, and shawl collared.  I like to dress up a bit for New York since it is the pinnacle of US fashion, and the fact that I would be joining others in the fashion industry.

You know, you gotta dress the part.

Anyway, the seminar was going good. I was taking diligent notes, I was looking good in my cashmere and then my eye strayed…

Out the window.

Oh, what a lovely sight – a mama cow cleaning her newly born baby calf.  It’s calving season here at the ranch and I just couldn’t help pausing the forecasting webinar to watch one of God’s simple wonders.

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I love my life.

I love my red cashmere bathrobe.

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