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Yep, not a single one.

I surprised even myself because y’all know I have been dreading this day for about 19 years, but Jack eased my pain.

He must have sensed a possible melt down on my horizon so when it came time for the final “good-bye”,  he gave me this:

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And I giggled all the way home!

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Jack & Dorm Room #330

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And he is right, I sure am going to miss him.

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Enjoy your summer and love your family!

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Happy Birthday, Mom – You are amazing and we love you!

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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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Or maybe you’ve been searching for something smaller… like a skeleton of Siamese twins to display in your son’s playroom?

“No,”  you say – not into old bones?

Then how about a little taxidermic duckling to greet guests in the entry hall?

Or a full size stuffed peacock to hold court in Dad’s study?

Not to worry.

You can find these plus a plethora of other curiosities at the Evolution Store on Spring Street in SoHo just like we did last week.

We made not one, not two, but THREE visits to the store… and yes, Sammy now has an Xenosmilus hodsonae (sabercat) skull replica for his nightstand.

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WARNING / DANGER:

The full-sized, genuine “doorman” dangling at the store’s entrance is guaranteed to mysteriously suck both men and boys into the shop’s portal.  Once inside they will ogle for hours at the strange, weird, but beautiful curiosities.

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I’m headed to New York this week to source the TexWorld Fabric Show and spend an afternoon with industry trend experts.

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I’m taking my two boys along for the ride.  The deal is: they suffer the agony of a trade show with me and I’ll take them to a Yankees game on Friday.

Deal?

I’m not mentioning that I’m going to slip in a few cultural experiences for them.

The Met, the MOMA, and Bergdorf’s.

What?, you say…

I can hear you from here, yes, Bergdorf’s does count as a cultural experience!

Trust me, my future daughter-in-laws will love me for it.

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btw: I’m using my birthday present from Audrey to help me with our travel plans.

Angelika Taschen, connoisseur of global cool, has published a coffee table book series based on the best hotels, restaurants, and shopping from key destinations such as Paris, London, Barcelona, etc.

I’m using Taschen’s New York, to “get the most out of the Big Apple.”  I’ll let you know how it turns out.

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Me: (half paying attention) Um Hmmm.

Harris: (still excited) Come see, there is a big frog – LOOK!

Me: (busy sketching and still paying half attention) Really?  That’s nice, Harris.

Harris: (more adamant) NO, come look!

Me: (busy and trying to give him the brush off) No, honey, Aunt Boo is busy.

Harris: (insistent) No, YOU gotta see this FROG.

Me: (starting to have remorse for not stopping to smell the roses) oh, ok…..

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Jeremiah, the bullfrog

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Harris was right – this frog was HUGE!  The size of a softball.

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I’m glad I stopped and shared a silly moment with Harris.  He really got a kick out of it when I thought the creature ‘picture worthy’.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.  James 1:17

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There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

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This was one of the scriptures the boys read yesterday at Dad’s Celebration of Life.

There truly is a time for everything under heaven even though some seasons leave us heartbroken and saddened.  My life will never be the same; there is a hole left vacant by my amazing Dad.  For now I grieve, but at the same time I rejoice in his new life and the new life within the Double D Ranch family.

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Please say “hello” to little Ava Jane.  She is the new grand-daughter of Double D Ranch’s amazing Melissa.

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Dad in front of Old Glory, Sturgis Rally

Douglas Lynn McMullen, 69 of Bastrop County died Sunday, June 6^th 2010 unexpectedly of heart failure.

He was born July 30, 1940 in Red Rock, Texas, the son of the late James Odell and Eloise Riddle McMullen.  He was the older of 2 siblings and is survived by his sister Marsha Fimbel of Victoria, Texas.

He is also survived by his wife, Margie Maraggia McMullen of Yoakum, Texas and ex-wife Debra Hathaway of Boerne, Texas, and by his daughters, Cheryl McMullen, Hedy Carter and husband Perry, all of Yoakum, Texas and Audrey Franz and husband Mickey of Seguin Texas.  Doug left a lasting legacy with seven doting grandchildren: Douglas Taylor McMullen Franz, Bryson Franz, Jack McMullen Matusek, Sam Matusek, Walker Franz, Harris Franz and Presley Carter and a great-grand child, Bracken Lane Franz.   Doug also leaves behind his beloved Peaches and Pudgy as well as the 2007 World Champion Quarter Horse, Illegal Memories.

Doug was an entrepreneur by nature and began his first business as a boy selling watermelons.  He quickly moved on to cars, horses, and anything that had wheels on it.  He owned Allen Ford Sales, a Ford Dealership in Palacios Texas and Cowboys Custom Trailers in Bastrop Texas.  With his daughters he co-founded Double D Ranchwear™ of Yoakum Texas, a nationally recognized clothing brand and winner of numerous fashion awards.  But Doug’s life passion was always racehorses.  He was known throughout the racing industry as an outstanding horseman with a unique eye to hand pick a runner.   He took many a horse to the winner circle, but was most proud of his 2007 World Champion Gelding, Illegal Memories.

A Celebration of Doug McMullen’s life will be held Monday, June 14^th, 2010 at 11:00 am at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home in Bastrop Texas followed by fellowship and Doug’s favorite Texas BBQ.  The McMullen family welcomes all friends and acquaintances to join them in honoring this very special person.

Contributions to the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (502.863.8792) are appreciated in lieu of flowers.

God broke the mold when he created Doug: he was one-of-a-kind. He loved his family, fast cars, faster horses, a good Harley ride, an all-night canasta game, telling tall tales, eating jelly from a jar and Margie’s sweet tea.

He will be remembered for his giving spirit, his heart felt laughter, and his genuine smile.

His family will miss him.

They loved him well.

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