Forget The Bluebonnets; Lets celebrate the return of Good Country Music!

     Friday, April 6th, 2018. Me and my compadres set out on a trip looking for bluebonnets, but snagged a singing cowboy instead. My compadres on that day were my parents, a friend, Larry Paris, and Sadie, the hyper-active dog.
   Mom and Dad had been after me to go on one of their many day trips. When they mentioned bluebonnets, I said, "I'll go on that one." I love looking at and finding those pretty little blue flowers. But let's keep that between ourselves, as I have a manly reputation to protect.
     It was a clear, beautiful day, kinda chilly though , when we set out from Hamilton, TX.  We went from Hamilton to Goldthwaite, driving on FM 2005 to arrive there.
    That's another thing Texas has gone crazy with these, Farm to Market, Farm to Ranch, Ranch Road,(where I reckon you're on somebody's ranch) and then throw in all these Park Roads. No wonder we end up roaming around. But back to Bluebonnets.
     Between Hamilton and Goldthwaite, no Bluebonnets were seen. There were some purple and white flowers that were showing off. On to San Saba.
     Nothing, no bluebonnets, but plenty of those show off flowers. If you've been to San Saba, you know that you can easily spend a leisurely day there.
​     We did allow ourselves to be  sidetracked. Imagine that, me distracted. I certainly don't come from a distracted family.
     Mill Creek Park had water flowing through it as usual. We got out and walked around a bit, enjoying the park. There were a lot of folks there that day. I figured since I was there, it was my duty to get out the binoculars, zoom in on them, and make certain they weren't messin' up the park.
     I quit that real fast as looking through my binoculars, I saw a pair of binocularized eyes, looking back at me. How dare they do that? Don't they know I'm the one that's supposed to be making sure everything is alright wherever I go. I sent out a statewide memo, notifying everyone.
     There weren't any bluebonnets at the park, so we opened all four doors on the parent's Ford Flex, and fell into our seats. Right then and there, our goal changed from bluebonnets to barbecue.
     Young's barbecue was the target. Dad had seen an episode of Daytripper that included the host eating there. It was getting near noon when we pulled up. I ordered a barbecue sandwich with pickles, and onions, and a glass of sweet tea.
     It's taken me a while to realize that every time I go eat with somebody, they want me to eat what they couldn't. Before long I had all the potatoe (I'm gonna' spell potatoe with an e because I want to.) salad I could eat.
     Barbecue sauce was provide in the large rocket-ship containers. You know the type, they're always fairly large, colored, off white-clear, with a small tip on the top. I like playing with 'em, just making then squirt. I didn't. Parents were there I behaved.
     Hold on a minute, I've got to scroll up to the top, to read what I wanted to write about in this blog. Okay, I'm back. Barbecue sandwiches were tasty. The potatoe salad had a bit too much in it for me. I'm not sure what was added, but it made it more spicy, than tasty. Of course I ate it all. Mom and Dad were buyin' and you know I wouldn't waste their money.
      Young's Barbecue isn't a big place. It is large enough to have a little nook you can't see around when you're sitting at the four person table, near their front door, by the register.
     From this non-visual nook, floated the most melodious sounds. It was real people, sitting at a table, and letting their voices entertain us as we ate our lunch. The folks at Young's Barbecue, are pretty smart. With such a delightful serenade, who cares if the potatoe salad was a little messed up.
     I got up from my table and followed the music back to Steve&Eileen Mitchell. Those of you that know me realize I was going to engage them in conversation.  I sat down at their table. listened to them sing then asked a few questions. I didn't ask  many questions, as I wanted them to keep singing.
      On that Friday they gave me their personal phone number. Fast forward to tonight, Monday, April 9th, 2018.  I finished talking with them on the phone about 7:30p.m. They gave me a wealth of information about themselves. 
    First thing they told me is everything they do is dedicated to Christ. The lyrics of their songs are free of curse words, and they don't glorify the hard drinking, somewhat rowdy, supposed country life that's being lived today.
     Their songs are about genuine cowboys&cowgirls, who love God and trust their lives to Him, but are real and human. Very refreshing in this age we live in. Don't take my word for all this. Go see them yourselves. 
    During our phone conversation, they asked me to  return to San Saba on Friday, April 13th, so they could give me some of their merchandise, CD's and such, that they didn't have with them that day. Also I was to invite anyone I wished. Friday, April 13th, between 11a.m.&1:30p.m. They're going to be back at Young's Barbecue, singing their hearts out.
     "David," Steve said, "If it's just you that Friday, we will put on the whole show; chuckwagon included." I don't know what they've got in their chuckwagon, but if they cook anywhere close to the  melody in their voices; It will be some of the best food I've ever tasted.
    I wonder what the proprietor at Young's Barbecue was thinking when he invited them to sing during the lunch hour. Maybe he didn't realize they could also cook.
     I'm sure y'all notice in the one picture I took that Steve has a bit something going on around his nose and eyes. He had tripped not long back, fallen and broken his nose. Perfection? None of us have it.
      
     
  
        

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