Dear Fifty,
That’s how I’d like to refer to you, my friends, since you are most certainly in my “Top 50 Club.” Maybe I should give you a definition of what it means, this “Top 50” thing. This is just my way of making an effort to stay in touch with those most important to me (that would be you). You are my friends, my family, my clients, who have helped me so much, not only in life, but with my business. I always look forward to chatting with you, and certainly, to meeting those who are important to you, whenever the subject of real estate should come up. Please, don’t keep me a secret! ☺
As the weather turns cooler, some of us move a little slower, which is not always a bad thing. Seems I’ve been running so many directions for so long, it’s nice to slow down, even if just for a minute. Somehow, I suspect we aren’t really slowing down all that much. School’s back in, football games, pumpkin patches, raking leaves, getting the yard ready for Winter. So much to do…are we really slowing down?
I’d like to tell you about a friend of our family. His name is Red Steagall. Red is from Texas, and is a great singer/songwriter, and cowboy poet. He is a fantastic entertainer, and is recognized around the country for his talents. What’s more than that, Red is a wonderful patriot, and a truly great American. With Red’s permission, I’d like to include this poem, with my best wishes.
The Weather by Red Steagall
“There’s something about a cool October morning that suits my disposition just right
The sky’s as clear as a crystal today and as the sun slowly creeps into sight,
My old pony’s step is a little bit lighter. Must be the crisp Autumn air.
Cold weather’s comin’, no doubt about that, he’s growed a half inch of long hair.
I just saw some geese headin’ south for the winter. Boy, that’s a beautiful sight!
And something inside of me stirs at the sound of Canadian honkers in filght.
Pronghorn have started to gather in bunches. That’s a sign that winter’s well on her way.
Mesquite trees have put on a good crop of beans…Be a tough one, the old timers say.
The boys and I cleared eighty acres of pasture. We laid in about ten cord of wood.
You know burnin’ mesquite is a cowboy’s perfume, makes that musty old cabin smell good.
And in the evenin’ the mrs. will stoke up the fire. When it snows and drifts get too deep
We like to read but I only get through two pages ‘fore my old mind drifts off to sleep.
Lately I’ve noticed some pain in my joints. Gets worse when the weather gets cold.
Doc says I need to go someplace that’s warm, but hell it’s just age takin’ hold.
Now my neighbor, he got him a place in Scottsdale, and he leaves here before the first snow.
But there ain’t no way in hell I could go to the desert. I wouldn’t last maybe three days or so,
Cuz I’d get to missin’ my chores in the winter. I get up every mornin’ at 5.
And I’d worry that if I wasn’t right here to feed ‘em, there’s a chance that my cows won’t survive.
And I am right partial to them cows. And I’m there when they’re calvin’. And the mrs. gives each one a name.
When they’re older we cull em and thin out the dinks, but when they’re babies, they all look the same.
You know most people seem to like springtime the best when everything’s fresh, clean and clear
But fall seems to say: Son, it’s time to slow down. You’ve worked hard enough for one hear.
‘Course I do look forward to April cuz there’s one special place where I planted some bluebonnets last year. Boy, I hope they come up, they’re my wife’s favorite flower.
That’s one reason we like it out here.
Hell listen to me, I’m just ramblin’ around. I wouldn’t change things if I had the chance.
And the weather? Hell the weather don’t matter. I ain’t goin’ nowhere. There ain’t noplace I’d trade for this ranch.”
I hope you enjoyed Red’s poem as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you. Thank you, not only for taking a minute to read this and spend a few minutes with me, but thank you for all you do to make not only my life better, but all of our lives better! My journey wouldn’t be the same without you. I like to think we are better for knowing each other. I hope you feel the same. Have a most amazing month and I hope to be talking with you soon.
Much love,
Bill Brimley – 801-896-7619