Howdy. This picture was taken by a friend at a George Strait concert several years ago in Dallas Texas. I was unaware of Susan taking this picture until she gave it to me later. I was watching George's antics up on stage and as usual was oblivious to anything or anyone else. As you can tell from my ecstatic smile that she captured experiencing George up on that stage doing what he does so well is one of my favorite things in life.
I first saw George at a concert in Des Moines at the State fair. I had made the drive from Minnesota and it was well worth it. I was in the 13th row on the right aisle. At one point I got up and went closer to the stage to try to get a decent picture. I hadn't any zoom lens at the time. I got within about five rows of the stage, and felt like I was really being sneaky and would be caught at any time by a security guard and sent back to my seat. I had George Strait in my viewfinder, and stopped in the aisle to focus on a side view shot. In the years before I had gone to Marty Robbins concerts and gotten some experience with taking concert photos, but Strait was much more an artist of the time and his fan following was already gigantic and still growing. I knew it would be difficult to get very close before Security sent me back to my seat.
As I was trying to focus for a decent photo George suddenly walked towards me from center stage and to my astonishment he stopped right in front of me. The camera was in my hand, forgotten, as I looked in surprise at his kind handsome face now so much closer, and then he smiled at me. That shocked me into remembering the picture I was trying to get. He posed until I had taken my picture, then strolled slowly back to center stage to start the next song. His band was waiting for him.
I stood there for a moment in shock after he had gone back to the microphone. His smile took my breath away, and that feeling I had then has stayed with me through the years, compounded every time he smiles at me. I have seen alot of top performers in my life including Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Willie, and the great crooner himself - Sinatra. No one had ever affected me more than that handsome smooth baritoned cowboy with the awesome smile. He had shown me that in that huge audience he was aware of me as an individual. He had made the decision and the effort to come over and stand in front of me. His eyes had met mine, and I had felt his presence and awareness in my mind and clear down to my toes. I was totally impressed with him that night; his singing, and his stage presence - the entire package.
Not long after that I traveled again to see him in Chicago at a large outdoor venue, and went to see him again when he played the Minnesota State Fair. Strait fever had taken hold and as I learned more about him, saw more shows, experienced his talent, his class, and consistency in his shows I learned that he was "the real deal." I knew that loving George was not a passing fancy - I was in for the long haul.
Twenty five plus years later I'm still enjoying the phenomenon that is George Strait. Through the years as I have matured, changed and lived my life I have watched him manage his career, keep his fine booted feet on the ground, and his priorities Strait. He has lived his life well, and matured beautifully into the Man he is today. I'm very proud of who he is, and how he got there.
George has been a huge part of my life, and loving him and his music has pulled me through some rough times. His music and that wonderful baritone and the way he uses it so masterfully never fails to lift my spirits and get me back in a good place. He continues to grow and influence Country Music and an untold number of fans. He is much loved for his awesome talent which continues to get better with age, and for being himself - the real deal, the Texas Troubadour.
God bless you Mr Strait. Thank you for the wonderful music, the heart pumping smiles, so many wonderful sweet memories, the good times, and for all of those special moments that I will always carry with me. You have been "The Voice" in my life and have touched me in every part of my existence.
The above picture is of my first Boxer Nicki. During her long lifetime she saved me from harm several times. I was so impressed with the breed that when I settled in Minnesota I found a breeder and purchased Robin whom I showed and bred. Before I first saw George in concert I was breeding, raising, and showing Boxers. I had a Caprice Classic Station Wagon and traveled to dog shows in the tri state area of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. I sometimes made it down to Illinois, and Kansas.
Eventually there were several things that happened that made me make the decision to stop breeding my Boxers. My pups were sold to owners as far as Florida and Texas and they were doing well on the show circuit but I lost the enjoyment of showing, it got too political with the professional handlers in the ring and the judges. One day on the way to a show Dillon leaned over the seat and put his big ol head on my shoulder. His tongue sneaked out and he gave me a little kiss on the cheek. I put my hand on his head and hugged him. As if reading his mind I turned the car away from the Expressway and drove over to Dillon's favorite park. It had a large lake with a walkway all the way around it, and there were Canadian Geese, and Mallard Ducks, and squirrels to look it. He was thrilled, his lil tail was wagging, he jumped up on me and gave me a big hug, and then we set off on our walk. That was the last time I entered a dog show. It was more important to enjoy my wonderful Dillon and be outside with nature. Those were some happy times, and some wonderful memories. I don't know that I will ever again have the closeness to a four footed friend that I had with Dillon. He is always near in my mind. I miss him so much still.
Dillon became my last Boxer, and as sometimes happens if one is lucky he was my best and very special. He was intelligent and lived life to the fullest. He took care of me and he taught me much. When I had to put him to rest it took the heart out of me. I created a website for him and it is still on the net. I occasionally receive letters from people that tell me how my Dillon story has helped them give into their grief over losing a special four footed friend. I have left the page up; the link is below. I have not had another Boxer. I tried going to a smaller dog, had a Border Terrier for a while and although Harvey was a neat little dog it just wasn't fair to him that I couldn't seem to get attached to him so I returned him to his breeder, a friend of mine, completely trained, and he is living out a happy life in Minnesota.
I decided to have some feline company. My knee can't handle another big dog so I had to face up to reality. I've had cats before but nothing like this. "Mystic Blue" or 'Buffy' is a retired breeder, she is a blue eyed blue pointed of the Ragdoll breed, and her company brought me laughter and comfort. I once had a friend tell me she couldn't have cats, that she thought they were "too human." I found that interesting especially after bringing Buffy home. Buffy's buddy 'Hummer' below is a Seal Point Mitted Ragdoll. If Buffy was the intellectual Miss Priss Hummer was the ditsy love hungry blonde! She bonded with me, listened to me, and answered me. She was constantly with me, and when I was down she knew it, and would sit there and stare at me, and talk to me until it brought a smile.
I love to read, and Louis L'Amour is my favorite writer, has been since I was a teen-ager. Whatever writing talent I have is fashioned after his style. He made you feel that you were right there with the character. I have a complete collection of his works and read them over and over again.
When I have time I can lose myself in writing. Since I was a child of four I have loved horses and cowboys and the tradition and history of the old west. In my life I've had a bay quarter horse mare named Dottie, and a gray Arabian gelding named 'Ali Bey' but I called him 'Dusty.' I'm partial to Appaloosas, Quarter Horses, and the Red Dun color.
I still go to horse shows and love to go to Rodeos, and have become addicted to watching the competition in Team Roping. Two well trained horses, and two determined Cowboys getting their work done in a matter of seconds - it's some great watching! There are Team Ropers I have been watching and enjoying for years. The horses are awesome!
~ Linda Robbins
"(Lying Here With) Linda on My Mind" as sung by George Strait, 1997 & 1998. That's a long sweet story. He sung it a few more times in his 2005 Tour. For me those were some very special moments.
He's the real deal, a fourth generation Texas Rancher and Cowboy.
My Tribute to 'Dillon'
I was born in the northeast corner of Arkansas, one mile from the Missouri border. and after my Dad died when I was four we moved north. I grew up with my big Brother in Michigan.
I have Lived in Jackson Heights New York, Upper Montclair New Jersey, and Lynn Massachusetts which is where I was living - 1 block from the ocean - when "Jaws" came out. I moved back to the midwest to Minnesota, and lived in Robbinsdale and then Golden Valley where I lived for over 23 years.
After getting laid off from Honeywell after 13+ years I moved to the State of Texas in 1998 to be nearer my family. I was in San Antonio in 1980, and knew then that someday I would live there. I completed a child hood desire to be "where the cowboys are!" The tradition, and the Cowboy way of life is alive and well. There are some wonderful down to earth people in Texas, and some awesome ranchers and team ropers. And of course this is Strait Country. I have no wish to live anywhere else. I am ~ a Texan by Choice.
I find the simplest things in life to be the most enjoyable. I'm not interested in material things. A small ranch style home out in the hill country of Texas where I could look out my kitchen window, and watch wildlife and horses would be a dream come true.
