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Lyrik's Yellowstone

1/25/2015

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Once a year on a very special day, we book a private charter snow coach for Lyrik's birthday.  For the past six years Alpen Guides out of West Yellowstone has been there to ensure Lyrik gets his trip into Yellowstone on his birthday (or near his birthday).  

       This year marked Lyrik's sixth annual trip into Yellowstone.  Wow!  Six years of traveling into Yellowstone for a birthday trip.  What a cool way to spend your birthday.  Of course this is how I feel about it.  So far Lyrik still loves his birthday trip into Yellowstone.  One day this may change, but for now we make the memory.  

       As you know from past post, I believe the investment in memories are more valuable than any toy ever made.  So instead of spending money on presents that will sit in the corner of the house after the first week, we make sure to build memories that will be mentioned for years to come. 

        This year was just a bit more special as we went with our new family; my wife her son, and her parents.  How special the day had become as we shared our tradition this year as a new family.  Many times, throughout the day, my eyes passed over my family with pride as the moments of the day brought on a smile originating deep from the heart.  

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       So with the family packed and ready to go we set out into Yellowstone on the morning of  January 24th to see plenty of wildlife, geysers, beautiful sites and even more smiles and laughter.  Lyrik is now seven years of age and he can now say he has been going into Yellowstone on his birthday even before he can remember.  
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       As we roll down the road in a very unique way we run into all kinds of friends, and for me many of my fellow co-workers.  People I have known for years; and people that have watched Lyrik grow up here in Yellowstone Country.  

    Yellowstone will always hold my heart and imagination.  It is a place of continued wonder for me.  I am blessed to be able to share this area with my family.  
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       At the end of the day, tired and sleepy boys smile with the memories they have created for the day here in Wonder Land.  Memories have been built, traditions have been held steadfast.  Memories and traditions more valuable than any plastic toy; and perhaps memories they will use to pass along to their own children one day, through their own family traditions.  Who knows how they will start their traditions when those days come, but I do know how proud of a day that will be.  
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Spurs for the State of Texas

1/18/2015

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       In the summer of 2012, while I was working as a vendor at the local Big Sky Montana Farmers Market, I was approached by a client and friend to head a project that was to push my limits at the time as an engraver and artist.  He had hired me to engrave a set of spurs for the State of Texas featuring Governor Rick Perry. 
        Some projects can take just a few hours to complete, from beginning to end; and some projects take much longer.  This project was to take over two years before completion. 
  
        I believe in finding the right people for the job and not to make a decision in haste.   I accepted the job and spent a year looking for those individuals to help me complete the task. 
       Pete and Virginia Bennett of Bennett's Custom Spurs were the perfect match I was looking for.  Honest, good people, hard working with their own stories of an amazing life.    
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Pete's Spurs and just one of Virginia's many Cowboy Poet books she has written.
  
       Virginia Bennette a cowboy poet, and Pete Bennette making handmade spurs for the working Cowboy.  They are kind and their stories are meaningful.  I found myself on more than one occasion listening to many of the stories Virginia had to tell of their many days on many different ranches.
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Pete and LD, taken in 1986 near Aspen, CO
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In the beginning. Virginia's drawings of the rough idea.
       After working out a lot of details of why I was calling, Virginia and Pete decided to take a chance on this strange caller asking for a set of custom spurs for a governor.  We had lots of work to do including finding his boot size, since their spurs are so custom they even are made to a specific boot.  Where would you go to find such information? 

      Virginia knew exactly how to go about finding such information.  She quickly made a phone call to an old friend, and the response was just as quick.  We soon had our boot size and commenced to the finer details of what was expected.  I drew up a rough idea of the spurs I envisioned.  Something with the governors seal on it was the direction I envisioned.  After the design was approved by my client, I quickly called Pete and Virginia in excitement!  "We have a winner!  Let's get started!"  
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The conceptual design turned into my client

       I have been told, in the past, Anticipation can be sweeter than honey.  In those words I have found life an amazing adventure of what could be, what it has been, and where I am headed.  
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Naked Spurs desperately seeking attention!
        During the time I patiently awaited the spurs completion from Pete, I dreamed of what could be with sweet anticipation.  For me as a lowly novice, this job carried weight I have never felt before. 
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Hoss' beautiful leather work
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Hoss and Katie on their ranch outside of Bozeman MT.
      
       Near the completion of the Gov. Perry spurs I called a good friend from the Bozeman Montana area and asked if he would like to take on the task of hand making some spur straps.  Hoss and Katie Hopkins, from Hoss' Leather,  quickly took on this task with great enthusiasm.  Katie was essential in her efforts of helping to facilitate and email back and forth.  With out her help, I wonder if Hoss and I would have been able to make our set deadlines.  Thank you Katie for your endless help! 



       Each of us put forth the very best we could offer.   Many times I could feel the self-inflicted pressure pushing down on me to up hold the quality of work that was demanded of me.  After all, I had been given beautiful works by both Pete and Hoss.  "No Pressure!"  In the end, as it seems to be with most things, I found my worries and the pressure to be just enough of the right ingredients to push me to my best.  One step at a time.  
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Ready for delivering.
       Really that is all we can do, ask for one step at a time to get anywhere we need to go.  

       On November 19th, 2014, the the State of Texas receivedthier spurs.  

     
        A tremendous thank you to my friend and client.  Thank you for your continued belief in me and my work.  With out your kindness and willingness to see success, I would not be as far.  Thank you to Hoss and Katie, Virginia and Pete for all of your help with this project.  Who knows,perhaps we will be destined to put together our trades once again somewhere down the dusty trail.  
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    Montana Blog

    This page is here to share with you the days spent here in Montana.  From wood cuts to silver cuts, fatherhood to brotherhood, each day in the Rocky Mountains present their own challenges, and many blessings.  Please feel free to comment on any of the photos you see here. 

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