Saturday, October 22nd the morning sky talked to the sun and told it to shine extra brightly on the beautiful little patch of earth we call San Saba. As all the people who had worked to make San Saba River Pecan Jam a reality set up for its debut, the anticipation of success hung in the air like a huge flashing neon sign on Broadway…TO BE? Or NOT TO BE? It is the draw of music, family, fun, food, wine tasting, artisan displays but it is also the ambience of the setting in which those things are placed that make people want to make the drive to experience them. Riesen’s was dressed and waiting for festival goers and to say the setting was tranquil and beautiful is an understatement but to say it is perfect for such an event is not. As you guys know, I am a human hunter of sorts, I seek out expressions on faces, listen for conversations and am adept at reading moods. As I walked the grounds from morning until night what I saw and heard were people laughing, dancing with life, loving that they were sharing a day with their children and just plain happy to be alive. I do believe that was part of the Pecan Jam mission from the beginning! I salute you Jack Blossman, Tony Guidroz and all the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make Pecan Jam such an incredible, fun, seamless, safe, enjoyable, wonderful and truly unforgettable event. I loved seeing people streaming in and the parking lot filling up as the day and evening progressed. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and even nicer to see more I did not recognize. I overheard so many comments about how truly beautiful the setting was, how lovely the town and how gracious the people in it are. The bands were great and I am not even a country music fan! Yes, I was tapping my big feet, bobbing my head and really enjoying the music. Of course I was most struck by the children dancing in front of the stage. If ever you feel the need for a little magic in your life turn around and find a child to watch. There were times I could physically see the notes exit the stage, waft down to the dance floor, circle around and lead the children into the movement of the pure joy of being. Sitting in my lawn chair I was reminded of the boundless energy life gives us when we are young and a longing for that energy came back as my leg hurt from just tapping my toes from a sitting position. So many times I have heard people say youth is wasted on the young but I think youth is never wasted and is about thinking and not age. My mind and body argue all the time because my mind acts like a 12 year old and my body keeps insisting it is going to turn 60 in March! For those of you who read this column on a regular basis, you know my mind wins almost all the arguments! Harold keeps asking me if I have schematics hidden in a drawer somewhere that detail my plans for acting like a grown up? If you guys are wondering the same thing, I hate to disappoint anyone but the answer is no, I most certainly do not! While I only enjoyed two waters and a Diet Dr. Pepper, I did see people with their wine glasses, wine bottles and cups of beer but what I did not see was a single person who was obnoxious, rude, out of hand, out of control or infringing on anyone else’s good time. The entire day and evening was a beautiful balance of perfect weather, family fun, excellent entertainment and the unadulterated love for this City coming together to showcase it in a stellar way. I do not know how other people felt about the day but I drove home feeling so proud of those who brought Pecan Jam to fruition and fought to see their vision for it to reality. I have loved you all with all my heart but that heart is even bigger now and it is just full and overflowing! I don’t have a singing voice like Tony Guidroz but I am singing San Saba praises here! I have no idea how many people showed up but Pecan Jam was definitely a success! P. S. To all I met who said they enjoy this little column I write, know that my deep love, respect and happiness for being a part of this community is and will always be my motivation.Saturday, October 22nd the morning sky talked to the sun and told it to shine extra brightly on the beautiful little patch of earth we call San Saba. As all the people who had worked to make San Saba River Pecan Jam a reality set up for its debut, the anticipation of success hung in the air like a huge flashing neon sign on Broadway…TO BE? Or NOT TO BE? It is the draw of music, family, fun, food, wine tasting, artisan displays but it is also the ambience of the setting in which those things are placed that make people want to make the drive to experience them. Riesen’s was dressed and waiting for festival goers and to say the setting was tranquil and beautiful is an understatement but to say it is perfect for such an event is not. As you guys know, I am a human hunter of sorts, I seek out expressions on faces, listen for conversations and am adept at reading moods. As I walked the grounds from morning until night what I saw and heard were people laughing, dancing with life, loving that they were sharing a day with their children and just plain happy to be alive. I do believe that was part of the Pecan Jam mission from the beginning! I salute you Jack Blossman, Tony Guidroz and all the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make Pecan Jam such an incredible, fun, seamless, safe, enjoyable, wonderful and truly unforgettable event. I loved seeing people streaming in and the parking lot filling up as the day and evening progressed. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and even nicer to see more I did not recognize. I overheard so many comments about how truly beautiful the setting was, how lovely the town and how gracious the people in it are. The bands were great and I am not even a country music fan! Yes, I was tapping my big feet, bobbing my head and really enjoying the music. Of course I was most struck by the children dancing in front of the stage. If ever you feel the need for a little magic in your life turn around and find a child to watch. There were times I could physically see the notes exit the stage, waft down to the dance floor, circle around and lead the children into the movement of the pure joy of being. Sitting in my lawn chair I was reminded of the boundless energy life gives us when we are young and a longing for that energy came back as my leg hurt from just tapping my toes from a sitting position. So many times I have heard people say youth is wasted on the young but I think youth is never wasted and is about thinking and not age. My mind and body argue all the time because my mind acts like a 12 year old and my body keeps insisting it is going to turn 60 in March! For those of you who read this column on a regular basis, you know my mind wins almost all the arguments! Harold keeps asking me if I have schematics hidden in a drawer somewhere that detail my plans for acting like a grown up? If you guys are wondering the same thing, I hate to disappoint anyone but the answer is no, I most certainly do not! While I only enjoyed two waters and a Diet Dr. Pepper, I did see people with their wine glasses, wine bottles and cups of beer but what I did not see was a single person who was obnoxious, rude, out of hand, out of control or infringing on anyone else’s good time. The entire day and evening was a beautiful balance of perfect weather, family fun, excellent entertainment and the unadulterated love for this City coming together to showcase it in a stellar way. I do not know how other people felt about the day but I drove home feeling so proud of those who brought Pecan Jam to fruition and fought to see their vision for it to reality. I have loved you all with all my heart but that heart is even bigger now and it is just full and overflowing! I don’t have a singing voice like Tony Guidroz but I am singing San Saba praises here! I have no idea how many people showed up but Pecan Jam was definitely a success! P. S. To all I met who said they enjoy this little column I write, know that my deep love, respect and happiness for being a part of this community is and will always be my motivation.