Monday, October 24, 2016

Busy, Busy - Fun, Fun


       I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.

         I've been away, no blogging since last Wednesday, and it's been a marvelous five days. I visited my son, daughter-in-law and grandson Carter in Lubbock, Texas to see them all of course, but especially to see Carter and his marching band. Marching band is a very big deal in this town of Lubbock, I think all of Texas. One nice thing is that it's as big a deal as football, and they are not cutting music programs!

      I haven't been to a Friday Night Lights game in a long time, and this time they showed me more than I've remembered from years ago! The parents of Carter's marching band have a rolling grill and a trailer because they feed the kids before every game, and most times they feed the opposing team's band, too. That's 600 plus people! I couldn't take pics of the kids without permission, but there are pics of my son and daughter-in-law, on the "Grill Team". I was the person giving helpings of tortilla chips, and loved having small chats with all those wonderful high school kids, showing such gratitude for being fed, having such a great time with their friends before they marched across the road to the stadium, and then at half-time at the game. These kids do all that they do, plus practice every day (either morning or after school) and have been doing this since the beginning of August. I admire their dedication and grit, working to make as perfect a "show" as they can.




         
























               On Saturday, there was a regional marching band competition at another stadium, and I saw Carter's band there earn a one, and the right to move on to the next competition next weekend, after the Friday night game and performance too! And this at a town a few hours away. The band has a semi that carries the equipment and instruments, and a touring bus that takes them to away games. Amazing! And they are fortunate to have all this. There is over 300 in the band.
             On Saturday afternoon, it was time for the Texas Tech game at night, but we had to be there mid-afternoon because my son has managed to have his Boy Scout Council be in charge of delivering bags of ice to all the tail-gaters and refreshment stands at the stadium. Each Scout and parent who shows up gets a part of what is earned to help them pay to go to the National Jamboree next summer. Whew! We got to watch part of the game, drive around in little ATVs for deliveries, and I even got to ride down the same entrance that the football players run down, and be on the field. Tail gating was over the top. I am amazed at the number of people and businesses there, music from bands, games for young kids, and so on!
         










        My slice of life visiting was a time for memories, but also to see how my own "kids" support their "kid" and many other parents working hard to help their own "kids". This made me proud, and made me want that kind of support for all kids. I know that some parents cannot make the time for a variety of reasons, but hope they do show up sometimes, because it means a lot. I was happy to be a part this weekend, to support my grandson. It brought back good memories to me, too, of when I was a parent, busy running here and there, having fun.
       

        And, one more thing! I got to be driven around by Carter for a while. He's a beginning driver, not licensed yet, but WOW, time does fly, doesn't it?

24 comments:

  1. Gotta love it when the music programs area as valued as the sports programs! Maybe Carter will go on to do drum corps! Sounds like he's getting good training for it, and what an awesome support group he has.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both his parents were in their college marching band, too, so I imagine he will continue on. It was wonderful to see a stadium full of band parents cheering their kids on. Thanks, Laura!

      Delete
  2. What fun, Linda! Love this kind of family support, and how cute are you and Carter?! Enjoy these months while he is a learner, because once licensed, they sure do disappear, don't they?! Thank you for sharing. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I know his parents know about that license too, Irene. It was a great weekend to be there and to see all that's happening. Thanks, Irene!

      Delete
  3. My son is in marching band, so I love your parts about feeding the kids. I need to slice about his stuff soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you do! It was a great time watching, and seeing what they are doing.

      Delete
  4. What a fun post! My daughter went to see her roommate play in the marching band during halftime last weekend -- to her, football is the stuff on either side of the marching band concert :-)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, seeing all these bands was a joy. I would never had had the chance to see the Texas Tech band without that ice work. They were awesome, too. Thanks, Tabatha!

      Delete
  5. Loved this Linda as I have followed many bands in many stadiums including at the Alamo Bowl and the Orange Bowl. So much pride in seeing how the next generation rises to the challenges of life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a lot of hard work. I remember the practicing too, but we did nothing like these bands are doing today! Amazing!

      Delete
  6. Oh, I LOVE the picture of you and your grandson. I can hear the JOY in your words as you slice about this time with family. I'm so glad you enjoyed these moments!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a wonderful time, Michelle. Glad you enjoyed the pic, too. He's growing up so fast! Thanks!

      Delete
  7. Visiting family, tailgating, marching band, being driven by a grandson....wow. what an exciting trip. Seeing how your son supports his son is definitely a reason to be proud. What was important to him as a child turned into a lesson he is passing on to his son.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Passing the values on is a joy to see for sure. It was lots of fun to be there doing all those things! Thanks, Bob!

      Delete
  8. Linda, while I have never been part of marching band activities, I do love to see them on the field. Your experience was varied and fast-paced. The weather looked great and the fields colorful. Of course, the proud moment of seeing you with Carter on the field in his marching band garb was touching. Wow, the ending was great-time does fly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so much fun, Carol, and did bring back lots of memories too. I'm thankful that I got to enjoy every bit of this filled up weekend! Thanks!

      Delete
  9. This sounds as a busy and fulfilling trip. I love the pic of Carter in his uniform standing next to you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. One of my favorite away trips in the OSU band was to Austin to play Texas... such a great football atmosphere! I would love to see the high school "Friday Night Lights" in person someday, and I got a kick out of your pictures on Facebook! Glad you wrote some more about it here! You were lucky to get to share these special moments with Carter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought of you a bit this weekend, knowing you would love seeing all those marching bands, Jennifer. They were wonderful! And yes, Texas certainly loves the football and the bands! Thanks!

      Delete
  11. Marching band was an important part of my kids' lives. I'm so grateful for the hours of work put in by dedicated directors of the programs. I love seeing the pic of you beside Carter in his uniform and learning on FB that you played the trombone, the same instrument he plays. Sounds like a delightful, busy time. Glad you were able to visit for the fun of football marching band season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm very glad I had these days, too, Ramona. and how great that you had that time with your own children! I have good memories from the past, and now have them with Carter, too. Thanks!

      Delete
  12. Holy cow! Marching band sounds like a BIG DEAL in Texas! Uniforms, rolling grills, semis, a bus! Glad you had a good time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's certainly a big deal, Carol. We had fun with Nathan here but it wasn't anything like this! Thanks!

      Delete

Thanks for visiting!