07-04-03 - 10:37 a.m.
two years ago, when the ranch in lopeno, texas was sold and subdivided, the 'boy took his retirement and drifted west. he wanted to see the giant redwoods and the ocean on this side of the country. he worked his way toward california, shoeing horses and working in welding shops. he supervised laborers in the strawberry fields of el centro. when he reached central california, his ancient truck gave out. while he lived in a motel waiting on repairs, everything he owned was stolen from it, including cherished family photos and all his music. he moved to san luis obispo, not far from the college, into a crumbling spanish house i can only describe as a cross between animal house and cuckoo's nest. the 'boy rents a cheerless room on the bottom floor, and since his door is always open to an endless trail of rehabilitating drug addicts and wanna-be frat boys, he has become the touchstone of the house. think 'horse whisperer', without the horses, and you'll understand. anyway, undaunted by his truck-bad-luck, the 'boy invested in a used computer and borrowed office space and set up shop online, designing corrals and barns for wealthy city folk who have no real interest in corrals and barns, much less horses. he was doing well until last month, when the office was robbed and everything he needed to design and produce blue prints was taken. needless to say, the enchantment of sunny california is lost on the 'boy, and at the risk of sugary self-promotion, i'm fairly certain the only thing keeping him from packing his remaining belongings into the truck and heading east is his affection for me and a beautiful, budding relationship with my daughter.