Fine in the ‘Pine – Music of a generation

By ROXANN CHAVEZ

What’s the music of your old school days? I ask because I was at a dance celebrating the wedding of Armida and Michael DiCicco, with Letty Gonzales, Natalia Hinojos and Dennis Martin, and the music was awesome. DJ Mikey did a great job.

Everyone knows Armida by her maiden name Gonzales. She is the daughter of Loretta Gonzales and a sister to Amy and Melissa Gonzales. The celebration took place at the American Legion Hall and the newlyweds are both in the military so it was my pleasure and honor to be there to help them celebrate their marriage.

As I was sitting in the corner in the dark I closed my eyes and used my hearing to see the moment. I heard giggling, laughter and felt the presence of people passing by me and smelling their cologne and perfume, but I opened my eyes to a familiar song, September, by Earth, Wind & Fire. Letty reached over the table and slapped my hand out of excitement.  She said, “Let’s go dance.”  I didn’t hesitate one bit.  I stood right up and took off to the dance floor. It was so much fun.

It’s funny how a song can trigger your inner spirit. I sometimes think that our inner spirit truly speaks for us when we have no words to express how we really feel. I love music; it’s in my soul.

I mentioned old school days because it’s the old school music that really gets me. I was with my sister-in-law’s and family friend Laura Lea Portillo at the Saddle Club helping Belen Losoya celebrate her birthday and a 1970s song came on. I leaned over to my sister-in-law, Jessica Chavez, and told her I would loved to have grown up in the 70s. I bet it must have been so much fun.  “It was!” she said.

Now Ricky, he’s an 80s child and maybe you know someone who you swear must have been from another era. My time should have been the ‘70s. Why? I don’t know, but my inner spirit tells me that’s where I belong.

Iowa calling

I received an email from Iowa the other day. What? Iowa? Yes, Burlington, Iowa to be exact. I have a fan in Iowa and his name is Kenneth Weygant.  “We have never met but I feel as if we are old friends from reading your column in the Avalanche,” he wrote.

How awesome is that? Another great thing is that he knew about the Alpine Daily Planet and he was glad to know that my column is now published in The Big Bend Sentinel and at bigbendnow.com so he won’t miss out on things here in Alpine. Thanks, Ken, I’m glad you’re a part of our Alpine family and a new Sentinel subscriber.

Crazy basketball moms

Dribble, pass, shoot, score and yell with all the air in your lungs.  I have become a crazy yelling parent at the recent basketball games.

I have not missed one game and so I feel like I’ve earned the right. Well, I keep it clean and only yell when necessary. We just came back from the Ozona game and the referee did something that upset me. He started asking or questioning a call he made and I quickly yelled out, “You’re supposed to read the rule book before you get here.” Sorry, it just came out. Maria O’Bryant was sitting next to me and started laughing.

I looked over and realized that I was not the only one in the room so I decided I better tone it down.

Besides I have a son and nephew who got kicked out of a game against Van Horn.  Yes, Jordie was wearing a Santa shirt that said, “Does this shirt make me look fat?” and my nephew Glenn Losoya were sitting watching the game. Honestly, that was the worst called game I have seen this season.  One of the referees thought it was necessary to sit our coach the whole game.  He was not allowed to get up from his seat and coach his team. Meanwhile, the other coach was able to walk on the court and coach his team.

Anyway, Jordie and Glenn were yelling and I remember Glenn turning back and looking at me and Belen, his mom, saying, “This is terrible,”  then he yelled, “You need binoculars to see that play.”

The referee zoned in on Glenn and looked over at Athletic Director Stacey Martin to have Glenn escorted out of the game and then he pointed at Jordie who had not yelled for a good 20 minutes and had him escorted out.

They both left with no problem but Belen and I clapped and I again had to yell at the referee, saying, “You forgot about the moms.  Where do you think they learned it from?” I made eye contact with the ref but he went on with the game.  So, our family joke is that Santa got kicked out of the game.

The old JC Penney building

As many of you know I work at Kids Kloset/Melissa’s Gift Shop on Holland in the two-story building.  I love it there and I love old buildings but there have been some things going on in the store that make me question if I am alone in the old building.  I know that it used to be the old JC Penney building but nothing else. I would love to hear from you if you know anything about the old building.

Some shout outs

I wish Keanna Valenzuela, a Lady Buck, and the rest of the Lady Bucks the best of luck this basketball season.  Also, I wish everyone involved with the Livestock Show the best of luck and thank everyone who makes the livestock show possible for the kids. Thank you.

I also shout out to Logan Calderon, my friend on Facebook. He’s very sweet and always makes it a point of saying hi to me on Facebook so I want to return the gesture by saying hi on the Alpine Daily Planet. You’re published, Logan. Have a good week Alpine.

Roxann Chavez is a longtime Alpine resident involved in the community and school. Contact her at roxannchavez@gmail.com.