| Now that this political hub-bub is over, and I got enough slack to think about it, I wonder how important bein' a Republican or a Democrat really is. My grandfather was a staunch Democrat and you couldn't have changed his mind if you hit him in the head with a cedar post. But you know, his calves looked about the same as the neighbor's at weanin' time, and I believe (from my experience) those Democrat post holes were just as hard diggin' as were the Republican post holes I dug for the neighbors when I was young and workin' around the community. This is kinda how it all looks to me. Is a Democrat cow any easier to calve out? Do Republican calves weigh more come fall? Is the ground any softer for a Democrat cowboy when his horse dumps him, fence pliers, staples, and all I never did see any difference when diggin' ‘tween a Republican or Democrat hole. They were both hard work and the sad thing was I just had to fill ‘em all with a pole. They say variety is the spice of life, but sometimes it gets to spicy to take. Like some of the bashin' politicians do, it's enough to make my bald head shake. Now, I figure if your views differ from your neighbor's and you need to make your ideas known You should let folks know where you stand on issues and quit tryin' to run your neighbor down. ‘Cause when it comes right down to the livin' we all have our spaces to fill Some are cut out for political life and some just to ranch and to till. So I'd be tickled to see folks do better when discussin' their opponents views And I'd sure vote for the one most civil even with cow manure on his shoes. I guess my outlook on life comes from bein' ranch raised with a cowboy mentality. Sometimes in the summer I go up to a camp ground in the Black Hills and recite cowboy poetry to the tourists for an hour or so. At one of these deals a feller from New York asked me what I meant by a cowboy mentality. I told him lots of folks have a cowboy mentality. To me it means we do our best for our God, our Country, our Family, and our Job. But you might have a cowboy mentality if you get bucked off the same horse three times in a row and every time you get up you think you can ride that critter if you just get back on....See you down the road. "Keep a leg on each side and your mind in the middle and you'll never have to walk home" Copyright Slim McNaught All Rights Reserved Well, this ol' year of '04 is all fed up. Gotta start rememberin' to write '05 on everything. It'll take me 'till next Christmas to rememer to do that. Jim Thompson asked for cowboy poets to call in on the 31st and read some New Year's poetry on the air. I got to thinkin' that maybe we should stop on that last day and think about how blest we have been up to that point, so I wrote this poem and called in and read it on KBHB on the last day of 2004. OLD YEAR BLESSINGS This mornin' I went to feed horses (ol' sorrel's my ‘bud' come feedin' time) And while they munched on grain and hay I contemplated the line. These horses ‘mind me of folks I know, each one with a different need, One mare always lays back her ears, she's mighty jealous of feed. There's some just eat and make their way without any fuss or bother But some think they are above the rest and stay high on the peckin' order. And as I watch these horses feed I think of neighbors and friends And wonder how many on this last day feel blest as the old year ends. I'm thinkin' how some are friendly to all and some who look down on me And those who're so busy graspin' at wealth that they're missin' a life that could be. Then there are those who just do their work and you never hear them complain Even when times are tough on them they're a comfort when you're in pain. So on the last day of this old year I'm thankful to the Lord above For the folks He put around me here and the bounty we get from His love. ‘Cause we humans are much like those horses with our bickerin' and jealous ways And like the horses He fills our needs, watchin' over us every day. So I'll just keep takin' care of these creatures that God put there And scratch ol' sorrel behind the ears when he comes around for his share. To mind the Master I'll do my best to give to Him what He's due here, For all the blessings He's pitched to me and on faith I'll ride into the New Year. "Keep a leg on each side and your mind in the middle and you'll never have to walk home" Copyright Slim McNaught All Rights Reserved |
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| OLD PETE |
| "The Saddle Rack" Lines from The Leathertooler Slim McNaught |
| December |
| December 2004 / January 2005 |
| January 2005! Happy New Year! |
| Well, we're a little late this year so far with our updates! That really isn't much of a surprise to most of you though. Seems that all computers do not work alike, if they work at all! I have been away from the home place here for about 2 months! First off, in November / December I went off to OK to watch over a friends ranch while business took her and her husband else where. And then December / January off to visit my family in Southern CA and OR for the holidays and my daughters wedding! We all had a wonderful time, but no ones computer seemed to work!! So though I could catch up on emails for the most part that is about all I could do! So,.. Hope you don't mind that I have posted Slim's December and January issue here together!! Sit back, relax, kick up your boots, scroll down and settle in for some thought, some smiles and laughs. We at CnC, are wishing all of you and your families a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. "Enjoy" |