Soulful Conversations

The ranch hand takes a pleasure in old "stuff". The collective variety ranges from cowboying equipment, to old signs, to wagon wheels and beyond.

Wouldn't it be a blessing if old "stuff" could talk?

The ranch desktop includes an ancient and battle scarred boot spur complete with silver studded "leathers" and an ornate fastening buckle. Did this equestrian implement grace the footwear of a rodeo star, ride to a country church on Sunday, or was it used to do honest labor on the back of a working steed?

A large wooden whiskey barrel graces the front porch. Surely the distiller took professional pride as he filled it to capacity with the liquid golden promise of imbibing relaxed sunsets.

Rusted iron wagon and implement wheels are displayed strategically to lend a semblance of appreciation for those who came before us. Some show signs of the inevitable trauma of work with spokes slight askew. Oh, if they could only share the burdens they have borne, the dreams they have shared, or the bitter disappointment of unreached goals.

Paleontology scientists claim that over 500 million years ago life forms with hard skeletons began to appear in Texas. Since that time, the land has experienced a fantastic enrichment of life in all forms. The Tin Star is in fact a treasure trove of marine fossils as they are found in almost every piece of limestone encountered. Simply imagine the awesome wonders and myriad of change this fauna could describe...if only it could talk to the human ear?

As a confession, many is the time the ranch hand has found a quiet spot, allowed stillness to occur, and touched an old piece of tangible history while carefully listening for its "story". Not expecting speech of course, just some understanding of where it has been, what it has seen, and something of its previous owner.

Here's the point:

Lord, I know I'm ole "stuff" too, so please help me remember to walk softly in the rain and talk to the wind. But more importantly... help me to listen carefully to my soul.

YOUTH

Huntin' ain't just about "killing".

It's about friendship, being a part of nature, stories told, memories held, and just "being there".

Today was such a day....no trophy tale to tell... just a beautiful day...doe venison taken to the sausage factory...and a young'un that enjoyed being a part of a man's world without care, worry, or stress. JRM understands...Sweet B intuitively knows...and the ranch hand loves it.

"J" is a great kid (14)...a pleasure to be associated with...and destined to be a good man.

Thank you oh Lord for friends, their good kiddos, and the privilege of sharing their youth.

Fido's Ass

Dad was always completely plain spoken. Unless he used one of his personal made up words, you never had to doubt what he was thinking.

If Dad thought someone was on the south side of ugly, he would simply say they looked like "Fido's Ass"?

Related to this priceless tidbit of knowledge, living in the country often means folks "donate" their unwanted dogs to you (without asking). The unsuspecting soul will look up and suddenly be the "owner" of a mystery mutt. Not a registered, pure bred, intelligent, or noble animal. More like one that looks like "Fido's Ass".

Since moving to the country, the ranch hand has inherited and disposed of three such varmits. The fourth recently landed and has been undergoing evaluation. He (male, not a puppy factory) doesn't bark (or make any other noise except an occasional low pitched whine). It does not appear to be aggressive in any way. Mostly, it seems determined to stay.

After the ranch hand confessed to "sneaking" the boarder a slice or two of fried bacon, the bride confessed to earlier slipping it some deer sausage. Next thing ya know, the little woman done picked out a "feed" bowl, acquired some high dollar store bought canine groceries, and plunked a large beach towel in corner of the yard where the north wind is blocked by the house.

Guess there wasn't much left for the ranch hand to do but name the sucka.

Please welcome Fido as the newest member of the ranch family.