Howdy, yall. I guess Im gonna have to sell my horses and tractors at the ol Rancho Pequito. Thats right. None other than the infamous, and incredibly humble Gene The Weenie Green, has declared me All Hat and no cattle. I probably ought to just shut up and listen to The Weenie since I have a real knack for creating facts when the truth doesnt meet with my skewed point of view. By the way Gene, I dont buy the space for my column, its provided by the paper.
A few quick observations for our learned congressman. The only group trying to disenfranchise Texans is the Liberal Democrat Party. We, the people, are getting pretty fed up with that tired cliché.
The term tyranny of the majority and the drivel following, seems fine as long as the majority is Republican. However, all those years when the majority was Liberal Democrats, it didnt apply. Something is wrong with that reasoning, congressman, but then you are now the oppressed, arent you?
And there you go again! Telling us that those WEENIE democrats who skipped their responsibilities and ran to Oklahoma, stood against tyranny, and that is the definition of a hero. Boy, did you have to twist and turn to get that to work. I bet you look like a pretzel! Evidently, Hillary and Bill taught you quite well. We now have a new victim class in Texas: Democrat congressmen.
Poor babies!
Congressman, I am a registered Independent. I have never been a Republican. I dont control, nor do I own any Republicans. I believe the readers of this paper would like to know who you are referring to as, Lloyds
Republicans, I know I would. I have never even talked to a Republican Party person, although I will be talking to your opponent next year, you can bank on that! The line from a movie fits you here, congressman, Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.
Gene, I do not want anyone to think you are not a decent human being, because I think you may be. However, you have been around some pretty bad people in Washington Town and it seems to have rubbed off. Your politics are out of step with Texans, no matter how much you sound off about all your support of conservative issues for your district. The fact that you first notice a persons ethnic background, rather than they are Americans, shows that you are still a Liberal. Talk is cheap and irrelevant. If you truly believe you stand for conservative values, change your party affiliation. If you are just sayin the words, stay where you are. You are judged by the company you keep. As I told you once, already, you need to choose some new friends, Gene.
Folks, you make the call. Youve heard, or read, both sides. I have no political agenda and I trust you, but since Im not runnin for office, I have nothin to loose. Gene does.
Probably the best two things about The WEENIE readin and responding to my column is first, he does know how to read, and secondly, if hes readin Horsefeathers, he is takin time away from Washington, and therefore, stayin out of our business! Thanks, Gene.
You all let me know if I outa sell Rancho Pequito. Ive had quite a few folks tell me, Git em, cowboy! I may have to put a guard at the gate to keep it closed, sos all of Lloyds Republicans wont overwhelm the place.
I hope you all are enjoyin hearin from ol Gene The WEENIE. I know I sure am!
‘Til next time,
Your Pard,
Just a Ridin,
Lloyd
Posts published in “Columnists – Horsefeathers”
HOT! Thats what everything is right now. The weather, politics, me, yadda, yadda, yadda.
I was talkin to Miss Judy the other day and we got to comparin things today to what they were like when we were growin up.
We could, and had to, walk to school every day. Now, kids are picked up at every corner, in every neighborhood. God forbid the little darlings should have to walk a block or two sos the bus could make a few less stops! We took a sack lunch to school. It might have been baloney, but we lived, didnt we. Nowadays, the Government supplies free lunch, and breakfast, for anyone who wants it! (How do I get in on that one!).
Used to be that cities and counties built roads, supplied water and sewer, provided fire and police protection, and generally, stayed out of our way.
Now, the city and county geniuss build multi-million dollar sports stadiums for millionaire team owners, let them out of contractual agreements and then pay them for the early cancellation!
In the meantime, streets are falling apart, the sewer system money is gone, the county throws money away at the Central Plant because they had the money, on a vendors failure to perform, the big City is $150 million in the hole because of the mismanagement of the Genius of Lee. P. Brown, and the Gestapo taxing entities like the Appraisal District and certain school districts answer to no one with their teams of lawyers and conniving weasels.
Yes, Im pretty hot! I guess venting is a good thing sometimes. As you can see, there is plenty of stuff for this ol cowboy to write about!
Speakin of writin, I did a little research and found out why The Weenie, Gene Green was screamin about the redistricting plan for Texas. One of the three districts most affected and which will probably become Republican, is the district now controlled by The WEENIE himself.
Congreesman WEENIE, it seems that you are engaged in purely partisan politics! Now aint that cute! The pot callin the kettle black!
By the way congressman, in case you couldnt tell, I dont give a good rats rearend for you or your politics.
Now, the big question is, what will you do when you are defeated next election. I know, why not write about all your heroic friends! That should be real interesting.
STOP! See how these things make you crazy?
On to more pleasant things. Joe and Renee Anselmo just had their anniversary. Congrats, yall!
Many of you know Joe for his famous haircuts at the shop named after him. He loves his job so much that I saw him take a ten dollar bill from a customer
..and give him twelve dollars back!! The best part was that the customer gave Joe a two dollar tip and Joe just said thanks! What a great place to get you ears lowered!
Spent much of the first of the week with good, honest folks- cowboy (and girl) poets, musicians, saddle and spur makers, radio DJs and other western folks at the Academy of Western Artists Convention and Awards Show in Ft. Worth. I hope to have a picture or two for you all next week.
I gotta go cool off, so last one out, make sure to shut the gate.
Just a Ridin,
Your Pard,
Lloyd
Welcome back, yall. Hope the week has been a good un for ya. Well, its summer time, and the heat is here. Remember not that long ago when it was cold and rainy and you wished for the warm weather? Uh Huh. The coastal plains are a real joy in the summer.
I was drivin in to work on Monday and past the Three Musketeers walkin on the side of the road. Im referin to the three beautiful ladies who walk most mornings along the highway 90 feeder near 2100. They always have a smile, and big sticks! Howdy, Ladies.
For those of you still urging me to run against Gene The WEENIE Green for Congress, the answer is still no. Im afraid I would win and then I couldnt call those scoundrels to task each week in Horsefeathers! However, each of you have the opportunity to tell him how you feel at the voting booth, so VOTE!
The shindig at Lyin Larrys with my ol pard, Doug Supernaw, was a great time with a lot of smooooth dancin by Larry and Donna. Great job, Larry, do it again!
Id appreciate you all rememberin our friends Mike and Val of Lonestar Catfish and Ribs, who were forced to shut the doors of their delicious establishment. I know they will hit the ground runnin, cause you cant keep a good man (or woman) down for very long! We love you guys!
Im thinkin of bringin A Cowboy True to the Crosby area in the near future, if you all would be interested. It will be different, yet the same, and just as good. The entertainers will knock your socks off! Cost will be $8.00 to $10.00 per ticket. So stay tuned!
I will be leaving this weekend for the Academy of Western Artists Awards Show in Ft. Worth with Miss Judy. Well get to see some of my ol pards like Curly Musgrave, Belinda Gail, Red Steagall, R.W Hampton and a herd of others. Ill tell them you all said howdy. I hope to bring back some good pictures and share them with you. Ill try to get the Head Wrangler at the newspaper will let me run them for you.
The house buildin is goin slow, but sure at the Rancho Pequito. Hope to be in soon. When we do, Ill have a house warmin and youre all invited! (Hope Miss Judy approves)! The horses will be glad to meet some new folks, too.
I am plannin to have a Cowboy Kids Poetry Contest for all the kids in 4th, 5th and 6th grades in the area. That means the Crosby, Baytown, Galena Park and Channelview school districts can enter. The winners will receive some neat prizes and awards, as well as recognition for the schools and classes who participate. All you teachers give us an email this summer and get a head start for your kids. Miss Judy just retired after 29 years teaching 3rd and 5th grades and she can answer all your questions. Our email is lloydshelby@ev1.net . You can also contact us through the website, www.paintedwordstudios.com.
Gladys Adcox, Granny, suggested I not feed my horses too much or Id get even more bow-legged. Sorry, Granny, too late!
Howdy, to all my pards whose names I didnt mention. Gotta go shut gate, cause I saw Gene The WEENIE Green sneakin in.
Till later,
Just a Ridin,
Lloyd
Dear Editor:
I will do what I know to be the right thing, and respond directly to Congressman Gene Greens Letter to the Editor dated June 11, 2003.
First, let me say that Mr. Green has evidently become a Beltway Insider because he has certainly lost touch with reality and, I believe, with regular Texans who have to work for a living.
I, along with most true Texans, are highly, indeed, tremendously insulted by Mr. Green calling the Weenie Democrats who ran away from their responsibilities at the regular session of the recent Legislature, True Heroes.
Shame on you Mr. Green!!! You have demonstrated that you either dont know, or worse, dont care, about the meaning of HERO to Texans. A HERO is someone who STANDS, and doesnt run away from adversity, like at the Alamo. My ancestor, The Honorable David Crockett came to Texas to stand for what he believed to be right. He didnt run, even though he could have. He stood his ground. The men who fought and died at the Alamo and Goliad were HEROES, Mr. Green. The WEENIE DEMOCRATS were NOT heroes, by any definition. There were just the opposite, COWARDS.
By the way congressman, the reason you all chose not to allow redistricting was for purely political reasons. Grow up, Gene. Its all for political reasons, and you darn well know it. Dont insult us by claiming you Liberals are in it for any other reason and then try and sound holier that thou.
However, lets look at your argument that the WEENIES were right in what they did.
You said, redistricting is a serious constitutional matter, and you are right. However, you use the old liberal ploy of distorting the truth. Redistricting is a matter set out in our State Constitution. It is the responsibility of the Legislature to draw the lines for the Congressional Districts. It is not the responsibility of a bipartisan three-judge panel.
The Democratically controlled Legislature in 2001 would not follow their Constitutional responsibilities and redistrict the State. They abdicated their responsibility and left it to the court, which did the job until the next Legislature could do the job, as is set out in the state constitution. It is interesting to note that Liberal/Democrats cannot get their agendas through legislative channels almost anywhere, so they try and use the courts to implement laws that elected representatives would not, or could not pass.
Your own Letter to the Editor proves my point. While the districts created by the court elected 17 Democrats and 15 Republicans in 2002, statewide Republican candidates carried 20 of 32 Congressional districts. That means that the state of Texas is 63% Republican and only 27% Democrat. By that formula, Texas is primarily a conservative state, yet it is represented by Liberals, like yourself. Texas should have almost 20 Republican representatives in Washington and only about 12 Democrats. Yet you somehow figure, there is no compelling reason to redraw Congressional lines at this time?
And since you speak of fining someone, we voters think the WEENIES should have to pay for the time they left, as well as the special session, which was necessitated because they would not do their job!
Congressman Green, sir, you have lost your ability to reason logically. Heroes stand for something and fight to defend that idea. The 51 WEENIES are not heroes, so do not insult my ancestors by misuse of that word. You will have a fight if you continue with that BS, sir!
I think its time for you to come back and work for a livin, like most Texans. How about you resign? After reading your shameful diatribe, you ought to give it serious thought, especially since that decision may be made for you by the voters.
You have ripped the wrong cowboy this time, sir. I am not impressed by your mis-information, or by your defense of the WEENIES. Remember, Gene, you are judged by the company you keep. You may want to find some new friends!
Sincerely,
Lloyd Shelby
Texan and Taxpayer
Boy, I am one lucky cowboy! I traveled all over Texas in the last nine days with my wife and daughter and son-in-law, and saw some of the prettiest country and the best people in the world. After all, this is Texas, you know!
We left Friday, June 6th, and drove to ol San Antone where we did the tourist thing, (something Im not cut out for), and did the Riverwalk. We also payed tribute to my ancestor, Davy Crockett and the Alamo. By the way, did you know Alamo means, cottonwood? I sure didnt.
Well, we also got to visit the Texan Days Festival at the Museum of Texan Cultures and went up in that Hemisphere thing where you can see for about eighty miles. While we were waitin at the entrance, I took off my boots, rolled up my jeans and waded in the fountain. Some local folks musta liked that cause they made me pose for pictures. Only after I got out did someone show me the sign that said, NO WADING. Im sure glad they didnt catch me!
It was really nice to slow down. We then drove to Galveston and stayed in a friends little beach house. Turns out it was one of the biggest places on West End with all the best of everything. Sure is nice to have friends, aint it?!
Miss Judy and I caught a plane on Thursday and flew to Amarillo where we were picked up by the fine folks from the Cal Farley Boys Ranch. In case you didnt know, Cal Farleys Boys ranch is an amazing place. It is home to over 400 boys and girls who have been abandoned or whos parents have given them up. They are the best young people I have ever met and the Ranch is a city in itself. They grow most of their beef and much of their vegetables as well as have their own school district. The town was formed in 1939 by Cal Farley on the old Tascosa townsite.
I was privileged to be invited to perform, teach and assist in their Second Annual Youth Cowboy Poetry Gathering. I worked with the best of the best. Folks like Red Steagall, R.W. Hampton, Don Dane, J.W. Beeson, Jeff Gore, Trudy Fair, Trey Allen and Stephanie Davis, just to name a few.
I am changed by my time spent at Cal Farleys Boys Ranch and you can find out more at their website.
We flew back Sunday and went directly into rehearsal with the Baytown Little Theater for the August presentation of Annie Get Your Gun. Its gonna be a humdinger! Ill let you know more, later on.
Finally, Im lookin forward to seein a bunch of you all who like great Texas music on Saturday evening at Lyin Larrys. None other than Doug Supernaw, one of my fav-or-ites, will be on stage. Cost is about $15, a real bargain. But you might want to get your tickets asap, since theres only room for about 400 or so. Hope to see yall there! Be sure and say howdy, ifn you see me.
Lotsa other good things happenin, but Ill tell ya when I see ya next.
Gotta go slog through the mud and feed my babies, so Id appreciate it if youd shut the gate and Ill see ya down the trail.
Just a Ridin,
Lloyd
Well, this is the day that so many of you have been waitin for, the naming of the winners of the Northeast News Why I like Horsefeathers contest. Believe me. I had no idea so m any of you were such creative folks It was not easy, in fact I could hardly make up my mind, so I am givin the first place prize, plus five CDs to the top five places. Sor-ry, I couldnt give every one of you who entered a CD but I do consider every one of you winners! You are the best folks in the world
Alright already! The winner is (are)
Michael and Jan Gucker of Crosby. Their winning entry was an acrostic using Horsefeathers, vertically. Now, the first time I saw an acrostic, I had to ask what is was, so here is the winning entry:
Honest writing
Outstanding stories
Really Interesting
Super talker
Equine reading
Full of cowboy poetry
Exciting to read
All-American
Todays news
Historical tidbits
Entertaining Tales
Real Cowboy Way
Sensational article
Now thats a great acrostic folks! Thanks to Michael and Jan for their support and to all the rest who sent in entries.
Winners of the autographed CDs are:
Laura Kidder, Crosby; Joe Hausberger, Sr., Highlands; Janice Koopman. Houston; Ma-vis Jones, Houston: and Betty Jo Wisegerber. Dayton. Thanks!
On to some important happenins. I want to wish a happy anniversary to my pards Lindy and Amanda Murf of Crosby. I dont know how he landed such a pretty gal, but he did and he must be behaving himself.
Thanks to Granny Gladys Adcox for her letter and support. Also, Laura Kidder of Crosby for sharin her story of a fine Crosby boy, Cody Bennett, who was killed by a drunk driver this Memorial Day.
I dont even want to get started about drinkin and drivin cause I think that they should put them in jail for the rest of their natural lives and then ten years after they die. Ill shut up though.
The lovely and charmin Miss Judy will be movin to the Rancho Pequito this week per-manently. Were building, so she will have a new home and not have to sleep with the horses anymore. I know theyll miss her, but thats the breaks!
Ill be on a short break with my family next week and then flying to Amarillo to teach and perform at the Cal Farley Boxs Ranch along with my friends, Red Steagall, R.W. Hampton, Elmer Kelton, Bob Campbell, Trey Allen and a whole passel of other talented folks,
After we return, I may be getting to work with the Baytown Little Theater (they mis-placed the Big Theater) on Annie Get Your Gun. Its a sto-ry about womens rights and how to train up a man! I will have a very important part. Thats right, I will be collecting tickets and cleanin up after the show! So stay tuned for more info.
To quote my ol pard, Buf-falo Bob, Hey kids, what time is it? Thats right, its Crosby Fair and Rodeo time, folks. One of the best Fair and Rodeos in three counties is held in Juno every year so dont you dare miss it! June 12th, 13th, 14, every night. No Shuttle is needed here, so you can park pretty close.
I got to go shut the gate cause Charlie is feelin better and left er open again. Stay cool.
Just a Ridin, Lloyd
I hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend. Its a really special time when we pay tribute to all those men and women who served in the defense of our country by serving in the military. Mostly, we want to take time and remember those who paid for our freedom with their life. Thanks to all you veterans from every war or branch of service.
That bein said, I think someone, or several someones, in the Dayton ISD should be taken out behind the barn for makin the kids go to school on Memorial Day. Its pretty insulting to try to trot out that less than sorry excuse that it was to make up for a bad weather day. Give us a break, already! The school board and the Superintendent just didnt plan very well, did you folks?
Memorial Day is a national holiday, so designated by the Congress of these United States. So why does this school district choose to ignore it? Is it really because of Bad Weather makeup days, or is it they just didnt care?
I, for one, wonder why they dont miss, for any reason, Dr. Kings Day, yet the veterans are always having to fight, again, for their day? Im not necessarily against Dr, Kings Day, but it is more than disrespectful to make kids and their parents miss Memorial Day!
Heres a great question for the Dayton ISD, why not just add a day to the end of the school year if a Bad Weather Day is needed? Then, after the required time, you send everyone home, just like you do on Memorial Day? Everyone (with the possible exception of the School Board, et al) knows that the kids arent doing any real school work the last few days anyway, they are just there to fulfill the state mandated number of days for the school year.
Now, this may not be making some of you happy, and thats just too doggone bad. Right is right and the truth is the truth. Get over it and take the proper action so this type stupidity is not repeated next year, folks!
I think I should let the folks mentioned above know that one of the freedoms our veterans fought, and died for, was the right to a free press and the right to free speech.
Therefore, I will continue to back my veteran friends on this, cause Id rather have them watching my back than anyone else!
So, what else is happening in our lives? Well, I heard my ol gatekeeper, Charlie Farrar was involved in an accident. Someone was so anxious to see him, they ran right over the back of his car! Reportedly Charlies alright, though just a little sore. Glad hes goin to be OK. I guess hell not be leavin the gate open so much, now!
My wife is finally retirin from teachin school after 29 years. She will be movin to the Rancho Pequito permanently, next week, so Ill have to straighten up some. But, I figure shes worth it!
I have selected the winners of the contest, but it was hard, Im tellin you! Thanks to all of you who took the time to send me your letters. I decided to pick five winners instead of just three, with four getting signed CDs.
But, youll have to wait to see the winners in next weeks paper, cause one lucky winner is goin to have to eat catfish and ribs with me at Lonestar with Val and Mike. Watch next week!!!
Gotta go feed. Just a Ridin, Lloyd
Boy, I could hardly wait to write this weeks column! There may be some of you who wont agree with me on this, but no one forces you to read this, either.
You see, Im a plain ole cowboy who was taught that if you were hired to work for someone, you did the job. You usually knew goin in that you may not like some of the work, but you dont have to take the job. Its your choice.
Well, doggone it! Those liberal Democrats in Austin have had their way for so long, (over 130 years), that when they dont get their way, they pout. Not just pout, they RUN AWAY and hide! That just shows that they are a bunch of WEENIES!!
I dont give a good rats rearend what political persuasion you are, thats just plum wrong! If you try and justify it, then you can also probably explain why worms yawn, or why the moon is made of cream cheese!
Give me a cotton pickin break! If our Governor or Speaker of the House had any guts, they would have fined the whole bunch that left, $7,500 per day, and told them to stay gone as long as they wanted. Or, they would have appointed someone else from each district to take their place and gone on with the states business. But, they didnt do anything, dagnabbit! And those Demonic Democrats think they won, somehow.
I was so mad that I went and found out who our representative is for Crosby. Fortunately, it was Joe Crabb, a Republican, cause if it had been a Democrat who had run off, I was goin to run against him or her next election! (Im sure a bunch of you are glad that didnt happen!).
The onlyiest way this so called Governor or Speaker can redeem themselves is to call a special session and lock the doors to the capital and put a State Trooper in charge of every Democrat. Then finish what is the Legislatures responsibility, redistrict the state. That was done by a three judge panel. However, that was only done so the legislature could do it in the next (this) session.
If the Demons lose a few seats, then it is because the people have spoken. Life is tough sometimes, kids. You dont always get what you want, but you will get what you need! (I think theres a song like that).
The Demons are just plain and simply wrong and must be called to account on this. From what Ive heard from some folks who voted democrat last time, they certainly wont be makin that mistake again!
So, I guess the Demons had better enjoy their victory, cause it will probably be their last hurrah. I for one, certainly hope so.
Well, at this point, I think Ive made mine, so Im goin home.
Thanks to all of you who have sent letters to the Why I like Horsefeathers contest. I havent picked the winners yet, so you still got time to send in yours to:
P.O. Box 1606
Crosby, Texas 77532
Dont be shy, just do it!
Reliant left the gate open today, so I got to go round up the horses. If you dont like what those Demons are doin, call the governors office!
Just a Ridin,
Lloyd
Well, were back in the saddle again! I hope you all enjoyed last weekend. Wasnt it a great couple of days? I was forced to go to Lake Charles and visit with my youngest son. Of course the free crawfish boil didnt hurt any!
With the war in Iraq over, I dont have a lot of political fodder, but I think we had better keep our ears and eyes wide open cause those scalawags in Austin are in session and you know that cant be good! Now Im not sayin that all politicians are bad, its just that its that 99% that make the other 1% look bad.
All seriousness aside, we do have the finest politicians money can buy! Maybe those folks should remember that a closed mouth gathers no foot, and, never miss a good opportunity to shut up!
After those folks in Washington and Austin get through with us, it reminds me of the old sayin, we are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse!
Enough of pickin on those sweet, lovable politicians. Im pretty sure you all dont need my help for that.
So, it looks like were headin into a great summer. I guess Ill have to read Charlie Farrars column to find out what to do.
By the way, for those of you who were askin about that new colt at the Rancho Pequito, well, hes doin just fine and momma is slicked up real good. Were gonna keep that name, Tobys Anthem, since the little feller seems to like it a lot already.
I was excited to read about the Crosby Fair and Rodeo last week. I get the opportunity to meet with Luther Brady and the other Directors each year and we are very fortunate here in this area to have such a great bunch of folks to volunteer their time. Our Rodeo Committee is all volunteers, from top to bottom. In case you folks didnt know it, our Crosby Fair and Rodeo is one of the best in Harris County. The only one as good is the Pasadena Rodeo. That other one held each year in Harris County is not really a rodeo.
A real rodeo is where you can drive up to the parkin, usually on grass or sometimes gravel, and walk a short ways to the gate. You dont have to take out a loan to be able to take the whole family and you have a really good ole time. Thats a rodeo folks!
Keep your eyes on this paper and put the Crosby Fair and Rodeo on your calendar.
Id like to say how proud I am of our businesses in our area. Fred Salinas and his pards at Crosby Ford are really a great asset to our community. Their involvement shows that we finally have a great Ford dealer in the area.
I dont want to forget our pards at Keating Chevrolet, either. They support a lot of community projects, also.
Of course Id better not leave out Joes Barber Shop cause I want a good haircut when I see Joe Anselmo. And Crosby State Bank, well, they got all my money, but I really like those folks, too!
Maybe Ill mention some others next time, cause it would take too long to tell about all our great businesses. But keep your buyin local whenever possible, it helps everyone.
I hear Toby whinnyin, so I gotta go. Last one out, shut the gate, and Ill be,
Just a Ridin
Lloyd
I hope you all had a happy Easter and spent time with family and friends. I had a new addition to the family on Easter mornin
..a fine little stud colt born to Im Shameless, his proud momma. We havent chosen a name yet, but favor something like Tobys Anthem, after Toby Keiths Song of the Year, American Anthem. His momma, Im Shameless, was named after a Garth Brooks song by the same name, so
Im really excited about the Cowboy Ranch Competition at the George Ranch on May 3rd and 4th. Ive told you all about it, but will mention it again. Your whole family will have a ball if you take the short forty minute drive to the first exit after you cross the Brazos River on 59 South, go to your left about eight miles and its on your right, you cant miss it. There will be real chuckwagon cooking with gooood food, lots of cowboy stuff for the kids and, and, a team competition for workin cowboys you wont wanta miss!
Well, I was discussing the upcoming book and CD, titled I Remember, when my better half asked me if I remembered the old movies with the singin cowboys? You bet I did! You probably guessed it, I wrote a poem about it! To make a long story short, we decided to introduce this new one to a few close friends, like you all! So, you are the first to read this new one. Hope you like it!
The Silver Screen
The names I seem to remember best,
from when I was a kid,
Are now the stuff of legends telling, of
the daring deeds they did.
T.V. wasnt the way at first, we saw our
heroes then.
The Silver Screen on Saturdays, was
where it all began.
A nickel or dime was entrance fee, a
coke a nickel more.
And our feet would always stick, on that
gooey movie floor.
The guys would always laugh and talk,
then the lights were turned down low.
To signal all was to begin soon, the start
of our favorite shows.
The serial was continued from last week.
Could the hero come back again?
And if he was dumb enough to kiss the
girl, all of us would grin.
Now was time for the western to start,
we all could hardly wait.
Then Dale and Roy and Trigger were
there, ridin through the gate.
And Roy was oh so smooth, as he sang a
cowboy song.
We kids knew every single word, so we
would sing along.
Next week it might be Hoppalong, or the
Cisco Kid.
Everyone really loved those guys, and
the daring deeds they did.
Gene Autry was a favorite, and
Champion his trusty steed.
When he told us to follow The Cowboy
Code, we were quick to heed.
The Lone Ranger with Tonto his trusted
friend, kept us glued there in our seats.
They may have been my favorites, I
dreamed someday wed meet!
His silver bullets never failed, to find the
bad guys hearts.
Many ran when they heard his name,
headin for other parts.
John Wayne, The Duke some called him,
fought for right in every show.
Another of our cowboy heroes, pointing
the way to go.
Now a Silver Screens in every home,
both here and in far off lands.
But some have never seen those guys,
ridin cross the sands.
I think its time we brought them back,
those heroes from long ago,
And they would straighten out the world,
the right way they would show.
And we could all be kids again, knowing
who was really bad and mean,
The world would be a better place again,
if we had that Silver Screen!
I gotta go check on Toby and his momma. You can come if you want to, but please, now especially, shut the gate!
Just a Ridin,
Lloyd
Welcome to my humble home. I am so pleased you decided to come and visit.
Now, do you like that or would you rather hear, Howdy, you all! Good to see ya again!?
I guess I better stick to bein me, cause I do that pretty good. Last week, I went out to the George Ranch to set some things up and they were short two hands. You guessed it; I wound up ridin a horse all day, muggin cattle, dippin cattle and ropin. I enjoyed the time, but found out how out of shape I really am!
Dont forget the George Ranch Working Ranch Competition and Chuckwagon Cook-off May 3, 4. There will be great food, great rodeo, stick horse races for the kids, live cowboy poetry from your wrangler and friends and a whole lot of stuff for the whole family on both days. Admission is low and its close, just go south on 59; take the first exit after the Brazos River bridge and go left about eight miles. Youll have a ball!
We also have the Texas Foundation Quarter Horse Show at the Crosby Fairgrounds Arena on April 12 at 8:00 am. Its free and is back for the second year because they loved our Crosby hospitality, so mark your calendars. Ill tell you more next week. By the way, your wrangler will be announcing the show and Ill have books, CDs and stuff available. Id love to see all of you there!
I am goin to introduce you to one of my favorite cowboy poets, Badger Clark. Hes gone, but his work is still some of the best. Heres why:
Ridin
There is some that like the city-Grass thats curried smooth and green,
Theatres and stranglin collars, Wagons run by gasoline-
But for me its hawse and saddle, Every day without a change,
And a desert sun a blazin, On a hundred miles of range.
Just a ridin, a-ridin-
Desert ripplin in the sun,
Mountains blue along the skyline-
I dont envy anyone-When Im ridin
When my feet is in the stirrups, And my hawse is on the bust,
With his hoofs a-flashin lightin, From a cloud of golden dust,
And the bawlin of the cattle, Is a-comin down the wind,
Then a finer life than ridin, Would be mighty hard to find.
Just a ridin, a-ridin-
Splittin long cracks through the air,
Stirrin up a baby cyclone Rippin up the prickly pear, As Im ridin
I, dont need no art exhibits, When the sunset does her best,
Paintin everlastin glory, On the mountains to the west,
And your opery looks foolish, When the night-bird starts his tune,
And the deserts silver mounted, By the touches of the moon.
Just a ridin, a-ridin-
Who kin envy kings and czars,
When the coyotes down the valley
Are a-singin to the stars, If hes ridin?
When my earthly trails is ended, And my final bacon curled,
And the last great roundups finished, At the Home Ranch of the world,
I dont want no harps nor haloes, Robes or other dressed up things-
Let me ride the starry ranges, On a pinto hawse with wings!
Just a ridin, a-ridin
Nothin Id like half so well
As a-roundin up the sinners
That have wandered out of Hell, And a-ridin.
I guess that says it all! Gotta go feed again, so close the gate, and till we meet again,
Happy Trails,
Lloyd