Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I was very disappointed

when I learned folks like Paula, John and their families had already tamed Texas, and my dreams of being a cowboy weren’t too good. Then I learned in school that the wagon trains did not leave from St. Joseph, Missouri any longer. And some other  folks had tamed that area. So being a Wagon Train Scout was out.

Rowdy Yates had become a police man and his favorite statement was, “Make my Day!”.

Yep, this kid was disappointed. I wanted to be a cowboy. Disillusioned I had to find something else to do. Then my brothers went to war. They were both sailors. Both returned, the family was happy, there was never a day like the one in 1945 when WWII ended. Men in uniform were looked up to.

AHHH, a new career, if I couldn’t be a Cowboy, maybe I should wear a uniform, I liked them.

The uniform is okay, but a boy never gets over wanting to be a cowboy. I learned late in life that there were thousands of cowboys in Florida, I never knew that.

Once around a campfire on the shores of Lake Okeechobee, I was enthralled by an old cowboy. We had all ordered Pizza, and were sitting around eating when the old guy began:

Just so you will know, this big hat keeps the Florida sun offen me and this vest protects from the limbs I fight getting  them stubborn cows out of the young live oaks. Everything has a purpose. We use whips instead of the lariat our brothers in Texas use. Not to sting the cows, but to scare them with the BANG of the snap. The chaps protect my legs from the palmettos.

There are a lotta folk that wonder about these tennis shoes I wear. .. he paused there……. then said: Well folks, that is so folks won’t thank I am a truck driver!  Everyone got a great laugh.

Old campers find their fun where they can. LOL

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

If you cannot be yourself, you are in trouble. Everyone else is taken.

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1938_Buick_Opera_Coupe-sVl=mx=

1938 Buick coupe. A year before I was born.

9 comments:

Louis la Vache said...

Neat '38 Buick! Doctor's cars!

Paula said...

You could help John work cattle. He did it alone today and sold five big calves.

shirl72 said...

I guess I wasn't cut out to be a
Cowgirl. Wait until you get the
pictures with my outfit, boots
and hat when we did the Western Show for the Seniors. (A riot.)
I sang the Cowboy's Dream.
Everybody has a good time.

betty said...

There's always dude ranches should you want a cowboy adventure Jack :)

Mighty fine looking car! I bet it was comfortable and roomy in it!

betty

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I don't know much about being a cowboy, but I do know about campfires...They are a place where lots of story telling is done and good laughs are shared. Lots of good memories here from campfires of the past.
Hope you all enjoy your Wednesday, It's a slow start to a very chilly morning here.

Fred Alton said...

Goals? Mine changed according to what I was doing at the time! When I was riding ol' Shine (the mule's name) I wanted to be a cowboy cause they had saddles! ha. Then when fishing I'd dream of being a ship's Captain. Or - when in church (especially during a good worship time) I'd rather be a preacher. Then at 16 I dreamed of being a missionary to Africa. Was it all like I dreamed? Not on your life. But that's where I wound up. Now I dream of being a long distance hiker when I get just a little older. Ha.

To catch up on past blogs - I know you are right about the fact that someone can find a way to get us out of this fiscal cliff disaster. Will they? I only know that I want to be ready for Jesus to come and eternity to be0gin.

You know the Bible said, "If a man won't work, don't let him eat." I know that was in reference to communion - but it's a good principle to live by.

I shore would love to be sitting around the campfire with youu and Sherry and hearing the tales that are told! B blessed my friend.

Elizabeth said...

Love that 38 Buick! We have an old cowboy in our little town, he stll dresses like a cowboy and has lots of stories!

Lucy said...

I am sure you would have made a great cowboy!!! Jeans, plaid shirt, vest and work boots in case you step in you know what. We won't go over the fiscal cliff.....but you never know for sure. The rich, like you caN AFFORD A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS ON TAXES. Now if I were rich, I would not say that.

Chatty Crone said...

Okay Jack I think I can help you - my husband always wanted to be a cowboy too - you two could get together and act it out. Just kidding - those were the good old days. sandie