Let’s welcome Slim Randles and his cowboy friend, Steve, as my guests today. One of these days I might get back to my regular schedule of blogging, with guests on Wednesday’s, but until then, there will be surprises, like this one. I could really relate to Steve today. There is nothing like a good horse, a lovely open stretch of meadow and a gorgeous spring day to have a ride. I have had several horses over the years, and have always loved a smooth gentle gait, the creak of leather, and a warm breeze on my face.
Steve looked out from the turret of his cabin and watched the sun set behind the mountain. Branding was over for the spring, and he was able to get away from the ranch for a few days. So here he was, in his private castle, sipping private coffee, looking down at his private horse eating hay in his private corral.
For a man who has spent most of his life in a bunkhouse, a suite at the Ritz couldn’t be more wonderful than this little hole-up spot in the mountains.
He slid open one of the turret windows and let the warm breeze of early summer caress his magnificent mustache.
“That does it!” he said.
He closed the window, climbed down the ladder and went out to saddle Ol’ Snort. In a few minutes the two of them were heading along a little trail near Thompson Ridge, feeling the warm breeze, wondering how many more of these evenings they would share. Steve and Snort were both getting years on them, but they have this evening. They have this ride. They are together now.
And it was like taking a dry bath in paradise.
Steve reached down and patted Snort on the neck. “You know, O.S.,” Steve said, “can you think of a luckier man/horse combination than us? I can’t. Not right at the moment, anyway.”
Snort was used to listening to Steve, but blissfully he wasn’t required to do anything but walk along this mountain trail enjoying the evening.
“What do you think, old boy?”
Ol’ Snort stretched his neck and blew air out his nose.
“I knew you felt the same way,” said Steve, smiling.
Sometimes heaven comes in small doses.
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The Home Country radio show will be coming soon to a radio station near you! New, from Syndication Networks.
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| Slim Randles writes a nationally syndicated column, Home Country and is the author of a number of books including Saddle Up: A Cowboy Guide to Writing. That title, and others, are published by LPD Press. His columns have been compiled into the book Home Country. |