…and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play, and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
Folks, I had great horseyback ride through my childhood, and I am so grateful to my parents and family for the times and experiences I had. Sun-dappled summers sporting six-shooter cap guns or playing wild horses jumping the creek at my Grandmother’s cottage at Pymatuning Lake can’t be traded for all the gold in Fort Knox.
Continuing on in a cowboy frame of mind for this week, I should warn you the content herein may be disturbing to some readers.
Young guns shouldn’t even bother reading this, since they won’t appreciate it anyway. Seems modern-day youth would rather bury their noses in their iPads or computer games, exercising their tech-addicted thumbs.
Time was, kids went outside to run and play, and cowboys and Indians was always a favorite game. There were plenty of things for good and honest cowgirls and cowboys to do.
Television shows like “Mr. Ed,” or “Have Gun, Will Travel,” (Palidin) inspired many-a-youngster to beg for a cap gun or even a real horse.
And everyone knows I how feel about Nick Barkley…
Not sure how computer games teach any decent morals or values, but characters from tv westerns did provide a form of role models for kids on right from wrong, truth and honor, and even respect for animals and other living things that walk the earth.
Back then, cheating, lying, and hurting things was wrong. Kids learned how to be good sports and “Participation Ribbons” weren’t expected or required; experiencing disappointment or failure stood for helping an individual to grow and learn.
The old tv westerns were not too violent, only a tiny bit of blood and no gore, and sex wasn’t a focal point of the show, but true love was.
So steppin’ off my soap box for now, my Cousin Bobby sent me an email and I am sad to announce that the Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, Missouri, has sold out and closed up for good. (1).
Roy Rogers died in 1998 and Dale Evans in 2001. The family moved the museum to Branson in 2003. (2)
Apparently Roy Rogers told his son that if the museum were ever to start operating at a loss, that he was to close up shop, and sell all the contents.
So he did.
“ Here is a partial listing and prices of items that were sold at auction:
Roy Rogers flight jacket: $7,500
One of many RR shirts: $16,250
One of many RR cowboy hats: $17,500
One set RR boot spurs: &10,625 (Note: Roy never used spurs on Trigger)
One set RR cowboy boots: $21,250
One of several RR guitars: $27,500
Dale’s parade saddle: $104,500 (estimated to go for $20 -$30 grand)
Bullet the Wonder Dog (stuffed): $35,000 (estimated to go for $10-$15 grand)
Trigger’s saddle and bridle: $386,000
Trigger (stuffed) $266,500
The Bible that Roy and Dale used every night at dinner: $8,750” (3)
In the 1938 movie, “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” starring Errol Flynn and Olivia deHavailland, Miss deHavailland rode Trigger for her character’s part as Maid Marion. (4)
In 1952, the movie “Son of Paleface,” directed by Frank Tashlin, premiered as a sequel to “The Paleface.” (1948)
It starred Roy Rogers and Trigger, Bob Hope, and Jane Russell was the sexy saloon girl.
Trigger won an Oscar for his performance, as himself, over Bob Hope! (5)
Bet you didn’t know some of this history.
Are the good times really over for good?
Sure am glad to grow up when I did - - you know--- in the good, ol’ days.
We were drug-free (Coke was a soda pop) and moms still dressed up and wore an apron, and they home-cooked us a good, hot meal and sat down with us every night to eat it with us, together as a family. (6)
We saluted our flag, and Miss-Liberty-Walking was pure silver. (Get a load of 1942) She looks pretty good standing, too.
We had the best of life in these United States, we were truly free, and we all rang the Liberty Bell just for the heck of it and just to hear the sound.
Don’t sit there asking where we are going or why we are in this handbag – I think you already know the answer to that. I think the Devil has a social media page and stock in the company.
Leaving you to ponder many points, including the best of times, hoping they aren’t over for good.
Leaving you once again with the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and thanks for everything, old friends, “Happy Trails to You.”
1,3: an FYI email from my cousin, Dr. Robt Nagel, BS, MS, PhD, Prf Emeritus, Director of Aerospace Programs and Co-Director of NIA, Dept of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State U, NC, USA, Earth
4,5: Internet/Wikipedia
6: My mother’s house