interview

 I take a magazine called  TRUE WEST.   It is published out of Arizona.  On the whole the magazine is fun to read.  It has a combination of stories about the old west - about old & recent movies - and what I like to call:  Travel Channel.

The stories about the old west are interesting.  They are usually well done and fun to read.   The mag does dwell quite a lot on Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp & the OK Corral.  But, you get use to that.  This last issue had an article on Sitting Bull  and another about Jim Beckwourth:  Legendary mountain man.  I enjoyed those pretty much.

The letters to the editor and general writings by the editors are fun too.  One of my favorite pages is called  "Truth Be Known."  They print things that people have said.  Example:   Wernher von Braun said, "Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing."   Old Vaquero says, "Three things tell the truth:  small children, drunks and yoga pants."     And there are others.  Go buy a copy if you like this sorta thing.   

The movie section this time was all about Gus McCrae and Lonesome Dove.  If you're a movie buff, you'll love that section of the magazine.  I might mention that the last issue devoted several pages on the Highway 66 and its restoration to the world.

Where am I headed with this?  Wait, I forgot.  Travel section.  they talk about all sorts of places to visit, what restaurant is good, which museum to see, the history of that part of the west and on and on.

Now, on the very last page is  called:  What History has taught me.  They pick some author, historian, editor, writer, whatever and devote a page to his thoughts.  They write the start to a sentence, and the guest writer completes the sentence.  This month was Stuart Rosebrook, who I don't know and will never meet.  The sentence starts with:

I grew up .... (and now YOU complete the sentence).  Rosebrook said:    "in North Hollywood, California, but spent part of every summer at the Quarter Circle V Bar Ranch near Mayer, Arizona."   I will complete the sentence this way:   .... being moved from town to town while my father worked for a oil exploration company - Standard of Indiana - until the 6th grade when we landed in Levelland, Texas, for the rest of my years.  I could have said:   playing music on my cornet, piano, and accordion.  Both of my parents were school band directors for my younger years and playing instruments was just part of our lifestyle.  So many possible answers to that.     "loving Halloween"    "eating pork chops and black eye peas"   "in high school driving my motor scooter across Levelland to see my future wife, Brenda Joy"   

You get the idea:  So without any preplanning here, I am going to take Rosebrook's questions and answer them myself.  If you want to play along, do the same.   If you want to see Rosebrook's answers, go buy a copy of the magazine.   READY, GO!

When I was growing up ...  the world was so innocent and different.  WWII had just ended and we were catching up on what was good....playing outside till dark....roaming the neighborhood without a parent hovering (even at age 5)....having to practice 30 minutes everyday....never eating out, only home cooked meals.   It was a good time.

When I was growing up ....   Oops! it looks like I already answered that one - let's try this:  when  we took vacations it was mainly to see relatives.  When we did travel, we slept alongside the road, never in a motel.  My father didn't appreciate roadside attractions.   Lunch came when my father could find a place selling burgers 5 for a $1.    Me thinks I could answer this one several more times.k

My parents taught me .... that I could work with my hands.  I don't.  But, I could.

I just figured out this is too involved for my mind.  So, no more answers.  If you are curious, here are a few of the remaining questions:   (There are 29 total questions - my attention span has weakened)

I will never miss;   My parents' station wagon, Country music; I was taught;  A teacher who changed my life was;   always stay;  If I could to back in Time;  I love...;  What history has taught me;  being a father;   riding a horse;  Most people don't know;   For my money, the best Western is;  The biggest break I ever got was;  The closest I ever got to..;  My next big challenge is;   

 That's enough.  I'll try to say something brilliant with my next post.  .   .   sure, that'll be the day

m