The Cowboy

The Cowboy

 

All day long on the prairies I ride,

Not even a dog to trot by my side;

My fire I kindle with chips gathered round,

My coffee I boil without being ground.

 

I wash in a pool and wipe with a sack;

For want of an oven I cook bread in a pot,

And sleep on the ground for want of a cot,

 

My ceiling is the sky, my floor is the grass,

My music is the lowing of the herds as they pass;

My books are the brooks, my sermons the stones,

My parson is a wolf on his pulpit of bones.

 

And then if my cooking is not very complete

You can't blame me for wanting to eat.

But show me a man that sleeps more profound

Thank the big puncher-boy who stretches himself on the ground.

 

My books teach me ever consistence to prize,

My sermons, that small things I should not despise;

My parson remarks from his pulpit of bones

That fortune favors those who look out for their own.

 

And then between me and love lies a gulf very wide.

Some lucky fellow may call her his bride.

My friends gently hint I am coming to grief,

But men must make money and women have beef.

 

But Cupid is always a friend to the bold,

And the best of his arrows are pointed with gold.

 

If I had hair on my chin, I might pass for the goat

That bore all the sins in the ages remote;

But why it is I can never understand,

For each of the patriarchs owned a big brand.

 

Abraham emigrated in search of a range,

And when water was scarce he wanted a change;

old Isaac owned cattle in charge of Esau,

And Jacob punched cows for his father-in-law.

 

He started in business way down at bed rock,

And made quite a streak at handling stock;

Then David went from night-herding to using a sling;

 

And, winning the battle, he became a great king.

Then the shepherds, while herding the sheep on a hill,

Got a message from heaven of peach and goodwill.

 

 

All day long on the prairies I ride,

Not even a dog to trot by my side;

My fire I kindle with chips gathered round,

My coffee I boil without being ground.

 

 

 

 

 

Adios,

Jessie Lou



Did You Know?

Did you know?

 

I sure didn't! Golly, all of the exercise that I've been getting while just doing chores or teaching riding lessons, or riding!

 

Adios,

Jessie Lou

Farmer's Market Wedding Inspiration

I just had to share this link, what a beautiful wedding! Love the dress, love the truck, love the ideas....let's just face it....I love everything about this wedding. It's a perfect blend, see what I mean: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2010/10/20/farmers-market-inspiration-wedding-shoot/

 

 

 

 

 

Diary of an Illinois Farmer-Dec. 27, 1942

 

 

 

Diary of an Illinois Farmer

December 27, 1942

 

Has rained almost constantly since yesterday morning. Creeks all out of their banks and lowlands flooded-very unusual for this time of the year. Not so good for belated soybean harvest. Many fields in this locality have not been combined. Not enough machines available in October; November the second wettest in 53 years; and snow has covered the crop this month. Today Judy initiated new waffle iron-our Christmas present from Ruth and John. Jane writing long letter to pen-pal in South Africa.

 

by

John Perry Hanna II

 

 

I find it so entertaining reading this book, I thrifted it along with a ton of other books years ago, although I forget to read along with his writing. I'm glad that he showed more initiative in the writing of his daily diary then I do in the daily reading of it! I think that the diaries of farmers and ranchers are very valuable items, wish that we could find more like this out there. I've always wanted to know the experiences of those that have gone before me,
I feel that the first hand knowledge is better than anything that I would read in a book from a college, institution, etc. What do you think?

 

 



The Goin's on, Y'all.

Hello y’all! I’m just posting a few odds and ends that I have had saved on my computer. So sorry that I haven’t posted in so long! My mom was diagnosed with colon cancer, as I think that I have posted before. She has been going through surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy treatment since August and it isn’t over yet! We still have 4 more months of chemo to go. It hasn’t been easy but thank God for His goodness and for all of our friends and family. I’ve been taking care of her, the house, now I’m working taking care of my grandmother as well, and I’m down with a bad cold right before Christmas! 

  It’s just one of those years. So I figure that while I’m down and out I might as well write a little bit. Mom usually has my laptop these days, since it keeps her mind off of the pain, and I’m too busy to use it anyway. But she’s writing out Christmas cards right now, so I have a little time J

 

 

Oh so adorable! Idk if I've ever posted this before, so I'm sorry if I have! But it's one of my faves that I have saved on my computer.

 

 

I would love to have this bed :)

 

I just loved this :) so I had to share it! Please like facebook.com/AllThingsCowboy to hear more.

 

Anyone who has tried this didn't fair well ;) love this picture, the epitome of the vintage cowgirl!

 

Amen!

 

 

Hope that y'all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas! And Happy Holidays!

 

 

Jessie Lou

 

 

Around The Ranch

Curious about the happenings around the ranch? Well here's a long over due update.

Tile flooring is almost finished! (Daniel working on the floor.)

 

Daniel making stakes for the horseshoe pit.

 

The horseshoe pit that Dad and Daniel made. It's bee used every afternoon now!

 

The new ranch sign. Mom's idea, my staining and putting the letters on, Dad designing and building it.

 

 

The fire pit in back; and some pics of the front yard.

 

 

The Grotto

 

 

Beginner Riding Lessons

 

 

I will be having a Harvest party on Sunday. I call it Jessie's Jamboree, so I'm hoping to have pictures from that :) Also there will be several reenactment events that I will be going to here soon. I can't wait to wear my new civil war dress and show y'all! Oh and GUESS WHAT?! I bought a black split riding skirt from Wild West Mercantile yesterday :) I can't wait for it to get here, I have a black vest with white embroidery from Stetson that I plan on wearing with it.

 

 

 

 

 

The Texas Cowboy

Found this awesome old book at the antique store a couple weeks ago. I've been wanting to share it all with y'all. It's called COWBOY SONGS AND OTHER FRONTIER BALLADS and was published in 1922. I love the worn cover and pages :) Here is one of the poems/songs that I found in it. I hope that you enjoy!

 

 

The Texas Cowboy

 

Oh, I am a Texas cowboy,

Far away from home,

If ever I get back to Texas

I never more will roam.

 

Montana is too cold for me

And the winters are too long;

Before the roundups do begin

Our money is all gone.

 

Take this old hen-skin bedding,

Too thin to keep me warm,-

I nearly freeze to death, my boys,

Whenever there's a storm.

 

And take this old "tarpoleon",

Too thin to shield my frame,-

I got it down in Nebraska

A-dealin' a Monte game.

 

Now to win these fancy leggins

I'll have enough to do;

They cost me twenty dollars

The day that they were new.

 

I have an outfit on the Mussel Shell,

But that I'll never see,

Unless I get sent to represent

The Circle or D.T.

 

I've worked down in Nebraska

Where the grass grows ten feet high,

And the cattle are such rustlers

That they seldom ever die;

 

I've worked up in the sand hills

And down upon the Platte,

Where the cowboys are good fellows

And the cattle always fat;

 

I've traveled lots of country,-

Nebraska's hills of sand,

Down through the Indian Nation,

And up the Rio Grande;-

 

But the Bad Lands of Montana

Are the worst I ever seen,

The cowboys are all tenderfeet

And the dogies are too lean.

 

If you want to see some bad lands,

Go over on the Dry;

You will bog down in the coulees

Where the mountains reach the sky.

 

A tenderfoot to lead you

Who never knows the way,

You are playing in the best of luck

If you eat more than once a day.

 

Your grub is bread and bacon

And coffee black as ink;

The water is so full of alkali

It is hardly fit to drink.

 

They will wake you in the morning

Before the break of day,

And send you on a circle

A hundred miles away.

 

All along the Yellowstone

'Tis cold the year around;

You will surely get consumption

By sleeping on the ground.

 

Work in Montana

Is six months in the year;

When all your bills are settled

There is nothing left for beer.

 

Work down in Texas

Is all the year around;

You will never get consumption

By sleeping on the ground.

 

Come all you Texas cowboys

And warning take from me,

And do not go to Montana

To spend your money free.

 

But stay at home in Texas

Where work lasts the year around,

And you will never catch consumption

By sleeping on the ground.

 

 

Wasn't that a crazy song?! Love it :) Mainly because I love Texas and I'm so happy that I moved down here!

 

Adios,

Jessie Lou

 

 

 

 



Just Some Pinterest Love

Good morning y'all! Just thought that before I go out and start teaching my next riding class I'd post some things that I love on Pinterest. :) I just have to say that I was so skeptical, but now I love that site! It keeping my favorites tab shorter which is a good thing in my book. Also I'm so sorry that this isn't a "real" blog post. I've been wanting to write for a while but really haven't had the time. I'm hoping that here soon I will be able to write a little on fall vintage/modern cowgirl fashion, horse tack, etc. Until then, enjoy the post!

You can follow me on pinterest here. P.S. I am having problems getting a picture to load so that you can just click on it and head to the picture on pinterest. Soooo going to just load links to the different albums/pictures. If anyone knows how to do this and would like to give me advice then by all means contact me! ;) Thanks!



The Vintage Cowgirl Album on Pinterest

Modern Day Western Clothing on Pinterest

For The Home/Ranch on Pinterest

Etsy Sale and Coupon Code!

  Good morning gals! I just wanted to give you a little update and something just a little special to go along with it. First, it looks like life is taking me in a different direction at the moment as far as my Etsy shop goes. I love the finding, making, and selling of items and would love to eventually have my own brick and mortar Vintage Cowgirl boutique but for the time being it looks like I will be selling off most of my stock to pursue other business ventures as well as taking care of some personal things.

  First, I am teaching horse back riding lessons (which I have mentioned before here and here) and loving every minute of it! The kids that I am teaching are great, and I feel that they are all naturals. Kids and horses, it's a beautiful thing! So I am needing more time to work with the kids and horses, instead of on my Etsy store.

  Second, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. She has been through the surgery already to remove the tumor (hence the reason why I have not posted a blog post in quite some time), but now we are waiting for her to heal before she goes in for chemo/radiation. I have been taking care of the house, driving, and doing everything else that she used to do, giving her time to just rest and heal.

  Now I'm even helping to finish homeschooling my 17 year old baby brother, as well as babysitting my new nephew, yes a very full and busy life here recently!

  Ok now down to the fun part, I have just added a coupon code to my Etsy store!!! If you add 1CalamityJane at the time of your order you will receive 10% off of your entire order of over $10! This coupon code will expire after the 19th of this month. Hope that you enjoy a look see at my store, and let me know if you have any questions! You can view it here.

  I hope that you all have a lovely day! :)

Life Takes A Lot of Prayer

Hey ladies,

  It's been quite a couple of weeks for myself and my family. Lots of things have been going on, some good and some not so good.

  First my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer, thus the name of this blog post. It's taken a lot of prayer to get her through the surgery to remove the tumor. Then she ended up having a radical hysterectomy since the tumor had grown into her uterus. Thank God for all of the people in our lives that helped us so much through this trying time. But it's not over yet, she still has a lot of doctor's appointments to go, plus we still need to find out if she will need just chemo or chemo/radiation. Whatever prayers you can send her way would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance :)

  Second, my little nephew was born!!! He is sooo absolutely adorable :D He has the cutest face, and his expressions are unbelievable! He has quite the sense of humor already, and he is only 2 weeks old this past Tuesday. I just love holding him, he makes me melt every time. I can easily say that he is the coolest man in my life at the moment! So I'm a proud Auntie, there is no doubt about it. Also this past Sunday he was baptized at St. Mary's in Fort Worth. I love the church and I love our priest, Father Wolf is amazing and he loves that baby just like the rest of us. I think that Kilian (my nephew) will be winning hearts the rest of his life.

  I had to postpone teaching riding lessons because of Mom's surgery. But they will be back on tomorrow, plus I will be starting teaching Saturday mornings as well. Tomorrow's class will be on grooming, reviewing what I've already taught (since it's been so long since the last class), and then possibly teaching how to ride bareback. That's how I learned ;) with no saddle first!

  Well, sorry this post is merely an update, I am hoping to post something more interesting in the near future. Have to go to bed now, going to be up at 6am. Hope that y'all have a good evening!

Adios!
Jessie Lou

Etsy Item! 1940's Inspired Floral Dress and Bing Crosby Swinging on A Star

Another item from my closet! Loved this dress! To see the listing on etsy go here.

Etsy Item! 1950's Inspired Polka Dot Tank-Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny

 

 

Howdy gals! Here's one of my new items in the etsy shop, I was going through my closet and deciding what all I can bare to part with to make room for new vintage/vintage inspired and western clothing. So this was one of them. I've had it for years, and now its time for new stuff! You can see the etsy link here.

 

 

Old Time-Old Fashioned County Fair

I need help!!!

  I have been trying to find info on country/county fairs, festivals, summer fun in the country from the good ol'days, etc. And I can't find anything!

  I would love it if any of you gals out there could help me? I just feel like we should be participating with our neighbors and friends more. I remember there being all kinds of things that the farmers and ranchers organized when I was little in Fowler, Colorado and that area, but I just can't seem to find anything that is still running....and I can't find any idea for recipes, games, etc.

  If any of you have anything to share please let me know. I know that what I am asking might be pretty vague, but any help would be appreciated :) Even pictures or videos would be most welcome!

  I remember all kinds of food goodies in Fowler, CO. for their Missouri Days, blue grass bands, two-step and country swing dancing, a parade where the firemen threw candy out at the kids, games like the bean bag toss and the one where you fish over a cardboard wall. Bake sales, and the farm ladies with their cute little gingham and flowered baking accessories (like the pie covers, etc.), BBQ, and so much more that I wish I remembered! It seemed like a little piece of heaven that has now vanished along with events in other towns and states.

  So please, any ideas that you can give me would be so very sweet of you. Thank you again, and I hope that y'all have a beautiful and blessed day!

Adios,
Jessie Lou