Well writing this column has certainly been lots of fun, sharing with you the many fun things that have happened to me and others.
Letting me talk about some heroes who walked through my life and recognizing folks that carried me on their shoulders. You never know sometimes when someone hands you some advice if it is good or even worthwhile. All of us have been given advice and it went both ways.
One lady wrote to ask me would a lariat rope encircling ones bedroll really stop a rattlesnake from crossing over to where they were lying asleep. I knew several folks did that to fend off serpents and I told her I wasn’t positive about that but none of them ever got bit. Of course the reply was, were they ever challenged? I answered that with I doubt they ever knew because they were asleep the entire night.
My grandfather had a weekend place in Illinois when I was boy. It was on the Kankakee River. He had one of those old motors on his boat you pulled with a knotted rope to start. Every time we went out in the main channel he turned up stream. I never knew if fishing beyond that point was better or worse. Grandpa would never take a chance because about half the time we needed oars to get back to his boat dock.
Even today I have to think about going downstream in my fishing boat – it may not start again. And paddling ain’t fun in a swift current, but it happens and always when the fish are biting and you could have caught a boat load.
Crossing a black cat’s path is considered bad luck. I have known people headed for town stop, make a U turn short of his path and go home for the day. I don’t know how time would erase the bad luck, but they did it that way anyhow.
Cowboys think it is unlucky to put your cowboy hat on a bed. Why they just about die if they see someone putting up coats for a guest and they put his cowboy hat on a bed.
Superstition is funny.
I was playing slots one night and this lady sitting beside me was rubbing and directing the machine like her efforts were going to change the reels. I mean she was waving and pounding on that machine; it was a sight to watch her. Finally I said, “Ma’am, next time your car won’t start, why don’t you rub the hood.”
She didn’t smile, but I didn’t care. Her influence on that machine was nothing, but I guess it entertained her.
A penny that is heads up is lucky. Tails means you won’t have any luck that day, leave it lie. After spilling a saltshaker, you should throw a handful over your left shoulder to save your future. Don’t throw it in anyone’s eye or you may get a fight out of the protection you are seeking. And gypsies spit every time they cross a bridge. I guess to add to it.
Thanks for all the nice comments; writing this column has been lots of fun. I am, as many of you know, busy writing western novels. That business of late has picked up for me and made me increase my writing time on the Old West. And so partner, until we meet again and may all your sunsets be colorful. May your luck all be good and God bless you, your family and America.
