1. His hat. A genuine cowboy always buys the highest quality hat he can afford. All it takes is one good rainstorm to "out" the cheap ones. Sweat and dirt stains are real. Favorite work hats may have lost their shape and have a hole at the peak of their crease. Sorry, no bullet holes. Feathers? Not too likely. Hatbands? Only for dress. The original grosgrain band has likely disappeared, and some will have "stampede strings" with a sliding knot to prevent flying off during a wild chase or on days when the wind is gusting. Most cowboys just screw their hats down into "lock" position.
2. His boots. Again, the highest quality he can afford. And they won't be smooth, polished cowhide, or roughout with pointy toes and plastic soles. Bullhide or another tough type of leather such as sharkskin, with leather soles and a good spur ridge are first criteria. The foot is generally stained in varying shades of brown--at least when they're new. After awhile, they're all a dark, dirty shade of brown, with touches of scaley green stuff. Once retired, they're usually stored "in case" they're needed again, or converted to boot-top tool carriers, or rustic flower vases and decor.
3. His mouth. Real cowboys know what real bullshit is. Bulls can squirt pretty good. It can be pretty loose and nasty, then they swish it all over themselves with their t(ale)s. Real cowboys have learned to be tight-lipped. If you're wondering if a certain cowboy is the real deal, just listen for a minute. BS'rs have a bad habit of running at the mouth.
4. His manners. A real cowboy is old-fashioned in many ways, including his manners. "Rude, crude, with an attitude", is a description I once came up with when asked what the difference was between cowboys and another category of western characters. A good illustration occurred last month at a major cattlemen's gathering. For the final hoorah, a well-known comedian was featured for a show. A few thousand cowboys, cattlemen, wives, and affiliates were seated in the auditorium. About half were wearing cowboy hats--including my husband. I was patient since it was early. Sure enough, at showtime a wave went through the audience. Cowboys were removing their hats. Except one. Who happened to be sitting right square in front of me. When it became obvious that the only thing I would see during the course of the show was the back of his hat, I tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and looked at me as I politely asked if he would mind removing his hat because I couldn't see. To my shock, he gave me this disgusted look, and said, "Yes I would mind," and turned away. I'm not sure why, probably because he became aware that his was the only hat in the room, but that rude little attitude finally removed his hat. Wearing a hat does not make a cowboy.
5. His character. Most important of all. Cowboy skills can be taught. Character can not. A real cowboy goes about his work as if he had full ownership in it. He is respectful, honest, diligent, trustworthy, and resourceful. Character is personal development shaped by hard times, hard choices, experience, humility, and faith. It's what you are when no one else is around, Character is taking responsibility for your own decisions, your own choices--and your own mistakes. It's doing what's right even when it might personally inconvenience you.
Not all real cowboys are found on ranches. Some have been displaced to other vocations be it military, a job in town, or even a job in a city. But a real cowboy retains his integrity. He "cowboys up" and makes the best of whatever situation he finds himself in. A real cowboy is not a "victim" of circumstances--he changes his circumstances.
AND, real cowboys eat beef--sometimes grilled on top of a branding pot.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise... PV 18:28
2 comments:
Mom, this is really good!
You should submit it somewhere. You hit the nail on the head.
Yes, this is good reading
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