I've Got Friends That Do

They say if someone shares a song with you, you should pay attention. It reveals their heart.                   

Though he doesn't write his own lyrics, I have heard that Tim McGraw won't sing a song unless it has special meaning for him. I absolutely believe that. His lyrics are generally always extremely heartfelt. There are only a few other country artists that move me with their lyrics as much and as often as Tim McGraw. Two, that I am specifically thinking of, are both dynamite song writers. They know how to touch the heart, and I think that can only happen when they believe what they are singing to their very core. But that is for another blog post. 

October 13th always takes me to Tim McGraw. Tim McGraw takes me to this song. It is the last song on his CD: Reflected; Greatest Hits Volume 2. 

That he chose this song to leave us with at the end of that CD seems entirely appropriate...and heartfelt.            

I just felt like sharing this one today.

This Cowboy's Hat

I love the lyrics to this old country song. It was written by Jake Brooks and first released by Porter Wagoner in 1983. But I think the most popular version (certainly for my family) was Chris LeDoux’s 1991 version. For those who are not familiar with Chris LeDoux, he was a very famous rodeo champion (bareback), later to become a country singer legend. And I do mean legend. He has quite the following, even after his death from cancer in 2005. His legacy remains strong - especially in our neck of the woods. I did get to see him in concert before he died - probably 1993 or 94.

A meme with some of the lyrics from "This Cowboy’s Hat" came into my Facebook Feed this morning. I smiled. That’s true poetry to me… But it reminded me of something from when my son was little. 

My son has had a cowboy hat since the time he was two years old...usually a little straw hat, at that age. But about the time he turned 7 or 8 we bought him a nice, but rather expensive (for an 8 year old) felt hat. It was black, shaped perfectly and he wore it a lot...usually for going out to the store, or church, or family gatherings. He took care of it well. My husband an avid hat wearer, himself, taught our son how to take care of a good cowboy hat.

There is an old saying that you "don’t touch a cowboy’s hat". It’s a personal item, you just don’t do it. Everyone knows that. Don’t they? 

Well when you are 7 or 8, no, you don’t; you have to be taught. Perfectly understandable. Also, entirely necessary.

Like all kids, my son often had other little kids come to play. This particular bunch loved to dress the role and play cowboys. Seems my son’s new black cowboy hat, became a popular item. The kids would pull it from his head, treat it disrespectfully; and sometimes just be kids...but honestly, it kinda became a pain in the neck. They also ignored my warnings and the abuse of the new hat continued.

So I had no choice but to take it to the kids’ mama. I told her my son had head lice. Lol hahaha NOT REALLY! But she interpreted my comment that way.

I didn’t actually tell her he had head lice; but rather, I told her kids shouldn’t be wearing each other’s hats as a standard practice - in case of head lice…. It just seemed like a common sense thing to me. Head lice is known to plague kids at times- in EVERY generation. In EVERY area. (So please don't go there!) Everyone knew when I was growing up not to share combs, brushes, or hats….it was kind of like being taught not to share your toothbrush….kind of a no-brainer. Simply personal etiquette and health.

Anyway, when I explained my thoughts to this mama...she didn’t really listen, I guess. She just ASSUMED that I said my son had head lice. Lol NO. He didn’t! 

But ya know what? Those kids never disrespected his cowboy hat again. lol Sometimes ya gotta “bulldog the Mississippi”. And sometimes a little trip down memory lane is fun...

Here’s the lyrics:

You know what
No matter how different we dress
Or look or talk, we all have a lot of things in common
That's what this song's about

I was sittin' in a coffee shop
Having a cup to pass the time
Swappin' Rodeo stories
With this ol' Cowboy friend of mine

When some motorcycle riders
Startin snickerin' in the back
Started pokin' fun at my friends hat

One ol' boy said:
"Hey Tex, where'd you park your Horse?"
My friend just pulled his hat down low
But they couldn't be ignored

One husky fella said:
"I think I'll rip that hat right off your head"
That's when my friend turned around
And this is what he said

You'll ride a black tornado
Across the western sky
Rope an ol' Blue Northern
And milk it 'til it's dry
Bulldog the Mississippi
And pin its ears down flat
Long before you take this Cowboy's Hat

Partner, this ol' hat's better left alone
See it used to be my daddy's
But last year he passed on
My nephew skinned the rattler
That makes up this old hat band
But back in '69 he died in Vietnam

The eagle feather was given to me by an Indian friend of mine
Someone ran him down somewhere around that Arizona line
And a real special lady gave me this hat pin
But I don't know if I'll ever see her again

You'll ride a black tornado
Across the western sky
Rope an old Blue Northern
And milk it 'til it's dry
Bulldog the Mississippi
And pin its ears down flat
Long before you take this Cowboy's hat

Now if your leather jacket means to you
What this hat means to me
I guess we understand each other
And we'll just let it be

But if you still think it's funny
Man you got my back up against the wall
And if you touch my hat
You're gonna have to fight us all

Right then I caught a little sadness
In that Gang leader's eyes
He turned back to the others
And they all just kinda shuffled on outside

When my friend turned back towards me
I noticed his ol' hat brim
Well it was turned up
In a big ol' Texas grin

You'll ride a black tornado
Across the western sky
Rope an old Blue Northern
And milk it 'til it's dry
Bulldog the Mississippi
And pin its ears down flat
Long before you take this Cowboy's hat

And here's the video. 

Great American

We lost a great American yesterday. It wasn't unexpected, but it was heartbreaking just the same. Rush Limbaugh, beloved conservative radio talk-show host, succumbed to lung cancer just 4 months after announcing it to his cherished listeners. And we were cherished; he made sure we knew that fact throughout his illness. But in truth, we always knew it. He always made us feel that way. In truth, it actually felt not only like we knew him personally, but even more, like we were family. In a way, we were.

True to his nature Rush fought his last battle diligently. He promised us he would show up to work, whenever he felt well enough and he did. He fought hard, just as we all knew he would - ever the optimist and bright disposition. 

Needless to say, I am heartbroken at the outcome. Millions were praying. I was one of those. I often found myself wondering what in the heck will we do without Rush. I can't think how many times over the 32 years of his broadcast that I said, "Turn on Rush!" And, "I wonder what Rush will say about that."

There has been a lot of talk about his death in social media yesterday and today. It didn't take long before it got ugly. I saw some of that ugliness yesterday, but it was rampant today...less than 24 hours after his death. This is what prompted me to write about him today - always a believer that "history belongs to those who write". And I am one, like Rush, with a continual desire and commitment to be a defender of truth. I had also seen the below meme about the contributions Rush has made to our society. I just wanted to say "ditto" to that meme; so below are my morning musings about some of Rush Limbaugh's contributions to our society.

Rush was the conservative voice when mainstream media went left. As Mark Levin said last night, "He was preaching the case for America," at a time we needed it most. He taught us how to fight the battle (that's figuratively - we have to explain that now) and not give up on our nation. He saved AM radio, while making us laugh every day. His show was on hundreds of stations, daily, with 15 million listeners. He created "talk radio". I was one of those that often said, "I wonder what Rush will say about this." It's true - he was fearless and criticism rolled off his back. He wasn't talking to those who criticized, anyway.

He came from a Godly upbringing, with a dad that taught him about politics and encouraged discussion. I remember hearing in an interview, Rush and his brother, David, talk about their childhood. It sounded very much like my own. They talked politics, so did we.

Rush made his salvation sure. I do not know exactly when that happened, but he made it public in the last months of his life.

I knew he was a generous man, giving to and promoting various organizations. But yesterday, I learned some wonderful facts about his generosity that had previously been committed to silence, with people deciding at his death it was now ok to share.

He bought several track chairs for veterans and he gave over 3 million dollars to Tunnels for Towers - an organization that builds homes for wounded veterans and first responders. He supported Freedom Alliance who help wounded vets rehabilitate. John Rich shared a story yesterday, where he was sworn to secrecy, but now felt he could tell us Rush had donated 100,000 dollars to St. Jude while helping John in a telethon. Laura Ingraham told of a time Rush left a $2000.00 tip when the two of them had had dinner. The people that worked for him stayed with him...some for his entire 30+ year career, because they were treated so well. I am sure there are countless other stories. It was his habit in life, not the exception.

I have felt like this before...deep sadness at the death of someone I didn't really know. And that was at the death of Andrew Breitbart, as well as Atonin Scalia. Warriors all.

Today, I see attacks throughout media. People just can't let someone die, anymore. I think it would roll off Rush's back. He wasn't talking to those people anyway. But that isn't "the way things ought to be".

No one will replace him.

Please enjoy the below interview with Mr. James Golden, AKA Mr. Bo Snerdley - Rush's longtime producer and friend. A very moving tribute.

THE MARKET PLACE

Soft musical notes

that catch a ride on the wind

mingle with laughter

that drops and rolls back up again.

A drizzle of rain

but no one seems to care,

and secondary to nothing

are the smells that fill the air.

They all blend together:

Bakeries, flowers, fish, the sea

and that woman’s perfume,

is not offensive to me.

Sweet, fresh hyacinth

beckons me to stop.

As I am lured inside of

an old fashioned coffee shop.

Shouting and joking of merchants

make the people laugh.

Others in their booths

are anxious to sell their craft.

I warm myself with cappuccino,

and pause to reflect a bit

about all the types of people,

I see from where I sit.

Here poverty blends with wealth

and no one’s out of place.

Skid row bums, hippies left over

and so I search each face.

Each one has a purpose.

They all have a destiny.

Some have chains that bind them;

Some are gloriously free.

Some know where they are going…

Some, quite simply do not.

I know the Key to their freedom

and the price for which they’re bought.

The wind is blowing their direction.

The knock is upon the door.

Which ones will open up

a Great Salvation to explore?

One’s wealth is unimportant

As are one’s battered clothes,

His talents they are displaying

Their heart is what He knows.

His love displayed throughout creation,

Man bought at a very high cost.

This is His Market Place;

His purchase is the lost.

A seagull calls from a piling begging

My thoughts return once again

To all that is before me

To the market place of men.

I look out upon the ocean

and it occurs to me

He controlled it with a whisper,

And He still whispers to set us free.

*Copyright   ©1983

My List

One of my favorite Toby Keith songs. It seems appropriate today. 

Surprisingly, it is not written by Toby but rather, Tim James and Rand Bishop. Produced and sung by Toby Keith. 

 Important message. Just felt like saving and sharing.