Windy’s friends and neighbors started the day off
as usual, smiles and waves to each other. But then a change occurred
when they heard the first announcement on the Gates of Heaven
Chinese Restaurant’s loudspeaker car.
“Let’s get your day started down at the Mule Barn with a short stack
and a cuppa joe that’ll jest flat spring yore eyes wide open. Thass
always a good idear, campers, and you can tell ‘em hello from ol’
Windy while you’re there.
“And speakin’ of Windy, continentally a-course, don’t forget to
write someone in one a-them fancy universalies ‘bout ‘wardin’ your
pal Alphonse Wilson one a-them honorary college degrees. Thass
right. ‘Bout time to honorific them guys all over cow country who
can cook you up a meal from nothin’ but a cow call and a gentle
breeze. And coffee that’ll reorgandize yore medulla obligation.
“Then, a-course, you’re gonna need somethin’ to read, right?” The
sound was fading away fast. [to top of second
column] |
“So ya jest whup and spur on
down to the Read Me Now bookstore and ask for
Sarah McKinley. You’ll know her … right off … ‘cuz she’s the only
one in there and that means you’ll have some uncompromotin’ quiet
time to do some book lookin.’
The people strolling on the
town’s sidewalks started smiling then as they continued toward the
Baptist Church. But every time they heard a car engine, they became
slightly furtive. Yeah, that was it. Furtive and friendly. And as
each neighbor was shushed and sent in the door to the church by
Pastor Don, the furtivity – hey, it might be a word – and smiles
hooked onto a feeling of conspiracy, but in a happy way.
[Text from file received from
Slim Randles]
Brought to you by A
Cowboy’s Guide to Packing the Backyard Horse, now available on
Amazon.com.
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