JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback Lyric Feedback Forum 3 Three Cowboy Songs

Howdy there partners,

I'm just heading over to perform in a local talent contest at the highschool here in Payette, Idaho. It is part of the Apple Blossom Festival, a week-long celebration of civic pride here in our little town of 7,000 along the Snake River and eastern Oregon border.

The event comes complete with our own rodeo, a carnival, a lawnmower race on mainstreet, a folk song presentation, a parade, and the works. Living in Hawaii gave me a taste for exploring local cultures. I've encouraged my parishioners to get involved in as many events as possible, and am setting the appropriate example by entering the talent show myself. This year the theme is "Boots and Chaps and Cowboy Hats". (Does anyone recognize that as a line from an existing song lyric?)

The first two lyrics below are what I gave them on the entry form for about an hour from now. We'll see what actually happens when time comes to perform. The third song is a recent addition to my cowboy song collection. I don't think I'll be doing it first time out. They'll be introducing me as the local Seventh-day Adventist pastor, and the crowd is a mixed family occasion. A little humor and some Norman Rockwell style Americana will likely be more appropriate for this particular event.

It should be fun.

Skip


P.S. Here are the three cowboy pieces...


Cowboys Don't Cry

My dead horse for company,
And one broken leg--
Twelve miles to the river,
Sun blazing, no shade--
Pinned down by outlaws,
My canteen bone dry.
I've one bullet left,
But cowboys don't cry.

Cowboys don't cry,
Don't ask me why--
It seems like the right thing to do.
Cowboys don't cry,
They just grin and die--
At least all the cowboys I knew.

Old sidewinder bit me,
So I bit him back.
I sucked out his poison,
My tongue's turning black.
My vision is blurring,
I'm fixing to die.
I can't feel my toes,
But cowboys don't cry.

Cowboys don't cry,
Don't ask me why--
It seems like the right thing to do.
Cowboys don't cry,
They just grin and die--
At least all the cowboys I knew.

Comanches caught me,
Stole my shirt and pants.
They staked me to bake
In the sun with the ants.
These bugs bite like fury,
While I twitch and fry.
The pain is appalling,
But cowboys don't cry.

Cowboys don't cry,
Don't ask me why--
It seems like the right thing to do.
Cowboys don't cry,
They just grin and die--
At least all the cowboys I knew.

I met lovely Lucy in Old Abilene,
Prettiest bargirl that I'd ever seen.
I asked her to wed,
But her love proved a lie.
One blubbering cowboy
Just sat down to cry!

Cowboys don't cry,
Don't ask me why--
It seems like the right thing to do.
Cowboys don't cry,
They just grin and die--
At least till they bump into Lucy,
At least till they bump into Lu.

c2005 Skip Johnson


And song two...


Candle for Her Cowboy

She lit a candle for her cowboy,
And set it at the window,
So that he will see it
When he rides in through the storm.
'Cause a Christmas blizzard's blowing,
She's not sure that he'll make it.
Its hard to know he is so cold,
When she'd love to keep him warm.

She lit a candle for her cowboy,
Its glowing like that first star
That led the ancient wise men
To their journey's holy end.
Now there's Christmas cider steaming,
An apple pie is waiting--
And a little boy whose Daddy
Is his hero and his friend.

She lit a candle for her cowboy,
She set it at the window.
Perhaps he'll see it shining,
Perhaps he'll make it through.
She lit a candle for her cowboy,
And prayed a prayer for Christmas--
The the Shepherd of All Cowboys,
Who guides each heart that's true.

Her candle's burning low now,
She's spent so long a'waiting.
Her fingers touch the mistletoe
And the ribbon in her hair.
A towhead boy lies sleeping,
Whose waited up for Daddy.
She hears that wild wind blowing,
And she wishes he were there.

She lit a candle for her cowboy,
She set it at the window.
Perhaps he'll see it shining,
Perhaps he'll make it through.
She lit a candle for her cowboy,
And prayed a prayer for Christmas--
The the Shepherd of All Cowboys,
Who guides each heart that's true.

Out in the swirling darkness
The cowboy's tired horse stumbles.
Its rider knows that if it falls
It will never rise again.
He peers through frozen lashes,
And sees a tiny flicker.
Her candle's at the window,
And her cowboy's riding in.

Light a candle for your cowboy,
Set it at the window.
Perhaps he'll see it shining,
Perhaps he'll make it through.
Light a candle for your cowboy,
And pray a prayer for Christmas
To the Shepherd of All Cowboys,
Who guides each heart that's true.
Bless the Shepherd of the cowboy,
Who guides each heart that's true.

c2005 Skip Johnson


And here the third number, a more recent one of this genre that probably needs a more mature audiance.


Cowboys are My Weakness

Rode in from old Laredo,
Stood at the bar to drink.
A big bosomed Mae West
Filled my glass and winked.
She said, “For a quarter,
You’ll get both soap and tub.
Been long on the trail, boy?
Can I help you scrub?

“Cowboys are my weakness,”
She eyed my spurs, and said.
“I like them in the saddle,
I’d love one in my bed.
If you’ll tap at my window,
When the lamp burns low…
Well, cowboys are my weakness,
I thought you ought to know.”

I found the parson’s daughter,
Her wagon all broke down.
Thought I’d play the gentleman,
And ride her into town.
She said, “Now what’s your hurry?
There’s a blanket ‘neath this seat.
Come, let’s make a picnic,
You look good enough to eat!

“Cowboys are my weakness,”
She eyed my spurs, and said.
“I like them in the saddle,
I’d love one in my bed.
If you’ll lie on my blanket,
Where these daisies grow…
Well, cowboys are my weakness,
I thought you ought to know.”

I got thrown into jail,
And stood before the judge.
Her honor was a woman
Whose heft I could not budge.
She said, “You’re in bad trouble, boy.
Now stand up straight! Don’t scoff!
I’ll throw you into prison,
Or you can work it off.

“Cowboys are my weakness,
She eyed my spurs, and said.
“I like them in the saddle,
I’d love one in my bed.
If you’ll step to my chambers,
You’ll reap just what you sow.
Cowboys are my weakness,
I thought you ought to know.”

If you’ve believed these whoppers,
Here’s one I’ll try for luck:
They pegged me for a rustler,
And went to string me up.
The hangman was a stern lass,
She brought my noose and hood.
She said, “I’ll slack this rope, boy,
If you will treat me good.

“Cowboys are my weakness,”
She eyed my spurs, and said.
“I like them in the saddle,
I’d love one in my bed.
If you’ll hide in that coffin,
When you light below…
Well, cowboys are my weakness,
I thought you ought to know.”

I’ve been telling great big lies
Just to get a laugh.
At home there waits my darling,
She’s roped me like a calf.
I’m hogtied and branded,
But I don’t mind a bit.
My lady loves her cowboy,
So we’re a perfect fit.

Cowboys are her weakness,
Or so she’s often said.
She likes them in the saddle,
She loves one in her bed.
And if I’ll share the covers
When our lamp burns low…
Well, cowboys are her weakness,
I guess I ought to know.
Cowboys are her weakness,
I guess I ought to know.

c2005 Skip Johnson
All rights reserved.


Note: I'd like any more suggestions on nits to fix on the final piece especially. I haven't gotten a chance to do a rewrite from a couple comments when I posted it earlier...

SJ






[This message has been edited by Skip Johnson (edited 05-12-2005).]

Wheee, Skipper..ya Breezed Thru WELL with All 3 of these Babies!~

"Cowboys Don't Cry" was a Fun One...definitely an Opening Number! Humorous Endin' was Just Dandy! "KUDOS!"

I remember "Candle for Her Cowboy" from (was it Last?) Christmas...Still a Real Good Read, & I LOVE Happy Endings. 'Nuther Crowd-Pleaser, I am Sure!

"Cowboys Are My Weakness" is my Fav of the 3..."Extra-Spicy" allus Was my Cup-of-Tea..or Whatever..heh! But the HUMOR of this Piece is a Notch-Above Whatever-Else is Out There...& ya make it all Work VERY Well here! Major Cowboy "KUDOS" on this Baby!

Suggested Last Line (K-O-S) "& I'm Glad She Lets It Show"....

Applause Applause Applause! Not a Badd'n' in Da Bunch! Good Luck with 'em ALL, Amigo!

Big Guy-Hug,
Stan

Thanks for a look, Stan. I didn't win any prize this year, but I'm already plotting what I'll do another year. Steve ("Just Steve" I think his sign is name here on this board) was there tonight. His little girl won a $50.00 prize for the children's second place with her song. I mentioned what you'd told me about your grandpa dying in the blizzard someplace here in Idaho a generation or two back in my patter introducing the "Candle for Her Cowboy" number.

Think Steve and I will work together to see what we can do to get some Friday/Saturday/Sunday evening open mic events set up in the city park Band Shell. There's a lot of talent in the area, and it would be fun to have a place people could go with their families.

Currently, there's not much entertainment up this end of the valley, outside of a few bars. We've got a movie theater across the river, a bowling alley, and walking around Wal-Mart for mirth. Think some homemade fun would be a plus for folks here.

SJ

Howdy Skip,

All of these are worthy! Enjoyed 'em all. I am in the same situation in Columbia where I work. For a city of 32,000 there are very few programs in the arts. There is a great theater program and that is about all. Very little music. I am working with the new director of parks to get some music going. We have a great bandshell in one of the downtown parks..in a lovely shaded amphitheater. I am putting together a concert series.

Good luck with your events.

Bobbie

Aw, Skip, they ALL read like "Winners" here to me...Amigo! Sorry the Competition was stiff...(tho remeber The Locals prolly Already Got The Fix In..heh!)

Sorry the Power Outage ate up my Update a Song or two ago...but tonite I got some Time t'Kill! (Whee!)

Was actually my Bioligical DAD who got Deep-Sixed in an Idaho Blizzard..back in 1949. First Day of Elk Huntin' Season...& he felt kinda sorry the Local Guide didn't have Much Business, so off he went with the guy. (Was Dad's 5th Weddin' Anniversary, I'll add...) I was 4, and can remember to this day his Jeep leavin' our Log Cabin behind..never to return. He DID bag his Elk, at least, then, as the weather got worse, the 2 of 'em headed off to a nearby Lookout Tower Dad had mapped. (Was workin' on finishin' a PhD in Geology...& mappin' the Silver River Valley for the US Geoogical Survey.
The Map to this Day still has his Name on it..or did last time I saw one.)

Interestingly, as my Stepdad was in-process of dyin' from Cancer (In Spokane..a mere 150 Miles away from where Daddy Stan'd Passed On), my Uncle decided to take me back to the Valley for a Visit..& check out the Local Paper's Morgue for 1949..as there were actually 3 DIFFO stories on how Dad'd Expired.

There on P1..I forget the date, was prettymuch the story I've just related.
The Silver River Valley NOW has a MacDonald's...a Ski Lift..and an Interstate running around the River's Contours--not QUITE as Wild as I'd remembered the place..heh! But the Locals I met at the Mining Museum near town told me just about Every Year someone goes back in those Woods and gets lost & dies of Exposure..so I guess the Woods & Winters haven't changed all That Much in Idaho!

Which is Why I'll prolly live the rest of my Days in Florida--- ;-)>

This August..I'll be headin' up to Connecticut with my Guitar-Buddy, "Alafia John" Larsen..to pick up a Restored 1938 Indian MotorCycle, with a Sidecar...& Motor back to Florida in it. 2500 miles, God & Cycle-Willing---WITH a projected Visit to Bob Dylan's Horse Farm for the 2 of 'em to meet one last time. John's got Lung & Colon Cancer...& about 3-6 months of Breathin' Left...accordin' to the Docs. (Tho they gave him 6 Months to Live a DECADE ago...so who's to tell?)
John's kinda the Ultimate Survivor...with lotsa tales to tell of his VietNam Days..etc, etc... The Guy's Thoroughly UPBEAT, all the time, & I'm gonna miss the guy when time finally prooves his Doctors Right.

If what John tells me is Right, Dylan's arranged Cuts with Clapton..Paul Simon..& Buffy St Marie..on somea My Stuff. Time'll Tell on alla that, Too...heh!

If Not...what the hey...I've got Another Thousand or Two still left insidea me...I'm sure..& It Only Takes ONE to launch a Career...(I Hopes!)

Oh..MEANWHILE...I'm meetin' weekly with my Cousin, John Howey...Architect-Author (Pappas Restaurant in Tarpon Springs/"The Sarasota School of Architecture," 2nd..or 3rd Printing already).. We're doin' Site Plans/Feasability Study on flattening my 2 Clock Shop Buildings & puttin' in 20-24 Condos on my Biz Property. I'd figgered I'd clear about 2/3 of the Mil the Land is Worth when I retired...but then, realized Whoever BOUGHT the Land'd prolly tear down the ol' Buildings & Put Condos Up. & My Cuz already HAS a Corp to do just that!

So...20+ Condos at $250K each...and I'd be REALLY Retired if this thing Works!
Parking Spaces are the Buggaboo...Both Lots total up 150 feet by 150 feet...& we got 27 Spaces..(oughta have about 30)..by My Measurements. (Oh...& ya gotta have ROOM for a Hook-&-Ladder truck to make a Beeline Around this Development, TOO!)

But that's where a Good Architect comes in handy...I hope!

So..Music Income or NO Music Income, I expect to be Pretty Thoroughly Retired from Clockmaking in about 2 years..UNLESS my Son, Max, finally prooves he's Making It as a Clockmaker--(MIGHT do downstairs as Commercial..& continue the Clock Shop at same Location as always...We'll See.!)

HOPE to be able to hang onto a Unit..or Two--Real Estate in Tampa's been goin' Bananas...so I can end up Eatin' My Cake..& Still Owning some of it as well.

La Femme's planning a Late Summer trip to see her Parents in Switz...her Dad's 86..Maman's got a PaceMaker..It's High Time for her to make the Trek.

I've been workin' my Tail Off landscapin' the New Digs..a 3 BR on a Small Lot 3 minutes North of the Clock Shop--has about 20+ Palms planted..White Lattice and Picket Fencing all-around, 2 Ybor City Street Lights & a Small Street Clock..& Pond..& Potting Shed..in the Backyard..installed. I got Permanent Dirty Fingernails..but it's been Worth It. Next Week's an Aluminum Flagpole..& maybe 2-3 more Small Iron Streetlights that I'll move from the Shop Grounds.

Just Re-Paintin' & Trimmin' it All should keep me Outta Trouble for Years to come, Eh? ;-)>

Ya Ever run into a Martin Meigs..in Hoppes/Hobbs (?) Idaho, say "HiDee" for me, eh?
We were both in 4th Inf Div Admin Co back in 'Nam...& that's the City I remember him headin' back to..best I recollect.

& Thanks to You, I NOW know TWO Great Guys Livin' In Idaho! (Hope your Wife loves Cookin' Taters!) ;-)>
Big Guy-Hug,
Stan

Wirdez,

Post your "Cowboy's Don't Cry". I'd like to see another's treatment of the same hook.

Skip

P.S. In fact, it would be fun to come up with a single hook and give all of us a week to take a shot at seeing what we saw in it, then compare our results sometime...

Bobbie,

After hearing the kids doing their talent numbers, and knowing there are adults who have loads of it sitting out in the audience, I really would like to assist in getting something going on a regular basis in the summer.

Steve has an idea for an every other Friday evening for seven or eight times this summer at the band shell. With dark not coming until 10:00 p.m. or so in the summer months, that might be the perfect evening. This area is so churched that sacred numbers are very acceptable in secular programs. I'd like a venue for the local talent I've seen in the 50 churches I've visited on Sunday mornings (I'm in my pulpit on Saturdays, so I get to be a guest in other churches during their services pretty regularly) get a chance to be heard more widely. Especially, but not only, the young people. Guess I'm at that age of life where I get more pleasure out of helping a younger one succeed than I do in simply doing the same thing myself.

Glad you're working on something positive for your area. Let me know how it progresses. Maybe we can learn from each other's experiences in trying to put together local music options in our communities. Steve's got an idea about inviting up guest artists from the Boise area who would be the featured artist for a particular event. I've got an idea of being sure we've got 5-6 numbers already lined up, and then having an open mic time for talent in the audiance we might not know about otherwise to be heard. Also, I'd like to see us invite all the churches to come to certain events and bring their best special music and congregational groups and performers. But also secular groups as well.

This evening I got to see what at least a portion of the community that comes out for the annual talent show looks like for the first time. It is definately a family crowd, with people from little kids through senior citizens. Kind of like a congregation, and with about the same tolerances and tastes, I'm guessing.

The man sitting next to me with his four kids is one of our morticians. He says, "We need something happening up here that I can take my wife and kids to go see and be a part of." Last year at the Fiddler Festival in the little city to the north of us, we set up some handball courts as "Gospel Family Theater", with various kinds of ministry events several times a day. The main comment we recieved was, "Will you please keep something like this going even after the festival. There's nothing happening anyone can go and be a part of around here the rest of the year." It would be fun to help fill that need, and good for families and our community too, I think.

Skip

Stan,

Thanks for catching me up on how things are going for you. I'm delighted your retirement prospects are looking so good, and also your creative possibilities. I did misremember the proper ancestor of yours for the blizzard story. Thanks for the proper details on that one. Next time, I'll get it right.

One reason I believe there is heaven is because otherwise we would die with far too many songs still unwritten inside of us. The Good Book says, "God has placed eternity in man's heart." Life is far too interesting to have what time we've got here be all there is to the show.

My wife has been largely bedridden due to multiple chronic illnesses for the past two and a half years. I push her around in a wheel chair at Walmart pretty much every time she goes anymore, unless she's having a particularly good day and can walk on her own a few minutes.

That means this lovely, intelligent, incredibly talented lady has had to give up pretty much all the things she loved most. Her musical education, leading out in worship services as a music/worship leader, singing in the select choirs in every city we've ever lived in for any length of time, the satisfaction of doing a good job at work, being able to decorate her house, and...well, you name it. It is pretty well gone. No real likelihood of things improving greatly in the future, either.

We are living across the street from my larger congregation now, just to simplify me being able to do my job and care for her needs. Judi has only rarely been able to be in attendance over the past few years due to the ongoing illness and weakness. Medical that my work insurance doesn't cover along with the loss of her wages, has pretty well wiped us out financially. Right now, I think I could retire to a park bench--if I could find a handful of birdseed to pay the pigeons. Judi has seen a whole lot of the ceiling in the past few years, and had days she could barely make it to the restroom on her own. Sometimes I have to bathe her and wash her hair. She's only 46. That's not very old to give up so much. Guess I'm kind of like your friend whose taking care of his ill wife, only she's the only lady in my life whose shared my bed ever. She is so beautiful to me in so many ways.

One rather nice thing that has come of this is that I feed her breakfast in bed, and eat it there with her, pretty much every morning. That is a great way to begin a day, having breakfast in your bed with the lady you love. I'm feeding her good stuff. Hot cereal in a cup with a bannana in the bottom. Wheat germ, and various fruits and nuts on the side. If you eat the right stuff, you can consume all you can hold, and still lose weight. She's lost 25 pounds she gained when she went down and couldn't get any exercise for so many months in a row. That makes her feel better about herself, which is always a perk for me, of course!

She is my dearest friend. Earlier this evening, she said, "That was amazing! We are a whole lot better at making love than when we first started." And I said, "Twenty-five years of diligent practice, and no distractions, certainly do pay off, don't they?"

So don't start pitying me too much cause my wife is largely bedridden. As she says, "What do you have to complain about? How many men know their wife is always at home in bed waiting for their arrival?"

She's got a point.

Cheers, friend.

Skip


P.S. The "Cowboys are My Weakness" was written primarily to tease my wife--and secondarily is dedicated to the 11 women and 2 men whose sexual solicitations I have turned down over the course of our marriage. It kind of pushes the edge for me, since I don't lie any more than I cheat on my wife--yet I do seriously mislead the listener for three or four verses before 'fessing up. There is a verse in the Bible that says, "He who decieves his neighbor, then says, 'It was only a joke', is a madman throwing firebrands, arrows and death." Kind of feel like a firebreather doing that one. I might be a bit too close to the line, but wished to tweak my sweetie over her thing for cowboys. Whatever its weaknesses, it served the purpose for which it was intended.

[This message has been edited by Skip Johnson (edited 05-12-2005).]

Hey, Skip. I love Cowboys Don't Cry. Best of luck to you with it. You're muse has been busy these days. That's good!!!!

------------------
"Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you will land among the stars." -- Les Brown
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/triciabakermusic.htm

Tricia,

You're right about there being a connection between my ability to write songs and my general well-being.

In fact, I've come to discover that songwriting is my "canary in a cage", so to speak. Kind of like the ones old time miners took underground to check how safe the air was to breath. If the canary was okay, so were they. If it croaked, they'd better make a fast exit.

If life stress gets too high, I can't write. Then I'll go on vacation and knock off twenty in ten days time, or do a whole CD's worth during a long weekend. When that begins to happen, I know I'm back in working order again for anything else too.

Next Tuesday, I'll be flying to Missouri for a couple weeks with my parents and sister's family. My parents live in a little river front town called "Clarksville" within shouting distance of the Mississippi. Literally. You can hear the barges going through the big loch there. The place has attracted a whole community of artists. I'm looking forward to the visit. I wander around down there and talk with the creative types who do their work in painting, or sculpture, or other mediums. I think they need a resident songwriter to put on small concerts on a regular basis for the tourist who stop by on their way between Hannible (Mark Twain's hometown) in the north and St. Louis in the south.

I'll be baptizing my nephew when I'm back there, and meeting my neice's Bible study group. One of her favorite guy friends is a guitar playing kid who plays it behind his head in a performance that has her wowed. Should be a fun time to unwind, and maybe do a little catfishing in those farm ponds.

I'm considering swimming the Mississippi when I'm there, just to be able to say I've done it. (I've been swimming a mile a day here at our local pool.) When I mentioned my possible plan to my oldest son, I said, "Of course, there are some very unusual and odd monster fish in that river--one's with snouts and bills like ducks, and others that look prehistoric." He said, "Dad, its the stuff they've dumped into that river up stream. Those aren't fish. Those are other guys who tried to swim it before you!"

Thanks for taking a look.

Skip



[This message has been edited by Skip Johnson (edited 05-14-2005).]

Skip,

Three really good songs...liked the third one best. You are a very descriptive and vivid writer. Always enjoy your posts.

You mentioned to Tricia that you will be im Clarksville, Missouri real soon. That is barely over an hour from where I live. I live between Claeksville and St. Louis, just a couple of miles off the Mississippi River and the same distance from thwe Missouri River. If you took Highway 79 south out of Clarksville, it dead ends on Interstate 70 less than five miles from my house. The door is always open!

Alan

------------------
If I were but half as good as Dawg...I'd be twice as good as most.

http://www.soundclick.com/alanddavid

Hello Skip,

I like all 3 of em', don't make me pick.
The 3rd one is very clever.

Calvin

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewartmusic.htm

Alan,

I would like to see you while I'm back there. I've only ever met in person two people I've met on sites like this in ten years, though some I've never met I count among my dearest friends. My email is <SkipNLJ@hotmail.com>. Drop me a little clearer directions to where you live, and maybe I can come on down some evening that is convenient and sit for a few hours and swap songs and stories. I'll be available by my cell phone, which is wired for pretty much anyplace if you'd rather call. (208) 871-0727.

Skip

Wirdaz,

I'll go look. Thanks!

Skip

Hey Skip,

You did really well on Wed. I looked for you afterwards, but couldn't find you to congratulate you on a fine performance. I'm sorry you didn't win. I enjoyed your songs a lot. I liked both of your songs for different reasons. "Cowboys Don't Cry" was my kids' favorite though. Its the only performance the whole evening that they actually sat still and listened to. (including their sister's)so there should be at least a little comfort in that.

I can't explain it, but everyone on this list has experienced it in some way--there's not a whole lot of respect for the original song with some people. It just doesn't seem like folks are all that interested in something they can't recognize from the radio. This talent show was no exception. I'm glad my daughter won 2nd place, but I'm happier that she was able to get the courage to get up on stage and sing her little heart out in front of strangers. I know that she'll need the courage more than the money in the world she's going to grow up in.

Anyway Skip, it was nice to see you again. These are really cool songs and I'm glad to be the first JPFer to hear THE Skip Johnson perform his latest stuff. I didn't get the chance to tell you that I am working with Seth Asa (the Boise JPF chapter coordinator) on venues and ideas and other strategies to get the local JPF chapter really functioning better. Email me if you want the details.


Thanks for sharing these Skip,

Steve





------------------
"Now its over, I'm dead and I haven't done anything that I want. Or I'm still alive and there's nothing I want to do." -- They Might Be Giants

www.bordercrossingmusic.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/bordercrossing

Steve,

I am definately interested in anything we do here locally with songwriting and/or performance possibilities. I especially like your idea about an every other Friday evening at the park band shell event. The mortician from up by the post office--I wish I could recall his name--overheard what you were telling me. He told me he wished there were an event like we were talking about. There's nothing up this end of the valley to take his wife and kids to.

I came home and talked it over with my family, and they liked the Friday evening summers option too. Its at the end of the week, and before the weekend gets rolling. What can I do to help?

I'll be out of town for a few weeks to my parents in Missouri, but know I am definately interested in assisting with whatever we can do along these lines.

Glad your little girl won in her category. She's a cute kid. In fact, you've got one good looking little family all around--enough to make a Daddy and a husband proud.

Skip

P.S. I'm already plotting my next year's entry. You didn't see me afterward because I was back picking up the judges' comments sheets. This was a better talent show than most on that score. You get a look at what they're looking for, so you can craft your next year's entry better---probably for a new set of judges!

I don't care that I didn't win. It would almost be embarrassing to take money for doing something I enjoy so much. I didn't realize they were going to give a prize. But I do regret the sound system being as inadequate as that one was. Having to stop a song in the middle because you've had ongoing feedback squeal for the last verse and a half, and they can't fix it from the sound booth, is a bit distracting for both performer and audiance. Next time, I'll arrive early, and do a sound check in advance.

Got to hear you do something, but no putting it off until next year's talent show. There's a lot of talent in the area, and we need to open up a mic on a regular basis so it gets a chance to shine.

Let me know what's going on email. I should be able to get on line on my mom's or sister's computer some during the next few weeks away. <SkipNLJ@hotmail.com> Thanks!


[This message has been edited by Skip Johnson (edited 05-14-2005).]

Hi Skip,

All three are wonderful, but my favorite
is "Candle For Her Cowboy." Like TampaStan,
I love a happy ending.

I know you don't want sympathy, but I'm sorry your wife is in bad health. I am 53
and have been blessed with good health, so far. My father will be 80 this year and my mother 75 and they still walk 5 miles three times a week and take care of their home themselves. In fact, last year Dad painted the pool because he didn't like the job the pros did the year before! God certainly blessed me with great genes. I sometimes
forget how many blessings He's given me and I dwell on what I don't have, rather than what I have. Human nature, I suppose. By sharing your story about your wife, you've reminded me how fortunate I am, and I
thank you for that. I will remember you and your wife in my prayers.

Diane

Diane,

I do appreciate your prayers. I've got the good fortune of excellent health currently--partly due to chosen lifestyle factors I've strengthened lately, and partly due to strong genes, like yourself.

One grandpa died at 93, the other at 97, and the one who died at 97 had four brothers who died at the average age of 105! So short of an accident, or martyrdom, I'm not needing to look at retirement any time soon. At 48, I figure I've still got two years before I hit midlife. I've been swimming a mile a day in the pool across the street recently. I feel better than I have since I was a teenager.

Health is a wealth that money can't buy.

Skip

Great job on all three of these lyrics Skip! I really enjoyed the humor in "Cowboys are my Weakness" but "Cowboys Don't Cry" is the hands down favorite to me. Lots of great images and humor.

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for taking a look. Just Plain Steve, in his post above, gave me my favorite compliment arising from the performance of the first two lyrics last Wednesday evening. He says his children listened when I sang. Parents in my church tell me their children also listen when I preach. If I can gain that audiance, I'll be satisfied. By and by, they'll grow up and have families of their own.

Before I left California--where I had pastored for 15 years--to go to Hawaii, I went to a bike-a-thon our church youth organization sponsored for a couple thousand kids. The little munchkins were riding around a big track in circles, while we adults and spectators sat beside the tracks to cheer them on.

I had worked with school groups, campmeeting groups, and summercamp groups for years in that part of the country. This quickly proved a problem. I was sitting with the too-little-to-ride-yet kids and staffers from one of my churches beneath a shade tarp near the end of the straight away. So many children kept looking over at me, shouting greetings to me, and waving that they began to have pile ups on the track. I saw I was becoming a traffic hazard, the cause for the multiple fender benders and collisions. So I moved down to the middle of the long stretch to keep the kids from running over each other. I had apparently inadvertently become a "small people's celebrity" of sorts. Fortunately, nobody got seriously hurt.

The "Cowboys Don't Cry" piece was written specifically to entertain my little nephews and nieces. Glad you like it.

SJ

P.S. A few years back I was walking across a college campus in California. A woman driving a car pulled over, got out, and said, "You're Pastor Skip! You told stories and sang songs at summercamp when I was a kid. Now I am married with three children of my own."

How time passes when you're having fun...


[This message has been edited by Skip Johnson (edited 05-15-2005).]