I considered running this in the “Armchair Editor” section, but because the comment was made during a TV show and a transcript isn’t available, it is impossible to provide the exact quote. The TV program being referred to is a popular western music and poetry show. During this particular episode they interviewed a guest who had a long-time interest in buffalo, buffalo hunting, and Sharps firearms.
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During the course of my research into the history of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, I came across a passage that was reflective of George Washington’s attitude regarding leadership, specifically command of an army.
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“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.”
So wrote the prophet Isaiah. Seeing the desert transformed into a garden paradise is a very, very old dream.
Water, everyone agrees, is the key.
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It’s the last day of 2012 and here in central Kansas we’re getting a nice snowfall which so far is staying on the fields. Although it isn’t expected to be a heavy snow, we’re thankful for any moisture we receive.
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At this time of year many people’s thoughts turn to wondering what it would take to have a happy new year in 2013. For those living and working on the prairies and plains, especially those in agriculture, one thing that would make for a great new year would be moisture in the right amount at the right time.
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After posting the blog about “Buffalo Misconceptions,” I remembered a great quote about their habit of rubbing on telegraph poles. It’s taken from Frank Roe’s The North American Buffalo and is in a note on page 439:
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The American buffalo, or technically the Bison Americanus, have always fascinated me and over the years I’ve gathered considerable material on the species as well as spent time observing them in pastures.
I’ve encountered myths and misconceptions about this animal dating as early as the 1500s to as recently as November, 2012.
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The Whistler referred to is Joseph Nelson Garland Whistler who graduated from West Point in 1846 and was brevetted a brigadier general during the Civil War. In 1871 Whistler, a Lt. Col. at that time, was in charge of the military escort for the North Pacific railroad survey. Apparently Whistler had a problem with alcohol which may account for his seemingly strange statement.
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Rod Beemer, Bennington, who grew up on a family farm nine miles south of Abilene, started as a writer in the 1960s, quit his occupation as a magazine writer and followed another passion, custom woodworking. Writing never left his blood.
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Sad. Disappointed. Embarrassed.
Those are the feelings I had after reading Larry McMurtry’s new book about George Armstrong Custer. I’m a huge fan of Lonesome Dove and anticipated a similar caliber work on Custer but it was a great disappointment. Besides that, I was sad and embarrassed that McMurtry’s name was on this book.
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