November 21, 2006
Took off this morning at 7:40 and drove to Kingman (180 miles). Got to Saint John's Methodist Church off Stockton Hill Road with three minutes to spare. The church was packed with mourners and I sat with the Waters' family and although I promised myself I'd be mature and quiet, I almost immediately got into it with the pastor. He wanted to make a parable about college basketball and asked if there were any fans. I raised my hand, as did maybe a half dozen others. Then he asked what we thought about the great basketball program they have at Duke and I found myself booing, outloud (I know, I know, but he started it!) He came over to my side of the stage and asked if I was from North Carolina? (or whatever college is in the same state with those Bastards) And I said, "You could have talked all day and not said that. I'm from the University of Arizona and Duke sucks." He went on with his parable about how the coach looks for heart and so did Sara and I felt bad, but it was a piss poor example and besides, Sara Ann went to the U of A as well, so I kind of hope she was on my side on the deal.

Charlie gave the eulogy and it was brilliant. He told her life story and in turn his family's history, and what it was like growing up in her shadow and through it all gave an honest overview of his life and hers. I cried several times, it was just that poignant. I'll post his comments here later this week.

At the graveside ceremony at Mountain View, I made a point to go up to the pastor and apologize for my snippy and rude comments about Duke. He then proceeded to tell me he got his Masters at ASU and I told him we could never speak again. We laughed, and I left, but not before I said hi to my dad (his grave is nearby), I told him I was glad he was my dad, and then drove back down Highway 93 to Cave Creek.. Got back here at 4:30 and helped unload a Fed Ex truck full of our brand new Resource Books. Man they are cool.

Calaboose Use?
"What's that adobe building behind you? [in the photo of the chicken condo] It looks like a jail."
—Steve Lodge

That is our pump house. When we had our well dug, they plopped an ugly blue tank on top and I had my Kingman Cowboy Cousin Craig Hamilton come out and build a calaboose with wooden bars. Kind of cool, no?

Well, we have two videos up on YouTube and if you've ever wondered what a True West Moment looks like, now you can see it for free. Check them both out right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaKepoueHJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQLS3LoQ7jw

These are examples of the True West Moments that are on the special DVD we have produced and will go on sale in a week or so.

"Many years ago, a large American shoe manufacturer sent two sales reps out to different parts of the Australian outback to see if they could drum up some business among the aborigines. Some time later. the company received telegrams from both agents. The first one said 'No business here.Natives don't wear shoes.' The second one said 'Great opportunity here. Natives don't wear shoes!'"
—Old Vaquero Saying