Do You Have A Sense of Yuma?

 July 30, 2025

   So damn hot. Culling images to be in the big Billy show in October. This is one of them.

Daily Whip Out: "Billy Basking In Limelight"

   Meanwhile, here's a giggler I had forgotten about.

Emilio Mash Up With The Kid

(by Dan The Man)

   Timely, since our friend John Fusco and Emilio are primed to start making Young Guns III: Wanted Dead of Alive!

Seriously?

   Abbreviation is twelve letters? Thesaurus doesn't have a synonym? Monosyllabic has five syllables? Phonetic is not? Say what you will about English, but it certainly has a sense of Yuma.

   I've said it before and I'll say it again, you need a sense of humor to live in Yuma. In short, you need a sense of Yuma!

"History sighs. Repeats itself."

—The Onion

The Neighbors Look, The Nightman Listens & Uno Sits Wherever He Damn Well Pleases

 June 29, 2025

   We got sidetracked in the last year by the chaos on the newsstand and in the marketplace, but I still have plans on finishing this bushwhacking opus:

Daily Whip Outs: "Jesse James On the Brain"

I also have plans for more of these south of the border witty ditties:

   Meanwhile, out on old Route 66:

 He stood in the driveway and listened. Something was in the night air and he didn't like the smell of it either.

Daily Whip Out: "The Nightman"

   I also have a limited canine series I am shopping at Netflix.

"Uno Is The One"

(and only)

   It's about a silver lab who had no idea he was not allowed on chairs.

"The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist."

—Steven Pressfield, "The War of Art"

Flags of Our Mothers & Daughters

 July 28, 2025

   I got Kathy a flagpole for her birthday this year and we finally got it up and there was only one problem:

The flagpole is right side up,

while the Arizona flag is, well, not.

 

   Took me a week, but I finally got it turned around.

Seriously?

   When two vegans get in an argument, is it still called a beef?"

Deena Bean up on Castle Rock

 long before turning to a plant based lifestyle

  A couple years ago I was gifted several boxes of tintypes from a collector back east who didn't want them anymore and he told me if I would pay for the shipping, they were mine.

   Many were labeled as famous people like Wyatt Earp and Jesse James, etc. and while I'm skeptical of those, many were anonymous people captured on film a long time ago and it's those folks that mesmerize me to this day. In fact, I have scanned several of them and then painted my interpretation of who they might have been.

Buster Bancroft,  a known scalawag

 from Saskachewan

Booger Vanderstein 

used wagon salesman

Miss Templeton "Hourglass" McGee

   It is both amusing and horrifying to think someone in the future will probably do the same with our visages, yes?

Bill Booze Bell from the side

"Only by acceptance of the past will you alter its meaning."

—T.S. Eliot

Just What The World Needs: Another Half-Dozen Sugarloafs By BBB

 June 27, 2025

   Working with Dan The Man on a new logo idea which I've posted before, but today I am getting serious. The goal is a tidy logo to run as the coda on my border stories. You know, like this:

Another Sugarloaf Western

By BBB

   In case you haven't noticed, I have a thing for sugarloafs, the hat style and the butte. 

Daily Whip Out: "Sugarloaf Butte #32"

Daily Scratchboard Whip Out:

"Sugarloaf Butte #33"

Daily Whip Out:

"Sugarloaf Sideview #34"

Daily Whip Out:

"Too Many Elements Sugarloaf"

   Here's what Dan The Man had to say about the above: "Think Ed Mell simplicity if it is to be an all purpose logo"

   Okay, is this Ed Mell enough?

Daily Whip Out:

"Bell Rips Off Mell Sugarloaf"

Last Flight Of The Bozester?

  I think I may have experienced my second to last long distance flight (got one more to see our son next month). I just have had my fill of the stress of fighting all the traffic getting to the airport pre-flight shuttle service which is an hour away, finding a parking spot close to the actual shuttle, successfully getting on the shuttle before it leaves, finding an empty seat, sitting on the hump between two seats, tipping the driver $5 for handing me my bag, actually getting over the curb and inside the airport terminal and determining the right gate at the correct end of terminal 4, getting through TSA without proper ID, and with my hat setting off the alarm because it has a wire in the hatband, making small talk with crammed line goobers, getting on the cramped plane, getting the right overhead bin in front of our seats and cramming a too large travel bag in, wheels out, cramming into the narrow aisle seat, putting the other bag under the seat in front of me, having to pee at least twice during the flight and timing the run to the forward bathroom so as not to scare the crew, eating two bags of crappy pretzels that taste like the most no-actual-food-was-used-preparing-this-artificial crap, surviving a bumpy landing, then waiting in the aisle, dragging too much carry-on through the plane, then the narrow corridor, finding the "Ground Transportation" sign, reading it correctly, letting youngsters go ahead of me in the bathroom, pretending to wash my hands, traipsing out to the outside pickup curb, getting the call that we're on the wrong side of the airport, calling an Uber. . .they don't take cash. . .I could go on, but you know where this is going.

"What a long strange trip it's been."

—The Grateful Dead

Seriously? Part II

 June 26, 2025

   Here we go. Lots of friends out on the road this summer. Pam and Toni stayed at La Posada in Winslow last night and here's what they found in their room.

La Posada cares about their guests!

   Meanwhile it's my goal to produce something funny for my four grandkids every day this week.

Seriously?

   I'll never forget my grandfather's last words to me. "Are you still holding the ladder?"

Daily Whip Out:

"Old Coot Before The Fall"

Gone But Not Forgotten

   One of the giants in our field was a great guy from El Paso and he uttered one of the best quotes about the crazy people in our field, i.e. History, with a capital H.

   Historian Leon Metz at Blazer's Mill explaining what happened there during the Lincoln County War

"What people choose to believe is a fact in itself."

—Leon Metz (November 6, 1930-November 15, 2020)

Seriously?

 June 25, 2025

   Sometimes on my morning walks I get some decent ideas. Actually, that is a lie. I always get good ideas on my walks. The trick is to remember them when I get back to my studio! Here's one from today.

Daily Whip Out: "Divisadero Dividend"

   And, here's another one. . .

Seriously?

 I'm not saying we had it rougher back in my day, but I will say it was extremely difficult to butt dial on a rotary phone.

Looking Back

   Sometimes it's good to get away and see your troubles from another angle. While we were in Issaquah, Washington last weekend for my grandson's 12th birthday party, my daughter Deena put it all in perspective for me. We went for a walk and she asked me what is going on with True West and I gave her the newsstand horror story. I told her about my fear that everything is going digital and that print is almost dead. She proceeded to tell me that from her point of view, social media is disintegrating because of all the AI bots and disinformation, with AI posts and bots responding to bots! It's crazy and unsustainable, at least for "authenticity." That makes our magazine even more valuable because we are tangible. Then she took us to a brand new Barnes & Noble bookstore that was full of old and young alike, all seeking books printed on paper. It was all very hopeful and I think we need to stay the course and when possible double down on what we do the best: tell the truth about our past. That is invaluable!

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness. . ."

—Mark Twain

Warning: Created by A Human With A Good BS Detecter

 June 24, 2025

   There's a big feature in Sunday's New York Times Magazine on writing history with the assistance of AI and it underscores many of our main concerns. My favorite line in the piece is an editor who became disturbed by how easy it was for AI to regurgitate bad information, saying, "that's what AI can't do. It has no bullshit detector."

   Speaking of BS, here is a new trend that really grinds me.

Josie and Wyatt at their Happy Days Mine. 

The dog's name is Earpie

   And, here is an AI concoction circulating online attempting to capture the same camp.

A totally fake AI image of Wyatt Earp in camp.

   There is a new book The Gunfighters, by Bryan Burrough that has Jesse James killing bank teller Joseph Heywood in the failed Northfield, Minnesota bank raid in September of 1876. This is a long disproved belief perpetrated by early biographers who wanted it to be Jesse. In fact there is a sworn affidavit of bank employee Frank Wilcox that identifies Frank James as Heywood's killer, and this after Wilcox made a special trip to the Independence jail to observe Frank in person. In addition, Cole Younger, on his death bed, admitted to Jesse Jr. that the rider of the dun horse was Frank James, and that it was Frank who killed the bank teller. Two things possibly happened: Burrough didn't dig deep enough (he sites T.J. Stiles' book, "Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War" in his bibliography and Stiles names Jesse as the killer). Or, the AI sided with Stiles, and, it's in this fulcrum of competing "facts" that AI is not quite reliable—yet.     

   Here is how a friend of mine who does his research put it to me: 

   "In my books, I've always made a point of including a detailed bibliography listing the primary source materials I consulted and making it clear that I traveled extensively to archives, historic sites, etc., as part of my research. I believe this is even more important now with the growing use of AI. I want my readers to know that I personally mined those materials, that I walked where my subjects walked. And while today's historians are blessed with the incredible resource of digitized historic newspapers, probably 99 percent of the primary source material out there remains unscanned and will likely stay that way far into the future -- it costs money to digitize archival materials, and most institutions simply don't have the money or staff to devote to it. So, AI might be able to compose a decent biography of Wyatt Earp, but it will have done it by combing through online materials only. It'll never see those grayscale copies at the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park that contain John Flood's transcriptions of Wyatt's story of his life, the source Flood used to write his unpublishable Earp manuscript. Thank goodness for that. (By the way, very few authors even know of their existence.)

A page of the Flood Manuscript with Wyatt narrating his account of killing Frank Stilwell

   "It's my hope that any book written either with the assistance of AI or entirely by AI comes with a full disclosure to that effect. Same with music, film, art, any creative art form. Maybe like those 'Made in the USA' tags or stickers, we'll see 'Created by a Human.'"

—Mark Lee Gardner

   Or, perhaps this is where it's going.

"Created by a human with a good BS detector."

—Future book endorsements

Make A New Plan Stan And Get Yourself Free

 June 23, 2025

   If you haven't noticed by now, I often peg my life to song lyrics. Or, perhaps a more accurate conclusion is "I can't get these damn lyrics out of my head!"

   We got in late last night from a whirlwind trip to Washington State for this guy:

Birthday Boy turns 12

(technically his B-Day is Tuesday)

   See that old guy in the farmer's cap. He is having a bit of an existential crisis. His daughter, at far right, gifted him two books that are messing with the old boy's head, but in a good way.

   Deena C. gifted me: "From Strength to Strength: Finding success, happiness and deep purpose in the second half of life," by Arthur C. Brooks. The other book is "Meditations for Morons," I mean "Mortals, Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts," by Oliver Burkeman. Both of them hit me where I live which is on the wrong side of 75. Although I am happy to report that both coming and going—in two airports!—the TSA agents barked at me, "You must remove your jacket and your shoes unless you are 73 or older!" And I just smiled and walked around my fellow baby travelers to retrieve my belt, keys, laptop, phone and my remaining dignity.

   Meanwhile, this same daughter took us to a brand new Barnes & Noble in Issaquah and it was full of customers—old and young—who apparently actually want to read books and magazines on printed paper! They also had two very large sections for magazines and here is the section I was the most interested in. Can you spot the title I wanted to find?

Issaquah Barnes & Noble Newsstand

     I wish I could say the True Wests are where they are in the above photo, but they were not. I finally found them in the back row above the position where I put them and then only because I managed to spot the "T" peeking out from behind.

   Ouch!

   If I could have my way, all the newsstand displays in the world would look like this:

Sharlot Hall Museum Gift Store Display

   So, my notes culled from the two books are these:

Notes for Stan's New Plan

(Yes, that is a photo of me holding the daughter who bought me the books, taken back in the summer of 1980)

"Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free. . ."

—Paul Simon, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" 1975

In The Middle of Nowhere I Found Myself

 June 21, 2025

   It has been raining here non-stop for the past several hours. We are obviously not in Arizona. To a desert rat it is a very soothing sound, a luxury for a parched mind.

Striped Blanket On A Mexican Caballero

   Yes, we are at our daughter's family house in Issaquah. Love that In-din name. And, to the locals this is incessant moisture and a bit of a drag, but to us it's a joy and a respite from the blast furnace of home. And, sometimes you have to go away so you can replenish your love of your home. And, full disclosure, my daughter feels the same way when she comes to visit us.

   We came all this way to celebrate the birth of a true Westerner—a lad actually named Weston—who is a "Man of the West," as his mother puts it.

The Birthday Boy 12 years ago

when he was already a Jedi Master

"When it rains, it pours."

—Old Vaquero Saying

The Perfect Hike

 June 20, 2025

  We're in Issaquah, Washington for a couple days and a certain grandson's 12th birthday party. Yesterday we ended up in Des Moines outside of Seattle for a day on the beach and a non hike (see sign in back).

Non-hiking hikers.

"When in Rome do what the Romans do."

—Old Roman Saying

One Big Doc Just For You

 June 18, 2025

   Sharlot Hall Museum is mounting a big Doc Holliday Art Show in August and they asked me for several of my best Doc pieces, including this seriograph of the Doc which will be featured prominently in the show. It belongs to Theresa Broniarczyk who ran Tri Star Printing back in the day and she is downsizing and asked me if I knew anyone who might want it.

   So, here is an offer I am making just to you:

"The Doctor Will See You Now"

Seriograph, framed and numbered (1/150)

frame size is 37.5" X 48"

   It is offered here for $1,500 and you will be able to take it home after the show comes down at the end of September. Email me if you want it. First come, etc.

Daily Reworked Whip Out:

"Mestizo Girl 2"

And, here's another reworking. . .

Daily Revised Whip Out:

"The Kid Returns 4"

High praise to True West for having the courage to publish the "Behind Primeval Mountain Meadows" story. Kudos to Paul Hutton's masterful exposition of this sordid piece of history. As a teach of northwest history, I deeply appreciate True West's continuing commitment to presenting factual history, the good, the bad and the ugly.

—Herb Flick, Clackamas, Oregon

"If we don't support each other, who will."

—Old Editor Saying

True Confessions of A Trophy Husband

 June 17, 2025

   You can imagine my surprise when I opened the Amazon box 24 hours after the expiration of Father's Day to discover a T-shirt with an empowering two word message.

A Belated Father's Day Gift

   At that moment, all of the symptoms flooded back to me. It was so obvious, how did I not recognize the warning signs?

• She often introduces me as "arm candy."

• Not once in 47 years of marriage did she ever say, "I wish you were better looking."

• I heard her once brag that I sometimes take out the trash without her having to ask me to do it!

• She never made me wear a Brad Pitt mask during sex. Okay, maybe that one time.

   Believe me, there's other telltale signs, but I don't have time to make them up.

"Married people live longer because they can't afford to die."

—Old Vaquero Saying

Gator Sighting In Thailand and Amber Ridge Riders Reprise

 June 16, 2025

   My son just did the gator in Thailand proving for the umpteenth time, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but, on the other hand, it can roll pretty far from home after it hits the ground.

Daily Whip Out: "Like Father, Like Son"

   Still noodling amber ridge riders. . .

Daily Whip Out:

"Amber Ridge Riders Work Up #43"

   And, all of this gives me inspiration to return to another story. . .

Daily Whip Out: "Olive's Regret"

   I still have high hopes for a certain story about miscegenation, which my history pard, Greg Scott, claims is the basis for many classic stories, including "The Searchers," "Last of The Mohicans," "The Illiad," and one that I still need to finish, which would involve this person. . .

"Of course, many truths lay quietly, like sleeping cats, waiting for the hour of their telling."

—Sharlot Hall

 

And One Bonus Quote for Your Eyes Only:

"When we bought True West magazine I have to tell you I slept like a baby. That is, I woke up every two hours and cried."

—BBB

Happy Father's Day to Allen P. Bell

 June 15, 2025

   I've been thinking a lot today about the guy who gave me my bullheadedness which has saved me and served me, many times. That would be this great Norsky farm boy.

Allen P. Bell with me and Blackie, the stray dog he took in at the Whiting Brothers Gas Station he ran at McConnico, below Perfume Pass in Mohave County.

   And yes, he is the guy I acknowledge as the real "66 Kid" in the memoir by the same name.

Al Bell goofing in front of his Mobiloil Station

at Peach Springs, Arizona, 1946

   I also dedicated my "Bad Men: Outlaws & Gunfighters of the Wild West," to him as well with this dedication: "Dedicated to my father, Allen P. Bell. A good man by any measure."

"The father washes onto the son. He lives inside you as an aspiration, a disappointment, or a fear. Afraid you will never be like him or afraid you will be; he is there in the bones of your emotions. In the voices in your head. In your expectations of yourself. In the shadows of your weakness and strength. No matter how good the relationship, there is a tension between father and son."

—Boyd Varty, The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life

Amber Waves of Grainy Images

 June 14, 2025

   Early on in our conservatorship of True West magazine it dawned on me that what I really am attracted to when it comes to Old West images is amber glow. There is a rich, rust patina around the best nineteenth century photos that gives off a classic butterfly under glass glow that is so damn attractive, at least to me. Here is a good example of Dan the Man and I leaning on amber glow for a cover.

   And here is an excellent example of it being applied to a BozeCard.

   So, it should be no surprise that the line from John Reed's "Insurgent Mexico," describing a unit of Rurales on the move, hits me so hard:

Daily Whip Out:

"Rurales On The Ridgeline Emerging"

   Still need to add three or four more riders, but they are coming at you tomorrow. . .

   "For most men the first fifty years of childhood are the hardest."

—Old Vaquero Saying

Amber Ambition Runs Amuck

 June 13, 2025

   If you know me, you know when I get on a kick I can work something to death. And sometimes beyond. Case in point:

Daily Whip Out: "Amber Riders #27'

There's something happening here. . .

Daily Whip Out: "Amber Riders #28"

What it is ain't exactly clear. . .

Daily Whip Out: "Amber Riders #29"

There's a man with a gun over there

Telling me I've got to beware. . .

Daily Whip Out: "Amber Riders #30"

I think it's time I stopped, children. . .

Daily Whip Out: "Amber Riders #31"

What's that sound?

Daily Whip Out: "Amber Riders #32"

Another artist going down an amber rabbit hole.

—Apologies to Buffalo Springfield

   And, what pray tell, is the inspiration for all of this amber ambition?

"The Rurales topped the ridgeline at sunset and crossed over, suspended in amber."

—John Reed, "Insurgent Mexico," 1914