Get Ready for A Whole Lot of True In The Next True West

December 3, 2025

   Got up to go out and get the newspaper at the end of the driveway and spied this across the road.

Another Ridiculous Sunrise

Over Ratcliff Ridge 

   I know what you're thinking: "BBB is still getting a newspaper delivered to his house?" Yes, as a matter of fact, I get two newspapers delivered to my house and it's worth every penny of the $1,700 a year it costs to feed and clothe those delivery people.

   Meanwhile, got this from my favorite little Aussie Bastard:

An Arizona trapper and his dog, late 1880s

   "I swear to God that is you and Uno in a previous life."

—James B. Mills

 Final Illustration

    U.S. Marshal Dick Speed steps out from the doorway of Light's Blacksmith shop and asks a local kid, "Who is that rider?" The boy replies, "Why, that's Bitter Creek!" Seeing the outlaw fill his hands, Speed jerks his Winchester to his shoulder and fires.

Daily Whip Out:

"Dick Speed Takes Aim #4"

Is It True That True Is In The Next True West?

True that!

   Not long after the Covid shutdown, we here at the magazine were stressed to the gills in a challenging media landscape, and our editor, Stuart Rosebrook, recommended we go to an Arizona dude ranch and recharge. Long story short, our stay at the White Stallion Guest Ranch was a revelation and a wonderful getaway in our own back yard. Ever since I have been a fan of, and a believer in the "simplicity of living" you get from the dude ranch experience. And, coming full circle, we have chosen as our recipient for the True Westerner Award this year to a guy named True. I kid you not.

   Also, as you probably know by now, our great pard Marshall Trimble has retired (he's 86) and he gave us his blessing to continue the column with the stipulation that we assign it to someone who loves the subject matter and knows what they are talking about. I think we made the, ahem, right move. Details in the issue going to press next Tuesday.

Uno In The Shade

"Why did Uno sit in the shade? Because he didn't want to be a hot dog."

—Old Vaquero Humor