Month: April 2022

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

I’ve been disappointed in life, but I’ve never had too many regrets.”

                         –Peter Brandvold  (Once A Marshal)

        “Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.”
                         –Psalm 37:27 (NLT)
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I want to again say I’m sorry about not sending out an Echo yesterday, but sometimes life just gets in the way.  I had cataract surgery and couldn’t see well enough to write.  Much better today.  We often make plans, and we should, but once in a while things get in the way of plans.  Now this surgery was planned, but not being able to write was not part of that plan.  I recall the words of Proverbs, “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. (16:9, NASB).
       It brought to my mind the poem by Bobbie Burns:

                    “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
                     Gang aft agley…”

Or to put it in plain English:

                    “The best-laid schemes of mice and men
                    Go oft awry…”

       You may have planned to go see Aunt Suzy wanting a piece of her delicious cake.  The car is packed, the kids are good, and on the way you have a flat tire.  It was not planned, so you grumble and complain while fixing the tire.  On the way you go again, then when you get to Aunt Suzy you find that she isn’t up to company–has the sniffles, plus she ate the last piece of cake.  Life wasn’t what you expected, but it still goes on.
       One thing we can be assured of is that God is with us.  Once we have started the journey with the Lord toward our heavenly home, we know that He knows the way.  We may fall, but we will not be hurled to our death.  A rock may not cleave our head in half for He is holding on to our hand.

                    “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”
                                          –Psalm 37:23-24 (NKJV)

       Plan your way, but plan it within His will.  Follow the way He has established for you.  If we do that, we may find obstacles, but we will also one day enter into eternal life and live in the heavenly realm.

 

The Saga of Miles Forrest

by Ira Paine, Posted on
Lucas wanted to come along with me, but Mateo had jailed several brawlers so he had to stay at the jail.  Charlie also told him that no crime had been committed, therefore no investigation was needed so his duty was at the jail.  It was for the best.  I’m sure Lucas could have learned something, but I didn’t know much myself or if Hoffner just took off.  His horse could have fallen and crippled or even killed Hoffner somewhere out on the range.
       There was no need to be up early so I didn’t try to break daylight.  I saddled Star, rode down to the diner and had a nice breakfast.  I should make it to Thompson’s ranch around noon and  I’m sure Donovan would feed me.
       It had been a while since I let Star get out and run.  After we left Durango, I let him loose for several miles.  Running was something he relished and it was good to sit in the saddle on him again.  Hawk was better in the mountains, but there wasn’t a horse like Star on the flats.  After several minutes I slowed him down to a walk then led him to a little stream.  We sat there while he nourished himself and I gazed out at the hills.  That was another lifetime when I roamed the hills, deserts, and mountains.  Now, sometimes I had my wishes, but honestly I was content.  Maybe I was becoming too comfortable.
       From my reckoning, it was just before noon when I rode into the ranch yard.  I’d been to Thompson’s a couple of times and he had a nice place.  A large house, but nothing fancy, a cook shack, bunkhouse, and stables connected to a barn.  Thompson, being a widower, usually ate at the bunkhouse and it was there I found him.  Two other cowboys were there eating that I didn’t know.
       Reese Donovan saw me first.  “Marshal, you’re a long ways from town.  Sit yurself down, I’ll bring yuh a plate.”
       Thompson turned his head just far enough to see who I was.  “Sit down!” he commanded.  I know he didn’t demand that I did, it was just his rough demeanor.  He was like that in everything he did–rough.  A rough man from a rough age; time had almost passed him by.  “What brings you out this way?”
       I had already poured coffee from the big pot on the stove and was headed for my seat at the table next to Thompson when Donovan brought my food.  It looked sort of like carne asada, but the meat was cubed and a better cut.  Also the plate had fried potatoes and what looked like applesauce.  I had to smile for it reminded me of a trail dinner, only upgraded.  I will have to hand it to Donovan though; he had spiced up that meat just right.
       Before answering Thompson I took a bite.  Donovan was watching me.  I nodded my head and smiled which brought a grin of pure delight to his face.  He started back to the kitchen when I called him, “Stick around.  I can use your output.”
       “To answer your question, I’m out here lookin’ for Clyde Hoffner.  Last I knew he was workin’ for you.”
       Thompson looked at me with a glare.  I think that is the only way he knows how to look at a person.  “Has he done anything wrong?”
       “Not to my knowledge.  His cousin, Reverend Chapman hasn’t heard from him in several weeks and has become concerned that something has happened to him.  When was the last time you saw him?”
       “You’d have to ask Bill Farmer as he gives out the assignments,” said Thompson.  I could tell he was thinking of when he saw him last.  He looked down toward the two cowboys.  “Perky, Doyle, have you seen Hoffner around?”
       They both grunted and shook their heads.  “Oh, boys, this is Marshal Miles Forrest.  Sorry, I didn’t introduce you to them, Marshal.  That skinny one is Bob Perkins better known as Perky, the other fellow is Frank Doyle.  They’ve been with me since the first of the year.”
       My eyes went to Donovan who was rubbing his chin.  “Miles, Clyde came by four days ago askin’ for a poke of grub.  I jist figured he was goin’ out for several days.”
       “He didn’t look worried or concerned?  I don’t suppose he said where he was goin’?

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on
It is quiet, but I like the stillness.”
                 –Louis L’Amour  (Rustler Roundup)

       “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”
                 –Ephesians 2:14(NKJV)
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I was able to sit a couple of times in the chapel at the Air Force Academy.  Usually there are dozens of people touring, but a couple of times I was able to come in and enjoy the beautiful chapel’s setting.  There was peace and serenity in that place.   However, we must remember that we do not have to go into a chapel, cathedral, or church to be in the presence of the Lord.  In the next part of Psalm 73, the word “sanctuary” is mentioned.  The word for “sanctuary” is plural, possibly referring to more than just the visible Temple.  It may refer to any place where God reside, such as our own heart.” (Petersen)

          15 — If I had said, “I will speak thus,” behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
          16 — When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me–
          17 — Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
          18 — Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
          19 — Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!  They are utterly consumed with terrors.
          20 — As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
          21 — Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind.
          22 — I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
          23 — Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
          24 — You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  (NKJV)

       Go to the sanctuary of your heart and try to perceive things from God’s perspective.  We have many “whys” in our mind that we think we must have the answer to.  Why does evil exist?  Why do the wicked seem to get ahead?  Why do I feel all alone?  When you go to the sanctuary and meet with God you begin to see the whole picture.  Not all of it, for we are unable to contain or understand the whole, but part of it.  What begins to happen is that instead of looking at the “whys” or the wickedness of men, our focus returns where it belongs–on God Himself.
       We so often forget or ignore the value of personal worship.  Many think that worship is in the church, with other believers singing and swaying to music.  They worship to be entertained, however, some of the most needed and most valuable worship is personal.  Sitting in the “sanctuary” alone with God.  Focusing on Him, recognizing Him for who He is and His wonderful goodness to us.  Asaph, when he was alone with God and concentrating on Him, came to the realization that he was “foolish and ignorant.”  Then I think he breathed a big sigh for he realized that he was continually with God.  God has everything under control.  God has our lives under control.  He walks through this life with us as we hold to His hand.

                    “Come, tell me all that ye have said and done,
                    Your victories and failures, hopes and fears.
                    I know how hardly souls are wooed and won;
                    My choicest wreaths always wet with tears.”
                              –Edward H. Bickersteth

 

Coffee Percs

by Ira Paine, Posted on
The coffee was strong enough to walk by itself. That was the way he liked it.”
                        –Elmer Kelton  (Texas Standoff)
 
Lots of things happenin’ in the world, but I’m unaware of most of them.  I don’t know if that’s good or bad.  It’s not good to be ignorant, but at the same time there is nothin’ I can do about any of them.  Pard, if’n I start to get involved with the news then the gizzard gets all riled, and that ain’t good for the liver or heart.  So, here I am, my good Pard sittin’ and jawin’ with me, and holdin’ a cup of hot, strong, black coffee in my hand.
       This ol’ world is full of newfangled technology and I’m not sure all of it’s good, or is it used for good.  Now, I’m not against technology.  Why where would I be without a coffeepot or at least a pot to make my coffee?  I went to the WalMart to get a new coffeepot.  Sometimes I perk it on the stove, but it’s faster using technology like Mr. Coffee and I don’t have to worry about it boilin’ over, but what I mean to tell yuh is that they have coffeepots that cost upward to $500.  My new pot cost a whoppin’ $21.99 and it makes good coffee, and there are no beeps either.
       It seems that I recall that ol’ Daniel said that folks will start runnin’ to and fro and knowledge will increase, but he did not say it would increase for the better.  Busy, busy, busy, it seems folks are and if yuh don’t think so just drive the rush-hour traffic.  My mercy, folks out there are crazy and don’t care about others.  Pard, they need to settle down and have a cup of coffee from my kitchen out in the woods.  Not any of those cinos, but good, down to earth brew.  Ahhh, look at that, we’ve already finished one pot.  I’ll make another.
       What?  Yuh got things to do and yur bladder won’t be able to handle another pot ridin’ in the saddle.  Yuh know, yuh can always rein in somewhere.  But, I understand, and yuh be havin’ a good week.  We’re into April now, another month is gone passed us by.  Yuh be ridin’ easy, but always alert for the ol’ devil is jist a-waitin’ for a slip-up.  And I shouldn’t have to remind yuh to check yur cinch.  As for myself, I’m gonna get back to the kitchen and brew up another pot.
       Vaya con Dios.