They had a small hot fire going in no time and water boiling. Smoke from the burning dry twigs faded into nothing after rising only a foot or two. They finished coffee and breakfast by the time it was light enough to hitch up the wagons.”
–Paul L. Thompson

Christmas time’s a-comin’, get yourself in here, for the coffee’s hot, dark, and strong; ready to get yuh goin’ today and help yuh stay alert with all the crazies on the road. I’m burnin’ daylight myself, so better get this out before my eldest gets riled and her coffee cold. Amazin’ that folks all over the country can read these little percs. Time’s sure changin’.
Have to get things ready, need to make a little run today, but will be back tomorrow. Busy weekend, and I’m supposed to be retired! Guess, that’s what retirement means, being tired. Say, here’s one for you: What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic!
Ahhhh! That’s good coffee! ‘Course any coffee is good if that’s all yuh got. I’ve read that there are coffee snobs out there who will only drink certain coffee and made with certain coffee-makers. Notice, it has to be a coffee-maker, not just a coffeepot. They have to grind their own beans. Now, me, excuse me while I take a long sip, as for me I’ll grind my own, or I’ll use already ground. I’m not that picky, exceptin’ if it’s too weak. Can’t do much with weak coffee. If a person doesn’t like strong coffee (pity them) they can always add a little water, but nothing can be done for weak coffee.
Let me get yuh a refill as I’m needin’ one myself. Back to weak coffee. Guess it is kinda like life itself. What can be done with a weak life? I’ve worked with a few weaklin’s; good for nothin’ except to get in the way. That’s one reason that good people are busy–they do their job and help the weaklin’ get through. Sure makes me wonder what the future holds with all those snowflakes, twinkies, and cupcakes out there whinin’ and bawlin’ ’bout life not bein’ fair.
Pot’s empty? Reckon that means it’s time to be headin’ down the road. Be careful out there, and may the Lord take a special likin’ to you this season of Christmas.
Check that cinch! Strong a person as you are, yuh can’t be fallin’ off due to a loose or weak cinch.

Within a few minutes, I had the morning’s coffee on the coals and shoving more sticks in with them.”
–Lou Bradshaw

“Christmas times a-comin'”, yeehaw! Get yourself in here and throw yur ankles up under the table. Just watch yur spurs, the missus won’t like you scarring the floor. Thanksgiving is done past, and it tasted oh so good! Hope you had a good time. Here you go pard, coffee’s ready and hot!
I tell you pard, I went out to the camp yesterday mornin’ thinkin’ to sit around the fire, drink some coffee and write. I was late movin’ ’round yesterday and didn’t get out there until after 9:00. I dropped my head; I don’t know if in disgust, despair, or dejection. No coffee, no fire; good thing I had a couple of cups before leavin’ home. Well, I got the fire started and wrote about a chapter; Kim made the coffee. But other than that we had us a nice Thanksgiving campout. The wife and I didn’t stay at the camp this year; just certain situations kept us from doin’ so, but we were up and out there early.
Ahhhh, good coffee; let me get you a refill. Listen pard, better be makin’ yur coffee extra strong from now through the new year. I had to go out last week to buy a few things, and let me tell you–the crazies are out! Seems like everyone was a hustlin’ and bustlin’ around, not payin’ any attention an’ just a burstin’ out to get where they have to be a-goin’. Say, this is a time to enjoy what the Lord has given us. A time to slow down and reflect on the comin’ of Jesus, the Christ-child. So you just be extra aware ifn yuh have to go out much.
Be sure and check that cinch, yah hear?

Through the years in the mountains, I’d learned to tolerate the cold, but I still didn’t learn to deal without coffee.  Oh, I could live without it, but I didn’t like it one little bit.”
–Lou Bradshaw

Burnin’ daylight pard, sorry.  Coffee’s on, and the day is bustin’ out, rarin’ to go.  Let’s get settled down here in one of these chairs, then we’ll solve the world’s problems.  If it were only that easy.  Things sure are goin’ haywire, but what can we expect when we thrown out Christ and the Scriptures?  When that happens all the evil cockroaches come out of the woodwork.  I keep thinkin’ “as in the days of Noah.”
Say, Thanksgivin’ is ’round the corner.  However, I was just informed that the breakfast pantry is empty.  No milk, no eggs, no flour for biscuits; mercy, when did that ol’ wolf sneak in?  Looks like I’ll have to mount up to go get some fixin’s.  
Speaking of wolves, be thankful this week that they have come in an’ pulled you down.  They travel in packs, yuh know.  That way they can come at you from all sides.  That’s one of the reasons I’ll always tell yuh to ride warily; keep that Bible and gun handy.  Don’t think so?  Just watch the news for a couple of hours.  Some of them are recognizable; like that ol’ lobo, but those she-wolves may be the most dangerous.  They are downright sneaky and mean.  Now pard, you can put all the analogies you want with them there wolves that are out to get yuh.
Well, pard, pot’s empty, cup’s dry, so we might as well hit the chores for the day.  Campin’ trip comin’ up for Thanksgivin’.  That’s been a regular plan for several years now at Thanksgiving.  Be sure to take time to give the good Lord thanks for all He has done!
And watch the trail carefully–check that cinch.

By ten thirty everyone was awake, fed and drunk enough coffee to create a world wide coffee shortage, or at least it seemed like it.”
–Lou Bradshaw

Come in pard, chilly out there. Got some of this hot java ready for your gullet this mornin’. Been a bit cold the past few days, but that’s the way its supposed to be this time of year. Yesterday was right nice. I like to do my writin’ outside and almost had to come in.
Say, that wasn’t you out a-howlin’ the other day was it? I reckoned it was just coyotes bayin’, but then I saw those snowflakes out howlin’ at the sky because Hillary still wasn’t elected. Stupidity added to stupidity. Were they hopin’ some sky god would come to their aid or just releasin’ suppressed stupidity from their stupid genes. Just so it weren’t you, pard!
Yuh gettin’ warm now? Is it the coffee or just the warmth of my personality? I know I’m ready for another cup; my gizzard hollered howdy when that first one settled down inside. Say, I’ve got another one for yuh. The more I hear and read, the more I get to shakin’ my head. People are supposed to be gettin’ smarter, but stupidity seems to reign. Did yuh see where a woman (? can’t be sure anymore) went to Taco Bell and ordered french fries? They politely informed her she was in the wrong fast food place. Then came the screamin’ and accusations of racism. Now, I tried hard to find the racism in Sugar Pops, but now because she was not given fries at Taco Bell, that company is racist. I’m believin’ more and more that the howl of racism is just an excuse for personal stupidity and laziness.
‘Nother cup, my you must have been cold. Ahhh, but it is tasty. How ’bout Germany? I think it starts in 2018, they must have a third gender on birth certificates. I’ve got one for them. They can check ____male ____female or ____duh. It’s time believers start lookin’ up, for I can’t see where the Lord is pleased. No wonder He raised the question about when He returns will He find faith on the earth.
Mercy! Do you realize that it’s almost pie time? Mmmm, mmmm, of course, some turkey to go along with the pies. Yuh better be out gettin’ the shoppin’ done. Say! Were yuh startin’ to mount without checkin’ yur cinch?