As he poured boiling water through the coffee grounds, the aroma that reached his nostrils was indescribably delicious.”
              –Tony Hillerman (Coyote Waits)

Was hopin’ yuh be showin’ up soon.  I got to ponderin’, time changes things.  Now don’t go gettin’ philosophical on me, I was just meanin’ that tomorrow the clocks go back an hour.  Time’s gonna change.
    I’m not gonna hold my breath come next Tuesday either.  Yuh know, I just don’t understand people.  In fact, I’m understanding them less and less.  Given the facts, I convinced that many want to be blind to the facts, or simply don’t care about them.  I remember what the natives said about bureaucrats–they speak with forked tongue.  Politicians have always displayed lies and deception, but now there is a real hatred as well along with a double standard.  Yuh better be knowin’ which side yur standin’ on!  That’s a fact!
    How’s that coffee this mornin’?  At least some things stay close to the same.  This world we live in is definitely becoming more and more bizarre.  I was thinkin’ that the heavenly horses are beginnin’ to strain some at the bit.  It’s about time for that trumpet to sound.  No matter what anyone says, right will never be wrong, and right will always be right.  People are now despisin’ the truth, but it is the truth that sets us free.  Pard, you hand on tight to that truth!  Don’t be a waverin’ none and watch out for that “fake news.”
    Yuh come by again next week; I’ll have the coffee on.  In the meantime check yur cinch.   

Look at that fire!  It’s our fire, in our own fireplace.  Smell that coffee…and listen to the rain.”
              –Louis L’Amour  (The Rider of the Ruby Hills)

It’s upon us again Pard, another Saturday.  Still rainin’ in some parts; that’s makes the water rise.  No worries at our place, but some are strugglin’ with the threat of floodin’.  Weather is almost as crazy as some of those nuts floatin’ around out there stirrin’ up trouble and wrath.  You be on yur watch!  If you happen to see that ol’ hombre Noah out there, latch onto him.  He’s known to be a good guy to have around durin’ times of high water.
    It was some chilly the first part of the week.  I sat myself down one day, stretched out my legs, and covered myself with my little quilt.  The wife came out a little while later and asked what in the world I was doin’.  I told her “practicin'”  Cold weather will be comin’ our way soon, and thought I just get in some practicin’ for it until it came.  Always good to practice for the expected.
    Goin’ to work on my holster today.  I want it all cleaned and ready just in case I need to slip the ol’ peacemaker in it.  I went to Tombstone a few years back and talked with the sheriff there.  He told me the next time I come back I’d better be packin’.  Don’t know if it was for a showdown, or just for me to be aware that all is not peaceful in this here country of ours.
    Good coffee this mornin’.  The missus bought me some of that 1850 Black Gold coffee.  How ’bout that taste?  Ahhh, makes the gizzard smile despite the troubles in the land.  Speaker of my peacemaker I have a tie with peacemakers on it.  I call it my Bible tie for the Holy Writ says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.”  Keep that in mind the next time you strap on that hog-leg.
    Time to be a-gettin’ along down the trail.  You be watchin’ all around you; there could be something on the trail ready to spring out.  And for the sake of yur health and the peace of mind of yur loved ones–check that cinch!
                       Ira

Coffee’s ready, and it’s the way you bronco bustin’ western men like it…hot, black, and strong enough to float a horseshoe.”
              –Lou Bradshaw  (Along the Way)

Morning to yuh, pard.  I got up ‘fore graylight to get the coffee ready; figured yuh be comin’ by sometime this mornin’.  Ahhh, nice to be back in the house and drinkin’ that hot nectar.  One thing ’bout bein’ on the road is that there are places that have sufficient tastin’ coffee, but few where it really hits the spot.  Don’t why I didn’t do it, but I usually keep a pot on the steel mount when I’m out travelin’.  Taste that coffee; yuh wouldn’t believe it, but I’ve seen folk put water in my coffee sayin’ it’s too strong.  Some things yuh just can’t figure out.
    Like the election comin’ up.  For the life of me I just can’t figure out why folk would vote socialist.  Shows they don’t know their history.  Also shows somethin’ of their character.  Listen, nothin’s free–yuh better get that through yur noggin’.
    I took a trip to the city yesterday.  Tell yuh what, I’ve sure gotten used to the sounds out in the country.  The noise in the city, well, it’s downright annoyin’!  ‘Bout the biggest racket I hear out here is from the crows.  Now for sure they can make a racket, but it’s not like the trucks, cars, and other noises where there’s loads of people.
    Ahhhh, go ahead, finish that cup, there’s plenty more.  I know a person can hear the voice of the Lord in the city.  That ol’ parson, D.L. Moody had been prayin’ for more of God and the Lord visited him on the streets of the big city.  But to my way of thinkin’, the silence that can be found in His great majestic cathedral that He created makes it easier.  Either place, the key is to be a-listenin’!  That’s one thing that’s happened since I’ve retired, at least to a certain extent.  I can sit back, read, and ponder more than I used to do.  
    You be havin’ yurself a good week.  Be sure an’ enjoy the Lord’s Day tomorrow, keep yur gun oiled and by yurside, get into yur Bible, and for goodness sake when yuh mount up, check yur cinch.

With the handle wrapped in his handkerchief, he took up the coffeepot.  He stepped around the fire and poured, savoring scent and steam.”
              –Ralph Peters (Valley of the Shadow)

Morning, Pard.  Yep, graylight’s beginnin’ to show.  I slept in some as the wife and I arrived home yesterday evenin’.  Sure was nice that the baby daughter and her kids were at the house and had the soup on.  That’s somethin’ their mother taught them, she learnt it from Granny:  have the soup on when travelers come in from their wanderin’s.  Not only was it hot, but it was more than soup–chicken ‘n’ dumplin’s, the coffee was on, and she even made some cookies.  Made me feel right at home; hmmm, I was at home.
    Coffee’s pretty good this mornin’; take a deep sip.  Ahhhh…wife made the coffee, not bad.  That should get yuh goin’ for the day.  We saw a bunch of country on the way home.  The good Lord kept his hands on us.  We traveled mostly secondary and back roads.  Very little traffic–that was nice, in fact, along the Natchez Trace almost no traffic.  Drive is a little slower, but that’s all right.  Get tired of people rushin’ here and there.
    Don’t want to get my gizzard riled, but the vote on the Judge is today.  Folks have to understand that this vote ain’t about what he might have done.  It’s a vote on the light versus darkness.  I just can’t understand why they have made this a feminist thing; can’t understand why a mother would want to put their unborn infant to death.  Well, pard, we’ll see.
    Good to be back.  I’m a little achy.  We hiked down to see Jackson Falls along the Trace and I pulled a muscle in my upper right calf.  Been hobblin’ on it a couple of days now.  The ol’ fence post gets a few extra aches this days.
    Pard, lots of nonsense is startin’ so yuh better right alert an’ ready.  For goodness sake, be sure an’ check yur cinch.