October 2011 Blog Posts (56)

My grandfather showed me how to make a "Soda Water Fizz". He had them in the late 1800s. You'd added a little sugar and vinegar to a glass of water. Then vigorously stir in a teaspoon of baking soda. The fizz would pour the top of the glass like the head of a beer. Jeepers those were good. I wonder if there were other fun drinks for kids.

October 31, 2011

   Back from the Old Pueblo, Dragoon, Amerind Museum, Sunsites, Pearce, Gleeson, Tombstone, Bisbee, Naco and Saint David.

Had a book signing in the O.K. Corral. Met some great people. Sold a ton of books and even three posters. Johnny One Dog gifted me a six pack of homemade root beer. Ben Traywick came by and said hello. Invited me down to his studio-store. Went down after the book signing and looked at a couple photos, one of Kaloma…

A lot of talk has been going on about rigging on western saddles.

Rather than hi-jacking a topic, I thought I would post this.

Western saddles have a variety of cinchas.

The older, pre-1900 were mostly "center-fire" which means the cincha was center of the saddle, directly under or even slightly to the rear of the stirrup straps. This was uncorfortable for horse and rider. It also allowed the saddle to "tip."

Then the cincha got…

Bob or anybody really if you could answer this, on pg 23 a fellow is sporting a bibbed shirt, and it appears to be wool with leather fringe, is it? Did they mix material like that? Also would be nice to have a date for this photo.

And on pg 33 same photo as the cover, is there a date for that photo?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Buck

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Tombstone...

Writer and actor Billy Crouch is trying to fund a low budget film called "Zombie Billy of Tombstone."  The premise of the film is that Billy Clanton climbs our of his grave at Boot Hill to get revenge on the descendants of Wyatt Earp who just happen to be visiting Tombstone.  The trailer can be found at the link below. 

http://youtu.be/GovdkxF-2AI

      I can't tell you how Alvin's doing. It's been a while since I seen him. You see, Alvin and I don't spend too much time together. Not like we used to. It goes back to that time we went up to Carter's to help them round up their cattle. Looking' back, I reckon I was a bit rough on him, but I thought he had a better sense of humor.

     There was about ten of us who volunteered to help out. Neighbors rode over on horseback, and some hauled their horses in from as far as fifty…

Hello my friends, 

I am sharin' my dreams with you again, episode 3 of Arizona Country TV is up and they just keep getting BETTER!

Go to 

www.ArizonaCountryTV.com

Anyone can watch the show, anytime right there on the website.
Please let me know what you think!

Keepin' the west alive,

Bobbi Jeen Olson

October 27, 2011

   Heading for Tombstone tomorrow and getting extra books and posters to take along. Driving over to Tri Star at lunch time and then meeting Dan The Man Harshberger at two for a design conference at his studio. Also, working on logistics for the following weekend's Wild West Days in Cave Creek. Big parade (I'll be firing off a gun with the mayor) and then a big dinner at Cartwright's next door. Busy couple of weeks.

An Open…

Hi Mr Boze Bell. Was wondering if you could answer a question for us cowpokes in Minnesota.  With this being the 130th Anniversary of the Gunfight near The OK Corral we were wondering if any of the participants in the shootout were actually WEARING their Badges during the fight?  Thanks much!!

October 26, 2011

   Rained last night and the desert smells great this morning. Finishing up copy for our Tenth Annual Best of the West where we honor those who keep the traditions alive. If you know any of these people, tell them they should be pretty dog gone happy in the next couple of weeks: Jay Dusard, Josh Hay, Michael Wallis, Baxter Black, Richard Wheeler, S. C Gwynne, BJ, Thom Ross, Gary Ernest Smith, Gib Singleton, General Palmer, Brian Lebel, Don Ensley,…

And studying the whole thing in the wake of it -- even in its era -- has given many a headache since.  Did Tom McLaury have a gun ?  Who lied during testimony and who didn't ?  Will they ever find the actual Coroner's report ?  etc, etc.     

Here's a solid example of what my efforts produced, in addition to a migraine:

 …

I found this in my inbox and I think it's a great story. True? Fiction? Who cares.

Story from A Kansas State Highway Patrol Officer:

I made a traffic stop on and elderly lady the other day for speeding on U.S. 166

Eastbound and Mile Marker 73 just east of Sedan, KS. I asked for her drivers…

October 25, 2011

   In honor of Picasso's birthday today (in 1881) and the fact that it's 24 hours before the Gunfight Behind The O.K. Corral, I went home for lunch and whipped out this little ditty, which I call. . .

"Cubism At The O.K.…

October 25, 2011

   Just realized that Pablo Picasso was born on this date in 1881, which means he was born the day before the Gunfight Behind The O.K. Corral. There's a Cubist painting waiting to happen at lunchtime today, if I ever heard of one. Ha.

   And speaking of the O.K. Corral I will be signing my books there this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 …

Some people traveled by riding a wagon, some by trains, ships, etc. Willie Keils was a little different. In 1855 he died as his family prepared to head west. Ailing 19 yr old Willie made his father promise to not leave him behind if he should die before they left. He did die, so his father…

October 24, 2011

   Finalizing details on a big Tombstone book signing this coming Saturday in the O.K. Corral. Tim Fattig is setting it up. In addition to me signing books in the corral, there will be a funeral for the cowboys going down Allen Street at noon. Loooks like a crowd from here is going along, including our production manager Robert Ray and one of our account reps, Shannon Schwind.

   Speaking of Tombstone, the LA Times ran a piece…

Stephen Marche (see below) is not against counterfactual drama -- nor was Shakespeare for that matter -- but against counterfactual drama masquerading (masquerading, hm, how Shakespearian) as fact.

Speaking of drama vs. history: Margin Call, which I saw last night.  Im yold that for those who know high finance, the story had lots of holes, but it's more of an event-based fable, crackling with terrific acting by Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, and Stanley Tucci, among…