Counting Your Lucky Stars I always knew in the back of my mind that this time would come one day, a time for me to put out the fire and store these Dutch ovens away. I can’t believe it’s been forty years it seems like only yesterday. I always loved being outdoors even if there wasn’t much pay. I still work from the same old wagon as I did way back then. I wouldn’t change much in my life if I had it to do over again. This coffee pot was left to me by my grandpa Jack on my daddy’s side. He was buried on the spot where he made his last pot just west of Ft. Worth about a days ride. This apron was made by someone special when I lived in Wyoming in the town of Medicine Hat. I never made it back and that’s one thing I regret and that’s all I’m going to say about that. You see that rolling pin on the table over there? It belonged to my mother and when she died she left it in my care. That knife on the cutting board once belonged to my dad. He had many knives but this was the favorite one he had. That biscuit cutter is special too. It belonged to the cook that rode with the Goodnight crew. If all these things on this wagon could talk they’d tell the story of a grateful man. I’ve always got to live my life to the fullest and see all of this beautiful land. Of all these things there’s one I cherish the most. It’s my old worn out bible about the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Lately something has been brothering me inside and it’s really giving me the blues. As I start to get closer to the end of the trail I wonder who’s going to fill my shoes. I never had a wife or a son of my own I’ve spent to much time out here. So who’s going to pick up where I left off when it’s time to pack my gear? I guess the Lord takes care of fools and one old cowboy cook. I had a young man come in early today and ask if he had what it took. I said by all means as I stirred the beans you have come to the right place. I’ll teach him a trade and a cook will be made and I can leave with a smile on my face. Steve Mckinney 08/30/2012
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 11:52:08 +0000