One Less Cowboy

I received word last night that my Uncle Buff Rutherford passed away.  He is the "real cowboy" I dedicated my "West is the Best" poem to.  As a child (growing up watching television shows like Bonanza, The Big Valley, and the Wild, Wild West) my uncle seemed like a super hero to me.  As I got older, I grew to understand that he was just a regular man - but a man of great faith, a generous spirit, and a very hard worker who deeply loved his family and friends.  If I could aspire to be half the man he was, I'd be doing pretty good.

The local newspaper for the area where he lived most of his life just published a two part story about him last month - a fitting tribute to a man just before this death.
http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?040+article+News+20100629163340040040003
http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?040+article+News+20100706165551040040003

I was fortunate to have hand written a letter to him just in time for him to read it - about the recent passing of his sister, my Crazy Aunt Jean.  Her book about their young lives is still available.
http://www.amazon.com/Colorado-Whoopenhollars-Living-Despite-Depression/dp/1441529896
Another Colorado Whoopenhollar has gone to heaven.

RIP Crazy Aunt Jean

Colorado Whoopenhollers

Slow hot Sunday at the Field Lab....laundry, breakfast with Ronaldo, some reading and 2 naps is all I managed today. Photo of the day is my partially collapsed fire pit. Been meaning to move it as it disrupts traffic flow by the house (obviously).

The real news of the day is that my Aunt's book, "The Colorado Whoopenhollars" is available for sale now. This will appeal especially to folks who lived through the Depression or just long for a simpler time, so order one for you, or your parents or your grandparents...etc. I can hook up anyone interested with a special message autographed copy if you like. http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=60879 or http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+colorado+whoopenhollars&x=13&y=17 And check out her interview for a local newspaper http://www.clearcreekcourant.com/ type in Jean Duaine in the search bar on the top right of the page to go to the story ...she has the same philosophy as the Field Lab. Hmmmmm...I wondered where I got that from....