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There are cowboys...and there are .....cowboys...

I've read the soul of the artist comes out in the paint through what is in their soul...

I thought I'd share a couple photos of my dad...where the love of horses, cattle and the working way of life came through to me.

The first photo is of dad shortly out of WWII and the Airforce....the second photo is him in his 70's, still riding all the time. 

There are all sorts of cowboys...I enjoy painting and photos of most....

Dad lived his life on the back of a horse, from the time he was tiny on a white horse named "Muggins" given to him by his brother Louie. He said he was so excited when he learned Muggins was his, he ran to the barn grabbing Muggins by the back legs in a big hug, where Muggins proceeded to kick both feet in the air throwing dad across the barn, not hurt physically, just his pride, he said he never walked up behind a horse again without them knowing he was there, especially in the dark!

We have photos of dad trick riding, holding the saddle horn, flipping over from side to side, 
Johnny circa 1946


Johnny circa 1993
feet in the air,  with the horse on a gallop. He was a physical education instructor in the Airforce.

He had a big mare Sally, he snubbed many horses to BIG SAL. As far as I know, he never took the time to rodeo, but it's rare to see someone ride as easy as he did in the saddle...his horses would lay their ears back, dig down and cut out a cow on a dime...you better be able to ride, or not crawl on them....

As I said, there are all kinds of cowboys....men and women....some live their lives satisfied in the fact they know what they and their horse can do, and content that very few even know of the quality of work they do, except them and God.

There are cowboys....and there are cowboys.....I was one that was lucky to be raised by one of the best I've seen.

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