What inspires you dear hearts and gentle readers?

Don’t say “nothin’, ’cause that’s just not true. We all function on inspiration in my humble opinion. Good or bad I believe that’s what we do.

On occasion you will notice in my cartoon panel “Hoots from the O-NO Ranch” in this fine paper, a mountain scene. Sometimes I try and create large vistas of pine covered forest without taking away from the general intent of the cartoon. My favorite cartoon panel as a young man was Rick O’Shay. It was created by a Montana artist whom I cannot name at the moment. I believe he is deceased, however it a subject matter that I believe he knew well. Rick O’Shay was the local lawman and his sidekick was a “fast gun” by the name of Hipshot Percussion. These two hombres always were in the mountains either hunting two legged or four legged game. Living in hot, dusty West Texas for over 35 years the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana were places I had been and swore to myself some time, some day I will get me some of that! I did. The mountains to me are an almost sacred if not congested with condos, ski resorts etc.

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On a still summer day in the high country I think most anyone can find peace and harmony that just cannot be compared. There is mystery there and it always inspired me to be there especially if I was a’horseback drifting across a sagebrush covered meadow surrounded by “quakies” and those beautiful Ponderosa Pines. I can view those magnificent mountains as I gaze out this window in front of my computer.

There are other things that inspire me as well. Happy, playful children, baby calves that have decided to test their legs and show off a little by runnin’ circles around the herd seems to give me a burst of energy.

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I’m inspired by really good gospel music. It touches special places in my heart as “Little Miss Martha” and her mom both played a lot of Gaither gospel music and it seems to bring out a certain amount of satisfaction like a good travlin’ hoss when you got places to go and things to do.

Good men and good dogs and good horses all inspire me also. I can learn something from all of them.

Of course good women are the backbone of this country and yes, I am so inspired when I am in the presence of a really good, sweet, kind and patient woman.

I have just received some inspiration to make a trip to the market and get some Gatorade. I have been down with a stomach virus for a few days and do believe for sure that I have survived to find myself subject to more inspiration.

Stay tuned, check yer cinch on occasion, stand tall, be that good man or that good woman, and I’ll c y’all, all y’all. ❖