Home, home on the web…
In at number one this week: Abraham Lincoln for “the coolest-sounding presidential name of all time”.
Jokes aside, it’s a very good intro from the Times to US political history for those watching the Obama / McCain fight from the wings.
No Country For Old Men star Tommy Lee Jones has been chosen as one of the 2009 inductees into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
The Coen brothers cast Jones first when making the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel and described him as “the real thing” as far as Texas and Texans are concerned.
I remember reading an interview with him in Empire magazine around the time the film came out where he described how he loved going to work on a movie set just down the road from his house. I can’t see him living in Hollywood!
The Induction Ceremony takes place at 7pm on Thursday 15 January 2009 and entry into the ranks of Texan cowboys is described as:
the highest honor we bestow on individuals who have shown excellence in competition, business, and support of rodeo and the western lifestyle in Texas
No Country For Old Men though was not the first time Jones starred in a cowboy themed movie - remember Space Cowboys? Probably as enjoyable as the biker gang tribute Wild Hogs…..
I just really like something about this photo from top blogger Reverse Cowgirl’s Flickr photostream of a billboard ad for Wells Fargo shot against a blueish sky.
As the company themselves say: “As symbol of our image, heritage, and values, the legendary stagecoach is priceless”.
Oddly enough, to bring the company bang up to date in the wonderful Web 2.0, social-media-powered 21st century they’ve gone and created ‘the Wells Fargo Stagecoach Island Community‘.
Black Bart must be spinning in his grave!
If you get a chance to ride one of the remaining stages one day be sure not to hog the buffalo robes and if you must drink, share the bottle. We don’t want other passengers thinking you’re “selfish and unneighborly”.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!
The good old National Trust, home of stately piles, clotted cream teas and exotically stocked gift shops, have taken the Wild West to heart by appointing Lisa Hawthornthwaite as the first modern cowgirl in charge of 1,850 acres of grazing land at Studland Heath in Dorset.
The London Metro paper claims they even had applicants from ranches in South America!
Trust bosses created the role because an increasing number of visitors meant the cows could not roam freely as they did up until the early 20th century… Rather than put up fences to control them, the trust decided to revive the cowherding tradition.
As I sit here in my London office the thought of joining the Conservation Cowgirl herding 40 cattle round this beachside patch is very appealing!
Page 68 and the end of the Wagon Train story sees the settlers on their way out west:
Finally, let us say that it wasn’t all danger and hardship. When the wagon trains halted for the night and the camp-fires were lighted and, at last, a hot meal was eaten by hungry men, women and children, then would men with musical instruments of all kinds, from the fiddle to the hunble jew’s harp, strike up a song of the West or, maybe, some old tune that reminded the emigrants of the homes they had left for ever.
Then the canvas flaps of the great wagons would be laced securely and the emigrants would wrap themselves in their blankets for the night. Yet not all would sleep away the hours of darkness. Shadowy figures, each with a gun in the crook of his arm, would keep guard, ready to give the alarm the moment that danger threatened. Thus did men and women and carefree children of all ages pioneer their way across a great continent in the covered wagon trains of the days of the Golden West.
Here’s another western themed eBay find - a vintage cowgirl playing card. I’m guessing it’s 1940s or 50s era as the artwork is in the style of the old WWII bomber nose art.
The card, the king of diamonds, features a happy, smiling blonde wearing only a cowboy hat, boots and underwear. It must have been considered the perfect cowgirl costume for some late night poker with your cowboy pals!
The card is advertising one ‘Atlas Mineral Products Co.’ of Mertztown, PA. A quick Google and I find that Atlas Minerals & Chemicals was founded in 1892 and the company still exists today. The corporate website states:
The year 2007 marked 115 years of service for Atlas Minerals & Chemicals. And as we look back on our history with pride, we also look forward to the future with a spirit of enthusiasm. Today, Atlas is regarded as a leader in the field of corrosion-resistant mortars and grouts, and floorings and linings.
