Cowboy Quotes

 Cowboy Quotes

“There's a simplicity and purity in a cowboy's way of life that I've always admired.” Clint Walker, who played Cheyenne Bodie in “Cheyenne.”

“Ben Cartwright was patterned after my father, who never saw 'Bonanza.' In that sense, my father will live for a long time.” Lorne Greene, who played Ben Cartwright in “Bonanza.”

“The characters I've played, especially Bret Maverick and Jim Rockford, almost never use a gun, and they always try to use their wits instead of their fists.” James Garner, who played Bret Maverick in “Maverick.”

“Nobody ever saw a cowboy on the psychiatrist's couch.” John Wayne.

“My movies were always clean. For 50 cents, they could send their kids down to see my pictures and know they would be entertained wholesomely.” Gene Autry, the “Singing Cowboy.”

“If they were man and wife, it would make a lot of difference. The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with.” James Arness, who played Marshal Dillon in “Gunsmoke,” explaining why Dillon never married Miss Kitty.

“He's stupid. The Lone Ranger treats him like some kind of servant, and this seems to suit Tonto fine.” Jay Silverheels, reflecting on his Tonto character in “The Lone Ranger.”

“What boy wouldn't love dressing up as a cowboy and getting paid for it! It was hard work, and I took it very seriously as an actor, but I was living in a dream.” Johnny Crawford, talking about his character, Mark McCain, in “The Rifleman.”

“Children need heroes like the Lone Ranger. This is important because these kids are young Americans. They are going to be running this country someday.” Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger.

Stranger: “Can you hit very hard?” Tom Brewster, played by Will Hutchins in “Sugarfoot,” answered: “No, but I'm a good ducker.”

“I've tried to make Hoppy a plain and simple man in manners and dress. Hoppy isn't a flashy character. He isn't illiterate. Nor is he smart-alecky. He doesn't use big words or bad words. After all, I felt that Hoppy might be looked up to and that children might try to pattern their lives after the man.” William Boyd, explaining how he played Hopalong Cassidy in cowboy movies.

“I try to make the (cowboy) pictures so that when a boy pays, say, 20 cents to see it, he will get 20 cents worth, and not 10. If I drop, you see, it would be like putting my hand in his pocket and stealing a dime.” Tom Mix, a star of silent cowboy shows.

“I never had been on a horse, and I thought guns were for the police until 'Bonanza' came along.” Lorne Greene.

“I can never get rid of 'The Rifleman,' and I don't want to. It's a good image.” Chuck Connors, who played Lucas McCain in “The Rifleman.”

“My problems with 'Bonanza' were problems of communication. What we discussed would be, never was. I thought it would be a sophisticated show. Instead, it never went beyond the comic strip level.” Pernell Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright in “Bonanza,” explaining why he left the show.

If you consider film an art form, as some people do, then the western would be a truly American art form, much as jazz is.” Clint Eastwood.

“I'm really proud of Gunsmoke. We put on a good show every week- one that families could all watch together without offending anyone.” Ken Curtis, who played Deputy Festus Haggen in “Gunsmoke.”

A Few Subjects that Come to Mind

In my early years, most of my heroes were athletes. There was the great Mickey Mantle patrolling center field for the Yankees, Jim Brown running over would-be tacklers, and Wilt Chamberlain scoring like no other NBA player ever had. These days, I still appreciate anyone with an extraordinary talent, whether it be in sports, acting, singing, or whatever, but they are no longer considered heroes.

Recently, I read a wonderfully written book by Arthur J. Magida entitled Two Wheels to Freedom. It's a true account of a young Jewish man who defied the odds by surviving in Hitler's Berlin during World War II. Before making a remarkable escape to Switzerland, he saved numerous lives by falsifying documents for other Jews. This young man was a hero.

His comrades in the underground were also real heroes. Many of them were caught, tortured, and then murdered, but while free, they helped save the lives of many fellow Jews.

The good news is this: One does not have to give one's life to be a real, honest hero. The parent who sacrifices for the child, the teacher who helps students see and reach their potential, the fireman who keeps a blaze from getting out of control, and the scientist who labors for years to develop a life-saving vaccine all fit my definition of heroes.

At the Senior Center

When I went to the men's restroom at the Senior Center, the following was posted on the door: “Open door slowly.” Talking about an obvious message! At my age, everything I do is done slowly or is not done at all! Outside, another sign said, “Do not throw butts onto pavement.” These are words of wisdom. If I did that, I'd have to wait for help to get it off the pavement. Besides, I'd probably throw my back out!

Don't Talk Politics

Unless you know an acquaintance has similar political views, I suggest you stay clear of politics. If a person has a political viewpoint opposed to your own, you have a better chance of insulting their mother and remaining friends than you have when discussing political issues. Some suggested “safe” topics: “the weather, the latest hit songs, your friend's new automobile, crabgrass, restaurants, full moons, and cleaning decks.

The Money Athletes Make

In college, I took both Economics 100 and 101, and I received an “A” in both, so I understand why pro (and now college) athletes receive so much money. First of all, what they provide is a commodity that literally millions of folks want to purchase, and second, only a relative handful of people can perform those tasks at such a high level. Yet, their pay seems ridiculous when compared to other “important” jobs.

Right before the kiddies come back to school, the teachers are usually given a pep talk, often by their superintendent, about how important they are in providing a fundamental education for children. When the speaker is finished, the teachers actually feel important, at least until payday arrives.

After five and a half years in college, my first salary was so low that my wife and I were able to purchase a house through a federal program for low-income earners! We ate lots of beans and franks, and I drove an old rusty Chevrolet that should have long before been retired to the junkyard. My bonus? I was allowed to keep the cheap pen with which I signed my contract.

Be Careful What You Say

My wife is the most wonderful person I know, but with that being said, like most of us, she has occasionally put her foot in her mouth. Several years ago, while we were visiting in New York City, we couldn't find our destination, so seeing a burly police officer, my better half asked and received the directions we needed. Always courteous, before leaving, she said to the officer, “Thank you, sir.” It was then that the officer informed us she was a female. It could have been worse-at least she didn't shoot us!

Joke of the Day

When you reach my age, a bowl of hot soup tops a hot date.

Are You REALLY Old?

You are getting old if your grandson asks if you voted for Lincoln.

You are really old if you answer “Yes.”

You are old if your first car had no air-conditioning.

You are really old if your first car started with a crank.

You are old if your childhood home had only one bathroom.

You are really old if your childhood bathroom was a small building behind the house.

You are old if, during childhood, you had no cell phone.

You are really old if you communicated with smoke signals.

You are old if your school performed “duck and cover” drills to be ready in case the enemy attacked with atomic bombs.

You are really old if your school practiced Indian raid drills.

You are old if your high school yearbook picture is in black and white.

You are really old if your high school picture is carved on a cave wall.

You are old if you paid a quarter to go to the movies.

You are really old if the movies were silent.

You are old if you remember when gas cost 50 cents a gallon.

You are really old if you bought hay for your horses instead of gasoline for a car.

You are old if you remember when teachers used the paddle.

You are really old if you were taught in a one-room schoolhouse.

You are old if you owned a hula-hoop.

You are really old if you owned a pet dinosaur.

You are old if you learned to write in cursive.

You are really old if you wrote in hieroglyphics.

You are old if you remember watching Looney Tunes.

You are really old if you remember reading “Mutt and Jeff.”

You are old if you used a slide rule in math.

You are really old if you used an abacus.

Andy Lang was One of a Kind

 

Andy Lang was One of a Kind

Andy Lang was an excellent middle school math teacher. He certainly knew math, and he knew how to teach it, but he also created an environment in which his students were loved and encouraged. Andy took his profession seriously, but not overly so, for he loved and enjoyed life. Andy almost always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. In other words, he was one of those special teachers that students never forget. (Fortunately, our school was blessed with several such teachers.)

Andy loved food, especially candy bars, potato chips, cookies, and, of course, his beloved Pepsi. One day, he walked into the teachers' lunchroom, only to discover a tray of food on the table.

“Whose food is that?” he asked. I told him that Miss X was about to eat when she was summoned to take a telephone call. “That would be a shame if the food spoiled,” Andy replied before leaving the room.

About ten minutes later, Andy reappeared. “Still not back?” he asked. “If she's gone much longer, that meal will be ruined.” Then he departed once again.

Five minutes later, Andy reentered the lunchroom. “I've never been one to waste food,” he said before devouring everything on the tray. Always considerate, Andy then took the empty tray back to the cafeteria.

A few minutes later, Miss X entered the room and went ballistic: “Where is my food? Did you hide it?”

“No, Andy didn't want it to spoil, so he ate it!” I responded. Never before had I seen her so angry. “Wait until I get my hands on him!” she bellowed.

Andy, always the gentleman, bought Miss X another lunch. He was one of the least selfish people I've ever met; he simply ate her lunch because he could not stand the thought of good food going to waste.

My wife, who is a wonderful cook, often gave me homemade cookies and slices of cake or pie to take to Andy. He was always thankful for any goodies.

Once, I told my students I was going to give them a math test just to see how they were doing. “You have ten candy bars. You eat two of them before giving the rest to Mr. Lang to keep for you until the end of the school day. At the end of the day, how many candy bars would you have left?”

All the students confidently replied, “Eight.” They were surprised when I said that was an incorrect answer. A few even worked out the problem with pencil and paper and got the same answer.

Once I explained the situation, knowing Mr. Lang's love of sweets, they agreed that the answer was zero. He would have eaten those candy bars, but then he would have bought twice as many to give back to the kids.

Although Andy ate so many sweets, he never put on extra pounds. One of our other teachers, Bill Williamson, was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. Likewise, Andy loved the great outdoors, but much of his outdoor time was spent at work. Those chores gave him pleasure and kept him in shape.

When it came to meetings, Andy was my hero. Our school had a system of teaming that required numerous meetings. I was told that the year before I arrived, the principal had called for an after-school meeting. After the teachers settled in, the principal told them the purpose of the meeting was to see if they needed a meeting!

Anyway, if a meeting went on too long, Andy began to feel the need to rest. Somehow, someway, with his eyes closed, he was able to take a nap without flinching or salivating onto his face and shirt. I have no idea how Andy developed these skills, but I certainly admired his abilities.

I am thankful to have worked with and become friends with Andy Lang. He was an excellent teacher but even a better human being. He made this little section of the Earth a better place. We will never forget you, Andy. Rest in peace.