Cowboy Thanksgivings: More Beans, Less Bird

In the Wild West, there were no football games, no refrigerators, and certainly no fancy gravy boats. Instead, Thanksgiving for a cowboy often meant Dutch ovens in the dirt, beans by the fire, and gratitude that you and your horse made it through another year.

Gratitude, Cowboy-Style

Cowboys weren’t known for long speeches, but they understood gratitude. Things they might be thankful for:

A horse that stayed sure-footed.

Their saddle and bedroll.

Dry socks and boots that hadn’t worn through.

A cook who didn’t burn the biscuits.

Another sunrise on the trail.

Did Cowboys Even Celebrate 

Thanksgiving during 

the Wild West Era?

Thanksgiving didn’t become an official national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of thanks in the middle of the Civil War.

For most cowboys, it was just another day of dust, sore muscles, hard tack and beans. But on a ranch or in town, they might have a hearty dinner.

Frontier Feasts

Turkeys weren’t always around depending on the region. Venison, rabbit, or prairie chicken were easily hunted. On cattle ranches, beef sometimes stole the show.

Beans, sourdough cornbread, and potatoes were common.

Frontier families relied on root veggies like turnips and carrots, or dried beans and peas from the summer’s harvest.

If flour and sugar were on hand, Dutch oven pies made with dried apples or pumpkins were a treat. One cowboy trick was soaking dried fruit in whiskey before baking—both dessert and drink in one slice.

And don’t forget the cowboy coffee. Strong enough to “float a horseshoe.”

Kicking up their heels

Barns, churches, and saloons doubled as dining halls. After eating, musicians might grab their fiddles or harmonicas, people square danced, and many a man told tall tales.

What are you thankful for? 

Feel free to add your comments.

I am thankful I don’t live in the Wild West days. Cooking over a campfire every night? Hard pass. Grocery shopping is plenty of cardio.

I am thankful for my friends, family, and readers.

I am thankful for my health and a cozy place to hang my hat.

I wish everyone a blessed day.

Hugs,

Niki J. Mitchell

 

DO YOU LOVE ART? by Reggi Allder

How about western/cowboy art? I do. Before I changed my college major to writing, I studied art history. Of course, we learned about the classics. However, I was raised in a small town. Before, moving to a city, I grew up around Western art. It hung in the library, bank, and restaurant my family frequented.

My grandad had an old friend who was a cowboy in his younger days. Clyde had spent many days on the range with the cattle. He used to fascinate us with his stories and his rope tricks. At one point, he had been a rodeo champion, roping steers. But his claim to fame was his painting. A self-taught artist, he drew from his knowledge of the range. He painted what he knew, outdoor scenes with horses, cattle and watering holes. I remember my dad telling me that the mural I admired in the nearby hotel was done by our family friend. He never became a household name, still he gave enjoyment to all who saw his work. We are lucky to have one of his paintings. It is not named but was painted in the California Sierra Mountains.

In college, I searched out other more famous artist in the Western genre. In my research, I discovered Fredric Remington served as a war correspondent for the New York Journal in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Much of Remington's early writing was reportorial; he later produced short stories, eight anthologies of previously published magazine articles and two novels. I was only aware of his sculptures and later his paintings.

His works of art are in many museums; I saw Fredric Remington’s work in a museum in Los Angeles. I believe it was a sculpture called Bronco Buster. Reminton was born in Canton, New York in 1861. His museum is in Ogdensburg, New York. Though Remington is often remembered for his sculptures of cowboys and their horses, he did many painting of cowboys, Native Americans, and vaqueros. His work is still available today in prints and copied sculptures. Here are a few examples: Smoke Signals

and Vaquero and Morning on the Range.

Our Country Heart book 3 of the Sierra Creek Series has a vaquero, Manuel Gordon, a cowboy who has come back to his home town to start over after years on the rodeo circuit.

OUR COUNTRY HEART Sierra Creek Series Book 3 of 4. Five Stars: “The book was so good, I didn’t want it to end.” “A stand-alone book with great characters!” “If you love cowboys, small towns, second chances, and real-to-life characters, the Sierra Creek books are for you!” Revewed by NL “Perfect when you need a feel-good read.” Now in paperback too! ON AMAZON Have you ever made a mistake you would do anything to change? An actress from Los Angeles and an all-around champion cowboy return to the small town of Sierra Creek to right a wrong. Can they ignore the past and put aside their personal problems for the good of the town? Are they wrong to have confidence in their ability to work together? A man is in town to help reopen the lumber mill. Why is he determined to get in their way and cause trouble? This is one of four books that take place in the small town of Sierra Creek. The engaging characters in the other Sierra Creek books return for another heartwarming read. Find out how Amy, Vanna, Sophie, and their partners are doing. Amazon Page https://www.amazon.com/Reggi-Allder/e/B00G05PJRS If danger and romance is for you, try my first book in the Dangerous Series Dangerous Web

Please leave a comment and tell me your favorite kind of art, just click on comments.

Polar Vortex. Have You Ever Gone to Bed Wearing Your Coat Because it was So Cold? by Reggi Allder

 

   To say it has been cold this winter, is an understatement.

   Arctic outflow is a weather event that occurs when cold air from the Arctic flows into other communities. This can lead to strong winds and dangerously low temperatures.

   According to the National Weather Service, the polar vortex is a large area of low-pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s poles. It exists near the poles but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter. The term "vortex" refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles. During winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream. This occurs somewhat regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large occurrences of Arctic air in Canada and the United States. 

   Those not used to this kind of weather may not be ready or have the needed supplies to manage in this type of a disaster. As a writer of contemporary westerns, I think back to the Midwest and Western states and wonder how people in one-room log cabins survived in that weather, not to mention the domestic animals struggling in the freezing wind and snow. 

    Sometimes under life-threatening circumstances, the cowboys in the Old West did what they could to prevent the loss of cattle, and other livestock, and still take care of themselves. 

 

     However. I bet cowboys, back then, would have appreciated a big bowl of soup. 

For all who would like to have a veggie and chicken soup recipe with interesting vegetables, read below.

Vegetable Soup with Chicken or not.

Vegetable soup with chicken and fresh vegetables. Enjoy any day you want fresh veggie soup.

Prep Time: about 10 minutes

Cook Time: about 20 minutes or until vegetables are ready

Total Time: about 30 minutes

Servings: about 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken or vegan broth
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or butter, dairy, or vegan
• 3 medium carrots thinly sliced
• 2 celery stocks, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or garlic powder to your taste
• 8 ounces green beans, ends trimmed, halved
• 1 cup Baby Bok Choy, diced
• 12 ounces cooked chicken, diced or not if you prefer
• Chicken may be left out and a vegetable broth may be used for a vegan soup.

Instructions

1.              Heat oil or butter in a stockpot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onions to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned, and onions begin to become translucent.

2.              Add green beans, diced Baby Bok Choy, and chicken broth, or vegan broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until veggies are soft.

3.              If you are using chicken, add chicken to the pot, and stir. Remove from heat and serve.

     Many of my books have food as part of the plot. A caterer and a woman who owns a organic apple farm are heroines in a suspense book. Dangerous Money and  a Western contemporary, the start of the small town romance series, book one of four. Her Country Heart, Sierra Creek Series  

Excerpt: Dangerous Money Book Three of 4 in the Dangerous Series by Reggi Allder.

In the midnight gloom of a residential street in Carmel, California, business owner Kathryn Carlyle watched the city’s dim lights from the back seat of a speeding police car. She gasped for air as dread tightened her throat. This can’t be happening to me.

The catering van driven to billionaire software developer Conner Harrison’s birthday party had been impounded by the police as evidence. She rubbed her throbbing temples to release the pain accumulated there.

Two blocks from her beachfront condo, she snatched a breath of air. “Please stop. I have to get out.”

The middle-aged officer guided the patrol car to the curb. “We’re not finished with you. Go, but don’t leave town.”

He’d probably been waiting all night to use that cliché. Don’t leave town. She almost laughed, except nothing funny had happened tonight.

She exited the car and inhaled the sea breeze as it rustled her hair. It was a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere that contaminated the police station where she’d spent the last few hours. How long before the officer came back to arrest her?

Relieved to return to her safe neighborhood, she took a deeper breath, kicked off her black leather pumps, and sat on a driftwood log overlooking the serene bay.

She swallowed as nausea swirled in her stomach. The fact that she hadn't eaten since breakfast didn’t help. Because she was always nervous before an event, she’d planned to eat after Mr. Harrison’s party. Now he hovered near death. The thought of eating brought bile to the back of her throat. Why did the authorities think she’d poisoned a man she’d only met once?

A nightmare had snared her and was holding her in its grip. When Mr. Harrison died, the charge against her would be murder in the first degree.

As the realization crept through her, she tensed. Two deep breaths calmed her but didn’t stop the headache from forming over her right eye.

True, she’d had the opportunity to poison him, but no motive. She only met him because he’d asked her to cater his birthday party. With his death, there was nothing to gain and a lot to lose; her reputation, her business, her life.

In the morning, the police would sort out the truth of her innocence. Still, adrenaline caused her heart to race. She rubbed her temples and tried not to think anymore.

A gust of wind circled her. She shivered and folded her arms in front of her. Damn. Her suit jacket was still in the patrol car.

Kathryn stood, brushed the sand from the back of her skirt, and picked up her high heels and shoulder bag. Time to go home. Sleep was doubtful, but at least she’d put up her sore feet.

Leaves crunched somewhere in the shadows of the nearby trees, she squinted into the darkness but didn’t see anyone. Even so, fear gripped her.

She forced her swollen feet back into her pumps and walked quickly up the dimly lit street. The click of her heels echoed in the quiet night air. The desire to flee from an unknown danger increased the speed of her footsteps.

The street was empty, except for a black truck parked at the curb. The pickup’s engine revved. The cab light was on and cast an eerie glow on the driver’s face. He smiled at her.

As she thought about waving to let him know the headlights were off, the vehicle drove straight at her. It jumped the curb, sideswiped her, and sent her flying.

With a thud, she landed on the muddy front lawn of a neighboring condominium. The sound of the engine faded as the vehicle disappeared.

She lay motionless on the ground. Cold mud oozed into the fabric of her skirt. A twinge jabbed her and terror banged against her rib cage.

Overriding the sense of shock was her need to go home where she’d be safe. She grabbed the strap of her purse and attempted to stand. Pain shot through her hip and down her leg. She fell back into the mud.

A man dressed in black came out of the darkness and stood over her. Before she could cry out, he bent down and covered her mouth with his huge hand.

 “Don’t scream. You’ll wake the whole damn neighborhood." Buy link Dangerous Money 

 “…This book has it all. Fast-paced, plot-driven conflicts and characters that you can’t tear yourself away from lift it from an ordinary story to a darn good read.”—Mimi Barbour New York Times Best-selling author.

 

 Follow Reggi, she enjoys hearing from readers:

 

 Amazon

 

BookBub.com

 

FaceBook