Baxter Black: The Cow Committee
Once upon a time at the start of all creation Angels sat upon a cloud. An odd conglomeration Of buckaroos from near and far but not there from the city. Their job; to build a...
Baxter Black: A Cowboy Parade
You gotta hand it to cowboys. They can turn a birthday cake into a four-alarm fire! Many years ago the Napa Valley (California) County Fair and Rodeo wanted to do something to attract attention to...
Baxter Black: Training New Neighbors
In rural America, farmers and “rural lifestylers” are often neighbors. Seeking a place to better raise their children, to retire in peace, or to escape the continuing anxiety of the city, they move to the...
Baxter Black: Foreign Language
A medical doctor friend of mine was recounting his experiences in Africa as a volunteer for a church missionary program. He said it was very satisfying for the soul but his biggest problem was communicating...
It’s What I Do
A cowboy is the way he is because he works with stock. He’s learned it’s best to ease along To find the rhythm in their song And not to fret if days are long ‘cause...
Baxter Black: Three Wheel Roping
I’ve always sorta figgered the reason there is more cowboy poetry than there is farmer poetry has to do with horses. Most cowboy poetry is about wrecks. One person plus one cow equals a wreck...
Baxter Black: Three Wheel Roping
I’ve always sorta figgered the reason there is more cowboy poetry than there is farmer poetry has to do with horses. Most cowboy poetry is about wrecks. One person plus one cow equals a wreck...
Baxter Black: Inheriting the Family Farm
The latest statistics show that less then 2% of the population is directly involved in production agriculture. It is a function of an increasing overall population and a limited amount of farm ground. Technology is...
Baxter Black: Cow Polygamy
I was visiting with Lisa after their bull sale this spring. She remarked on the overabundance of bulls for sale around the country this year. Competition is stiff. She said she counted the number of...
Backwoods Wisdom
“Age-in’ a cow is ‘bout the thing I hate most. Seems like they can tell the instant you cross the line into the strike zone.” We all nodded sympathetically with Jeff’s pronouncement. Each cowman in...
Baxter Black: Two Jumps
Two Jumps said he used to ride bulls. In spite of his name, he tried. He had grit, determination and bravado on his side. Unfortunately, he lacked skill. He was naturally inept And as life...
Baxter Black: 90% Taxes is Nothing New
This year I’m having a déjà foo. I remember learning in high school social studies that the maximum income tax then was 90%! I was stunned! Over the years I watched President Kennedy reduce the...
Baxter Black: The Rookie DVM
How many of you have ever had a new veterinarian out to your place? You think you’re scared! One of the hazards of a livestock veterinary practice is that it is the one specialty in...
Baxter Black: The Hunter’s Son
This is the poem of the hunter’s son as he tracks the woods alone And the beaver’s revenge when he seeks to avenge the hunter’s gauntlet thrown By choosing to pair with a grizzly bear,...
Baxter Black: Pull My Finger
ATTN: This is addressed to teenagers, tuba players and grown-ups in the news media who have gotten great giggles out of the story that cow flatulence is a danger to mankind! It can be expected...
Baxter Black: Graftin’ Calves
I was ugly when I was born. How ugly were you? I was so ugly they had to tie my mother’s legs together so I could nurse! If you’ve ever grafted a calf you know...
Baxter Black: Cow Attack
“What happened to your pickup seat? Is that buffalo track?” Well, I guess you had to be there. We had a cow attack. It all began when me and Roy went out to check the...
Baxter Black: Bentley, the Born Again Bull
It was one of those two o’clock mornin’ calls: “Looked like everything was comin’ jes fine, Doc, then he got stuck! Could you come?” On the way out to the ranch I put the truck...
Baxter Black: Cowboy’s Grace
Dear Lord, Yer lookin’ at a man who never learned to cook unless you count pork & beans And a flowery grace like you’d read in a book is really beyond my means But You...
Baxter Black: Prejudice
Prejudice is a funny thing. When a city slicker or a dude comes meanderin’ into the Montana bar in Glasgow he’s liable to get a lot of hard stares. But, I’m here to tell ya,...
