“The cowboy is singing with an old western drawl, singing his cattle call.” This was from a song sung by Eddy Arnold. My dad was a yodeller. I remember mom and dad singing and yodelling their duets together. Their voices complimented one another. We kids always had fun listening to their duets as they danced and sang their favorite cowboy tunes. We did not have a television in our home, but we did have a radio which was kept on top of the refrigerator. Every morning it was turned on first thing to listen to KGYN News, Weather and Markets with T. M. Rayburn. Our entertainment consisted of music and art. My formative years was spent working on the ranch where I did chores. My main chore was milking the cow twice a day. That milkcow was a little onery. At times I would have to hobble her to keep her from kicking the bucket over. I would put my head in her flank to keep her still. Boy, she sure smelled bad. So, I would close my nose, breathing through my mouth, and sing to the cow while I was milking. It seemed like she always appreciated a little music during milking time. I spent that time with the cow, singing, daydreaming and learning to be alone with my own thoughts. I believe that being alone with that cow is where I learned to loved animals, and I have been told my art captures the personality of the animals I paint. I came to know that old milkcow-her personality, her quirks, her likes and dislikes. I sure loved Bossy. She always came when I sang my cattle call.
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