Friday

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (KJV)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cooking On The Trail

Men on the trail heading west had to make sure their wagons stayed in good condition, keep the livestock healthy, and watch for dangers along the trail. Women had many responsibilities. They assisted their husbands with the wagon and livestock, took care of their children, assisted other women that they were traveling in the wagon train, did laundry when there was a day available--for 'rest', and most importantly, keep everyone fed.

There were many food items to 'experiment' with along the way; sage hens, badgers, prairie dogs, rattlesnakes, etc. The main staples packed and brought along from the beginning of the journey included bacon, coffee, flour, cornmeal, soda, beans, and salt. They usually made make-shift biscuits or pancakes with bacon for breakfast in the mornings before starting back on the journey. There was usually a mid-day break so the livestock could rest. Most ate leftovers from breakfast at this time. The evening meal usually consisted of beans, some type of bread, and bacon.

After getting her fire started with buffalo chips, sagebrush, weeds, or wood, if it was available, a pioneer woman could have a meal made within an hour or two. Just in time to curl up under the wagon and rest before it was time to start all over the next morning.

Here is a variation of Irish Soda Bread that was popular on the trail:

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one cup of warm water. Stir thoroughly. Add 2 1/4 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Knead well. You may cook at once, (in a covered, well greased Dutch oven or spider skillet over the coals if you are on the trail), or let rise overnight. Press down to one inch thick and bake on greased cookie sheet at 4oo degrees for about 25 minutes.

Old West Cowards?

I'm sure there were plenty of cowards in the old west. But nothing like Hollywood prefers to portray in movies and television shows. We've all watched endless shows about towns full of cowards that have to be saved by the one, brave hero while the population cowers behind locked doors, leaving their very lives in the hands of one man.

For a look at the real old west and the kind of people that made up those tough, hardworking towns, read Tough Towns, by Robert Barr Smith. You'll be amazed and filled with admiration at the American spirit that these average, everyday heroes had to save their families, homes, and businesses.

Cowgirls

I grew up wanting to be a cowgirl. I loved horses and the outdoors. We had a few horses when I was young, but the neighborhood changed and most of the livestock had to leave. It just wasn't the same being a cowgirl and only having chickens and a few goats, LOL! I've never had a horse since that time, even though I now live in the country again.

But being a cowgirl isn't all about riding horses and cooking out over campfires. At least according to Dale Evans: "Cowgirl is an attitude, really. A pioneer spirit, a special American brand of courage. The cowgirl faces life head on, lives by her own lights, and makes no excuses. Cowgirls take stands. They speak up. They defend the things they hold dear. A cowgirl might be a rancher, or a barrel racer, or a bull rider, or an actress. But she's just as likely to be a checker at the local Winn Dixie, a full-time mother, a banker, an attorney, or an astronaut."

So have a great day and feel free to saddle up and get in touch with your inner cowgirl:).