At least that’s what the calender says! Lots of much needed rain falling here in southwest Oregon. The woodland flours are starting to show their color and the paintbrush is in full bloom. The politicians are out in full force spreading their fertilizer so things will probably get even more colorful as we get into Summer!!

    I’ve managed to get several more chapters written. Was really on a roll the other day when it was called to my attention some saddles needed cleaned and leather dressing worked into the dry spots. That’s OK, it gives me time to think of what to write next.

    Speaking of next, Kuzin Keith of radio station KRRM, and myself will have a new show ready to air soon. KRRM can be found at 94.7 FM here in the Rogue River valley. I will be sure to relate to you when the first broadcast is to air. So, as the old saying goes, ‘Stay tuned in’!!

    Hope you all had a Happy Easter. Till next time….Butch

Another Christmas and another year passes. I want to wish all my fans friends and family joyous hollidays and a safe and Happy New Year.

Things are fine hear at the homeplace. I am many chapters into my latest book. A word of warning to all you aspiring authors of prose, poetry and song. Save your work someplace besides your computer!!! My hard drive crashed when I was 45 chapters into my book. They couldn’t even save it at the lab! Then after I had started over and was three chapters along I remembered saving some of it on CD. I dug it out and found the first 35 chapters!! Still in all it was a good lesson. I now place each days work on a ’stick’ as well as backing it up on the computer.

Have had much fun doing some shows this past year and looking forward to more in 08′. For now, the wood shed is full, the mules got hay, and I got no reasn to complain.   Till next time……Butch

     Seems like Summer just got here and now it’s more than half over. I want to send a big THANK YOU!! to all of my loyal fans who have withstood the heat to come to our shows this season. The numbers have been enough to make the boys and me smile!

     The BBQ at Applegate Valley Inn was a huge success. Thanks Rich & Missy for all your help and kindmess!!  That was a very special evening!!

     The folks at Yreka made us welcome again last weekend. We enjoyed doing our show along with great cowboy poets, Leon Flick and Clay Frasier. Thanks to all!!

     The book mentioned earlier is coming along very well. I am devoting some time each day to that project. When will it be finished? Not sure. The way things are going it has turned into a larger undertaking than expected. As the trainer said to his race horse, "I’ll keep you ‘posted’ ".

A lot has been going on here on the mountain this Spring. Indian paintbrush is in full bloom, the grass is getting high and the mules are shedding fastern’ I can brush. Did I ever tell you how much mules like to play in the mud? Well, they do. I swear they’re worse than a bunch of pigs. 

I Realize I have told some of my fans that a new album would soon to be released. I had planned on releasing in the Spring of 07…?….Ain’t gonna happen. It turns out my good friend, Jim Harris from down Reno way, sent me a couple of songs. After I listened to them I decided they belonged on the new album. One of the songs was written by Jim and is titled ‘KENTUCKY MOUNTAIN BOY’. The other is a song by a friend of Jim’s who has written for and been recorded by some big names in country music. I will get back to you with more about this writer  as release time nears.

Speaking of writing, I will be off the blog for a time as I am very busy working on a book. This one is for the young adult to older folk. In the meantime I will be available at my e-mail address…drifter@rogueriver.net . 

The rain on the roof quit sounding musical a couple days ago!! Mustn’t let that get us down though. What was that song a few years ago?? "Don’t Worry, Be Happy"!!! That’s it…great advise!!

My dear mother used to say, "Never curse the rain. Things will grow, even on a wet year. Just try raising a garden or growing crops during a drouth". She and my father were in the middle of raising a family during the thirties. So, had first hand knowledge of drouth and such.

Question for you folks out there. Where do you think Cowboy music and poetry is headed? Do you think it will be in much demand in the future? Will demand possibly grow??

Remember to keep yer cinch tight and yerself sober!!

Thanks for stopping by….Butch

     Three quarters of an inch since the 7th. I like that!! We need more though. I would like to see enough rain to raise the Rogue River a few inches then clear up a bit and the level start down….You Steelheaders know what I’m talkin’ about.

     The mules are loving the mud. Yes, mules like to roll in mud and when the mud has dried up they will make dust pits to roll in. I’ve heard tell they do it to discourage flies. After much careful observation though, I am convinced they do it so we, the homo sapiens, longing to ride them will take one look and decide they are too dirty to mess with. Of course, if we truly want to ride, we will cuss and brush a while and they will grudgingly consent. In the end all will be happy. Yes, even the mules. It’s just their way of staying one up on us.

Till next time, keep yer cinch tight and yourself sober….Butch

Sad news this A.M. from central Florida. Goes to show how uncertain life can be. Those poor souls went to bed thinking they were in for some thundershowers. Nothing out of the ordinary. Please remember them in your prayers.

On a more pleasant note, things are fine at the ‘mule barn’. Liz and I and our critters are wintering well. Latest album just about ready to go for final mix. Fishin’ on the Rogue River is tolerable. I just can’t find much to complain about. Have’nt even got cabin fever this Winter!!

I want to give special thanks to some folks that often do not receive the proper reccognition  due them, especially from the general public. That would be our writers. They labor long and hard, God love ‘em, and unless they have a hit tune recorded by a big star you never hear their names. Just had to say this. "Thanks writers, we’d be nowhere without you".   Till next time, be well…..Butch

Hello friends and neighbors. Another year has just about ended. The holliday season is once more at hand. The past year has been good for us here at the Mule Barn. Lots of new doors opened in the entertainment field. Made many new friends and sadly, lost a few. I want to take this time to say thank you to all who have been and continue to be such a great source of encouragement and strength. Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Hollidays and may God bless you and yours in the coming New Year…. BUTCH