There Is A Difference (even with bees)...

Hey Pards,

I got to thinking about my last post (about the honeybees dying off mysteriously) and wanted to post what I think is a big difference between the attitudes of "independent spirited" types like many in the American West, and those of others in this great country.

My post pointed out the problem and noted there was not an explanation as of yet. End of story. What I have noticed in a number of other stories I've read about the honeybee problem is the authors of those columns/stories think the government should hold hearings on the issue and throw money at the problem in order to solve it. That's a big departure from my way of looking at things.

As an independent sort of guy, I believe people can solve most of their own problems with the proper motivation. I also believe not everything is a "crisis" and not everyone is a "victim". After many years out here in Colorado, I've come to believe my thinking is pretty typical for someone who has that "independent spirit" of the West.

The kind of thinking that wants government to jump in, take over, and/or throw money at a problem to solve it is more of that "victim" mentality, in my opinion. I understand there will be exceptions when government can help out, like the ranchers in southeastern Colorado who had their cattle herds wiped out due to the huge snowstorms in December and January.

In the case of the honeybees, however, I think the beekeepers will figure out a way to keep their colonies going until the mystery can be solved through research that is currently taking place. Time will tell, however, since I don't have all the answers (I just like to think I do, sometimes).

Like I said, I was cogitating on the issue and thought I'd share some of my conclusions. If nothing else, this post was probably a good cure for insomnia.

Don't let your horse come home without ya!

Lincoln

Bee Very Afraid...

Image copyright, Lincoln Rogers. All images on Lincoln Rogers' Blog are the property of Lincoln Rogers and may not be copied and/or disseminated without written permission from Lincoln Rogers.

"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years left to live." ~ Albert Einstein

Hey Pards,

Bees may not seem like a western type of subject, but it is amazing to think of how much we all depend on these little critters. And these little critters are having a hard time lately...

It appears honeybee colonies are dying off at an alarming rate. What is more alarming is the experts don't seem to know why. While the die-offs are not a new problem to beekeepers (see this 1996 "Time" article) what makes 2007 a crisis is the nationwide scope of the colony losses. Honeybees are essential for pollinating crops, and a large-scale wipeout of honeybee colonies would imperil crops from coast-to-coast.

"Why is it worrisome when bees die by the thousands? Three words: global food supply. The lowly honey bee is required for the pollination of a wide range of plants, affecting everything from clover (think cows) to fruits to vegetable seeds. Honey bee-pollinated crops represent more than $15 billion annually to the economy. That does not even take into consideration indirectly affected items, such as beef, milk, cheese, wild animals, or birds."

Just to give an idea of how widespread this can be: Some crops REQUIRING pollination are - apples, avocados, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, melons, oranges, grapefruit, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, tangerines, and watermelon. On the ranching side of things, forage plants for cattle (like clover and alfalfa) need pollination as well.

I know I was surprised to hear about how much we depend upon those little fella's. Let's hope the "experts" discover the source of the die-offs and come up with a solution. I'd hate to have to live without food.

Don't let that horse come home without ya!

Lincoln

The Horse in Modern America

Hey Pards,

It used to be the wild horse epitomized the American West. The imagery of a herd thundering across expanses of open land or cowboys working on horseback sparks the imagination of almost anyone who loves the history of the USA. While the horse still allows us to touch the untamed spirit of the West, it is becoming rare for the contact to occur in a wild setting.

Though hooves and saddles helped domesticate our entire land, the equine’s ability to thrive in our modern culture depends upon facilities large enough to tame a wild demand for equestrian shows and events. Large horse venues all do their part to meet the exploding need. Those types of facilities are making it a priority to house larger and more horse shows than ever before, creating a win-win situation for the locations and horse associations alike.

“One of our goals is to infuse horse activity into the Denver scene,” commented Brad Ettleman (Horse Show Manager for the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado). Ettleman also revealed the National Western website receives forty million hits a year, displaying the popularity of the facility and its calendar of 40 weekends of horse shows a year. “People pay attention to what is going on at the National Western complex. We’ve seen an increase over time in telephone calls from the general public (and) we try and guide them to the right kind of horse show.”

“The community likes seeing horses around,” said Bill Miller, General Manager for the large Norris-Penrose Events Center located near Colorado Springs, Colorado. “It always surprises me to see a grandpa with three grandkids who come in and want to see the horses. I get a kick out of that. They will spend an hour or so just walking around and looking at horses. They want that lifestyle preserved.”

Modern America's kinship with the horse takes place now in facilities designed to accomodate the experience. It's a good thing. Without those equestrian facilities, the way of the horse may have died out altogether in this land of ours.

Have a good one.

Lincoln

A good name above great riches...

Hey Pards,

PRCA Commissioner Troy Ellerman submitted a letter of resignation today, according to a press release from the PRCA.

"Troy Ellerman resigns as PRCA commissioner
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – On February 19, Troy Ellerman resigned as PRCA commissioner. In a letter of resignation addressed to the PRCA Board of Directors, Ellerman stated, “Due to the fact that I have entered a plea of guilty in the BALCO case, I believe it is in the best interest of the PRCA to resign from my position as commissioner. My resignation will be effective immediately. It has been an honor to serve the PRCA. The PRCA is well served by a strong Board of Directors, and I am confident it will continue to move forward under its direction.”

The PRCA Board accepted Ellerman’s resignation with deep appreciation for his efforts in returning the PRCA to financial health."

While I'm glad to see the resignation, it would have been nice to see it while the press was swirling around the story of Ellerman's guilty pleas to multiple felonies related to the BALCO case. It makes me wonder now whether the resignation will get much coverage, since rodeo isn't exactly on most mainstream sports pages. If he had resigned immediately, the PRCA would have a better chance of being viewed as an organization of integrity. Instead, the initial response from the PRCA Board was, "The BALCO investigation is not related to PRCA business..."

Ellerman should have been gone immediately. Now it's five days later, and you wonder if anyone in the mainstream sports media will notice, or even care. While Ellerman may have helped the PRCA commit a financial turnaround, the devastation he just wreaked may not have been worth it.

I'm reminded of the well-known proverb from the Holy Bible (Proverbs 22:1a): "A good name is to be desired above great riches." I'll bet the PRCA would gladly exchange a little of that "financial health" Ellerman brought for some stain remover on its reputation.

Have a good one.

Lincoln

Poem - Breath of God

Hey Pards,

Thought I'd leave ya with a poem of mine today. It's not the usual meter of a cowboy poem, but I hope you enjoy.

Lincoln
---------------------------------------

Breath of God
By Lincoln Rogers, 2005

A breeze rides through the West,
Like God cupped his hands,
Pursed His lips,
To blow the dust off of our souls.

The Prairie offers up its best,
Meadowlark singing,
Coyote call,
As high clouds build and thunder rolls.

Wild nature of the Pronghorn,
Roaming grass ocean,
To mountain shore,
Reaching the sands of evergreen.

Spirit within man is born,
Forged of rugged land,
High sun’s fire,
The will of a Maker unseen.

Can’t leave it unconfessed,
His creative power,
A majesty,
This wide-open vista extols.

A breeze rode through the West,
Like God cupped his hands,
Pursed His lips,
And blew the dust off of our souls.

Lovelorn in Rural America?

A dating service dedicated to rural and country singles interested in the farming/ranching/country/western way of life?!

I admit I had no idea (since I'm a happily married guy with the best wife in the world), but I found out today there's a dating service dedicated "100% for farmers, ranchers, and those who can relate to the rural and country lifestyle."

According to the website, it seems most "city slickers" don't have a clue about the interests and passions of those in rural America, so this dating service was started by people who understand. It's called FarmersOnly.com and it all started because, as they put it, "City folks just don't get it!"

Founder, Jerry Miller, writes on the websites introduction page: "Instead of asking what your astrological sign is, at FarmersOnly.com I ask if you raise or breed alpacas, horses, cattle, chickens, dogs, goats, rabbits, sheep, grow crops, or if you're an organic farmer, student farmer, cowboy, cowgirl, or just a farmer wanna be! How many singles sites do that?"

After reading this, it sounds like there's at least one. It also sounds like it's about time.

Lincoln

PRCA Makes Initial Statement Regarding Ellerman

I just received an initial press release from the PRCA today.

"Statement from The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors
15 February 2007

- For Immediate Release -

Troy Ellerman Enters Plea in BALCO Case

Thursday, February 15, 2007. Today in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, Calif., Troy Ellerman entered a guilty plea to one count of filing a false declaration, one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of contempt relating to the BALCO matter. The BALCO investigation is not related to PRCA business. Mr. Ellerman currently serves as Commissioner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in Colorado Springs, Colo.

PRCA Chairman Keith Martin said, “The PRCA is financially strong and, as always, our board remains focused on continued strength, stability and progress within the organization. The PRCA is the No. 1 rodeo sanctioning body in the world, and the board is working hard on a daily basis to continue to promote and grow this great sport.”

Mr. Ellerman will not make any further comments regarding this case until the Court issues its sentence."

Well... I'm not exactly blown over by any "cowboy up" mentality in the release, but it is the early stages after all, and this is the time when everyone typically dances around an issue, looking for the right thing to say and/or not say. Time will tell.

One thing that is of concern to me, however, is the sentence, "The BALCO investigation is not related to PRCA business." I find that to be a disingenuous statement, at best. If your Commissioner is pleading guilty to FELONIES, then it darn well better be related to PRCA business. The organization should stand up and make the issue its business. It's time to cowboy up, and not worry about the media fallout. Do what's right, regardless of the circumstances, then let the chips fall where they may. That is the cowboy way, isn't it? Seems to me the PRCA could generate HUGE goodwill by taking a stand that most others in this world don't or won't.

Once again, good luck to the good folks at the PRCA who are trying to straighten out this whole mess. I have faith they will eventually do it in a fashion that best represents the western way of life.

Best to ya!

Lincoln

PRCA Gets Bucked By Ellerman

Sorry to be away for so long, Pards, but personal stuff can sure get in the way of this great writing and photography life.

That said, it sure was sad to read of Troy Ellerman's (Commissioner of the PRCA) admission that he leaked grand jury testimony about the BALCO case to reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle. News stories say he could receive up to two years of jail time as a result.

"In court papers filed Wednesday (February 14th) in U.S. District Court, attorney Troy Ellerman said he allowed reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada to view transcripts of the grand jury testimony of baseball stars Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and sprinter Tim Montgomery."

Shoot! I didn't even realize Ellerman was involved in that steroid fiasco in any way whatsoever. My sympathies go out to the PRCA, a great organization that will now have to figure out how to put the pieces back together and keep its tradition of integrity intact.

One thing us people in the West do a good job of, however, is to "cowboy up", take responsibility, and face challenges head on. I'm sure the PRCA will do just that.

Good luck to 'em! Since I'm a rodeo fan myself, I'll be watching with interest.

Lincoln

New story on Thursday, Feb. 15th - CBS Sportsline