My Huckleberry Friends
I have returned from a trip to the country where I spent glorious days with my son Luke, my daughter-in-law Tawna, my granddaughter T’Lee, and the dogs—Maggie, Trapper, Finder, and Poncho.
We fished, we ate, we talked and laughed, we rode around the stunning ranch, we breathed clean fresh air. We even played golf one day at a little 9-hole course down the road. Well, Tawna and I did. Luke managed the snacks and drinks on the golf cart.
As I drove out of the ranch to return to Dallas, I passed on the road an Amish couple in a horse drawn buggy. They gave me a friendly wave and I waved back. There is a solid Amish community in the area. They live mostly quiet lives. They follow strict standards of Christian morality and family life. They are a peaceful people. Hard working and immensely gifted craftsman and builders. The women are talented quilt makers and seamstresses as well as devoted mothers. Some have their own businesses. Some are teachers within the Amish community.
I love the simplicity of their lives. I want to be Amish.
While at the ranch, I went with Luke to check on the cattle. They are such docile creatures. They stare at you with their full moon eyes while silently chewing grass. They stand near their little ones, protective and attentive.
I love their gentleness. Their hulking patience. I want to be a cow.
The dogs in Luke and Tawna and T’Lee’s lives are simply dazzling. Smart, wildly funny, affectionate and playful. Maggie is a quiet Blue-healer. She will amble up and look at you with soft eyes. She loves her head and ears rubbed. She is beautiful. But don’t test her. She can be fierce if needed. Trapper, a Black Lab, is a big three-legged teddy bear. He lost a leg in an accident. It never slowed him down in the least. He can outrun the rest of them. He will limp and squirm and eventually get in your lap and will not leave until you have petted him with love and hugs. Finder is a bloodhound with floppy ears and massive paws and gorgeous coloring. His energy is without limit. He nudges his way into your face hoping for some kisses and tenderness, which he always gets. How could anything that adorable not? Poncho is a mini, brown and white, Chihuahua. Cutest little thing you will ever see. Loves to climb into your lap, nestle in, and sleep. She also hops. She dances. She bounces. And she makes you fall completely in love with her.
I worship those dogs. I want to be one of them.
But mostly, I just want to be a kind and loving human. Someone who feels the hurts of others and wants to try and be a helper and a healer.
I am too often not that. But I aspire to be.
I listened to Johnny Mercer’s “Moon River” on Pandora on the drive home. It made me think of my week at the ranch. To paraphrase him,
“Just drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see,
We're after the same, rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend,
My huckleberry friends, dream makers, and me”
(c) 2020 Timothy Moody
I have returned from a trip to the country where I spent glorious days with my son Luke, my daughter-in-law Tawna, my granddaughter T’Lee, and the dogs—Maggie, Trapper, Finder, and Poncho.
We fished, we ate, we talked and laughed, we rode around the stunning ranch, we breathed clean fresh air. We even played golf one day at a little 9-hole course down the road. Well, Tawna and I did. Luke managed the snacks and drinks on the golf cart.
As I drove out of the ranch to return to Dallas, I passed on the road an Amish couple in a horse drawn buggy. They gave me a friendly wave and I waved back. There is a solid Amish community in the area. They live mostly quiet lives. They follow strict standards of Christian morality and family life. They are a peaceful people. Hard working and immensely gifted craftsman and builders. The women are talented quilt makers and seamstresses as well as devoted mothers. Some have their own businesses. Some are teachers within the Amish community.
I love the simplicity of their lives. I want to be Amish.
While at the ranch, I went with Luke to check on the cattle. They are such docile creatures. They stare at you with their full moon eyes while silently chewing grass. They stand near their little ones, protective and attentive.
I love their gentleness. Their hulking patience. I want to be a cow.
The dogs in Luke and Tawna and T’Lee’s lives are simply dazzling. Smart, wildly funny, affectionate and playful. Maggie is a quiet Blue-healer. She will amble up and look at you with soft eyes. She loves her head and ears rubbed. She is beautiful. But don’t test her. She can be fierce if needed. Trapper, a Black Lab, is a big three-legged teddy bear. He lost a leg in an accident. It never slowed him down in the least. He can outrun the rest of them. He will limp and squirm and eventually get in your lap and will not leave until you have petted him with love and hugs. Finder is a bloodhound with floppy ears and massive paws and gorgeous coloring. His energy is without limit. He nudges his way into your face hoping for some kisses and tenderness, which he always gets. How could anything that adorable not? Poncho is a mini, brown and white, Chihuahua. Cutest little thing you will ever see. Loves to climb into your lap, nestle in, and sleep. She also hops. She dances. She bounces. And she makes you fall completely in love with her.
I worship those dogs. I want to be one of them.
But mostly, I just want to be a kind and loving human. Someone who feels the hurts of others and wants to try and be a helper and a healer.
I am too often not that. But I aspire to be.
I listened to Johnny Mercer’s “Moon River” on Pandora on the drive home. It made me think of my week at the ranch. To paraphrase him,
“Just drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see,
We're after the same, rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend,
My huckleberry friends, dream makers, and me”
(c) 2020 Timothy Moody
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