Ed’s Western Decor

Understanding your horse’s moods is as important as the horse knowing your own moods.  Yes . . . horses are sensitive to their rider’s moods.  Should you wish to learn the signals that a horse communicates, then read the magazine article “Listen to Your Horse,” published in Horse & Rider, November 2009, pages 64-66.

However, if you want to discover your own moods, then each morning stand before your etched glass mirror with the images of horses on it, and take an examination of yourself.  Consider how many blessings you have . . . physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  Reflect on what you have, including the gift of life, and not on what you want or deserve.   This should put you into “The Right Mood” for the day.

I can’t believe that so many folks in society place more value on the moods of a horse over the moods of each other.  The message is Love the Lord first, each other next . . . include your self and read the article “Listen To Your Horse.”

Let’s face it, the same tired old round and square mirrors, even with intricate borders, are a little boring.  For people who want something a little different to hang above their dresser, vanity, or sink, consider etched glass mirrors.  The etchings on these mirrors can feature scenes from the outdoors, contemporary artwork, or even wildlife.  Etched glass mirrors make a superb addition to any home, and you and your guests will be sure to appreciate these unique pieces of art.  Some of us might remember being given a mirror from our parents or grandparents, and an etched glass mirror is just the piece to pass down to the next generation.  Every etched glass mirror is unique, and celebrating the unique aspects of each piece make the mirror special.

You can find etched glass mirrors online or from specialty retailers of housewares.  In addition, caring for these spectacular mirrors is as simple as caring for a standard mirror; it can be wiped off with a rag and all the standard glass and window cleaners have the same effect, and don’t damage the etching!

My family was raised on a ranch, and we naturally had opportunities to learn how to guide horses.  Reining a horse, like many other responsibilities on the ranch, was taught to us by our parents and siblings.  That is to say, if we did what the horse allowed us to, and our instructor guided us, then in most cases we learned successfully.  Being thrown off a horse is a painful experience and an embarrassing western image as well.  I call this . . . living experiences.  Add to “learning the hard way,” is terminology and instructions by a horse trainer, and you gain a western education.  On the other hand, who is being trained, the horse or the rider? 

This is the way I felt studying an article in the Horse & Rider magazine, December 2008, pages 75-78.  The article is “Drivers Ed.”  It mentions 12 commands that go along with instructions in reining a horse.  The author of the article provides pictures as a visible illustration for learning how to guide a horse to work for you.  This article demonstrates how to “rein” both rider and horse.

The Old Man and the Sea was a great book and a fabulous movie.  The excitement and adventure of capturing a huge fish larger than the boat is a scary thought when reading about it, much less experiencing the event in real life!

Should you want this kind of adventure, read the article in the Outdoor Life magazine June/July 2008, pages 83-89.  You won’t believe your eyes! . . . I didn’t!  These brave fishermen “risked it all” while fishing from a personal kayak, jet ski, and/or a rubber tube!  I believe this is taking deep sea fishing to the extreme!  They probably had success at putting a world class trophy on the wall of their game room!  It comes down to how much you’re willing to pay for excitement, adventure and wall decor.

Being raised on a ranch we naturally had opportunities to learn how to guide horses, by reining them when our parents or siblings taught us.  If we did what the horse allowed us to, and did what our instructor told us, then we successfully learned by experience.  Add to experience, correct horse riding terminology, and the instructions of a horse trainer . . . then you develop a western lifestyle education.

This is the way I felt when studying an article in the Horse & Rider magazine, December 2008, pages 75-78.  The article is, “Driver’s ED.”  It mentions 12 commands that go along with instruction in reining a horse.  The author of the article provides photos that give visual aids in learning how to guide a horse to work for you . . . I found it interesting!

Everyday I wake up it’s another opportunity to praise the good Lord for the gift of life.  Isn’t it an adventure to discover that’s it’s a new day, and then begin the search for a reason to explore something worth living for?  One morning I began my day by turning to an article written by Richard Rubin, in the Smithsonian magazine, October 2008, pages 72 - 74.  “The Last Doughboy” I discovered is Frank Woodruff Buckles, age 107 and expecting to live to 115.  Frank served in the United States Army during WWI and was taken prisoner when the Japanese invaded the Philippines during WWII.

The article distinguishes Frank Buckles as “America’s only living link to the Great Conflict.”  Frank still tells his story, giving speeches when the opportunity presents itself.   It appears to me that is something worth living for, Frank.  Thanks, Frank, for sharing your life’s experiences with others.  Everyone who is patriotic, will raise a salute to you.

Etched glass is a popular and attractive choice for people who are looking to spruce up a room or add some creativity to their house. Etched glass is glassware whose design has been cut into the surface through acid corrosion.

The surface of etched glass will vary depending on what type of acid is used and how long it was on the glass for; it can be rough and frosted, or smooth and satiny, or a combination of the two.

Various methods are used to transfer a design onto glass, but the most common is to coat the glass in beeswax or paraffin, then draw the design in with metal needles. The glass is then dipped in the acid, which etches the design through the grooves.

“The one that got away” is a familiar quote that every hunter or fisherman tells over and over.  The story is embellished many different ways, while changing the details and experience to fit the tale.  Many times it all starts when a friend asks the question about the hunting decor in the living room or the fishing decor in the den.  “Oh, that’s my trophy room,” or ” That’s my favorite fishing trip . . .”

“The truth is, while traveling through Montana, back from a fishing trip to the Great Lakes, we came across this etched mirror of a Muskie, fighting for its freedom.  The mirror was for sale and displayed in a restaurant.  It’s just like the Muskie I hooked and battled for almost an hour, and “It got away from me!”  But, it was still a great fishing trip.

One of my fondest western images was during the summer of 1951. An Old Timer living at Discovery Bay, Washington, told me, “If you go down to the railroad trestle when the tide comes in, you can catch all the Sea Perch you can carry in a ‘gunny sack.’ ” He told me the fish feed on small sand crabs on the beach and to load my fish hook firmly into the side of the crab, and then cast my line close to the edge of the bank.

My dad was working as a heavy duty mechanic on the road construction crew. They paved the highway from Discovery Bay to Neah Bay, located on the south shore of Puget Sound. At the age of eleven, I went fishing between the hours of 3:00 to 4:00 AM, and provided food for the families of the road crew. With fishing gear and burlap sack in hand, and my dog Queenie at my side, I got up before breakfast and went to work catching Sea Perch.

The rule was, my dad said, “You catch ‘em, you clean ‘em.” I did it, too! As I went from cabin to camper, I presented my catch and was paid for my services. The rewards were much more than money. I learned that salt water sea perch are mammals and do not lay eggs to hatch, a magnificent discovery in nature. There is joy in the giving of ourselves for the needs of family and others, and there are many great rewards for working hard: respect, discipline, obedience, and love for my parents.

They don’t call it Discovery Bay for nothing!

In the June 2008 issue of the Field & Stream magazine, page 12, there are three photos of individuals holding their catches of large mouth bass.  The first is a 13 1/2-pound bass caught in Lake Casitas in Southern California.  The second is a 14-pound, 5-ounce bass, a record catch out of Tyler State Park in Northeast Texas.  And the third is a 10 pounder caught in North Carolina.  Here are some of my observations that I find interesting and entertaining:

The first two photos are both big, burly guys, most likely experienced fishermen, displaying their record catch.  The third is a woman “fisherperson.”  (It’s politically incorrect to call her a fisherman or a fisherwoman!)  I find it interesting how the larger bass, caught by the bigger guys, appears small; and the smaller bass, held by the smaller woman, appears larger and longer then those caught by the BIG GUYS? And she is just a beginner! 

To make it more convincing, the photo of the woman is also smaller than the pictures of the big catch.  With this information, I conclude that to convince individuals observing a trophy catch of a large mouth bass, it is best to have the fish mounted or photographed in the proper environment that best produces the desired effects for displaying your wildlife wall art.  Another special effect is to place the trophy catch on a small wall, and the effect will appear larger. Get it?