Jordan Valley Days

 Jordan Valley Days



In Malhuer County  where I once roamed them 'ole sage brush flats 'an rocky hills

Down in the 'ole Owyhee River Valley in 'ole Southeast Oregon

Is a place where every buckaroo dreams of 'bein 'round mid May

 The small 'ranchin town called Jordan Valley

Now it's not a very 'purdy place, hard country shaped by hard men

 Where the Basque and pioneers once roamed these 'ole sagebrush hills

And where them ole vaquero's settled back in 'them days when the west was untamed

Now during mid May is when the whoopin 'an hollerin starts

It's Big Loop time again here in this small Oregon ranchin' town

It's the first rodeo of the season 'round here

Ranch broncs, bulls, barrels, 'an big loop ropin

No weekend warriors here, just showin what they do for a 'livin

 Dancin, 'an visitin with folks while testing out 'them new ropes

Are all a part of this buckaroo gathering

Pay no mind to the 'ole boys drinkin 'an fightin

So pack up your warbags 'an bedroll

 'An don't forget your flat brim 'an your wild rag

Bring your best silver bits 'an braided reatas

'An head down the hill to this 'ole place on the third weekend in May

It might make ya wanna stay

'An live them 'ole

Jordan Valley Days

Flat Brimmers Branding Get Together!

Flat Brimmers Branding Get Together!



"From the Eastern Oregon high desert country, to the Nevada sagebrush sea

You can hear the whoops 'an hollers

Must be 'brandin time again

In the Great Basin country the loops are big and the hats are flat

'Cause these 'ole boys just won't wear a baseball cap

But sadly, they have acquired a name that for generations has been hard to shake

"hey, the city boys say, there goes a flat brimmer"

Now what is a 'flat brimmer' you ask

It  really is quite simple

in Arizona and Texas your hat maybe shaped like a taco

But 'round here his has a flat top and brim

"Well, they ask can he rope, or does he just throw 'them fancy shots like in the movies?"

Yes some do, but not this crew

They go in, come out draggin, barely makin a ripple

Draggin calves to the fire with quick wit and style

And yes they have been known to get a little wild

So when you hear of 'flat brimmers' please do not think

Of young guys showin off by throwin 'them fancy loops, goofin' around an' causing a ruckus

Of the ones who are just the weekend bronc rider

Instead think of those who throw a great backshot in the brandin pen

Workin' quietly as not to disturb the herd

And set a good horse in a slick fork saddle

Yes its that time again

For a flat brimmers branding get together"

Cowboy poetry, BBQ and good times!!!

Yesterday I went over to Genoa Nevada which is outside of Carson City not far from Reno, for their annual Cowboy Poetry and Music festival!! Had the most wonderful time strolling the streets and chatting with folks about different things.

However the icing on my cake was open mic, I had just happened to walk by where it was all set up and without really thinking, asked the lady if I could read a couple of poems, totally cold and not prepared something was telling me I should do this. She agreed and in a few minutes she was introducing me and there I was reading the three poems that are here on the blog!!

Needless to say, it was very well received and probably the biggest compliment was Tony Atengo a cowboy poet himself telling me that I had great promise and to keep at it. I was flattered more or less!!!

So here's to a day filled with fun, and BBQ sauce stained hands. Here are some pictures of the event!!