Buckaroo Lookin For Work

Buckaroo Lookin For Work
(Pt two to "Ranch Hand Wanted)


John was just a kid with big dreams of buckarooin

Outside of Jordan Valley toward the Nevada line

Now he knew better than to whine or fuss

But there must be an outfit hiring 'round here

"Now I don't wanna go to Arizona or Texas where i'd have to be a cowpuncher in brushy country, or have to wear a taco brim hat" he thought

"I've been schooled in the ways of the Great Basin as are my daddy and his daddy before him, it's my home you know".

"Somethin's just gotta give"

His best friend Jim told Johnny that he oughta

Place an ad in the paper or on the 'Net askin if anyone needed a hand

"Man" said John "that sounds like a plan"

So off he went to write the ad

When he was done Johnny said "well here it is Jim"

"Situation Wanted : Good cowboy looking for work. I have my own horses and tack that I've spent years acquiring and learning to use so I'd rather ride your four-wheeler. Housing required, we prefer leaking roofs and it must be mouse infested. The ranch must be on verge of bankruptcy. I would especially like to train a lazy son or nephew how to do my job so I can be replaced at any time"


"Well now hey that sounds pretty good John" said Jim, "But why on earth would you want to work at a place like that"

"Heck it sounds like my place" laughed Jim

With a smile and a smirk Johnny answered

"It is your place"

Jim was silent for a sec

Then he chuckled "by golly you're right"

John replied

"of course i am right, you've been through 10 hired hands already this year" said John

"So I figured the time was right to ask you"

"Are you hiring right now Jim?"

Ranch Hand Wanted

          Ranch Hand Wanted

Ole Bill was the foreman of the ranch just south of town

He had just let go of the last rodeo clown

that kid claimed he knew more 'bout ranching than Bill

Who was 85

"Still" Bill thought

"There oughta be good help out there somewhere"

In the past year most of the hired hands hired

Just made poor ole Bill tired

Tired of the dinks, and sneaks

Tired of the drunk skunks

Tired of the kids who just wanted to rope

But still

Bill had hope

So one night he sat down at his desk

To type up an ad to stop this mess

Bill knew exactly what he wanted to write

But he had to word it carefully so it would sound right you see

He thought it over for awhile

Then with a smile he said to himself

"I got it"

The next day Bill headed for town with his ad in hand, that said he was a lookin

For a ranch hand

Days passed and Bill's phone hadn't rang

"maybe that ad was to harsh" he said out loud

Just then the phone rang

"Are you Bill?" a young man's voice asked

"yup what can i do ya for" he answered

"Well Bill, I saw your ad at the cafe today while takin a break from cuttin hay"

"oh" said Bill, "why don't you head out this way"

"Okay" said the kid on the other line "but i ain't got the time today"

"I just wanted to ask about the ad"

"Bill is it true what it says?" 

"Wanted Ranch hand for Cow/Calf Operation, prefer someone who whines and complains a lot and thinks he knows more about runnin the outfit than I the owner. Prefer a Monday mornin quarterback"

"Yup" said Bill  "that's what it say alright"

"Well sir" said the kid, "then you probably don't want me then"

"Now why not" asked Bill

"Because, after reading and rereading that ad, I'll tell ya why"

"Why?" asked Bill 

"Reason is" said the kid

"I am way overqualified"

Lakeview Buckaroo

"Lakeview Buckaroo"

I know you're out there somewhere

Between the ZX in Paisley, and Adel

Out in the hills among sage and pines

Atop a dapple gray mare in your slick fork saddle

Searching for those wild range cattle

I can't hear you nor see you

But I know you're out there

Alone and at peace

Wildrag flying in the wind as you throw that big loop

Lakeview buckaroo

You are a man of solitude, your cattle, horse and dog are all you need

The cow camp is your home

This is the only life that you know

Lakeview buckaroo do you ever wonder if?

All of these things which are near and dear to you

Should be shared

What would it be like

To teach a son the ways of the buckaroo?

To ride and chase those cattle

To throw a loop with the best of 'em

To fix fence

They say it takes a special girl to tie you down

Lakeview buckaroo

There is one out there

She dreams of the place between Adel and the ZX

She dreams of chasing cattle

A top a bay horse in a slick fork saddle

Wildrag and chinks flying through the air as she helps you find strays

Of knowing your ways

She just hopes you'll stay

Lakeview buckaroo

I'm on my way!

A Basin Buckarette's Promise

"A Basin Buckarette's Promise"

As I drive along Hwy 139

messy braid hanging from the back of a King Ropes cap

Sunroof open and "Buckaroogirl" blasting from the speakers

I can feel my heart getting weaker

I make a promise that 

I'll come back

Back to where I belong

Where I've been gone for way to long

Back to these wide open spaces

Back to the Basin

Back to watching cattle graze among these hills

Back to the place I was raised

Back to ranch rodeos, brandings, and roping

Sooner than later, I am hoping

I get closer to the city limit sign and sigh

Yea its been good to me for awhile but I know in time

I'll be back there, 

Back in my home in the Basin

Happy Fourth of July!

Yes I know this isnt a poem or story this time, but I just wanted to write a quick note to wish everyone a happy 4th of July!


Today 8/3/2013 would have been my great grandmother's 116th birthday and since she and that whole side of the family were one of the main reasons that I started writing cowboy poems and stories. I thought I'd pay tribute with some photos!

Enjoy and again Happy 4th Of July everyone!!!

Great Grandmother Dora Rifner Guiley

Pictures of the CD Bar Ranch

In front of the ranch house!

Cowboy Christmastime in The Great Basin

"Cowboy Christmastime in The Great Basin"


"When folks think of Christmas, what comes to mind is

 Cold snow, fires a 'blazin, tacky sweaters, big dinners, and presents under a decorated tree

But to the Great Basin Buckaroo

Christmas also comes early

 'Round July Fourth weekend

Drivin down the road pullin 32 inch trailers and gear in the back

Hopin he'll make it, in time for slack

He'll drive into town, make an 8 or a 9.3 ride

Can't stick around as he's got to get

To the 4th of July fair in the next ole town

Again, pack 'an unpack gear in the heat

But it is his life that he loves an a way to make ends meet

Lil Great Basin towns celebratin

Our country's birthday 'an cowboy Christmas Day

Some of our hometown buckaroos are out on the front lines, defending the land they love 'an ranch on

But we hope they'll be here next time

Yep it is July again

An along with the reunions, fairs, and picnics,

 It is also time for celebratin the freedom to ride and to ranch on this land

But it's also time for.

Cowboy Christmas in the Great Basin"