National Day of the Cowboy is observed annually on the fourth Saturday in July here in the United States (July 27th).
I write western novels, shouldn't I have been aware of this fact?
However, I was not aware that a national day celebrated the western-working man.
Most of us are aware of how the era of the cowboy came to be.
The era of the cowboy began after the Civil War in the heart of Texas. Cattle were herded long before this time, but in Texas, they grew wild and unchecked. As the country expanded, the demand for beef in the northern territories and states increased. With nearly 5 million head of cattle, cowboys moved the herds on long drives to where the profits were.
The draw of riches and adventure mixed with tales of violence and a backdrop of the Great Plains gave way to the mythological image of the cowboy.
Where the dust settles reveal much of the stoic truth of the American cowboy and cowgirl. The life of a cowboy required a particular ability to live in a frontier world. To do so requires respect, loyalty and a willingness to work hard.
In the words of the former President Bush (Texan), “We celebrate the Cowboy as a symbol of the grand history of the American West. The Cowboy’s love of the land and love of the country are examples for all Americans.”
HOW TO OBSERVE
To quote snippet of one of my reviews: “Everyone loves a cowboy!”
Celebrate with a cowboy you know and post on social media using #NationalDayOfTheCowboy. Enjoy a western novel or movie, attend a rodeo and embrace the cowboy way of life.
Learn to dance the Texas-Two-Step. Sing a cowboy song or two.
HISTORY
According to the National Day of the Cowboy Organization, this day “…is a day set aside to celebrate the contributions of the Cowboy and Cowgirl to America’s culture and heritage.” The NDOC continuously pursues national recognition of National Day of the Cowboy. The first celebration was in 2005.
CELEBRATING LIKE A COWBOY
Having a few friends over to celebrate the event? Or need a fun activity to share with your children?
Here are a few ideas:
• Texas-Size Art contest
• Cowboy Celebration Parade
• Watermelon Eating Contests
• Most Worn-Out Boot Contest
• Best Mustache Contest (Home-grown, or Make-your-own)
• Rib Eating Contest
• Cowboy Karaoke Contest
• Cattle Drive (City Folk will improvise: dogs, cats, stuffed animals)
“Round’em up, move'em-out!
To end your day of celebration, or while sitting around a camp fire you can enjoy a cup of coffee.
Cowboy Coffee
Out on the trail, coffee was a staple among cowboys. Piping hot coffee helped a cowboy shake off the stiffness from sleeping on the hard desert ground, and it was also a good beverage to wash down the morning sour dough biscuits. But cowboys didn’t have the luxury of fancy coffee brewers or French presses. They had to pack light, so all they usually had was a metal coffee pot, sans filter, to brew their coffee in. No matter. A cowboy could still make a decent cup of coffee.
Bring water to a near boil over your campfire.
Throw your coffee grounds right into the water. That’s right. Filters are for city slickers.
Stir the coffee over the fire for a minute or two.
Remove the pot from the fire and let the coffee sit for a minute or two to allow the grounds to settle at the bottom of the pot. Add a bit of cold water to help speed along the settling process.
Carefully pour the coffee into your tin cup so that the grounds stay in the pot.
Stand around the fire with your left thumb in your belt loop and your coffee cup in your right hand. Take slow sips and meditate on the trek ahead.
Stop by Brede's ranch and spend a night under the stars:
What woman doesn't love a cowboy? Lynx Maddox will gallop into your heart. Just you, and Lynx Maddox under that star-filled Montana sky!
Books We Love
More Shopping Links:
Lynx, Rodeo Romance
Brede
Happy National Day of the Cowboy!
Connie
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Interesting bit about a day I also didn't know existed
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