“You want to talk about a fast gun hand? If you was to take a snake’s tongue’s grease it and tie it to a bolt of lightning you couldn’t get nothing as fast as his gun hand!” One of my favorite characters of the last century was Festus Haggen. Matt Dillon’s deputy on GUNSMOKE. His malapropped quotes often the hilarity needed to close out a dire day back at the Longbranch. And always with the limp. What’s this got to do with RGS?
Barefoot Market Gardening. That’s my way, the best way to connect with the Good Mother. My story and I’m sticking to it despite a minor set back last week. Ran a piece of wire between my big toe and the metatarsal head, soft tissue damage, painful and temporary. Quick trip to Gretna Family Health for a tetanus shot, back in the field. Foot starts swelling and I’m reduced to a miserable hobbling limp. And then Carl, our 86 year old neighbor, shouts across the fence, “Hey Festus!” As always, laughter the best medicine.
We had our official first day as Market Gardeners. Nearly sold out of our produce. Whilst explaining to the masses what Yukina and Mizuna are and why they are such a healthful alternative to regular greens it occurred to me. If I believe in it, I can sell it. Doesn’t matter if its dreams of running potential realized or produce.
Two happy boys, and one with a limp. Small towns. Valley. King Lake. Worlds away from West Omaha. Dustin, not graced with his own, has an artificial leg. He was also born with his intestines outside his body. Linda has worked with him for the last 2 years. He’s got the biggest, brightest smile in Nebraska. And the attitude and personality to make you marvel. My first time to meet him he was fairly sprinting down Spruce St. I’d love to be able to help him get a real running blade. Logan, another of Linda’s students, pitching in with set up, hawking, and tear down of our stand.
And our neighbor Char. She out walking last night, the first time we’ve sighted her in over a month. Here’s why. Her husband accidentally backed into her and the license plate opened a 4″ wide gap into her thigh. She limping down our street, smile beaming so happy to finally be outside.
This then is one of the definitions of Our Little Slice. Real people with real problems. That don’t get them down. Out here we don’t feel like we are “owed” anything. You want to be happy? Then Be Happy. No matter what hand is dealt you. You are responsible for making your own.
How much of a Bad Ass is Pete Kostelnick? How about another W and another course record, this one at the Flint Hills 40 Mile. 4 hours, 34 minutes. About the average 26.2 time for most marathoners these days. Notice the smile.
Stacy Mangers Shaw(1:32:57) continued her winning ways at this past weekend’s Hastings Half Marathon. Not only winning the Overall Open and Masters title but good enough for 13th overall. Clean. You probably have noticed that every time I mention Stacy I throw the Clean word in. That is so you know her performances come from hard work, talent, and coaching. #FarmStrong instead of #PharmStrong.
Deputy Haggen.
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