I chanced upon some cowboy wisdom in a men’s room in Holbrook, Arizona, which seems pithy and timely.  Or timeless:

Don’t squat with your spurs on.  Never smack a man who’s chewing tobacco.  Broke is what happens when a cowboy lets his yearnings get ahead of his earnings.  When in doubt, let your horse do your thinking.  Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day. The only way to drive cattle fast is slowly.  Behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town. Poor is having to sell the horse to buy the saddle.  If you find yourself in a hole, first–stop digging.  The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.  Never, ever, miss a good opportunity to shut up.

We stayed a couple nights in the quiet town of Holbrook and journeyed through the Petrified Forest, and the Painted Desert.  I’ll let my two older students take it from here–budding Shakespeares:

We saw a desert painted over time

It is an ever changing desert

Made by the sun and the clouds

We saw trees mummified by time

Left to rot beneath the sand

But instead were turned into works of art

For everyone to enjoy

Son One

Son Two

Happy Trails!