Rev. Erudite Redneck, B.S., B.S., M.A., M.Div.

That's one of the slogans of the National Western Stock Show, in Denver, this year. Another one is: "Building Stable Relationships." Man. I could work for that outfit.

Spent a couple of hours there today is all. But I always like lookin' at all the commercial exhibits: Western and work clothing, trailers, loading chutes, other equipment, food, etc.

I'd written features from the Fort Worth Stock Show and the Houston Livestock Show, but had never been to the Denver show -- and I will go again when I've got more time.

Saw some pretty good Western art here at the Coors show. Saw some great kid art. Checked out some rabbits and chickens and roosters and goats. And saw some kids showing some prospect steers. It gave me flashbacks:

I was chaplain and a director of an organization that used to put on a big multiple-county cattle show. I loved it. Oh, and I represented a newspaper as a buyer once or twice.

Some of my most prized mementos are pix of me standin' behind a steer along with the kid, parents and judge in the show ring.

And, Lordy, I hasve taken more than my share of pix of kids with their animals, parents, buyers or donors, and all. My all-time favorite memento is a now-yellowed handwritten note from a kiddo:

"Dear Mr. (Redneck), thank you for the picture of me and my heifer."

--ER