Would your children like to take their hand at being a cowboy for a day? An organization in Denver called Cowboys for Kids is hosting “Extreme Dummy Roping” at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo. What exactly is Cowboys for Kids?

Cowboys for Kids believes in the old-fashioned virtues of the American cowboy and the Western way of life. Using these values as a foundation, the organization offers programs to physically impaired, underprivileged, and at-risk children. Activities at the Cowboys for Kids headquarters include therapeutic riding and animal care programs, plus special events, barbecues, clinics and more throughout the summer.

The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo runs from March 13-15 in Denver, Colorado.

Normally when you think western shirt you don’t think golf, right? Wrong!

The Western Polo Shirt and it’s sibling the Western Pocket Polo Shirt can help you on the links by softening the negative perception your buddies have about your horrible golf game.

The narrative goes like this:

You: Dink! Crap…I’m taking a mulligan.

Your buddy behind your back: He sucks. That shirt he’s wearing is really cool though. I want one.

Do the math. In that example you went from being a total joke to someone your friends envy. Now you see the power of the Western Polo Shirt. If it can do that for you on the course just imagine what it will do at the bar after a round. You might need lady repellent.

Spring is around the corner and warm weather brings golf. You might want to think about getting some lessons and a few new shirts. While your friends are busy trying to look like Tiger Woods you’ll be looking like a Real Man.

Let me warn you though. If you are playing for more than fun and glory your opponents might want to win the shirt off your back.

What do you get when you combine a western shirt, a cowboy hat, a roughstock cowboy, and a kitchen? Chocolate of course. Chocolate and beer to be precise.

If you have spent anytime in rural America, especially out west, you would know the folks that live in fly-over country are often multi-talented and resourceful. I have been in ice cream shops where you could get a cone, buy a postcard, and get a key made in one stop. When I lived in Montana my neighborhood hair salon sold custom made gun racks right next to the shampoo and hair products. These people are entrepreneurs and make best and better with what resources and skills they have.

While drinking my coffee this morning I ran into a story about a cowboy named Tim Kellog who resides in Meeteetse Wyoming, population of about 350. Tim is a working cowboy at the M.C. Land and Cattle Co. ranch. When he’s not working at the ranch he’s in the kitchen at his chocolate shop, the Meeteetse Chocolatier, located on Main Street.

Tim learned to make chocolate truffles from his grandmother. However, I doubt the Coors beer and Jack Daniel’s Truffles were her recipes. They sound like a cowboy thing. He can now create about 800 truffles a day. When he’s on the ranch Tim has employees to run the chocolate shop which opens it’s doors 7 days a week.

Kellogg tailors his flavors to his customers.

During the Harley rally, he created a Jack Daniel’s truffle. The popular Coors truffle was born out of a joke.

One day, Kellogg was baking and having a Coors — it’s his kitchen, after all. Someone joked that he should make a truffle flavored with the beer.

“I said, Why not try it?’” Kellogg said. “I opened a new beer, made the centers … and it didn’t taste bad. I sold 30 in one afternoon. People were buying it because it was so bizarre. It took off.”

Wyoming cowboy creates chocolate delights, The Dickinson Press, , February 19, 2009

So let me get this strait. Chocolate, whiskey, beer, sage, and huckleberry? 5 items that I can honestly say are some of my most favorite things in the world. I’m nowhere near Wyoming but it’s a good thing the Meeteetse Chocolatier ships their goodies all over the United States.

The wussification of America marches on as virtually everything in our society is shaped to be “fair” and “non offensive”. We a rapidly losing our grit, free spirit, and can do attitude. Real men built this country. Wussies could never achieve such greatness.

Have you ever questioned you manliness but have never found a reliable scientific test that provides accurate results?

Well now you have no reason to question your man status. We have employed some of the best scientific minds of the world to create a test that will tell you for sure whether you are a Real Man or a Total Wussie. We will run you through several questions that cover the following topics:

• What you do for fun
• The car you drive
• Your clothing
• Your weekend nights
• Sports you watch
• Music you listen to
• Women you prefer
• Your ideal job

So what are you waiting for? Find out now. Are you are a real man or a total wussie?

If you’re in the market for a pair of cowboy boots to complete your entire western wear look, you may want to check into boot consignment shops in your area before you purchase a brand new pair. One shop in Ladson, South Carolina called The Recycled Cowboy Store does just that: hooks you up with consigned cowboy boots.

The Recycled Cowboy has everything from boots to buckles, cowboy hats to cowboy history, where at the checkout counter customers can purchase reproductions of actual tokens dispensed at Old West brothels. If you have any questions about the many interesting and unique items, co-owner Linda Blevins is usually there to answer them and her personal touch, in both dealing with customers and the items she selects for her store, are what makes the Recycled Cowboy such an intimate and charming affair. After 14 years of business, The Recycled Cowboy shows no signs of heading off into the sunset. And whether you’re a cowboy or not, it is one of the most unique stores you’ll ever experience - short on price, long on charm - and always worth the visit.

If you are in the Ladson area in the future, be sure and pop in The Recycled Cowboy to pick up a perfect pair of cowboy boots for you.

While galloping on the wide open internet range for all things cowboy cool I bumped into an Oklahoma country girl’s blog titled Cowgirl’s Country Life. Warning: Her blog will make you extremely hungry.

If you are interested in raising your own shrimp, canning, smoking and preserving your own meat, fishing or sitting around a good camp fire…..we might be related.

Cowgirl has documented tons of her meals and recipes. How does smoked beef ribs and bacon wrapped corn sound? Pretty damn good right?

Have you ever wanted to know how to make smoked venison shoulder, chipotle pork and pintos?

Not only is Cowgirl’s Country Life packed full of mouth watering recipes but Cowgirl has documented some of her amazing projects. She built a really nice homemade drum smoker that probably gets plenty of use with her culinary skills.

You can’t have great food without great libations so Cowgirl custom built an 8′x5′ weather resistant outdoor bar that has probably seen some great parties.

Mike, a commenter on her blog had this to say:

Geez girl, is there anything you can’t do? Well other than move that by yourself I guess. But you did figure out a way to get it done, so kudos to you!

After reading through her blog I doubt there is anything she can’t do. We salute you Cowgirl, for being a modern country renaissance woman.

On Monday, Feb 2, a 650-pound yearling steer made a break for freedom from his trailer on i-84 in Troutdale Oregon. The incident caused traffic to back up both ways on the freeway.

The cow evaded capture from the police numerous times by using athletic agility never before seen from a yearling steer. At one point he reached a breakneck speed of 8mph.

Fortunately a Hoosier Cowboy from Fort Wayne Indiana was traveling on I-84 when he saw the incident unfolding and sprung into action. With the help of Troutdale police officers the Cowboy was able to bulldog the steer into a makeshift pen created from police cars and a guard rail.

The  Cowboy’s name has not been reported anywhere that I have seen, but we here at Cacties salute you and your excellent wrangling skills.

The 14 minutes of squad car footage is priceless. Enjoy.