The Dragon Lady can cook.  It didn’t used to be this good, but she realized quickly that she needed to do better.  And now, I will put her up against any chef, anywhere.  She can compete.  I’ve paid lots of money for steaks that were killer good, but not as good as what she can do on this Traeger.  

      Tonight, she served Duke and I a cured, smoked pork chop with wild rice and green beans. Throw in a texas toast slice with a butt-load of honey.  I like my pig when it comes time to eat.  Breakfast meats, smoked hog, sandwich meat or a dish like this.  I couldn’t convert to be a good Jew, 7th Day Adventist or any other religion that doesn’t allow eating pig.  I know my limitations.  If eating a pig is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.

       Every time that she serves a cured, smoked pork chop, I am reminded of a movie.  It is a well known fact that I am a Star Wars nerd. But, I may actually be a bigger LOTR nerd.  For you non-knowers, that is Lord Of The RIngs.  I loved these J.R.R. Tolkien books when I was a kid.  I have the cartoon movie version of The Hobbitt.  I absolutely enjoyed the Peter Jackson movies of The Hobbitt and the LOTR.  There is a line in one of the movies when a couple of hobbitts are smoking and eating when the other heroes ride up.  One of the hobbitts says, “The salted pork is particularly good.”  And Gimli, the dwarf says longingly with a hint of want in his voice, “Salted pork.”  I know that it doesn’t translate well into a blog, but I love the way that character delivered that line.  I like it so well that EVERY time I eat this, I think out loud about “Salted pork”.

      On a goat note.  I had the honor and privilege of putting on a show clinic at Cheyenne, OK this past Saturday.  It was hosted by Mr. Phillip Butler.  If you don’t know Mr. Butler, you need to.  He was a long-time ag teacher that was highly successful.  Numerous state champion public speakers.  His son served as the Oklahoma FFA President.  Mr. Butler is a fun one to talk to as there will be no negativitly and he will always have a story.  And it will be a funny story.  

       I want to commend Mr. Butler on organizing and hosting this clinic.  He did this as a service to his customers as well as any goat showers in Roger Mills county.  Excellent turnout for a cold Saturday morning.  But the kids were GREAT!  They were coachable.  Asked questions.  And were VERY respectful to each other, the adults and myself.  OUTSTANDING group of young showmen.  There was a good number of parents, ag teachers and grandparents that were present and asked questions as well as provided insight.  

       I thoroughly enjoyed having a part in this clinic.  Great group of people and a better set of kids.  I hope that the kids and adults got as much out of it as what I did.  Deals like this remind me why I like the show program and make me refresh myself on the basics.  Basically, it makes me do a better job.  I like it.  I always wonder what a run-down cordless drill battery feels like when it gets plugged into the charging station.  Now, I know.  Thanks.  

       Here’s to hoping that you all had a great today and a better tomorrow.

     And a big shout out to that daughter of mine that is absolutely living the dream.  I just sit and shake my head (and hope that nobody catches the tear in my eye) as I watch the videos that she sends her mother and I from around the world.  Livestock judging, showing animals, public speaking, leadership events, goal setting, strong morals and a whole lot of work ethic will pay off.  It is staggering what a kid can accomplish.  You just have to have the intestinal fortitude to do it.  

“Try not.  Do or do not.  There is no try.”  –Yoda

Or, if you prefer, in the words of another great philospher–“Git ‘er done!”–Larry the Cable Guy.