FROM MY FRONT PORCH When the pressure is off, the pressure is on

FROM MY FRONT PORCH

When the pressure is off, the pressure is on

SAM HOUSTON

Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.

This past week I was fortunate to be scrolling through social media when I saw a notice that a young man I knew was celebrating his birthday. Jeff is now 43 years old and lives in New York.

A little more than 20 or so years ago, he arrived on a bus after traveling from the northeast to Texas over a period of two full days. He was interested in learning about horses and had reached out to me looking for a place to work and learn. Since Jeff had very little background in terms of ranching or equines, I was more than a little reluctant, but I finally told him if he could get to Texas, I would give him a chance.

When the bus came to a stop, the doors opened and out walked a long, tall string bean of young man, wearing a hat that was right off a cowboy caricature photo. To say Jeff did not look like a cowboy would be a vast understatement. I had him toss his stuff into my truck and got him back to the ranch and settled in. I am pretty sure I was shaking my head in dismay, as I navigated the road back home. What had I gotten myself into?

I dropped Jeff at the bunk house and gave him the rest of the day off to catch up on some sleep he had lost while traveling. I made it clear the day started at 7, and he needed to be at the barn ready to go.

Early the next morning, my new ranch hand met me with a smile and began attending the “school of hard knocks.” He learned how to saddle horses all day, wash them, turn them out, tack care of tack, and a thousand other tasks. Though he was ignorant of how to do things the “cowboy” way, his knowledge quickly grew, and he was never short of enthusiasm as he went about his work.

Jeff worked from 7 to 6, six days a week. Many times, on Sunday I would have him join my son and I as we went to church. Afterward, we would return home and I would cook. Though he was very slender, he had a tremendous appetite, which led to me teasing him, “Jeff this is all you can eat, not eat it all.”

There were many times we talked about life, manhood, the future, and the proper way to handle yourself. Jeff always listened closely, though a man trying to spread wisdom never really knows if those kinds of lessons stick. The test is through observation over the years.

At the end of the internship Jeff went back to New York. He served a tour of duty in the military, and now works as a farrier and from all outside observations, has a nice life. When I sent him a “Happy birthday” greeting on Facebook he sent me a nice note back, telling me had never forgotten some of the things I had told him. His favorite was “When the pressure is off, the pressure is on,” which in cowboy language means if you stay on top of your life and take care of business daily, there will never be any pressure because you worked, planned and thought ahead and anticipated all the things that could go wrong. Jeff told me he tried to practice that phrase every day.

A man never knows what affect he might have on someone. I am proud that Jeff demonstrates the character I always wanted to see be a part of him. He was a hard-working young man, and I was proud to know him. I am even prouder of him now.

Learning about life the way Jeff did is not the easiest way, but it is the “cowboy” way.

Thought for the day: The people around us impact us. Be intentional about how you associate with others and who you let be around you.

Until next time

sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260