We miss you, Roy.  And Gene.  And Tom.  And Tex.  And Buck.  And Wild Bill.  And Lash.  And Paladin.  And Matt.  And Rowdy.  And Audie.  And even Flash of sci-fi fame ... With Clark and his super-cronies .... .

And if you don't recognize those names, explaining wouldn't help you remember.

It's the birthday of the "King of the Cowboys," Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio (1911). When he was 18 he moved with his mother and father to California, where he earned money by harvesting fruit and working as a cowhand. He started playing guitar and singing in small theaters and on the radio in the 1930s. He met Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer, and they started the Sons of the Pioneers. The band made appearances in several motion pictures.

Rogers's first screen name was "Dick Weston." He changed it to Roy Rogers just before he got his first big break, replacing Gene Autry in the movie Under Western Stars (1938). The movie was a hit, and it launched Rogers's steady film career as a singing cowboy.

So much for cowboys of the 20th century and before -- those heroes of yester-year. 

Did you know that Ross Perot is a member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame?  Yep.  He sure is.  That scrawny little guy with the irritating voice is right up there with Roy and Gene and Hoppy and Clayton and all the others. 

NOTE: I didn't vote for him in THAT election, either!

H. Ross Perot, founder of Electronic Data Processing, Presidential candidate, National Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee, trained horses and did rope tricks as a teenager. When Iranians arrested some of his employees, Perot organized a rescue. He became a billionaire when he sold EDP to General Motors. He made another huge chunk of money when GM paid him to get off the Board of Directors and quit asking embarrassing questions. His independent Presidential campaign in 1992 created panic among Republicans, Democrats, and news media.

And now into the 21st century rides another breed of cowboy ..... Reagan, Luke (Skywalker),Tom Selleck, Rambo, Clint, General (stuck-on-stupid) Honore and of course, this guy ...

Mosey on up to the comment bar, buckaroos, and name your own favorite cowboy (or cowgirl) ....

Yeeeee hawwwww. 

 [Oooops.  Lost my composure there for a second.]

Flashback:  Several years ago, I volunteered to join a  "real" cattle herd in Wyoming.  I have photos somewhere.  Don't make me prove it. 

Been there -- done that, by golly.  Ain't doing it again, either.  The pain (in muscles I never knew I had) in my posterior and legs was so severe, I had to hole up in a desolate motel for two days before I could climb into the jeep and drive home.  

Every time I recall that venture, I limp (similar to Gabby Hayes -- sans the beard) until the memory fades .....