Category: Children

Hollywood and Two Friends

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In the early years of Hollywood’s cowboy life, he roamed the range and he worked on many, many ranches. He took a task from one ranch for a few weeks, then went to help someplace else for a month, and sometimes for an entire summer, but he was not very stable.

Gradually, Hollywood took a liking to ranches called Dude Ranches or Guest Ranches. People would come from the East Coast and spend all summer learning how to wrangle a cow. People came to the ranch to understand what it was like to be in the wild. Hollywood enjoyed teaching people the cowboy way, they would visit with him asking questions, and he would lead them around all through the day, showing them all about looking after cattle. Hollywood would tell stories and help them understand things. In some cases, he got to know them pretty well and they would become friends. But he was quick to say friendship did not always happen. Once, Hollywood made friends with two men: Buck and Jim. Buck started writing poetry and singing songs, and this was what Hollywood’s new friend sang —

Two friends spent the summer, on a ranch where I was a guide,

Mattered not what I was doing, they were working by my side.

We would ride the trails together, Dakota plains were the place,

Almighty God brought his mercy, hearts were changed by his grace.

These two guys, Buck, and Jim spent a lot of time on their horse with Hollywood. They would ride all over the foothills on the Wind River Ranch. After a while, they started asking him, why do you do the things you do? You are not like everybody else. Down here you have kindness and gentleness, but yet you have strength and the way you act and the way you speak and the way you handle yourself. How is it you are this way? Who taught you these things?

And Hollywood would just say –well, you know, I learned these things from my mother and from my dad.

A few days later Buck asked — why do you think the way you think? I mean, most people would not react the way you do to trouble. You do not seem to be flapped by much of anything.

Finally, Hollywood said. Well, the answer is simple. Are you sure you want to know?

Buck says – sure…

Hollywood replied — So tell me, do you know anything about Jesus?

Jim smiled, he kind of laughed, and he said — ohh yeah, I read about him once.

Buck mused — Who’s that?

Hollywood looked at him with amazement and said — you do not know who Jesus is at all? You have not ever been to church?

Buck said — Yes, I have. But I do not remember much. I was just a kid.

Hollywood replied — This is how we are going to do this. I am going to get my Bible tonight and I will bring it with me tomorrow, and I will show you a few things to help you understand who this Jesus is. You have questions. I will try and help you find some answers.

So, the next day, Hollywood showed up with his Bible. He just started reading stuff. He read aloud. He told them to listen to the message and to stop him when they had questions. So, he would read a piece of scripture and they would talk about it. And then he had read something else and they would talk about it. And sometimes they would make fun of the scripture and sometimes they listened. Very carefully.

But over the weeks their views started to change and they started to really understand what God was about. They started to understand what the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was about. They started to understand what it was to Walk with God and how to make Jesus Lord of their life.

Then they both wanted to know what to do.

Buck said — We do not really, really want to become an old guy who carries a Bible around, talks a lot, and makes people want to run away. But we like this message – it resonates with us. We like what you are saying, both of us. We talk about it when you are not around and we think about the things that you say and we ask each other questions. Then we ask you questions, and you have answers.

But you are not pushy, Hollywood. You are not a raving, loud person with a frivolous message to share. You are gentle and kind, you know your job, you really know your message, you look after the cattle, you teach us well, and you make sure we are safe. And you do not let us get into too much trouble without providing a little bit of scolding to bring us back where we belong. You are so gentle, kind, and firm all at the same time. We want to understand more, tell us more about the principles that drive your life.

So, all through the rest of the summer, Hollywood explained the wisdom of God and finally, one by one, each of these men gave their life to Jesus. So, they came out west, not knowing much of anything about the wisdom of God, and they went back to the East Coast as Christians.

Hollywood followed up with Buck and Jim. He wrote letters and they wrote him back and told him about the things that were going on in their lives, how they were gradually growing, and bringing glory to God in the way that they were living. They were instructing their children and their friends about things that they learned about in the wild west on the Wind River range. So, one of them wrote this prose for Hollywood. Jim wrote —

From the top of the Rainbow Mesa, good news shared under the sage,

Break the hold on long shadows, over a hundred miles of range.

I loved every moment, we learned on eagle wings to ride,

Soon the winds of autumn came, and we had to say goodbye.

When Hollywood got a letter in the mail from Jim near thanksgiving, the letter had these 4 lines. He just sat down, smiled, and tears came to his eyes.

Miss Tillie said — what is the matter, Is there something wrong?

Hollywood said — no, no, these are tears of joy. Look at this! My friend sent me this poem. She looked at it and tears came to her eyes.

Miss Tillie said — you know, it was an incredibly good summer for you and for those two men, a very good summer indeed.

Romans 1:16-17 –For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Hollywood and his old Boss

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As Hollywood got older and spent his Christmases with his wife, Miss Tillie, sometimes he would go through his old Christmas cards, remembering the memories from that time frame, recalling who sent the card, and where in Wyoming or South Dakota the card came from.

Hollywood had one specific Christmas card that really touched him because his old Boss had written a song and inserted it into the card. He did not exactly know how the song sounded, but he knew the poetry. From time to time, he would remember and apply sage advice from his old Boss.

His old boss, like Hollywood, also had Christmas cards, he did the same thing that Hollywood did. His boss would dig through those old cards and spend time thinking about the men that used to work for him. He would often reach out to those men with little notes of appreciation and of kindness, hoping that they were doing well.

And so, Hollywood would carefully place these cards on the mantle of the fireplace in his little cabin. Miss Tillie and Hollywood would go deep into the pine forests of the Wind River Range and locate the perfect Christmas Tree. They carefully pulled the tree home with her horse, set it into the cabin, and would stand up the tree to stretch out overnight. Then, the next day, they would decorate that tree with ribbons, cookies, and small candles. Miss Tillie was more than a little bit careful not to burn those candles on the tree. They burned their candles on the table because they never wanted to have a problem. But they loved the way the candles look on the tree.

Hollywood had a hand carved star that he had made many years ago that he carefully protected through the year. Early December, each year, that star would come out from a little hiding place in the cabin. During the second week of December, that star would be placed on top of that tree. It would sit there ever so beautifully until the 1st week of January. Then this family treasure would be carefully taken down, wrapped up and tucked away in its secret hiding place. Miss Tillie very much treasured that star.

In addition to the star, they created little mementos each year for the tree. Something fresh and something new to go on their tree to remind them of all the blessings that God had given during the year. Sometimes, when the year went well, they were able to get each other a small gift, but more often than not, they just made something for each other. It was never the size of the gift, rather it was the love and the care that went into building those gifts for each other that was important.  Anyone could walk down to the local store and buy something. The love between them created the memories.

They always had a nice meal; they obtained extra vegetables and spent a little extra time preparing those vegetables — they were just ever so tasty. Hollywood read the Christmas story to Miss Tillie and then they would sing Christmas carols. So then out came his favorite Christmas card on Christmas morning and he would read the poetry that came from his boss. He reads each year —

I was digging through my Christmas cards, from friends near and on the coast.

One card stood out from all the rest, the one I treasured most.

It was a small birch bark card, With a twig of Spruce inside.

Sent by the boss of the Box Elder ranch, where I once worked as a Guide.

The card told me about Grace, God’s mercy given to me.

The card talked about a child, born to hang on a tree.

The card told me about God’s love, eternal life for me.

The card talked about Jesus, born to hang on a tree.

The words are running through my mind, like a gentle sweet refrain.

May you climb back in the saddle when the grass grows green again.

May you climb into God’s arms, when the grass grows green again.

May you see his face smiling at you, when the grass grows green again.

And then when it got to be New Year’s Eve, Hollywood would remember his mother because she always liked to sweep out the old and bring the new in on that evening. And so, Hollywood would continue that tradition, he would think about his mother’s songs, remember all the things that she taught him, and he would think about the one true living God he serves now. Hollywood was very aware that he would have never known about the one true living God had it not been for his mother and Miss Tillie.

Finally, they always would thank God for all the children that Miss Tillie had taught in the classrooms over the years. Hollywood and Miss Tillie knew that they had had a good life; they had been helped by many people; and they had been able to help others. And with that, they went to bed, rose the next morning, and embraced the new year — it was a very, very good year.

Isaiah 7:14. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel…

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Hollywood and the Midnight Ride

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After Hollywood settled down in life, he found a job working at the Q-Bar Ranch on the far west side of the Black Hills. He did not know how much he was going to love this job until after three or four years of work. He found it to be the perfect balance of solitude, time out on the range, chasing down the cattle that were in trouble, protecting them from the wolves and the bears and all the other critters that chased the cattle. He also loved the time spent with the men who worked on the ranch, working as small teams and sometimes in the evenings as they would sit and talk to each other, solving all the problems of the world.

But gradually, his most favorite time of all was the evening watch. Late at night, he’d go out on the range and he spent his turn on Guard. He was working and looking after the cattle to be sure that they were safe through the evening. It was the same type of job as a shepherd. He had read about this type of work in the Bible. Over the years he developed an affinity for scripture, he loved to read and study the passages his mother had introduced him to.

Yet tonight, there he was, riding his horse, watching the stars move, watching the shooting stars light up the sky, seeing the horizon change as the moon shifted across the heights. They could see the ridge outline and the mountains. They could see the cabin lights at the ranch. They could see the tree outline. And then he could hear his friends, who were a long way away, but they would be singing. They could hear each other sing. They sang beautiful harmonies. Slowly. He learned what they were singing. And then, when it was his turn, he would start a song for the others to sing. He would share the songs he learned from his mother. He often sang —

Moonlight on the prairie, cowboys are singing low.

Cattle are all sleeping, riders look to and fro.

Protecting the herd from trouble, cattle decide to trust us.

They come and touch my hand, never want to make a fuss.

These are simple songs. But they told the story of what a cowboy did and what a Cowboys life was like. The men that worked the range loved what they did for a living. Hollywood loved looking after the cattle. They all knew that these cattle ultimately would wind up on a dinner table someplace. So, while the cattle were in their care, they looked after them and gave them the best life possible. Make no mistake, the cattle are rough and tough. And yes, the cattle made a lot of noise and often resisted our efforts to look after them. Yet, the moments of tenderness we would experience with the members of the herd spoke volumes of the character and resolve the herd felt.

But in the end, everybody understood their role and the cattle really grew to appreciate these men as they raised them up over the years. Eventually the day came when we had to bring these herds into the gathering points. We gently loaded the cattle onto the train. These cows would go on a long journey.

But we know, we all seem to understand, and we even think sometimes the cattle understood how important their role was — people’s lives depended upon having something good to eat. The cattle lived a good life on the range but then gave themselves for others to live. And so, life progressed — it was not easy. It was not a life that was made for everybody. Our life was protecting and herding cattle. We spent time roping and gathering the cows during the daytime. We rode out into the rain, snow, hail, lightning, and heat to find and help the cattle. Sometimes we would see trouble on the horizon, when you are the only cowboy for 50 miles around, you are it. The cattle were our responsibility.

Yeah, you had those songs to sing, and at night when you could hear the silence, it was so, so quiet and so beautiful. But we had God on our side to keep us safe. We stayed the course, doing what needed to be done. And then came the songs and the poetic lyrics about real life, his life. And he was saying things like —

Soon it will be morning, west wind is turning gray.

Cattle will soon awaken, At the break of day.

Up the trail we travel, each step defines the fun.

We count heads carefully, Never want to lose one.

For hours he would spend time on his horse, moving to and fro, checking on the herd, talking to them quietly, keeping the peace, keeping them calm. They would gather in small bunches, and the young would circle around, nudging his horse.

He would wait quietly for the night to pass because the cattle knew he was there to protect them; they knew that they were safe. So, they just rested.

Sometimes things did not go so well. Sometimes a coyote or a wolf would move in looking for an evening meal and you would have to isolate those cattle and get between the cattle and the threat – Hollywood would stand his ground. The cattle knew their guard was going to take care of business. So, Hollywood would stand there and he would talk quite loudly and let that predator know he needed to move on, he was in the wrong place. Gradually Hollywood would coax the enemy away, and then the cattle would once again be relieved. They would be at peace and they would settle down once again, and he would return to his singing. Hollywood’s eye was always watching to be sure that the threat stayed far away and did not come close to his precious cattle.

Hollywood enjoyed the evening with his horse and his wonderful songs. He would look up at the stars, and he would describe the stars in song to the cattle. He would describe the way the moon looked, singing how the moonlight wrapped around his shoulders and lit up their eyes. He would sing what it was like to see the sunrise just starting to emerge. He would sing songs about how the warmth from the sun gradually emerged and filled up your face with pleasure. And then those songs would talk about the morning breakfast, what it was like to get a bite to eat during the day, and how welcome the rest was when your night’s work was done.

The songs were the threads that connected his life to God and to his work. As he got older, his songs became more important, he started writing them down so he would not forget. His voice lingers, even to this day, on the Wind River Range.

Exodus 14:13-14 — Do not be afraid, stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today … the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Exodus 15:2-3 – The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.  The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956.  The poetry in this story is adapted froSm Jim’s book.

Hollywood and the Camp Cook.

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Long before Hollywood met Miss Tillie, the camp cook was the main focus of his energy in the afternoons. There was only one thing more important than telling tall tales in the evening to his friends – that most important thing was — a full tummy.

Well, I remember once when Hollywood was working on the Box Elder Ranch and he was out there all by himself with a big old wagon full of barbed wire, fence posts, shovels, and all kinds of things that he needed to repair or install fences. All day long he would roll that big old wagon up close to a fence, then pull out a fence post, dig a hole, and drive a new fence post into the ground. Then he moved that old wagon about 15 feet, pulled the old fence post out of the ground, dug a new hole in the ground, and put another fence post into that new hole. Hollywood continued this process, he would go along the trail, replacing about 20 or 25 fence posts at a time.

He would circle the wagon back around to the beginning point, hook up a single lead of wire, and stretch it from the first post all the way to the last post. After he loosely tacked the wire to each post, he stretched that wire real tight. Then, from there, he would string two more runs of wire on the set of new posts and he would have himself a new segment of fence. Finally, he would go a little bit further down and start all over, put in about 20 or 25 posts and then string the three wires across the posts. Some days, this was all he would do, replacing fence from sunup to sundown.   So, you can imagine he was pretty hungry by the end of the day.

On one of those fence days, he returned to camp after a difficult day of stringing fence in the foothills. The camp cook was not done with dinner like he usually was. Goodness, his tummy was grumbling, grumbling, and grumbling. He worked really hard to keep his mouth shut because he did not want to rile up that cook and make him work even slower than he already was. He began to think on scripture about patience and he was reminded of a song that his mother used to sing. He could hear her voice right now. Here is what she would sing —

I was working on the Box Elder, stringing fence wire like thread.

Spent a long time in Dakota, when drifting was part of the day.

Nothing was too good for the cowboys, least that was what the boss would say.

I think he was an old-time rancher, known for how well he kept his crew fed.

Well, you know, Hollywood knew his boss was a good man and he had hired the best cook in the county. But today it has been a hard day and Hollywood was very, very hungry. So Hollywood was trying hard to be patient, but it was not easy. He could smell the vittles cooking slowly. He could hear the noise they make as they are gradually becoming crispy. The aroma was delectably tasty. But the cook said not yet — we are not ready to eat.

Hollywood was working hard to be patient, but it was not going well. He had to leave the kitchen area. He walked out where the cattle were. They were at peace. Hollywood knew trouble was brewing in his mind. He needed to get control. Goodness, it took a while to tell Lucifer to leave, the negative thoughts from Lucifer were not helping.  Hollywood was not willing to give into his temper, he told Lucifer to get lost – Hollywood was clear in his thoughts as he prayed – I am resisting you Lucifer, God tells me you must flee. Hollywood knew if he got mad, Cookie would move even slower than he already was. So, Hollywood put Lucifer on notice, God was not going to tolerate the noise from Lucifer.

Hollywood stayed patient and he stayed quiet. The time passed, his mind was still. God had pushed Lucifer away, and then you know what happened?

He finally heard what he wanted to hear. Hollywood could hear that clanging iron… He heard that triangle sing out with that beautiful ring, calling all of the cattle hands in to the kitchen to pick up their plate and come get some food so they could eat.

But Hollywood’s struggle was not over, by the time Hollywood got there, the line was pretty long. You know, Hollywood went too far away with his wandering while he was trying to hold his temper. And now, there he was, at the end of the line. Wait, and wait, and more waiting. But Hollywood knew God would leave enough food for him. There was always going to be enough food for every person on the crew because that is the kind of boss that he worked for. So, he just started praying about the good things that God gives you. And gradually, bit by bit, the line moved. Hollywood was able to get his meal and sit down. And once again he heard words from his mother. She sang this beautiful song. It seemed like she had written this song just for today. And here is what she had to say —

Fried potatoes, soft beans, flapjacks; good ole bread made of sour dough,

Maple syrup, Jam, and Jelly all over the place, Mountain Oysters cooked just so.

Hollywood reached for that cup of coffee that Cookie gave him, sat down, sipped on that coffee, and started working on his plate. He looked over and noted Cookie’s face. Cookie was beaming.

Cookie says direct to Hollywood – You know, you were the last guy in line. So, guess what! You are the first one to get seconds. Why don’t you come on up here and fill your plate up a second time because you look really hungry. Besides, I know I was late. I am deeply sorry, my friend. I had to find those potatoes. I had to go all the way back into the city. I did not have any. I needed to get potatoes and that pushed all of the meal preparation back. When I finally got back with the potatoes, I knew that I was going to have a lot of men waiting. Hollywood, I saw your patience. I knew you were hungry, but you were patient and you did not say a word. You just waited. You made my day, Hollywood. You made my day. Thank you.

And once again, Hollywood heard his mother singing in his mind. She sang to him —

It seemed they knew our tummy; they knew how to keep us at work.

Thus, when the going got really tough, not one of us was ever called a shirk.

Hollywood finished that second plate of food and his tummy was full. He drifted off to the bunkhouse to sit with all of his friends and tell tall tales as the sun disappeared over the horizon. He could hear the cattle in the background calling, and later that evening Hollywood went out on watch and started singing to the cattle. He sang his mother’s songs over and over and over again as the evening passed, and the cattle were quiet — at peace. Everything was at peace for Hollywood in the Wyoming foothills of the Wind River Range.

Ephesians 4:2 — Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Hollywood and the sound of Old Boots

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In his early days, Hollywood spent his time working on ranches. He made friends with everything around him, not just people. He made friends with his horses; he made friends with all the critters that he looked after. He made friends with the people that came to the ranch. He had friends from all over Eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota.

He learned many, many songs from his mother. These songs were about all different kinds of things. Sometimes she taught him songs about riding on the range. Sometimes she taught him songs about storm clouds and about the power of the river. Sometimes she taught him songs about how it felt when people came by to visit. She used the songs to teach him truth and life lessons.

On this day he walked way out onto the backside of the ranch. Drifting up into the foothills of the Wind River Range; he sat down in a deep crevice to ponder. Hollywood watched the clouds drift by as his mind wandered. He thought of one of those songs from his mom. In his mind he could hear her voice singing –

Laying in a narrow, daydreaming on life,

Looking at a cleft between tall walls.

heard a deep rumble of old boot heels,

They were coming down the draw.

Been a while since I put eyes on them,

I would guess three or four months.

This clatter could not be mistaken,

If you had ever heard it once.

His mind drifted once again. Watching the clouds come by, observing the formations with an imagination, you started guessing what he was seeing. Sometimes he could see the head of a coyote. As it drifted by another time, he thought he was seeing a turtle floating across the sky. Then a long, narrow snake moving across the sky; then that snake transformed and it became the round dot with another dot and another dot and it looked almost like a music note. But that seemed a little too strange for him. Then his mother’s voice came back to him again.

She often wondered about people and how they thought about the things of God. She was very willing to listen to their thoughts and pray for them and help them understand the things about Jesus that would change their lives. Hollywood knew that.

His relationship with God happened because of his mother talking to him over and over as he wrestled with the things of life. Hollywood wondered what his life would have been like if he had not paid attention to her thoughts. He was eternally grateful for her willingness to keep talking with him and keep praying with him until finally he understood that there was a God out there that loved him in spite of all the things he had done. This God really loved him in spite of himself. Hollywood struggled with a lot of things in his younger years, but he never forgot the words of his mother.

He ran away from home when he was a young man. He was convinced that he was going to find his own way and that he knew better than anybody else what was going to be good for him. Ohh my, the troubles he got himself into. He started running with the wrong crowd. This crowd was not a good influence. Because of his mother’s prayer and Fathers influence, he was truly fortunate to isolate himself before they started robbing banks.

He found a very loving and gentle sheriff that picked him up and put him in jail for a couple of weeks and talked with him about the path that he was on. That sheriff then reached out to his mother and determined that she was a woman of God. So, he released Hollywood into his mother and father’s hands.

Boy did she scold him. ‘Hollywood’ she sternly blurted out as she grabbed his ear and twisted. But she also showed him great mercy when the time came for him to sit down and take account of his life. So, as he slowed down in this small valley on this day; He heard her voice once again. — She was singing —

Started thinking about God’s grace.

I wondered if this was their today.

Told them about the goodness of God.

Turned out Jesus was the right play.

Their hearts renewed by mercy.

The wild horse in them put to rest.

They did not expect this blessing.

God gave them grace and his cleft.

Hollywood was at peace with himself now. He had Miss Tillie (his wife and best friend) at his side. And he had responsibilities. He worked for a good man on a ranch that needed his help. He felt like he had a purpose.

His boss said — You’ve come a long way since that little boy who ran away. It was clear, you were running from life, from your parents, from your friends, and from everything else. Anyone could see you were trying to figure out what this life is all about.

Today, out on the range, Hollywood just thinks about the songs his mother used to sing to him to help calm him down when the day was hard. On those days, his mother’s voice, and the God that he serves brought him peace.

And then, there is Miss Tillie, his wife. She was a gift from God. She made him feel needed and wanted. Life does not get much better. And with that, the sun started to drift down. Hollywood hopped back up from his resting place and headed home. His workday was done, his thinking was done, he was ready to go home and spend time with his wife. It was a good day….

Proverbs 31:10-12 – A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956.  The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Hollywood and Miss Tillie

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Years ago, the wild west called Miss Tillie from Philadelphia, she came for the adventure, she left the fine dining and the security of families and friends. She came west to teach at a small school on the edge of the Wind River Range in Wyoming. She remembered what it was like to ride in carriages on the city streets in the evening talking with friends. Her mind returned to the present day.

She looked out the window of the school, she could see dark storm clouds forming. She could see the wind picking up. She wondered what the afternoon was going to bring. She had been in the area for a few years and seen storms come and go. She continued teaching her children.

A while later she looked out the window again, but this time she paused, the wind was steady, and the snow had begun. She knew it was about time to let school out early and send the children home. But there were no parents to pick these children up. How would they find their way home in the storm?

She sent one of the older boys into the town to find the Sheriff and get help. The older boy was unable to locate the sheriff. Miss Tillie decided that they needed to hunker down and wait. She could not, in good conscience, send those children out in a storm on their own. She had heard too many stories where children had become disoriented, become lost in the storm, and freeze to death.

Then came a rider, a lone rider. He got off his horse and he walked up to the front door, Miss Tillie answered and said — Who are you?   You look like Frank, but I have not seen you for years.

The man said — Yes, I am Frank Burbank. I am back in town. But most people call me Hollywood. I see the smoke coming out of the chimney. You have children in there, don’t you?

Miss Tillie said — of course, school is in session.

Hollywood said — These children should be home mam, you know this.

Then Miss Tillie stepped into the foyer.

Miss Tillie closed the door so the children could not hear and said — I know they need to be at home, but no one has come to get them. The Storm is coming from the places where these children live. Their parents are stranded. I am going to need some help.

Hollywood said — What do you need now?

Miss Tillie said — I need food, blankets, and firewood.

Hollywood said — I will see what I can do. Give me a little time. I will return as soon as I can.

Hollywood headed north, through the town; he gathered up all the blankets he could find. He located some spare clothing and gloves and little fuzzy hats for the kids. One of the storekeepers offered a cord of firewood and the loan of a wagon.  Hollywood loaded the wagon and headed back to the school.

Miss Tillie had the older boys unload the wagon and bring the supplies in. He looks at her and tells her I am not done. I am off looking for food. Hollywood comes back about 30 minutes later with a calf. Miss Tillie asks a few of the older boys to prepare the calf and turn it into good meat for tonight and the next few days. Hollywood hands one of the older boys a knife and advises the young man this is a good sharp knife. Be careful!  Hollywood heads back out again, looking for other things to go with the food in case they have to spend several days. He gathers up more firewood in the wagon and he finds a woman willing to share some extra preserved vegetables. He brought that back to Miss Tillie. Then he placed the horses and the wagon in the little shed near the schoolhouse. He made sure the horses were fed.

They were prepared now to spend the night. Hollywood helped the boys organize the room so the girls could have a little privacy. Hollywood found a fiddle at the local saloon, played a little music with the children throughout the evening, helping them pass the evening. Miss Tillie found a few stories that she could read. The music and the stories helped the children to settle in for the night.

Miss Tillie organized the older girls and the older boys into a cooking crew and they got the fire going. The cooking crew got the food prepared and they got the schoolhouse warmed up. Hollywood found a few things they could use as plates and utensils. Gradually, all the children were able to eat really tasty beef stew.

By now the snow had turned into a full-blown blizzard. You could no longer see the town, the mountains, the road, nor anything else. As the sun was going down, it just kept snowing and snowing and snowing. The snow was piling up on the walls of the school. So high that it gradually covered the windows on one side of the schoolhouse. The presence of the snow on the windows quieted the howling wind.

Hollywood hunkered down with the children inside the schoolhouse. He set up his bunk right in front of the door. No one was getting in without climbing right over the top of Hollywood. He put some of the older boys all around him. No one was going to bother these children while they rested.

For the first time, Miss Tillie started feeling safe. She had a plan that was going to keep these children safe until this storm passed. For three days, the storm raged. The snow was the worst that anybody had seen in the last 40 years. Hollywood made sure that the well just outside of the schoolhouse stayed clear so they could fetch water. Eventually, the storm came to close and the town dug itself out.

On the fourth day, a few of the parents finally were able to get to the schoolhouse in the afternoon to get to their children. By the end of the fifth day, all the children were heading home. They were so relieved. The parents knew that these children would have died as they walked home. They knew that Hollywood and Miss Tillie kept the children alive.

After that storm, it was quite common to see Miss Tillie riding with Hollywood, the two of them talking quietly as they roamed around the Wind River Range. No one was surprised when Miss Tillie decided to spend the summer as a guest at the ranch where Hollywood was a guide. He authored this poem —

We found each other on a ranch in Wyoming, I was a guide and she was a guest,

She told me about the big City, I told her about the west.

She loved the sunsets and the mesas, I was intrigued by the stories she told,

Of England, Alaska, and Paris too, a new world through her eyes did unfold.

Once we rode the long way into the town, I would sing her the songs of the plains,

I picked her a bunch of wild roses; we talked about the wind and the rains.

She said the roses were ever so lovely, without thinking I said, ‘you are too’,

Just like that I pointed to an eagle, circling high up in the blue.

We found a bond that was complete, we were connected at the hip,

I remember that eagle to this day, every time we take a trip.

Later that fall, they decided to get married. People from all over the countryside came to the wedding. They remembered what Miss Tillie and Hollywood did for the children of that region. The two of them grew old together and had many, many adventures with the children and on their own. Just a schoolteacher and a ranch guide. But, to the people of that town, they were much, much more.

Romans 15: 4-6 — For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956.  The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.

Hollywood And The Tree Frogs

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When the moon passes by the front window and moon shadows grow long almost laying on the floor, then the birds start to sing, and the sky transforms from twinkly black to a beautiful blue. The clouds began their morning dance as the wind picks up a bit and pushes down the road to the next ranch. Here at the Bent Knee Ranch, Hollywood is first rousing, looking for a sip of coffee and breakfast.

Hollywood says — Ahh…  breakfast; the warm smell of porridge, apples, and raisins in a bowl. Ahhhh… So yummy.

Miss Tillie knows what Hollywood likes and sets out to create a grand morning breakfast. The creative work she does in the kitchen is her offering of service to the one true living God. She says, it is my privilege to be of service to God, to help Hollywood begin his day on the Ranch, and to make this home a small glimpse of heaven. Every task in the house is done to bring glory to God, it is a privilege to serve God in this way. God made us to be creative and to do all things to his Glory – even a thing like cooking and homemaking becomes artwork and ministry as the home she builds is used to serve the community.

Then she asks Hollywood — when do you think the Tree frogs will start singing this year?

Hollywood replies – Soon. Very Soon. The weather is just right. Perhaps before the week is completed. I will let you know what I see when I get out onto the land.

So, Hollywood leaves the house and starts working on his ranch duties. He mends a few fences, checks on the cattle, repairs the barn door, and then rides the range looking for calves that are wandering alone and unprotected. His day is long and he sings to pass the time. He was taught by his grandfather that his work on the land is a ministry to Miss Tillie and the others that come to visit and ask questions about life. But, today he is thinking about Tree Frogs for his Miss Tillie.  He sings a song in his head that his mother taught him many years ago —

Do not look at me with big eyes,

Your glowing look, your sunny sky,

happy days I have come to know,

That tree frog I loved so long ago.

Do not smile for what you do,

It seems my dreams have come true.

We are happy as could be in the blue,

That tree frog smiled so long ago.

He remembers the early days with Miss Tillie. Ranch life was much more uncertain in those days. The thunderstorms often started fires, the wolves were always looking for a free lunch from the herd and the local town was not a nice place to visit.

But times have changed, people grew up and grew wise. Hollywood was part of that change. He did not like to bring attention to himself but he could see the differences in people as he brought peace to the valley of the Bent Knee. He continued singing:

When you speak, I think of trees,

A tree right here in the room with me.

Your voice that calls me so low,

That tree frog lost so long ago.

It is strange how God brings you near,

So many days, so many years.

Now it seems I am moving so slow,

Chasing a tree frog so long ago.

Hollywood smiled. He remembered the songs of his earlier days. Now, his whiskers were a bit gray; he moved a bit slower; he kept a bit closer to the fire in the evening. But his mind was still strong. He loved God, Miss Tillie, the Bent Knee Ranch, the local town, and his cattle. They have lived a grand life. Often people come by in the afternoon to visit and ask questions about their struggles. They know that Hollywood and Miss Tillie have become wise in their old age and they look for his counsel.

But now, it was time for supper, Hollywood found some good things to eat. He chopped and shaped and gently placed his vegetables in the pan to cook them tender through and through. He found a thick steak and placed it on the coals to sear and sizzle until it was a bright pink inside. His coffee cup was empty and he poured Miss Tillie a cup of coffee to have with her meal.

Then Hollywood gave thanks for the meal and quietly watched the sun set on the hills. In the distance he could hear the call of a tree frog, first one, then a second, then a whole choir of singers filling the night with the gentle praise for God’s goodness and mercy as the day ended. Miss Tillie smiled.

Psalm 23:6 — Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Please note: In 1956 a cowboy poet, Jim Jennings, published a short book about his experience working at ‘dude’ ranches in the west. My Great grandmother, Goldie Livingston, obtained a first edition copy of Jim’s self-published book in the fall of 1956. The poetry in this story is adapted from Jim’s book.