Shalom Talk

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.