Do you remember when a meeting in the middle of the road wasn't considered a traffic jam?
Back in the day, if two pickups met on a quiet country road, there was a pretty good chance both drivers would ease over, roll down their windows, and visit awhile. Sometimes it was five minutes. Sometimes it was closer to an hour. Nobody was in a hurry, and nobody minded waiting their turn.
One of the best examples I remember was Jim and Bud Roberds. If those two happened to meet on the road, you could almost count on them solving the world's problems before either one drove away. They'd talk about the weather, cattle, crops, hunting, fishing, neighbors and who knows what. Before long, someone else might pull up and join in the conversation.
So, if you happen to meet an old friend on one of our quiet country roads, maybe pull over for a minute. Roll down the window. Ask how they're doing. You might just find yourself carrying on a tradition that helped make communities like Elm Grove, Bowser, and Skeeterville feel more like family than neighbors.
And who knows? Somewhere up above, Jim and Bud are probably still parked side by side on a dusty country road, swapping stories, solving the world's problems, and making everyone else wait just a little longer.
I was reminded of those small-town connections one day when Jim and I were eating at a restaurant in San Antonio. Jim was wearing his Richland Springs cap when a gentleman walked over and asked, 'Are y'all from Richland Springs?' They visited for a minute, and then Jim said, 'Well, actually, we're from Bowser.'
The man grinned and challenged him. 'If you're really from Bowser, then who's the mayor of Bowser?'
Without missing a beat, Jim answered, 'Well, everybody knows that—Bud Roberds!'
The two of them burst out laughing. Right there in the middle of a busy San Antonio restaurant, two strangers found a connection to a little community that most folks have never even heard of. That's the wonderful thing about small towns. No matter where you go, sooner or later you'll find someone who knows someone, remembers a family, or has a story about a place like Bowser.
As we celebrate the traditions that make country life so special, don't forget that rodeo season is here! The Richland Springs Rodeo will be held July 31 and August 1, and the Elm Grove Rodeo follows on August 6, 7, and 8. Both rodeos begin at 8:00 p.m. each evening. Bring the whole family out for an evening of exciting rodeo action, great hamburgers, and good fellowship. Most importantly, come cheer on our local youth as they compete in rodeo events and carry on a tradition that has been part of our rural heritage for generations. It's just one more reason living in a small country community is something to be proud of.
Everyone have a great week! Everyone have a blessed week!