Opinion

Will Rogers’ wit, humor, and common sense sayings have been a part of our lives for well over one hundred years. Not only was he an accomplished homespun cowboy humorist and known for his quick wit and political satire, but he was an American treasure and was unequaled in his roping proficiency. He was recognized as a western philosopher and considered humor to be his tool. Will Rogers was at home in the presence of royalty, world leaders, dignitaries, children, and the common man. He was known to say things like, “I never met a man that I did not like.” He would advise folk to, “Live in such a way that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip!” Will Rogers was born November 4, 1879 and grew up living the ranch life, roping and riding, becoming a proficient artist with the lasso. He made the Guiness Book of World Records by throwing three loops at one time, one around the horses head, one around his own head, and one around all four feet of his horse! The family ranch was near Oologah, Oklahoma, which was at that time a part of Indian Territory. Both of Rogers parents were of Cherokee heritage, a fact that he was proud of. During his life, Will Rogers was the author of numerous newspaper columns and six books. As an entertainer, Rogers incorporated rope tricks in his routine as well as an ongoing spiel containing observations about people, politics, and weather. Often, his comments brought humor into play with sayings such as, “Swinging a rope ain’t bad as long as your neck isn’t in it!” or “I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat.” In 1908, Will Rogers married Betty Blake and they had four children. But his brilliant career would come to a tragic end at age 55. Will Rogers was a passenger in an airplane piloted by Wiley Post when it crashed as they were taking off from a lagoon near Point Barrow, Alaska. However, Will Rogers was prepared with this epitaph, “When I die, my epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going to read, ‘I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn’t like.” He went on to say, “I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved!” Will Rogers was a great western humorist and made this claim about pigs, “You should never try and teach a pig to read for two reasons. First, it’s impossible; and secondly, it annoys the hell out of the pig!”. so I think this poem will fit. The movie, “Lonesome Dove,” sees Gus McCrae tack a sign on the gate post that reads, “We Rent Pigs.” Maybe that’s where this pig came from.

The electricity grid that covers most of Texas was holding up as of Sunday during the latest winter storm, although localized power outages were reported in Deep East Texas and far West Texas.

“My sister, Joanne Milnes, who worked at the VA Medical Center in Marlin got this recipe from someone there. It could well have been over 40 years ago. I have been baking it for just about every occasion. I don’t believe anyone has ever asked me for it, but if they had, I would have shared it. I believe in sharing my recipes. This is a really good-tasting sheath cake, not to be confused with cheese cake. It is special ‘cause it is perhaps my brother’s favorite cake,” said Nelda Brown.