<![CDATA[J.L. " Jim " Hodges, Author - Updates and Information]]>

<![CDATA[J.L. " Jim " Hodges, Author - Updates and Information]]>Wed, 15 May 2024 06:03:48 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Texas Longhorns, A Short Essay - Book Review]]>Sat, 07 Nov 2020 15:12:30 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/texas-longhorns-a-short-essay-book-reviewTexas Longhorns: A Short Essay
by Jim Hodges

Review by C. Wayne Hanselka, PhD

This brief, delightful publication is titled ‘a short essay” but is actually a series of short essays concerning the author’s admiration and perspectives of the iconic Texas Longhorn cattle. From the introduction of sharp-horned Spanish fighting cattle and rangy corrienties into the New World, to the learning of working cattle horseback in the Panuco region of Mexico, to the diffusion of cattle northward across the Rio Grande and blending of their bloodlines to form a new breed, to their almost extinction at the end of the 19th century, Hodges regards the process and the Longhorned, slab-sided, feral, well adapted cattle breed as assuming mystic properties worthy of remembrances in art, memory, and history. He writes this series of essays from his own historical perspective, experience, and scholarly research and examines the uniqueness of the Longhorn from a spiritual perspective; from the artistic perspective whether on canvas, in print, in song, or in memory; as well as in the science of development of body morphology and adaptations. His passion is apparent and translates into easy reading, brief enough to read leisurely at one reading. His prose sums up the essays – ‘I was here – roaming the eroded escarpments, and grazing the rich arroyo; I am history….listen to the wind….”. Careful, it may whet your curiosity to learn more about this historical breed that provided hides and tallow, fed the nation, provided the strength to carry the burdens of life, and essentially fueled the recovery of a post-Civil war Texas.

C. Wayne Hanselka, PhD

]]><![CDATA[Texas Longhorns, A Short Essay]]>Mon, 05 Oct 2020 21:34:21 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/texas-longhorns-a-short-essayJust completed reading Jim Hodges’ essay on the Texas Longhorn cattle. I have seen longhorns at various places in my travels, but had never given much thought to their origins. I have been aware of some of their history and their historical value to Texas. As an amateur historian, storyteller, and singer of cowboy songs, I have learned about and shared my knowledge of the cowboys, chuck wagons, cattle, and cattle drives. Thank you Jim for sharing your knowledge regarding the Longhorn breed. As a songwriter, I found a couple of lines in your essay that I hope to be able to steal and work into a new song. If I’m able to put it together, I’ll share it with you over a drink. Thanks again Jim and I hope our paths cross again soon. Grady Lee]]><![CDATA[August 18th, 2020]]>Tue, 18 Aug 2020 18:41:44 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/texas-longhorns-a-sort-essay<![CDATA[Threads of Ranching History, the 1930s By Jim Hodges]]>Sun, 19 Jul 2020 17:43:39 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/threads-of-ranching-history-the-1930s-by-jim-hodgesIntroduction: I wrote this as Lead Cowboy and Interpreter of Cowboy and Ranching History of the Georges’ Ranch Historical Park in 1999. I used it as an introduction to the personal history written by Madeleine Jodarski Muegge recalling being born and growing up on the Georges’ Ranch, and a subsequently published article entitled, Life on the Georges’ Ranch.

             The old hammering noise was pretty common on Market Street so Clyde Nakins read his newspaper in perfect bliss. Directly behind his dark oak chair on the curb chattered the craftsman in the old Visalia Saddle Company shop. Busy bees with their heads down and nimble fingers sewing with determined scowls of concentration etched deep in their brow. Escapism was better than reality for most this day as the 1930s were staggering to support life as we know it.

            White puffs of smoke curled under the brim of Mr. Nakins’ new brown Stetson hat and then lightly ran away – stolen by the warm San Francisco breeze. He, of course, privileged himself with a fine hand-rolled cigar as this day was no ordinary day, no, it was Mr. Nakins’ birthday! The new Stetson cost his wife of thirty years eleven dollars, so he wore it cocked slightly to the left eyebrow to keep style with the day. It was a beautiful morning, and he awoke this date to welcome his birthday and ignore the struggle for the solvency of the tiny saddle shop that flanked his repose. He thought that a sip of whiskey might be appropriate, so he indulged sporadically by use of his initialed pocket flask. Yes sir, April 20, 1934, was a great day for Clyde Nakins.

              The San Francisco newspaper was merely a prop for relaxation today as Mrs. Nakins had tickets to see a real singing cowboy movie this evening, so all the threats of impending war and uncertainty about the depths of the Great Depression were just skimmed and not digested. On the contrary, there was good news too. Social Security had been enacted and the FDIC was getting legs. The National Weather Service was spitting predictions, of which Mrs. Nakins' mother had her suspicions, but others saw it as a new way to maybe save lives. Mr. Nakins chuckled smugly as his eyes glanced over an ad for television. Everyone knew that was going nowhere, hell people didn’t have time for such folly! There was work to be done, even though big companies had to enact the forty-hour workweek now.

              His mind was on the evening with his lovely wife. They would be entertained by the first singing cowboy. A young feller by the name of Gene Autry. Mr. Nakins didn’t know where he came from, or where they got the nonsensical idea to have a cowboy sing instead of work, but it was his birthday, and who knows, maybe it might catch on!

             April 20, 1934, also witnessed the curl of smoke under the brim of another Stetson hat, far away. For, unaware to Mr. Nakins there was a man concerned with work this day. He stood perched on the board catwalk of the cattle holding pens at Crabb, Texas, lining up the shipment of 1,000 head of Texas cattle. Decked out in a gray pinstriped, vested suit, and custom made cowboy boots, he also topped his head with a silver belly Stetson hat. He was not a man of patience when it came to business or cattle, and he was certainly not a singing cowboy – he was a cowman. The contract that he had with Mr. W.R. Wells of Fort Worth, Texas was trying his patience.

              He was meticulous and well-educated. A school teacher, banker, oilman, and now cowman, and he was used to having his way. His instructions had been quite clear, in that Dr. Weeks was not shipping his one hundred head as planned. The Robinowitz and Moore cattle of 250 head were to be loaded at Dyer, Texas after the stop at Crabb. He had predicted that they could load 30 head per car, but as he stated, “ a few more won’t hurt”. He instructed Mr. Wells to have the engine and crew at Crabb at 8:00 am, and they would be loaded out at 1:00 pm after the cattle were meticulously run through the dipping vat and counted.

               Toe-tapping his cowboy boot on the weathered boards, he drew on his half-spent stogie. Statue still, left hand deep in his pants pocket, he grunted, “ Hmm”! That was a full paragraph for this cowman.

                Finally, the engine arrived with C.E. Barrett at the window. Though they were only twenty minutes late, the cowman’s light blue eyes cut straight to Mr. Barrett’s soul, and his rigid posture never stirred. Mr. Barrett issued an apology, but it was returned with the classic grunt, which in this case, screamed of disapproval! Mr. Barrett turned to Mr. Gonyo, proprietor of the Gonyo Store across the street, and blurted, “ Who does he think he is, Andy by God Jackson”? Mr. Gonyo stared back at him and announced, “ Nope – that’s A.P. George”! C.E. Barrett ducked back into the cab and tightened his grips. He knew that when this cowman pointed ahead, this train had better leave on time!

               Cloaked in innocence and unaware that tension existed in Crabb that day, the children of the T.O. Ranch and the George Ranch sat straight and proud at their desks in the George School House. All was quiet on The Line, not four miles from the Crabb holding pens as the children learned the Three Rs. This included the beautiful twin girls who were born on the Georges’ Ranch. Madeleine Jodarski was talking to her twin sister and her brother, Albert George Jodarski, while others played during recess.

                 On April 24, 1034, Farmer in the Dell was being played at the George School, simultaneously timed to the toe-tapping of the strict cowman, A.P. George, and the reposive melancholy of Clyde Nakins. Later in the evening of the same day, Madeleine Jodarksi read books with her family on the floor of their small farm home on the Georges’ Ranch. Clyde Nakins watched Gene Autry sing on the silver screen in San Francisco, while A.P. George had an Old Crow with Gene Autry at the Capitol Bar in Houston, Texas.

                   Funny things – the threads of history that tie the loops of the people and the times together. Intimate paths that cross, but unaware, until many years later when all have passed on that lived that day, and none can call it back. Only history remains.

References:

Personal interviews with Madeleine Jodarski Muegge and her husband, Louis Muegge. Johnny Hudgins, George Ranch cowboy, 1920-1972. Tony Roane, Brazos River bottom cowboy and worked for A.P. George. Jack Sherman, 2nd House Boy. Shellie, and Lonnie Stewart, George Ranch cowboys. Eddie Neal, George Ranch cowboy. Marion Murray, original House Boy for the George Ranch House, 1900- 1955. Jean Kiger Ebeling, long time family friend who showed cattle from the Georges’ Ranch with Show Cattle Manager, Clark Berry. Local cowboys Ray Hogue, Blue Wheaton, James, and Willie Thomas, Dickey James, Hulan Hall. Hilmar Moore, Foreman of the George Ranch 1961-1972. J.M. Frost III, a close personal friend of A.P. George and owner of the Frost Ranch and Frost Bank.
Historical publications: Local newspapers of the era from California, and Texas. The Coastal Cattleman Magazine. Gene Autry Museum and Library archives.

Copyright, Jim Hodges and www.cowboyspeaks.com, all rights reserved, July, 2020.

Albert Peyton George c. 1945

]]><![CDATA[Update: Murder: Above Top Secret ( Photos )]]>Wed, 20 May 2020 14:52:46 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/update-murder-above-top-secret-photos Update: I have contracted Hamzi, an engineering friend in Pakistan, to provide these technical drawings that I have recalled of the mystery device found glued onto the window of Don Neil's apartment. As close as we could analyze, this was a highly advanced ham radio created crudely by Don Neil. I was able to verify that he spoke with at least one known associate in New York City by using this device rigged to his home computer.

The short, stubby antennae, was not available for ham radio in those days and operators had to have a huge tower to get any range. Now, there are ham radios of this size that use a stubby antennae and hit modern day repeaters to communicate around the world.

Remember, he had developed this prior to his murder in 1983! Please keep in mind that these are technical drawings of the box and antennae itself. Both, the box, and the antennae were wrapped in several thick layers of black electricians' tape in a crude criss-cross pattern which are not included in these drawings.

This is the side view of a window pane mock-up. Note, the stubby antennae, and crude electrical taping. One cord went to the three prong wall socket, and the other to one of Don Neil's computers.

Hamzi's technical drawing to better illustrate the design concept. Special Note: Remember that this type of Ham radio was not invented in 1983, nor was the communication possible with the stubby antennae. Neil had to devise a way to code into a satellite, or satellites, and use them to relay messages around the world. He accomplished this with, or without the knowledge, or permissions of the governments that owned the satellites. Although I could not prove it, it appears that he was communicating with someone on a regular basis in Istanbul, Turkey due to the mysterious documents pertaining to this that were found in his apartment.

Special Note: Remember that this item of evidence is also missing from the police property room. No receipt found in the records.

]]><![CDATA[Update, Murder: Above Top Secret]]>Wed, 26 Feb 2020 21:19:49 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/update-murder-above-top-secretUpdate: I have contracted Hamzi, an engineering friend in Pakistan, to provide these technical drawings that I have recalled of the mystery device found glued onto the window of Don Neil's apartment. As close as we could analyze, this was a highly advanced ham radio created crudely by Don Neil. I was able to verify that he spoke with at least one known associate in New York City by using this device rigged to his home computer.

The short, stubby antennae, was not available for ham radio in those days and operators had to have a huge tower to get any range. Now, there are ham radios of this size that use a stubby antennae and hit modern day repeaters to communicate around the world.

Remember, he had developed this prior to his murder in 1983! Please keep in mind that these are technical drawings of the box and antennae itself. Both, the box, and the antennae were wrapped in several thick layers of black electricians' tape in a crude criss-cross pattern which are not included in these drawings.

Photos of design will be posted as soon as I have them converted...stay tuned!
]]><![CDATA[Book Signings and Appearances 2020!]]>Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:53:50 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/book-signings-and-appearances-2020Good morning! I want to thank all of you who have bought my books and left such wonderful 5 star reviews for me in 2019! There is still time to order and get delivered before Christmas if you hurry! Order today! Many who have bought, Murder: Above Top Secret are booking me to speak with their chamber of commerce, church groups, shooting clubs, etc. This gives the reader a chance to ask questions, and get keyed in on insider information not documented or recorded. It's also a good time to have me personalize your book while there. January, 2020 is filling up, so please send me a message for booking early. I'd love to come and visit. Thank you all again for your continued support, and have a Happy Hanukkah, and Merry Christmas! www.cowboyspeaks.com
]]><![CDATA[Questions or Comments for Cathamor]]>Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:54:15 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/questions-or-comments-for-cathamorMany of you have already read Cathamor, or you may be curious to read comments before you buy. This is the place to send me your questions, or comments about Cathamor and I'll get back to you with a response as soon as possible. Thank you for your support and I look forward to hearing from you!
]]><![CDATA[Questions or Comments - Murder: Above Top Secret]]>Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:50:16 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/questions-or-comments-murder-above-top-secretFor those of you who have already read, Murder: Above Top Secret, I have created this blog post for you to ask questions, because I know you have many, or post a comment or review. I will get back to you with a comment as soon as possible. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to hearing from you!
]]><![CDATA[Book Signing Event!]]>Mon, 18 Nov 2019 14:51:46 GMThttp://cowboyspeaks.com/updates-and-information/book-signing-eventMy first book signing event is scheduled this Thursday afternoon, November 21st, 2019, at The Bryan Museum in Galveston, Texas! Wine will be available in the garden, and the Framer's Market event will be in the garden as well. The event is from 4 pm, to 7 pm. You can purchase one, or both of my books and I will sign them, or, if you've already purchased a book, bring your questions and comments, and I'll sign your book as well. Photos are encouraged. I hope to see you there, but if not, stay tuned to this blog page for new signings and events! Thank you all for your very kind reviews!! thebryanmuseum.org/event/author-spotlight-series-jim-hodges/
]]>