The Old West: A Poetic Documentary (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781514808863)

Missouri was my home for the first ten years of my life, and the gateway to the west As a kid I played a lot of cowboys and Indians, and collected Indian arrowheads all over the area. In my research for this book I learned much more about the pivotal role Missouri played in the history of The Old West. The other state that has given me deep feelings for the old west is Colorado, where I lived part time for ten years on a guest ranch deep in the Rocky Mountains, mingling with ranchers, wranglers, and Native Americans. I was the ranch cook every day and the ranch poet once a week. I read my poems to guests around the campfire, alternating sets with a cowboy singer. In our retirement, my wife and I have been fortunate to visit all of the western states, except Alaska. All of these travels and life experiences went into the creation of THE OLD WEST, along with dozens of secondary sources. I worked my way through junior high, high school, college, and graduate school in restaurants and food service; as a dishwasher, bus boy, cook, and supervisor. I have a B.A. from Michigan State University, College of Business and Public Service; and a M. A. from MSU, College of Communication Arts. My career was in marketing and advertising, finishing as a Vice President at the last two companies. My wife Patricia and I have six children, thirteen grandchildren, and three great grand- children. Other enjoyable retirement activities have included travel and poetry; as well as ranch, ethnic, gourmet, and everyday cooking. We have divided our residence between Michigan, Florida, and Colorado.