Driving back to Maple Ridge from doing a bit of sightseeing just outside of Vancouver, I’m listening to a country music channel on the radio. Country music is huge in this part of the world. The lyrics don’t seem to change much from song to song or artist to artist. It’s Cowboys, Beer, Whiskey, Daddy’s Truck or your Truck and a pair of Boots. Throw in a dance floor, someone else’s girlfriend and oh yeah I nearly forgot – the dog! Tie the lyrics to a catchy guitar riff with a few chords and you my friends have a country song.

I’ve been listening to “Dust on my boots”, “It’s a great day for a cold, cold beer”, “Head over boots”, “Hold my beer” or was that “Hold her beer” or “Hold your own beer “ – anyway moving on. In the Australian vernacular I’d say some of these songs are “ absolute rippers” and in all honesty I do get a great laugh from some of these although they’re not meant to be funny – so appologies but that’s just my sense of humour. The words aren’t from deep thinking poetic lyricists that’s for sure. But so many of these songs are really catchy. You know that song that just gets stuck in your head driving you nuts. Why am I constantly singing this damn thing in my tiny mind at 2am in the morning – it’s happening again !!!!

One artist ( I didn’t catch his name – might have been Buck Wheat Junior or something) has just released a new album “ I Hate Cowboys and all Dogs can go to Hell”. Now there’s an album that has to be worth a listen!

I have a feeling the joke might be on me.

I’m sitting here writing this post, our new granddaughter is howling her lungs out, my wonderfull (and so patient) daughter is gently rocking the baby while on her 50th lap around the kitchens island bench while the dog that’s the size of an African Lion is barking its head off.

The penny drops,

Oh my gosh, I drive a truck – ok it’s a ute – not quite the size of a Dodge Ram. I do have a beautiful pair of RM Williams boots. I like my standard cut Levi jeans, T-shirts and the odd baseball style cap. I enjoy a beer and a bourbon. I have an acoustic guitar and did have a dog. Any of these songs could be my world and that’s fine. And I’m not even Canadian or from the U.S !

Ouch – Wake up call ! Is this my reality ?

Mmmm, scary thought. While I’m having a great time exercising my sarcasm on the subject of country music, maybe I’m a bit country ? When you get down to the nuts and bolts I’m a pretty simple guy.

Keep it Simple Stupid (KISS)

If I have a life’s mantra it’s the KISS principle.

We seem to live in an overly complicated world for whatever reason (that’s another blog for another time) I like simplicity in my world. So Cowboy, keep loving your girl, playing your guitar, driving your ute or truck in those jeans and boots. Have a beer with your mates, tell the dog to get outside and shut up and keep it simple, keep it honest.

Wait for it !!

Take it easy, take it easy, don’t let the sounds of your own wheels drive you crazy! I’m in a country music mind set lately.

As always thanks for reading – RD

Foot Note: Take it Easy – The Eagles 1973

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