Sometimes I Talk Like a Cowboy

I’m Particular That Way

Channeling in this story, too, a little bit down the road. My guide gets the bold italics font. I go back to plain.

I’ve done it again. I’m talking like a cowpoke. Or, let’s say, somebody who lived out West in the late 1800s.

My grandfather used to do it to the embarrassment of the family, particularly my grandmother. My mother told the story that Granddaddy would speak with somebody who had an accent and, within minutes, was talking like the person. That he was in the US Navy during World War II and after ensured that he and Grandma ran across all sorts of people. They were stationed in the UK prior to my mom and dad getting married, so I can see where he had lots of opportunities.

Upon his retirement, he was a rear admiral. My dad’s folks were also in the Navy, with his father being the captain of a submarine during WWII. So, lots of partying went on on both sides of the family. I can remember my own parents, my father in the US Army, also being required to attend parties with my mother on his arm. It’s what they do in the services. Military politics. Whether it was because of all the partying or just because there were lots of alcoholics in the family on both sides, sometimes those parties got a little rowdy. I’ll tell you the story someday of how my grandmother served cat food on top of crackers, and the guests were gushing at how good it was.

Anyway, the story goes that Granddaddy would end up imitating the speech patterns of whoever he happened to be talking to. There were other stories too, but I might save them for other stories.

This particular story applies to me. I don’t think that I do it because my grandfather did it, but sometimes I find myself talking like a cowboy. I am currently reading, thanks to a recommendation in a story by Vidya Sury, a book called “Sudden — The Range Robbers” by Oliver Strange. Written in 1930, the year before my parents were born, it’s one of those keepers. Vidya said she grew up reading the series and was so enthusiastic about the books that I just had to read one too. I can tell you that the particular book I’m reading is the first of 15. I’ll be reading the rest of them; they are that good.

So, I find myself, this morning, yarning on about stuff with a slightly Western cadence and twang. I asked that somebody in Spirit, preferably a cowboy-like person, speak with me this morning. Actually, I’ll just throw it out there right now. But, earlier this morning, before I started writing here, somebody said the word “yore” just like that. I’m not sure how I knew they were saying yore which is in a Western dialect, and in the book I’m reading about Sudden. Yore is a contraction of you are. Except, in the book and the way the guide who spoke to me it came out yore, not you’re like it is in proper English.

And, Channeling, as it were, might commence.

Hi. Thanks for showing up on time. Spirit’s part of this is in a bold italics font.

On time? Excuse me, I had me an invite.

Okay, there you go.

Yes, in order for channeling to pick up a regional flow, you, dear channel, need to be receptive and listening properly.

It’d be easier if I was drinking.

We reckin it would be, but you don’t anymore. So, open up your pie hole and just let er rip.

I’m getting better?

Ayup. You’re getting to be better.

Do you think I should have Daniel talking with a Western twang?

Daniel, for those who are unaware, is the character of a novel Pauline hopes to pen one of these days.

Yeah, I sort of got mired down in the research. I also need to be more practiced in talking like an 1880s Western person.

Men and women alike, I’d imagine.

Yes, just like that.

Anyway, we can hep you at alls?

No, just keep talking to me like that and it’ll get easier.

Ayup, we’d be pleased to hep you with them cadences you were aspeakin of.

This is intense. I’ve got red lines all over the screen.

Then, close yor eyes and have at it. Be funny if you were awritin one of them medieval tales. You’d be speakin a whole lot different here.

I probably couldn’t understand Medieval speak.

No, I reckon yor aright about that.

You all usually sound a lot more cultured and refined than here in this piece.

Well, there’s those of us who are cultured and refined as you put it. Them politicians sometimes and all those religious folk sometimes they put on airs. There’s two ways you can do this. You can be open to more of them lights where youse can get some regional flavors and then you can step back to be refined yursef and speak that fancy talk.

I don’t know which way to go.

You mean, whichaways to go, don’t you?

I’m trying not to lapse into Western speak here.

Well, you’re a goin to have to if you want the words pilin out of Daniel’s mouth to stay in character for the story.

I haven’t talked to him for a while.

Well, it would be a good way to be getting back to that story if you were. But, you’ve got your job book to finish first, don’t you think?

Yes, I think I’m running out of time.

How so?

I’m getting old. Time is marching quickly. I want those books out there, but I’m afraid.

Oh, blimey. Afraid? You’re not afraid to have us in your article here. You’re not afraid to channel and allow us a place to speak.

I know. Thank you for that.

I have a proposition. You’ve got your journal you write in. You’ve got these pieces, as you call them, to publish at Medium. How’s about a place to talk to Daniel? About half an hour a day is all. It’ll serve to get you back in the mood to speak with your character and see where he might like to see that story go. For that matter, if you give two hours a day to writing on your Job books, you’d like to have them pretty much done by Thanksgiving.

It’s doable. Hey, thanks for pointing out some good things.

Yor plumb welcome.

I’m back everybody. Yes, that was channeling that happened up above. If you’re ever interested in learning how to do it yourself I’m happy to give you some pointers. Otherwise, I’d be pleased for some claps and follows or maybe a subscription for the stuff I write on Medium.