Can we talk?

Western obsession

         I always have things on my mind for a blog. I work out the wording while I'm working, or cleaning, or driving. But then I sit at my computer and my mind turns blank. All those profound thoughts have vanished. My rants are spent out.

         I try to come up with some of my favorite recurring topics, but I seem to lose passion when I'm at the keyboard. So once again, nothing goes in. When I force myself to write, it usually falls flat and seems trivial.

         So today I simply confess that I am still addicted to cowboy shows. Old cowboy shows. I don't know what happened to start it, but I continue to be obsessed. I study the career notes of the actors, many of whom have passed away. Some are retired, a few still doing guest spots or charity work. They were from my parents' and grandparents' generations, and I have idolized them. I note the details of the shows and make comparisons. Sometimes the dialog falters. Sometimes the stories are historically inaccurate or from mixed time periods.

         For instance, I watched an old show last night, where one cowboy said, "Don't bug me". Really, was that an expression in the 1870's, supposedly the time frame for this series? Was that a slip of the 1950's or 60's writer?

         I've always been snobby about the books I read. Many contemporary novels aren't worthy literature. I labeled westerns along with romances as not worth my time reading. Now I'm reading westerns. I feel like I'm robbing myself of time I could spend on classics or contemporary, but I'm having fun. Some are just trash, but others are either just fun, or a good history lesson. I like the ones best that teach me something about American history.

         So this is my current weakness, Western TV shows. I might get over it. Maybe not.