A Blog by Cowboy Bob
Miss Gail often remarks that I am OCD, just because I have definite ideas about the RIGHT way to do things. I will admit to having this close-mindedness about new things, and I have an established way of doing most things. There is not much room for a pilot who says, “I think I will land backwards this time.” The FAA and the passengers in the back might not appreciate this non-linear thinking, however, that right-brained teenager sitting in seat 32C might think “That is so cool!” Cool only counts in art, music, and poetry.
This morning I remarked to Miss Gail in my oh-so-gentle ship Captain’s voice, that the pile of line lying on top of the mooring dock cleat meant to hold us to the dock was a “running-half-tangle” knot and we’d probably float back down to Albany. This knot probably had its origins in the Phoenicians or even before and persists to this day, practiced by those in too big a hurry to do things RIGHT. If you walk along any American waterfront dock, you will see perfect examples of the “running half tangle” knot. I then realized with the help of Miss Gail, that I had not explained the correct way to tie a mooring line to a cleat, so we spent some time and by golly, she picked it right up.
The first important adventure in knot tying is when we truly learn is how to tie our shoes. I can almost remember that moment when I ran to Mama and said, “Shoe is tied, look!” So even with cowboy boots and Velcro sneakers, I think it is safe to say that all of us passed the first test and now can even get pleasure by helping that grandchild tie his/her shoes.
Cowboys teach their horses to “ground tie,” so when they dismount and drop their reins, the horse stands stock-still, and if they pull up to their favorite saloon to enjoy a frosty brew or to pay a visit to the local widow-woman down the lane, there are several knots used to steady their horses. Knots, such as the clove hitch, go back hundreds of years. Half-hitches and barrel hitches, probably close to twenty others, are used by a horse or mule packer and he is judged by his neat and knowledgeable rope tying, just as you judge your doctor by his or her dress of how he/she wears the critical stethoscope around the neck. The cowboy, packer, and boater also demonstrate some standard which says, “Hey, I know the RIGHT way to do things.” Without saying a word.
To this cowboy/boat captain/pilot/consort, there may be several ways of doing something RIGHT, but in my old age, I see far more examples of people doing half-assed things, as if doing it RIGHT would slow their life down. So, if you find yourself in a “running half tangle,” slow down, and perhaps take a bit of time to learn how to do things RIGHT.
Now Miss Gail has perfected the clove hitch, figure eight with a reverse closer knot for the cleats, and the proper way to stow the line on the dock. This puts a smile on this old Cowboy’s face, but not nearly as big a smile as she puts on my soul when she says, “Look up, Cowboy, look at the bright blue sky against the green trees and shrubs, isn’t it a beautiful day?”
So, Pilgrims, put down that mind-stealing iPhone, decide it’s going to be a dandy day, look at the lovely sky, smile at the people you meet, call your mother, and tell her thanks for showing you how to tie your shoes, and keep those “running half-tangle knots” out of your life.
If you enjoy Gail’s Blog, please share. All her books and blogs are available on her website, gailcushman.com. Electronic copies of her books are available at Amazon. AND if you want a crackerjack book on knot tying, check out Dan Aadland’s book: The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots, available at Tractor Supply stores and Amazon. You won’t be disappointed. It’s about equines, but, heck, how much different is a horse from a boat?
