I’ve had more changes in my life in the past few months, than the past several years. Small or large, change can be difficult and wreak havoc on your soul. Small changes can be easily shrugged off. Like after 25 years we decided to switch insurance companies. We had to cut down a huge tree in our yard. Then we switched the providers for our wireless cell phones. Then, (gasp) we disconnected our land line telephone. Obviously, these changes may cause some minor inconvenience, you might have to pay more, or you might save some money, but all in all you get through these changes unscathed. However, when a beloved pet dies, your youngest graduates from high school, and you part ways with a close friend; these changes are a little more difficult to get through without some pain. At the grocery store, I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in years. We were talking about all the changes in our lives. I was feeling especially melancholy about it and probably had my sad face going when she said, “But you know, I love change.” I must have stared at her for a good five seconds with my mouth…

We found this store a few years ago. A surplus store where they sell discounted groceries – cans that are dented, food items that are almost-to-slightly expired, chicken nuggets that aren’t shaped exactly right. We love that place. We are really busy during the week and sometimes being able to pull out a huge bag of chicken strips to fry up really quick is a lifesaver. Plus everything is surplus or slightly irregular so it’s cheap. Cheap is pretty much my favorite thing ever. It’s also a handy place as it’s right across the street from the drive-in. So it’s a great place to stop in for big bags of popcorn and candy. Especially chocolate. I may or may not have a slight chocolate problem. If it’s in the house, I’m going to eat it. Oh, I try not to. But it calls to me…especially when I’m up until the wee hours either working or staring into space and pretending I’m working. My husband once said we should coat really important things in chocolate. That way if they ever get lost I’d be sure to find them. I’m not quite that bad. But…well honestly, probably not far off. So at…

John Wayne, Randolph Scott, Clint Eastwood, Alan Ladd…I am a sucker for a cowboy hero, and I am not alone. Since the days of Owen Wister and the Virginian, readers have been drawn to cowboy heroes. But what makes them so appealing? Here are a few ideas I have: The “Code of the West.” True cowboy heroes have a code of honor they live by that make them true hero-material. Things like: Your word is your bond. Ride for the brand. Don’t ask questions about a man’s past. Never miss an opportunity to keep your mouth shut. Don’t squat with your spurs on. Cowboys are men of action. Readers like heroes who DO things, and there’s not a much more physical job than that of a cowboy. Heroes look good on horses. J A man who can ride even better than he can walk? Yes, please! Cowboys are known for being chivalrous. Their code of honor extends to treating ladies like ladies. Cowboys give the impression of self-reliance, true loners who don’t need anyone…but every woman in the world knows this isn’t true. A real cowboy needs a good woman to look past the rough, tough exterior and reach the…