I have a favor to ask...

This month my website is wildly popular. So much so that my web hosting service is charging me for all the increased traffic (think increasingly ugly "overdraft" charges.)

My web site has been up and running for 10 years, and this is the first time this has happened. This is of course IS great news, only...this month's charges have surpassed my gas & electric bill, and may end up costing more than my groceries.

So, I'd like to ask you all a favor. I am asking my most avid readers to please visit my website only once a day (until Nov. 1).

And if you like, please consider throwing something into the tip jar, using the button below.

If I have to close my site for a couple of days, I'll try and give some advanced warning. Thanks for your understanding.

Boot Contest 2007

Each year at the Boot & Saddle Maker Trade Show Round-Up there is a boot contest. This year, there were loads of cowboy boots.

The boots sit on the tables unmarked. Everyone who visits the show gets to vote for their favorite boots and saddles. Sometimes I can figure out which boot belongs to who, either from design features...or the sometimes the buzz in the room. This year I had a difficult time because there were so many entries.

(More photos & stories at Custom Cowboy Boots Discussion Board.)

(Click here for full-size photos & more captions)

2007 Cowboy Boot Contest Winners

Journeyman
Winner: Terry Glueck (Waco, TX)
Runner-Up: Steve McCord (Henrietta, TX)

Working Cowboy
Winner: James Redman (Mertzon, TX)
Runner-Up: Mike Vaughn (Bowie, TX)

Artistry
Winner: Jacky Heflin (Keller, TX)
Runner-Up: Brian Thomas (Abilene, TX)

Open Class
Winner: Dew Westover (Vernon, TX)
Runner-Up: Cowboy Loveless (Hugo, OK)

Top Stitching
Winner: Mike Vaughn (Bowie, TX)
Runner-Up: Ben Gonzales (Bryan, TX)

Masters
Lisa Sorrell (Guthrie, Ok)

Professional's Choice
Brian Thomas (Abilene, TX)

Next year's show is October 3-4, 2008 in Wichita Falls, TX. See you there.

Swap Meet 2007

Of course, the swap meet starts earrrrrly... I had to wait 'til the sun came up for these photos. (Full size photos)

Thread (con't)

A Break with Tradition

I've arrived in Wichita Falls, TX.

(Click the "play" button above to hear more.)