Cowgirl Sass & Savvy

Muses in cowboy boots 

By Julie Carter

Writers, poets, musicians and many artists will tell you their creative work has been inspired by someone, or something, they refer to as their “muse”.

A muse can be someone who has such an influence on another that he or she is the focus and inspiration for the creativity put to paper or music. Historically, the term has been used by men to describe the women that they loved and made the subject of their work.

The word “muse” originates from Greek mythology where the Greek gods Zeus and Mnemosyne had nine daughters called the Muses. The nine daughters were of one being in heart, spirit and thought. If these female muses loved a man, then the man’s worries instantly disappeared.

I will say that, unequivocally, the muses in my life have all worn cowboy boots in some phase of a worn-out, with spurs, genuine cowboy work-related scuff to them. Inspiration has come as a powerful desire to paint their picture into the words that not only documents their existence, but preserves their essence for all time.

Picasso painted the women he met and loved – his muses. My muse connection is more general with not just the cowboy, but his life, lifestyle and what is actually the foundation of my very heritage. I’m very familiar with my muses’ complete being without it being personal.

I have no data to back it up, but I feel fairly safe in saying that “cowboy” is one of the most emulated professions on earth, ranking right up there with fireman and mythical action heroes. Men wearing suits and entering high rise office buildings daily for work carry within them that tiny flame of hope that one day they could be a cowboy.

And the cowboys themselves? They never take what they have for granted but prefer to live simply, usually poor in dollars but rich in life and to remain where they are, doing what they do. They know it’s a gift that fewer and fewer enjoy.


They aren’t above trying “to do it all” but often find their skills streamlined to things that have to do with horse and cow. Some are singers and others are writers, poets and artists. But usually you’ll hear a comment regarding an effort made out of their usual scope of work saying, “He’s sure not a carpenter but he is a real good cowboy.”

It’s important to me to keep writing it down, sharing their stories and keeping their lives out in front of the world in living color. There are few left with any mileage of looking at the south end of a cow. Without my muses, people will not know what the life of a cowboy was really like.

I no longer qualify as a working cowboy, but I will always have those that are to fill that place in my life. And metaphorically, when I turn out my last good horse, I will go to the house, lie down for a final time and remember the good days.

Julie can be reached for comment at jcarternm@gmail.com.

Julie, otherwise known as the Picasso of the Prairie, keep painting with words.  You definitely get the "essence" and let's hope its many moons before you turn out that last good horse.

Seems as though this time of the year folks are thinking of genuine, old-time cowboys.  See Wilmeth's excellent "painting" below.