Are any of you familiar with this mini-series? ... and the book??
It's a story about a relationship between two men... Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call... who had worked together... lived together... served as Texas Rangers together... they shared a lifetime of experiences... and for one last adventure, they set out for Montana with a herd of cattle.
Before reaching Montana, Gus is wounded while fighting Indians... and eventually dies from his wounds. The entire story is a somewhat fictionalized account of a cattle drive that was headed by Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving. In particular, Loving (Gus) was attacked by Indians, and died several weeks later of blood poisoning with Goodnight (Call) at his side. Goodnight honored Loving's dying request to be taken back to Texas for burial.
Read HERE about Charles Goodnight
and HERE about Oliver Loving.
In 'Lonesome Dove,' after the death of Gus, Call continues the drive to Montana with the cattle and to establish a ranch. Afterwards, Call returns for Gus' body... and begins the journey back to San Antonio to fulfill Gus' burial wishes.
Scooter would come to visit me in my office... and we would spend time
In the meantime, Scooter, had heart surgery... things didn't go well... and he was sent home, under hospice care, to die. In planning for Larry's demise, decisions were made... and one was for him to be cremated.
I wound up getting a text message from one of Larry's sisters... stating that he had a request... He wanted to know if I would take his ashes to Monument Valley and scatter them among some buttes... I feel so honored by this request...
So... some time this May... after classes are over, Scooter and I WILL make that trip westward together...
Much like the trip of Woodrow Call and Gus McCrae...
He's my friend...
It's the least I can do...
~shoes~
Very poignant. You ARE and continue to be a good friend.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Stephen...
DeleteThank you... This is quite a request.. and I look forward to fulfilling it...
I can hardly wait to read and see where you have gone now...
~shoes~
I've never read any of Larry McMurtry's novels but I love, love, love, love, love all the miniseries he did for CBS with " Dead Man's Walk" being my absolute favorite one.
ReplyDeleteI remember the remake of Lonesome Dove in the 90s but only caught a few episodes.
Hi there, Princess... I've heard that his writing is amazing... I will need to check out 'Dead Man's Walk'...
DeleteI trust that all is well with you, dear...
~shoes~
Read the book ages ago.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful idea for you and Scooter, what an honor.
Make it a trip of joy and remembrance.
Hey you...
DeleteI have a sneaking suspicion that the trip could be entertaining... ;o)
How have you been?
~shoes~
An honor indeed!!... I remember the series, but I admit, I didn't see it... My husband read the book and saw the series... I know I have a copy of it.... U have my curiosity piqued!. Hope the weather is perfect for u and Scooter!.
ReplyDelete:-)
Hi, Chris... I have been overwhelmed by so much... I am just getting to where I can respond and catch up on blogging...
DeleteI intend to go to some great places with Scooter while on this trip... so don't be surprised to see something along the lines of 'Where's Scooter?'
HAR!!
~shoes~
This story came full circle. I love it when that happens. Of course, I am sad that the story so closely resembles that of Lonesome Dove, but Scooter honored you with the task of placing his ashes somewhere he always wanted to go. I am sure that he will make that trip with you in spirit as well...
ReplyDeleteHi, Robin... it did come a full circle, didn't it? Iam sure he will be with me... well... he is with me now... his ashes reside in my office on a book case...
DeleteLMBO!!!!
~shoes~
Old Scooter was thinking of you... he knew you wanted to get away, head west... he gave you the shove you've been needing. Take him high and spread him far. He picked a fine place to rest.
ReplyDeleteHi, Steven... I agree... I am really honored by this request from him... yet, plan to have some levity wrapped around it... he had a unique sense of humor... and I know right where he is going... :o)
Delete~shoes~
I love what Steven Cain wrote, especially this: "Take him high and spread him far." This should be a wonderful, fulfilling adventure for you. Will you be taking this trip as a retired man?
ReplyDeleteHi, Blissed... that is exactly how I am going to approach this trip... as a wonderful adventure... and it will be.
DeleteAs for being retired, had I answered last week, I would have said, 'no'... but given recent events, I have reached the point where I am tired and fed up with a many issues at the school...
I don't like the direction it is heading... I am saddened by it... I have put 25 years of my Life into this place... and I just don't feel it any more...
*sighs*
~shoes~
I'm sorry to hear about Larry. My father was cremated, but didn't leave instructions for what he wanted done with the ashes. It created a bit of a crisis for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know even half the things you wrote about Lonesome Dove. Now I'm curious to read the books and research the characters and people they were based on.
Hi there, Emile... Did the crisis with your Father's remains get resolved?
DeleteAs for 'Lonesome Dove,' I've even read that the John Ford/John Wayne movie, 'The Searchers,' is based on the lives of Goodnight and Loving... they must have been two characters...
~shoes~
Reading your post gave me chills. How full circle-ish this is, indeed. I'm sorry for your loss, sweets. But just think, you will be doing something for your friend that he really wanted and he chose you to share that with. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteHi there, Ms Yvonne... It seems uncanny how much of this stuff I have experienced in the past few years... as odd as it will sound, I am not affected by it as I once was... and see it more now just as a part of our existence... how all of our Lives will some day go.
DeleteI am honored that he asked this of me... a non-family member...
I trust that all is well with you!
~shoes~
That's bloody fab that is! What a wonderful thing for you to do for him and you.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jules... I am running so far behind on blogging and reading... :o(
DeleteYes, I am honored to have the opportunity to do this for Larry... Too bad we couldn't have made the trip while he was alive though...
How are you doing?
~shoes~