Mountain High JOW

We are continuing our vacation in the cool heights of the Colorado Rockies. There are dude ranches out here. We sat and watched 20 make-believe cowpokes whooping and hollering around a small herd of cattle. I went up to the ranch owner and asked her how many cowboys it normally takes to drive a herd of that size.
"One," she replied.
"One?!" I said incredulously.
"And a dog," she added.

Looking up at the snow capped mountains that surround Estes Park I had to ponder ─ where does all the white go when the snow melts?
Which caused me to remember a 5th Grade riddle:
Why don't mountains get cold in the winter? They wear snow caps.

Pondering mountains led me to consider wise men who sit atop the peaks. That led me to ponder the Dali Lama, the wisest holy man from the highest mountains. A little research me led to these other ‘lesser known’ gurus.

• (BUDDY) HOLLY LAMAS: This little known offshoot of the Dalai Lama is a small band --- literally --- of wandering musician/monks who practice the Lama Rama Dhamma. The group is easily recognized by their horned-rimmed glasses, penny loafers and giant orange hats. They spread the dharma at bars and small concerts of fellow seekers. With electrified thumb cymbals they blend rock and roll with traditional Tibetan music to sold-out crowds. Their current world tour features their new hit single, "Peggy Sutra."
• COLLIE LAMA: Living in the mountains north of Los Angeles, this compassionate canine teaches humans worldwide about unconditional love and kindness. Better known to the western world as Lassie, generations have learned about devotion and loyalty through his movies, television series and stories, dating back to the early 1940s.
• DALI LAMA: This strange and artistic teacher founded a practice that encourages followers to realize their surreal self. Most noted for his feat of melting clocks while meditating on the nonexistence of time. When practitioners reach enlightenment they instantly sprout a thin, smile-shaped mustache and have a blissful wild-eyed stare.
• DALLY LAMA: Always late for morning meditation and chanting, this lama was living proof that time waits for no man
• DELI LAMA: He'll make you one with everything. He is famous for chanting "Let's do lunch."
• DILLY DALLY LAMA: This Australian master is the 12th reincarnation of the Bodhisattva of Procrastination. He lives at an undisclosed location in the Australian Outback. To become a student of his, one must undergo the Trial of Beating Around the Bush, wherein the potential disciple wanders throughout the Outback trying to get to The Pointe, the Dilly Dally Lama's temple and home. Few people ever make it to The Pointe, and those who do have missed the point of the teaching which, needless to say, is very indirect and unspecific.
• DOLLY LAMA: Seeking enlightenment through country music and meditating on the cosmic significance of water slides in her natural habitat in the Great Smoky Mountains.
• GOLLY LAMA: A simple guy from Mayberry with occasional profound insights, he also is an accomplished singer you can sometimes catch on the local Oldies station.
• LLAMA LAMA: He set up a site in the Andes and seeks solace via raising pack animals to ease the burdens of the native people.
• POLLY LAMA: This colorful Lama hails from the jungles of Central America. He meditates by repeating phrases spoken to him and eschews the saffron robes for brighter colors. He lives an ascetic life, eating little, and showing a decided preference for crackers.
• RAMEN LAMA: Formerly a Zen monk, this lama can be found at food stalls on train stations in Tokyo, slurping down noodles and giving blessings to passing commuters.
• VOLLEY LAMA: All he needed was a net, a good setter, and a wicked spike to lead his followers.
• WALLY LAMA: Lives a monastic lifestyle in community with such like-minded devotees as the Lumpy Lama, the Eddie Lama, the Beav, Ward and June lamas.

Finally, I saw this prayer and thought it was funny. For those who do not know, Rick Perry is the current governor of the state of Texas.

“Dear Lord last year you have took away my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze, my favorite actress, Farah Fawcett favorite singer, Michael Jackson, and my favorite salesman, Billy Mays. I just wanted to let you know that Rick Perry is my favorite governor.”


Thos. Pinney