“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted.”
~Albert Einstein~

Turning points can be tricky things, so tricky in fact you may be completely unaware anything has happened until one day out of the blue you’re faced with the cold realization that “oh no that’s me.” Yep, as fate may have it, I’ve had to admit the honest truth, I’m no longer the kind, sweet and tolerant person I once was, or at least perceived myself to be. My degree of tolerance for the rest of the human race has plummeted to an all time low. Just leaving for a drive into town can have me sputtering with rage, is it necessary for folks to drive 80 miles an hour on country roads posted at 45 and then feel the need to pass everything in sight, only to have me pull up behind them at the next signal. They didn’t really get very far they just put me and everyone else in harms way. Whatever happened to “common courtesy”? There is nothing like a tinted window, spinning rims, piece of junk beside me blasting the stereo so loud that the bass is vibrating my windows to really make me come unglued. Yes, my tolerance levels have dwindled to some very low depths.

I no longer have patience for disruptive children, traffic, bad sales people, and the list continues. I ask myself, is it just me or has society changed so much that people have lost the need for civility. What has become of graciousness and good manners? My turning point at which I realized I had hit low ebb came when I was asked to do a piece that had me using a popular internet connection with young people called “Myspace,” wow, talk about brutal dose of reality. I came away very disillusioned about the younger generation and their values, it would be my recommendation to all parents of teenagers to take a perusal at how their children are projecting themselves to the rest of the world, I’m fairly certain that some may come away stunned.

So what does one do when you realize that your tolerance for humanity is spiraling south? Rehab seems very popular these days as a 30 day quick fix for just about any character flaw one possesses, unfortunately a spare 30 days is not something I have up my sleeve so it looks like I’m going to have rely on my own devices and work harder at finding the noble attributes that society can offer up.

Speaking of terrific offers we’ve got several articles contained in this issue that offer up a variety of special reads that I guarantee will hold something for everyone. First, we begin with the conclusion of “Black Tide” a series that has generated interest from all areas of the west and the country. Heather Smith-Thomas comes in with a terrific piece called “Cooking for Cows” that I assure you, you won’t put down once you start reading it. We travel north to Idaho for a stop at Heritage Ranch, where great things are taking place. While we can’t predict April showers we can forecast some very sunny reads to take you through the month.

It’s time I start seeking a higher trail and elevate my tolerance levels as I travel towards May. Take some time to enjoy the pasture flowers, hug a significant other and stay cool. Happy Trails……