By Sherry Danekas

Try always to be
kind, for everyone is
fighting a hard battle.
~Plato~



Before I can get to the business at hand, and talk about the tremendous issue you’re holding, I’ve got to take a moment and set the record straight as to who I was referencing to in the May/June issue with the small mind and bitter attitude. When I penned that editorial in mid April, I had just gone another round with our neighbor, who just might be the meanest man I’ve ever encountered with a big dose of creepy thrown in. I was referring to that neighbor, and for those of you who either called or e-mailed me and said you could relate to “those” kind of neighbors, my many thanks, because that was just how it was written. To the folks that took it down another trail, you have my apologies.
You’ve really got a treat in store as you flip the pages of this issue. Our “Pacer” section this year touches on the many things that have been making headlines within our industry. We map out how Japan’s earthquake and tsunami affected our market, and then we stop to explore how the shrinking cowherd numbers will influence the future. You won’t want to miss the “Pacer” piece titled “Fear-flation” as Wes Ishmael takes a hard look at the oil prices that have shot up in recent months. Those are just a few of the “Pacer” pieces — I can guarantee you’ll find them all riveting and informative. We’ve also featured the Slagowski family from Nevada. Three generations of ranchers that continue to get it done right. In the article “Rural Renaissance Man,” Sharla Ishmael introduces us to Russell Graves, a multi-talented individual that I know you’ll enjoy.
Heather Smith-Thomas has brought a very fascinating piece titled “Stamp Them” that looks at the history of branding and some of the various ways cattlemen have identified cattle over the years. I’ve only touched on a few of the sensational articles contained in this year’s Big Bull Book edition. I have to take a moment and thank the very talented group of writers that have helped assemble this amazing line-up of stories — their help and input is invaluable.
The journey to get this kind of issue out is not done on the solitary trail. I want to thank my team at the office: Jason and Christopher are the artists that bring it all to life; Leah Buck, who helps us all stay organized and a special thank you and sad goodbye to our long time office manager Shiela Stamnas, who is moving next month to the east coast. We will all miss her. I can’t stop there — I have one more very important person that is the hinge that keeps everything in this office held tight, and that is my publisher/spouse who works tirelessly for this business and our industry. Jim, thanks for always staying the trail.
The trail sure can get twisted at times, and sometimes all you can do is take a deep breath and know that this too shall pass. Things are still tough in this country. We still have so many folks looking for jobs, and while the government wants us to believe otherwise, things truly haven’t improved that much. Please take to heart this month’s quote because as we pass one another on the trail it is impossible to see all that is taking place in one another’s life. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness makes all the difference in the world.
So slide into that easy chair in the shade and enjoy this month’s issue. I’m going to look for an uncomplicated trail that guides me effortlessly into the fall………Happy Trails.