Bonanza

Ben Cartwright always knew the right thing to do. I never liked Adam Cartwright, but I liked the way he looked. I related to Hoss Cartwright the most, that bear of a man, that always knew how to laugh at himself. I liked Little Joe the best. He, forever, was getting himself into trouble, but if he didn't get out of it himself, his ol' man, or his two brothers would help! Hop Sing sure kept the house looking good, and kept the meals on the table.

I don't know for sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the kids of today have no clue who the men mentioned in the above paragraph are. The Cartwright family was the subject of a television show, back in the sixties, called Bonanza. Set outside Carson City, Nevada, the Cartwrights owned a big cattle ranch in the 1880s and were always going through the trials and tribulations that make you a stronger person when you meet them head on, and work your way through them. As I near 55 years of age I realize success does not come near as easily nor near as often as it did on Bonanza. I also realize what a good influence shows like Bonanza, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffeth Show, even The Lawrence Welk Show(oh, how I hated that show) had on my upbringing.

I have often said 'if everyone lived their life exactly as I live mine, oh what a dull world we would live in'. That being said, I will say that if everyone had the same values I have, believed in the God I believe in, had the attributes of self esteem, courteousness, willingness to help our neighbors, my what a better world we would have!

I would not say that that I learned all of these things by watching shows like Bonanza. I learned many, many good things from having great parents. Back in those days lessons were taught on television, and Bonanza taught me many!