Country Lifestyles
Bit and Spur Maker: Troy Flaharty
By Dani Blackburn
Bits and spurs are a functional part of a horseman’s everyday gear, but they start out as just a simple piece of metal. However, when that steel gets into the hands of bit and spur maker Troy Flaharty, it becomes a work of art.
Flaharty was born into a family of horse trainers in Pennsylvania, giving him firsthand knowledge of the value of a good bit and pair of spurs. At 18, he moved to Kansas to attend college on a rodeo scholarship in timed events as a team roper, calf roper and steer wrestler. His horsemanship plays an important part in the quality of work he produces.
“The elementary horsemanship is the fundamentals of a bit. If you don’t have elementary horsemanship, I don’t know how you can make them. You have to know what will work and won’t work,” Flaharty explained.
It was in college where he was first introduced to bit and spur making. He learned the fundamentals and continued the craft as a part-time gig, until he decided to go all in.
To read more pick up a copy of the May 2021 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Country Lifestyles
Does John Wayne Have the Answer to Our Discourse?
By Dal Houston
I am terribly saddened by all the argumentative discourse that seems to be going on in today’s world. It seems as though it is no longer enough just to disagree on certain issues. We are expected to classify someone as an enemy if they do not always agree with us on all issues, lest we be considered weak.
To make things even worse, because those who disagree with you are now considered enemies, the sentiment seems to be that it is only fair and proper to destroy them, because they are the enemy, again with the fear of ridicule for being weak if we do not fight.
With all that said, and seemingly unrelated, I am a big John Wayne fan. From watching him dive into his role as a cowboy, to marveling at his time portraying a soldier or appreciating his acting gig as a sailor, there is seldom a week that goes by without me watching at least one
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Country Lifestyles
While We Were Sleeping
By Martha Crump
That old adage, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.,” may have some basis in truth when applied to minor situations. However, when what you don’t know is presented in the form of a “Trojan Horse” and is what amounts to an incredible attempt to fleece American property rights, it becomes a different story altogether.
To put this unbelievable tale together, we need to step back to Joe Biden’s 2021 Executive Order which pledged commitment to help restore balance on public lands and waters, to create jobs, and to provide a path to align the management of America’s public lands and waters with our nation’s climate, conservation, and clean energy goals.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Country Lifestyles
Lacey’s Pantry: Strawberry Sorbet
By Lacey Vilhauer
Ingredients:
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
¼ cup water
Directions:
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor and pulse until combined. Transfer to a large bowl. Puree the strawberries in a food processor and add to the lemon mixture along with juice of one lemon and water. Taste and add more juice as desired.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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