Those who keep up with what I’ve got going know that I am a founding member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. A group of us got together in 1998 and came up with this idea that seems to have taken on a life of its own. Like any journey in life, its had its ups and downs…victories and defeats…struggles and celebrations. All the challenges notwithstanding, I’ve said more than once that I’m not so sure I’d be doing leather work and building saddles full time were it not for the Association. I’ve had many opportunities that simply would not have happened if the TCAA were not formed. A list of these opportunities would be long, but the one that stands out more than any is the chance to learn from like-minded, high-level craftsmen with similar challenges. We serve as a far-flung support group for one another. In a recent conference call someone quipped that we should build a fund that would be ear-marked for psychotherapy for the members of the group. That brought a few laughs. What I am proud of is that we’ve taken what we’ve learned and shared it with whomever would listen. There are times when I get the feeling that we’ve only begun to tell the story of Western Craftsmanship. If you are passionate about all things Western, especially the trappings of the North American Cowboy, I’d like to invite you to the National Cowboy Museum in early October and help us celebrate the West. www.nationalcowboymuseum.org