http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog This Country Boy.com Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:28:18 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en (Tom Jirik wrote columns in several newspapers in Iowa from the late 1980’s to the mid 1990’s.  This column originally appeared in the The Boone Today) Come Boss! Come Boss!  Come Boss! Calling the cows is a tradition that's as old as milking cows.  If you have a good voice and the ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/guest/if-the-coast-is-clear-you-can-page-your-cows.html In addition to the standard barn and farm chores, there was a number of household chores that we graduated into.  Starting when I was six, one of my jobs was throwing out the garbage - the left over scraps and coffee grounds from Mom's kitchen that would get thrown back ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/reflection/free-will.html "I think it is a bad idea."After a full day of tailgating, football, alumni meetings, and a great supper, my good friend from college, his wife and I were finally driving towards their home where I was staying after fourteen hours visiting, drinking, eating, and meeting. As the day was starting, ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/wisdom/breakfast-club.html I met Ryan late in my career at NDSU.  He was coming into FarmHouse Fraternity as I was leaving it.  He was transferring in from Bismarck State College as I was wrapping up my exploits and getting ready to move on.Ryan became the good friend of my good friend and ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/wisdom/checking-in-on-ryan.html (Tom Jirik wrote columns in several newspapers in Iowa from the late 1980’s to the mid 1990’s.  This column originally appeared in the The Boone Today)I've never enjoyed competitive sports.  I only competed when I had to and avoided them whenever possible.  I don't even watch them much on television.  ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/guest/phys-ed-and-gladiators-arent-any-fun.html Fargo, ND - A man from St. Louis Park, Minnesota has claimed to have found the perfect tailgating food."All of my health and nutrition consultants say that oatmeal, yogurt, and berries are the perfect breakfast food."  Stated the man at a recent North Dakota State University tailgating event.  "This is ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/abroad/man-finds-perfect-tailgating-breakfast.html We do not have leaders for times like these.We need leaders willing to stand up and say, "Times are bad.  The economy is hurting.  The nation is hurting.  The world is hurting.  The time for greed - on Wall Street to Main Street must end.  People - all people - ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/wisdom/times-like-these.html (Tom Jirik wrote columns in several newspapers in Iowa from the late 1980’s to the mid 1990’s.  This column originally appeared in the The Boone Today) Smut peddling is becoming a lucrative business according to new reports.  Apparently people across the country are rediscovering smut and are finding that they like ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/guest/the-great-smut-debate-rages.html Last week, I was pulling out of the church parking lot and was cut off in traffic.  I followed too closely, I tailgated for a mile or so.  I wanted that guy to know that he had cut me off, had not followed the rules of the road.  I wanted ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/reflection/daily-battle.html (Tom Jirik wrote columns in several newspapers in Iowa from the late 1980’s to the mid 1990’s.  This column originally appeared in the The Boone Today on September 301987)This year was the first time that I was exposed to all the hoopla surrounding the Iowa-Iowa State football face-off.  I'm not ... http://www.thiscountryboy.com/blog/guest/hail-to-the-mighty-bison.html