Here we are, situated in Tucson, Arizona, feeling the aura of “The Wild, Wild West.” In fact, I woke up singing the theme song of the Quick Draw McGraw Show, a childhood cartoon favorite tucked away deeply in my memory bank:

“Yipee yi-o ki-a
Galloping all the way
Great big star on his chest
Outdraws all of the rest
Fastest gun in the west”

“Yipee yi-o ki-a
Riding around your way
Here comes Quick Draw McGraw
The high-falutin’est
Fastest shootin’est
Cowboy you ever saw
That’s Quick Draw McGraw”

Tombstone and The OK Corral are just down the road a piece, but probably too touristy for our tastes.  I hadn’t even thought of the show in years, but for some reason with the mountains and cacti in the forefront, it was top of mind this morning. Wikipedia, my favorite reference source, gave this description: Quick Draw was usually depicted as a sheriff in a series of short films set in the Old West. Quick Draw was often accompanied by his deputy, a Mexican burro called Baba Looey (also voiced by Daws Butler), who spoke English with a Mexican accent and called his partner “Queeks Draw”. I was also reminded of Snuffles, the bloodhound dog that would point to his mouth and “ah-ah-ah-” when he wanted a biscuit, then hug himself, leap up in the air, and float back down after having eaten one. I often feel that way after a good meal. 

We’ve had several good feasts on this trip, including Dickie’s BBQ, The Arrogant Butcher, a gourmet surprise from some long-lost Indianapolis friends, and some home-cooked sit-downs from our current Arizona hosts. We brought a case of wine along to reciprocate and to drown the sorrows of Coronavirus, plus the cancellation of Spring Training and the NCAA Tournament. Today would have been Selection Sunday, but instead it’s a Stay-At-Home-Sabbath. Tomorrow, we may go to to the Biosphere 2 or do some shopping in quaint Tubac, but it certainly won’t include a Wild West Show. A little douse of Quick Draw McGraw is apparently the distraction I needed to add a little cheer to the dire World health circumstances that surround us. 

“In certain cases, Quick Draw would also assume the identity of the masked vigilante El Kabong (a spoof of Zorro). His introduction went as follows – “Of all the heroes in legend and song, there’s none as brave as El Kabong”. As El Kabong, Quick Draw would attack his foes by swooping down on a rope with the war cry “OLÉ!” and hitting them on the head with an acoustic guitar (after shouting “KABOOOOOONG!”).”

Now…That’s Entertainment!