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“Care about what others think, and you’ll always be their prisoner.” —Lao Tzu

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— DISPATCHES FROM THE OLD WEST — 

(1) Two men on the main street of a small Texas cow town walked toward each other, aiming to settle an argument over a poker game. One man, the town bully, didn't realize the 16-year-old coming his way ranked as one of the deadliest gunmen in the Southwest. Click here to read about “SHOWDOWN.”

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(2) In the spring of 1895, the Bill Doolin Gang staged its last train robbery before lawmen tracked down gang members and paid the ultimate price for their crimes. Click here for the full story of the “CIMARRON RIVER SHOOTOUT." 

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— DISPATCHES FROM HERE & THERE —  

(3) From the “I wish I hadn’t said that” file:  

“There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.” 

— Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, on the iPhone. (2007)

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(4) America’s 250th birthday will soon be a reality. Here—in under nine minutes—is the story of America.

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(5) Bright flashes and loud noises can be a source of stress for pets. Here’s the reason why many Americans are canceling Fourth of July celebrations to shield their pets from the anxiety these celebrations can provoke in animals. 

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(6) Yellow is a popular color for pencils. In the 1890s, a European manufacturer painted pencils yellow because it symbolized royalty and prestige in Chinese culture. 

Click HERE to read all about this 19th-century marketing strategy. 

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(7) Mowing lawns is probably one of the more mundane summer activities, although most mowers experience a spark of pride when finished. How did you rank in the hierarchy of lawn mowers? If you think you were an efficient lawn mower, you can prove it by playing this game without having to go outside. 

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“I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.” —Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark

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