Whiskey Blog/Josey Wales Contest Winners:

I appreciate all the contest submissions from my readers. Since all of the entries were excellent, and the interpretations that the contestants gave of the deeper meaning of the quotes were quite deep and meaningful, there cannot be a single winner.

Instead, everyone who sent a submission is a winner!  As far as prizes, I don’t know, I will have to think about it, but I know I have received a prize from reading all of them.   I will now mention each reader who took the time out of their busy lives to send a submission, and I will then add my two cents to what each quote means to me as well.

Please note, my recognition is not in rank order, but just by author’s whim:

From Sha: “Endeavor to Persevere.”   It’s a bit of dark humor in the movie, but it’s also a profound truth about life. Sometimes, just like Ollie in the classroom or the narrator with the lost luggage, all you can do is keep moving forward. Taking that shot of whiskey isn’t just about the drink; it’s about a moment of peace before the next trail.

Yes Sha. This was a scene where the real Chief Dan George (Lone Watie) describes to Josey his trip to Washington D.C where he and is Indian leaders were told they were going to the reservation.  To me, this phrase has special meaning in my life and shows government hypocrisy.  And I loved when the chief told Josey, “I didn’t surrender.  They took my horse, and he surrendered.”  I remembered (Endeavor to Persevere) since the movie came out in 1976, and taught it to my mother, years ago, and as time went on, she used the phrase on occasion.  I remember when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she told me, “Carson, we must Endeavor to Persevere.”

From Vicky: “Dying ain’t much of a living, boy.”  She writes: It’s a story about honor and survival. It’s short, gritty, and says everything about the world Josey lives in. Well said, Vicky!  They were tough times, and Josey lost his family and sought revenge.  But in this scene, he realizes the bounty hunter does not need to die, there was too much death.  Josey wants to give him a chance, but the man did not take the gift of life Josey offered him. By the way, I always remember this one too, for years.

From Rhian: “Governments don’t live together, people live together”  The words of Iron speech. She writes, it’s surprisingly relevant today. The author’s craftmanship in linking a bottle of Breckenridge to this cinematic history makes the reading experience much richer.  This was very perceptive Rhian.  You caught some of the deeper meaning that the movie was trying to convey, it seems.  Josey knew everyone had deep fear of the Comanche Chef Ten Bears, but he had the courage to face him, and with that, a high chance of death — thus showing Ten Bears that Peace was the only way for Comanche and Wales and his crew to live peacefully off the land.

From Danie: “Are you gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie?”   I loved this quote too, Danie.  She writes: It’s the ultimate “put up or shut up” line.   I agree Danie. Could not have said it better myself.  Josey’s arms were carrying 2 grocery bags it seems, and he wanted to get the shootout over-with and move on.  In that scene, the old Indian Chief, Dan George, (Lone Watie), was standing nearby watching and after Josey shot 3 of the bounty hunters, the fourth one was shot by the old gray-haired chief. He asked Josey who he chose to shoot first, and why, then about the fourth one, Josey said, “I never paid him no mind, because I knew you had him.”

From Miami FL:” Well Mr. Carpetbagger, we got something in this territory called the Missouri boat ride.” And his perfect shot severed the rope sending his enemies floating down the river. Josey Wales taught me that creativity is necessary when confronting the obstacles of life. This scene and line are sometimes forgotten, but quite powerful, none the less. Showing Josey’s quiet confidence when life’s struggles are bearing down on him.   I like this one too, Miami.

From CMK: “Now remember, when things look bad… then you got to get mean, I mean plumb mad dog mean because if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win and that’s just the way it is.”  This is another very powerful quote about keeping calm and not losing control, or you lose your life.  Thanks CMK.  We can’t lose our head.

I hope i didn’t forget anyone. If so, let me know.

I give my profound thanks to all these excellent submissions and commentaries, and I did learn from them.  

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