Comments for Ryan T. Bell

Comment on Comrade Cowboy, Part 3 by Pleasant Acres Ranch

Pleasant Acres Ranch — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:10:47 +0000

You did a great job writing this story. It in a small part shows the difference in our cultures caused by 80 years of socialism. We are farmer/ranchers in Western ND who have had three “work & travel USA” students from Western Siberia work for us the summers of 2003-2005. They became like daughters, and we have visited their families who live in the city of Kurgan which is relatively close to the area you were in. We can relate completely to your descriptions of the countryside, the villages which are the remnants of the communal farms, the cuisine, and the demeanor of the people. We just returned from our third trip visiting all three families on January 10, 2012, and they are like extended family now. One of the girls who ran machinery and helped with branding etc. on our ranch has a degree in environmental engineering. She had worked for a large agricultural conglomerate in Kurgan before receiving a research master’s degree project in plant science at NDSU which she will finish this fall. She is proficient in English, and could very well be of great value in bridging the cultural gap at this ranch. Google deepwater bay B&B for more info on the experiences each of these girls had at our ranch. One question….did you have the “banya” experience?

Comment on Comrade Cowboy, Part 3 by Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:51:33 +0000

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the comrade cowboy articles. They are clear, descriptive, and reflect an insight into both the cowboying part and the complex human cultural issues that arise from recent Russian history. Well done.
SABond

Comment on Comrade Cowboy, Part 3 by John White

John White — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:56:01 +0000

Look’s like Bucky needs a lot more of that green grass! Lot’s of ribs….

Comment on Perfectly Packed by Troy McCormick

Troy McCormick — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:48:58 +0000

I run the patrol horse program for Fish and Wildlife in Washington. We recently had two OPR pack saddles stolen from our tack room. Please let me know if you spot any suspicios OPR’s for sale in Washington. Both are marked “OPR”, one has a welded cross bar on the bars. I think one had department of game scratched into the tree and maybe the name of a horse long dead.

Comment on Perfectly Packed by Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:39:22 +0000

Appreciate bob hoversons comments about the opr packsaddle. Thank you. I believe he passed away in 1946. I was born in 1945 and was too young to remember him. I also appreciate the fact that Ray Holes Saddle Co. always acknowledged OPR as being the inventor of the tree. They carried on the design features which may have been otherwise lost. The family still has many of his tools, including the (jack stand) he used to hold the tree while it was being made. Thanks again and hope to come to nine mile one day. Leo Robinett, grandson.