What HISTORY HAS TAUGHT ME

My favorite place in the West is Yosemite National Park in California.

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It holds a special place in my life, with a wealth of memories accumulated during summer vacations spent with my parents and family. It keeps on giving, memory-wise.

For my money, the best history is taking the time to fully stop and read a roadside historical marker. The ultimate roadside attraction.

Most people don't know I grew up riding horses on the San Francisco beaches. Heck, yeah, I would rent horses at the stables just south of San Francisco on the Coast Highway 1.

When I was growing up my favorite TV show was, of course, the Saturday morning cartoon Johnny Quest.

Closest I ever got to a near-death experience was when I was in a shootout as a young 20-year-old rookie police officer in Northern California.

I was born to hardworking Southern parents who raised me their way. My Southern roots run deep. My 90-year-old mother is a Waco, Texas, native and my 93-year-old father is a South Mansfield, Louisiana, native; they're the epitome of Southern charm.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I was told there aren't any Black cowboys.