But the livestock barn is heated by animals,

It is shelter for the weak, the young, and the old.

I spend so many hours out there that some may say that my mind has begun to drift.

But one cold winter night I was blessed with a gift.

I heard the animals talking.

Now hear me out.

I didn’t have a conversations with them not a word did I share.

You see it only happened once

I haven’t herd them since “I swear!.”

The doors had been shut and the animals had all been fed

I was leaving for the house when I stopped at the door to pull my hat down on my head

And this is what he said

Hey Dave! “Have you heard the story as told by the Apostles in the Bible

Matthew, Mark, and Luke?

Now listen to the story as told by your Old Donkey Duke”

I stood and rubbed my eyes, and then I think I was under his trance.

I stood and listened not knowing, if I would get a second chance.

He continued.

This story is fitting for this time of year

It has a happy ending.

And it should fill your heart with cheer

Normally I stand in the back ground and all you hear are my feet

But I want you to hear my story and share it with everyone you meet

One of my ancestors, once gave a ride to a lady, who was heavy with child

Then he was tied up in a stable, near where the straw was piled

This Great Grandpa from generations past was there

When the nights blanket had an extra bright star

He said there were kings and Royalty that came from near and far

It was in Bethlehem the town of counting and gathering back in that day

On this night the town was filled with people and there was no place to stay

Grandpa said that he had heard that Shepards had been visited by angels that night

They were told that a savior was to be born on this very sight

He said he was so close he could smell the new born

Wrapped in swaddling clothes all nice and tight

He actually stood out side the stable that night

He watched as Royalty and the Rich they brought gifts to him

Gold, Frankinses, and Murr

And Kings bowed to their knees as the town was in a stir

His name is JESUS “The Savior”, the one true light

The angels they sang of his glory and might

He was born in a manger so meek and so mild

Many knew this was the moment that the world had waited for

Born in a stable, why the place didn’t even have a door.

Great Grandpa said that night was the beginning of a new way

No one knew then,

The sacrifice he would pay

He would give his own life for the debits that we owe

But first he would live as a child and grow

His folks knew he was special, the angels had told them that

He was quite he just lay there smiling and happy, he didn’t wear a hat.

He is the true meaning of Christmas a gift from above.

For you and for me

To deliver us from sin

Our spirits he set free

Duke said

So during this time of winter don’t just sit around and shiver all cold

Go out and live life!

Live it true and live it bold!

God wants us to love one another

No matter our race color or creed, no matter how young or how old

Love one another as brothers and sisters, is how the story is told

Duke then put his head down and got a mouth full of hay

I still scratch my head when I think about what I herd that day

But I hope you will take this lesson from Duke as I herd it spoke.

Please live life to the fullest in Peace Love and Hope.

God Bless and have a Christ filled Christmas

Cowboy Dave

But until then it is the responsibility of the adults, the parental figure in the home, to protect our children from watching these goofy shows. They endorse the lack of the exact morals and value of old that “Cowboy Dave” wants to support.

I have two children ages 19 and 15 and my daughter is in college on her own. My son is the typical 15 year old who wants to watch the popular “Reality Shows” I have to say that I am appalled at the content.  My wife and I can not believe the language and situations the directors put these young people in just to get good ratings. The lack of respect the “players” show for their elders, their peers and even themselves is just wrong. To make it worse the “Players” are rewarded for the shock value they can bring to the show. 

I don’t think you have to look very far in today’s society to find examples of what I am referring to. Obviously I can not stop it or change it in a day but, what I can do is create an alternative for the parents and adult care givers of the children of today.

Our episodes provide the opportunity for the family unit viewing our show to witness a family living in day to day life situations. But the reality of this show is that we have set definitive guidelines. Our children in each episode will show the viewer that there is a right and a wrong way to handle every decision they make. The elders in each episode will demonstrate the right way to handle a particular situation. Then a child will be shown making a wrong decision and will then have to suffer the consequences. This is what “Educational Entertainment” is all about. Obviously they are not life threatening decisions but the point will be made. Then the elders can teach the “Life Lesson” from this example. They show how to forgive and forget and expect the right decision to be made the next time our child is challenged with this decision.

Each episode will then show the same child given an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. They will then be rewarded for the there right choice. Not with fame and fortune but will love and respect. The ‘Good Book” I live by says that Love and Respect is more valuable than silver and gold. This is the kind of “Reality TV” I want to bring to the screen.

God Bless and I see ya real soon.

Cowboy Dave

The cowboy way!

Wolpa Mann, LLC was established in 2006 to create Cowboy Dave Life Lessons.   The curriculum enhanced media for elementary education has been well received by several elementary school systems in Nebraska and Iowa.

Behavioral counselors, teachers and parents agree that entertainment with a message provides the “sticky factor” that children will remember as they mature through life.

Cowboy Dave is unforgettable, much like Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers and television series of the past such as The Rifleman and The Brady Bunch.

The Life Lesson of Respect is a concept for a series of character building stories.  David Mann continues to write stories of his childhood, teaching  life lessons in a fun and memorable fashion.

Today’s television programming for children consists of animation and “reality” TV of which many send children the wrong message. Our goal is to create multimedia presentations for television and internet broadcast with wholesome messages. Incorporating farm life seems to reach children of all demographics.

To purchase a copy of The Life Lesson of Respect either locate the BUY page or go to www.growneb.com and find Wolpa Mann, LLC under services.

You may also contact us direct for information regarding live presentations. Talk to Cowboy Dave direct at (402) 677-5190.

I hope you will continue to visit and talk with me about the up coming episodes.

Spooky Stories In The Woods

I was asked to tell a spooky story a couple nights ago. Some of the storytellers told of people with there skin hanging off and other gorry stuff. The story I told can still send chills down my back. It was about the day that I forgot to finish my chores. One of my daily chores as a young boy was to gather the eggs. One night after supper I realized that I had forgotten to get the eggs! I was told that I HAD to go back out into the night and get them. I was only 9 or 10 and the dark night was not a place I liked spending my time. It only got worse when I had to go into the Chicken House I was not afraid of chickens but could there be other creatures in there? Dad told me to shut off the flashlight when I went in because the hens would all be resting. When I shut it off and walked in a few steps my eyes began to adjust to the dark and then, I realized that the chickens and I were not the only creatures in the hen house. Nope there were lots and lots of RATS! They were looking at me like I was out of place , they obviously didn’t recongnize the look of terror on my face!

I had a good time telling my spooky story in the woods.

See ya again real soon.

Cowboy Dave

So long and see ya soon.

I want you to know that this Cowboy at the keyboard is excited to be talking with you all. I am going to be presenting live at Valas Pumpkin Patch throughout the month of October. I will be throwing my ropes and helping the young ones learn what it feels like to throw a rope. And if their not careful they might learn a thing about “Respect” and “Manners”. I am going to be there only on the weekends in the afternoon so come on out and throw a rope with Cowboy Dave.

See ya real soon!

Just go to www.grownebraska.org, click on Find, select Service Business, select Sub-category Education, hit the Go Button and you’ll find us!

Thanks for your support. Dave