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The Outside Circle
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The outside circle is an old cowhand reference. As the crew musters first thing in the morning, the cow boss will ask, “Who wants the outside circle?” In any pasture, there will be a far corner that requires a horse and rider to travel farther than the rest. Gus Bracket often volunteers for the outside circle – where there is nothing to distract him from pondering life’s big (and not so big) questions.

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The Outside Circle: Putting out fires

June 22, 2026
Gus Brackett

There are always fires to put out on a farm or ranch – lightning strikes, cows breach fences and breaking a machine seems to be the only way to learn a machine. At times, all we do is put out fires, both figurative and literal.


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The Outside Circle: The greatest of all time

May 22, 2026
Gus Brackett

Everything changed with that essay, but all the document did was unleash the prosperity that a free people can reap. On the 250th anniversary of our nation, we should read, appreciate and remember the Declaration of Independence and acknowledge the generations of Americans that, in pursuing freedom, have made the United States of America the greatest of all time.


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The Outside Circle: Mascots

May 4, 2026
Gus Brackett

There are many things that bother me: yippin’ dogs, antique furniture, mascots. Mascots? The lovable emblem of an athletics team? Yes, mascots bother me.


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The Outside Circle: Homestead cat

March 18, 2026
Gus Brackett

My least favorite animal on our outfit is our indoor cat, Wendell. (If he is my least favorite, then why do I mention him in my column so frequently?) Wendell was a stray kitten we rescued from the pound. Half of his tail was missing, and he was found on the mean streets of Wendell, Idaho, thus the name.


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The Outside Circle: Wife, kids or dementia

February 23, 2026
Gus Brackett

If you’ve ever attended a branding, there are two reactions when someone falls. When a younger person hits the dirt, laughter and ribbing will follow. On the other hand, when an older fellow hits the dirt, there is no laughter, just gasps and uncomfortable silence. I am at the age that a fall at a branding causes fewer laughs and more gasps.


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The Outside Circle: The dystopian farm

February 3, 2026
Gus Brackett

Daughters in my life has changed my entertainment choices. For most of my life, I didn’t have a favorite princess movie. Now I have a ranked list of my favorite princess movies.


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The Outside Circle: Rosin jawbo

December 22, 2025
Gus Brackett

The rosin jawbo is unique to ranching, but the concept is universal in agriculture. There is a long list of jobs in agriculture that require a rosin jawbo ... a handy kid.


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The Outside Circle: A Charlie Brown Christmas

November 27, 2025
Gus Brackett

Charlie Brown and I are kindred spirits. Our similarities are uncanny. We both have round faces, we’re both snappy dressers, and we both have a single, squiggly hair in the middle of our bald heads. Yes, Charlie Brown and I share many similarities.


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The Outside Circle: Fire up the grill

October 16, 2025
Gus Brackett

November is grilling season. In a society clamoring for authenticity, an original thought is rare. But the statement, “November is grilling season,” may be just that … an original thought.


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The Outside Circle: Pumpkin spice flatulence candles

September 18, 2025
Gus Brackett

I’ll be honest, I don’t understand the buzz around pumpkin spice. I know it’s everywhere – coffee, donuts, cheesecake and scented candles – but what is it really?


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