The Texan

Every inch of him was a Texan and a delight to be with.  The story I tell is another example of an individual having and using his own voice. He was a southern gentleman, and in addition to the workshops we held with his partner and staff, he was a pleasure to share free time with. We joined him and a small group on his ranch near the town where he was born for a memorable weekend. We enjoyed great food,  drinks, a game of “warshers, and plenty of good old-fashioned laughs and the kind of talk I call dialogue.

But, what is or are “ warshers”? We call them washers in the far west; they call them warshers in Texas. What matters is not what the game is called but the game itself. It’s like horseshoes; only what you throw to a stake at about the same distance are small warshers about the size of a silver dollar. Whoever gets them closest to the post wins.

As luck would have it, this guy from the far west is a horseshoe player of merit.  The game of warshers was a cakewalk for me, and much to our leader’s chagrin, he was beaten at his own game.

There was a large pond on the ranch, and the catfish in it were huge, at least to my eye, although I know little about catfish. The ranch may still be his, but the town, the small ranch, and his youthful experiences there made him what he became. 

It’s been a long time, but I still have fond memories of our work and recreation together, including the Texan Long Horn Bull he had as a pet in his backyard.

Warshers or washers—Does it matter in the game?—It is just friendship

Worked together—And playing together too—Makes for understanding

Sy

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows

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