Home Was Where The Heart Was

Almost 30 years ago I painted this heart with a target on the inside of my front door at the old schoolhouse.  I revisited the site on Saturday and discovered that it is the most colorful thing in that very dim building.  It is hard to imagine how frightened I must have been to have taken the time to paint this.  I had a 22 Remington Rifle and a Colt 38 at the time...lots of wild and rabid animals that needed put down.  Worse was the two leggeds that came out to cause trouble.  Had I shot through the target, it would have killed the person on the other side of the door.  Most of my visitors were friends, but occasionally men would show up lookin for trouble.  I realize that the song 18 dogs would have been the mood and spirit of my anxiety level living out in the country in a town inbred.




Poor little house in the country
18 dogs and an M-16 for company
Those cowboys coming over the horizon
They’ll be looking for some hospitality

Come on in, boys, the door is wide open
But I warn you my dogs are born to win
I’ll take the greatest of pleasure
In watching you torn limb from limb

There’s rumors starting down in the village
Those cowboys haven’t been heard of since the day
But if anybody comes ’round asking questions
Well, I’ve got it worked out what I’m gonna say

Come on in, boys, the door is wide open
But I warn you my dogs are born to win
I’ll take the greatest of pleasure
In watching you torn limb from limb

Poor little house in the country
18 dogs and an M-16 for company
Those cowboys coming over the horizon
They’ll be looking for some hospitality

Come on in, boys, the door is wide open
But I warn you my dogs are born to win
I’ll take the greatest of pleasure
In watching you torn limb from limb

Yes, I’ll take the greatest of pleasure
In watching you torn limb from limb