While perusing a small outdoor fair in Encinitas, Ca, I came across a journal maker. Really my nose led me to him. The distinct smell of leather permeated the air within a 15 ft radius of his booth. He had journals, sketchbooks, and albums of all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. I was drawn to a handbound, 8.5" x 5.5" sized, raw cowhide sketchbook., with 100% recycled cotton paper. As I walked away, carrying my new treasure, the nostalgic Rawhide lyrics, my dad used to sing, came to me: "rollin' rollin' rollin,' though the streams are swollen, keep them doggies rollin'... Cowhide!" If only the journal could satiate my yearnings for a matching rug...