Every time Roscoe tried to think back along the line of events that had led to his being in a place where there was no trees to lean against, he strayed off the line and soon got all tangled up in his thinking. It was probably better not to try and think back down the line of life.
In "Lonesome Dove," Roscoe reflects on his past but finds it difficult to trace the events that brought him to his current location, which lacks the comfort of familiar trees. His attempts to revisit these memories become confusing, leading him to feel lost in his thoughts.
This struggle suggests that reminiscing on life’s journey can often complicate one's present. Roscoe recognizes that it may be more beneficial to focus on the present rather than getting caught up in the complexities of his past experiences.
