A Cowboy is a Man with Guts and a Horse

This weekend I was able to enjoy a new experience — my very first rodeo!

Growing up in the Midwest, it's no wonder I have never been to a rodeo before. Lucky me, my fella and I received tickets as one of our Christmas presents.

Number one, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised when we not only sang the National Anthem before the show, but also prayed beforehand. I wish these values were dispersed throughout America!

The show itself was good fun. The ladies and gentlemen who participated, and their horses, are amazing athletes. I particularly enjoyed the bronco riding, calf roping, and the trick riding.

I took many pictures in the hopes that a few would come out okay. Here are a few for you to get a taste of the action:

It is something I look forward to going to again. The stock show part of it I could leave. I love animals, but it just wasn't as interesting as I thought it might be. Staring at the ground to make sure I didn't step in any droppings didn't help. I'm a city girl; stepping in animal droppings is not normal.

Oh, and I must mention that the brisket-topped nachos were ah-mazing. Only in Texas...

— E

What's a Parka?

Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

Today is really the first time I get to look at the weather and laugh not-so-quietly to myself.

Why? The mercury is reading seventy degrees today here in north Texas. And in southwestern Minnesota? Oh, that would be ZERO. Yes, degrees.

This is the evil moment I have been patiently awaiting all winter. The moment everyone in my former place of residence are freezing their booties off while I go outside and think, "Oh, gee, it sure is super nice out today."

Muahahaha.

My fella recently told me I will miss the snow, miss the seasons. I replied by telling him I had almost twenty-nine years of it; there is a good chance I won't miss it for a long, long while.

Yep, not for a long, long while.

— E