We were supposed to be working cattle today, but a storm blew in and put the kybosh on that. While we were getting everything set up I thought I would throw a saddle on Shy-Rose and use her to help out. I haven't ridden her in quite some time, and the exercise wouldn't do her any harm. (pudgy lil stinker she is)
So I walked up to her and put on the bridal. She's about as hard to catch as a cold. You are in more danger of getting snuggled to death by her than anything else. I figured I'ld put the saddle on her when we got back to the yard. So I hopped on and off we went.
Or so I thought. About 3 steps in the rodeo started. Fighting and tossing her head the whole way. Luck for me she is too fat to do more than glorified crow hopping. Though I am happy that my skills are sharp enough to ride it out bare back. Falling would have been unpleasant.
So the plan is to get on her as much as possible in the next little while. She is less than amused with the whole situation, but she knows that I'm still in charge. Silly horsy.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I am - A Redneck with a Truck
I have been reading the I am project blogs, and thinking a lot about their purpose. They are indeed a very powerful tool of self reflection, discovery, motivation, and accountability. All of us see ourselves in a certain light, and we understand that others see us from their perspective, but what does this truly mean? How many of us see ourselves accurately from another's point of view. Do we know about our lil' quirks? (I twirl my hair with my left hand, among other little annoying traits) Have we truly empathized and seen how our words and actions have affected another? Have we come to terms with the darkness inside ourselves, and accepted it as part of who we are? How else do we chase away the darkness if we do not shine the light into it? Take that look into our souls and understand that the only way to change what we don't want to see, is to first see it? To understand what needs to be fixed, to get the tools required to complete the change, and to have the desire and commitment to see it through to the end.
What do you say when you finish the statement I AM?
I have no doubts that there are those on the planet that see me as the living incarnation of evil. Just as there are those I see in a similar light. My brother's ex girlfriend comes to mind. I once referred to her, much to my sister's enduring entertainment, as "A vicious happiness sucking vulture from $%^&". Not one of my finer moments, but I've never claimed to be perfect.
Do they really see ME? What do they say about me, and who am I to them? Some people have described me as the most focused person they have ever met. Others use words like fierce and mean. I've been described as having the charm of a pit bull or an angry cat. Others still use words like loyal, determined, shallow, boisterous, cold, intimidating, warm, protective, goofy, and so forth. Polar opposites, yet all describing the same person from a unique perspective.
How would those who are intimidated feel if they saw me at work? Singing "I'm a little acorn brown" to Julie just to get a rise out of her? Or sneaking up on someone, or doing one of a thousand silly things we do to each other for fun? Practical jokes and trying to scare the pants off each other is a daily pastime. (Pam got me really good this afternoon. Payback is harsh but at least now I can stop watching my back)
How many people know that someone I care about could call me in the middle of the night from the other side of the world and say they needed me, just to have me get on the next flight out? Even if I had to ride on the wheel, I would find a way to get to them.
Do they know that I love animals? More importantly, do they know why? Animals don't lie, don't use, they simply are. You can trust an animal to be what it is at all times, they are purely honest. When you have been burned as often and as bad as I have, you learn to value that. You learn to be careful who you trust and to make people earn their way into your life. It can be lonely at times, but the ones that do get in, well you know they are there for the long haul.
Do people know that Sifu Hayes continues to shake his head at me because I remembered his kitten's name is Pepper? I happen to like kittens and thought it was a cute name. I have a brain like a strainer, only chance knows what will stick and what will slip through the cracks.
Do they know that I feel things very deeply, and for the long term? Most people don't think things get through, or that it doesn't get to me. The fact is, I've lived years where the only way to survive is to lock down and fight my way out. I may appear that it doesn't penetrate the shell, but rest assured, everything comes in. I simply, aggressively, decide what has power and what doesn't. It's your choice what and who you allow to affect you. For good or bad, health and damage, we chose to allow others to influence us. We are hurt because we give that power. Just remember, we give the power for a reason.
So what am I? I am a redneck with a truck. I have a jack knife in my purse, fencing staples in my cup holders (in a brand new truck to boot), 3 horses, a dog, a cow, some barn cats and have been froshed with 8 pies with out spilling my drink for my 100th jump. I love John Wayne movies, and never turn down a chance to 2 step. I work hard, and play even harder. I like sitting around a fire with my friends, and watching movies with my family.
I am a passionate person a try to be a good person. Some times I succeed, sometimes I fail. But I take those failures, and make myself see them for what they are. MY FAILURE. Something I chose to do, of my own free will, for selfish motivation. I learn from it, try to see how it has affected myself and those around me, and move on with the intention of doing better in the future.
Am I fierce, intense, gentile, warm? Am I any of those things or something entirely different? Perhaps a combination of strange contradictions? I don't know. I'm just a person, human, one who is prone to weakness and temptation like everyone else.
What do you say when you finish the statement I AM?
I have no doubts that there are those on the planet that see me as the living incarnation of evil. Just as there are those I see in a similar light. My brother's ex girlfriend comes to mind. I once referred to her, much to my sister's enduring entertainment, as "A vicious happiness sucking vulture from $%^&". Not one of my finer moments, but I've never claimed to be perfect.
Do they really see ME? What do they say about me, and who am I to them? Some people have described me as the most focused person they have ever met. Others use words like fierce and mean. I've been described as having the charm of a pit bull or an angry cat. Others still use words like loyal, determined, shallow, boisterous, cold, intimidating, warm, protective, goofy, and so forth. Polar opposites, yet all describing the same person from a unique perspective.
How would those who are intimidated feel if they saw me at work? Singing "I'm a little acorn brown" to Julie just to get a rise out of her? Or sneaking up on someone, or doing one of a thousand silly things we do to each other for fun? Practical jokes and trying to scare the pants off each other is a daily pastime. (Pam got me really good this afternoon. Payback is harsh but at least now I can stop watching my back)
How many people know that someone I care about could call me in the middle of the night from the other side of the world and say they needed me, just to have me get on the next flight out? Even if I had to ride on the wheel, I would find a way to get to them.
Do they know that I love animals? More importantly, do they know why? Animals don't lie, don't use, they simply are. You can trust an animal to be what it is at all times, they are purely honest. When you have been burned as often and as bad as I have, you learn to value that. You learn to be careful who you trust and to make people earn their way into your life. It can be lonely at times, but the ones that do get in, well you know they are there for the long haul.
Do people know that Sifu Hayes continues to shake his head at me because I remembered his kitten's name is Pepper? I happen to like kittens and thought it was a cute name. I have a brain like a strainer, only chance knows what will stick and what will slip through the cracks.
Do they know that I feel things very deeply, and for the long term? Most people don't think things get through, or that it doesn't get to me. The fact is, I've lived years where the only way to survive is to lock down and fight my way out. I may appear that it doesn't penetrate the shell, but rest assured, everything comes in. I simply, aggressively, decide what has power and what doesn't. It's your choice what and who you allow to affect you. For good or bad, health and damage, we chose to allow others to influence us. We are hurt because we give that power. Just remember, we give the power for a reason.
So what am I? I am a redneck with a truck. I have a jack knife in my purse, fencing staples in my cup holders (in a brand new truck to boot), 3 horses, a dog, a cow, some barn cats and have been froshed with 8 pies with out spilling my drink for my 100th jump. I love John Wayne movies, and never turn down a chance to 2 step. I work hard, and play even harder. I like sitting around a fire with my friends, and watching movies with my family.
I am a passionate person a try to be a good person. Some times I succeed, sometimes I fail. But I take those failures, and make myself see them for what they are. MY FAILURE. Something I chose to do, of my own free will, for selfish motivation. I learn from it, try to see how it has affected myself and those around me, and move on with the intention of doing better in the future.
Am I fierce, intense, gentile, warm? Am I any of those things or something entirely different? Perhaps a combination of strange contradictions? I don't know. I'm just a person, human, one who is prone to weakness and temptation like everyone else.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
All Hail Red Lobster
Once again I have nothing to say. My week has been off as I've bee a little under the weather. Tired, cranky, annoyed, and so on. Had a migraine yesterday, and have had an upset stomach today. yuck, but as with all things, time will resolve these issues.
Tomorrow is another day. I am looking very forward to hanging out with my sister. We don't get together nearly often enough, as she lives 3 hours away, but our visits are always fun. We have our little things we do together, like going out to eat at Red Lobster. I'm drooling already just thinking about it.
One would picture a pleasant dining experience of cultured adults (my sister, her husband, and I) filled with small talk and mannerly behavior..... one would be wrong.
Not that we're a bunch of neanderthals at a trough, but we are more interested in having fun together than we are in what others think. An example? Cutting down a washed up rock start for his lewd reality TV show, is not above our notice, comment, or opinion. It's not all claws mind you. There are plenty of other things we chat about, most of them extremely funny (at least to us).
Like the time my brother, sister, her husband, and I were sitting around at Xmas at the farm playing Black Jack for pretzels. The game was fun, the night wore on, and Kija started to bark. My sister asked what she was barking at, and in my usual tactful way, said that it was either deer or idiots across the street. She thought that was quite funny, and about 10 minutes later when my brother said "hit me" and I did (in the shoulder) she promptly spit pop all over mom's new kitchen table. Everything got covered, cards, players, pretzels... you name it, it got a pepsi shower.
So yes, I am looking very forward to a visit with her, and our customary eat till you wana hurl feast at Red Lobster. It only happens a couple of times a year, but it is so worth it. Good food, Great company, and memories to last. I just have to remember to wear sweat pants... makes the ride home more comfortable.
Tomorrow is another day. I am looking very forward to hanging out with my sister. We don't get together nearly often enough, as she lives 3 hours away, but our visits are always fun. We have our little things we do together, like going out to eat at Red Lobster. I'm drooling already just thinking about it.
One would picture a pleasant dining experience of cultured adults (my sister, her husband, and I) filled with small talk and mannerly behavior..... one would be wrong.
Not that we're a bunch of neanderthals at a trough, but we are more interested in having fun together than we are in what others think. An example? Cutting down a washed up rock start for his lewd reality TV show, is not above our notice, comment, or opinion. It's not all claws mind you. There are plenty of other things we chat about, most of them extremely funny (at least to us).
Like the time my brother, sister, her husband, and I were sitting around at Xmas at the farm playing Black Jack for pretzels. The game was fun, the night wore on, and Kija started to bark. My sister asked what she was barking at, and in my usual tactful way, said that it was either deer or idiots across the street. She thought that was quite funny, and about 10 minutes later when my brother said "hit me" and I did (in the shoulder) she promptly spit pop all over mom's new kitchen table. Everything got covered, cards, players, pretzels... you name it, it got a pepsi shower.
So yes, I am looking very forward to a visit with her, and our customary eat till you wana hurl feast at Red Lobster. It only happens a couple of times a year, but it is so worth it. Good food, Great company, and memories to last. I just have to remember to wear sweat pants... makes the ride home more comfortable.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
oooooh, Shinny...
I love puke 'N' hose flooring.... let me tell you why...
I gave my baby a good scrubbing this weekend. The dust and mud was starting to make me mental. The road to my parental unit's place is under construction, and when you have mostly clay ground combined with frequent thunderstorms.... well the result is road snot. Slimy, sticky, and clinging to everything.
So Sunday I headed for the car wash, scrubbed myself stupid, and $13 later, had a sparkly outside on my truck. I then vacuumed the stuffing out of the cab's flooring & seats. Threw my seat covers in the washing machine before I left home, then decided to buy a new set just to get my truck a lil' present. After that I took the back way out to the farm, and got a pail of water, soap, and assorted scrubbing gear and viola.... new looking interior! Boo-yah!!
Then came out the wax, and I shined up every scrap of red paint I could reach. Mission accomplished and man does Sparky look good! I can't wait to take her to the DZ and show her off. It always feels good to do something really well, especially if it's hard work. At least I think so, but then, I'm a little strange. After all, I named my truck Sparky (it's scrappy and has an attitude so I think it fits). Meh, whatever.
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