Digital Cowboy

Many of you have asked how life on the ranch is going. It couldn’t be better and it’s been quite busy lately. In fact, I have some big news to report. As of Sunday afternoon, I now have a bonafide rodeo champeen living at my house! My oldest daughter Katelyn took first place in the mutton bustin’ competition Sunday. She was the only competitor that wasn’t afraid at all. Some of the kids chickened out completely once the sheep was brought out and the ones that did ride required a lot of coaxing to get them on. They also all cried when they fell off.

Not my cowgirl! Monty, the cowboy running the event, told me later, “She was the only brave one and she was fearless. She hopped on, grabbed hold and when she looked up at me she had that look in her eyes that I see with the ropers when they’re ready to have the gate tripped – ‘Let’s get it on!’” (I have another picture of her where you can see that laser focus while she’s riding but I didn’t post it here because it’s hard to see unless it’s at full resolution.)

She rode for well over 10 seconds and she was the only one that didn’t get “bucked.” When she hopped off and came back to me she said, “Daddy, I could’ve gone longer but they told me to get off.” I said, “That’s fine, Sweetheart. That’s like makin’ the whistle at a bull ride!” “Well, can I go again?” Monty told me later that he told her to get off because the sheep was tiring out and it looked like she could ride all day.

Besides the trophy she won, the event payout was a big ol’ bag of candy and this was the real deal – in a rodeo arena with a crowd of spectators cheering. She even got to pick up her winnings at the pay window just like the cowboys do when they win the ropings. The trophy says “Mutton Busting – 1st Place 2006 – Covenant Ranch.”

Now she’s bugging me about building her a trophy shelf in her room. She’s certain that this is just the first of many rodeo trophies she’s going to win. She’s probably right. She’s also trying to use this new status as leverage around the house – “Well, Daddy, I am a rodeo champion!”

“Uh-huh. Get your room cleaned up, rodeo champion.”

I finally got off my perfectionism and decided to just get something done here even if it wasn’t the greatest thing that ever hit the blog world.

After all this time, I wonder if anyone but the spammers will even notice. I’m not telling anyone. I’m gonna wait a while and see if there are any comments.