A Kiss to Remember

I said it yesterday. Not all the bulls are tough. 

Some of them just want to be loved. 

This fella really just wanted a kiss. 

Doesy-Doe to the Rodeo

Welcome to the Rodeo: July 4, 2013!

Little town has got one of the greatest 4th of July Rodeos around. In fact, there are so many entries that they end up sending them away. One of our wranglers even tried to enter, but you have to do it at least two months in advance so she couldn't join. 

Now last year I started my own little judging here on the Blog. I love to see just how high and how low these great cowboys, and cowgirls can go! So let's have a look see!

First up is how high. The broncs can really kick it! 

And there's a lot of them this year, so enjoy. 

One thing that really struck me was the strength of these men as they held on. These days they wear neck braces to help support themselves, but still, they gotta have some serious core body strange!

I think this has to be the best bronc shot we got. This was a beautiful horse, 

and after he did throw the monkey off his back, he pranced back to the pins. 

It looked like he was saying, "Oh yeah, I got this!"

Catching some good air, and sit'n pretty too!

And this next fella was ready to take him right outta the gate. 

Now don't forget the bulls! Just because these boys are big, doesn't mean they can't get up there. 

Please note how this cowboy is holding on. I think it's interesting also that he's got his boots tied on. 

I'm not sure why? Do any of you know?

The bulls really gave a good show this year. It was a fighting bunch! 

These two are just made for each other. 

But the winner of "How High Did They Go" has to go to this poor bull rider. 

He got some great air before he eat some serious dirt! And don't worry for the clown, he's a professional at getting out of the way!

Now on to Dust! Or in this case, "Eat My Dust." Barrel Racing is one of the most competitive events at a Rodeo. The times comes down to less than seconds and they have to stop and grade the dirt so the riders have an even playing field. A whole around a barrel can cost them time. 

Anyone can make dust on an arena of dirt on a hot summer's day, but it's the speed that can really make these athletes impressive. And by athletes, I mean both the rider and the horse. 

The cost of a turned barrel is seconds deducted. She no long has a chance. 

But the barrel racers aren't the only ones who can eat dust! 

Now we didn't have any clear shots of snot like we had last year. I guess we were a little farther away this time. But I did love the sequences of these next shots. And as I said last year, it's not that you will be getting snot in your pockets, it's really that you pissed of the cow… or horse…. or bull… 

In the second shot, see how high the cowboy got, but he still held on! 

In fact, He held on, until he had to be helped off! 

This next sequence was of the cowboy eating dust, and therefor, 

also got some snot in his pockets. I'm sure. 

Don't worry, both the horse and the rider walked away. Them's some tough boys!

And it wasn't just the horses out to get 'm! This is where the rodeo clowns come in! What a job they have, getting the bulls to run them down and not the rider! Don't worry, all were fine in the end.

This white bull may have looked like a mean son-o-a-gun, but I've got proof that he was really a lover and not a fighter. But that's got to be another post. So stay tuned. 

So let's hear it for the clowns, because in the end, 

I think they are the winners of the "Snot in Your Pocket!"

I hope you've enjoyed this years rodeo! We did! 

So what do you do on the 4th of July in your town? 

Gone But Not Forgotten. I hope.

I've been gone. We went to see family.

And we've been having fun. 

It's summer time. What can I say? 

We don't get many warm months up here on the mountain tops of Montana. I gotta enjoy them while I can.

So I hope you don't forget me.

I do most of my writing from my phone. Then the photos are never where I want them, and so I still have to wait to get to the main computer to touch it all up. It just isn't happening.

Will I ever get caught up?

So go enjoy your summer! We sure are!

America the Beautiful

Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountains Majesties

Above the fruited plane!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood 

From sea to shining sea.

OK, technically, this last shot is of a lake. 

I have pics of the Atlantic, 

but I just wanted to get this post up for the 4th of July and so I used what was handy. 

This is my favorite Patriotic song 

and I always think of it as I'm driving to and fro seeing these stunning views. 

May your holiday be wonderful! 

And stay tuned for my ever enjoyable 4th of July Rodeo Judging post 

which will be coming early next week! 

(You can check out last years winners here)

Enjoy the weekend! 

Hanging Around The Garden

This little fellah was spotted behind the garden.  

My kids and I were out helping and the gardener pointed him out. 

His mama took off, but a cubs first instinct is to climb. 

And that's what he did.

He stayed up there long enought to put on a show for the guests. 

And when we were all done and had left, he took his leave. 

I'm assuming he met up with his mama. 

A big thank you to Adventure Man for the use of his photos. 

Every Needful Thing

I love silos. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you know. 

I had to stop and take this last month. 

I'm just now sharing. 

You Soccer Moms Got Nothing on ME ~ or ~ What Happened to May??

Two posts. That's all I got.

As in, that's all I had for May. 

My personal worst! Like going back to the days I started these Ramblings! 

So, this is writer's block?
Kind of. But mostly I've just been busy.
Crazy busy. 

And that means I was driving. A lot. 

So, I thought I would share. 

• Jr high track practice.  No really. This meant that Lulu wasn't riding the bus home so I had to go down and pick her up at 5 pm. Everyday.

Total time spent: 1-1.5 hours 

Total mileage: 50 

• Jr high track meets. Most all track meets in this area are held in the northern town of Cut Bank. They have the best track. And the worst weather.

I don't know how you figure the windchill factor, but I totally believe this penguin. Penguins know about this stuff, especially the Giant Northern Penguins of Cut Bank. Plus, I've only been in Cut Bank, like twice when it wasn't windy. And by windy, I'm talking 40+ mph with gusts up to 80 mph. The chart doesn't even go to 80 mph! Seriously, I've seen it! I've seen my 2 year old's feet come off the ground. It's happened. 

Total time: all day with departure time 6:15 am

Total Mileage:  210

• Softball. Just before track ended, Bean decided to go out for Softball. This is a sweet little girl who has never shown the slightest inkling of wanting to do anything with sports. I was so excited! She learned real quick the phrase, "Softball, ain't nothing soft about it!" She was hit in the head more than once in those first days of practise. She got to the point that she just wanted to quit.

 But she stuck it out and stayed true to her commitment. They practiced Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the evenings. Games were Mondays and Wednesdays, and were stretched out all over. So instead of clearing up my schedule, it really just got crazier.

Total Time: 4 to 6 hours
Total mileage: 50 to 210

But, even though schools been out for over a week, we are heading into our last week of sports… (Well, sort of!) We have softball tournaments this week (so far they are undefeated!) and basketball camp too.

Does it ever really end?
I hope not!
This Mama's having a heck of a lot of fun!