Friday, June 19, 2009

Old Cowgirl


Labels or titles of any sort never have impressed me. In my humble opinion, most people have a high enough opinion of themselves, and that gives me all the justification that I need not to be in awe of them. We're all just people. Flawed people, at that. No matter how wonderful you think you might be...you can bet there's somebody out there who can put you to shame. So, how refreshing when you meet someone who is humble. Someone who would rather understate (is that a word?) their value or their worth, instead of tooting their own horn.


My hero was my dad. He's gone now. Then I met Ray Hunt and he became my hero. He's gone now too. I really don't have any heros anymore, but I do have a favorite clinician. Brad Cameron, the mule trainer from Montana. I've ridden in two clinics with him and he's a great horseman. He would never say that about himself, but he is. He is mild-mannered and soft-spoken. He's patient and kind. And he's a phenomenol horseman who just happens to excel at teaching others in his quiet, unassuming way.


And, he's doing a clinic in my hometown this weekend - today through Sunday. This year they even have the advanced horsemanship class, along with working cows. How I wish I could go!!! I have a blast when I go to those riding clinics. They scare the heck out of me at times, they push me outside my comfort zone and I'm totally exhillerated all at the same time. Awesome!!! I took Ladde last year and Harley the year before. Alas, no extra dollars floating around for unbudgeted expenses. *sigh* What's a girl to do? Maybe next year.


So, instead my hubby and I are going out for Mexican food tonight, and tomorrow morning we're loading up the horses and heading to the Flying M. It's one of our favorite camping/riding places because there's miles and miles and miles of trails...all the way to the beach if you want to, and it takes us a mere 30 minutes or less to get there. Gotta like that!! So, tomorrow morning we'll head out and spend the night tomorrow, then come home Sunday afternoon. Sounds good to me.

It's a good way to celebrate Father's Day, and welcome in the first day of summer.

So, I'm gonna go play cowgirl. I'm gonna ride my pony all over those mountains and through the creeks and I'm gonna have fun. And as a tribute to cowgirls everywhere, the following is a little poem that I especially like.


It's what I'm gonna be when I grow up...


"Old Cowgirl"


I shall wear diamonds

And a wide-brimmed straw hat

With silver and leather on it

and I shall spend my social security

On white wine and carrots

And sit in the alley of my barn

And listen to my horses breathe.


I will sneak out

in the middle of a summers' night

And ride the chestnut mare

Across the moonstruck meadow.

If my old bones will allow.


When people come to call I will smile and nod

As I walk them past the gardens to the barn

And show, instead, the beauty growing there

In stalls fresh-lined with straw.


I will shovel and sweat and

Wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.

And I will be an embarrassment to all

Who look down on me.

They've not yet found the peace in being free

To love a horse as a friend,

A friend who waits at midnight hour

With nuzzle and nicker and patient eyes

For the kind of woman I will be,

When I am old.



Blessings everyone, cingspots

22 comments:

Reddunappy said...

I love that poem! Its supposed to be wet this weekend, hope the trail riding goes ok LOL, Oregon and Washington duck weather LOL we are haveing a big get together for our daughters graduation,outside, I dont look forward to the rain, at least it isnt that cold, we will have everyone under canopies and in the garage.

allhorsestuff said...

That is the best poem! White wine and carrots and wearing hay in the tresses as if they were jewels!
Thanks for emparting that gem to us!

You two have a blast horse caming!!
Sorry you could go see your hero...yea, I always feel like I am homesafe with a truly humble person. It is the most refreshing thing on earth really..like Jesus hugged them as they got up that moring and now they are smiling upon you..they can be so encouraging!
Do sign up for next year ASAP..you won't regreat it!
XO
Kacy with Wa mare

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Just beautiful. Have a great weekend!

Paint Girl said...

I have always wanted to take my horses to a clinic and ride them. I think it would push me outside the comfort zone, but that would be good for me, especially with Fritzy.
I hope you have a wonderful camping trip. Sounds like so much fun!
Love the poem!!

Leah Fry said...

Love the poem!

Have a wonderful time this weekend and be safe.

Gail said...

What an amazing poem! Those are my sentiments exactly.

Chill...The Word Verification was OMENS!

the7msn said...

No matter how many times I read that poem, I smile.

Donna said...

I long to be able to ride my horse to a destination and back again, instead of around in a circle. I am jealous of your weekend.

Fantastyk Voyager said...

Gosh, that's almost me already! :)

Maria said...

Hope you had a fantastic weekend and all went smoothly, way too hot here to ride, over 100 heat index & humid, me nor my boys are conditioned enough so we'll just wait on cooler weather or real early morning rides only.
I've seen that poem before, love it, thanks for posting it

Welcome To Wilmoth Farms said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that poem! what a lovely post!

Carolynn Anctil said...

Oh, I LOVE that poem! It actually made me a bit teary. Enjoy your fabulous weekend, I'm totally envious. I'm off to the barn for the afternoon and I hope to spend a few minutes of quiet time nuzzling with my favourite horses. I know I'll definitely get hay in my hair. ;o)

Thanks for your note at my place the other day. I've been without internet for a few days, so I'm just catching up. I just finished reading a very good book by Barbara Sher (www.barbarasher.com) called "It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now - How To Create Your Second Life at Any Age." It deals with mid-life crisis and I got my copy out of the library. I've read some of her other books too, and they're all very good.

*Hugs*
Carolynn

Molly said...

I can't wait to hear about your weekend. It sounds like heaven to me.

Thank you so much for the poem. Are you the author? It is how we horsey people truly feel. I may have to borrow a few lines, if I may.

Anonymous said...

wow.. tears..
i hear ya my lorie... i LOVE LOVE LOVE gazi... and as we came back from most excellent ride with one of my trainer's patrick, i
i thought wow what a partner and then other days I'm scared ***itless... Sit down and ride as patrick says
blessings
gp

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

I've only heard parts of that poem from other horse women....hay in the hair, love a horse as a friend...etc. I got misty eyed and that ole twinge in the gut.....you know it's true when you read it feeling. I'm writing this one down and hanging it in my barn. Hope your weekend was all that you had hoped! My mare is lame again....just remember someone always has it worse....this time it's me! Lu

Girl Tornado said...

Absolutely love the poem... hope you both had a great weekend on your trail rides! ;)

Molly said...

I sent that poem to a few girlfriends and gave you credit for posting it. I'd still love to know the author so I can check out her other stuff.

I hope all is well with you and hubby and that you are spending all these long evenings out with the horses.

Welcome To Wilmoth Farms said...

Can I use this poem on my blog??? I absolutely love this!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

I've read that poem many times. It used to make me want to live that same life when I'm old, now it sorts of hurts and makes me ache. I hope it will happen for me somehow, someway. It's such a romantic way to think. I used to be that way, too. The things I've been through have tarnished that shine and made me more cynical. Too sad.

I'm sorry your heroes have all passed on, but I hope you get to do that clinic someday. I hope I'll maybe get to do one, too.
Life is full of so many different paths....which one you take changes your life at every turn.

I hope you are doing well, my blog friend. And I hope your camping/horse trip was fun and safe.

~Lisa

allhorsestuff said...

Okay..needs some Lorie updates..you all well and good?? Did the creeks swallow you up?
NO WAY...You jumped em ,I got it!
Kac

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

Have an Honest Scrap Award for you if you want to participate! Luanne

C-ingspots said...

Thanks for checking up on me everybody!!! Love, love, love all your beautiful sentiments and comments. I treasure each and every single one. Been kind of busy lately, but I keep checking in from time to time...