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