Where's the song ~~ "Don't let your daughters grow up to marry a Cowboy" ?

​​​​​​​Life is tough! Requires hard physical work, long, long days of pain, dirt, and broken fingernails.​
​Days of frigid cold & scorching heat; through the dust & mud; daybreak into the darkness of nite~~​
​the heart & body becomes toughened & weathered replicating leather!​
​A forever constant factor for a real Cowboy's Wife is tons of sweat, oceans of tears and a constant 'drought' in the wallet!​
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​​​​​​​​​IF​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ she wants to spend anytime at all with her Cowboy, she must do as he does, you become partners!​
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​​​​​​Kick off your boots, grab a cup of coffee, sit back and envision yourself in my life!​
​... It really isn't that bad! There are many rewards to be had to make it a great lifestyle! ...​ ​​​​​​​


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

It Is Midnight...

…and the Sun is Shining!

See it?? It's Midnight...1-7-09
Yep...the
cow coughed up this photo for me! Nice of her wasn't it?

What 48 hours can do for my spirits!
My wintertime blues!

Midnight Sunday hovered at 13 degrees with gruesome clouds looming above.
A sprinkling plummeting of white shimmery crud fell once again!
6 additional inches on top umteen inches of older white layers!

By Noon Monday the heat was up 10 more degrees, now striking 28!
I grabbed the shovel, tossing and grumbling as I'd grown accustomed to,
until my aching muscles screamed “I want no more!”

Moisture began falling at Midnight Monday, muscling it’s way up to 35 degrees.
Giant wet droplets began falling by the bucketfuls!
The heavy pattering on the roof was music to my ears.
I drifted, happily, into sleep.

There was to be no nonsense as Noon Tuesday arrived!
42 degrees rang on the thermometer, the wind howled and the rain danced
in celebration of a grand meltdown!

It is now Midnight Tuesday and it's a searing 49 degrees!
The Pineapple Express, has arrived...
Alleluia!! (or is that Hula Hula!)
...quickly dissolving the White Ugly’s from my space!

When I awaken come morning…I do believe it will all be gone!

Maybe I should stay up all night,
watch the magic as it all melts away into Spring?



Fantasy? or Reality?....please be Reality!
Snake and all!



My Wedding Vows Stated...

...For Better or For WORSE.

NOT

...For Better or For HORSE!


This post is for those of you who "Lurked" and did not want your comment read by others.
Choosing anonymity instead, by emailing me regarding #10 in my last post.
In case you 'come back' lurking...I respond in this way to you all....


Let me first tell you-
YOU have never, nor could you,
walk in & fill my shoes...

~
There is a difference between having HORSES in your life
for recreation and pleasure;
As "tools" for ranch work, feedlots and pack outfits.
Each of which I have enjoyed immensely.
I have the utmost appreciation for and an ultimate respect
for having these HORSES, with these purposes in our lives.
~
You then have those HORSES in your life ...
as being your source of income, your survival.
These HORSES come with "baggage", and another human "attached".
These HORSES presence, their purposes takes on a different meaning now.

You give up your personal privacy.
You fore go the luxury of days or weekends off.
Unlike a 9-5 job, you do not get to shut the door behind you
when your shift is over, drive home...
...and have a life!

~

As far as me "getting out of Dodge" and living at the beach,
"allowing Cowboy to have a woman who truly shares...."
~
You know not what LOVE is,
nor what our Cowboy way of life is!
~
Enjoy your own life...
...and don't judge people for things you know nothing about!


Sunday, January 4, 2009

What the heck...

...I've spilled my guts before!

Ok…who the heck Scrapped me?? Far too many of you I'd say!
What in tarnation are you all trying to tell me anyhow?
In my book, Scrapping is what you do with something that’s old or no longer useful
for it’s original purpose…like Scrap Iron, Scrap paper, table scraps…
What’s a person like me supposed to think?
Geez!
So you think you want Scraps of me?
Well, hope you don’t regret Scrappin’ this ol’ gal!
I can come back to haunt you, you know!

I've thought long and hard as to whether I'd do this or not.
I then remembered that some of you already know more about me
than my own family does~ as since the beginning of my blogging last May,
it's been no holds barred as my fingers tap away at the keyboard!
So, here's some more dirt on me.
*
Just be sure to fill the hole back in when you are done reading!
Shovel will be provided!
Start Diggin' my friends...

1) I may be a short, lightweight, lefty…but don’t let that fool you! Cowboy always warns people that dynamite comes in small packages! I can hold my own with most men, pull more than my own weight, stand tall for what I believe in and punch with my right if necessary! (I’m sure for these reasons, I won’t be caring for myself by the time I’m 60-70…but then, someone had better shoot me!
If there are any takers on this deed, we can sign a contract now, so I can rest easy...)

2) I tend to hold my anger or frustrations inside. In all honestly, I’ve only totally ‘lost it’ 3 times in my life! Twice with Hydro (daughter). First was when she was 8..she threatened to jump off the rail of a bridge into a dry creek... (She was mad at me for something). Running towards her, with willow branch waving , she got off and ran up an embankment like a deer! I was hot on her tail with my blood boiling! Unfortunately, my endurance could not match a spry 8 year olds. I was exhausted by the time I got to the top where she stood so smug, all I could do was hug her! Not out of love…but for needing to hang on and catch my breath and wits!
Second time was during those trying “mother/daughter” years (I'm still amazed my Mom survived 3 girls!). One evening I was so angry (hmmm..can’t remember why now though) , I stormed flew out of my room, charged at her with my finger wagging and tongue flailing as she sat in a rocker in front of ceiling to floor windows…she honestly thought I was going to shove her out through the glass…and I wanted to.
My third time of cutting loose was with Cowboy! 20+ years ago.....before he quit drinking...hence he hasn't drank since!

3) I dreamed since I was a young girl ~of having my own Nursery/Greenhouse. Becoming a Cowboy’s wife as I did, meant following the Cowboy way, not getting my fingers in the dirt of my choosing! You must move and move again to where ever a Cowboy needs to go. Where the work is! We have moved 22 times in our years. Bought, built and/or remodeled (100% with our own hands)...7 of those times. If there was anything already hinting of “landscaped”…I’d hand dig it all up and start with my own ideas. I planned & planted. I watched my endeavors spring to life, become as I dreamed they be! Just as they’d begin to flourish~it was time to move again. That's as close to my dreams I've ever gotten.
(3 ½: I never totally unpack everything!)

4) I went to college and became a Paralegal. I needed to prove to "someone" in my life…that I was capable! That I deserved to be treated as a valued person; that I warranted respect. While going to college full time, working full time…and never ever neglecting the young lives of my children....
I didn’t get much sleep in those days…heck I still don’t.....
I learned a valuable lesson because of my Advisor. To be assertive! And assertive I became!
I divorced "the reason" I needed to go to college! (Yep…I was married before!) I never went on to pursue that career, because I had accomplished my goal! And it felt wonderful! I began to actually live & breathe again! Then I met Cowboy….and with like #3, a Paralegal career would not fit into that lifestyle.
And I didn’t care! I have no regrets.

5) I’m a self taught ‘electrician’! Electricity bothers me NOT! I wired and rewired those houses I talked about in #3. (Cowboy fears electricity!) Each time I passed inspection the first time! I am the designated electric fence tester. I can grab hold and hang on without care! Electrical things in my life have a very short life span. Toasters, irons, sewing machines, handheld phones, curling irons, hair dryers, (like I ever need these!), coffee pots, (my trusty Bunn is the only one that survives my coffee passion…the 3 I’ve owned have each lasted a min. of 4 years! Others…a max. of 4 weeks!). The list goes on and on including computers. I have ‘fried’ 2 of my own and 3 at jobs I’ve held.
Warning, never hire me if you want your computer to live!

6) My Cowboy and others call me an Artist. That is a HUGE title, one which I’ve yet to acknowledge. Pencil is one I prefer, etching on scratchboard is another. I give it all away to who ever thinks they want it. I have kept a few of my favorites and only when we moved here, 3 years ago, would I allow them to hang on my walls. (I am my own worst critic). I love working with wood and building things. Outside? Nature and it's gifts provides me another palette to get creative with! I took up stained glass last winter, making my own patterns and teaching myself as I learned, burned & cut myself, broke and cussed at many shards! Funds and economy stopped me in my tracks, from pursuing it again this winter.

7) I am a perfectionist! And I hate myself for it sometimes! A few hints....when I edge my lawn…I use an old kitchen knife & scissors, while on my hands and knees to making the “perfect” curve or straight edge.
When I paint walls (which I love to do. I am forever changing the colors in my house)...I use a tiny artist brush at the ceilings, the floor, around the trims & tiny 'surprises' sprinkled about. Takes me hours and hours. I tolerate no ‘slips’ or misses!
Cleaning? A toothbrush and my hands and knees are my companion! These days I make sure I have my reading glasses on so I miss not a single speck!

8) Yet…at the same time as #7…I can walk away when I see my quest has come to completion…..almost! The last 1-2” of a hand painted design on a bedroom wall will never be finished; a picture or stained-glass creation will lie tossed to the side and never be framed until someone else lays claim to it. The end product looks just like I envisioned, albeit 99.9% completed! I need no more than that.

9) I could be a vegetarian easily. I am pretty (ridiculously) finicky about my meat! Corn fed beef (done our way!) and hung for 30 days (costs more though but worth every dime or rather dollar!) on my orders or I won’t patronize that butcher, cut NO fat off! Pork MUST have fat also! I cannot eat store bought pork or beef! Or most other people’s idea of GOOD meat!

Better put on and pull up your waders....this one is deep!

10) If I were alone…I would live at the ocean. The Pacific...Oregon shores are the best!
I’d walk the sandy beaches barefoot. I’d allow the crashing waves to tackle my ankles.
I’d inhale the salty sea mist and listen as the gulls cry through the skies.
I’d have a little cozy cottage, complete with a fireplace to curl up by.
I’d write, I’d draw, I’d read, I’d quilt, I’d blog!
Rain or shine!!
I'd live on tacos and PB & J's...& coffee of course!
I L-O-V-E the ocean…the peace it brings me.
And.....
Now, hang on to your saddles here …those of you who love them…I would never have to see, speak or hear the word HORSE again! On MY turf!
Without going into a ton of detail for my reasons (I've got 30+ years of pent up reasons!)
...HORSE means: broke in the wallet, too many hours of people, time dominance, restrictive & obtrusive, damage, pain ....I'll stop here as I'm sure I just dug my hole deeper here...but that's me and my guts spilling.....


Now that I’ve been ‘forced’ into scrapping my life…
I thought it would be harder to do and then I had to start eliminating,
would anyone care to pick up the pieces, glue them back together so
I can start all over again?
Nope, dumb question…I don’t want to start over!
*
I would not change my life!
I may not always like the life that I have,
but I always love my Cowboy and our life together!
**
*
*
*
Here's your shovel, as I promised~now start filling the dirt back in!
If you feel inclined? Go dig up some dirt of your own,
scrap yourself on your blog for us to read!

While you are at it....please shovel my snow too!


Thanks!


**EDIT: 1/7/09**..if you feel the need to leave a judgmental email instead of a comment, please go here first.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

2008 Memories...

...I bring with me into 2009

The following are my two most treasured memories...
the ones I will carry deeply embedded in my heart~ year after year!
***
Last Spring, our daughter, Hydro and her Wonderful Husband,
flew me to Southern California for a 10 day visit.
It had been a l-o-n-g two and half years since we had seen each other
and it turned into a visit of profound love and joy!
Getting reaquainted with the grandkids and witnessing how they had grown,
not just physically but emotionally, intellectually and as young children ~was astonishing!
These precious kids are amazing! I commend Hydro and WH on their spectacular job of parenting, teaching and for providing them with unlimited opportunities to soar on!!
I had so much fun being a Grammy!
I even tried those "Heeley" shoes with them around their garage and walkways!
I actually didn't even fall on my bum until I was standing still, talking with Hydro!
I helped them with their very first vegetable garden...
that is when they honored me with the title " a tough old bird"
as they skipped off to play with their friends for me to finish the grunt work!
I experienced the beautiful side of Hydro that I have deeply missed.
She is as a remarkable teacher as she is as a wife, as a mother
...as a best friend and as a daughter!
Her passion and compassion is endless!
Oh how I missed sharing in those times!
WH and Hydro have a huge project of getting their 2.5 acre desert
property landscaped since building their home.
I never imagined Hydro would learn to love gardening.
It was always my passion not hers.
I never asked for or expected help from her and her brother growing up,
as it was my private sanctuary, not theirs.
But she has found joy in gardening! And I was able to help!!!
We actually had the opportunity to spend some wildly windy days together ~
working side by side, as not just Mother and Daughter,
but as Best Friends!
(If you read this, Hydro...Thank You from the bottom of my heart!
I love you more than you will ever know!)
Ten days was not long enough!!
I wish with all my heart, that we could live close enough to
share in all of the daily things I know we are missing out on!
Thankfully, I do have this special time with Hydro, WH
and the grandkids
that I can reflect with love on...forever!
***
**
*
Then comes Christmas...2008!
This is a the most beautiful family memory...
Cowboy and I both, can languish in!
*
The kids came home from North Dakota and California!
We were able to spend our first Christmas together in OUR home in 15 years!
*
The Grandkids wished for snow! Well....they got their wish!
And then some more and more!



Let's go have some fun!
Who cares if it is only 12 or 13 degrees!
When you are young...
temperatures don't affect you much.
(I can vouch for that!)

Papa!
Let's Play!
The snow covered hills are calling!
(Mickey Blue Eyes & Papa)




The first day,
I'm telling my "Son"...(Hydro's WH) ->->
Now this is Freezing Fun!
(it really was!)
Mickey Blue Eyes and Dil had a blast creating a sledding run in deep, deep dry snow! Not an easy task either! Both "Sons" thought that driving a 4x4 up the hill would make for easier sledding. That was not possible! After a few trips down the hill, tredging back up again, Papa had an idea! Why not pull them on a sled behind the pickup...on a country road! He used to do that when our kids were young!
Oh how Mickey Blue Eyes and Dil enjoyed that! "Go faster Papa!"....and he did!

The next day, both "Sons" asked for permission to extend the sled run up higher!
It will make for more speed, more giggles....even more hiking, I might add!
They were granted permission to cut the fence (behind where WH & I stood...above picture). Fence cutters in tow and shovels in hand, those adult men (..or rather Boys, as they are both kids at heart!) set off to make a sled run to be remembered! Complete with jumps! They would send the kids down for "compacting purposes" and by the time the kids climbed back up, the "boys" had extended the run by atleast another 15-20 feet. When all was said and done, that run was over 300 meters long! You can't see the steepness to the slope from that picture,
but if you knew Palouse country...it gets mighty steep!




Way to go Dil!! as he crashed over the last jump towards the bottom!
Sledding speed (or was that sailing?)
got to...who knows! Way too fast!
The "Sons" tried so hard to get down their
own creation on those plastic disks
and toboggans, but they aren't built
for the 200# club so they never
reached the speed the kids did!



Or what Hydro and I did!


It was quite hard on
thee ol' bum at the packed bottom,
and over the jumps...
but what great fun!


Your turn Mickey Blue Eyes!
Hey! You are flying backwards!










Now we can't have a long day spent in freezing weather having a blast without some good ol' hot chocolate, now can we?

Would you look at those rosey cheeks?













After a warm supper and the chill
has left your bones, you can begin to feel
your feet again so why not do some dancing!
The Cowboy swing of course!
And do our kids ever know how to dance!
They spent years watching Cowboy and I!








Ok, Grammy, I've been outside today for over 7 hours without a break...I think I'll relax and read a good book!

Now, this Dil, is our "Brain" grandchild!
He is only 9 and reads 12th grade level stuff!
NO KIDDING!!!
And a speed reader on top of it!
And comprehension like I've never seen!!
(he's been reading the newspaper since he was 4)






And then there is our Mickey Blue Eyes..
She is our Miss Independant~Jokster
and such delight for us!

Come on Mommy and Uncle C...
let's play another game,
but not Monopoly
this time!


Time was filled with games and giggles galore
I can't show you the gag
pictures....sorry!
I'm in one of them!


We had tons and tons and tons of love surrounding us!





Cowboy and Hydro ... it had been 3 years since hugs could be shared between them!!
(I love this Picture!)










Our Christmas together ended much too soon!
We all vowed that it was the best ever and that there will never,
ever be so much time lapsed between building more beautiful memories~ together
Thank you, thank you...Hydro, "Son" aka Wonderful Husband (WH),
"Son", Dil and Mickey Blue Eyes for making these memories of 2008 so profoundly beautiful!!
***
**
*
(and Thank you Hydro and WH for capturing these pictures!)

~~~~~~~

I have 2 other memories of 2008 that will travel with me into 2009...


One is how wonderful my gardens displayed
for me last summer! Each year, with every
new growth and bloom, I'm amazed and
filled with pride!

I yearn for Spring, as I am anxious to expand my lavender, as my original plants blessed me with so
many new 'babies'... they are in pots and
ready for Springs arrival to find their own new beds!

Besides, I hate Winter!
I know, I just told you that last post...
but it's true!


Secondly, is the memories I've found here in this wonderful world of blogging!
I have made such wonderful friends here!
Shared in so many lives! Discovered amazingly talented people!
I am so blessed and so very thankful to have met each and every one of you...
so I'm dragging you along with me as we enter into a wonderful and brighter New Year!
Happy New Year Everyone!