Look What Facebook Started

It all started with a simple Facebook post:

"I think I need cowboy boots, hat & belt buckle for next year's rodeo"

And my Uncle went to work. He told me he collected belt buckles. I had no idea! He offered me a belt buckle for next year. I was kind of excited. My very own belt buckle!

Last week I got a package. It was from Maryland. I knew it was from my Uncle! I opened it up and found these really cool belt buckles. They are for the boys. The buckles are incredible! I love the color.

I love the designs. I love the animals. Both the boys loved them. Instantly Baby wanted the Eagle and I was a little worried Middle Child would want it too. But he wanted the Armadillo. I shouldn't be surprised, he would be more apt to like the unusual animal; for example, hippos are his favorite animal.

My Uncle told me the belt buckle I picked out was big. And he was right! It's over 5 inches long. And it is so intricately detailed.

I love all the swirls etched into the silver backing. I love the gold Steer head and horns. I love long-horned steers. There's a few south of town that I gawk at every time I head to the quilt store. It's the second best part of going to the quilt store.

But I digress. I love my belt buckles! I can hardly wait for the next rodeo. I may have to wear it to the demolition derby next week. Just to practice wearing cowboy clothes. I've never been to a Demolition Derby so I don't know the proper fashion etiquette. I clueless as to whether Cowboy clothes are worn like they are to the rodeo. But it is Spanish Fork. I could wear it to church and no one would notice.

The Animal's Rodeo

Last night we ventured out to the Rodeo. As always it didn't disappoint. We had a blast. And the Nephew from Denver who is Middle Child's age is pretty sure we live in the Most Awesomest Town in the world and wants to move here. Too bad his Dad has no work in the vicinity or he wouldn't have a problem getting him to move here because he thinks we have the Most Awesomest Food in the World located right in this little town of Spanish Fork; Barry's, Glades, Little Acorn, Hickory Kist, and Jaxie's. (Actually I don't think he's been to Jaxie's but it's my favorite so I couldn't leave it out, that would be unfair.)

But, I digress. I was going to tell you about The Animal's Rodeo. It was an event I discovered last night while watching the Animals leave the arena. It seemed suspicious that the Animals who were able to buck the rider, not get roped, or otherwise not cooperate to the Cowgirl's (I use the term Cowgirl loosely, it can mean Cowboy also) advantage, seemed to strut out of the arena. I got a little wary of their behavoir. So I decided to follow one of the steers that hadn't been roped and tied.

The Little Steers were all herded into a holding pen, conveniently located right under our seats. I pretended to lose my shoe underneath so I had a premise to be in the area that wouldn't make the Animals distrustful of my presence. I wanted them to be able to speak freely and not feel as though they were being spied upon. And my plan worked!

Turns out that the Animals hold their own competition. While out in the arena the Cowgirls are getting points for roping the steer the fastest, staying on the bucking bronco the longest, and racing around the barrels the quickest, the Animals are working against the Cowgirls. The Animals were earning bragging rights for evading the Cowgirl's ropes. The Broncos and Bulls were quite arrogant if they had bucked the rider before the eight seconds were finished. In fact, the night we were at the rodeo not many riders lasted eight seconds. And not many Cowgirls were able to rope and tie the Little Steers.

As I "dropped" my shoe a second time near the end of the rodeo I heard the Animals discussing the winnings. Turns out that sheep are not so dumb. They are the bookies. Since the rodeo was finishing up they were tallying up who had won amongst the Animals. The Animals bet their supper and treats just like we bet cold hard cash. Know how some Animals turn up lame? What actually happened is the sheep's henchmen came around the night before demanding payment that hadn't been made and roughed the Animal up a little. Now you know to give your Animals a little more food. But on the other hand, have you noticed that some Animals never seem to gain weight, no matter how much food they get every day? They are probably the ones with the gambling problem and don't really get to eat all that food, they've already lost it to their bookies.

The Bull that almost climbed out of his pen and into the arena several times and then bucked his rider almost immediately won for the evening. He got a couple weeks worth of Prime Grade A Alfalfa on top of his regular rations. (I think the field I live next to provides the alfalfa.) He's trying to beef up for next breeding season. He wants a lot of little Bulls running around with his namesake.

The Little Steer that came in first (he was cute, his ears were wriggling when he strutted out of the arena because he was so happy and knew he won for the evening) won a weeks worth of buttered hay. I heard him telling one of his friends that is his favorite treat. I think the big Bull that won had taken him in and taught him a few tricks.

The Animals that are roped, rode, and too fast are humiliated. They leave with their heads hanging and tails hiding between their legs. They hide in the corner till the next night when they can try again to show their superiority over the Cowgirls that ride and rope them. I think some of the Cowgirls know they are humiliated by their behavior because it seems as though they were shielding them from the other Animals, putting them in their own pens instead of with the general population.

It was quite interesting learning about The Animal's Rodeo. Next year I'm going to watch even closer. I'm also going to try to infiltrate and learn if the Animal's have classifications and categories and what their named. I'll let you know as soon as I do. Stay tuned next year!

Hallowed Pioneers

I live in Utah, in case you forgot. I live amongst the Mormons. (I am even one of them, sort of.) A little history lesson; the Mormon's were driven out of Missouri by angry mobs who didn't like them. They trekked across the plains and mountains and settled in Utah, which was at that moment not even in the US, it was part of Mexico, but only for another year or two. They didn't care, they just wanted to be left alone after being run out of several states.

The best part of living in Utah is the month of July. Not only do we celebrate the 4th of July but also the 24th of July. It's Pioneer Day. I like it for several reasons. One, it extends the celebration of our country for a few more weeks. Second, the city does their local Carnival/Fiesta Days that week. Fiesta Days are a lot of fun. The carnival comes, the kids get to ride exorbitantly overpriced rides, we get to eat at little booths under the hot sun, and the shops on Main St. have a sidewalk sale (I'm kind of curious as to what Dirty Jo's puts out on their tables). But the two best things about Fiesta Days are the Parade on the 24th and the Rodeo! It's a pretty awesome rodeo. The first few years I declined saying I didn't like rodeos. Then they finally talked me into going one year and it was FUN!

The only part of the 24th of July I don't like is the constant talk of Pioneers. As summer approaches I look forward to the 24th and all its festivities. And then they start talking about Pioneers at church. I know the Pioneers sacrificed a lot to live their religion. I know they are an important part of our history. But almost every Sunday in church someone spends their whole lesson or talk glorifying the Pioneers. Seriously, they are people like you and me who did what they had to in a hard situation, not unlike most people today.

Several years ago the youth were preparing for a Handcart Trek. It was supposed to make them more aware of what their ancestors sacrificed. I say "their ancestors" because, thankfully, I have absolutely no Pioneer heritage. The youth were told to bring a story about one of their Pioneer ancestors who trekked across the plains/mountains and (this is the best part) if someone did not have a story one would be provided for them! I was livid! Who gives a rats ass whether you have a pioneer in your ancestry or not.

I was so mad I turned to Olaf and said "I'm so glad our kids have no Pioneers in their history! I can give them a real story to tell!"

Olaf looked at me a little perplexed, "But our kids have Pioneers in their history."

"How did they get there?" I asked, completely shocked. This can't be true, I know of no Pioneers in my lineage. Did he know something I didn't?

"They're my kids too and I have Pioneers who traipsed across the plains in my history." I was so disappointed and upset. My kids no longer have the novelty of being amongst the Few in Utah with No Pioneer Heritage.

Thank goodness for the Rodeo or the 24th wouldn't be any fun at all.

The Rodeo

Last night we attended the annual Pro Rodeo that comes to Spanish Fork for our July 24th festivities. July 24th is Utah’s Pioneer Days that is celebrated across the state. Just like Nevada takes Halloween as a state holiday, Utah takes July 24th and enjoys it. It’s nice because it allows for more Summer Celebrations. As I was mentioning we went to the rodeo. It was fun, as usual. One of our favorite parts is watching the Mutton Busting. Mutton Busting is small children on farm animals for cheap entertainment. Small children lie on the back of a sheep and cling to its neck as though their life depends on it while the sheep runs across the arena. While most of the children don’t make it five feet we had two young ones who excelled at the sport last night. One kid almost made it all the way across the arena, hugging the sheep tighter than his own mom. The clowns chased those two down and had a good run. Then a few kids later we had a pro that had obviously been practicing. He had on a helmet and sat astride the sheep instead of lying on its back. He then held on with one hand and waved the other one in the air, just like a pro Bucking Bronco rider! He also almost made it all the way across the arena. I think his sheep was even faster because the clowns couldn’t keep up. They finally caught him after the sheep turned and were able to whisk him off the sheep’s back. He took home the trophy, of course.

Another favorite is the Bucking Broncos. There are two styles, one with a saddle and another bareback. I’m not sure which is harder. It’s not a sport for the faint hearted. As one guy hobbled off the arena I whispered to hubby that his arm was hanging in the wrong spot. Hubby replied it was probably dislocated. Fun! Another guy was bucked off the back and landed right on his neck! He bounced right back up and walked off. Yet another rider was bucked and the horse kept bucking and hit his leg. It was awfully close to a tender spot that could have prevented him reproducing in the future. The announcer compared these guys to basketball players. He said all these guys got up, shook it off, and walked out of the arena and rode again the next night. If it had been a basketball player they would have been out for weeks if they had happened to sprain their pinky while riding the horses. Cowboys are tough.

But in all fairness, they may be tough but not the smartest. Next came the trailer race. Team #6 won. But as I looked, there were only five teams competing. Not quite sure where their counting failed them.

The most dangerous and adrenalin pumped event is saved for last. The best music is played and everyone sticks around just for Bull Riding. You know Bull Riding is dangerous because the clown brings out a reinforced oil drum that looks like an oversized, hollowed-out keg to hide in when the bull gets completely out of control. The bulls are only supposed to be partially out of control so no one dies or is seriously maimed, although the boys would consider that a treat. The men responsible for herding the animals back into the pen position themselves at the other end of the arena, hoping they aren’t needed. They don’t even come close to the bull until the 8 seconds buzzer is done buzzing, which is yet another few seconds. I laugh when the bulls manage to buck their rider off before the time is up. They usually chase down the rider as their revenge. We also get treated to a little known sport called Synchronized Chute Climbing when the bull lunges at everyone associated with the Bull Riding and they clear out of the way. As Bull Riding comes to an end the crowd begins to filter out to their cars. Another successful night at the rodeo. Lots of action and no major injuries except dislocated shoulders, neck sprains, hooves imprinted on body parts, and spilled snow cones.