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!

Fight Club

Middle Child informed me that his school now has a Fight Club. They are a little behind the times as those were more popular a few years ago, but nevertheless they have one. I asked him if he was a member and he responded in the negative. That's a good thing that he's not a member, but at the same time he didn't get invited to be a member, so I don't know how that bodes for Junior High and his friend-making ability. If, by chance, there are only two or three members, then I'm not worried. But if everyone in 6th grade is a member but him, then I will begin to wonder about those social skills.

I guess I should just be thankful he's not a member because the kids were informed that if they're a member they'll get suspended. I was kind of wondering how the teachers would know who the members were until Middle Child informed me that they're supposed to tattle on the other kids if they know who the members are. And I just thought the kids duking it out at recess would be telling enough. But apparently the teachers are trying to get the kids to turn on each other, hopefully they'll get immunity or something worthwhile for the trouble they'll be in when they're discovered by the Fight Club kids.

And then I wonder what they call the Fight Club? When I asked, Middle Child said it was called "Ultimate Fighting or something. . . I have no idea what that is." We don't watch much Ultimate Fighting or Wrestling at this house. I know they're different sports, but I don't know how. I got my fill of it when I worked at the Bowling Alley Bar and they played it on the big screen every Saturday night. Currently, Middle Child is reading this over my shoulder as I type and informed me it's called TUF or something. But I just googled that and that's actually Taiwanese United Fund as found here. I guess my Know-It-All Middle Child doesn't know it all. I love proving that once in a while. I'm a Bad Mom.

That Pioneer Woman

I clicked on the Confessions of a Pioneer Woman blog yesterday and was absolutely amazed! She had only posted 44 minutes earlier. She was giving away 3, count them:

3; Three; Two+One; Five-Two; 137-134;

gift cards to Wally World at $250 each. Within 44 minutes she had already had over 1000 comments in an attempt for people to win the gift cards! I was in absolute shock that she had so many readers. I didn't even bother to enter. Even tho there were 3 cards, my favorite number, I didn't even try. I can't win contests when there's less than 100 comments, what would make me think I could win that one. I checked her blog today. There were almost 12,000 comments!!! Talk about absolutely crazy!


On a completely different tangent, Olaf brought home a remote control car tonight. Boomer the Basset Hound is hiding in the other room! Baby is excited!