The rodeo has come and gone

This was the view across the road for three days while the Honey Grove Rodeo went on. All the bulls, broncos and horses were in the same corral, very peaceful. Much different than when they were in the ring at night. I couldn't take a night picture when the whole place was lit up like a carnival!

The Rodeo started every night at eight o'clock and ended around ten thirty. Country music played in the background while the announcer called out every event. It was magical! And right in our "front yard". We helped by taking tickets at the gate. We met the nicest people! And they all seem to know who we are - word gets around very fast. But we are treated with nothing but kindness and a little curiosity - only natural. They all wonder why we chose Honey Grove and we tell them we really grew up without a "home town" and now we have one!

We sponsored the Rodeo Clown and our name was in the program. We wanted to because it's his last rodeo for a while since he's in the reserve and is being deployed to Iraq. We were so proud to meet him and support him. He really is an important part of the entertainment and excitement. And the kids just love him!

The kids were a huge part of this rodeo. Every night there was an event called "mutton busting" where the wranglers would lower a child (as young as three) onto the back of a large sheep in the chute - the kids would wrap their arms and legs tightly around the neck and belly and off they would go! Unafraid! Amazing!

And then a little later in the evening, they would gather all the children in middle of the arena and release baby goats, chickens, ducks, piglets and bunnies. And whatever the kids caught they took home! It was hilarious watching all these children running full speed after these animals! It only took about five minutes and there were these delighted children holding a new goat or chicken or whatever.

And, of course, lots of patriotism! The national anthem and a prayer every night. It doesn't get better than this! Except maybe next year when we plan to have all three grandsons here to watch! Wonderful entertainment.

We can't wait til next year!

Vaya con Dios!

A trip to Paris

We took Zach to Paris, TX today, 19 miles away, to visit our "farm" store, Atwoods. They have six different tubs with baby chicks and baby ducks. He was mesmerized! They do not allow you to pick up the chicks but we had a great time anyway.

We also looked at John Deere EVERTHING - mostly child toys - it's amazing in the country, there is, of course, a different demand for different product. And with a great emphasis on farming, things like John Deere anything is in demand.

Sarah and Zach pulled off the ranch about 1 p.m. It's hard when any of our kids and their kids leave. There is a great silence - and we miss them very much. But we celebrate their independence and look to each other for companionship, and love life! And, of course, wait for the next visit!

Vaya con Dios! Until next time!

Zach and Granddad fishing

Nothing like a visit from a grandson!

This is Zachariah - he is almost three (birthday on the 23rd of Sept) and the third of our wonderful grandsons. ( I know there is the wrong light here but the profile is priceless!) He and his mom, our Sarah, came to visit and stay the night for Granddad's birthday.

We set up the tent and the little blow-up swimming pool, because it's still a little hot during the day. They arrived about 3 p.m. on Saturday and we started the visit with a tour through the tent - Zachariah's first tent - and then the much demanded trip in Nana's car sitting in the front seat with no seat belt - going about five miles an hour down to the garden - with Ginger running full speed along the side of the car. Zach gets a big charge out of picking food items straight from the garden. And as the garden is on it's way out for the summer, I was worried about success. Not to worry! We picked two cantaloupes and seven summer squash. He was thrilled.

Back to the trailer and Granddad says, "How about a trip around the pond?" And off they go,

Skip, Sarah and Zach for about an hour and a half of great fishing on the pond - while I'm back making potato salad and getting steaks ready to put on the grill - Two hours later, we are seated on the deck having a great supper. And later, although we were going to have roasted marshmallows, we decided on popcorn which Granddad made on the fire. It was wonderful! We watched the stars come out and all retired to get some rest for the night.

More later -

giving to our new home town

We have joined the Honey Grove Rodeo club - hey! It's right across the street! And although Skip and I don't plan to do any rodeoing (is that a word?) we do want to help keep it happy and solvent - sooooo - I repainted their sign for the highway and Skip is busy repainting the rodeo barrels for the clowns and the rodeo barrels we plan to put along our side of the highway where people park to encourage the proper deposit of trash. We think a positive effort willl encourage a positive effort - :)

The rodeo is a week and a half away - we'll let you know how our strategy is working - yeehaa!