I LOVE BUCKING HORSES!
I love sunsets, beautiful blessings we receive everyday!
I love the smell of a fresh rain over the sagebrush! I LOVE to tell stories & share my journey with others! LOVE https://www.facebook.com/LittleRedRoan
If you don't like the view, look through another window.
Sitting at my computer on the backside of the house, I have a window I can see out. It is the only view outside of the brick walls I'm surrounded by. One day I glanced outside to a dark and gloomy view. In my mind, I had accepted that it must be a miserable day. It looked yucky. I had to get something from the front of the house and happened to catch sight out a window on that side.....It was stunning! The sky was lit up with color, light, and brilliance!
Light Bulb! It occurred to me....that is LIFE! We choose what window we look out. If you don't like the view.....change windows! Change the things you are focusing on, re-align your thoughts to appreciate and count the blessings right in front of you! Change windows! If you need to, step outside!
Grateful for all for all the views!
Darkness Closing In
Breaking Dawn
Once Upon a Windy Day
Mornin Sunshine
THANK YOU for traveling the gypsy trail with me today. Wishing you views that take your breathe away and spark a fire in your soul! ~ Mindy Rodeo Tales & Gypsy Trails
Ol' Tom Cat ~ this is a post that has taken a few days to collect my words. Seems that no words could ever do justice to this amazing man. Just wanted to take a moment to capture some of the memories.
Growing up, we were neighbors with the Tommy Tompson family. Ol' Tom Cat, as we often called Tommy, was ALWAYS getting a outfit running or fixing something that was broke down for our family. It wasn't just our family either, the entire community had enjoyed the benefits of Tommy's skills at one point or another.
A few years ago, I moved back to the area I was raised in. This would be a bigger blessing than I would ever realize. Upon moving back, I would have the opportunity to not only be closer to family, but also to spend more time with some neighbors that as a kid, I hadn't made time to stop and visit much. Tommy was one of these neighbors that I would be blessed to spend some more time with. The Tommy I knew was a "Fix Anything Man". He was collector of parts,
pieces, and could give any machine new life again...and usually with
what he had floating around in his work truck. He was also always willing to lend a hand when he could. I knew Tommy was one of the best neighbors a person could ask for.
During these eveing visits, I would realize that Tommy had retired a year before I was born....He had been "retired" my entire life.....and still worked harder than anyone I knew! Tommy was a fearless adventure. I would learn of Gold Mining in foreign countries, years working at the Sheep Station, Trapping Beaver, and a few of the adventures that had colored his past.
Aside from being a shining example of work ethic, Tommy was an amazing family man. There wasn't a visit that went by that he didn't tell me about something his kids, grand-kids, or great grand-kids where doing. He was always uplifting and spoke with love.
Even through all that Tommy had to do and all the people that he had to Love....Tommy was so good to watch out for his neighbors.
A few things I will miss
* If I had been gone rodeoing or traveling, Tommy would call up and check on me. "Where Are You?" he would ask. I haven't seen that blue car in awhile.
* I'd been gone on rodeo run. Driving home, I was tired, hungry, and returning to a empty house. Tommy called just before I pulled in the yard to check on me. He said come down I have supper ready for you. I drove down and ate antelope, cooked squash, watermelon, and a fine feast!
* This last winter, Tommy had got Shingles. I would stop by in the evenings, after work to share some essential oils to help with the itching. Always loved when we could stop the pain in it's tracks. My favorite was just getting to visit and learn about Tommy's life, the history of our area, and life lessons.
His brother used to call him Top Cat when he was younger, after a cartoon.
Great dogs while working at the Sheep Station.
Trapping Beaver.
Tommy taught me the saying "A pints a pound the whole world round"
* Sharing a block of cheese from the local feed store. Tommy loved when it would get super sharp. Even after he is gone, he keeps taking care of those around him. Just finishing up a block of cheese.
* Cutting Fire Wood ~ Firing up the amazing mechanical masterpiece of a wood cutter & filling the wood pile. Engineering genius!
*Block Parties ~ Always arriving right on time. Tommy would show up ready to eat and visit. He would even come out in the winter to a card party or too. Always keeping us honest, if someone wasn't playing by the rules ; )
*1st steak dinner I cooked was for Tommy. He ate it and was complimentary
(My 2nd was my for my Dad, whom complained about how horrible it was with every bite)
*Fix It Projects ~ Will miss the wild fix it projects, getting the well running, digging up water lines, cutting fire wood....almost every task would turn into an adventure.
*Valentines ~ 2/14/2013 ~ After work, I stopped in to visit Tommy. What
a night. I don't really even know what we talked about but that night
left such an impression on my heart. We looked at photo albums from
Tommy's daughter's wedding and told stories. Letters from grand kids.
Stories of when the kids were little and they were living far from town.
Tommy was missing his bride. The love that he had for her was amazing. They were a shining example of what true love is.
***Friends with EVERYONE! One of my favorite things about Tommy was his
unconditional love of people. He never judged or spoke a harsh word.
You could be yourself, cleaned up in Sunday Best or covered in dirt,
Tommy welcomed you just the same. People flocked to Tommy because of
his love and Christ like qualities. I was no different. So grateful to
call him a friend. Still fight with my car on the drive home from work at night wanting to turn down Tommy's road to visit.
Rest In Peace Tom Cat . You are missed!
Working on the Well
Tommy and his son Don, Cutting firewood for me
Doctoring Hands ~ STRONG hard working hands.
Working on Trailer Lights on a Rodeo Rig this Spring
1st Block Party of the Year 2013
Last Block Party Tommy would attend
Joe Marty and Tommy
Ella Marty and Tommy
So thankful for the chance to say Good Bye
We Love You
" Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17
Last summer, there was a pretty lil' paint mare staying in the pasture. When the irrigation water would come, we would take her out of the muddy pasture and kick her on the lawn for a week or so she didn't have to be standing in water.
Woodrow, the peeping Tom
She didn't really have a name....or I disregarded it if I knew. I simply called her "Pretty Girl" I would walk out and great her and she would come right over like I had just called the dog. This was the funniest lil' mare ever! Maybe she was lonely from being the only horse at the place? We were buddies.
When I was home....she would stand right outside the window I was at and look in. If I was at the computer, she would come to that window. At night, she would come around to the window right by my bed. She sleeps right next to my bed room window
and nickers at about 6:45 every morning like a rooster with a wake up
call.
Hey Pretty Girl
One morning, quite early, I wake up to a commotion. She was running around the yard, thundering hooves, whinnying, and real unsettled about something. Wiping the sleep out of my eyes, I staggered for the kitchen. Turned on the light and sat down at the computer. She came around the house, stopped right next to the lit up window and contently stood. Hahaha....what a silly lil' mare. She was a character for sure.
Sometimes you just need a friend to be there....and you know everything will be ok. :)
Sweet as can be...here are 2 lil' Corgi pups taking her for a walk. What a funny farm around here!
Wishing you a wonderful summer and many happy trails ahead! ~ Mindy
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Seek out the GOOD!!!!!....SERIOUSLY, Do it! Right now!
Be quick to notice excellence! Let someone know they have a great smile! Cute shirt, TELL THEM! The world is filled with so much EVERYTHING! When you seek out the GOOD ......You will be surprised how much of it will come rolling into your life! If someone is on your heart, call them, text them, send smoke signals....just tell them!When you see good, commend it! When there is excellence, Praise it! Seek out the Good!
LOVE the warm temps and long days of SUMMER!
BRING ON the BLOCK PARTIES!
The 1st Block Party of the season and we couldn't have dreamed of a better night! So many friends and neighbors gathered together for food, fun, and visiting! Love the simpicity of the night. Come as you are! Laid back, bring whatsoever in the fridge. Good food and even better conversation!
Even when the wind got a little blustery, we just moved the party in around the kitchen table. So much fun!
Full House! Yard Full of Neighbors Gathered Together
Gathered around the campfire!
Sun Setting on a Great Block Party
Over 20 friendly faces circled around the campfire
Kids running wild on the lawn.
THANK YOU to Robert Davies for being our fearless grill master.
Kevin Carpenter, your hamburger making skills are awesome!
McKell Carpenter, you are AWESOME! Thank You for EVERYTHING you do! Always jumping in to help with anything you can. Appreciate you so much! Mad Smore Making Skills too!
Evelyn Nelson, those cookies were heavenly.
Annie Dalling & Crew, So grateful for you and the beautiful herd of smiles, laughs and fun that you bring! LOVE Wyatt, Cooper, Hyrum, and Maggie!
Milt Thompson, YOU are AMAZING! Always the right on time and keeping us in line.
Woodard crew! 1st block party appearance and we hope you make a regular habit of it!
Keith and Deanna Rady, always a honor to spend time with you two!
Thankful for time
spent visiting!
Thankful for homecooked meals and more than enough to
go around!
Huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped came out. What a great night! Looking forward to enjoying more great summer nights! ~ Mindy
Sounds of Rodeo.......Standing behind the chutes amid the hustle and bustle of a rodeo production.
It got me thinking about all the Sounds of Rodeo and how they mean
something completely different to everyone. How your mind is fine tuned
to catch on to the littlest sound in the middle of the rodeo symphony!
The silence that falls over a rodeo arena as a prayer is given. The sound of a crowd rising in unison as Old Glory enters. The National Anthem proudly recited from every rodeo fans lips. A bronc in chute number 3, as if on cue, kicks the chute just as the crowd sings..."the bombs bursting on air". The excitement that builds as the last words are belted out...." O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" Even the horses know that it will soon be time to rodeo! The explosion from the crowd as the American flag leads them out of the arena. The crack of the first latch!!! The crowd a hustle and bustle with talk, chatter, and cheering.
Bronc riders behind the chutes visiting about their draw. "What's ol'
number 900 take for a rein?" "How's the trail been treating you?" "Can
you hook this back cinch for me please?" Just another day at the
office for them.
Announcer excitedly introducing the next roper into the
area. Lists of accomplishments, hope and dreams are being cast out
across the loud speaker.
The sound of slide gates being pulled, broncs sorted two at a time and marching into their chute. Right and Left orders are given from the back pens. Opening and closing slide gates. Neck ropes floating overhead ever so eloquently by masters of the trade. The snap of flanks getting latched down.
Listening as the calf ropers names roll by, and the end of the section approaches. "Three to go boys, pull'em down" can be heard from the chute boss. Latigos tighten. Reins are measured.
Flankman moves down the line watching as his stock performs. Silently motioning the pickup man's orders.
Making final flank adjustments. Cowboy snugs the back cinch.
Taking a seat in his buggy. The nod of the head. The kick of the latch unleashing an explosion of horse flesh. The zing of spur rowels! The crack of strong powerful back feet kicking out the lights!
You can almost hear the pop as the bronc takes the cowboys chin! THUD and gasp from the crowd as the cowboy's body is pounded into the ground! The thundering of hooves as the pickup men rush in.
The bang of metal and horse hoof in the midst of the excitement catches
my attention. The bronc in chute number 4 is fighting in the chute.
Heading towards him I am going through a check list in my mind. Is he
tied in? Is the flank still on? Back cinch slid back? Just a young lil' bay colt that was getting used to coming to town and playing the game. He will be hear the crack of the latch and be able to show his stuff soon!
Back in the arena, a victorious bronc show boats his way around the arena before hunting down the outgate.
You can hear the swing of the outgate and slide of the stripping chute being closed. All the organized choas works together in perfect harmony of thundering hooves and horse flesh! Stripped of the cowboys saddle. The slide gate opens, light hoofs hit the ground as he makes his way back to his pen. All the while the show goes on, another bronc is bucked. Slide gates roll fresh horses in. Soon they shuffle of judges papers will fade as they make their way down to the timed event end again. The sound of horses anxiously waiting for the cratch of the calf chute and the pop of the barrier string.
So many Sounds of Rodeo to take in ....and I love them all. Take a second and listen next time and tell me what you hear ....
Thank You so much for traveling the Gypsy Trail with me. Here are some other posts you might enjoy: Happy Trails, Mindy
FALL FABULOUSNESS from Lil' Red Roan! ~
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Come SHOPPING with Lil' Red Roan today!
LOVE EVERY MINUTE! Not a truer statement has ever been made.
Up before 6 am would be the start of the best weekend ever!
The sunrise was beautiful in Dillon that morning. As we headed over the hill to the Big Hole, every blade of grass was greener, the mountains were bluer, the snow was whiter.
It was one of those mornings that you knew had been prepared especailly for you.
Gathering horses was amazing! Dan had a nice lil' horse for me to ride and help gather with. As we jogged out to the far corner of the field, I got to visit with Dan and learn a little more about him. Gathering horses went flawlessly! (It's kinda one of my favorite things in the world anyway and today was no different, except the flawlessly part ;)
When the horses hit the top end of field, right before we would head out the gate, they had to come around a pond. Big strong beautiful broncs, strung out and filing one by one along the edge of a jack fence and the water line. You could see there glistening reflection dancing on the water as they trailed by.
(It really was a morning specially prepared for perfection. There was a car coming on the highway that we had to cross to get to the corrals. Guardian Angels were with us because the car passed and the horses blew out the gate thundered across the road with in seconds.
Another way I knew it was a really great morning, my horse crow hopped a little as we jumped a ditch coming around the edge of the pond...& I didn't fall off!!! He stopped as soon as I pulled his head up. He was a very nice horse. It was just amazing because I am such a sissy usually & would let the tiniest bobble wreck my day. So grateful to have a horse and be able to gather!)
THANK YOU DAN!
Sorting and loading would be no different. It was a slice of perfection! Jess was on the truck and I was sorting broncs to send to the truck. They split off prefectly, two at a time and marched to the semi, ready to rodeo! (My Dad has lectured me my whole life about being handy how to get things down right. Most the time, I am anything but that. This morning, it went flawlessly! It was such a great morning that as soon as I got service I had to call my Dad and tell him all about it!)
The drive to Missoula was just long enough that you could soak in all the beauty and blessings of the morning. It was one of those drives where you thought WHAT IF and THEN. Like...What if, everything works out perfectly! A morning filled with so many blessings that when a car passed by, you would say a lil' pray for them to have a wonderful day too.
Murphy was a hero again for the 2nd year in a row. She arrived at the rodeo grounds with saddle horses to run stock through on. Shuffling broncs around the arena aboard a great saddle horse is a one of life's simple pleasure. (Considering last year, we were a foot for a portion of the morning...a fine saddle horse was appreciated even more)
THANK YOU MURPHY!
All this and we had barely cracked noon time. I could take a week just marveling in the greatness of these few days spent in Montana. Don't get me wrong, the weekend had its hiccups. Smoking brakes, a missed horse sort here and there but the good far out weighed the bad.
" I Can Feel A Good One Coming On!"
I started to ponder "Why was this weekend any different than any other on the rodeo trail???" It probably wasn't really. The biggest factors, were being surrounded by AMAZING People and having taking the time to appreciate the good that was happening around you.
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." ~ Proverbs 27:17
Surrounded by Iron! THANK YOU to Fred, Lynn, and Jess for the opportunity to come rodeo. Thankful for the chance to rodeo and learn. A special Thank You to Jess for being so patient and such a great teacher.
Thank You to our pickup men, Andy and Quentin. Great at their jobs and always jumping in to be a team player and get things done. Working with great friends makes everything more fun.
One of the best things about these two awesome pickup men is there beautiful better halves. Tracey is such an amazing Mom! Her and Andy are one of those couples that are such an inspiration and makes you believe in real life fairytales. Ashley is so amazing that when she is gone, it takes 5 people to attempt to fell her shoes, just with the help that she gives. We missed you Ashley!
Thank You to Red Eye Rodeo for bringing a nice set of horses and a sweet lil' set of bulls. Great to work with all weekend. Always a pleasure to work with new rodeo people. Thank You to Kale and Corey!
Thank You to Big Sky Region friends! It was so great to see Olie and her Western team. No matter how long it's been since you were in Dillon, Olie welcomes you in her arms like it was yesterday. So grateful for always being a part of that Western Family. Thank You to Wally, Dale, Becky, Cherian, Doug, and Kortney! So great to see the ol' crew.
THANK YOU to Kory Mytty and Missoula's rodeo team for the oppurtunity to come put a rodeo on with you. Thank You to all the volunteers that worked countless hours to make sure the rodeo ran smoothly. Thank You to Luci for being awesome and letting me borrow a belt. Thank You to the althletes in the Big Sky Region. Always fun to see the cream of the crop! Thank You to everyone who brought back a flank, opened a slide gate, and was a team player.
My cup runneth over! THANK YOU to everyone who made this rodeo weekend amazing!
See you down the rodeo trail.
Mindy
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