Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. Life really can be simple.

Howdy ALL!! I don't write much but after reading all of this good material, especially Ron's, I felt compelled to add something I recently wrote. Hope you all enjoy it. Cowboy I’ll Be When I was a lad just a wee bit high I said to my maw, a horse I will ride. “A horse you will ride” she questioned of me Yes I replied, a cowboy I’ll be. I tended school and learned my lessons Dreamin’ of days out mendin’ fences. Breaking colts and gatherin’ strays Ridin’ my horse is par for the day. Doctorin’, brandin’ and workin’ the herd Learnin’ life’s lessons from the sounds not the words. The beat of the hooves, the ball of the calves Calling for momma as loud as they can. When it’s all done and the camp fires out The wagon is packed and we start headin’ south. This is the life that I choose for me I am a cowboy and a cowboy I’ll be. T. J. Thompson, 2011©

Was sent this from a very good friend of mine in upper NY state, and I just know everyone (even the guys) can probably relate to this in one way or another. Enjoy it and have a good laugh. Annie :) The Seven Stages of Aging on Horseback About once a week I trail ride with my good friend Debbie. We showed horses together for many years, and I’m really enjoying introducing her to the more laid back experience of trail riding. So when she called to cancel this week, I was surprised. Then she explained that she’d taken a tumble off her gelding while riding in the arena, and needed to take it easy for a few days. We were both disappointed, and together we lamented how our bodies just don’t withstand the insult of getting tossed from the saddle anymore. “Let’s face it,” I told Debbie. “We’re getting older. When we fall off we don’t bounce.” Indeed. Though we used to consider falling off just another aspect of horsemanship, nowadays we see it as something we’d really like to avoid. It has nothing to do with fear and everything to do with a loss of elasticity that occurs to human bodies on the other side of thirty. Yet because we’re horse crazy women we continue to ride, leading the non-horsey folks around us to think we’re suffering from some kind of dementia. So that you can understand this concept better—or maybe prepare yourself—here’s a little chart that explains it all. The Seven Stages of Aging on Horseback Stage I: Fall off pony. Bounce. Laugh. Climb back on. Repeat. Stage 2: Fall off horse. Run after horse, cussing. Climb back on by shimmying up horse’s neck. Ride until sundown. Stage 3: Fall off horse. Use sleeve of shirt to stanch bleeding. Have friend help you get back on horse. Take two Advil and apply ice packs when you get home. Ride next day. State 4: Fall off horse. Refuse advice to call ambulance; drive self to urgent care clinic. Entertain nursing staff with tales of previous daredevil stunts on horseback. Back to riding before cast comes off. Stage 5: Fall off horse. Temporarily forget name of horse and name of husband. Flirt shamelessly with paramedics when they arrive. Spend week in hospital while titanium pins are screwed in place. Start riding again before doctor gives official okay. Stage 6: Fall off horse. Fail to see any humor when hunky paramedic says, “You again?” Gain firsthand knowledge of advances in medical technology thanks to stint in ICU. Convince self that permanent limp isn’t that noticeable. Promise husband you’ll give up riding. One week later purchase older, slower, shorter horse. Stage 7: Slip off horse. Relieved when artificial joints and implanted medical devices seem unaffected. Tell husband that scrapes and bruises are due to gardening accident. Pretend you don’t see husband roll his eyes and mutter as he walks away. Give apple to horse. Trust me. Despite a lack of bounce-ability, aging on horseback isn’t so bad, as long as you know what lies ahead. And as long as you keep your sense of humor.

This was written by my daughter about a special horse. She has been writing poetry & short stories for years, and I snuck this one away from her! Enjoy! WE RODE by Amber Arnold He stirred my heart long before the callous touch of any man. His copper neck, flaxen mane and deep bronze thoughtful eyes, lit my chest to flame and smoke smoldered throughout my soul. Together, riding, we were not mortals but spirits in folklore long forgotten. Roaring past the setting sun, twilight was our favorite time, when dim moonlight danced across our path, and the stars fell at our knees. His hooves were fire, power irons, thundering through fields of thick yellow wheat grass; or the soft brown earth of dirt where he carried me time and time again. For years, we rode untouchable, he and I, shrieking through time and space like wild specters --the cold air stinging our lips and pulling at our backs. Oh, how mortal we were. As gracefully as he came into my life, he went. I don't remember the last time I slid my hand down his strong back or listened to the beat of his massive heart --my ear pressed heavily upon his thick, dark shadow. I don't remember the last time we stole away through our field, just he and I, our path so well worn -- a wrinkle in the face of Mother Earth. Yet, sometimes late at night, when the others are at rest, bellies full of hay, I think I hear his ghost hooves echoing through the meadows, waiting until I can once again feel the wind from between his ears blow upon my face. I have learned, in the end, every little girl's dream has to grow wings and fly a w a y.

Full Circle As the winds whisp 'round his boots in the mud He stands gazing o'er the herd chewing their cud. The life he has led is taking its toll As he thinks of the calf he needs to coll. Fences need mended he reminds himself too Wishing just one of his sons had stayed true. The life he has chosen was never a choice Is all that he knew from his own fathers voice. The way of the ranchers and cowboys and such Never did pay in money so much. The pay that was earned has always been pride And if they got lucky, a gal by their side. The kids that they raised went on their way Into the cities away from the hay. He remembers a promise from the good book. Rais'em just right is the way it was took. He done what God told him most of his life Even the day that he buried his wife. Watching and planning for the days ahead Not knowing the youngest had come home to shed. A life with no quiet was taking it's toll Come home to his roots and ready to roll. The life he has chosen has become a choice Now willing to listen to his fathers voice. Wondering why that man stands there, boots swallowed in mud And what does he see when cows chew their cud. Dean-na

A Soldier Died Today… He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Bob has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young But the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, Some jerk who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them, For it is so many times That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, Went to battle, but we know, It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier-- His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end. He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY." **** Pass On The Patriotism! YOU can make a difference ****************************** A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States for an amount "up to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it

Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70! 1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you. 2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first. 3. No one expects you to run--anywhere. 4. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you? 5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac. 6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way. 7. Things you buy now won't wear out. 8. You can eat supper at 4 pm. 9. You can live without sex but not your glasses. 10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans. 11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge. 12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room. 13. You sing along with elevator music. 14. Your eyes won't get much worse. 15 . Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off. 16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service. 17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either. 18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size. 19. And Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

if this is posted in this collection elsewhere please let me know: Dear Horse (author unknown) I love you very much, and I truly cherish your presence in my life. I would never wish to criticize you in any way. However, there are a few trivial details regarding our relationship that I think might bear your consideration. First of all, I am already aware that horses can run faster than I can. I do not need you to demonstrate that fact each time I come to get you in from the field. Please remember that I work long and hard to earn the money to keep you in the style to which you have become accustomed. In return, I think you should at least pretend to be glad to see me, even when I'm carrying a bridle instead of a bucket of feed. It should be fairly obvious to you that I am a human being who walks on only two legs. I do not resemble a scratching post. Do not think that, when you rub your head against me with 1,000 pounds of force behind it, I believe that it wasn't your intention to send me flying. I am also aware that stomping on my toes while you are pushing me around is nothing but adding injury to insult. I understand I cannot expect you to cover your nose when you sneeze, but it would be appreciated if you did not inhale large amounts of dirt and manure prior to aiming your sneezes at my face and shirt. Also, if you have recently filled your mouth with water you do not intend to drink, please let it all dribble from your mouth BEFORE you put your head on my shoulder. Â In addition, while I know you despise your worming medication, my intentions in giving it to you are good, and I really do not think I should be rewarded by having you spit half of it back out onto my shirt. Sometimes, I get the feeling that you are confused about the appropriate roles you should play in various situations. One small bit of advice: Your stone-wall imitation should be used when I am mounting and your speed-walker imitation when I suggest that we proceed on our way, not vice versa. Please also understand that jumping is meant to be a mutual endeavor. By "mutual", I mean that we are supposed to go over the jump together. You were purchased to be a mount, not a catapult. I know the world is a scary place when your eyes are on the sides of your head, but I did spend a significant amount of money to buy you, and I have every intention of protecting that investment. Therefore, please consider the following when you are choosing the appropriate behavior for a particular situation: When I put your halter on you, attach one end of a lead rope to the halter, and tie the other end of the lead rope to a post or ring or whatever, I am indicating a desire for you to remain in that locale. I would also like the halter, lead rope, post, etc., to remain intact. While I admit that things like sudden loud noises can be startling, I do not consider them to be acceptable excuses for repeatedly snapping expensive new lead ropes (or halters or posts) so that you can run madly around the yard creating havoc in your wake. Such behavior is not conducive to achieving that important goal that I know we both share --- decreasing the number of times the veterinarian comes out to visit you. By the same token, the barn aisle was not designed for the running of the Derby and is not meant to serve as a racetrack. Dragging me down the aisle in leaps and bounds is not how "leading" is supposed to work, even if someone happens to drop a saddle on the floor as we're passing. Pulling loose and running off is also discouraged (although I admit it does allow you to run faster). I assure you that blowing pieces of paper do not eat horses. While I realize you are very athletic, I do not need a demonstration of your ability to jump 25 feet sideways from a standing start while swapping ends in midair, nor am I interested in your ability to emulate both a racehorse and a bucking bronco while escaping said piece of paper. Also, if the paper w

Folks i just got home from Arizona and it was so beautiful. Due to security reasons i couldn't take my camera across the border but every picture i took will be in my minds eye forever. Here is just a little something i wrote about the natural beauty of the desert THE DESERT > > When some hear the word desert most would think of a dry barren land where only snakes, scorpions and cacti survive. I have been to this desert and I see only the beauty that unfolds before me. Some see death where I see life that is so precious and it thrives through adversity. Some see a barren landscape void of life, of any beauty. I see blossoms of bright blues, purples, pinks and yellows set against a backdrop of red rock monoliths that surround Sedonna reaching to a cobalt blue sky the likes of which has never been duplicated by any stroke of a brush. They see a land so dry that when the wind blows you can see spirals of dust for miles. They do not see the hidden pools of the Paria canyon where water and time have sculpted the walls that seem to undulate with movement, to dance to the rhythm of life. Some see creatures that represent death. I see a multitude of animals that have evolved into something almost perfect. Where to kill means to live, > life is precious and not taken for granted here. Can we say the same? I see beautiful green shoots sprout up after a few days of rain, where the land seems to come alive and sets into motion a flurry of activity from the creatures that call this wonderful place home. I have come to this land and I have not found the bleakness that so many others see. I have found a place of life, color and beauty and it is there to unfold and I will spend my days discovering it’s beauty, it’s secrets and will forever be grateful the I have been given the opportunity to see what others do not. > > Kathy (copywrite)

hmmmmmm,,,such awesome writings here,,,these always touch me in one way or another,,, Just wondering.....would it not be neat to have these compiled into an ES Poem and Tidbit book?! Keep em comming folks! Tammylee