My First 70

I'll never forget that ride...

My last year in 13 & Under

Showing two horses

And I had the hunger 

Never quite good enough

I've always fallen short

Of that coveted 70 score

No "Average" runs yet to report

First year with my new horse

And last year with my old

Mom and Dad convinced me

He had to be sold

He's always been my favorite

We'd raised him from a colt

Gorgeous blue roan and white 

Didn't wanna sell him, I tried to revolt

He was my first reining horse

I was just 10 years old

Dad let me hot walk him

After he'd been rode

Then I started showing

The year I turned 11

My first score in the pen

Was a decent 67

I remember the rush

Hearing old Kevin cheer for me

And dad coaching from the rail

What a sight it was to see

But now he's grown sour

Running off in the pen

Anticipating the next maneuver 

So I got a new horse then

But I just loved ol Blue

I forgave him for his sins

Though he drove me crazy

I couldn't give up on him

We've been through so much together

Now this is our last ride

The Central Affiliate Finals

Youth Team Tournament time

I walked Blue into center 

And began reining pattern 4

Three right circles fast and slow

Stop in center once more

I settled for a second

And Blue took a big sigh

And I knew right then 

This was gonna be our best ride

Four spins to the right

Then begin our circles left

Stop in center and spin again

He sighed again and took a rest

We picked up our right lead

And guided a perfect figure 8

He didn't take off through the middle

And in the changes he wasn't late

Then I straightened up to stop

And he didn't run away!

We built smooth into our slide

And the crowd was blown away

I rolled him back around

And went for another stop

It was better than the first one

We rolled back without a hop

One more stop to go

I had to nail this slide

I said "This one's for Eddie"

And ol Blue did just glide!

I backed him nice and smooth

And smiled so big at the end

Could this be the ride?

Did I break a 70 in this pen?

I leaned down and hugged him

My first reiner, my favorite one

And I heard the announcer say...

My score of seventy ONE

I was just elated...! 

And my new horse did well too

But I won the class on my old horse

This day, my heart belonged to Blue

The Windmill

Photo credit: www.erniemargheim.blogspot.com 

The breeze whispers a melody
Passing through the tall grass
Accompanied by an eerie creak
The only voice I have left.

So here I stand, lonely but loyal
The empty sea of prairie
swaying in the breeze
As my rusty blades creak along.

I am still here.
Still performing my duty
Bringing lifeblood to the surface:
Cool clear water.

The cracked wooden trough overflows
As it has these long years
It is rotting out as time goes by
But it is the only friend I have left.

The cattle have long since gone
Sold years ago, and not by choice
It was so dry that year
And the family just couldn't get by

I was still new and sturdy
And the wind brought me to life
Swishing through me
My strong blades spinning fast

And hard as I worked there was no water to bring forth
The essential lifeblood needed for a family to survive
It was no ones fault
Just bad luck I guess.

They had to leave everything behind
All the hours of hard work and love
They put into this land, their home
Including me.

I remember the strong young man who built me
And his lovely wife who helped and encouraged him
They were so happy and proud, and with dreams in their eyes
When they gazed upon me, their finished work.

The man spent long hours crafting me,
Every plank and nail perfectly in place
He built me to last.
And I have lasted.

Then I remember the little boy
Who would sit at the trough and play
He would talk to me sometimes.
Those days were my most favorite.

I've outlasted that hopeful little family
Through the first few years that were good,
Then the last hard years of drought
And all the worry and the tears.

I remember the day they sold their cattle,
And all of their dreams with them.
Then had to move back east
And left me all alone...

Now decades have past
And I am still here.
Lord of the vast sea of prairie
Where I stand alone

Still turning
Bringing up the water
Overflowing the trough
But It makes no difference now.

Trying to make up for the dry years
When I could not bring the water,
But nothing can bring them back.
That hopeful little family that I so loved.

So here I stand, all broken down
Alone, steadfast, relentless I turn.
And turn. And keep turning.
Forever loyal, forever remembering.

My American Dream

It’s the American Dream

Or so we’ve been told

Or more like programmed

“What do you want to be

when you grow up?”

We’re expected to know

Before we even hit high school

Go to college.

Land a career.

Get married.

Raise a family.

Save for retirement.

It’s like a lifelong to-do list

…That ends in death?

We’re always taught to plan ahead

To look to the next step

Where will you be in 5 years? 10 years?

A hard question you’re always expected to know

“You’d better know your major coming in,

So you can graduate on time”

“Don’t you have an internship for the summer?”

“What are you doing after graduation?”

“What do you mean you don’t have a job lined up?”

“Aren’t you going to grad school? Your doctorate?”

Why does life have to be a race?

It seems like we’re always running…

Racing through college,

Climbing the ladder, working 9-5,

…For what? Money? Fame? Fortune?

None of that matters in the end

You can’t take it with you when you go

Why do we have to race through life?

We get so caught up in running

That we forget to live…

Life is not a race.

It is a journey.

We don’t need to run.

Photo credit: Helen Lacey

I’ve been in college 5 years now

And still don’t know what I want

to be “when I grow up”

As far as a career goes, that is.

I’m going back to my dream job this summer

Seasonal work, not a “real, big-kid job”

Back to the land and people that I love

And I have no idea where I’ll be come fall

And I’m totally okay with that

I won’t be trapped by society’s rules

That some rich folks made up

All for the sake of money

Because money can’t buy my happiness

I have my plans in place

But there are no deadlines

What is meant to be, will be

No sense in worrying myself about it

Because I trust God will take care of me

I will live each day

And follow my dreams

Take care of this land

And my friends and family

For this is my American Dream

I will not be run by society’s race

Photo credit: Helen Lacey

Dance Partner

Photo credit: jmperformancehorses.webs.com

I’ve rode good horses

          For most all my life

Showing ponies in all-around

          And reiners nation-wide

I’ve showed ‘em near

          And I’ve showed ‘em far

On fine reining horses

          Yeah, I’ve been a star

But as far as good cowhorses

          None can ever compare

To the first cutter I rode

          An ugly old crowbait mare

She was fat, she was old

          Sway-backed and long-haired

Her mane was sparse and patchy

          Her tail didn’t better fair

Liver brown with no markings

          And a surly look in her eye

Like a crabby old widow woman

          Scared me outta my hide

The guy brought her on out

Handed me the reins with a smile

Then said “get on and go lope her

          She ain’t been rode in quite a while

I swung into the saddle

          The stirrups way too short

Then loped her a few circles

          I felt all out-of-sorts

She had the choppiest stride

          Her ears were perpetually pinned

I bounced all over the place

          Too fast for my liking then

  

Couldn’t keep my seat in a stop

          Stirrups throwing my balance off

Wondered what I got myself into

          When in a rollback I was almost lost

Then the guy had me stop

          And turn her towards the cattle

Together we cut out a cow

          Me trying to sit deep in the saddle

“Put your rein hand down on her neck

          And hold on for dear life”

The mare went right to work

          And boy was she a sight!

Every sense in her old body

          Was locked onto that cow

Slinking down fast and low

          Like a tomcat on the prowl

She leapt back and to the side

          In a move of pure athleticism

Stopping that wild cow short

          I took back all my criticism

Always one step ahead of the cow

          She danced a jig back and forth

She sure knew what she was doing

          I just held on for all I was worth

It was over at the lift of my hand

          She stopped and backed away

And I knew for sure by then

          She’d been a champion in her day

I slid down and handed off the reins

          Feeling thrilled but a little bit sad

Because even to this day she was

          The best dance partner I’d ever had

Winter Beauty

Rain. Sleet. Slush. Ice. Snow. Winter storm…

A “wintery mix” as the weather man says,

Trying as always to put a positive spin on the bad news.

The people all moan and complain at the cold,

As if they’ve never before experienced a snowstorm.

By nightfall the precipitation has begun,

The heavy, wet slush accumulating inch by inch.

And the people, they worry, lying cozy in bed,

About how they’re going to travel the next day.

The morning is hazy, still spitting tiny snowflakes.

Cars, covered in the cold and wet mess, burn cold fuel

As their drivers impatiently scrape away at the windows.

And as they drive to work, braking carefully,

Or walk to class, skating across frozen sidewalks,

Their faces are angry, their brows furrowed.

Winter is nothing but an inconvenience in their busy lives.

Lives so busy, they never take the time,

To stop, to look, to really see, to wonder…



Wonder about the world we live in,

The land that breathes life into each of us,

And all of the wonders of God’s great creation.

If they would stop for a moment and look up,

They would see the trees…



Enveloped perfectly in a layer of ice,

Turned to giant crystals that glisten in the sun.

The wind softly tousles the glass-like branches,

Twigs clatter together like miniature wind chimes.

How could such an elaborate beauty form

From the misery of last night’s intimidating storm?

Icicles frozen intricately around each twig, bud, and residual leaf,

Almost as if a skilled, patient hand had formed that masterpiece.



Or maybe that is exactly what happened…

And He has revealed himself to us in the beauty of His creation,

Giving us a reason to smile and be thankful to be alive

Even in the midst of the season’s frigid cold.

The Earth has her seasons, and she must grow and change.

Nature must make its cycle, and all living things must adapt.

Winter is a part of the circle, and though the people may complain,

The Earth needs her moisture, whether it be snow or rain.

Credit for all photos: Helen Lacey



Freedom

Photo credit:   Waltenberry, Inc.

The moment I climb on
I am set free.
The gorgeous sorrel horse beneath me
Sun shining off his sleek coat
Showing off the toned muscles beneath.
The wind blows his long, coarse mane
And it intertwines with my fingers
Holding the worn, leather reins.
When we move, we move not as two separate beings
But as one in spirit.
We lope through the fields on a warm summer day
I feel all the power beneath me.
Our minds are synchronized
Every slight move that I make
He responds.
He understands me
He provides the gateway to my paradise
He sets me free.
My freedom is found on the back of a horse.

Prom Date?

Was cleaning my room and found this poem I'd written in high school, and I thought, "Oh great, a reminder of my cheesy high school drama"... but after I read it I thought the poem itself was pretty good, so I thought I'd post it. Even though I don't remember who half the guys are that I wrote about!

Photo credit:   Helen Lacey

I can't find sleep,

It's way past midnight.

One burning question,

With no answer in sight.

Who should I ask?

Who would want to go?

The day draws nearer,

I wish I would know.

I mustn't give up asking,

Though twice I have tried,

And twice I have failed.

But I have not yet cried.

The ones that I like,

The ones I thought that knew,

Already have dates.
Wish I did too.

All year long,

Waiting for one special night.

But I've still no date?

Won't give up without a fight.

Why can't this be easy?

Finding love is so rough,

So hard, so unfair,

But I have to be tough.

You were the one,

Who was perfect for me.

So much alike and in common,

A wonderful life I could see.

The "cowboy" of my dreams,

But you would not be.

I was sure we'd work,

But you do not agree.

Then there was you.

So practical and smart.

I was attracted to you,

Like a bulls-eye and a dart.

I knew you'd be good to me.

But someone else came along,

And lured you away from me.

Now I sing a sad country love song.

A while ago he liked me,

So now I ask him to be my date.

But he now has a girlfriend,

Once again I am too late.

And you still confuse me.

I've been interested for some time.

And I bet you don't know,

That you're often on my mind.

You've been unlucky in love,

Just like me.

But give it a chance,

See how great we could be?

As a potential boyfriend,

You've got me shaken.

But as for Prom night,

You're already taken.

You're a great guy,

Fun-loving and sincere.

What I wouldn't give,

Just to have you near.

I'd love to have you in the future,

But Prom is right now.

So find a date I must,

And try to move on somehow.

Who would go with me?

Would you, my good friend?

I know we'd have a fun Prom,

From start until the end.

But would you even consider going?

I know you don't dig stuff like that.

Would you have any interest in me?

We're buddies, that's a fact.

You're just like family to me,

A close and trustworthy guy.

Maybe you don't want to think any different of me,

But could you at least try?

Would you go to Prom if asked?

The subject was brought up today.

But you thought of the expense,

Said, "nope," and walked away.

And I'm okay with that,

I know you're just my friend.

And I like it that way,

I will not pretend.

But now I'm left again,

With no one to turn to.

Everyone's trying to help me,

But I'm feeling so blue.

They say I should ask you,

That we would be a perfect date.

But I just don't think I like you,

I'm sorry, I have to shut the gate.

They say that I am stubborn,

That I should give him a chance,

But I don't think I can,

He's not my perfect romance.

Is he date or boyfriend material?

I have thought about it before.

Then I realize I can't,

Because I want so much more.

What do I want?

I can visualize my perfect cowboy.

One who would make me happy,

And fill my life with joy.

Someone very good-looking,

Hard-working, caring, and smart.

Who shares my love of horses,

And has a loving heart.

I've time to look for him,

Maybe someday at a show, or even college,

But Prom is coming up fast,

I am haunted by that knowledge.

There's one more possibility,

For a good Prom, I think.

If this doesn't work out,

My morale will really sink.

He graduated last year,

I don't know if he can come.

I will ask him if he can,

Though some may think I'm dumb.

Many didn't like him,

Thought he was stupid and low.

I really don't agree with them,

He's a nice guy, I think it so.

Can he come home for Prom?

Would he even go with me?

I need to find out soon,

But I'll just have to wait and see.