Rodeo Virgin* (by Dan)

Joy's rural metamorphosis is officially complete. Last night, we went to her first rodeo. (Full disclosure: it was my first one, too.)

Unbeknownst to me, as we entered this occasion, the word "rodeo" meant, to Joy, lots of pretty ponies trotting around doing field trials and perhaps the lassoing of a calf or two. At least I knew what I was getting myself into. Imagine her shock when, first thing right out of the gate, came this spectacle:


Once the initial shock wore off, we had a blast. It was fun just soaking in the atmosphere, that rodeo vibe that was a brand new experience for us. A nice healthy dose of reverential red-state patriotism fused to a good-ol' boy work and play ethic, all mixed together with the love of the land and, of course, horses.

I was incredibly impressed by the level of precision, skill and downright guts required for many of the events. In the course of farming, I've wrestled hogs to the ground before, but that's nothing compared to steer wrestling. A few elements, however, were jarring, and even a bit disturbing. It's entertaining, to be sure, to watch a grown man show off his testosterone by clinging for dear life to the back of a rampaging bull, but I just wonder, ethically, does the entertainment value really justify the risk to life and limb? We were privvy to the sight of one poor fellow getting caught in the rope and being thrown around like a rag doll while the bull stomped oh-so-close to his skull. He got off lucky, but his leg is still gonna need some serious work...

All in all, a horizon-expanding experience. I don't see any cowboy boots in our future, but at least we got down the lingo. Yee-haw!

*Thanks to Teresa Mhyre for giving us this label!