Saturday! Saturday! Saturday, Saturday!

The long weekend is finally here. Memorial Day.  The day we honor those who serve us, and who have served us.  I'm so thankful for our military, and for my relatives who have served and honored all of us in the United States.  Please remember them this weekend as you trek around.

It's a good thing it's a long weekend, because I'm exhausted.  ThatManILove got home from the field, and that's awesome.

And this morning, ThatManILove's talking we have to go pick out a new sink (to go with the new granite for the kitchen)....and new outside furniture (to go with all the new backyard remodel).

Dude! Honey, I have things to do.  I have to finish the entries for the mega 540 golf tournament stuff and hand it back over to my friend so we can get on with the rest of the duties to get this 2 day, 2 course extravanganza pulled off next weekend.

And I have to go run around with my new friend Melissa who's moving in from Tulsa, and looking for houses.  And I have to go take pictures for more friends sometime this weekend.  We could go to GlenRose and watch Elder Son rope?  Nahhhhhh.  Too far....

And, by the way, did I tell you that I promised you'd put that awesome burn on some salmon this weekend for Melissa and her step-mom?  We gotta show some of that famous Texas hospitality, even though you've torn half of our countertops down and the rest is still in that are we ever gonna freakin' finish this remodel slightly undone state.  It'll be okay, honey.  I promise.

And honey?  Call me after you get your haircut.  I'll meet you wherever.  It'll be fun!

Turning and Burning (A Team Roping Term)

This is Elder Son, after he took his steer down to the catch pen. It's dark, indoor arena lighting is kind of weird, and it was a while before I figured it all out. It forced me to get away from my Canon 40D and to utilize my full-frame Canon 5D Mark II. (Remember, I've had zero professional training.) And now, I love it - the 5D!

Two of the three men in my life - ElderSon and ThatManILove, discussing the price of tea in China - oh, no, that's not right! They're talking about horses. Specifically, high dollar Team Roping horses. (And, yes, ladies, this is one of the things y'all have been oohing and aahing about...cowboy butts in cowboy jeans. Cougars Be Gone!!)
Elder Son heading, Steve Taylor heeling. Making The Turn - and yes, they caught their steer and had a time, which took them into the short-go for this rotation.

This was shot 1 before the prior shot. Somehow, I can't get them in order from my Mac. I think it's something to do with Safari.

I caught this shot of Elder Son, watching the roping from the stands after his first rotation. I like it...a lot. I love catching natural shots.

Anyway, there are more, but I won't bore you with the roping shots. I love watching team ropings, but most people don't. They don't understand a good roping run involves at least 5 athletes...two horses, one steer, and two ropers. It is a finely tuned dance, if executed properly, and is beautiful.

Happy Trails!

Team Ropers a la Familia!! (A post not about dogs!)

It's a good thing I made my 30 day challenge and now it's over! I just realized I haven't posted in three days.

Well...that's okay! Tonight Elder Son will rope in a local benefit roping. Here's hoping my photography skills are still intact on team roping shots. I used to help pay our bills by taking roping action shots when Elder Son and I were on our own. And I want some of my own shots of my kiddo roping!

ThatManILove and I went to a friend's house and watched Elder Son rope this morning. Now, ThatManILove is wanting to learn how to team rope. When will I learn?

So, off ThatManILove and I go to the team roping. Tonight, registration, dinner and dance. Woohoo! Tomorrow, a oilfield sponsored cookoff, along with Cowboy Church, then team roping, all day long. At least it's in an air-conditioned indoor arena. More proof there is a God, and He definitely cares about Ropers and Horses! (And ropers' moms!)

Here's a shot when Elder Son wasn't quite so elderly (maybe 4) - and the horse was extremely well behaved. Ha!

Have a great weekend - and turn 'em and burn 'em, cowboy!