Ah the smell of livestock shit, boy does it make you feel alive. I went to my first rodeo in well over 30 years. I hated the rodeo and all the bullshit it brings with it. The big trucks, rednecks, busy restaurants, fake people playing dress up. The smell of shit in the air. Just not my thing but I figured I give it a try again all these years later. Yvette and her family love it. I’ve always found it to be a little cruel but that’s just me. I’m no rodeo boy, but let’s try new things.
So the show kicked off at 1PM. It was a matinee. I’m fine with that. When I got over being made fun of for not wearing jeans and just wearing shorts and flip flops I started to prepare myself for the anxiety attack that I knew was coming. Boy did it ever come. As soon as we walked in that arena I wanted to turn around. My heart was pounding. I’m not built for such things. It takes me time to settle. Plus, it’s just not my crowd. I generally don’t like cowboy’s. I’m from Texas so yeah, maybe that’s weird.
Once the anxiety began to dials itself back I started to have some fun. I really enjoyed the shows much more than the competition. Aside from barrel racing and bull riding, nothing else really did it for me. I liked the kids riding the sheep the best. So yeah, the shows between the competition was the best part. I wasn’t so sure how I felt about the announcers. I guess one was a clown? Who knew. Much different rodeo in the 80s.
One funny thing happened. The entire show I was sitting right directly behind and old high school friend of mine that I had not seen in probably 20 years. He had moved off to El Paso and never came back. What are the odds of sitting right there by him all these years later, in a crowded arena at a rodeo I hadn’t been to in at least 30 years. Wild. It was great seeing he and his wife. I went to school with her from 1st grade through graduation. Small world.
We walked around the fair ground for a little while on the lookout for turkey legs. Yvette’s son had to have his leg. These things are gigantic. He left very satisfied. I don’t blame him. It was good.
Overall it was a nice experience and I had fun with her and her son. . I always do. I like doing things with them. I’ve done a lot of new things with them. Home that continues.
After the rodeo I went to see my mom for a little bit. She was good. I went to the store and bought the things I needed for dinner. I was cooking. I made some BBQ chicken thigh, sausage links, okra. Yvette’s daughter made some yummy pasta. We had a little feast. After eating we sat outside and enjoyed the nice evening. I got to really hang out with the kids. It was a good day.
I woke up Sunday and made myself a super protein omelet and had some coffee. My goal ahead was to mow my yard. I have not mowed my own yard since I had my back injury in July. Almost a year ago. The most painful part was pulling the lawnmower to start it. I mowed at a slower pace but in the end I accomplish the goal. Feeling a little ambitious I decided to trim some of my landscape, weed eat and blow the debris. I felt very pleased with myself, although I did hurt afterwards. That was expected.
I took a shower, made a quick trip and got ready for lunch with my mom, Yvette and her kids. The shower felt so so good after pushing myself in the yard. I was so proud of myself but I have much more to do. 9 months of not being capable of much around the house has left me with a lot of catch up.
Went after some lunch and the 4 of us had a lot of laughs. It was a good time as usual. I’m lucky to have a good family and be able to have good times. Funny thing about the place we ate is the owner is my neighbor. He automatically gets me a beer and tequila without asking. What am I to do. I guess I laughed more.
I did more yard work. I told you I wasn’t finished. I trimmed the hedges. I was another 2 hours. I still need to do more. I need on a ladder but no one will let me and I’m not stupid enough to try on my own. I have a week long vacation and a long drive ahead of me soon. I don’t want utter pain on my first trip with Yvette.
The day was done. I went to Yvette’s to paint a butterfly and then I came home and made dinner and meal prepped some breakfast. Seasoned shrimp cocktail with battered green beans. Breakfast was a low carb quiche. It was a good weekend.
En Fuego 