I have just finished reading my last Grace Chapel Inn book. I have enjoyed them so much. These were good Christian fiction books. I was able to just read for the pure enjoymenyt of it. The three sisters that the books revolved around were shining examples of living a Christian life. Each had distinct personalities that showed you how each used their faith to help them through the day to day challenges of living a life pleasing to God. I would highly recommend anyone to read them if they got the chance to obtain copies. I am currently sharing mine with my daughter to read as she travels with her husband.
October 5, 2008
August 17, 2008
My First Rodeo
About two weeks ago while my husband and I were on our way to St. Augustine for the evening we past the St. John’s Fairgrounds. On their sign out front was an announcement for the upcoming rodeo. We had just recently watched a movie on the Hallmark channel called Every Second Counts. We talked about it and decided it would be fun to go. So the next afternoon, we got on the internet and found out the time and cost. It was within our budget at this time so we decided to go.
The St. John’s Fairground facility is really impressive. We were able to find a seat several rows up and pretty much in the center. Even though it was outside and the middle of August the temperature was very comfortable with a nice breeze. The people around us were friendly allowing us to sit on a empty spot at the end of the row.
The Rodeo started with a man dressed it a military camflauge uniform singing God Bless America. Everyone stood and joined him singing also. As he was singing a cowboy circled the performing field carrying the American flag. When he finished the whole arena filled with applause. Another singer sang our national anthem after which a friend of ours then said the innovation to begin the rodeo.
The first event was the bull riding. This event has always been exciting and proved to be even more so than when watching on tv. There was a time of 30 seconds the riders had to stay on the bulls. The bulls did their best every time to throw them off. It was suspenseful to say the less when the gate was opened and the bull charged out bucking every which way wanting to throw the rider off. The rider would toss from side to side and eventually tumple to the ground, where the Rodeo clowns were waiting to devert the bulls attention way from the rider. Needless to say everyone moved quickly to get away from the bull. Something I found interesting was the bulls were lined in a shootlike channel. The riders got whatever bull was next in the shoot. It was just the luck of the draw which one you got. So until it the rider’s turn they did not know which bull they would be riding.
Next came the calf roping. A calf would be released then the rodeo roper with follow. The roper had to lasso the calf as quickly as possible then jumping from their horse get to the calf and tie up three of his legs. The roper was consider successful if the calf remained tied for at least thirty seconds. Not all the calves stayed tied that long which was disappointing for the roper. Sometimes the roper missed the calf with his lasso.When this happened their turn was over. There were a couple that the lasso slipped out of their hands.
There was a point in the program where they invited all the chidren under 10 years old into the arena to participate in a small contest. they were a able to chase one calf around trying to remove a small rope string tied to its tail. The child who was sucessful doing this was awarded a prize of $5.00. The kids had fun and it was funny to watch the calf being chased by more than 30 kids varying in age from about four to ten. At the conclusion of this there was a 10 minute intermission.
When intermission was over everyone returned to see riders do stunt riding. Three barrels were placed in the arena. The riders would then see how fast they could circle each barrel and return to the starting point. It was amazing to see how quickly they could do this in a matter of just a few seconds. Several riders knocked over the barrels and received penalties of added time as did riders who started alittle too quickly. I was impressed by one rider who walked her horse through the course after it hit his leg on a barrel. She had to longest time because of this, but it showed the horse was more important to her than winning was. She received applause from the audience for doing that. The event was finished with a mom walking her young child, a future rodeo star in the making, through the course.
The next event was the double calf roping. One rider would lasso the calf’s head while the other rider had to lasso on of its back legs. Their horses would the back up causing the calf to not be able to move. the doubles were also timed while doing this. it was amazing to see how quickly not only the ropers moved but the calf as well. They were not an easy target to catch.
Another event that was thrilling to watch was where the cowboy wrestled a long horn calf to the ground. This was not an easy thing to do bcause it had to be done in under 30 seconds. Not everyone was sucessful. Some had the calf fall on them and they had to turn them over from underneath.
The rodeo concluded with more bull riding. It was a super way to enjoy a Saturday night. It is an activity I would highly recommend to others. It will definitely be something my husband and I will do again.
