Happy Thanksgiving 2007

Today has been a wonderful day, especially when Chet spent the day going back and forth from Coy and I telling each of us how much he loves us. We basically spent a quiet calm day at home and I think Chet enjoyed having both of us here at the same time without having to rush off anywhere. At one point this afternoon, Chet looked at me and said, "Mom, this was the BEST Thanksgiving ever." Of course, that made my day, so I have to agree it ranks up in the Top 3 for me. I think that's all I want to say today, everything else I start to type makes me a bit too emotional and missing people. So, with that, I am soooooooo very thankful for everyone in my life, my family, me friends and those people that I don't know but work extremely hard to make sure my family and I are healthy and protected. As we go through the holidays, slow down and look around yourself, smile at all the things you have to be thankful for. Go out of your way to be kind and thoughtful and when life throws a little inconvenience your direction, shake it off, there are bigger and more important things in life. Oh, and I know those aren't exactly Thanksgiving pictures, but in a way they are, they make me smile and I am definitely thankful for each of them, my Mom, my Dad, Chetty and Coy. With Love, Marti

Chet Wins His First Rodeo Trophy Buckle

It's official, Chet acquired his first rodeo trophy buckle, and he did it as four-year-old. Of course, like any other athletic competition, it came as the result of a lot of personal attributes, and having the right kind of equipment.

As Hop-A-Long Cassidy had "Topper", Roy Rogers had "Trigger", and Gene Autry had "Champion", Chet's recent success is due in part to his faithful companion, "TEE", the Wonder Horse. A registered fifteen-year-old Quarter Horse mare, "TEE", is actually named "Catalpa Cicely", and possesses bloodlines originating back to some outstanding 'foundation horses' including "Doc Bar" and "Poco Hondo". "TEE" stands about 15 and 1/2 hands tall and is a 'finished' roping horse. And, when Chet's not using her for his "play days" (junior rodeos), Coy is either improving personal skills in the team roping event, or using her in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office. That's because "TEE" was recently selected to be a part of the prestigious Mounted Horse Patrol. The selection process is rigorous, and requires a particular demeanor and handling, which most horses are not capable of obtaining. Chet thinks his horse is capable of arresting "bad-guys", and other than not being able to place the cuffs on them, he's not too awfully wrong.

Chet, Coy, Marti, and "TEE" completed several "Play Days" throughout a period of time that began in April of this year and extended into the month of September. Because Chet is still learning to ride, he competed in three rodeo events, "pole bending", "barrel racing", and "flag racing". All three competitions were accomplished by a "lead line" process, in which Chet hangs on to the saddle and Coy "leads" the horse through the pole and barrel patterns. Chet would hang on for 'dear life', because at times, "TEE" could reach speeds, which actually had her galloping through the patterns. Even though Coy is leading "TEE" with a lead rope, which is attached to her halter, the competition is quite fierce. It often requires Coy, along with the other kids' parents, to run as fast as possible in front of their horse, in order to acquire a good time. A stopwatch is the official time keeping device.

With that, let's just say the summer months were not smooth ones for our little cowpoke, and the long trail to Chet acquiring his buckle were plagued with a few interruptions. Just as any other athlete will attest to, certain things, well out of an individual's control, can often occur. Some people call it bad luck, others refer to it as "Murphy's Law", but I choose to think it has a lot to do with how the sun, the moon, and the stars align. And Chet's "Play Days" were an astronomical nightmare. Take for instance the afternoon that "TEE" (the not so Wonder Horse), decided to start bucking as we were headed across the rodeo arena for the first barrel! Chet may have gotten his first trophy buckle, but much more significant than that, he experienced his first 'saddle bronc' attempt. While the landing was not the "purtiest", the chewing Chet gave "TEE" after the fact, was darn worth the price of admission.

To make things worse, Chet, "TEE", and I, had not considered my knee surgery into the rodeo recipe, either. An old snow skiing injury decided to raise its ugly head about the same time that the three of us were needing to put some good times up on the board. The annoying pain I was undergoing, necessitated some arthroscopic surgery, which left the three of us wondering who was going to fill the void in my absence.

Now, Chet doesn't know it yet (I have spared him the embarrassment), but I did not exactly marry his mother for her athletic abilities. Consequently, she was not even remotely considered to fill my vacancy on the team. And following the "bucking bronco" incident, Marti and I were extremely leery about anyone else leading "TEE" through the various competitions. So, we decided to let Festus (moi), do the best he could, under the circumstances. Needless to say, our times on the stopwatch were better kept on a stop clock, because it took me about that long to limp through each pole, barrel, and flag pattern.

But the experiences we all shared as a family were more than any amount of time required to win each event. Chet, "TEE", and I placed in the top six a couple of times this summer, and Chet always managed to get a bright colored "Participatory" ribbon, whether we were limping or bucking across the arena. And Marti will never forget overhearing Chet chastising his horse, the day after the bucking incident. She looked out the window of our home and saw Chet engaged in a deep conversation with his Wonder Horse. She pressed her head against the front door and heard him say, "TEE, I forgive you, but why did you buck me off?" That was Chet's first attempt at negotiating a business contract.

And so to the "Participatory" come the spoils. We all attended the year end awards banquet and Chet received some pretty cool things, including trophies, a feed bucket, a shiny blue halter, some snacks for his horse, and a curry comb, which Chet thinks is a horse scratcher. In fact, he couldn't wait to get home and feed "TEE" a snack and scratch her. That was last night and the first thing this morning he grabbed me and we used the horse scratcher to make his horse, "TEE", feel good all over. Chet may have won the trophy buckle, but Marti and I won a whole lot more. Coy

Coy's Big Adventure

I have always had a genuine interest in music. When I was just barely seven years old, I sang, "How Much Is That Doggy In the Window", in front of our local church congregation. Now, maybe just a few years later, my fascination with the the whole music industry is better left to listening to others sing. And so, over the years I have made it a personal commitment to attend as many live concerts as is humanly possible. In doing so, I have witnessed a fairly unique genre of musical entertainment, encompassing everything from "Asleep At The Wheel" to Joan Jett and the Black Hearts, with some Van Halen, Jimmie Buffet, Willie Nelson, and even a little Marilyn Manson thrown in, to boot. But what I witnessed the other night, will go down in the antels of music history, at least as far as it concerns this here cowboy.

In Tulsa Oklahoma resides the historic and I think, majestic, "CAIN'S BALLROOM", home to the legendary Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. While the great Bob Wills reigned in an era well before my time, I think I witnessed him roll over in his grave the other evening! That's all because a group, relatively unknown by the likes of the cowboys I run with, showed up to perform in the same building where the "King of Country Swing", made his debut and used to entertain hundreds of country swing music enthusiasts. "Their name?", you ask, "Why, none other than "INSANE CLOWN POSSE", of course!"

Now, I've never been one to second guess anybody, but my curiosity got the best of me, and Marti and I spent an evening on the computer researching their material and listening to a few of their more revelled songs. I should have known something was going to be a little different when Marti noticed on their "web page", that the "CLOWNS", as they are affectionately referred to by their groupies, is a sort of 'Hip Hop' inspired musical sensation. Other than seeing a t-shirt or two with "Insane Clown Posse" on them (and incidently, the individuals wearing the shirts were being carted off to jail), I really didn't know too much about the "ICP". So, what the heck, I decided it was in my best interest to enhance my musical appreciation. However, I should have known something was terribly wrong when Marti decided to bow out, my best friend said, "No thanks, I have got other plans", and even the most rowdiest cousin I know, commented, "You must be crazy. What's the matter with you? You must be going through some kind of 'mid-life' crisis." Well, that should have been what the FBI calls a "clue", but I was not shaken in my mission to see the "CLOWNS" in person, in Tulsa, at "Cain's Ballroom".

Now, my best friend was consciously concerned about my life. He provided me with some good insight and wished me lots of success in my endeavor. According to him, the "CLOWNS" have quite a unique following. The first thing he warned me about, was to watch out for individuals walking up to me and punching me in the face. (Apparently, this is some sort of group bonding that takes place at "Insane Clown Posse" concerts.) Secondly, he informed me about the term, "juggalo", which is what sincere "ICP" groupies refer to themselves as. Other than flirting with a possibility of being killed for a mere $35 ticket to get into the concert, I was feeling real good about my decision. Now, the next thing to do, was to decide what I was going to wear. Since my wardrobe didn't include any "ICP" t-shirts, I could either wear one of my cowboy shirts, or one of my cowboy shirts. Or, I could go really 'over-the-top' and wear one of my cowboy shirts.

Well, I had a better idea. Since this was a kind of 'clown' event, I decided to wear my rodeo clown attire. And, besides, maybe these guys would take one look at me and think, "Either this guy is totally innocent of what goes on here, or else he is one bad mamma jamma." So, I grabbed my hat, my suspenders, and a little bit of makeup (we rodeo clowns prefer to call it 'paint') and headed out for "Cain's Ballroom".

When I walked in the place, everyone, including the guys selling the official "CLOWNS" t-shirts, stopped and looked my direction. For the first time in my life, I knew what a rabbit feels like when a pack of coyotes happens by. It was like that scene in "Pee Wee Herman's Great Adventure", when Pee Wee stumbled into a biker bar, and everyone in the place stood up and somehow knew he didn't belong.

Just about that time, I'd say ten to fifteen "CLOWN" groupies approached my position and inquired, "Are you for real?" As I saw my life flash before my eyes, I quickly replied, "Yes, I understand there's a Clown Convention in town this week." The lynch mob got real quiet, looked at one another, and fell out laughing. I quickly grabbed two of them around the shoulders and proclaimed, "What's up, fellow Juggalos?" And, from that moment on, I was sort of one of the 'family'. In fact, throughout the evening, chants from the crowd, bellowing out, "FAM-I-LY!, FAM-I-LY!, FAM-I-LY!", broke the constant ear-deafening roar of the crowd, and I joined in.

I saw every "INSANE CLOWN POSSE" t-shirt imaginable, and a few others that I have no idea what they meant, but it was a concert goers paradise. And, the "CLOWNS", they were ultimately 'awesome'. And although I wasn't much into the lyrics of their songs (I prefer songs about trains, prison, mommas, getting left out in the rain......you get the picture), I loved having root beer pop sprayed all over the crowd. And, guess what, I didn't even receive an offer to get punched in the face. My wife, my best friend, and even my rowdy cousin, had better catch their next concert, because I have an idea on how we can join the "CLOWNS" back stage, but I'll need some help sneaking by 'Security'. Coy

Peer Pressure

Imagine being 4 years old and arriving at school on "Dress like a Clown Day" and you are the only one with your face crudely painted by your mother. You would have thought that Chet was "Chucky" or something; he was mortified. Now, keep in mind, I did see other kids with Clown make-up on in the hall, but Chet only saw his classmates in their normal clothes. When those little eyes looked up at me and said "Mom, please," I knew I had to come to his rescue. I think there will be a time when he fully understands the concept that it is "OK" to be different. However, this morning I graciously sat down in his classroom and "wet wiped" off my Picasso while 5 little pairs of eyes clammered around. Tonight will be different, he gets to wear his Blue Power Ranger suit, and after watching the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin special last night, he's fully trained in the art of "trick or treating."

Buddy Walk - Team Tori

On Sunday afternoon, Coy, Chet and I spent the afternoon supporting a Great friend of ours at the 2007 DSAT Buddy Walk. http://www.dsat.com/ Tori is the daughter of one of the first people I met when we moved to Claremore 6 years ago. Tori's Mom Rachelle was working at the local Satelite Provider Office and I was attempting to have my utilities connected. I think as I would tell the story that I let her know in my sweetest voice and demeanor that I looked forward to a bright future and relationship with her office. Her story is a bit different, something about I was stressed and frazzled from the all day adventure of long lines and broken promises that I was pretty "blunt" on how and when I wanted this installed. Amazingly, in her efforts and great skill of dealing with "difficult" people we almost immediately became great friends. I remember telling Coy that day, "I met this real nice girl today," I'm wondering if she went home and said the same thing?

With that, we have watched Tori grow from a 5 year old into an 11 year old, soon to be 12 year old that can ride a horse with the best of them. Chet loves Tori and Parker to come over, he'll say "Mom, can you call 'Shell' and have her and the kids come pway, pwease?"

On Sunday, the weather was perfect and we spent the day laughing, playing and appreciating the great gifts God has given us, including Chet's personal choice to wear his Cowboy boots and shorts....another Coy Fashion 101 lesson. We look forward to participating again next year, if you want to join us...just let us know. Marti

Justus-Tiawah Wildcats

WOW! It's been 2 months since Chet started Pre-K at Justus-Tiawah. Of course when you ask him where he goes to school, it's "Justus-Tiawah Wildcats," you have to name the mascot as well. He absolutely loves school, his teachers and his new friends. He's Mr. Social as you can imagine and groans on Saturday morning when he there is no school.

I didn't think I would have had a hard time sending him to school that first day, afterall, he's been attending the Parents Day out programs at our church and the Catholic church since he was 18 months old. I have to admit, I had a meltdown the night before school started, it was just a new milestone and the realization he's growing up. I don't know how or why Coy and I were blessed with such an incredible little boy, but we make sure to thank God daily for this and remind Chet how happy we are to be his Mommy and Daddy.

Coy rushed home to the school that first day before I picked Chet up and gave him the roses to give to me when I got there. I was so suprised, at first I thought to myself, "wow, they give roses to all the Moms that first day of school because they knew how stressed out we were," and then I realized that Coy was behind it when he walked around the corner. Those two boys sure love me and make me feel special.

Well, 2 months later and today and tomorrow are fall break....that means Chet has things he wants to do and we're off to accomplish our missions. Marti

SWAT Buddies

Recently Chet attended a birthday party for one of his friends, the theme was "Camo." It seemed only appropriate that Coy would attend this "manly" party with him and Mom could go have her nails done. As you know, give Coy any reason to dress up in a "costume" and he's there, Chet is following directly in his footsteps. Coy took care of their "official" uniform for this party. Since Coy already had his Tulsa County SWAT shirt and since he keeps the uniform place in business by having another shirt made any time the newest, latest garmet hits their shelves...he knew just where to go. Chet's "SWAT-Out" shirt looks just like his Dad's and he acquires the same attitude as Dad has and was ready to get the bad guys as soon as he put it on. The two "buddies" spent the day running obstacle courses and some serious male bonding while Mom got a break.