Month: August 2016

I don’t mean to brag, but a cowboy made a pass at me last night

IMG_7931I was in fact admiring some cows in the livestock barn at the Gillespie County Fair when it happened.

A cowboy wearing boots, jeans, hat, and a purple western-style shirt walked up to me, stopped in his tracks, drawled, “How dee do,” followed it up with an appreciative “mmmMMM,” and then sauntered over to a far corner.

Y’all.

I wasn’t even wearing my cowgirl boots or a tube top, and he wasn’t even old. Maybe they were his cows? Maybe he’d just come from spending several hours at the beer tent?

I could not skedaddle my fanny over to my husband and our friends fast enough to tell them about it, and it of course became a running joke throughout the evening. “Honey, will you go get more food tickets? Oh, never mind. I’ll just go find my cowboy, and he’ll get me whatever I want,” and “Hey, Emily. Maybe your cowboy could win you one of those giant stuffed teddy bears!”

I am on the near side of 50. I’ve let my hair go gray. I’ve had babies and breast cancer. And I will take the pick-up line and all the jokes that follow. Yee to the frickin’ haw!

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Anyway, this was no State Fair of Texas or San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, with hours and acres worth of exhibits, entertainment, vendors, and fried things, but at 128, it is the oldest continuous county fair in Texas, and it’s got a lot of heart. Plus, for $7 admission, you cannot beat the people-watching value. Reminded me of my own hometown county fair, in little old Allegany County, MD.

I love the farm and 4-H exhibits! On one side of the hall, entries from names like Shirley, Vernell and Walter. On the other, Bryce, Bailee, and Hunter. Guess which were the adults and which were juniors. Ha!
I love the farm and 4-H exhibits!
On one side of the hall, entries from names like Shirley, Vernell and Walter. On the other, Bryce, Bailee, and Hunter.
Guess which were the adults and which were juniors. Ha!
Which came first: This magnificent example of a chicken? (I named it David Bowie, and I believe that ribbon should be blue.)
Which came first:
This magnificent example of a chicken?
(I named it David Bowie, and I do believe that ribbon should be blue.)
Which came first?
Or these eggs?
Relish, pickles, jams and preserves. Yum!
Relishes, pickles, jams and preserves. Yum!
I can now say I've eaten a German Taco in Texas while listening to a polka band play "God Bless America." Life is pretty damn good.
I can now say I’ve eaten a German Taco in Texas while listening to a polka band play “God Bless America.”
Life is pretty damn good.
And I don't mean to brag, but... fence-side at the tractor pull, baby!
And I don’t mean to brag again, but… fence-side at the tractor pull, baby!
I took this photo for the sole purpose of being able to tell my husband I had a picture of a grand champion cock in my camera role. Because I am a juvenile. And he expects nothing less.
I took this photo for the sole purpose of being able to tell my husband I had a picture of a grand champion cock in my camera roll.
Because I am a juvenile.
And he expects nothing less.

IMG_7953

 

If Medina Lake seems low again, it’s because a lot of it went up my nose

We are back at Home Base San Antonio for a few weeks, reconnecting with family and friends, and generally just gettin’ things done: medical appointments, vehicle inspections, registration renewals, returning our sophomore to UT-Austin. That kind of thing.

But today felt like vacation! Although Tim would disagree, I believe that better than having a boat is having friends who have boats, and we were treated to an afternoon on the lake by our friends Jay & Kris, who we met last year, thanks to this RV lifestyle.

Medina Lake today: it's 100% full. This is significant. Last time we were here, only 16 months ago? 3-5% full.
Medina Lake today: It’s 100% full.
This is significant. Last time we were here, only 16 months ago? 3-5% full.
See? This is a photo I took of the "lake" in April of 2015, when it was down to just a few puddles after 4 years of drought conditions. That "road" over there on the left is in fact someone's boat ramp.
See? Not kidding.
This is a photo I took of the “lake” in April of 2015, when it was down to just a few puddles after 4 years of drought conditions. That “road” over there on the left is in fact someone’s boat ramp.
Today's mission: water skiing! Jay & Kris are experts, with decades of experience to share. They've taught many, many people how to ski over the years, and today they taught Dane!
Today’s mission: water skiing!
Jay & Kris are experts, with decades of experience to share. They’ve taught many, many people how to ski over the years, and today they taught our kid!
Kris at the wheel
Kris at the wheel
Tim's up! It's been 3-4 years since last time, but before that it had been a decade or three...
Tim’s up!
It’s been 3-4 years since last time, but before that it had been a decade or three…
Jay showing Dane a few tips before his first time on the skis. Fun fact: Dane is 19. Last time I went water skiing was the summer I was 19.
Jay showing Dane a few tips before his first time on the skis.
Fun fact: Dane is 19. Last time I went water skiing was the summer I was 19. Please don’t do the math.
After showing Dane how to do it, Jay showed us how it's done.
After showing Dane how to do it, Jay showed us how it’s done.

And yes, after much waffling and psyching myself up and deciding that what I really needed on this day was for my child to see me get over myself, I took a deep breath, got in the water, and muscled on those skis.

After inhaling a fair amount of lake on my first try (see title above), I got up on the second attempt, after a 28-year hiatus, y’all.

Oops. Guess I did the math.

In my mind, I was the Go-Go's, and I. was. fabulous.
In my mind, I was the Go-Go’s, and I. was. fabulous.

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend this last day here with our Longhorn. Tomorrow we move him back into his school-year home!