Slap That Little Bull In The Face!

Well, as much as I enjoyed dodging millions of raindrops and watchin' all those cowboys try to hang onto their bulls, last night, I decided to forego the same for tonight and catch up on some much-needed computer time. I was just the littlest bit relieved when my good hubby-buddy's friend showed up and wanted to go to the rodeo with him, instead of me havin' to go.

Oh, I know I would have enjoyed it, had I gone. And I always like spending any kind of time with my good hubby-buddy, but three days of non-stop Going is just a little more than I can handle, anymore. 'Course, when Hubby-Buddy came home maaaaaaannnny long hours later, I was doubly glad that I had stayed away.

We used to live about a mile from a bull-rider's school and I got to spend lots of hours (translate that to read Years) watching all those little cowboys learn how to stay on their bulls. No, no! I'm not being disrespectful by talkin' 'bout all the little cowboys.

Until my first invitation to watch the training, I would've thought that was disrespectful, too. Truth is, though, that some of those cowboys can barely see over a full-size sheep. Imagine being that small and going face-to-face with a bull-calf?

Yuh, sure; a calf may not seem that big to you, but how would you feel being told to slap a full-size bull in the face? What?!? You didn't know that was part of the bull-rider's training? Oh, yeah! They hafta' slap their bull in the face to try and get him to lunge at them.

From there, they work their way up, until eventually the cowboy gets to sit on that critter. Yaaaaaay! And you have no idea how much courage it takes summa' those ol' boys, before they reach that point. Certainly not something I'd ever wanna' do.

So, the next time you watch the bull-rides on TV, from the safety of your living room, think about the little boy who chose to ride those bulls so many years ago. Then, say a prayer for his safety. It may have been his choice, but he can still use the help. That's a lotta' bull... at any age.

Until the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya