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Last Rodeo Before Millennium
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Last Rodeo Before Millennium |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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Last Rodeo Before Millennium We yearly visit the local county’s Abilene Rodeo, “Wild Bill Hickock” and all of the events; we eat the great fair food, see all the shows, watch the kids cram the rides, check out all the tents. This rodeo was different some how, a final passing of time all of the regulars were there, and the August night cool and fine. My husband loves the clowns, and I the bull riding event, but through the night my lack of expression I now repent. It all started with the National Anthem, our glorious song, the young lady who sang was great, and charmed the crowd along. I saw something take place, and a tear came to my eye, and now I kick myself mightily, as you’ll read by and by. For little ol’ Abilene town, a pride it has indeed you could see that in the kids, you could see it in their steeds. The clowns they joked a’plenty, there was a master emcee my mind kept flashing back and I didn’t like what I had seen. The entertainment was wonderful, fair smells filled the air, well trained horses were handled with skillful care. No serious mishaps, a few cowboys hit the fence the bulls did their best to heighten the crowd’s intense. Popcorn was passed along, pop and lemonade too no one went hungry, not even the popcorn crew. When the lady riding six white horses came into our view we stood and cheered at her acumen to hold the horses true. While taking a break I thought of all in the Forum here for while I was in the restroom, I couldn’t help but notice how the TP was placed, so some of you will cheer, for the TP was positioned on the roll coming over and down! When I went back the clown was joking about the cowboy who was arrested last night for exposure – we were incensed! “But that’s OK” said the clown, “as you can see by the cowboy here, he was finally released for extreme lack of evidence!” The night progressed amid fanfare fine, but I couldn’t get the scene off of my mind about the National Anthem being sung to the crowd, so now to you I will voice my thoughts aloud. While the flag was raised and the National Anthem sung we all stood as we should, and the song was then begun, there was a little girl in front of me who wanted to sing along. As I stood and smiled down on her, the mother shushed her song. I was aghast, and should have said something then that this little four year old knew all the words, and when you see the trouble in schools, kids who don’t obey any rules I thought that his mother’s shushing her child to be very cruel. For all this little four year old girl wanted was to participate by singing the Anthem’s song for she couldn’t ride any of the horses, she just wanted to join in, she was not doing anything wrong. I still feel I was amiss in not setting the mother right and I’m still kicking myself with all of my might. One thing I was able to do, to compensate for my lack, I later complimented the little girl, and patted her on the back. So I know when I visit the rodeo next, in the new millennium if I see a parent shushing a child during song, I will then ask if I can hear the child’s voice sing the Anthem out clear for this Country’s future belongs to all of the children here. 19 August, 1999 ©KRJ ------------------ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 08-19-99).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
I cannot believe this doesn't have a reply yet! To good to be at the bottom!! ------------------ "Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with." *Mark Twain* |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Hey Sate, my dear, it's still today, and it was ONLY posted this morning. ROTFLOL. ------------------ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Tim Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794 |
Brings back some memories... my grandfather was from Navarre... often went to the Abilene rodeo.... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Tim, you're always welcome back of course just don't forget to bring your horse. I will continue to hope it's not too late to the real message I hope others will relate. ------------------ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
 ....awww...I know it's still today...but it was so far back there, and...and...and...I just really liked it lots, and...and... 'Tis a goodun ma dear!------------------ "Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with." *Mark Twain* |
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elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
Sunshine...i can't believe you worked the TP debate into your poem...major chuckles when i read it...the state fair here is just around the corner, though i've never been to see the rodeo, don't even know if we have one at the fair |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
It is a good piece of storytelling, Sunshine, and the message is loud and clear. America has always been a country where the people have been proud to stand up and show their allegiance. Sadly, I feel that has dwindled due to a variety of reasons that are not valid. The future DOES lie with the children. May they restore what we are losing. |
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
great message Sunshine! What a sad shame to miss out on a child's voice singing...glad you shared this with us. Now we can all be reminded to encourage rather than discourage. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank you, Elvira, Balladeer, and Caroline, for your comments. I am usually a very sensitive person, but it surprised even me how this little incident at the beginning of the evening bothered me the whole four hours of the rodeo. On the half-hour drive home, I was itching for a piece of paper, and when I got home, was so exhausted, scratched out a few words so I could compose the piece the next day. I fear I could have done better, and lost some of the feelings through Morpheus...I should have had a strong cup of coffee! I am glad you all saw the message, and I hope more will see it, before we lose total moral consciousness. ------------------ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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