10 Things a Cowgirl Would Do If She Won the Powerball Lotto

I'd have a barn full of roping horses and pastures full of cows

A billion dollars. Actually, $1.5 billion. That’s a lot of clamshells.

A friend of mine purchased a Powerball ticket for last night’s big jackpot and inquired whether I had as well. Negatory, I replied. Not because I have anything against Powerball – I have purchased tickets in the past and am a fan of scratch-off lottery tickets. I honestly never gave thought to buying one because winning the lottery is not something that would happen to me, I’m fairly certain.

But her question prompted the conversation of “What would I do if I won?” One and a half billion dollars could really have a monumental impact of my ranching and rodeoing aspirations and that conversation sparked this blog post.
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Wordless Wednesday: My Favorite Rodeo Pictures

There's a picture challenge going around on Facebook to share your five favorite horse/rodeo pics. My boo Michelle tagged me to do it but I ended up sharing seven because it was too hard to narrow it down and if I only did five then barrel racing and goat tying were going to be left out! I posted it on Facebook so I'll post it here too!



Tying goats at the Hays college rodeo on Michelle's awesome steed, Stitch. Muddy as all get-out.

The horse that helped me make my comeback into rodeo after a 5 year hiatus - Ace

My first college rodeo as a Wildcat - made the short round at Colby and broke the barrier (surprise).

NWOSU college rodeo in Alva, OK.
I worked my ass off for two years at Fort Scott Community College - practicing six days a week, shredding straw bales and running thousands of miles down the road - so I could step up my game and be competitive with the great ropers in the Central Plains region. Under the guidance and coaching of Chad Cross and Larry Irish, it worked! I was a FSCC Greyhound before I was a Wildcat and I am forever grateful to my coaches for all they did for me and Doc!

Good Lord, he was an amazing horse. Doc is a pasture pet now, until we have kids.

Short-round at Pratt Community College rodeo. Won the long round and finished third in the average (broke the barrier again - surprise).

Hays College Rodeo - probably my favorite picture of Doc and I. This one hangs in my office and he hangs out in the barn

 

What are some of your favorite rodeo and horse memories? Have you shared something similar on your Facebook page or blog? Leave the link in the comments below!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

photo credits from top to bottom: Dale Hirschman, Kent Kerschner, JJJ Photo, Dale Hirschman (4x)

Wordless Wednesday: #EarView

A collection of some of my favorite #earview shots over the past few months..

 

 

Rooster the rodeo horse



Toddy and I gathering cattle on Labor Day

Friday and I checking and feeding cow/calf pairs

Counting stockers aboard Friday

 

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~

Blogging Pass Along - Why We Write



I don't know why I chose this photo for this post -
other than I don't have a lot of others to include that are relevant.

A few days ago, new-found blogger friend Terryn Drieling at Faith Family and Beef tapped me to participate in this Blogging Pass Along to provide readers with some insight into how/why I write. I hadn't really given thought to a lot of these questions beforehand so I surprised myself when I sat down and started thinking about my motivation to blog and the process by which I create content.

Thanks for including me, Terryn!

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What are you working on relative to writing?
Right now in the hopper, I have a post about working from home, a Chipotle post [because they, unfortunately, supply a never-ending stream of anger inspiration], a wrap up post about my Alaskan vacation [that was more than a month ago], two recipe posts and a rodeo post. Those are in addition to 101 in 1001 updates and Wordless Wednesdays. Since my blog addresses agriculture, rodeo, K-state and my life in general, my post topics are often sporadic and all over the board. Some may view this as a setback because I might push away readers who only care about agriculture when I post about rodeo and cooking but I hope that it gives people a glimpse at my many different interests and this blog also provides me with a place to catalog thoughts and events I think are important.

What makes your work different from others' work in the same genre?
Well, I don't think I am anything special. I am a small blog and I enjoy writing about my opinions of agriculture and providing fact-based information. That being said, I am not afraid to dole out the truth and lay on the sarcasm, so maybe that differentiates me. I think my real-life marriage blog posts make me a bit different too because I don't sugarcoat it!

How does your writing process work?
It has started to take me a lot longer to develop content that it used to - when I first started blogging, about five years ago, I would think of something, pound it out and post it in the same day. I didn't put a lot of thought into the meaning behind it or the value to my readers and I definitely didn't put any effort into SEO. Now, I might think of an idea and write out a few paragraphs to begin with but not finish the post for a week or more. Instead of focusing on the quantity of content, I am focusing a lot more on quality; I may only post once or twice a week but those posts are planned and not just filler [most of the time]. I think this development happened during grad school when I became a much better writer and learned that every word must have a purpose and value.


If I'm not at a rodeo, I prefer to be in the saddle
 taking care of cattle alongside my family.

Why do you write what you do?
Five years ago, this blog started out as a way to answer consumer questions about agriculture [and it still holds that primary objective]. Over time I added in rodeo and K-State because I am extremely passionate about those topics, too. I strive to be a reliable, trust-worthy source on animal welfare, livestock and rodeo because there is far too much misinformation floating around. If we, as bloggers and advocates, don't tell our story loudly and often, HSUS and Peta will do it for us.

Now that you know a little bit more about me and why I write, I am passing this along to a couple of bloggers I follow:

Melissa at Born to Pharm, has a unique story to tell. She and her husband are farmers and raise cattle here in Kansas but she's also a board-certified pharmacist. You can imagine how important the health of their cattle is in addition to her family's own health!

Jessie at Ranching with Rhinestones is a fabulous gal. She's a rancher/rancher's daughter from Nevada and is currently working on her PhD at Texas Tech - this gal knows meat and how to safely prepare it! She blogs about her faith, ranching and life and is dang good at it!

Hope you enjoyed learning some more about my blogging origins and I highly encourage you to check out the two lovely ladies listed above. They are experts in their respective fields and offer unique perspectives on farming, ranching and being a working woman!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

 

Independence Day Has Many Forms

Independence Day - the day when Americans celebrate distancing ourselves from the tea-drinking tyranny of England. Hopefully, amidst the BBQ, fireworks and bald eagles you will remember that freedom ain't free and that there are millions of brave patriots and veterans who paved the way for our freedom to say what we please and practice our preferred religion without fear of beheading.

So what does Independence Day look like to you? Are you on the lake? Having a BBQ with your family (with meat, I hope)? At the races? This is what my day consists of:

I spent the first half of today at a rodeo and will head to another one tonight. I'm proud to be part of a sport where we pray before every performance and honor Old Glory nightly. 

What are your plans today?

God Bless America!

~ Buzzard ~

Wordless Wednesday: I'm Not Bilingual and Little Cowboys Are Cute

Uno, dos, tres - I can't count to 56 in Spanish.

 

Little cowpokes stickhorse race at a memorial team roping

All Things Encompassed

This post will boast of all my favorite things in life. Whoopa

This is what I did this weekend...

No, I'm not a big fan of running the chutes but Podge only has one useful wing right now due to shoulder surgery so I popped the gate for 7 hours to be helpful. and got sunburned. On a happier note, rode Friday/HB and she didn't buck and she also got two new pairs of shoes. Such a well-dressed lady.

And watched this guy coach the Cats to a 7-0 start and a #3 BCS ranking - I don't want to brag, but I've already put in my ticket request for the 'Ship. Snyder for President!

Also, this guy is unstoppable. He's gonna get the Heisman and be the first Wildcat ever to earn one. And the best part is that he doesn't do it for himself - he does it for Bill, Wildcat Nation and the K-State family.

Collin: "It's ok Geno - Oklahoma didn't think we'd win either. You should call Landry Jones and see if he has time for you to cry in each others beers."

It was a great weekend, as usual, to be a Wildcat. We've got Tech this weekend, at home - should be a good game.

What did you do this weekend?

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~

p.s. I've got another giveaway in the making - stay tuned on Wednesday for the details!

I spent my birthday money on...

Yes, I still get birthday money.

Don't ask me why but I think only a crazy person would turn down checks that arrive in the mail. As long as they keep showing up, I'll keep using them.

Anyhow, maybe I bought a new pair of these....I've only been wanting them since last May

Or perhaps I spent my money on some new jeans... I've really been needing two or three new pairs. I'm particulary attached to Silver Jeans and would love to have a pair of Big Star, Miss Me or BKE (although they'd break my budget).

I've also been wanting a coral blazer and some cute new summer dresses (check out my Pinterest boards to see what I'm talking about).

So what did I buy with my birthday cash?

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I bought some of this...

to feed to him.

This is my "child" and his name is Doc. He really really wants to mess up those shavings but I had to snap a picture first (with my new favorite app, Instagram! Follow me @brandibuzzard)

Yes, I bought prairie hay, pine shavings, fly spray and feed for my horse because I needed all of those supplies and I'm not very good at splurging on myself. I'm horrible at it really. The Ninja hates that and tried to get me to buy new jeans or some Vera Bradley pieces that I adore. But how could I shirk my responsibilities to feed and care for an animal who has been my A-team rope horse for an entire decade? I can't.

And since I have your attention, I am going to brag on this fabulous steed. This is Buzzard's Zanadoc (Doc) and I at the Hays College Rodeo in 2008.

Look how he burys up - gives me chills.

Pratt College Rodeo in 2007 in the short round. He works so hard and is automatic. Same run every time - breaks hard, runs fast, stops hard. Doesn't get off track, doesn't stray and always gives me the money shot. I love him.

He's carried me a long way - I roped my first calf off him in October 2002 and have rarely roped calves without him. He's been lame off and on; roping is hard on the hocks and legs in general. He's also clumsier than all get out (sound familiar?) and could get hurt in a padded room but he's worth every frustration, cent and minute. We raised him on the Buzzard ranch, out of one of Papaw's mares and he's a nephew to our great Quarter Horse stud Take Care O' Neall. He's laid up right now with a very swollen deep digital flexor tendon and I may never rope off him again (crossing my fingers that the vets are wrong) but he'll never be sold or traded off to another home. I'll feed him, care for him and adore him until the day he dies. I'll continue to boast of him long after he's gone. He's paid his dues and now it's time I pay mine.

This post was supposed to be about responsibility and taking care of livestock but it turned into much more than that. I'll never have another horse like Doc and I hope that every roper who reads this is reminded of that first good horse they had which probably still holds a soft spot in their heart today.

Until next time,

~ Buzzard ~

I Am Second - Trevor Brazile

It's no secret that I, along with several thousands of rodeo fans, are huge Trevor Brazile fans.  What's not to love? He is an 11 time World Champion and holds the record for most All-Around titles ever won with 8. He is a well-known poster boy for being a family man, he's obviously very skilled with a rope and even better.... he gives glory to God for all of it.  I saw this video early last week and by the time it makes it up on my blog, I'm sure it will have been shared many times. But whatevs, it's my birthday in the states and he's my favorite so I'm sharing it again. I hope you enjoy it.



Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

He's on fire...

It's no secret that I love Trevor Brazile (Examples 1, 2 and 3) and this week allows me to express my infatuation to the utmost level.  The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is this week (actually the 1st round was last Thursday and the final round is this Saturday) and I've watched every run of every event in every round (except the bullriding - but that's another story).

Trevor went into the NFR on track to win his world record 8th PRCA All-Around title.  In Round 2, Trevor finished second in team roping and sixth in tie-town roping, clinching his 8th All Around title (and passing former record holder Ty Murray). Those placings boosted Trevor's season earnings to $323,527, making it fiscally impossible for him to be caught by the rest of the pack.  To read more about his record breaking night click here.

Trevor's amazingness didn't end in Round 2 though- look at these stats!
   Round 3 -  1st in the team roping - 4.2 seconds
   Round 4 -  6th in the team roping - 4.3 seconds
   Round 5 -  1st in the calf roping - 6.9 seconds AND 3rd in the team roping - 3.8 seconds!

Like I said, he's on fire! Not only is he a world champion roper, he's a class act. When asked how he felt after clinching #8 he said that he was thankful to God for giving him the abilities to accomplish his dreams. He also thanked his family for their support and said it was a big moment for his fans and family.  Ty Murray made this comment, "Trevor Brazile is the Peyton Manning of rodeo," Murray said. "Like Peyton Manning, he's a clean-cut athlete who outworks everybody on top of having great talent. When you work hard like he does, that means you blow everybody out of the water." How can you not love him?!
If you want to get in on the NFR action, Round 6 airs tonight at 9 pm (CST) on ESPN Classic - for those of you who don't have Classic, it replays on ESPN2 at midnight (CST). I hope you'll tune in and cheer for your favorite competitors!

Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~

p.s. -- It's been recently brought to my attention that I appear to only like Trevor Brazile and no others.  Not true.  I am also a huge fan of the following NFR competitors:
 -- Will Lowe - bareback rider (he's a KS cowboy)
 -- Kory Koontz - team roper
 -- Billy Etbauer - saddle bronc rider (not entered but is still amazing)
 -- Jeanne Anderson - very good friend of the Buzzard family
 -- Sherri Cervi
 -- all 3 Cooper boys -- Clint, Clif and Tuf

Stolen Smells

So, this week Buzzard is swamped with my project, THE project.  From 4:30 am Tuesday to 8 p.m Friday my life will be consumed with pigs, blood, carbon dioxide and I think you can figure the rest out from there.  Since I don't have a ton of time to write you a truly original post (are mine ever really that original?), I am 'stealing' from a friend's blog.   Michael Lanzrath has a truly funny blog, Cud Chewin', that discusses everything going on in his life: drama about school decisions, marathon training, agriculture, photography, family - everything.  My post today is based off his post, Smell Bank.  You really should read it before or after you read this post.  It's great and my inspiration for today. So without further ado......Buzzard's smellbank.

A horse manure and dirt cocktail  - our new neighbors in the 'hood (the Trailerhood, pictures are coming, I promise), brought horses.  Since mine are at home and won't be with me again until I return from Australia in 2012, they are a welcome delight.  Everytime they get to running around and stirring up dust, I drift back to dusk in an arena where I'm roping, laughing and chasing my dreams with my brother and my dad.  I long for those days of coming home from basketball practice, saddling horses and roping until 9 or 10 at night.  I will soon be reunited with my rope and saddle -- only 14 more months......

Brut aftershave - Grandpa Ken used to wear this, God rest his soul.  I remember clinging to his neck when I was a little girl and was scared of the dark.  He always had a five o'clock shadow and smelled of sweet sweet Brut.  Strong and comforting, he would tell me not to be afraid because I was a big girl.  I may be a big girl now, but I'm certain there are still things that scare me.  A sniff of Brut takes me back.

The 'clean sheets and towels' smell- who doesn't love sheets and towels right out of the dryer that smell like Snuggle?

Pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon candles - because they set the mood for the entire fall season and shoot me right into winter and Christmas.  When I was little, our house always smelled like one of those scents (sometimes both) starting in October and going into February.  Reminds me of popcorn, family times and laying infront of the heater when it was -100 outside (not quite -100 but you get the point)!

Ok - so I hope this insight into my past will tide you over until my next post which will hopefully be Thursday or Friday.  Enjoy the smellbank of your lives! wow - corny.

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

Trevor and Texaco

Picture taken by Al Berger/Pro Rodeo Pix

I know I've mentioned my love of Trevor Brazile before but now I have a new love - his calf horse, Texaco.  It takes a lot of smarts, speed, strength and skill to be a top PRCA calf horse - Texaco has all of those things and more.  Most people wouldn't dream of roping off their horse without a bridle but Trevor can when he rides Texaco - they're both that amazing.  Check out his video of Trevor on Texaco at the Fort Worth Horse Show.  Jaw. Dropping.Amazing.



Brent Lewis has also done this on a horse he used to own named Grumpy (last I knew, Blair Burk had purchased him).  Unfortunately, I don't have a video of that one.

Oh how I can't wait to finish up my schooling and get back on the rodeo trail - maybe someday I'll train Doc to do that :)

Happy Friday and until next time,
~Buzzard~

Should've scheduled a detour to Colorado Springs

Why you ask do I want to go to Colorado Springs when I just got back from Denver and the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo? The answer is simple -- the ProRodeo Hall of Fame is in Colorado Springs.
Every year a select few historic rodeo competitors, stock contractors and influentials are elected to the Hall of Fame - last year's honorees include Dan Mortensen, Ted Nuce, Ace Berry, Erv Korkow, Leonard Ward and Walter Arnold.

Needless to say it takes an extreme level of talent to reach the level of greatness it takes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. More importantly it takes unending determination and perseverance to push through those slumps and keep going in order to make the "big show" - that's slang for the National Finals Rodeo and reach the ranks of the legends of rodeo. Some day my fav, Trevor Brazile, will be in there. I definitely plan to go take the tour then :)

If you're ever in Colorado Springs, please go take the tour and send me some pictures! I hope to make it there soon!

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

It's a New Year: New Resolutions and New Beginnings

It's that time of the year again: resolution time.  This year, I've decided to set goals that I will actually achieve (or at least work a lot harder to achieve before giving up).  Enjoy - comment for my entertainment :)

1 - Get in shape by going to the rec and doing the Gutz and Butz workouts --> important for looking good in a wedding dress!
2 - Keep my 3.7 GPA in grad school -- study for stats and put in at least 20 hours on my seminar presentation
3 - Maintain close relationships with friends who are no longer in Manhattan -- via Facebook, texts and snail mail (I'm not so great at talking on the phone, sorry).
4 - Continue to work hard to maintain and improve the great relationship Hyatt and I have
5 - Find a house in the Manhattan area and decorate it with both western decor (for me) and outdoor/hunting decor (for the Ninja).  Pics will definitely be provided as this process takes place
6 - Move my horses to Manhattan so I can get them in shape and get back to my passion -- rodeoing!
7 - Stay close to family by going home as much as possible
If you have any fun suggestions (or serious for that matter), let me know!

Until next time,
~Buzzard~

I love Brazile!

No, not the country (although my friend Stacie Wenig has told me of it's beauty).  The Brazile I'm talking about is none other than Trevor Brazile, 7 time PRCA All-Around Champion.

For those of you that don't know, I've rodeoed my entire life.  I went to my first one when I was two weeks old, got my first pony at the age of 2 and have been competing ever since.  I breakaway rope, team rope and occasionally will tie a goat or even run barrels (that's a whole different post though).  This lifetime obsession culminates every year when the NFR comes to Las Vegas for 10 nights full of rodeo action and this year the NFR was a thriller!

The 2009 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) was full of surprises and record breaking performances.  For example, the previous world record for team roping was 3.5 seconds held by several teams - it was broken, not once but twice, in the 9th round.  The record now stands at 3.3 - I want you to think abou that.  That team who roped in 3.3 seconds, Chad Masters and Jade Corkill, nodded for their steer and then caught the head and heels, faced their horses and got their flag dropped under 4 seconds.  Most girls can't catch a calf that fast, let alone both ends. 

<-- He's the man - Trevor Brazile

Another thriller this year was my fave, Trevor Brazile (swoon) winning his 7th All-Around title. He is now tied with Ty Murray (you all know him right?) for most AA titles won.  He now also has 11 world championships, tying him for third place on the career list with Dean Oliver and Charmayne James. Ninety percent (or more) of professional cowboys and cowgirls will never win one gold buckle, and Trevor has won eleven.  Too bad he's married.....

Lastly, Lee Graves squeezed by reigning world champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho to win the 2009 world title.  This is in large part to Branquinho's controversial run in the 10th round.  Branquinho was give a NT (no time) because he wasn't touching the steer when all four legs were pointing the same direction.  Luke's NT gave Lee the window he needed to make a solid run and win the gold buckle.

I would have loved to be at the NFR like my friend Crystal, unfortunately I'm in grad school and have no money.  But if you want to know more about the excitement that is the NFR, visit Crystal's blog.

If you want to learn more about PRCA rodeo, visit http://www.prorodeo.com/ - start following some of the competitors and maybe someday you'll be as obsessed as I am!

Until next time,
~Buzzard~