Marlowe Eldredge is a friend of mine, has been for 40 years. Marlowe is also one of the best ropers in the country...no brag, just a fact. I've been having some problems with my roping, so I called him to get some help. "Absolutely" he said, "Thursday night at 6:00 pm"...Okay we're on our way to Nampa. Thursday night was probably the hottest its been all summer, with the cell phone uncaringly blinking 102 degrees. Marlowe explained "We're going back to the basics" and we did, non-stop for an hour and a half!! I had sweat pouring out of every pore in my "Pillsberry Doughboy" body, most of which ran into my boots, creating a dismal feeling of total discomfort. We were practicing on whats called a "Smarty" pulled behind an ATV providing a great simulation to an actual steer. After my 300th loop (slightly exaggerated!) I said, "Marlowe, can we take 5??"....we stopped for 2. After 6 more trips around the arena, me, my horse and what was once my arm had had enough. Marlowe in a not too subtle way said "Quit? We barely started! Are you here to rope or just practice coiling your rope up"?? I was so doggone hot and tired I didn't want to coil my rope up, I'm just gonna drag the darn thing to the trailer...NOT the cowboy way! I stepped off my horse at the trailer where my bride of 46 years was sitting in the shade sipping an ice tea. She said "Did you have fun??" I thought about choking her with my sweaty, dirty hands! Fun? Fun?! Team Roping isn't fun...its an obsession..you do it till' it consumes you and then spits you out...FUN?? Marlowe walked by where my body was laying and said "Too bad you're not closer, we could do this every night for a week!!"...Uh-huh..that's what you have to do if you're going to win. And dear reader, win is something Marlowe does, he just recently won over $30,000 at Reno! So...the lesson here is that if you want to really succeed, it takes practice, and more practice under the most grueling conditions. Whether its football, tennis or roping – you have to commit to doing and trying your best. Marlowe's an inspiration to me, and yes, I'm going back up there next week! We all can do better if we TRY and even at age 70, I'm not going to quit trying! And you know...I want to rope more out of life – not just "coil up" and go home!!
Don't forget Dr-History.com! Exciting episodes of the old West!!
Now in 110 countries...110!! And not one of them
have said they're offended!
Our Pledge
of Allegiance:
I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.
Dear Lord: Please Bless and heal this land with your grace and power.
Help us to realize YOU are in charge as you were, as you are
now and like
you'll be in the future. Forgive us for "straying off the trail" of what's
right
and what's wrong and help us to appreciate what you've blessed us with,
the greatest Country in the world...America!
In Jesus Name.....Amen
Please Read Proverbs Chapter 13 verse 4.
The way things were - are the way things ought to be!
(Copyright Zeb Bell)
Adios Buckaroos and Buckarettes!
God Bless and Fly the Flag!!
Zeb Bell
P. S. If you enjoy our Newsletter, be sure to forward a copy to your friends and
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