Grandsons – I'm pretty proud. I had an opportunity this past weekend to announce at an "Open Rodeo" (no association sanction), and two of my "eldest" grandsons were entered in the Team Roping. Seeing their names on the day sheet, visiting with both of them in the announcer's stand before the rodeo...it really took me back in time. I started announcing rodeos in 1970, single, no roots, no family...just me and the steering wheel headed down the road. Then in 1971 I met my "future", Deanne came into the my life and she has been a gift from God. We rodeod together for about 4 years in the amateur ranks, she was an excellent barrel racer (won a championship), and me, announcing for a paycheck and roping to lose some of it! I turned "Pro" in 1974, joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and with much more travel, Deanne stayed home. On July 4, 1975, my son Jake was born and with Deanne now a PRCA timer, he spent his "baby time" in the announcer's stand. I really started "going hard" in 1979, announcing rodeos all across the U.S., I wasn't home very often...bittersweet, but making a good living. My daughter, Tobee Jo, was born on New Year's Eve 1979 with some complications, but through God's Grace, all went well. For the next 10 years my career got bigger and the travel more extensive...I missed so much of Jake and Tobee being kids and growing up. One year, Jake was a junior in high school, I flew home "early" from California so I could see his final football game. In high school, Jake was fairly small for a running back and truthfully not very good. However, that night when he saw me sitting in the stands, he turned into Gayle Sayers, Walter Payton and Jim Brown rolled into a 145 pound high school kid! He scored 3 touchdowns and NO ONE could figure out WHAT happened to Jake??! I knew..thanks God. Tobee was an outstanding athlete, with a commanding presence on the court, on the track or in the arena – she mastered everything and was a champion! All of this and....I was on the road...I missed so much. In these later years, I've "slowed down" and have really taken a look over my shoulder to glimpse what happened and was it all worth it? Yes, it was. Jake and Tobee married well and have God blessed families. Goober and I have never been happier – the jelly and the peanut butter really have stuck together. And so, looking at my Grandsons, great young men, walking down the steps of the announcer's stand to go get their horses ready to compete...it brought a tear to my eyes...the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree...I'm pretty proud!
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 Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 verse 13.
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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! Be sure to check out archives of the show on the website
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