A Pinch of Rodeo

By Joe R. Nichols

The Greatest – Jimmy Cleveland

When rodeo cowboys get together, there’s often a discussion about who is the best ever in a particular event. I have several friends that could be considered the greatest of all time in their event, but for the Bareback Bronc Riding, my vote goes to Jimmy Cleveland from Hollis, Oklahoma.

He was the most analytical person that ever competed in rodeo. He dissected a bareback riggin down to the most minute detail. The angles and geometry were calculated to the last millimeter. The way he strapped his spurs to his boots had a specific effect. He even adjusted the spin of the rowels for each individual horse. On bended knee, he used a screwdriver to loosen or tighten the screw to get the desired drag, spinning the rowel like he was tuning a carburetor. The fit of his glove, the shape of the handhold, the position of how he set the riggin on the horse, everything was done for a purpose, and he wasn’t guessing. He knew more about the science of his event than anybody before or since.

Jimmy rode with more control than anyone I ever saw. He looked like a computerized machine more than a human being. He could ride rank horses flawlessly, and dress up the mediocre ones. He could win on any type bronc. His style was aggressive, yet smooth. He was poetry in motion.

My good friend Dale Hirschman, who is a great rodeo photographer, showed Jimmy a picture he had taken of him. Dale made the comment, “Boy, I don’t how it happens, but every picture I get of you, your eyes are closed.”

Jimmy gave Dale a hesitating stare, “I ride with my eyes closed.”

“What?” Dale replied in disbelief.

“Yeah, I close my eyes when I ride. It helps me feel the horse better with my feet.”

Now, think about that. Would you get on a bucking horse, have them turn him loose, and close your eyes? I’ve shut my eyes when I had been launched toward the fence like a torpedo, but never while I was still trying to stay on. That would take a tremendous amount of confidence. But, you know? He was in such perfect time with those bucking horses, he did ride with his feet.

I guess that’s why he was, and is, the greatest.

A Pinch of Rodeo

By Joe R. Nichols

The Greatest – Jimmy Cleveland

When rodeo cowboys get together, there’s often a discussion about who is the best ever in a particular event. I have several friends that could be considered the greatest of all time in their event, but for the Bareback Bronc Riding, my vote goes to Jimmy Cleveland from Hollis, Oklahoma.

He was the most analytical person that ever competed in rodeo. He dissected a bareback riggin down to the most minute detail. The angles and geometry were calculated to the last millimeter. The way he strapped his spurs to his boots had a specific effect. He even adjusted the spin of the rowels for each individual horse. On bended knee, he used a screwdriver to loosen or tighten the screw to get the desired drag, spinning the rowel like he was tuning a carburetor. The fit of his glove, the shape of the handhold, the position of how he set the riggin on the horse, everything was done for a purpose, and he wasn’t guessing. He knew more about the science of his event than anybody before or since.

Jimmy rode with more control than anyone I ever saw. He looked like a computerized machine more than a human being. He could ride rank horses flawlessly, and dress up the mediocre ones. He could win on any type bronc. His style was aggressive, yet smooth. He was poetry in motion.

My good friend Dale Hirschman, who is a great rodeo photographer, showed Jimmy a picture he had taken of him. Dale made the comment, “Boy, I don’t how it happens, but every picture I get of you, your eyes are closed.”

Jimmy gave Dale a hesitating stare, “I ride with my eyes closed.”

“What?” Dale replied in disbelief.

“Yeah, I close my eyes when I ride. It helps me feel the horse better with my feet.”

Now, think about that. Would you get on a bucking horse, have them turn him loose, and close your eyes? I’ve shut my eyes when I had been launched toward the fence like a torpedo, but never while I was still trying to stay on. That would take a tremendous amount of confidence. But, you know? He was in such perfect time with those bucking horses, he did ride with his feet.

I guess that’s why he was, and is, the greatest.

A Pinch of Rodeo

By Joe R. Nichols

The Greatest – Jimmy Cleveland

When rodeo cowboys get together, there’s often a discussion about who is the best ever in a particular event. I have several friends that could be considered the greatest of all time in their event, but for the Bareback Bronc Riding, my vote goes to Jimmy Cleveland from Hollis, Oklahoma.

He was the most analytical person that ever competed in rodeo. He dissected a bareback riggin down to the most minute detail. The angles and geometry were calculated to the last millimeter. The way he strapped his spurs to his boots had a specific effect. He even adjusted the spin of the rowels for each individual horse. On bended knee, he used a screwdriver to loosen or tighten the screw to get the desired drag, spinning the rowel like he was tuning a carburetor. The fit of his glove, the shape of the handhold, the position of how he set the riggin on the horse, everything was done for a purpose, and he wasn’t guessing. He knew more about the science of his event than anybody before or since.

Jimmy rode with more control than anyone I ever saw. He looked like a computerized machine more than a human being. He could ride rank horses flawlessly, and dress up the mediocre ones. He could win on any type bronc. His style was aggressive, yet smooth. He was poetry in motion.

My good friend Dale Hirschman, who is a great rodeo photographer, showed Jimmy a picture he had taken of him. Dale made the comment, “Boy, I don’t how it happens, but every picture I get of you, your eyes are closed.”

Jimmy gave Dale a hesitating stare, “I ride with my eyes closed.”

“What?” Dale replied in disbelief.

“Yeah, I close my eyes when I ride. It helps me feel the horse better with my feet.”

Now, think about that. Would you get on a bucking horse, have them turn him loose, and close your eyes? I’ve shut my eyes when I had been launched toward the fence like a torpedo, but never while I was still trying to stay on. That would take a tremendous amount of confidence. But, you know? He was in such perfect time with those bucking horses, he did ride with his feet.

I guess that’s why he was, and is, the greatest.

In Search of Meaningful Critiques

by Natalie Bright

The creative writing instructor provided numerous reasons for joining a critique group and I rejected the idea at once.  How could I possibly find a group of strangers attempting similar goals plus a willingness to meet at the same time and place for the rest of our lives (because that’s how long I knew I’d be writing–forever).

Let us imagine we find such an assembly. The unattainable involves leaving your feelings at the door and listening with an open mind as these ‘wanna-be published’ criticize your best efforts. In return, you must provide positive comments and insightful suggestions for their work. The final deal breaker was time.  Whose real world itinerary allows meetings on an already unyielding schedule?  I discovered so many reasons why NOT to find a writing group.

Therefore, I felt determined to reach my goals on my own terms. As the creative writing class progressed, I struggled with the assignments and soon realized a second opinion might be more than helpful.

WHO WANTS TO READ THIS?

I turned to a son who listened intently to my ramblings.  One day, he responded to my request of “listen to this” with, “That’s okay, Mom.  I’d rather not.”

I felt devastated, but I didn’t let him know it. Pulling myself together, I sought advice from my mother. After all, who shows the most support of any new ambition and who never fails to elicit an honest, unbiased opinion?

Mom said, “I just can’t help you. Don’t you have any friends?” Honest to a fault; that’s a mother for you.

Rejected. Again. (So they were preparing me for the realities of publishing in the beginning. Who knew?) I searched my heart and contemplated my dilemma carefully. I needed someone who believed in me, someone who was not afraid to bestow the gut wrenching truth.

Behold, there he sat. Someone who’d been there all along. I approached my darling husband.

NOTHING LIKE AN HONEST CRITIQUE

He agreed to help and seemed pleased that I included him in my newfound passion. Thrilled at the possibility of sharing a common interest besides kids, I envisioned lengthy conversations into the night, deliberating words and phrases. I might even dedicate a book or two to him someday.

A pattern soon appeared in his critiques. He always began with “Promise you won’t get mad,” and ended “You should write a Western.”  The critique itself consisted of one to two word comments and usually now more, such as “needs research,” “no emotion,” and my personal favorite, “cornball”.

A critique group of strangers was the only option left.

A GROUP OF STRANGERS

On the final night of class, the instructor encouraged us to compare schedules with other classmates in hopes of leaving the semester-long course armed with a writing group.  I felt fortunate to find several people willing to work together.  I volunteered to be the organizer and listed names, addresses, emails with a promise to send notification for a first meeting.

We came together preparing to pour our heart and soul onto written pages with hopes of receiving sparks of inspiration – not only to learn ways to improve our work, but starved for any words of praise. We had to know if there were any good parts.

MEETING RULES

The first meeting involved establishing rules and clarifying goals. Participants could submit ten pages of new material, or share an educational piece about the business of writing. No idle observers allowed; everyone had to participate.  We agreed to begin work promptly, saving visiting for last.

Numbers were drawn at the beginning of every meeting to determine who goes when.

The meetings functioned awkwardly as life got in the way, some people came and went, and a routine was established. In the beginning we welcomed visitors, however due to time limitations we’ve finally settled into a comfortable group of six. A core group of strangers emerged into a group of writers who are passionate about their craft, a group of writers who celebrate each other’s successes, a group of friends.

All the things I’ve heard about belonging to a writer’s critique group are true. The process can be hurtful and a huge time commitment, however your manuscript will be nurtured in ways you never thought possible and your prose will be the better for it. If you have not found a reliable critique partner, you should keep searching.

CORNBALL IS KEY

In case you’re wondering, when my kids appear at the door while I’m writing, all I have to say is “Hey, listen to this.” Poof! They’re gone. And on occasion my husband continues to read my work, only because once in a while he surprises me with a unique, very male perspective so opposite of mine. And he truly likes the western I’m working on now.

More importantly I have learned, if someone responds to your story with the comment “cornball”, it’s probably true.

nataliebright.com

Outtakes 67

Holiday Let Down

by Cait Collins

I can’t speak for others, but my November and December calendars are starting to get full. It’s not just the holiday dinners and the shopping; it’s parties, concerts, movie dates, addressing Christmas cards, helping with holiday boxes. The list just keeps growing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the season. Unfortunately, I often use my busy schedule as an excuse to set aside some of my writing projects.

Not this year though. I have a plan.  Saturday and Sunday afternoon are my blog prep days. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I concentrate on the reread and edits for HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW. Tuesday and Thursday I work on new projects. If I keep this schedule, I’ll be in good shape for the New Year.

Here’s the challenge. Set aside one hour each day to work on a writing project, write blogs, catch-up on social media posts, or plan a new work. If you can’t do 60 minutes, go for 30 minutes. Bits and pieces each day will prevent falling behind. Instead of starting the New Year with a loaded desk, you will have a clean slate.

Good luck and enjoy the season.

TRAILS END -The Novel

Taking Charge

 Attitude is everything. If our mind has decided to commit, the objective will happen.

I’ve been extremely busy with larger numbers of cattle than usual, building a horse barn, dealing with some horse issues, and all with less daylight. Are these valid excuses for not getting my blogs posted? Absolutely not. I had time, if my mind would have been committed. I apologize. If we take charge of our lives, there really cannot be any excuses.

Donnie Williams learns several lessons pertaining to taking charge of his own life. All through the story he is faced with feeling sorry for himself and making excuses, or determining his own path. Gradually, he learns to “Take Charge.”

I believe it is a life long process.

Thanks for taking time to read this.

Joe