Ladies and Gentlemen, Cowboys and Cowgirls, it's the 62nd Annual Cooper Rodeo, and it's one of my favorite things about summer.
I don't ever think about this rodeo without thinking about Daddy Do. As far as granddad's go - he was the best. He loved this rodeo, and from my vantage point as a little guy, the world sort of stopped for these two or three days. The days leading up to the rodeo were the longest ever. I thought the big day would never get there. And I suspect for Madison, Jake and Leddy, they are feeling the same thing.
Daddy Do had a few rules. You had to polish your boots. And you had to take the Grand Entry serious: ride in a single file line so it lasts as long as possible; and whatever happens, don't break the pattern.
So last night, Daddy Do, we did it. At least, Leddy and I did. But Jason broke the pattern. I saw him.
Daddy Do also liked the concession stand and ran it for many years. And a couple of years ago, we took that over. That's hard work! But it's fun, and it's the one way to see everyone there.
Last night, though, a cowgirl went down. My mom cut her finger, and we had to make a trip to the ER.
Have you ever taken a lady to the ER who's been a nurse for 39 years?
It was her first trip on that side of things. And lucky for us, one of her longtime nurse friends was working. And when the doc learned she was a nurse, and a former ER nurse, we got in, and we got out.
On the way home, she said having twins was much easier. There you have it.
Today is the parade. There's work to do.