The title above is totally a lie. Day three of this challenge was supposed to be a picture of my favorite store. My favorite store? I can only write so much about that. I'm not a shopper, I go in a store with something in mind, get it, and get my booty on out. In case you're wondering what my favorite store is, it's any western store. Go ahead and hide your shock, I know that was a surprise. Actually, if my tattoo place counts as a store...it's a close second. I'm just too broke to shop there often
I digress.
The purpose of this post is to address some things I have seen on Facebook here lately. There are a couple things, so bear with me. And keep in mind, I warned y'all in the first post I have a lot of things to say. ;) I will try not to post a lot of things like this, I'm a very positive, upbeat person, and I want my blog to reflect that. However, I've been holding this in for awhile so I figure it's time to let it fly.
First: Since when does being "country" have to be synonymous with being stupid? All I see here lately are these girls who want to be perceived as "country girls" who feel the need to say things like "fer" (translated: for) and purposefully use terrible grammar. WHY?! You can be country and still speak correctly and value education. Trust me, I'm about as backwoods as they come, and I say more than my fair share of "ain'ts" & "y'alls," but I don't feel the need to sound stupid to emphasize that. Saying it jokingly is one thing, but seriously, you're not fooling anyone. Pay attention in English class!
Second:
Disclaimer: If I hurt your feelings or step on your toes with this....remember, if the boot fits, lace that sucker up and wear it.
I do no subscribe to Facebook drama, or drama of any sort. But recently, a friend of mine came under fire for not being a "real cowgirl" because she was not "born and raised in the rodeo lifestyle".
That hit home for me, broke my heart for her for someone to say something so stupid, and really, really bothered me. A lot. And not because I feel the need to defend myself to anyone, because I don't. I'm very secure in who I am, and proudly call myself a cowgirl. I know this friend is very secure in who she is as well, as she should be, but if it were me in her boots I'd be ready to fight.
Here's the thing. You do not, I repeat, DO NOT have to be born with silver reins in your hand to be a cowgirl. While I rode some as a kid, I didn't get my first horse til high school, and I have been working my butt off since then to get myself and my horse to where we are today. I trained her, and at the same time, I trained myself. I have worked long, hot days hauling hay, building and mending fence, sowing grass seed, liming fields, working on trucks and trailers, throwing around sacks of grain, mucking out stalls, cleaning tack, and so much more. I have spent countless hours hauling brush, cutting down trees, and pushing tree stumps around with a tractor just so my horse would have more to eat. And a heck of a lot of that, I did by myself. I rode Little Bit on days when the only thing I wanted to do was throw in the towel because she was being so mean and hateful, I cried tears of frustration when she bucked around and refused to listen, and tears of joy when things finally clicked. I did all that not because I had to, but because I WANTED to. And you know what? I would NEVER, EVER change any of it. The bond I have with my horse is unimaginable and unshakable. We started from the bottom together, and I know that we can do anything. ANYTHING. She is my rock, my strength, my soulmate, my best friend in the world, and I would do anything for her, and her for me. She, and my other animals, are the reason I push forward on days when I feel like giving up, because I want a better life for us. I know what I want in life, and that's a little land, just enough for Little Bit and Elvis to be comfortable and not have to worry about seeding all the time, and a simple home. That's it. I've known that from the start, and I am finally getting close to my dreams.
Please, don't take this as me devaluing anyone who was born into this lifestyle, because I know plenty of wonderful people who were, and who have lived up to it. They are amazing horse/farm people, and I'm proud to call them my friends. But there are a few of you out there who need a reality check, and who need to grow up and respect people who work hard for what they have, and who put their heart and soul into their horses. Because, at the end of the day, heart, hard work, and determination are what really counts.
End rant.
-xo
Sam
I digress.
The purpose of this post is to address some things I have seen on Facebook here lately. There are a couple things, so bear with me. And keep in mind, I warned y'all in the first post I have a lot of things to say. ;) I will try not to post a lot of things like this, I'm a very positive, upbeat person, and I want my blog to reflect that. However, I've been holding this in for awhile so I figure it's time to let it fly.
First: Since when does being "country" have to be synonymous with being stupid? All I see here lately are these girls who want to be perceived as "country girls" who feel the need to say things like "fer" (translated: for) and purposefully use terrible grammar. WHY?! You can be country and still speak correctly and value education. Trust me, I'm about as backwoods as they come, and I say more than my fair share of "ain'ts" & "y'alls," but I don't feel the need to sound stupid to emphasize that. Saying it jokingly is one thing, but seriously, you're not fooling anyone. Pay attention in English class!
Second:
Disclaimer: If I hurt your feelings or step on your toes with this....remember, if the boot fits, lace that sucker up and wear it.
I do no subscribe to Facebook drama, or drama of any sort. But recently, a friend of mine came under fire for not being a "real cowgirl" because she was not "born and raised in the rodeo lifestyle".
That hit home for me, broke my heart for her for someone to say something so stupid, and really, really bothered me. A lot. And not because I feel the need to defend myself to anyone, because I don't. I'm very secure in who I am, and proudly call myself a cowgirl. I know this friend is very secure in who she is as well, as she should be, but if it were me in her boots I'd be ready to fight.
Here's the thing. You do not, I repeat, DO NOT have to be born with silver reins in your hand to be a cowgirl. While I rode some as a kid, I didn't get my first horse til high school, and I have been working my butt off since then to get myself and my horse to where we are today. I trained her, and at the same time, I trained myself. I have worked long, hot days hauling hay, building and mending fence, sowing grass seed, liming fields, working on trucks and trailers, throwing around sacks of grain, mucking out stalls, cleaning tack, and so much more. I have spent countless hours hauling brush, cutting down trees, and pushing tree stumps around with a tractor just so my horse would have more to eat. And a heck of a lot of that, I did by myself. I rode Little Bit on days when the only thing I wanted to do was throw in the towel because she was being so mean and hateful, I cried tears of frustration when she bucked around and refused to listen, and tears of joy when things finally clicked. I did all that not because I had to, but because I WANTED to. And you know what? I would NEVER, EVER change any of it. The bond I have with my horse is unimaginable and unshakable. We started from the bottom together, and I know that we can do anything. ANYTHING. She is my rock, my strength, my soulmate, my best friend in the world, and I would do anything for her, and her for me. She, and my other animals, are the reason I push forward on days when I feel like giving up, because I want a better life for us. I know what I want in life, and that's a little land, just enough for Little Bit and Elvis to be comfortable and not have to worry about seeding all the time, and a simple home. That's it. I've known that from the start, and I am finally getting close to my dreams.
Please, don't take this as me devaluing anyone who was born into this lifestyle, because I know plenty of wonderful people who were, and who have lived up to it. They are amazing horse/farm people, and I'm proud to call them my friends. But there are a few of you out there who need a reality check, and who need to grow up and respect people who work hard for what they have, and who put their heart and soul into their horses. Because, at the end of the day, heart, hard work, and determination are what really counts.
End rant.
-xo
Sam