Playing Cowgirl

We all get one trip through the tunnel of life (that we can remember, some say) and that has always been my biggest challenge. Trouble is, I want to do so many things, see so many places and take on an endless array of personas that I worry I won't accomplish them all. I get older and the list gets longer; my rustic math skills tells me things may get left undone. URGH.

And yes, bored people confuse me.

But here in Colorado, my inner Cowgirl has so many outlets to run free. I can mosey on down to the Silver Quarter Acres Barn near my house and let Noodle run free. I can get horse poop in the grooves of my tires or wear my cowboy hat without raising an eyebrow.

Best of all, I get to be a volunteer for the annual National Western Stock Show that's been happening every January for the past 105 years.

I had a wonderful childhood, don't get me wrong. In fact, I consider myself somewhat spoiled. Our family was constantly loading into the motorhome to explore the Southern California mountains, desert and beaches. But part of me wishes I had been a 4H kid, the kind that knows how to deal with cows and sheep, chickens and pigs, y'know?

 So, I now play catch-up at places like NWSS where I like to pretend that my knowledge about Longhorns exceeds my knowledge of celebrities. Not so deep down, I am your basic actress who has simply learned to play a role.

In a recent conversation at NWSS, I confessed my suburban LA upbringing to a fellow volunteer. She looked me up and down and said, "Well, at least you look the part." 

And if there's one thing I learned from my SoCal past is that this is all that really matters. Perception is reality.