I Wanna Be a Cowgirl

Have you seen that AARP commercial? The one where several middle-aged people talk about what they want to be when they grow up? You mean it's still okay to fantasize about what I want to be? Even after I've tip-toed into my AARP years?

So, last night at the Cody Nite Rodeo, when the fantasy of wanting to be a cowgirl came to my mind, the scolding thought I'd typically think -- "don't be ridiculous" -- was replaced by, "Hey, why not?"

Once again, I was drawn to the "cowboy way" from the minute I entered the arena: the feeling of patriotism when Miss Rodeo entered the arena carrying a gigantic American Flag. The comfort in knowing it was okay to say a prayer before the competition began. I loved it all. Kamikaze-the-Bull strutting around the arena, daring anyone who might try to ride him. Big cowboys helping little cowboys prepare for their competitions, carefully performing every task necessary to assure their safety. And, of course, there was the thrill of watching the fierce determination of the cowgirls as they sped around the barrels with their well-trained horses.
Maybe I was a cowgirl in a previous life. I wondered why now, at the age of . . . of . . . well, like I said, into my AARP years, I would all of a sudden think about being a cowgirl? Why didn't that thought come to my mind when I was still young enough to do something about it? I know why. I was too busy daydreaming about what I was supposed to daydream about - going to college, finding a career to support myself, marrying and raising children. So, maybe now that all that important stuff I was "supposed" to do has been accomplished, maybe it's okay to think about one day being a cowgirl.

No matter. The important thing is, it's okay to fantasize again, even at my age. It's never too late to do anything. Even if I'll never really be a cowgirl, I can dream about it, and the great thing is, as a writer, all these fantasies add fuel to my inspirational fire, even if it's only to write.


For now, I'll just enjoy this hot dog while I dream about one day being one of the real cowgirls at the rodeo.

So, now that you know it's okay to daydream again, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Cowboys

I spent twenty-seven years of my life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, so cowboys are not a new phenomenon to me. In Tulsa, I saw them everywhere--well, at least I saw men wearing cowboy hats and cowboy boots everywhere. They sauntered into grocery stores, and politely removed their hats at movie theaters and restaurants. But, being a California girl originally, cowboys remained a unique characteristic of Oklahoma, kind of like the heat and humidity of Oklahoma summers, or the southern twang of "y'all." I watched from afar, but never got to know a "real" cowboy.


But last weekend, I had the honor of attending the Western Heritage Awards at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Surrounded by hundreds of cowboy peers, my friend and writing mentor, Dusty Richards, was presented an award for Outstanding Western Novel for his book, The Sundown Chaser.

Before and during the ceremony, we were surrounded by cowboys and cowgirls--most were real, but there were certainly some "wanna-be" cowfolk, like me. What a community I found -- ranchers, horsemen, performers, artists, writers -- all with a love of cowboy culture.

I have to admit, I was surprised to feel so "at home" with a group that in the past, I had only watched from "afar." But their warmth, patriotism, determined self-sufficiency and down-home charm drew me in.

In some of the presentations, I sensed concern that cowboys may become a thing of the past. There are fewer western movies and fewer novels these days. I overheard one rancher talking about the "cowboy way" not being the most efficient way to ranch anymore. But, in the hundreds of people present that weekend, I also saw a determination not to let that happen -- a determination to keep the cowboy alive.

When I left Oklahoma City to return home, I thought a long time about the cowboys I'd met and listened to, and I hoped more people would get to know a cowboy, and wouldn't simply watch this symbol of American culture from afar.