Crisp early mornings had arrived, the ones where you can see
your breath and hide your nose in your silk wild rag.
You’re busy inside getting all of the things ready for the
day. I grab his favorite bridle, a silver inlaid B/B bit, the headstall he had
been wanting since our weekend getaway to Cody, WY. A year had passed and the headstall still hung on the store wall. I just happened to have the extra cash and picked it up for him. Reins that had been braided
by his Dad when he sat quiet at Elk Camp listening to the rain make music on
top of the old tin camper.
He had loaded up the horses, and waited for me in the
driveway.
Don Edwards playing through the speakers and we both catch ourselves
singing ‘Coyotes’. We’re driving down
I-25 watching the sun rise together. Two
nice horses in the trailer we could have never been able to afford if we didn’t
start them ourselves.
Branding season has come and gone, calves
were doctored, young horses learned, and your older horses got even
better.
I will always be thankful for the sunrise and the burning hide that brings friends and neighbors together.