Oh What a Night! ( Finale)

Dear Readers,
In honor of the one year anniversary if our "unscheduled overnight on the PCT" I will be re posting the story one segment each day for the next week. If you read about our adventure last year...please feel free to skip it. If you have NOT heard our story before...you might want to take notes...cause we never thought it could happen to us either ;)

The adventure of a lifetime is over for "The 3 Amigos" ! We have seen each other at our worst and best. It is the best that I want to focus on now.

It has been 2 weeks since our "unscheduled overnight mountain stay" and I have finally stopped getting teary when I think about almost, possibly, could have, knock on wood, killed my horse and favorite cousin! ( not in order of importance) The Bossman is too ornery to die on one of out rides!!!

In no order at all...

I want to honor Bronco Betsy or Baby Doll as she is now known in some circles! ( Better than "She who rides many ponies!) This PONY COUSIN has been joining me in the desert now for the last several years as a temporary "snowbird". She started out riding stable rentals...and was so excited her 2nd season when Spanky upgraded her to ride Banjo! Banjo is Tennessee Walker who is not a beginner horse...Bronco got to ride him again this year after Jesse had his owe toes!Bronco and Banjo on our last ride together...notice the Pendleton Saddle pad and halter and lead, This is not "stable" issue!!! Has Baby Doll become the Bossman's favorite PONY COUSIN???

To Baby Doll...I know we scared the "chalupa" out of you more than once on our adventure! What I want you to know... is this: You just experienced one of the most frightening experiences that will EVER happen to you!!! And you did it, YOU cowgirled up when you needed to and did what you had to do! Unless someone rides exactly what you did, they will never know what the terrain we had to ride was. The Bossman and I know...and are proud to award to you...Baby Doll

The Desert Rose, Red Badge of Courage Award! You have earned this award for going above and beyond the call of "cowgirl duty"!

To The Bossman! Always ready to stand up and fight for a PONY COUSIN, especially the Desert Rose in time of need! For ALWAYS being a gentleman and never asking for a "blow job" no matter howfuckingcold you were!!!

To Jesse... I could not have said it better than Cowgirljlynn at A Cowgirlsgrace who dedicated Jesse this special award to Jesse!
And finally last but not least...I dedicate this award to Baby Doll and The Bossman! Alas, this PONY COUSIN has stolen the Bossman's heart away from The Desert Rose during our "unscheduled overnight mountain stay" Although I was somewhat involved in getting him his 1st "blow job" on a trail ride...I was not DIRECTLY the one who gave it to him. As Baby Doll stated in her blog...she is pretty sure she is now The Bossman's favorite PONY COUSIN!!!
I also want to thank...Slick the "Drunken Stallion" and "Little Lady" ( Pretty Girl)(soon to be "My Girl"...yes stolen from "PONY GIRL") who amazed me at their dedication and perseverance in getting us all home safely!!!
You Desert Rose!

I've Been Branded!

A few weeks ago...I was Branded!!! I know that immediately some of you are thinking...hmmm, SCARLET WOMAN ??? GANG MEMBER??? SAILER??? HEIFER THIGHS???

Actually my Sissy COWGIRLJLYNN honored me by bestowing her and The Kings award, Your "One Rockin' Cowgirl!" Sissy CGJL wrote a very glowing description of why she believed I deserved this award. Yes... I will trade mounts with any Cowgirl who needs a break from her naughty equine...or whose anxiety may have reached her limit! I have worked real hard with Little Lady this summer to get her use to the PNW and all things green here. She was a real Rodeo Monster at the Pony Cousin Stampede and had never done any of they events until that weekend. She was attacked by a big blue tarp that got caught on her front hoof and even though there was a very frightening reaction she listened to me and regained control and became calm so I could dismount and "kill" the blue tarp monster! She has led almost every ride I had this summer, met her 1st Llama (LOL) and has gone out on trail rides all by herself!

However...5 years ago...I was having a hard time with my confidence and just like some of you was a very anxious rider. With Jesse's help and my determination to get through this...every year I have gained more confidence and experience.

I thank my Sissy and The King for this award...because I have worked very hard for 5 years to achieve this result!

I have been branded...

One Rockin' Cowgirl!!!

Your Desert Rose!

Disorderly Conduct Award!!!

Pony Cousin Disorderly Conduct Award!!!


I am so proud to have received this award from my Pony Cousin, Saddle Mountain Rider! She bestowed this award upon another Pony Cousin and myself for conduct BEFITTING a Pony Cousin! Both of us went way above and beyond the call of duty to "Cowgirlthefuckup" ( 25 cents in the cuss jar!)and just do it at our last "mini" pony cousin gathering!
I cannot divulge exactly what went on but some one yelled out...that's it...ride me hard and put me away wet!!!
Your Desert Rose!!!

Her Majesty "Reins"!!!

Your Desert Rose!

The Desert Rose Red Badge of Courage!

The Red Badge of courage is awarded exclusively by the Desert Rose or Jesse to those who show true courage when faced with a situation and must "cowgirl/horsethefuckup" (25 cents in the cuss jar) and just do it!

This last weekend those of us Pony Cousins lucky enough to have a horse or 2 got together for a couple days of rides. That is a different post...this one is to say that Dusty Devoe and her trusty Dusty had a parting of ways at the end of our 1st days ride. You know the statistics...most accidents happen less than 5 miles from home or in this case 5 minutes! Fortunately she was not hurt badly but did need some stitches and has a bad bruise on her back side. She did however get back into the saddle for our 2nd days ride for about 3 1/2 hours. I know she was nervous but she rode anyway. This had been her fist time to go off a horse!

2 stitches in that big fat lip of hers!

Yup...never wear your cell phone on the back of your belt...the side is your best bet for a no bruise fall!The cell phone did not fare so well...it will need major face reconstruction!!!

So, to Dusty Devoe... Jesse and I proudly award to her...

Your Desert Rose!

The Cowgirl Spirit Award!!!

Hay...all you Cowgirls!!!

In case you did not know, I have been ever so busy in my bi-yearly migration to the PNW from the desert!!! It is a very difficult trip for My Loving husband and me..Oliver and Suzy Q, and then this year 2 horses!!! Shortly after we arrived to the PNW we had a 6 day trip to the east coast and them to CA for a wedding! Today was...Saturday Grandparents day and 4 of our lovely grandchildren were with us today!!! I will post about this later!

I want to thank my Sissy Cowgirl Jlynn who bestowed upon me the "Cowgirl Spirit Award"!

Thank you Sissy for this great honor!!!

Your Desert Rose!

The Red Badge of Courage!

Jesse and I would like to thank all of that you joined up with our posse to go get those bandits that stole my "King Ranch" hitch cover. It's not easy being in the saddle 20 miles a day and you did not even bat an eye when I mentioned the grub you would be getting! In appreciation for your bravery and kindness to help out a cowgirl in distress, Jesse and I would like to award to you:

The Desert Rose Red Badge of Courage!!!

To: (In order of joining up with the posse!)

Paint Girl!

Heart of a Cowgirl!

Blue Eyed Tango!

Dusty Devoe!

Leah Fry!

Jane Augenstein!

Saddle Mountain Rider!

John & Regina Zdranvich! ( although John does pose a problem for the rest of the cowgirls!)

You all give me faith in living "The Old West" in today's world. There was a wrong done... and you would not stand for it as you live and breath!

John...you do pose a problem, either you don't go on posse, or Regina has to share you as all the other cowgirls that are giving up a "cowboys arms" to ride with me! REGINA"S CHOICE!!!

Your Desert Rose!

PS The Desert Rose Red Badge of Courage is not an award that gets passed on, you must EARN IT from The Desert Rose or Jesse to proudly post it on your Blog!

Jesse's Saddle Bling Award!

Jesse's Saddle Bling Award!
Dedicated to Cowgirls who Love Bling!

Jesse has decided that he wanted to do something fun for all those cowgirls out there that love bling the way his mom, The Desert Rose does! This award is a picture of the stir up on his saddle.

These are the rules...once you receive the Jesse's Saddle Bling Award you must post about your favorite 3 bling items for your horse, 3 for your house and then 3 for you! Please include pictures when you can. Then pass this award to 3 new cowgirls who love bling! Yes you can be fancy and link to posts and all that stuff but don't worry if you don't. Just pass along the love of bling! don't forget to let your Bling Cowgirls know of their award!

I will start off the award by posting "our fav bling" items ...this will be hard cause I am the bling queen so, Jesse's bling first!

Horse Bling!

1. Jesse's hair on hide halter

Jesse was very proud to model it for us!

2. Jesse's Red and Turquoise Head Stall

Jesse does NOT look happy about modeling his new bridle...we had just returned from a 5 hour ride and he must have thought he was going to have to go out again cause sometimes, mom or The Bossman needs him to "cowhorsethefuckup" (25cents in the cuss jar) and just go out AGAIN!!!

3. Jesse's Pendleton Saddle Blankets!

This way Jesse and his Desert Rose can always match outfits!!! That is if The Bossman emails me to see what blanket I want. His rule is...the blanket on top is the one he uses when saddling Jesse for me. My rule is...he should email me the night before so I can plan Jesse's and my matching outfits! How in the world could I know what I will want to wear...2 days before the ride and leave on top the blanket I "may" want??? Silly Bossman!

House Bling! ( PNW)
1. Portrait of My Beloved Major Special (George) A Major Bonanza Son

2. Calf Hide

3. Tooled Leather Banquette with Star Conchos

Cowgirl Bling!
1. Hand tooled "Cowgirl" Belt



2. The Lazy J Brand Necklace

3. The Desert Rose Belt

Jesse is honored to pass "Jesse's Saddle Bling Award" to

Pony Girl...this cowgirl will post about "Bling" she does not even own yet! She has spirit and spunk and is willing to go the extra mile for "Bling"!!!

Heart of a Cowgirl...this cowgirl is a mom to all sorts of critters! She is soooo talented, creating "Bling" for the rest of us to oooh and ahhh over!

Saddle Mountain Rider...this cowgirl is not always "politically correct" with her "Bling". She will put a HOT PINK halter on a gelding or dress her horse up like he is an aging ROCK STAR! Cousin...what part of "COWGIRL" don't you get??? She gets extra credit for sewing the ROCK STAR outfit herself for both herself and her horse!

Congratulations Cowgirls, pass on the bling!!!

Your Desert Rose!

"The Honest Scrap Award!"

Yes...I do believe that Palomino Girl from "Life on the Farm" really just wants all my "TRAIL BOSS" secrets and that is why sent she this award over to me, The Honest Scrap Award! Honestly...I have been sooooo busy with all the little colts and filly's running around me that I could not get the post together till now. I do thank Palomino Girl...and may give up a trade secret or 2!

Here are the rules, if you have been chosen:

1) Write a post (on your own blog), announcing that you have received the Honest Scrap award. Be sure to mention the blog that conferred the Honest Scrap Award upon you. Add the Honest Scrap Award graphic.

2) Choose at least seven blogs that you admire. List these (with links) in your Honest Scrap Award blog entry.

3) Visit the blogs you have selected, and leave comments to let the floggers know you have chosen to honor them with the Honest Scrap Award. Include a link to your blog post in each comment.

4) Visit the blog that offered you the Honest Scrap Award, and leave a comment with a link to your post.

5) List ten honest things about yourself. Try to have fun with this one, and include facts others may not already know about you.

6) Display the Honest Scrap Award proudly on your blog sidebar.

I hope by now everyone KNOWS that I am not that technically gifted and do not have "Sares" here to help me like she does for my "TWIN" Sissy's, so will not be able to add links ect!

1. I was amazed at how "Mother Nature" just stepped in and helped me find myself as a Zsa Zsa. I already had 5 grandchildren that I love dearly...but the fact that the Rosebud became a mommy seemed to put me in the natural order of things. I went from a Mom to Zsa Zsa in the "circle of life". I have even gone to the grocery store with out make up on...once! Jesse, however would "spook" if he ever saw me without make up!!!

2. I am very blessed to be married to my "Loving Husband" who taught me it is better to give that receive!

3. Sometimes my health issues become overwhelming and I just have to take a day off from the world. I have stopped feeling guilty or lazy about it. I try very hard to listen to my mind and body's signals! I could do more I am sure to manage my symptoms...but even when I am very good, I usually don't feel any better.

4. I tend to be a "LONER"!

5. The older I get, the more I don't want to spend time with people or things that don't interest me. There have been too many requirements in the past that I was obligated, invited, and yes...guilted into doing. I allow less of these things to take up my precious energy!

6. I know that before I lost my first horse George in a tragic accident...I had never really known what a broken heart felt like!

7. I am happy with the results of any task I do as long as I know I have done my best at the time of doing it. I do not look back and cry over spilt milk, I can not change the wisdom or skills I had in the past, only the future!

8. I do not get to see my parents as often as I would like too. I wish I lived closer to them so I could run over for a cup of coffee with my mom....or have a glass of whisky with my dad! I hardly ever get to spend time alone with either one of them and I do miss that!

9. I believe we are all connected by our energy. Some people have good energy...the ones you look forward to being with, others have bad energy...the ones that drain you. I am careful around the draining energy so as not to have the negative flow attach to me. I bask in the positive energy and soak it up while I return the favor to it's giver.

10. When I am an Old Woman I will ride with my sisters and remember our childhood with laughter, remember our children with joy and our husbands with love while we blaze the new trails ahead of us!

I pass this award to:

Cowgirljlyn

Lovelieghtreasures

jane Augustein

A cowgirls life

Paint girl

Heart of Cowgirl

Amamda's Veranda

I look forward to learning more about you!

Your Desert Rose!

Your Desert Rose!

THE PONY COUSIN COWGIRL UP AWARD!

I am very humbled to receive this award from my PONY COUSIN...Saddle Mountain Rider! She said too many kind things about me in her recent blog, I hope it wasn't her "Jack Daniels" talking again! Here is the award...just like a PONY COUSIN to dress sexy and shoot off her guns before she asks any questions! WE TAKE NO PRISONER'S!

THE PONY COUSIN "COWGIRLTHEFUCKUP" AWARD! Yes...(25 cents in the cuss jar!)

Ok...Saddle Mountain Rider did not put it quite that way...but she KNEW I would! When the PONY COUSINS were growing up...I was the baby of the group! ( well the baby of the PONY COUSINS) They were pretty hard on me. They made me ride the oldest, without saddles, jiggy horses you can imagine. Once when I was a baby they took me on a ride that gave me a BIG BLISTER on my tender little butt! Another time a cousin took me on a trail so steep that we had to unsaddle the horses and ride bareback cause the climb was too much for them. Then...I got in trouble with her from her DAD when we got back to camp with 2 wet, tired horses! Oh the stories I could tell you about my PONY COUSINS!

But then we grew up and all had family's of our own. We would see each other once a year at our weekend long family reunion camp out. 17 years ago...(yes 17) we decided to all get together for one weekend a year. We rotated "host cousins" and were known as "THE GOOD TIME COUSINS". Then one year I invited them all to come to the desert for our get together! Because I was cowgirl...I set up a ride for us all into the canyons in our backyard! We all had the "poison of our choose" added to LEMONADE in our horn bags. I had worked with SPANKY to select the proper (rental) horse for each cousin, The TOYBOY had made wonderful Horse D' ourves for us to be packed in Jesse's saddle bags. We had a wrangler to lead the ride and I rode drag with Jesse. Now...they all asked for a "nice" horse! Hee Hee...the stables has the following sign posted at the office;

We have HORSES for folks who have ridden a bit,

We have HORSES for folks who have ridden a lot,

And for those folks that have never ridden before...we have HORSES that have never been ridden before!!!

One cousin emails that she will need to be mounted...for her ride. I tell her no problem...I have plenty of cowboys here that would be HAPPY to mount her! One cousin is so worried about her "LEMONADE" that she neglects the warning of knees and palm trees...woops there goes another knee in the palm tree! I don't know if it was the "LEMONADE" , the desert air or the horses but one by one they have all been infected with the horse bug...and even passed it to their daughters!!! The PONY COUSINS now boast 13 ( give or take one for maternity leave) and one we are getting ready to induct??? Plus there are 3 "future" "PONY GIRLS" that have been in the saddle, a newborn and one on the way!!! Are we a lucky bunch or what!

I have absolutely no guilt for infecting the "GOOD TIME COUSINS" with the horse bug!!! It is the best gift I have ever given anyone and I am soooo happy to have given it to them, because I love them all dearly!

THE PONY COUSINS...minus the one's taking the pictures...or passed out! 2008

Look to the left of the blog to meet the PONY COUSINS!

Your Desert Rose!

Lemonade of a Different Flavor!

My niece, Pony Girl passed the Lemonade Stand Award she received from her friends at Fern Valley Appaloosa, There is a Horse in my Bubblebath and Cheyenne, to me... her "lemonade of a different flavor" mentor! Down here in the desert lemonade is code for "cowgirl courage"! Frozen ahead of time... a bottle will stay slushy for several hours on the trail.

Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.

6. If you are The Desert Rose you may skip rules 3 and 5 as they are way beyond your skills!

1. I must pass this award on to my PONY COUSIN, Saddle MT. Rider, who is the matriarch of the Pony Cousins, which means she is the oldest of this group. She encourages us to be the best we can, keeps the Pony Cousins get togethers at the top of all our lists and in spite of her physical limitations has gotten back into the horse world! I do believe she prefers Jack over Jose.


2. To my niece Paint Girl and her "cowboy" who have over the years created a wonderful enviorment for their 2 horses, several goats, dogs and cats! Pony Girl's boy lives there too. And for her courage and determination with her equine love to work through "their" issues. But most of all when her hard work payed off and she won the title of "Rodeo Queen" at our Pony Cousin stampede last summer!


3. To Heart of a Cowgirl whose beautiful jewelry designs are just what every cowgirl needs, and she is a desert cowgirl too. Oh...and I just love her BUNNY'S!


4. To Back at the Ranch another desert cowgirl who by the way also designs jewelry! I love reading about other desert cowgirl's adventures and this cowgirl goes looking for adventure!




5. To Palomino Girl...Pony Cousin and the "new mommy" in the group! She "cowgirledthefuckup" (25 cents in the cuss jar!) and rode with us safely last summer preggers! (Dr.'s approval...no lemonade!) She rode till she could not get up into the saddle...I think that was just before they wheeled her into delivery! It was a FILLY!


I am a new blogger and searching out blogs to follow so this is the end of my list. Right now it's all I can do to get a decent post sometimes but I do look forward to keeping track of a few more soon!



There are many kinds of Lemonade, my personal favorite is named for my best friend Jose! You can buy it virgin, straight, premixed, premium mixed or in little individual serving size. If I am riding with a large group of "BUCKARO'S" I usually buy it straight, that way a "BUCKAROO" can add the poison of their chose to it! My everyday choice is the premixed! Just pour it into your water bottle and freeze! A few of my friends LOVE the premium mixed! I personally do not, there is an added ingredient that makes it nearly impossible for me to mount or stay mounted...on my mount! Then there is the individual servings that one must cash in a savings bond to buy! These come in GLASS bottles and go clink, clank, chink along the trail and alert the park ranger's you are drinking and riding!



This is what happens to you when you drink and ride...and get caught! Recognize a certain blond PONY COUSIN with her hands hand cuffed behind her??? Guess she learned the hard way...just don't get caught! See the cousin laughing at her??? Yes, this is the loving bond we PONY COUSIN"S have for each other when it comes between a cousin and her LEMONADE!

Notice that the blond PONY COUSIN has had too much LEMONADE, she is starting to take of all her clothes! She must be too hot ( or thinks she too hot) or thinks it's time for her table top dance!
Notice how this BLOND PONY COUSIN is leaning to the left...must have been that premium mix in her water bottle!


What ever your choice of Jose is... Jesse, Jose and I wish you many happy trails!


Your Desert Rose!