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Sidney Iowa Rodeo

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Welcome to the Sidney Iowa Rodeo

Rodeo is an American sport, born and breed in the Great West. Tradition, patriotism, respect, and family values are celebrated at the start of every rodeo with the American flag and a tribute to the US military.

Opening of the Sidney Iowa Rodeo
Opening of the Sidney Iowa Rodeo
Saddle bronc at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo
Saddle bronc at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo

The Sidney Iowa rodeo is no exception and 2012 celebrated their 89th year with 339 cowboys participating in the five-day event. The talent and quality of stock was definitely better than what I saw the week before at the Wahoo Nebraska rodeo. While both were PRCA sanctioned events, Sidney takes it to a whole different level.

Sidney, Iowa Rodeo Sidney Original Vintage Postcard

Calf Roping at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo
Calf Roping, just look at the horse, he knows what to do

Sidney Iowa has a population of about 1,500 people and hosts more than 38,000 people during five days. To this small town come professional cowboys that are nationally ranked in the top ten and perform in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.  This meant watching a large percentage of full 8 second rides and few missed throws in the roping competitions.

Barrel Racing
Barrel Racing, times in the low 17 second range
Bull riding at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo
Bull riding at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo

 Learn More About Rodeo History

The RideArena Legacy: The Heritage of American RodeoCowgirl Up!: A History of Rodeo WomenRodeo History and LegendsBlack Cowboys of the Old West: True,Fearless Funnymen: The History of the Rodeo

Famous Rodeos and Cowboys

Bud Sankey to be inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame

… national finals in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding and now runs Sankey Rodeo Schools and Equipment in Branson, Mo.; Ike Sankey runs Sankey Pro Rodeo in Joliet, Mont., and contracts the livestock for some of the most famous rodeos in the world.
Cottonwood roper to compete in Red Bluff Round-Up Rodeo

“It’s one of the most famous rodeos,” he said. “It’s an awesome rodeo, the whole nine yards. It’s a rockin’ crowd, good announcers, good added money.” On the side, Davis trades horses. Since he spends all day on horseback he’s putting time and training …
Northern rodeos buck trend – Stock Journal

Carrieton is a tiny town but stages one of the most famous rodeos in the region. While Marrabel Rodeo is the oldest – the first was 75 years ago – Carrieton is the longest-running consecutive rodeo, and last December …
10 Top Tourist Attractions in Canada – Touropia

The Calgary Stampede, one of the most famous rodeos in the world, traces its origins back to the traveling wild west shows of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Stampede has grown over the years, today attracting the best …
Travel Online: America’s Wildest Rodeos

One of the most famous rodeos in the world, the Stampede features 6 major events: bull riding, steer wrestling, racing, tie-down roping, saddle and bareback riding, and offers payouts up to $100,000 in each category.

 

 

Girls Journey From Civilian to Marine: Letter #4

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Here is the last letter from Devil Doggery and her journey from civilian to a United States Marine. I really had to laugh at this letter as she sounded just like my youngest son in his last phase at boot camp. EVERYTHING was about food! I’m even going to compare the two letters. Here is an excerpt from her letter. (full one can be read here)

nutter butter
nutter butter (Photo credit: roboppy)

“And, again, I’m going to spend time talking about how I want to stuff my face so badly. You know what sucks though? I was trying to play exactly what I was going to eat as soon as I got home and then I realized… I’m probably flying into San Jose at like, midnight or later. And I could still go get something, but … I want Asian food and that  ain’t open that late. Or some In-N-Out… Mmm… But regardless, I’m sure if it’s that late, all I’ll want to do is pass out. And fortunately, I’ll still be able to get tasty snacks and such before then, because we have Liberty Sunday the day after we get back from the Crucible, meaning we get to wander the base and buy actual food, and a bunch of the other recruits said that their families would be willing to adopt me on Family Day (the day before graduation).

Either that or I figured I could mooch some treats off of them and then run off with some of the other orphans and have a bit of free time. Even though I’m a geek, so I find myself wodnering if there’s a bookstore somewhere on this base… LOL. I NEED TO READ THE SECOND BOOK IN THE CHAOS WALKING TRILOGY. Also, I would like to read Divergent. I think I just miss reading. And TV. Oh man, if I could, I would so just buy a pint of ice cream and a pack of cookies, (Chips Ahoy or Nutter Butters), and find a TV and just veg. That’s how I would spend my Liberty Sunday. Because I’m boring, LOL.

I want me some sushi and like, KBBQ and chocolate milkshakes and a burger and a donut from this awesome donut place in downtown Campbell, and banh mi from Lee’s, and Yogurtland, and EVERYTHING. I’m hungry. This needs to stop.“

Below is an excerpt from my son’s letter from last fall before he graduated from US Marine boot camp.

Liberty formation during a Marine Family Day
Marching in very formally with great ceremony

“Find a cheesecake place and pizza. Girl scout Caramel Delights are also on my snack list. Oh, and I’ll want to be stopping a lot to eat. One of the snack items is Eli’s Mama muffins, also cake, like back home, chocolate with vanilla frosting. Don’t forget Tammy’s Orero balls Swedish fish, beef jerky, snickers, and Twix.  Anything snacky. Bring my MP3 player with my songs on it, I seriously want to sing to the Carnegie Hall music”

It seems the topic of food is the number one discussion item in the barracks as boot camp gets closer to an end. If you don’t remember my son’s journey here is what he did actually eat on Family Day. It would impress the most serious competitive eater. We all stood in awe.

So in the end it doesn’t matter, male or female, they all crave the comforts of home, which starts with food.

This young women has most likely gone through the Crucible and is now a Marine. Graduation probably right around the corner. I’ll be interested in hearing her feelings now that boot camp is over.

Liberty Formation on Family Day
Liberty Formation on Family Day
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How to Prepare Corn For Freezing

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It’s the start of the sweet corn season and I really need to make room in my freezer. Our first batch was 18 dozen ears. I’ve been putting up sweet corn ever since I was little and shucked corn in the garage with my Mom.  It’s easy, shuck, brush off the silk with a handy little brush, rinse and put in bags.

I’ve heard that some people boil, cook, blanch, add sugar, salt etc. But there really isn’t a need for the extra work. Even nine months later corn on the cob taste just like it was picked out of the field.

Sweet Corn
Sweet Corn

It doesn’t take long before my freezer is too full and I have to start cutting corn kernel off the cob and bagging loose corn. I use a bundt pan, put the ear in the middle and it falls right in the bowl. Easy and fast, although with an electric knife it would be even faster.

For those who are scared of knives, or would like the kids to help shuck and strip corn there are safer tools than a big ‘ole honking knife.

Easy Corn Cutter Stainless Steel Cob Peelerzjskin New Peeler Thresher Tool Kitchen Cob Kerneler Cutter Stripper RemoverFantastic Job – Car Shape Corn Stripper with a Little StorehouseCorn Cutter Tool- EZ Creamer and Corn Sheller

But it’s Not nearly as fast as using a power drill McGyver style like below. Since I’m a little intimidated by power tools, I think I’ll stick to my method. But if you have a motivated man in the house this might be a way to get him to help out with the canning.

I rinse the kernels afterwards and let any silk and small pieces float to the top. My daughter loves to eat the pieces of sweet corn that stick together in chunks raw, very tasty and it’s tempting.

Sweet Corn
Sweet corn kernels ready for bagging

Now I have sweet corn in the freezer all winter and corn on the cob to enjoy all year round, just pass the butter, salt and pepper. We were lucky this year and a local farmer told us to just go on over to his sweet corn patch and take all we wanted. He had about an acre planted and shares it with family and friends.

I have a small chest freezer full of corn and I should buy stock in Ziplock bags.

Midea WHS-129C1 Single Door Chest Freezer, 3.5 Cubic Feet, WhiteZiploc Freezer Bag, Quart Value Pack, 40-Count(Pack of 3)

Since we love corn in our house it will definitely save on the grocery bill this year. Between my green beans from the garden and corn we will be pretty well set.

Sweet Corn bagged and ready for the freezer
Sweet Corn bagged and ready for the freezer

What is your favorite memory of summer? Do you have a favorite food to eat during the summer?

More About Sweet Corn

Iowa Icon: Sweet Corn | whotv.com

“There’s nothing like having that first cob of sweet corn to tell you that summer’s really here,” says Ray Kruse, a sweet corn farmer and one of Nair’s graduate students. No one would be surprised to hear that we love our corn.

Gourmet Galley: Get creative with versatile, sweet corn this summer

No matter our age, I think we all have a love for fresh corn. For years, I only knew of boiled corn slathered with butter, fresh corn soup or maque choux, or maybe I should say those were my favorite corn dishes. I also remember that all of them cooked …

Aw, Shucks. Who Knew Cooking Michigan-Grown Sweet Corn Could Be This …

What’s your favorite way to prepare fresh, Michigan-grown sweet corn? Comments + Leave a Comment. Debra Christy, Allied ASID July 22, 2014 at 01:08 PM. peel down the husk, remove e silk, butter and salt/pepper the corn, pull the husk back up around the …

 

Kids Have Fun Mutton Busting

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At many county fairs and rodeos in the Midwest and across the United State little kids line up to ride a sheep. To protect the sheep there are weight limits, normally under 60 lbs. It’s not uncommon to see boys and girls in cowboy boots and hats as young as four years old clinging on as life depended on it.

Normally the kids don’t make it more than two seconds when they topple off. But this little girl rode like a champ and was the best I’ve ever seen.

Mutton Busting at the Wahoo Nebraska Rodeo
Mutton Busting at the Wahoo Nebraska Rodeo
Mutton Busting
The secret is to cling like a tick, get low and hug the neck
Mutton Bustin or Sheep riding at the rodeo
This little girl was so good she had to be plucked off after 8 seconds
The walk of a Mutton Bustin Champion
The walk of a Mutton Bustin Champion

As the announcer said “If you want something done, just get a woman” Most all the kids had fun, most dusting themselves off and giving a big smile. A few got trampled, beyond what they expected, and a hug from Mom or Dad made everything right again. Most likely they will be back in line next year.

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