Yee Haw 2

The search for used cowboy shirts proved fruitless (thank you, Becky, for your offer), but I did manage to pick up some cheapo bandanas and the costume above (purely for its shock value.) My kids, besides being discriminating, are also apparently unflappable. Instead of being horrified that I would suggest wearing such a ridiculous outfit, my desired reaction -- I only planned on maybe getting some use out of the hat and vest -- they actually argued about who would put it on first.

Sarabelle won.



Here are (clockwise from top left) our friend, K.; Sarabelle; Khan the Kelpie; and Sheriff Elle, on K's ranch, wearing their actual party clothes, heading out to the dance.



The dance was great fun, and yes, there was quite a large turnout. The corrugated metal hall had been decorated to perfection by Grade 6 and 7 students with hay bales, cattle horns, and a wide variety of native foliage. The Stumbling Mountain Goats took over after all the classes had performed their various reels and had everybody on their feet, including this reluctant dancer (but only when we were treated to a cover of The Soggy Bottom Boys' big hit, from one of our all-time favorite movies and soundtrack.)




And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy