I’m benched. I injured my hip and I’m in a fair amount of pain which probably colored my flash fiction today in more ways than one.
My Dad was a pickup truck driving Montana cowboy. As a young man he made his meager living as a wrangler and he was a gifted horse whisperer. I grew up riding but truth be told, I was afraid to jump. I was raised on his optimism and cowboy wisdom. I could use a little of his optimism today.
This weeks photo prompt comes from Lauren Moscato.
You will find more Fictioneer Friday stories here.
When a Door Closes and Other Cowboy Wisdom
“Trust your mount”
Remembering my Dad’s cowboy wisdom I swallowed my fear and gave her a light rein, confident in her cadence and timing.
My gaze was in the middle distance.
“You won’t clear the fence if you’re looking at it.”
I felt the mare gather her hind quarters and we took flight. I sensed her hesitation before the rail clipped her forearm.
“Always keep your heels down.”
My boot caught in the stirrup and we fell, shattering my dreams along with my femur.
“I know Dad” I rolled my eyes, “when a door closes, God opens a window.”
“Nope, I was gonna say that some doors lead to no where. Let’s retire that English saddle.”
What's for dinner, Doc? 
Sorry you hurt your hip and hope you feel better soon. Words of wisdom are always welcome.
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Thanks, I’m a sad panda. 😦
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Yes, do feel better soon. Thinking of dad should help.
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Thanks Dawn.
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That was wonderful! I’m not exactly sure what an English saddle looks like but I have a good idea. LOL! I sure hope the mare wasn’t hurt when she missed the jump. I’m sorry you were hurt (even if it’s fiction). 😀
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No animals or humans were harmed. An English saddle is the type that you see in dressage and jumping competitions. They are low profile with no horn unlike a western saddle that cowgirls ride. My Dad was saying, “Stop jumping!”
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I wouldn’t think an English saddle would hold you on the horse very long and particularly when jumping!
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I hope you are feeling better! I grew up with horses too and am probably lucky that I could bounce a bit better then than now.
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Thanks Julie. I don’t bounce either any more but I wasn’t on a horse when I tore my hip.
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I didn’t think so, but loved the tribute and memory of your father and horses.
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery! 🙂
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Thanks Ronit. I never know if my Foodies are reading my food-less posts. I’m guessing you guys are always there for me regardless. 🙂
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Never trust a man who uses platitudes!
Good piece.
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Actually Mick, my Dad usually cloaked his advice in short stories with a moral nugget hidden inside. I think that comes from the Irish. I on the other hand am guilty as charged today. Platitudes are all over this post. Time heals all wounds. Ha ha
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Nice story, Tracey. Sorry about your hip, and hope you’re soon feeling better.
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Thank you Sandra. At least I have more time to write more platitudes while I’m mending.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
You have a knack for picking details from the prompt and never taking the obvious direction. For that you’ve won my heart.
I add my best wishes and platitudes for a speedy recovery.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I just can’t color in the lines. Oops another platitude.
Thank you for the healing wishes.
Tracey
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Great story! I’d quite like to try riding one day (just trotting along, nothing fancy) but I’m pretty sure I’d never want to jump.
Hope your hip gets better soon.
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Just beware that the horse often has other ideas about how your easy little ride should go.
Just do it.
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Now if you can write so well in pain…Imagine the possibilities when the pain is gone….Good one! Hope you feel better soon!
I was just talking about my Dad, this morning ,to my son…and reminiscing about his quirks and how i have inherited some of them…and the first post on my reader was yours and the anecdote about your optimistic Dad….Go on inherit all of his optimism..
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The acorn doesn’t fall very far from the tree.
My sons were so lucky to have my parents in their lives. I miss my Dad’s advice even though I poke fun at it.
Tracey
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I like the final statement by Dad. Great use of the prompt. Heal quickly Alicia
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What goes up, must come down.
Thanks Alicia, I don’t do well with rest and relaxation.
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Sorry to hear about your hip, but wishing you a speedy recovery!
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Thanks Dave. One of your desserts would make me feel better. 😉
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hey doc, get well soon! anyway, i truly enjoyed reading your story this week.
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Thanks Plaridel.
It is what it is.
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I find myself quoting my father quite often. I’m glad you felt well enough to write and to share your father’s wisdom with us. Heal quickly, my friend.
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Russell, I’m out of cliches but All in all, at the end of the day, it is what it is.
Ha ha , I had a few left. Thank you friend for your well wishes.
Tracey
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Great post! Sounds about like my last experience riding English. Give me Western any day. I hope you’re hip is on the mend!
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Right? Give me a quarter horse with cow sense and a western saddle any day. But People regret things they didn’t do.
😉
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The dad saw clearly, very wise. I hope you get well soon.
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Yes, he was very wise and I miss him dearly.
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Unique take on the prompt. Love the dad’s saying at the end. Hope your hip is feeling better.
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I seem to always pick the tangential point of view. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
🙂
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I read so much double-entendre into this story. Surely not the writing; I’m just a sad, sick man.
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Dave,
Sick as in ill or sick as in twisted? Either way, I’m surprised you could see a double entendre through the cliches. I wrote while in pain so who knows anything is possible.
Tracey
I went back and read my piece after your comment and yes I see your point. Ooo I just don’t think like that but thanks for burning that image into my brain. 😉
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I hope you feel better soon xx
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Thanks Elaine. Yummy vegetarian food will help me heal.
Tracey
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It will!! It does!!!
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I’m afraid sometimes something closes and nothing opens in return. Hope you’re feeling better soon, Tracey!
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Right Perry? Glad you get me. Thanks for the recent Tweet.
Anonymous Tracey
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Feel better soon.
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Thanks Louise. I’m pretty resilient.
Tracey
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Uh-oh – is your hip hurting that much? My sympathies – I had mine replaced years ago.
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I’m trying to avoid a new hip, Lizy. Thanks for stopping by. I liked your story and photos this week but I get frustrated trying to reply on your site. By that I mean I’m too lazy figure it out.
Tracey
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Tracey, I love all the details in this. I didn’t know there was a difference between English and a Western saddles. Your dad has wise words. I hope your hip feels better quick.
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Amy,
It’s never the saddle’s fault when you fall. A good rider can hold her seat on any saddle. He was just telling me to stop jumping which is usually done in an English saddle. I can ride both but I prefer a western saddle. Actually I prefer standing on terra firma. The last time I was thrown, the ground was very hard and I don’t bounce any more.
Thank you,
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
You see?
Look at all the comments above mine and smile. You may not bounce any longer and you may be down and semi-out for a bit, but do not doubt that it is temporary and that you have a gift for writing.
Question: Should it be foreleg as opposed to forearm? I don’t know and am not asking Google.
How was your flight back from Maui? Did you bang your hip on a palm tree?
Aloha,
Doug
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Hi Doug,
Forearm, because the actual muscles are named the same as human arm muscles in the front and leg muscles in the back as if the horse were standing. However foreleg does convey the point better if I’m not addressing a veterinarian. I’ll keep the reader’s perspective in mind and not over think it. Good call.
Surfing accident on the North Shore!
Actually I injured it in ballet class. (Stop laughing)
Mahalo,
Tracey
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Sorry to hear about your hip! I wish you a fast recovery! No fun when you health is not 100% for what ever reason it may be.
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Mark,
There’s bad news and there’s better news. The bad news is that you’ll be seeing us a lot this summer and the better news is that you’ll be seeing us a lot this summer.
😉
Tracey
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What a wonderful response to the picture. Sad that it ended in a closed door for the rider, but maybe deep down she’s relieved about that. I love the details of the jump, and the fall – brings it alive.
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I love the back story here, and the gentle reflection of your father-daughter relationship. Lovely.
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
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What a nice thing to say. My relationship with my father was special and I’m glad it shows.
Tracey
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I enjoyed the story. I agree with the dad. That English saddle needs to go. A little late for the leg though. Well done, 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne.
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