Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

No One Likes a Frowny Face

Posted Friday, September 30, 2011, at 3:02 AM

These are my bright sides. Gavin, Nathaniel and KaeLynn

I am pretty sure that frowny isn't a real word. But there is a song that children learn to sing with two very pertinent lines: "No One Likes a Frowny Face. So Turn it upside Down"

Frowny faces are everywhere! (Yes, I am posting another tiresome generalization!) We see them in the grocery stores, on the freeways, in the drive-thru lanes of fast food places. They have been spotted lurking in parking lots kicking tires or leaving notes on windshields.

About the only cheerful people on TV are those individuals who report the weather. They get positively giddy about approaching thunderstorms and cold-fronts.

I have been feeling like a frowny-face lately. Instead of counting my blessings, I have been caught grumbling about my lot in life. I have a job; a great husband and three wonderful grandchildren, friends and family. So what is my beef?

Oh my gosh! I am a frowny face! Quick! Turn me upside down! I hate losing my temper or thinking bad thoughts about people and I have even yelled a few choice words at the idiots who cut in front of me in traffic.

Sometimes it is very difficult not to have a frowny face. Doom and Gloom are everywhere. Some days, you just feel like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh! Your tail has already fallen off once and you are sure that it will fall off again.

Wait! There is hope! You can get your smiley face back by exposing yourself to the Bright Side!

The Bright Side consists of individuals who view their life as though their glass is half-full. They are cheerful even when they are in pain or worried. They carry the sunshine with them wherever they go and share it generously with anyone that they meet.

The Bright Side has children who are able to reach out and touch your heart with their sense of wonder. They are not afraid to give strangers their most radiant smiles! They find amusement in the simple things like; dirt, sand, crayons, coloring books and bugs.

They can make friends easily but simply saying, "let's go play".

My Bright Side are my three grandchildren. They light up the room when they come running into our home. Each one has been a blessing to me and my husband, David.

Sometimes it is your faith that keeps you on the Bright Side. Or being able to help someone else whose burden is far greater than yours.

Eleanor Roosevelt once quoted. "It is only the view from which you sit that makes you feel defeat, Life is full of many aisles, Why don't you change your seat"?

So today, I am changing my seat. I am not going to sit in the back row hiding dark or plant myself in the middle. No, I am going to march quite boldly up to the front row and make my presence known.

And if I cannot speak to inspire, I will keep my mouth shut. No more whine and cheese for me! I am turning my frowny face upside down!

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Good for you! Being up here has given me time to reflect on many things. I'll be posting more pictures and nice thoughts than negative, unless it's about protecting this wonderful place and places like this. Have a wonderful day Bonnie, and enjoy your wonderful grandchildren.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Fri, Sep 30, 2011, at 9:23 AM
Thank you. I intend on doing just that. Enjoy your trip.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Fri, Sep 30, 2011, at 9:51 AM
That's a good perspective on having a "bright side" to find. Also, I think people may just seem like they are frowning but really aren't. One day when I was at Penney's, I was concentrating on what I needed to get and someone that I didn't know said "cheer up" which surprised me because I wasn't unhappy about anything, I was just trying to decide if I could get away with new blue jeans for my Dad's third wedding.

Do you know who Eleanor Roosevelt was quoting about changing the aisle?

-- Posted by aussiecallen on Fri, Sep 30, 2011, at 4:46 PM
Sounds great Bonnie.... I'm so proud of you!

I believe so in the "Bright Side"

I've been told I live in a wanna be fantasy world. Well, my response was (to my x husband) "Well, it's my world, and I'm planning on living it, and taking the kids along for the ride" I continue to do just that, ... and have now included my Grandchildren, and I try to take whomever might want to join.

This doesn't mean that I don't see the other stuff. Oh yes, I do. Dwell on it? well, Frankly, yes, sometimes. And the world have given me intense joys along with it. With these, I"m able to KNOW the difference.

I lost a child years ago, and I survived that. There is NOTHING to ever compare. NOTHING. I KNOW I can live thru anything. Just one foot in front of the other.

I've walked away from people in my life, at times with regrets, mostly not.

In my opinion, Friends and Family are NOT here to make life hard. If they do, I generally walk. Doesn't mean that they can't arrive back into my life and be welcome.

I've had a favorite saying for most of my adult life

"This Too Shall Pass"

Everyone of my family and friends knows that this is my quote. If they are going thru hard times, I ask them "What's the saying?...." And they know

Another thing I've learned in the last decade, in kind of hard way, is that "You teach people how to treat you" It doesn't mean you have to be right, confront or anything else, just don't let it be part of YOUR LIFE. Walk. It's very empowering. Simple to do, and without doubt the most arduous thing in the world at times.

Life should be lived for yourself, and the rest will fall in just the right spot.

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Tue, Oct 4, 2011, at 11:28 AM
Thank you Jessie.

Eleanor Roosevelt was quoted for that little quip. So I guess that the credit goes to her.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Wed, Oct 5, 2011, at 10:05 AM
Yep, JYD, lots of times I have held steady on my stance ...and felt later that maybe I should have let go. Cuz at times, it just got worse. If I had let it go, it would have passed. Then I realize that it would have passed for everyone but ME. I just came to realize if I let it pass, it would come back again, IF I LET MYSELF BE TREATED THAT WAY. I have to thank my Mom and my Dad for raising me to know that I deserve to be treated with the respect that I'm also willing to give. And nothing less is acceptable.

Thanks for liking it!

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sat, Oct 8, 2011, at 11:37 AM

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