I'll wait

Finding the right words to express what I want to say to you is impossible. When I catch a glimpse of that smile, when I hear your laugh, when your eyes meet mine, I know what my heart wants. When I smile at you and you smile back I’m reassured that what my heart says is the truth. When I catch you watching me, I know you want the same things as I want. But I also know that right now isn’t our moment in time. You are going through a change in the world, starting over, remembering who you were. So I’ll wait, because I think you may be worth waiting for. I think that maybe, just maybe, holding onto my patience is going to be a good thing.

So take care of what you need to right now. Take your time and fix it all, I’ll wait. If you get to the point where you feel you can't continue remember I'm right here. If the light fades don't be afraid to ask for some help.

You and I, we are a longshot. If it doesn't work out in the end that's okay to. "What will be, will be" and I will say "I'm so glad I got to know you. I wish you love and luck."

Good Luck More, what you are going through doesn't destroy you, in the end you will have made the right decision. Keep on smiling and hold onto your Faith.

Becki Ann

The Corgis Diet

The corgis are now on an All American, all natural, doggie diet. I’ve struggled with Kodiak to keep his weight down; it’s been a losing battle. After a health scare last week I’ve decided it’s time to be an over protective mother. It’s going to be an interesting transition, but I have my vet on board so it shouldn’t be to horrible.

First thing is first finding an all natural dog food. I’m currently cooking for them. Chicken and rice mostly. It’s time consuming and I’d really like to find a good, natural, dog food to feed them. A trip to the pet store is in order, I’m thinking Blue Buffalo, or something along those lines.

Next comes the rewards, treats and rawhides. Treats aren’t a big deal, a couple of years ago I started making my own, all natural, dog treats. I’ve made some improvements to the recipie since then and the dogs really seem to enjoy them. But the rawhides are something I can’t make. The ones I’ve been buying locally aren’t made in America, that’s going to change. After hearing how a few local dogs got sick from these rawhides I’ve decided not to allow them anymore until I can find American made.

The vet had to take x-rays last week, to make sure Kodiak hadn't ingested something he shouldn't have. Not only did these xrays show his digestive system they showed his hips. As suspected he's developing hip dysplasia already. The vet suggested putting him on glucosamine and fish oil. So once his tummy has settled down he will start getting those supplements, along with Adalade just for preventative purposes.

After it’s all said and done I’ll feel so much better about what I feed my dogs, not that they care. My corgis are my kids and I don’t intend to feed them anything I’m not 100% sure about. As for the weight issue, the vet and I both hope that this will help Kodiak shed some pounds!

From the Saddle: Happiness in the Herd

The cold winter drizzle soaked through my coat, into my skin and bones. I shivered a little as I walked towards the round pen. The horses stood in the tree line, attempting to stay dry. I sighed as I walked through the gate and shut it behind me.

Sweet Cheeks whinnied a little recognizing the grain bucket in my hand. “Come on Sweet Cheeks!” I hollered after him.

He trotted across the field as I poured a scoop into the grain pan. Boo boo trotted after him, followed by the White filly. I poured them each a scoop and set the empty bucket into the tack room. I ran my hand across my saddle, smiled and grabbed a halter off the hook.

The White filly stood munching her grain happily in the rain. I smiled at her, the picture reminded me so much of the mare she’s named after. I ran my hand across her back and rump. She stood still chewing. I slipped the halter down around her nose and buckled it. She sighed.

We stood together in the rain as she finished her grain. I ran my hands through her thin mane. Happiness struck me hard as I realized things were beginning to fall into place. She sighed as I braided her mane. “I’ve got to be careful.” I mumbled.

The knowing that this could all be taken away over flooded the happiness. Remembering the heartache I’d been through just a few months ago didn’t bring tears to my eyes. But knowing that I need to keep my heart guarded stung too much. I began to hate the reasons why I have to do that.

The White filly wiped her nose on my jeans. Sweet cheeks stood behind me, patiently waiting his turn. Boo boo stood licking his pan, hoping it’d produce more sweet feed. I sighed as I realized no matter what the happiness of standing in the horse herd couldn’t be broken.

I undid the buckle and let the filly walk off. I scratched the grey’s forehead and rubbed Boo boo’s neck. Happiness flooded me again as I thought about More. I thought about the way he kisses me and silently wished for a million more of those moments. 

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Different Rounds

There are several different rounds that I talk about shooting. Adult league has two different rounds, Five spot and Animals. A perfect score on both rounds is a 500. Each end consists of five arrows and we shoot a total of ten rounds. Spot rounds are shot at 20 yards. Animal rounds are shot and varying yardages, we shoot two ends at 10 yards, 15, yards, 20 yards, 25 yards, and 30 yards. Animals are definitely the most challenging.

3D shoots are a little different and a whole lot more challenging, we shoot 2 arrows per end and 40 ends, making a perfect score a 400. Yardages are "unknown", we are lucky enough to have a large enough range we can shoot up to 50 yards. There are also a few little tricks, a horse, balancing trampolines, side hills, stumps, simulated ground blinds, and tree stands. It's definitely a challenge, and is for sure the most fun!

Keep the Faith

Just remember that God won’t take you through something he can’t protect you through. Keep the Faith and in the end things will be better then you could have ever imagined.

Not only a note for me but a note for all my friends struggling right now, I keep you all in my heart and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Dear Cupid, I'll give you free lessons!

Dear Cupid,

I feel it’s time for us to converse once again. Archer to archer here, you really need to work on your aim. As an archery instructor I’d like to give you a few pointers, heck I'll even through in a few free lessons!

First off if you drop your arm your arrow is going to hit low. We’ve seen this in the number of assholes you’ve sent my way. Don’t drop your arm any more, pretty please.  If you flinch while releasing, your arrow has a high chance that it’s going to hit high. I’ve yet to see this, I imagine if you were doing this specifically you’d be sending some pretty intellectual guys my way… Again I don’t think this is your problem. Your grip on the bow is very important. If you torque the bow it’ll fling your arrow to the left or to the right, usually causing you to miss, in my case it usually causes my arrow to fling into the wall. If you get really close to your target it doesn’t make much difference, we are talking really, really close, like five yards. I think this is your major problem; you’ve really missed a couple of excellent choices lately. But don't worry, maybe we will get a second shot at them! If they are like mulies they run in a pattern.

So now you are wondering how to fix this problem, right? Well first off I’ll show you your targets, then I’ll get you really close so that the torque isn’t such a problem. When we start to add some yardages I want you to make sure you are using the correct pin on your sight, if you use the wrong pin your arrow could hit high or even low, and well no more low shots please. Don’t drop your arm, otherwise we’ll be in trouble.

Don’t be nervous I’ll be right there with you through it all. We will turn you into a top notch archer! One who can out shoot me! Hopefully it won’t take to long either.

See you soon for your lesson!

Love, Becki

Catching Up! The New Life & A Bowhunter's Legacy

February has been one crazy month, already! My family made a heart wrenching decision ...  it seems like the right answer for now. A couple of my shooting buddies are going through hard times, my prayers are with them, I've been through what they are going through and I don't wish that upon anyone else.

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I lacked a Valentine this year... so I bought myself a gift!

Two years in a row I've lacked a Valentine. Oh well, just means God needs a little more time.

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My home shoot was this weekend. My Friday night score isn't even worth mentioning. It was rough going. My shoulders and chest were aching, probably from the bronc ride I received earlier this week. I started the half with a 121, it went down hill from there. I came in DEAD LAST... sigh.

Saturday I shot with a little more enthusiasm. I shot out of spite, and spiked my scores. My score was 238. I'm still not in the 300 range. Arie is still fighting me, and I'm afraid that once I change her string and cables she'll be even more spiteful, I guess we will see since M.C. Promised me we'd get it done this week.

The Reappearance

 Yesterday as I was driving home from the hospital I noticed my buck is still hanging around......

Please pardon me while I take a short break from blogging. My family is currently struggling through a decision. It'd be best for me to stay focused on them... I'll be back when the sailing gets smooth again...

The New Life: Nightmares

The nightmares are what hurt the worst, and a new one has appeared. One that I wish I knew the meaning to. It starts on the highway into town, around the middle of town, where the asphalt meets the bricks I lay my Soprtster down and slide down the pavement. There is a rush of people. The paramedics fight through the group; they get to me, scope me up and rush me to the hospital. The dream goes black but I can still hear voices, “She’s tore up pretty bad.” It’s Dr.Rolls’ voice. I struggle to open my eyes and there sitting on the edge of the bed is Bowman. He smiles at me as I wake up. I start to cry and feel pain radiating. “It’s going to be okay Honey. The pain stops. You are going to be alright, I promise.” He whispers as he strokes my cheek.

Last night was the first time this dream has appeared. I was still struggling with the one from earlier. They have two shared concepts, the motorcycle and Bowman. They both hurt me, but this newest one I think hurts the most. I’m not going to read anything into the dream… I just hope it’s not forewarning I’m going to wreck my bike…

A Bowhunter's Legacy: Still shooting 300s

The first time I broke 300 I never expected to do it again. I was used to shooting great scores then dropping back to the bottom of the barrel, however it’s remained consistent. I’ve shot four scores in a row all over 300. What’s changed? Good question…

I’m still shooting the Parker side kick extreme, in pink of course. I haven’t adjusted the draw length, it’s still 26 inches. The poundage is still hanging at 55. My arrows are still 28 inches, even though they are now a menagerie of brands. I’m still shooting my wrist release, simply because I was ordered not to switch back to the handheld… and I’m still listening even though he’s gone. My rip cord is still holding up to the abuse. So what’s changed?

My sight, a couple of months ago I bought a TruGlo Micro-Brite sight. It’s a simple 5 pin micro adjust sight; however I had one hell of a problem getting enough up and down in it. In the end it all worked out for the best. Because I couldn’t move the sight up any further and I was still six inches high I adjusted my nocking point, peep sight, and d loop. Guess what it did, sorted out my all over problem.

Of course I shoot best when I stay focused on shooting. I switched back into a WhisperLite peep sight. It has a larger view in it, I’m able to see all of my pins without adjusting my anchor point and the black fingers keep the other archers on the line out of sight. Now if I can get over trying to wrestle the pin to the center I bet you I’d jump my scores once again.

I’m changing the strings out on my bow. I’ve shot with the same string and cables for over a year now; it’s time to change them out. I would really rather wait till off season to do it, but the string has started to fray where the peep sight is. I’m not comfortable shooting it any longer. I ordered a custom made string and cable set, in black and pink of course.

I also ordered a half dozen of the Ted Nugent Gold Tips. Most of my pink v3s are broke, I’m down to three. I love the v3s and in the end I’ll probably end up going back to them. But I figured I’d give Mr. Nugent’s arrows a try, after all I hear he is an Archery God (catch the sarcasm?)

A broken, shattered, heart finally healed and placed with caution in the palms of another, hoping this time, maybe it will be cherished forever.