This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

BLOG: Rodeo and Yard Work

Fun at Hayward Rodeo and settling into the yard work and full-on Motherhood.

What a beautiful week it has been — this weather sure beats San Francisco, and even though my pals back in the UK are all basking in a two-day heat wave (the only two days of the year sun lotion is required, I believe) I know for sure Pleasanton cannot be beat for the weather. 

It is a shame the hills have already dried to a mustard color, but thank heavens there are so many gorgeous trees to make up for the lack of green. 

My family and our close friends took advantage of the heat on Sunday when we took a trip up to the rodeo in Hayward. What fun! We were lucky enough to arrive just as all of the Rodeo Princesses cantered down the big hill into the stadium. 

Find out what's happening in Pleasantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

How they hold onto their flag poles beats me, and all done while maintaining a perfect riding posture. The two kids rode their daddy’s shoulders while the announcer blasted over the speakers, and there was lots of excitement as the day’s festivities began.

Even though a medieval looking device is strapped to the boy horses' privates just to insure maximum bucking and rider launching, I was not too bothered by this – but sticking fingers in a bull’s nostrils takes the biscuit! It made me cringe. Surely they are mad enough already. 

Find out what's happening in Pleasantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

These ranchers sure have nerve to pull some of the tricks off; however it is amusing to know the animals come off the best in the longrun and you just know they are all loved and cherished. 

The foal in training who came on with its mama was the sweetest thing. It’s funny how the strapping cowboys in the stadium had a soft spot for it too. Big hats and tattoos don’t necessarily mean brutes and bruisers.

We had dinner after at El Jarritto on Main Street.  We were the only ones in there and the waitress was very accommodating; the food was okay.  We sat outside and watched the other locals milling around looking for a nice cozy outdoor table and relaxed in the shade while our food was prepared. 

Being a little bit of a procrastinator, I managed to only plant sunflower and nasturtium seeds with the help of the little munchkin last week. 

She loved popping the seeds into the holes and putting them to bed by covering them with soil; however she flat our refused when I needed her to get into the planter and sow seeds in the middle of the garden. She wasn’t digging it. A week later, her interest was piqued when two tiny green leaves sprouted and now I am sure she will destroy them all by over watering.

It is a shame my grandiose plans of creating a mini farmers market in my back yard turned into a pathetic show of two sprouts and a lot of cat muck. Don’t cats just love to do their business in freshly weeded and fertilized soil? Praises however go to the humming bird mama who successfully hatched her twins on Mother’s Day. They are probably going to be the only fruits of this year’s harvest.  What a joy it is to peek at these each day and what a great opportunity to teach my kid.  Yes Daddy, she is still eating her eggs and soldiers, despite her knowing what is inside an egg.

Glossary of British Terms

‘takes the biscuit’ – is the last resort

privates - male 'bits'

bruisers – burley, muscle bound men

cat muck – cat poop

eggs and soldiers – very popular kid’s breakfast – medium boiled egg with toast cut into thin strips for dipping

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?