Cowboy Judy

I was not a huge toy person. My sister and I played for hours with paper dolls. I  loved it because it meant spending time with my big sister. We also played Ginny Dolls, my bride doll, and baby dolls. We would set up a house in the basement and play with dolls. The best part was that I was included with my sister and sometimes with her friends. 

Being transparent about my favorite playtime would include pretending to be a cowboy. Sometimes Sandy would play with me, and sometimes I would use my imagination to create my surroundings. The landing at the top of the stairs to the second floor was where cowboy me camped out at night. 

I had flashlights that made up the campfire, and a quilt to use as my sleeping bag. I would imagine the night sky and the whinnying of the horses tied to a tree for the night. It was usually dark at the top of the stairs, so this was nighttime in my pretending.

I would pause my pretending when Mom said it was time for bed for real.  When the light shining in my bedroom window woke me up, I would don my Jeans and tie a neckerchief around my neck. Next came my cowboy hat. I would mosey downstairs and saddle up my horse to ride the ranch. 

My horse was the yellow rocking chair in our living room. I would tie ropes to make stirrups and a harness with reins. I would hop aboard my horse and ride out to the pastures to oversee the cattle and make sure the fences were all in order. 

I could spend hours riding my horse and imagining what I saw as I rode for miles. It never failed to make me feel free and full of purpose. My visions had been fed by the fact that I loved to watch cowboy movies. I watched Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, The Lone Ranger, Gabby Hayes, and any other cowboy-themed movie I could find. 

My imagination was my best friend back then. I spent days riding the range and doing cowboy things. When it came time for dinner, I felt the good tired that comes with having a day filled with purpose and pride. 

Happy trails to you, until we meet again!

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