Television was stil new and a lot different from modern days. One thing liked to watch with my dad on Sarurdays was a rodeo. Oh so cool. Ioved how wranglers would race out of a gate, riding their galloping horse, swingind their lasso chasing a runaway steer.
I had a white cowboy hat and a cap pistol I’d play with outside after the show. Monday came and with it, recess. On the playground were big rubber balls, a basket ball or two and short and long jump ropes. I heard some yelling and spun around to see what was going on. Some 5th grade boys were teasing the girls. The boys grabbed a couple basketballs srom the girs and started to run off.
I knew just what to do. I grabbed one of the longer jump ropes, tied a quick lasso and ran after the kid. I twirled the rope obove my head. I got close to the runner and tossed. My loop snagged him. I stiffeded out, digging my cowboy boot heels into the dirt. The rope drew taught, the boy dropped. In less than five seconds I was on him. I wrapped the rope twice around his ankles, chinced a knot and held both arms up in the air. Done! New hogtie record. I’m the champ.
No one else joined my rodeo fantasy. The girls thanked me. The adult playground monitor made me look at the boy’s bloodied lip he got from his nosedive. After a forced and reluctant apology, I was sent inside for the rest of recess and worked on my cursive again then and for an hour after school.
There was a long-term benefit. I was banned from recess. For the rest of the year, I had to spend it and my lunch time sitting In my classroom. My teacher, Mrs. Wold, was wonderful. She had to babysit me but liked to spend her off-time painting. Her style was like Grandma Moses. Mrs. Wold let me paint alongside her. She showed me how to shade and more. I really appreciated her. She was also practical. She put me on the school patrol. I got to wear a leather belt with a strap that crossed my chest. On the strap was an official badge. I stood at the street crossings before and after school. I kept me out of trouble. At the end of the year I learned Ms. Wold had nominated me to be next years 5th Grade Captain of the School Patrol. That summer I went (for free) to School Patrol Camp in Brainard. So cool, but sooo homesick –my first time away from home.
