Under the Wire

Normally I don’t write about a specific person unless they are dead. There are two reasons for this. One, dead people can’t sue you if they don’t like what you say. Two, I usually write those pieces as tributes to them after their death. A close friend and traveling partner, Fred Roselle and another cowboy I only met a couple of times, Chris Ledoux, were men I wrote about with the deepest respect. Today, I’m going to break my long standing rule and write about a man who is still very much among us. I hope I don’t get sued.

Ty Murray is probably one of the toughest and most talented cowboys ever to strap on a set of spurs. I have never met him. The closest I came was when his aunt came to our place once to buy some practice calves for her daughter. I doubt that qualifies us as close friends. Ty’s accomplishments in the world of rodeo are enough to convince me he’s one tough hombre. Other than similar wardrobes, no one would find much that he and I have in common. Until a few years ago, that is.

Unless the kids tied their spooky horse to your satellite dish or a tree fell on the TV antenna, you probably saw Ty Murray on “Dancing With The Stars.” If you didn’t see it or remember back then, the show combines inexperienced celebrities with professional dancers. The females tend to dress somewhat scantily. I always forget to notice what the males wear. Now, back to Ty. The show made me aware that he and I do have a few things in common. We dance the same.

Both of us assume the deer in the headlights look when forced to the dance floor. I’ve been told it looks like I have a broomstick wired around my spine. Some have suggested my posture is caused by a corn cob. Can’t get into any more details there. My sister-in-law asked me to dance at a wedding once. She told Sue I scared her. In a situation where someone spiked the punch, my dancing talents have expanded somewhat. Partners get harder to come by then. No one wants to dance rock and roll every dance, especially the slow ones. The Murray/Hodgson dance style may be caused by a few broken bones, pulled muscles or other lingering rodeo ailments.

Here’s where the similarities end. If I was placed on National TV with millions watching, there would be nothing to watch. I’d be frozen solid. Add to the problem a partner with no legally clothed spot to put my hands. Throw in two male judges, whose only injury has been a hang nail, to criticize my efforts. If that’s not enough, let’s have my wife, who talked me into this, then medical released out, sit near by watching my every move. I’m telling you, this Ty Murray is as tough as they make ‘em. It would be easier to tie on to Bodacious in his prime than do what he’s been doing.

Sue and I voted for Ty every week then. We’re not sure he liked that or not. He really did get better each week, too. By the time you read this he was sent home. I’m not sure if world class toughness can beat a bunch of un-rodeo type tough boys and gorgeous girls or not. It doesn’t really matter. Ty taught me to cowboy up and go do it!

Punch bowl or not, the next time the band cranks up, old Gary will be out there, scaring the heck out of everybody! Thanks Ty.