Wild at heart, the Secret of a Man’s Soul:

In his Dirty Harry film entitled “Magnum Force,” actor Clint Eastwood is famous for saying, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” With that iconic squint, he utters it right after the bad guy gets blown to eternity. Yet did Clint ever practice what he preached; did Clint limit himself to the easy way and avoid risk? We all know the answer—never. Does God call us to timidity or boldness and risk? We also know that answer—never! David would have never defeated Goliath without the courage of God within him.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

The title for this blog and TJ’s continuing story came from the book entitled “Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul” by John Eldridge. John spoke to the winning ingredients to an excellent movie for a man and most women: “Men want a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. That is what is written in their hearts. That is what little boys play. That is what men’s movies are about. You see it. It is undeniable.” ~ John Eldridge

Wild-Wild Horses

Last night I called TJ, the old bronc rider; he is a fast talker when it comes to his passion, riding wild horses for but a few seconds. My notes are a bit blurred from the speed of the conversation, and it demands TJ, and I have more. The result of our talk directed chapter two of the “Wild at Heart” old bronc rider. The initial question is, why? TJ is pursuing what I call TJ’s triple crown to qualify for three national events. I can only name one because my notes are so scattered, The Western States Nationals in Buckeye, Arizona. No one at the age of 50 has ever qualified for all three events—it is TJ’s holy grail. TJ is headed to Estes Park Colorado tomorrow to compete in the Senior Pro Charity Rodeo to earn qualifying points for the three National events. Then closely followed by the PRCA Oregon Trail Rodeo in Hastings, Nebraska, on August 20th and 21st.

TJ’s travel is far from luxurious; his budget is tight it includes sleeping in the back of his pickup at the rodeo grounds. He did tell me he has a second love; her name is Pamela Anderson, she’s a 1977 Lincoln Continental, she is a sweet ride and never lets him down. TJ says he needs to find a sponsor; entry fees and travel expenses have a heavy burden— so anyone who has some ideas or is interested in a free-will offering for the pursuit of the triple crown, pass them on. I mentioned a “Go Fund Me Page” possibly.

TJ and I have to connect soon, possibly in Nebraska. I need to concentrate on photographing his pursuit and writing his story—oh, and getting a glimpse and a picture of Pamela Anderson.

Two stanzas from a favorite poem of mine by Dylan Thomas ring out of the rodeo arena when TJ rides his eight seconds:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

A closing note, I am twenty-one years senior to TJ, and I say fifty is not old, but for riding wild horses it is; TJ wears the “Old Bronc Rider” branding as a badge of honor. TJ told me he tries to mentor the young riders with this bit of advice—when the horse wins, let him win and don’t hang on—you can end a career.

The Horse Wins

To be continued: