Surf Wyoming 2021

WARNING: Neither Fr. Bryce or Kurt are responsible for putting cool ideas into the minds of those who are wild at heart.

Friday marked our annual Surf Wyoming adventure. This year's destination, Mirror Lake in the Big Horns.

You can't just call on any buddy for a mission like this. Ol' Kurt was the right man for the job.

In a nut shell, we saddle the horses and pack our paddle board into mountain lakes and conquer them. I figured there was no better way for Kurt to learn to ride a horse than with a 40 pound pack on his back. Chief and him did well. I can think of three major episodes where lesser cowboys would have turned back and walked home. Well done ol' son. You make me proud.

Once arrived we hobbled the horses and went to work.

Pumping up this 11' bad boy is no easy chore.

A short prayer to your guardian angel before mounting doesn't hurt.

Fortunately I'm an experienced mountain surfer. 

And we're off.

Looking good partner. You earned your hat today. Wear it with pride.

Nothing like a cold Coors Light to celebrate victory. 

My surfer inspiration Bear Woznick says that the most radical thing you can do in life is abandon yourself to the wild adventure of God's will. I would have to agree. Following God's will for us is anything but boring. It's an adventure. Sure it takes courage. But more than anything it takes faith. Faith that He has our best interest in mind and wants to help us become fully the men and women He has created us to be.

Just Do It

To begin to forgive from the heart, start to pray for the other person.

           https://youtu.be/xrDe4Q3ofZ0         

What not to say in a Homily

The trinity of Christ's authority on earth is Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium.

           https://youtu.be/sEGsbmzKcWk         

Wild Cat

 Celibacy is where's it's at!

           https://youtu.be/S2bq_SkPHp0         

Think

Today there is not so much a crisis of faith, but a crisis of reason. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Pray for us.

           https://youtu.be/zLxhnlUjnxo         

I AM

Through our baptism I AM TOO. 

           https://youtu.be/_M2If8fTR1I         

Heavy Ranchin

With the cows getting fat and the grass getting thin, it was time to pull the girls off the Raney Ranch. Working yearlings is no easy task, so I called my boys Greg and Zeke and brought in a couple of hands from EWTN.

Wyoming Catholic Cowboy Posse: Fr. Mitch Pacwa S.J., Zeke Zebroski, Ray King, FB, & Greg Hampson.

It's best to let your horse choose you. Chief walked straight up to Fr. Mitch. They couldn't have made a better pair.

Greg brought up ol' Skid for Ray. They always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

Knowing Fr. Mitch is a historian I wanted to show him this wall with ancient hieroglyphics dating back to 1975 A.D. I couldn't tell if he was impressed or not.

After the site seeing was over we went looking for cows. The terrain was far from friendly, steep hills with trees and rim rocks skirting every ridge top.

It took a bit, but Fr. Mitch was the first to see black. Getting them off the mountain and into the corral was another story.

Alls well that ends well. Special thanks to John and Sue Raney. Without their generosity, none of this would be possible. Sue, you bring a calming presence to the ranching world. John, what can I say... you have no quit.

We pulled the whole herd off of Raney's, taking four home and these three girls up to Ortner's. Ray and Fr. Mitch got to do the honors.

I like a challenge, but pulling seven heifers out of 50 yearlings on hot day in the mountains definitely tested my perseverance. Without a doubt, it couldn't have been done without our band of brothers. Each one brought their own set of skills, and each one complimented what the other was lacking. But the one thing shared by all was our Catholic faith. God's grace accomplished this mission, but it would have been wasted if we didn't do our part and saddle up. All things are possible with God. Thanks boys.

Indiana Jones

Keep looking Indy, Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant.

           https://youtu.be/J8CWqvOsRBU         

Hot Shoe

Mollie needed shod and I thought a professional job out the gate would suit her best. So I called around asking who guys recommended and they all gave me the same name, Voy Cox.

A native of Moorcroft, Voy is a veteran at shoeing, in particular hot shoeing.

Hot shoeing is more than warming up the shoe in order to shape it. It's main purpose is to mate the shoe to the hoof.

Once the hoof is trimmed and rasped, the hot shoe is seared to the hoof making a custom fit. At the same time the heat creates a callus around the inner sole of the hoof, which would be tender after trimming otherwise.

After that, it's pretty much business as usual: 4 nails to a side, clinch, and a final file.

Looking good Mom. Thanks Voy.

Turn and Trust in the Lord

Does the Lord punish us?

           https://youtu.be/a5IDUYAyNEk         

Cucs

This time of year I always day dream about cucumbers.

           https://youtu.be/dwMX-WT0Ohg         

Top 10

The grace of Jesus Christ is what everyone in this world is looking for.

           https://youtu.be/-A0yauUngSM