In Sept., a trail ride came through Mason. It was a trail ride going from San Antonio all the way up to Dodge City, Kansas to mark the old cattle trail. When they came through Mason, the weather was very hot and humid, not pleasant to ride in at all. This picture is of Crystal Lyons, someone I love dearly. She and her husband, Ray, have a ministry to the rodeo circuit, and they have a church here called Harvest Mill. Crystal has a real annointing in her singing. She came out to do church for the trail ride on the Sunday morning after they spent the night in our local park. This is her young horse, Braveheart, who was challenged by all the activity he was exposed to at the young age of 3 years old. Crystal kept right on singing and teaching. Isn't it green? We'd actually had a lot of rain. The following pictures are some I got walking around the camp. 

Crystal cantering her horse whilst she sings. He bucked a few times and she never skipped a beat. 

Listening to Crystal. 

Praising God. 

This man was very proud of his stage coach and team. They were a lovely team. 

This is a mother daughter team with their mules. The lady on the left said she raised this mare mule from a baby. The mule on the right is the daughter of the gray mule. She was only 3. I admire people who ride mules. Mules make good mounts, but you have to know how to appreciate them. 

Max and mule. 

I loved this dog! I think he was a border collie-blue heeler mix. He was a pup, and he looked very smart. He was being a good dog waiting for his people. See how this wagon has all the comforts of home! 

Ze-doncs used to pull a wagon. Ze-doncs are half zebra, half donkey. 

Mule ready to go. 

Camp scene. Putting harness on the mule. 

This elderly couple was something else. They were into their 70's. I don't remember if they were going the whole way or not. 

Here's the backside of this couple. I asked them if they had red ribbons on because they kick. ;-) They said no, because they rode close to the wagon. 

This gal was a true Texas cowgirl. I could tell she loved her roan horse. 

An unusual brand, a Texas longhorn. 

Smooching on her horse. 

Like a quilt, people's backsides are often as interesting as their frontsides. Her pretty, long braid and colored shirt show this.

This gentleman looks very handsome and was proud to pose. 

Isn't this lady lovely? She makes such a lovely picture on her big black gelding. I think she was pleased I took a picture of her. 

As I said, like a quilt, sometimes people's backsides are as interesting as their frontside, and I think that can be said of this cowgirl. 

Last month, our county recieved the news that a mighty man of valor from our town, serving in Iraq, was killed. Matthew David Puckett was about a week shy of being 20 years old. The community took it pretty hard. I knew him and I know his mother who lives here. We often talked of Matt. My husband coached Matt in little league basket ball several years ago when Matt was younger. He was his mother's hero even before he went to war. Matt had been a hero last spring when he helped get his CO to safety. Amazingly, Sue, his mother was not bitter about the war. She spoke at the funeral, and the community acutally gained strength from what she said. She is proud of her son and what he did. We all are. There pictures were taken at Matt's funeral which was held at the local football stadium. This is my tribute to you, Matthew David Puckett, mighty man of valor. 

Officers that will honor Matt come onto the field. His mother will be presented with a flag. There were a number of soldiers there to honor him. 

The color guard comes onto the field. 

The local veterans come onto the field. 

The casket is brought onto the field.