A Little Work Goes a Ling Way by Verna Kosydar of Alaska wins the Cowboy Boot Story contest that ended on May 29th. Her story of hard work and earning her spurs.
Verna can spend up to $200 on her new cowboy boots, thanks to the fine people at bootcity.com. We hope you enjoy her story.
http://www.cowboybootstories.com/2009/05/27/a-little-work-goes-a-long-way/
When I was 13 years old, and having a girlish love of horses,I wanted a pair of black cowboy boots with fancy stitches on the tops.My Dad was not well and had to quit working as a logger in Oregon.Money was in short supply. My Dad and I made a deal, if I could peel enough chittem bark to make money to put towards my new boots,he would take me to Salem, the biggest town near my home and we would buy my new boots! I really didnt mind peeling chittem bark, fighting the gnats and flies was the most irritating part of the job, I actually enjoyed climbing and peeling the tree, especially rewarding when large 1 to 2 foot strips would slip off. Drying the bark took some time , more so when we would get a week of rain common for Oregon coast weather.After weeks of peeling, drying ,chopping then bagging the chittem in gunny sacks, I sold my chittem at the local Mom&Pop country store. Skipping happily home with money in hand, most likely a whole 15 to 20 dollars.Waving my money at Dad grinning from ear to ear, begging for him to tell me if I had enough money and when could we go to the big town for my new boots?When all things fell into place Dad took me to Salem and found my new black cowboy boots with fancy stitches! I wore those boots everywhere! I didnt have a horse of my own but whenever I got the chance to ride I wore my boots with pride! I had my longed and worked for boots into my mid twenties, when I lovingly gave them to my little sister when she was 13 so she could use them while showing her horse in horseshows,which made another dream of mine come true through her, I always wanted to be an experienced horsewoman .She was great and won many blue ribbons in her horseshowing years.I always kidded her that it was all because of my lucky boots!After 36 years of raising a family of nine children,I finally have a horse! I have had my heart set on a pair of ProBaby Boots with some red on them since my horse has a red saddle blanket and after all ,Iam old enough to be a red hat lady.With fancy boots I could once again ride with pride!!
