Marla: A Crawford Idol, a Lucky Fall and Love in the Air

Marla at the stockshow in January where she did hang out with bullriders (and really big horses.  Thus the mention in the print story headline. 

A Crawford Idol, a Lucky Fall and Love in the Air

All by Marla Bear Bishop – Fruitland Mesa/Crawford and beyond correspondent

Crawford Country showed the love on an icy snowy Sunday night following the Bronco win over New England, a night when everyone could have stayed in and gone to bed happily and early. The occasion was the send off of Jeneve Mitchell our hometown girl who landed the golden ticket to Hollywood for her try at getting the title of American Idol! What a party! Held at the old, new Mad Dog Café, a capacity crowd filled the beautifully decorated bar/ ballroom/ gathering place. Celebration at its best!

The evening was overwhelming for Jeneve, her mom and dad, who all expressed gratitude for the turnout. Delicious Mad Dog pizza, salad, garlic bread, drinks and a massive cake served to all courtesy of Liz Heidrick owner of Needlerock Mountain Realty and Land LLC. Liz was responsible for feeding an entire town and I kid you not, we ate a LOT! Actually Liz was responsible for the entire event including getting the word out! Thanks to Char for helping with that as well! At this writing I’m not sure of the status of Jeneve’s standing in the Idol contest, but I do know for sure that she is her town’s idol and she will go far in whatever her endeavors in the future. The girl is golden, humble and truly talented. Jeneve, break as many legs as that centipede we spoke of!  We love you!

Speaking of love, here we are! It’s the month of LOVE once again and the next humans that I want to share the love with are those that have tirelessly plowed a super path to my humble abode. I’d be trudging through a ton of the white stuff without Mike G., Rodger and his Mom, Pat and David H. Thanks to all of you for being such terrific neighbors and friends.  I know how fortunate I am to have you care about my well-being and I can only wish that everyone had neighbors like all of you. I don’t think I was able to mention this due to timing last month so it’s a loud shout out to other much loved neighbors, Syd and Keith, for taking such good care of hair-bearer’s in my absence and also to sweet Christy Y. She showered great love upon Santa’s Little Helper who spent some time at the warm and comfortable Real Estate Office in Hotchkiss when not stretched out on her couch and bed. More recently I had animal care extraordinaire provided by Gabi B. She reported having to sleep in a very crowded environment aka dogs wanted to be very close and she also thought the house felt a much- improved vibe over the year in the rear view mirror. That’s what it’s all about…noticing how life just keeps getting better.

Today I fell off the wagon. I guess I should say not “off the wagon” but off the truck bed and onto the hard barn floor flat on my back while loading hay into said truck. It’s only been a few hours since this incident and I’m already feeling about ten years older. I was laughing when I landed but not so much now. My fellow hay bucker couldn’t believe it and like anyone wanting to get the job done and over, peered down at me just laying there and helped me up with statements such as “ I’m glad I didn’t have to go find help to haul your ass outta here” and other niceties including but not limited to   “Could have cracked your head open if there’d been a rock around.”

Tomorrow I’ll take a very hot bath and do some stretching. Right now I don’t want to swell up and turn blue. I hope these equine that I live with appreciate what I go through to feed them.

On top of all that, I’m typing this with a giant blood blister on my pointer finger and a threatening blue fingernail with the yearly skin splits for good measure on several other digits …all of this courtesy of extreme cold weather and having to use an ax to break through thick ice to water the beasts twice a day. It’s all done with love, yes it’s true.

Sending love out to the one who said my hands were “sexy and a breath of fresh air” in a world of soft and manicured. Haaa! Cute.

As always, protect your beating heart but also give it freely. Love. Know who your friends are and who they’re not. Who is it that values your time spent with them and who is it that you want to spend your valuable time with. Get clear with all of this now; it’s the month of the heart!

Go forth with great strength, eat chocolate, slather yourself and others with sweetness!