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My First Full Time Job
Ahh.....the (aroma) thought of my stable days...what (fowl) fond memories. In the 70's, we must of had extra
time on our hands or extra money, as my father's bright idea was to purchase horses for entertainment.
Let me tell you, at thirteen years of age, it was my first FULL time job.
The Air Force Base father was stationed at in Arkansas had a 60 acre stable
area, housing 45 horses and one mule. Our friends had bred a mare with (ahem)
a member of the donkey family. They appropriately named her "SASSY".
My mother, who's closest encounter with farm animals were milk cows...from
the back end of a pick up truck...somewhere located in Missouri...suggested I take a bucket of oats out
into the field to "attract" my horse Spotty's attention.
As I followed her advise, skipping while whistling "I've got spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle...",
I noticed what I believed to be the aftershock of an 8.5 on the Rector Scale. The cloud above
the stampede was just breathtaking!
When I turned towards the ruckus, you would have thought their were 45 stallions and I (the bucket)
was a filly in her first heat. I must have set a world record for the sprint, clearing 3 obstacles...two
gates and the water trough in the process.
Back in the safety zone, mother did not question about what the hurry was, why I was breathless, or
even why I hadn't retrieved Spotty. Her mane (main) concern was "Where the (g-audience) heck her mop bucket was !?!
Through life, I have NEVER had the desire to "saddle" myself with horses of my own, but I must confess,
along the trail, I've met ALLOT of "Sassy's" relatives.
Micki Lynn Haskins Phillips
Email: Micki Lynn Haskins Phillips
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