August 2017 4 1 8 6 AROUND THE SADDLE 6 Inspiring Confidence 6 Monthly RideWith Glendale Equestrian Club 7 Roping and Riding withTyler Magnus 8 Ask theVet 10 TheVerdeValley Equine Festival is Getting a Makeover 11 Desolate RanchWife 12 Echoes of theWildWest: 30th Annual Gathering of Cowboy Poets Set for Mid-August 14 How to Become a ProfessionalTeam Roper 24 RANCH & RODEO ROUNDUP 18 Mormon Lake Cowboy Christmas RopingWinners A BITE OF COUNTRY 24 Farmers Markets & In Season 26 Mom’s Real Country Recipes 30 28 OLD WEST HEROES 28 Lucille Mulhall: First Cowgirl ACE IN THE HOLE 30 Ponies in the Park 30 The 5 C’s of Arizona, Part 3: Cotton 32 Is the OldWest Leaving Arizona? 37 GALLIVANTIN’ 37 Arizona’s Real Country 96.3 Family Photo Album 38 August 2017 Event Calendar 39 4H News & Events 34 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS 34 Arena Directory 35 Classified Ads 36 Advertiser Index 22 PASTIMES 22 96.3 Real Country Concert Page 23 Crossword / Sudoku / Jokes / Trivia 16 WANDERING ARIZONA 16 Lake Havasu: An AdventureVacation Oasis 20 REAL COUNTRY FEATURE 20 1890s Outlaw Found Law & Death 1 6 26 20 HOW CONNECTED ARE YOU? Does it seem like life has so many demands on you and you’re expected to do it all? How do you fit one more thing in? When you walk out the door, do you have your cell, your tablet, your directions programmed into your cell, your kids cell phones? What does everyone expect of you? Are you on Facebook, Email, Instagram, Snapchat, Linkedin, Twitter, Pintrest, You Tube, Tumblr, Google+, Nextdoor, WeChat? Don’t forget to text! Last Sunday, in church, the question was posed, “With work, kids, chores and life, how do I fit God into my schedule?” Think about that for a second. I did when I heard the question. The answer came back loud and strong: If you’re connected first to God, the rest will fall into place. Last month on vacation, I did not post one picture. Now, the rest of the family had pictures posted everywhere but my goal was to connect with the family I was on vacation with. It was an awesome vacation! Maybe it’s time to put the connected device down and to connect with those people that are right in front of you. Facebook hates me... I visit 2 or 3 times a year. My birthday was in July and as I write this, I’m sure that people wished me happy birthday on Facebook. Thank you to all and I will check the wishes out soon, but it was more important to me to share the day with those around me on that day. Ever get on the phone and get in that recorded message jungle? All you want to do is talk to a real live person and they keep having you punch another number or the message starts all over again. When I was a kid my social network was outside with other kids. You post all of your drama on Facebook and then get upset when people judge you. Before I forget, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Wow, I think I’m loosing my connection... Mike Barna, Publisher mbarna@963realcountry.com 37 7