Hi everyone, I hope you are doing well. It sure has been a crazy weather week.

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What a wet and wild Rodeo Week. No matter, rain or shine, the Rodeo always brings crowds of happy rodeo fans to Oakdale. It was so much fun for me to sit on my front porch in Valley Home and watch all those Rodeo rigs rolling by heading to Oakdale. It is a special blessing to be able to see this amazing tradition still going strong. I believe it was 1946 when this great rodeo was started. It’s great seeing rigs, cowboys and cowgirls heading to our Cowboy Capital of Oakdale, California.

Rodeo Week got off to a great start when our friend and keeper of all things Oakdale, Mr. Tom Orvis, posted his annual Public Service Message; he reminded all of us to be careful on April 8 for all those Cowgirls who are celebrating … watch out as they cross streets … watch out for all the fun celebrating in downtown Oakdale. Wednesday was a day of celebration for sure; our Oakdale Cowboy Museum puts on an exciting Cowgirl Luncheon. This year a very special Cowgirl was honored as Mrs. Kay Martinelli was the Toast of our Cowboy Capital. Kay is very highly respected in the rodeo world across the entire country. She is especially loved here in Oakdale, Knights Ferry, and the Valley Home area. The beautiful wife of the late rodeo legend, Mr. Bill Martinelli, Kay has travelled the country going from rodeo to rodeo. She has spent many evenings under the stars listening to cowboys tell stories around the campfire. Kay is a special woman … she has a huge heart for rescuing fur babies, old and young, and she also has a huge heart for caring about each of us. Kay doesn’t have to know you to love you; her heart reaches out to so many. I will never forget the time after I had a long hospital stay, Kay was at my door the day I came home. She knew I loved lemons and there she was at my door, going out of her way to make me feel better with yummy lemons and an armful of beautiful white carnations. I felt very blessed. I know many of you have received much joy from knowing this amazing cowgirl; always the “Belle of the Ball” … Mrs. Kay Martinelli. You are very much loved by so many, Kay.

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We must give a huge “Thank You” to our Oakdale Saddle Club and to all who give their time to make this wonderful tradition one that will always make Oakdale a very special place. Thank you to all the cowgirls and cowboys that live that rodeo dream and came to compete in our Oakdale Rodeo.

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I end this week’s column with a special memory; the great Chris LeDoux singing about his experience at our Oakdale Rodeo … “Running Through The Rain”.

God bless our cowboys and cowgirls and God bless our great country.

As always, you may text or telephone me with information you would like to see in this column, 209-985-5233.

Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”