I found this story on Lee's computer. It is more detailed than the one I wrote for the service bulletin
ONCE OVER EASY
We call this story about Lee - "Once Over Easy". You'll soon see why.
Every since she was a wee girl, Lee has secretly wanted to be a cowboy. She had all the right qualities: strong, silent, good humored and proud. Her good friends Margaret and Nelson helped her finally realize her dream and Lee has beceome quite an accomplished rider and horseman - a cowboy.
Lee has had lots of unique learning experiences, all of which tested her and taught her. Lee's determination and pride always carried her through. No matter what happened, she'd pick herself up, dust herself off and get right back on. It's the cowboy code, the code of the trail - you don't whine, you don't complain, you don't give up, you support your cowboy friends, you get on with the job and never quit.
Meegan and I have enjoyed many long rides with Lee. One beautiful fall day a couple of years ago, Meegan and Lee decided to take me on a ride. We had all been along the old rail bed near Lumsden Beach several times before and knew it would be a great place to enjoy the beautiful colors along the shoreline. A picnic lunch was prepared and packed in the saddle bags. Meegan's horse Doc wasn't ready for a long ride at the time so Lee, soul of generosity that she is, offered to let Meegan ride Jester.
After all the details were looked after we took off at our regular breakneck pace, usually set by Lee's trusty steed Quincy. It was a pretty uneventful ride, just a minor incident when we stopped to eat. Jester spooked at some imaginary danger, catching Meegan totally unprepared, flinging her into the bush, reins in one hand and sandwich in the other. Lee calmly went to her aid, pulling her up out of the bush and back on to her feet. After a few "are you OK's" and "what got into him's" we packed up and were off again. No further mention was made of the event. Meegan made a mental note not to relax too much around Jester or any other horse for that matter.
We had to navigate down the steep hill into Lumsden Beach but the horses behaved perfectly. After stopping to admire the view of the lake and all the colors along the shore, we struck off down the trail, heading towards Craven.
After just a short while Lee suggested we stop for a moment to adjust our tack and fluid levels. We all agreed it was a good idea. We were well spread out along the trail, me in the lead, Meegan in the middle and Lee at the end. Everyone kept a respectable distance while we made the necessary adjustments in the shelter and privacy of the bush. Another code of the trail, no peaking and always pack some tissue.
While Lee was off in the bush Quincy took advantage of the tall grass along the trail. She was in eating mode when Lee returned, head down, munching away, settling in for a rare"fresh grass" treat. Fluid levels adjusted, Meegan and I were back on our horses, eyes politely averted. So neither one of us can say exactly what happened next. We both turned our heads in time to see Lee doing her usual mounting routine, except this time she didn't make Quincy lift her head from the grass.
Some of you will know that due to her bad knee Lee uses a stirrup extender and doesn't exactly pop into the saddle. Now I want you to imagine what happened next in slow motion because that is the way it plays back in my memory. Get a picture of Lee swinging her right leg across Quincy's back, followed in one fluid motion by her left leg while Lee pivotted, perfectly balanced with her ribs on the saddle horn. With the grace of an Olympic gymnast, she slid down to the ground on Quincy's other side. Just before she disappeared behind Quincy's shoulder we caught the puzzled look on Lee's face. Landing with both feet squarely underneath her, Lee said not a word. She adjusted her Confederate hat, tugged at her belt, squared her shoulders, walked aound Quincy, pulled the horse's head up from the grass and remounted.
Adhering to the code of the trail, Meegan and I didn't say anything, just turned and headed east. The ride carried on uneventfully, just another lovely fall experience shared by friends and horses.
Two or three days later, while driving to work, Meegan burst out laughing. When I asked her what was so funny she told me she just had a flashback to Lee's amazing feat - the once over easy mount and dismount. We had a good laugh but in deference to Lee's cowboy pride, didn't mention it again.
It wasn't long though until Lee raised the story herself, albeit from her perspective. We all had a huge laugh, Lee enjoying the story as much as we did. Now it is just another part of the legend that is Lee Tennyson - Cowboy. And if you ask her I am sure she'd love to recount the whole experience for you, the way she remembers it.
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