I just wanted to take
a moment to tell all of you thank you for following Buckaroo Barbie. We’ve gotten a TON of new likes on the
Facebook page and a few more here on Blogger and I can’t even begin to explain
to you all how much that means to me.
When I got Lyme
disease and quit cowboying for my supper, I was utterly adrift. Riding and
working on a ranch were all I ever wanted, it had been the one thing driving me
for 10 years, ever since I was a little girl and when it looked like I was
going to have to choose a new path in life, I really didn’t even know how to
cope.
And then slowly but
surely, writing emerged as an equal passion as my horses and cowboying were
before. I’ve always had to write…I wrote my first “novel” at the age of 8, I
have stacks of journals and my computer is full of folders of work: finished,
in progress and ideas for future stories, blogs or articles. But for some
reason I never considered it as a lifestyle choice, which is silly because my
dad has always told us that if you love what you do you don’t have to work a
day in your life.
Buckaroo Barbie has
taken off so much since in the last year. What started as a way to get hard
working, out in the brush living cowboy-girls connected, has morphed into
something much bigger and different than I first imagined. Thanks to Buckaroo
Barbie and meeting and talking to so many of you I continue to be inspired to carry
on with this “new” dream of mine…to take this different passion, writing and
make it the focal point of my life. Last year I was feeling completely
despondent…I didn’t want to continue on with college and I couldn’t imagine
what it could be that I would do in the future that would bring me as much joy
and fulfillment as cowboying or my horses had. While talking with my dad earlier
this year we were discussing different possibilities when he said, “why don’t
you take some time off to focus on your writing?” And I was dumfounded by the
idea! Why had I not thought of that?! DUH!!! Slowly but surely I feel like I’m
growing and I’m learning and attempting different things with my craft that I
never had even thought of previously.
And the main reason I
keep on ‘keeping on’, is because of you guys! You all inspire me and I am just
blown away by each comment, like and share that you make, on here and on
Facebook. You don’t know how much your support touches my heart.
So this is for you
guys, each and every one of you, a big hug from me and all my gratitude for
helping me to remain inspired towards reaching my dreams and continuing on in
life, even when I want to give up. You’re making a difference in my life!
THANK YOU!!!
xo xo Liz
It is amazing how GOD works things sometimes. I can totally relate on something taking you down and taking your dreams but it looks like he has built something so awesome out of the ashes. It will be better than you could have ever imagined. Know that what you are doing matters!! I love reading your blog. Keep it up and be strong in knowing it matters!!!
ReplyDeleteI didnt start journaling until a relationship started to get rocky. It was amazing how much better I felt after 'releasing' my emotions. The way I write and voices I use change all the time. Re-reading past turmoils shows me how much I've grown and changed. The things you write about are really close to home sometimes. Youre an.Amazing writer and I look forward to every post!
ReplyDeleteDear Liz, Thank you for this post. I follow you on Facebook (and here) and so I know when you have a new post. It is the only thing I follow, that whenever there is a new post, I IMMEDIATELY go read it. Because I know it is going to be that good, that thought-provoking, that inspiring. I can't wait to see what comes of this. The day you tell us the Buckaroo Barbie book is available, I'll order my copy. Not that you need any ideas, but have you read Rightful Place (Voice in the American West) by Amy Hale Auker? I loved that it was a series of essays/short stories. So many so thought-provoking and emotion stirring. I could see your work becoming something like that. Another idea I would love to see from you and how you would tell their story is a collection of stories about the Women of the West. By reading posts and other things from you and Adrian, I see who your "buckaroo barbie, cowboy-girl friends are and I think there is much to tell about their lives: Nevada Watt, Reata Brannaman, Kricket and Gussie Keech, Mesa Pate, Hannah Ballantyne, plus yours and Adrian's (and I am sure, so many others I have no knowledge of). Look at all of you - 20 somethings (or younger and older) doing some really amazing things. I am 35 and I want to tell my daughter, Kate, who is just 5, about your girls and your stories. What shaped you, what inspired you. I also want to learn it for myself, as I am still trying to become the best version of myself. I love that each of you listed are strong and independent and most of you at a very young age are making your own way in a very unique way. I don't like a lot of what I see young girls being exposed to. I want to be able to tell Kate, "see what these girls are doing ... you can do that ... you can be a bold, courageous, buck-the-trends Buckaroo Barbie Cowboy-Girl! Sorry for the rambling ... God bless you today and always.
ReplyDeleteYou are a strong woman with a story to tell! I always enjoy what you write - it's so relatable! Thank you for your open honest blog posts! Keep it up girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much! I'm going to print these comments out and put them in my folder and look at them when I'm feeling blue! I so agree with you CountryCowgirl, God has the reins to my life and whatever He wants is what I want too! Melissa, I love all these ideas and the feedback...I love knowing what type of material people are actually interested in reading. I feel so inspired because of all your kind words and encouragement, thank you all! :)
ReplyDeleteLove hearing your heart it this Liz! You have a true gift for writing, expressing thoughts and images and feelings with written word. And I totally hear you on the 'had to write' thing! I wrote my first 'novel' around 8 as well, writing is truly therapeutic :)
ReplyDeleteKeep sharing your gift!!
Hannah
Liz-
ReplyDeleteJust like Melissa, I immediately click to read your posts when I see them crop up on my Wordpress reader. I look forward to them quite a bit, especially when it might be "one of those days."
There are also times when I decide not to go read straight away, because I am feeling too rushed to enjoy reflecting on the relevant things you write about. Your honest, meaningful words are sometimes most appropriately paired with a hot mug of tea and a cat in my lap after a long day.
Reading your posts also ignites that little fire inside me, the one that is telling me not to give up on my own writing. Sure, I freelance for print ads and website design, but having my words cut up, rearranged and in concrete paragraphs frustrates me to no end. I just want to write for myself, but claim to be "too busy."
As much as I might dislike writing for print/ads, there is a false security in it; I don't really have much of a window for failure when my script is essentially laid out for me.
I am painfully aware that my creativity is rusty and I haven't been serious about my writing since I graduated college.
The fact that you are seriously taking the time to write and finding a solid foundation after putting it to the side after so many years gives me hope that I might finally sit myself down and do the same. My boyfriend is a painter and has mentioned spending a few autumn months at his family's cow camp (dedicated to his art and my writing.) Maybe I'm heading in the right direction.
In short form: Keep doing what you're doing. Your passion and dedication is doing wonderful things for yourself and others.
Jessy
Jessy,
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I've got to tell you, since I've read this comment I've daydreamed about you going off to cowcamp with your boyfriend and both of you working on your arts!!! HOW COOL IS THAT!! GO! GO! GO! Oh, I hope you get to go!
I can see how it would be gratifying to get to work with words as a job, and then also incredibly frustrating. I hope you continue on with your own personal writings and your comment meant so much to me, people really have no idea how one kind word can make you feel like you can fly. Thank you :) And please tell me about your trip if you go! hehehe
xo xo