Field Trip
A few months ago, my husband Mike and I were traveling to Bend, Oregon, so I could give a reading at their beautiful public library. I was looking forward to seeing old friends, walking among Ponderosa pines, and going to Big R.
What—the local ranch supply store? Yep. No trip to Eastern Oregon is complete without it.
Where I grew up, in Minnesota, it was Mills Fleet Farm. Pretty similar, but with less ranching and more ice fishing. But either way—where else can you get work gloves of any description, fencing, live rabbits, and a meat bandsaw in one trip?
Man-sized safe? Check
Country-themed home décor? Of course
Pink camo jackets and country-themed lingerie? Natch
Chainsaws and accessories? Even a video showing a lumberjack competition!
In an earlier post about raising rural children, I used a few photos from the toy section. The children’s weaponry is all practically minded—hunting rifles and six-shooters. No flamethrowers or grenade-launchers. There is a bit more diversity in the real-gun section, but it’s still mostly oriented toward hunting. I would say the “adult” gun section, but country kids typically learn to shoot a gun before they’re ten …
The horse section is also spectacular. Bridles and ropes of every color. Mineral licks. Y mucho mas.
Toys for pastured horses
Bling is the thing for today’s horsewoman
If you want a crash-course in rural life, walk the aisles of one of these stores. You might even pick up some new garden boots, like I did.
No, not these!
