But we were visiting friends in Calgary who INSISTED. More cowboy hats than Texas. And an AMAZING little device that makes tiny doughnuts. Yum.

And we watched a couple exhibitions that were remarkable, that really changed my mind about rodeos. I expected the macho BS of brutalizing creatures that had been purposely enraged for sport. I bet there was some of that too but there were also events where a human and creature interacted on this very intimate and personal way. Like where a dog divides up a flock of sheep and aims them into a pen. Or folks on horseback do all sorts of crazy stuff with another big herd of cattle. Or there was this elderly man, dressed entirely in black who showed a prize goat, paraded him around the ring, proud, their steps in sync. I can still see that guy.

Plus did I mention those amazing little doughnuts?