Somewhere in my house is a garbage bag full of old t-shirts I’d collected over the years from different events, including several from Pat Hennessey Days. I’ve also got some stuck in a dresser drawer, or two, and added one to my collection Saturday morning in the rain.

It’s a “Running with My Peeps” t-shirt from the Abel Moreno family’s 5K and 3K runs that morning. There was a light rain, but that’s not an excuse for not doing the one mile walk that was also scheduled. When I signed up I explained I’d do a walk-the-block, and really just wanted the t-shirt.

If you just rolled your eyes that’s OK. I’m used to it. My late-husband used to say I’d do almost anything for a t-shirt.

That was after I was a day rider from Hennessey to Waukomis in a 1993 Centennial Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive.

Yep, 16 miles on horseback for a T-shirt.

Nope, I was not what I used to call “a horsey person.” I’d only ridden a horse once at a state lodge, and twice the week before at Ray Alan Shimanek’s house.

Then on the morning of the ride Ray said there was a problem with his horse: he needed to ride the horse I’d practiced on. But, his friend, Jeff Mitchell, would let me ride one of his horses.

Her name was Babe.

She was wonderful, and really tall. So I only got off of her once when when stopped in Bison for water. Then it took me standing on something high, and a crew, to get me up on her again.

Being a newby I just let my horse ride with whichever group she wanted. Then the horse next to mine bit Babe, and she reared up at the top of a hill. It was a miracle I managed to say on her.

When we got to Waukomis Ray told me how proud he was for hanging on to Babe, and not falling off.

“Falling wasn’t an option!” I told him.

My husband, Bill, hadn’t wanted me to ride. He thought I’d get hurt and break something.

And, though he didn’t say it, I knew he was afraid I’d break my arm … and wouldn’t be able to help get the paper out that week.

I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to sit for a week, but I was wrong! It was my thighs and knees. I did a Groucho Marx walking impression for days.

Makingthatridewasn’t all about getting a t-shirt, I told Bill. “It’s about telling our grands that their grandmother made that historic ride.”

Maybe some time soon I’ll remember to tell them, or maybe tell them again.

At least I have my memories and my Day Rider t-shirt … in a trash bag somewhere in the house. It is probably also where my “Bless the Press,” Bon Jovi, and Burt Bacharach Concert t-shirts are stashed.

Right now I’ll put on my 2025 Peep tee with my 2015 Garth Brooks shirt.