The Cowboy Way

My love for the western way of life isn’t just a personal passion, it’s a family tradition, rooted deep in the heart of my upbringing. You could say it's in my blood. My mother was a true cowgirl, and she, along with her nine siblings, grew up roping, riding, and living an authentic western way of life.

It all started with my grandpa, Leo Moomaw, a gentle man with strong hands, a kind heart, and a fierce pride in his roots. He raised ten children to honor their country, respect each other, and live with the grit and grace of the western spirit. Under his guidance, our family learned how to ride through life with integrity, resilience, and a sense of duty.

Venturing into the rodeo and ranching world was more than a choice for me, it was a calling. As a writer, storyteller, and cowgirl at heart, having attended my first rodeo when I was seven days old, I've carried on the family tradition with pride. The smells of leather and dust, the thunder of hooves, the crack of a rope, these are the sounds and scents of my upbringing.

The cowboy way isn’t just about ranching or rodeos. It’s about respect, loyalty, hard work, and a deep love for the land and the life that comes with it. I thank my family, especially my grandpa Leo , for planting those roots. I carry them with me in every word I write and every step I take on this journey.

Here’s to the cowboy way. Long may it ride.

Anita Waggoner