JUNCTION CITY RIDE

JUNCTION CITY RIDE 
By Donna Penley 
        This is a true story about my son in law, Jupe Howland, a real cowboy an’ bareback bronc rider who is married to my only daughter, Shannon.  His real name is Delbert Howland, Jr.  He acquired the nickname “Jupe” because his sisters couldn’t say Junior, which is what he was called then, an’ called him “Juper”.  The nickname was shortened to Jupe, and it stuck.
 
Junction City, Kansas, isn’t far from here;
An’ in July, 2000 Kraft held a rodeo there.
He’d worked all day, like every day –
An honest worker, earns his pay –
Went home,  got his family an’ they set out Friday night;
He was leadin’ Kraft in points – an’ winnin’ was in sight.
Jupe Howland is a real hand, a cowboy bred with pride;
At Junction City, Kansas, he made one real hard ride!
Th’ first time I laid eyes on him, he must a’ been  19;
Good lookin’, slim and rugged – my little cowgirl’s dream.
Couldn’t keep th’ two apart, no matter how I tried;
So, at age 16 , Shannon was his blushin’ bride.
Jupe an’ I have had our words,  both heads hard as steel;
But he knows I admire him – he knows how I truly feel.
Good husband, an’ good father, a real hand all around;
My daughter did herself right proud –  I’m glad he stuck around!
They drove to Junciton City,  called his entry in th’ day before;
His second ride in just three nights – his ridin’ arm still mighty sore.
He drew a bronc named Hellbent –it matched th’ horse, ya see –
‘Cause he flipped over in th’ chute, cracked Jupe’s ribs an’ sprained his knee.
But did he ask for another bronc, this son in law of mine?
No, he wanted to ride this one – an’ he rode him mighty fine!
That’s typical of Jupe Howland –  sets out t’ do a task,
An’ he gets it done all right.  Jupe has a lot of class.
So, that’s th’story of Hellbent, an’ th’ Junction City ride –
An’ Jupe Howland, my son in law, for whom I have much pride!!
 
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