Every writer has a favorite muse or two, characters alive, or past, or of pure fantasy, who inspire excellence and creativity. One of my favorites is Annie Oakley, also known as “Little Sure Shot”. Born in 1860, Phoebe Ann Moses came Out West from Ohio and joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. She became rock-star famous for her exceptional expertise at target shooting. She was good. Her skill came from a steady hand, steely resolve, and practice … lots and lots of practice.
When I was docent for an exhibit of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show artifacts at the Colorado History Museum, I was impressed to learn that Annie Oakley designed and created her own costumes. Not only could the woman ride and shoot with the best of them, but she sewed her own costumes as well. Maybe her skills were not so remarkable. After all, I can ride, shoot, and sew, too. Okay, so Annie could shoot circles around me, but I can ride pretty well, and I know my way around a sewing machine.
When I was little, my grandfather took my sister and me to the International Stock Show rodeo in Chicago. As if by magic, he arranged for us to meet the stars of the rodeo, Gene Autrey, and Gail Davis, the actress who played Annie Oakley on TV. The singing cowboy was pretty special, but I was all about Annie Oakley, and I couldn’t wait to meet Gail Davis. For the occasion, I wore my Annie Oakley outfit, with fringed western vest and red cowgirl hat, to prove my loyalty. I was just old enough to be self-conscious about it, but Gail Davis was extremely gracious and put me at ease. After all, she was almost like Annie Oakley herself. To me, Gail Davis WAS Queen of the Cowgirls. 
All of us wanna-be-cowgirls are remarkable in our own way. I guess it is just a matter of applying those skills at which we excel and adapting them to our advantage. When I think of Annie Oakley, I am reminded to retain my focus, keep a steady hand, and aim high. In most cases, that’s all you need.
Joyce Lohse, 10/9/2008
Visit my web site at www.lohseworks.com
for book titles and upcoming appearances
Promo photo of Gail Davis as it appeared
in Out West #40, Oct. 1997
Joyce Lohse speaks about blogging for Women Out West Magazine
recorded by Deborah Kunzie
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