Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

Ho! Ho! Ho!, It's Santa Claus!

Posted Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 12:46 AM

Santa Claus was very real to me until I got into the 6th grade. He wrote all of us kids letters when he couldn't supply a certain toy or Christmas Wish.

That might make me seem naive and perhaps I was. I liked the illusion and magic of Christmas. Mom and Dad were pretty creative about explaining seeing Santa Claus coming out of helicopters or walking down the street in Gooding or Twin Falls. Santa couldn't be everywhere, so he had helpers.

My daughter Kelly at the age of 3 nearly bowled a Santa over at a McDonald's. I don't think that he liked it all that much. She didn't get a lump of coal in her Christmas Stocking though.

Do we actually know anyone who got a lump of coal or was considered really, really, bad before Christmas? I know that I could have given my own children away a few times from the first part of December to the wee hours of Christmas Eve.

We actually got a visit to our home by Santa Claus when I was about 4 or 5. To say the least, it was an awesome experience! The adults even tried to claim that his reindeer and sleigh were just outside our door. We kids, pretended to "see" them off in the distance.

It was many years later, that Bev and I realized that our "Santa" was Dale Smith, a neighbor's son-in-law.

Free movies were offered at the Opera Theater in Glenns Ferry. As we all know, Santa is only quiet when he is putting presents under the tree. Before the movie was even over, everyone would hear a commotion at the back of the theater. And then quick as a flash! There was Santa running down the aisle, leaving screaming and excited kids in his wake.

Those were the days! No Retail Nightmares like; door-busters or Black Fridays, just Santa Claus. You only saw commercials for kids toys on Saturday Mornings during the cartoons.

Our mothers made us write a list out. We poured over the Christmas Catalog and dreamed. The hottest toys out there could be found at King's Department Store or Western Auto.

It is during the month of December that I miss our Dad the most. He was as excited as we were about Christmas. And Mom said that even after we all left home, you could be sure that he would wake up and try to open a present or two as quietly as possible.

As I have said before, there are no gifts that can match what God has given us with His Only Begotten Son. But one of the most wonderful gifts that our family received growing up was hearing our Dad's voice in the wee hours of the morning. "Get Up, Get Up, It's Christmas!".

Tonight, I am wrapping a mental gift for Dad. It rattles a little and has an odd shape. I am pretty sure that my sister Bev knows what it is. No matter how hard we tried to disguise our annual gift, Dad always guessed.

He couldn't resist teasing us a little before announcing: "It's a package of Socks!"

Comments

View 7 comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

You do have a way if bringing memories back! Thank you!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sat, Dec 8, 2012, at 9:49 AM
I do believe there is life after death. They visit us in spirit...... Your Dad is watching over you...

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Dec 8, 2012, at 10:20 AM
People and the things we love (horses, dogs, cats , etc) who have departed will always live in our hearts. They also watch over us and try to guide us. I can always feel my grandma around me---and every now and then I hear "TRACY!" and know that I have crossed a line (this happens often by the way). I always miss her at the holidays because after grandpa died that is when she came to visit. I have yet to put up the "Chanukkah bush" this year. Oh how she loved the lights and to see her ornaments on my tree.

They all live in our hearts. Merry Christmas Bonnie and Family! Great blog as always.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sat, Dec 8, 2012, at 10:51 PM
Thank you Bonnie, for sharing your wonderful Christmas memory, you have a gift. I remember your dad and his wonderful smile! You are blessed to have a wonderful family and all those wonderful memories. I have been blessed to and want to share this. It was when I was a kid growing up on the ranch that one Christmas Eve we just knew we heard "his" reindeer on "our" roof!And now, as an adult and a mom to have a precious memory of my boys seeing Santa (Bill W.)at grandma and grandpa's house one Christmas Eve. To see their faces and expressions of excitement...or fear, shock and disbelief of what and or who they were seeing, still makes me giggle.

Thank you for sharing your heart warming stories keep them coming.

By the way, tonight was our first snowfall of the season. It was beautiful to see, those great big brilliant white snowflakes gently falling. It seemed more magical if you will, because it was thru the brightly lit parking lot that made it so pretty..they just floated gently and whisfully downward and gave me a cheerful peacefulness I hope to not soon foreget.

-- Posted by auntmirabel on Sun, Dec 9, 2012, at 3:04 AM
Thank you everyone. I get a little sad this time of year, so it is a struggle to keep positive.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Sun, Dec 9, 2012, at 11:49 AM
Bonnie, I too feel alot of sadness this time of year. So many Christmases with my sister, and now this is the 6th year that we'll be without her. I've learned that it is more than OK to smile and be happy ...she would want that.

Losing my daughter early in life also mad it hard for me to see Joys.... but I braved my way thru the first years, and now the Joys are abundant...have been for years. At times, it's bittersweet, .... just have to love who we love, and experience the Joys while we can.

Be Joyful, and welcome the memories..

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sun, Dec 9, 2012, at 4:25 PM
Bonnie,

Your writing always brings back some great memories.

Thanks!

-- Posted by TundraRat on Mon, Dec 10, 2012, at 9:47 AM

Respond to this blog

Posting a comment requires free registration:

If you already have an account, follow this link to login
Otherwise, follow this link to register