Days are Getting Longer

We can smell Spring in the air and there is warmth in the sun and people are coming out of hiding to walk the streets again.  We go to Daylight Saving Time next weekend so that will all help lift our spirits out of the darkness of Christmas and Epiphany in the depths of winter.  I really have found that if I go out during the noon hour for a walk (or when the sun is high) that it does improve my mental attitude.  

We had to go to the funeral of  good friend's brother last weekend.  He was a lovely family man and cattlerancher who worked tirelessly for the Cattlemen' Association.  My husband and I met at a dance in this hall about 50 years ago.  The wooden floor was set on horse hair and stuffing so it bounced as folk danced.  We could dance all night and be awake still for the pancake breakfast.  Then we would sleep until the rodeo in the afternoon and do another dance the Saturday night.  Now they invite us to the OldTimers' Teas in the afternoons.  

Old Man Watching was telling a story to some folk outside after the funeral affair, about how the last time he left this building he got in a fight and another older rancher, an uncle of the man who died, rescued him from the RCMP and said he would take him home as the police were planning to take Old Man who was a Young Stud then, to jail.  Rescued again.  It was a rowdy rodeo weekend in those days.

 Old Man Watching's Father, Clarence, worked hard for the Cattlemen's Association in the interior of British Columbia too.  So this spring he is being inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame for BC.  I guess we will have to attend the ceremony even if we hate big crowds of people.  He is best known for his years at Merritt and here at Empire Valley.
Below is a picture of Grandad in the middle with Old Man on the left and his brother, Mack on the right about 50 years ago.  They all look so young.  Grandad died in 1990 and now Old Man is called Grandad by his grandchildren.  

We don't know who nominated Clarence for induction after 24 years since he died, but we do know the honour is deserved.  He was a hereford supporter.

Cousin Rita came for a visit and I will write about that next.

above is grand-daughter Dana, in Ontario with her new Christmas onsie that says THE END and has 3 horses butts below