May 1965--we were approaching Charlie Mike's 8th grade graduation and he had some trips and events for the final few weeks. Alex was about to turn 6 and I was "keeping on keeping on" as I had been for over two years, close to three. The more things changed... And yet most of the changes were superficial. The bout of sickness among the animals was passing. I think Tina and Rico were down at the Vet Clinic or possibly just home, she supposedly all well.
May 15, 1965 Sat
I do not recall now what it was Charlie Mike went to--an arithmetic or spelling bee type contest for the county at Prescott if memory serves. It was a bit of a novelty for him to get such notice; I was not really jealous but missed his help when he was gone and was slightly inconvenienced a few times. He had mostly not been a top or favored student as his rebellion kicked in much earlier than mine did; he chafed at authority and often felt dissed or mistreated by teachers and staff at school. I expect in some cases that feeling was justified. He was often chastised that he should be more like his big sister! Well, he was himself, not a recopy. A Scorpio instead of a Taurus, a boy and not a girl, and not the eldest. He often felt he was the shit-bird middle; he wasn't and didn't want to be but then finally said he had the name so may as well play the game. Dad was rarely even nice to him which I did and still do not understand. Charlie Mike still has lingering bitterness, anger and pain which has haunted him life-long. We both have issues, just different ones, yet have never allowed them to damage our trust and bond.
"'Bat" and "Wowie" were the last year's colts now weaned and getting initial training and exercise since they lived in pens. Off and on I would have animals separated at the pasture in the two big pens of the main corral and would require an added mid-day trek to let those in the upper pen get to the ditch for water or some in to pick up feed left or wasted by others. I usually tried to combine that with other rides such as exercising or a mail run to Cottonwood. Freckles was boarded while she was bred to Chief.
That 'engagement' remark was very tongue-in-cheek. I was not yet even near that point with Dusty and there was certainly no one else in the wings. However I can imagine the consternation and near-catastrophe such an announcement would have created. OMG--talk about all hell busting loose!
There was never a day when I did not at least think of Dusty a time or two--often much more than that. I had no idea when I would actually see him again since he was working almost to the New Mexico line and could not get down to the Verde Valley often. I knew he had not been well most of the spring and I did worry but felt I would sense it if anything really drastic happened. True or not, I trusted that.
Photos, not too many here. First is Charlie dressed for the 8th grade grad (better photos later) . Second is Powwow (Wowie) at about that time--a short yearling as she was a late summer foal. Last is Charlie Mike with "Dingbat" as we called him. I think his registered name was "Peppy Ding-Bob"-- (Appy/AQHA) but we always called him Dingbat. He wasn't really but a sensible calm colt. Such a contrast between Charlie's work clothes and dressed up... He really was kind of the Cinder-fella in the family. By then I tried much harder to be as neat and un-ragged as I could. He usually went to school in somewhat better pants and shoes anyway. Grandma sent things for him as she had done for me.
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