Monday Memoir, May 6, 1966

 The previous week I had gotten a short letter or note from Dusty. He wished me happy birthday and said he planned to be in the area the coming weekend. I was relieved to hear from him, and began to hope, perhaps too hard. Still pushed by the Boss on 'selling' and finding horse-related jobs for myself and Charlie Mike, I had been trying to work some deal with Kitty. The details escape me now. Was I going to sell a horse to her or buy one--seems she had a yearling, maybe a colt of Chief's? --that I could train and resell?  So long ago... and so dim today

May 6. 1966, Friday

So Friday has come and gone--and to what end? I worked hard and fast all day long and went unrewarded. I counted too much on it, I know. We drove out fairly early and went on to Cottonwood for feed and medicine. I got the tetanus shot for the little ‘fawn’ filly from Dale Coon. He gave me a free syringe. We worked on the two little fillies and then I saddled Leo to pony the colts and Chief. Did my midday chores, had a quick lunch, and saddled Buzzie. I was on the road by 1:20. but something went awry. No sign of Moonspinner. I rode by Gene’s and several people were there. One guy in Levis, tee shirt and a light (yellow or white?)hard hat could have been Dusty but I wasn’t sure. Dared not call to him under the circumstances.  Had a nice visit with Kitty. She is coming over Monday or Tuesday, presently unable to decide what she wants. She was properly shocked about Tina’s death and Little Dusty’s. So was Jolynn who came by also. I returned past Gene’s. Even a larger crowd was there and the same guy still but I was more doubtful about him and no familiar car was there. Came on home and rode Lyno. She was feisty. No one had been to the message can. We drove out and then did the home chores. I would have sworn that ‘Spinner passed going west about 7:30 but it disappeared. Charlie Mike looked and we stayed outdoors after supper to no avail.  I’m worried now. Don’t know what to think, really. Maybe I’ll have some sort of message tomorrow. If not, I’ll write him at Prescott again, I guess, and try to get him to come on Monday or Tuesday evening or next Friday. A busy day again tomorrow so…

The disappointment was painful. I had not seen Dusty since he left in March and had heard very little. The Gene I mention was on B&B6 as a senior carpenter. His name was Gene Phillips  and Charlie Mike and I really liked him. Later I learned there was a party at his place since he was quitting Santa Fe and going to work.for Yavapai County. That was the reason for the crowd. I was looking across a field a quarter mile or more and it well may have been Dusty. I guess I should have called out or even ridden over. I was just timid of intruding. And not seeing Moonspinner, I was not sure. If it was Dusty, he would not have expected to see me there or been looking as it was on the far south edge of Cottonwood, out of my normal traveling range.

I have mentioned Kitty before. She was very much into horses, her hubby not so much. And Jolynn (Joleen?) (it seems she went by both) was Maureen Jewell's younger sister. She was near the end of high school at this time and Maureen was at NAU.

In the past week or so we had acquired two new equines. These were registered yearling QH fillies Dad had bought from a Hualapai Indian man he had met at the VA Hospital. Of course we really needed some more animals to work with and care for! Their names on the certificates were were Puani and Cyn Mas. (Sin Mas in Spanish, meaning no more?) Have no idea but it was spelled that way. I have at least one photo, I think. I can barely visualize them now

At this point I was keeping on keeping on as best I could. It was not often easy and very seldom fun but I did not expect much of either anymore, if I ever had. I was 23 and had essentially become a full fledged 'grown up', leaving most  kid stiff and idle dreams far behind. In time I believed I would find a way to move into a new life; but when, how and what was still lost in the mists of an unseen future, Believing such was actually possible though, I pulled out of my depression a bit. I had no 'really mine' four legged babies to obsess over now; mostly that was good. I still cared for and felt responsible for all the animals but the specialness was no longer there.

So pictures: Two photos of me with Cyn Mas and Puani. I think Cyn Mas had the blaze. These would be very contemporary with this narrative.  Next is Charlie Mike with Buzzie. We both ride her a lot at this time. Finally lower Clarkdale in 1965-66, not long before the last smokestack came down, in the fall 1966. This 'home area' had sure gone down hill by this point. So very different now!

Desolate Clarkdale 1966