Big Hat, little boots... a lot of laughs

Peeperpuppy · Big Hat, little boots... a lot of laughs

I was asked if I would mind sharing a little of my Grandpa here. I've thought all day on it & when I think of Grandpa, that's what comes to mind. His big ol' cowboy hat, those little boots of his & there's not a time I can think of that I don't associate Grandpa with a lot of laughs.

I've shared elsewhere here on the board that his Pa was a little starving baby that was adopted by his namesake. When I was a child I used to tell God all the time how thankful I was that William Robert saw value in that child because that baby grew into my Great Grandpa William Robert... the man who was Grandpa's father. To hear it told there wasn't a kinder or gentler man. He was called Pa or Uncle BillyBob. That's not to say he was a push over or a door mat but his ways were unique for the times. I've been told often enough that my own Grandpa was just like his Pa. People flocked to the old home place for advice, for help, for a meal. Even in the great depression my Grandma managed to feed people. To hear it told, Grandma took care of the James Gang. To give you an idea of how she was, when asked, "Aren't you afraid?" or "they're bad men" she'd whirl on the person placing judgment with a narrowed eye & a sharp expression. She'd tell whomever that when those boys came to her house, they needed help (meaning medical attention). She didn't know who they were or what they did or didn't do. She knew that they said yes ma'am & no ma'am, they took their hats off at the table & they did their share of helping. They didn't cause her trouble,. So long as that's how they were, she could only measure what she saw, not rumors. End... of... discussion.

Great Gran & Great Grandpa had a son who was so tiny when born the doctor could only say, "if he makes it through the night, he'll be alright." He was took home in a shoe box in the wagon, a proper english tea cup could fit over his head. He was a tiny baby & while he was perfectly porportioned, he was just a little fellow when he grew all the way up but someone forgot to tell him that he was little. In his family there wasn't none of this 'poor little guy' business. He was treated the same as everyone else. That little tiny fellow was my Grandpa... my horseman Grandpa & yes, no question about it... my hero. He had a big hat, small boots & a quick wit that kept us all laughing & eager to adventure into whatever we were doing together.

My horseman Grandpa was an amazing teacher. Not just for me. Kids used to come to him to learn how to drive, to work on an engine, to learn to fish, hunt or trap. They came to him to fix their cars to repair their gituars or fiddles. I've never known anyone to come away from his teachings without a smile on their face or shaking their heads amazed at his patience. He could neither read nor write but he was one of the most intelligent people I've ever known with a memory that was out of this world.

Grandpa always said he'd never be he man his Daddy was.
Funny, I always think of Grandpa & simply hope I can be half as good a person as he always was.

It's my opinion that these two special men were put here on earth for a reason.
I'm trying to put together a book on my time with a great horseman. I can only hope to do him justice but I never saw him go at something but what he wasn't extremely successful. I've never seen a more patient teacher in my life. He's told me often he didn't have the patience Pa had. That's just remarkable.

Peeperpuppy

bit, here's some pictures.

This one appeared with a saddle story that won the featured spot on the inside cover of Circle Y's 50th anniversary catalog. I'm riding Lady (aka: the old mare) & Grandpa's on his TWH, Buck.

http://i167.photobucket.com/album...9/peeperpuppy/RidingBuddies85.jpg

This photo is of my Great Grandpa... & again, I'm ever so grateful that someone saw value in him. Horses & mules called him friend, instantly

http://i167.photobucket.com/album.../GreatGrandpaTrigger-enhanced.jpg

Here's a pic of Grandpa with the same mare Pa was pictured with in the last photos.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/peeperpuppy/GTrigger.jpg

Peeperpuppy

I've got to add this one. These are my two greatest horsemanship teachers. The mare is Lady. Grandpa at age 77 or 78. This photo was taken around the same time of his moonlight ride (on the same mare).

the little cocker spaniel pup, Nibbles, was my riding buddy. Lady's been known to lift her by the scruff of the neck & bring her to me to keep her from getting stomped by another horse.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u149/peeperpuppy/Grandpa1.jpg