Just wonderful. I love Windy and your dad. You asked him his age with complete naturalness, and he answered in the sme fashion. Love that too. Perhaps you suspected he and your dad were contemporaries? This post brought back memories of Ian Tyson’s song about the young woman in love with the Colorado cowboy who “loves this damned ol’ rodeo as much as he loves me.” I can hear Judy Collins singing it…
Thanks Rona, I read your comment on the phone to my dad, we both enjoyed it. I did certainly think they were contemporaries. Going to listen to that song now!
Anna, I remember the days when we were Max and family were our neighbors in Klamath County. Our kids were about the same ages as your older siblings. Reggie Cammarillo drew a picture of a horse on an old piece of plywood and my middle daughter has kept it all of these years. I enjoy reading your stories, rather like reading your dad's stories.
Extraordinary you should write this today when as I was walking after lunch in a tiny rural French village, a guy leading a horse approached me — with all the swagger and gear of a cowboy and said “Bonjour” I was so expecting him to say ‘Howdie’ which would have been absurd obviously but then seeing him there was just that anyway! True story…
Thanks Susie, and I loved reading "I was walking after lunch in a tiny rural French village, a guy leading a horse approached me..." because it sounds so idyllic to me.
I love this story of coincidence; how small and interconnected the world seems at times. And I love the Coast Starlight, although I only took it once, in the ‘80s.
Great story! Made me really try to imagine what it would be like to have a life like Windy’s with so many siblings and cousins and children and grandchildren, many in the same business, still on the same land as their grandparents, even living with his adult sons. It’s so communal - something I tried for a while when I was in my 20s in the 1960s and 70s but with friends and strangers, not with family. I have a hard time imagining it! I love stories like this, when you are able to connect with strangers in a positive way, finding common ground. It’s often women who do that work (the connecting, reinforcing bonds). I wish I could meet Windy - I have so many questions for him! Thank you! As always, you have brightened my mind and life a bit with your wonderful writing.
Thank you Sally, I think it sounds really nice but also have a hard time imagining it. Interesting what you say about women doing the connecting, I never thought of that.
I love this! My 83yo father is, ironically, a physicist from west Texas who reveres cowboys and all that they stand for. I’m sending this to him, he’ll love it ❤️
As a young cowgirl, the Camarillo brothers were my heroes.
This is such a sweet story, thank you.
Wow, thank you for sharing that, Patisu!
Just wonderful. I love Windy and your dad. You asked him his age with complete naturalness, and he answered in the sme fashion. Love that too. Perhaps you suspected he and your dad were contemporaries? This post brought back memories of Ian Tyson’s song about the young woman in love with the Colorado cowboy who “loves this damned ol’ rodeo as much as he loves me.” I can hear Judy Collins singing it…
Thanks Rona, I read your comment on the phone to my dad, we both enjoyed it. I did certainly think they were contemporaries. Going to listen to that song now!
What a charming encounter!
Anna, I remember the days when we were Max and family were our neighbors in Klamath County. Our kids were about the same ages as your older siblings. Reggie Cammarillo drew a picture of a horse on an old piece of plywood and my middle daughter has kept it all of these years. I enjoy reading your stories, rather like reading your dad's stories.
Lovely.
Thank you
Extraordinary you should write this today when as I was walking after lunch in a tiny rural French village, a guy leading a horse approached me — with all the swagger and gear of a cowboy and said “Bonjour” I was so expecting him to say ‘Howdie’ which would have been absurd obviously but then seeing him there was just that anyway! True story…
Loved this to bits Anna - perfect timing!
Thanks Susie, and I loved reading "I was walking after lunch in a tiny rural French village, a guy leading a horse approached me..." because it sounds so idyllic to me.
Beautiful account of History and how small the world really is. This was a gift from God. ❤️🙏
I love this story of coincidence; how small and interconnected the world seems at times. And I love the Coast Starlight, although I only took it once, in the ‘80s.
Thanks Teri
Great story! Made me really try to imagine what it would be like to have a life like Windy’s with so many siblings and cousins and children and grandchildren, many in the same business, still on the same land as their grandparents, even living with his adult sons. It’s so communal - something I tried for a while when I was in my 20s in the 1960s and 70s but with friends and strangers, not with family. I have a hard time imagining it! I love stories like this, when you are able to connect with strangers in a positive way, finding common ground. It’s often women who do that work (the connecting, reinforcing bonds). I wish I could meet Windy - I have so many questions for him! Thank you! As always, you have brightened my mind and life a bit with your wonderful writing.
Thank you Sally, I think it sounds really nice but also have a hard time imagining it. Interesting what you say about women doing the connecting, I never thought of that.
Wonderful story. Love the photos too.
Thanks, Pam
hee-haw!
giddyup
Yippee Kiyay
Love it! I could literally hear his Texas twang in your writing! And I’m not even American… That’s how good you are Madame! Did you ride horses too?
Hi Francesca, no I didn't, unfortunately! My dad left that life behind to become a writer, just before I was born.
Thank you for a glimpse into the life of real cowboys, an endangered species.
I love this! My 83yo father is, ironically, a physicist from west Texas who reveres cowboys and all that they stand for. I’m sending this to him, he’ll love it ❤️
What a world! Thanks Paulla
I love this so much.
So I guess you found your cowboy eventually?😂
Kinda. More like a gamer nerd, the sweetest in all the land.