In the fall of 1961, a smiling couple poses for a photo. The handsome man drapes his arm around his lovely bride while she holds their three-month-old daughter. In the background, the family ranch stretches across the mesa.
Tag: Hotchkiss Colorado
The Ranch
Hotchkiss, Colorado tugs at my heart as one of my favorite places. To put it simply, Hotchkss feels like home even though I only lived there for a short time when I was younger. Whenever I find my way back to this little town, I feel like I am right where I belong, and I often feel this is where my story begins. This place holds precious memories and stories of family. This mountain view is near the cabin where my grandparents, my mom, and my aunts once lived. Continue reading “The Ranch”
Finding My Way Home
For me, Hotchkiss, Colorado is more than just a place on the map or a spot on the road; it’s a place of dreams and promises, where pioneer families came, built their homes and left a legacy. Continue reading “Finding My Way Home”
The Unexpected Road Trip: The Ranch ~ July 22
While driving along the lane to my granparent’s family home, so many emotions tugged at my heart. Stories about my family swirled in my head as I slowly approached the old cabin. Weaving along the dirt road, I wished that my mother were with me, so she could answer the many questions that started to form as I took my first glimpse back into time. Continue reading “The Unexpected Road Trip: The Ranch ~ July 22”
The Toothbrush
Sitting on the porch of their small cabin, my grandparents, my aunt and my mama enjoyed a pleasant evening on their Colorado ranch. As the family visited together, the family dogs tried to join in on the family fun. Since the pets had horrible breath, my grandfather, Tom Allen chased the dogs off the porch and would not allow them to sit any where near the family. Continue reading “The Toothbrush”
The Hunter
My grandfather, Tom Allen, was a rancher; he raised sheep on the western slope of Colorado, near the little town of Hotchkiss, Colorado. Ranching played a vital role in my family for a very long time. It was a way of life. Grandpa grew up on a ranch and began helping his father at a very young age. As a child, he knew the cycle. Ranch kids have always understood that raising stock means food on the table; that’s why this tale has always warmed my heart.
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Sweet Sounds
Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree….
Music floated out from the front door of the cheery cottage. “Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree…” I smiled for that was one of grandma’s favorite songs. Since Tony Orlando and Dawn began their weekly telecast, my grandmother never missed an episode. I believe she was one of their biggest fans. Continue reading “Sweet Sounds”
Out of Nowhere
As a child, I loved hearing stories about my Mom’s childhood. Her exciting tales often made me laugh, while some made me wonder how she survived childhood at all. I believed she must have had wild angels watching over her, and I thought my Mama possessed just a wee bit of Irish luck. Still, one story she told made me shudder whenever she recounted it.
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The Last of the Great Horse Traders
“Whoa. You son-of-a-bitch,” the large man whispered to his horse. “Whoa. Over the years, I have heard many stories about my grandfather, Tom Allen, and how he was one of the best…
The Last of the Great Horse Traders
“Whoa. You son-of-a-bitch,” the large man whispered to his horse. “Whoa.”
Over the years, I have heard many stories about my grandfather, Tom Allen, and how he was one of the best horse traders around. My mom would often tell how she would watch grandpa break his horses. She would always laugh, “He would swear like a sailor, but he would speak to them in a soft voice, just as if he were speaking to a baby.”
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Tales of a Family 