The man loved his horses. When I was young and in love with all horses..he would let me ride his. He taught me how to ride bareback..he taught me that some of his horses could be ridden with just a halter..they were trained good..why?..he trained them himself. I loved my afternoons spent at his farm. He had a passel of kids..but few of them rode.
I would call and ask if it was okay to come over..the answer was always..yes! I would take off on my bike.
There was this one last hill..I would ride as fast as my bike would allow..and watch for sand at the bottom of the hill. The farm and the horses were just beyond the crest of this hill.
I have photographed this hill on many occasions.. it is just down the road from where we live now.
The memories of good times gone by..of the wind in your hair and the horse under you at a full gallop.
Even after I got my own horse (who was a terrible biter) I preferred to go over to Joes to ride his horses. His horses never bit me..they may have tried to brush me off on some of the low hanging branches in the pasture..but they never bit me.
Now I just photograph the horses..I always asked Joe “How many horses do you have now?” He would answer in a ever so soft voice..and ask me to keep it to myself..because his wife Vi thought he only had a few.
He was always ready to share a story or two or three. He died last Monday so the stories will end but the good memories will remain. Joe was 85. When he was 65 years old he rode with the Itasca State Park Centennial Wagon Train from St. Paul Minnesota to Itasca State Park. Now let me tell ya that is a fur piece to ride on horseback..he always said that it was a ride of a lifetime:)
What wonderful memories. When I was in high school a friend and I took riding lessons. We paid for them ourselves. Those lessons are one of the wonderful memories of our friendship.
ReplyDeleteGreat story and wonderful pictures. What a guy!
ReplyDeleteJoe sounds like a true kindred spirit. Someone who loved horses as much as you did. I picture him riding his favorite horse in Heaven, wind in HIS hair. What a good story and the best way for me to wake up and start my day! :-)
ReplyDeleteSo happy that Joe was able to make that ride of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing these precious memories with us. I know he will be missed.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the loss of your friend Joe. What wonderful memories you have of him. Keep those memories close to your heart.
ReplyDeleteI saw one of my pictures just yesterday from 2009 and it is very similar to your first picture - thought about good ol' Joe --- always a horse story and of course he knew I loved Appaloosas so we always talked about those spotted ones!
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you that I've been reading your blog for a while but that I never leave a comment. I did want you to know that I enjoy your posts very much and have come to rely on the steadiness with which you write them. I may not comment again but know that you've got a loyal reader :o)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like an amazing person, you were blessed to have him in your life. And to still be able to see the horses now that you are grown....and the area.
ReplyDeleteConnie, the ability to grow up, and still live there when you are a adult, is a treasure that many people never see. Yes, living in the same town can be a bit restrictive, but it's so rare to even find people who are from the place that they now live in.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
That's a lovely story and a tribute to your dear friend! What a treasured memory for a child to have had a "grown-up" friend like that and how wonderful for you that you were able to keep in touch with him as an adult.
ReplyDeleteOh those childhood days when we were brave enough to ride at full gallop bareback! May your friend rest in peace, and be blessed for the joy he brought to you.
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to a wonderful horsemen ! I to love horses and had my own on the farm I grew up on . There was a horsemen we knew that was a trainer and he taught me to break and ride horses with or with out saddle and bridle , he was the best he was like a horse whisperer . I have learned so much from him . I hadn't been riding for years but now Papa and I belong to a Saddle club as their photographers and I get to ride some as well . I love it ! Fantastic photos . Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear of the loss of a real lifetime friend. He certainly had the touch with both his horses and with the people who knew him.
ReplyDeleteThose pics are beautiful! I'd like to give sledding a try again on that hill. The middle picture made me think of that...and I haven't been in snow country for years!
The last of the hill pictures is breathtaking. You captured that last-minute-of-daylight moment perfectly--as you did those last memories of your friend Joe.
That is just awesome! I sure wish I could of had someone like that in my life! Love the pictures of the hill in different seasons! Such great memories to have!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to have known such a man. I wonder what will happen to his horses now that he's gone. They look so beautiful, alert, and curious there in the pasture.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine having a horse bite you! That must really hurt. Ouch! But, then again, I've been bitten many times by parrots and various sizes of birds and a hamster bit my finger so hard his teeth got stuck in the bone. Critter love is a crazy thing. ;)
As much as we hate the loss of someone dear in our lives, it is wonderful for the family when they leave a legacy of precious memories. The horses are beautiful. I hope there is someone else who will love them as much as he did.
ReplyDeleteHorses huh? My least favorite animal. But I pretend they're OK, when my granddaughter is around, she loves them!!! And showed hers at the Northome Fair. Uncle Joe was a true pioneer, riding all that way good for him!!!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you got to spend so much time with him. He sounds like a wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lynda. I hope someone will care for them as he did.
His stories will remain in your heart and thank you for sharing the memories!
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute to a very down to earth human being. Being in tune with the land and animals is a special gift.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of you to pay tribute to Joe. He sounds like a wonderful guy.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photographs - there is a slightly haunted feeling about them. And wonderful memories of Joe
ReplyDeleteAre those his horses in the pictures? Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteyes those are Joe's horses:)
DeleteGreat photos, thanks for sharing, love the one of the horses.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you had your own horse!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the hill and the horses:)
A great tribute to Joe, and your story made me think of when my sister and I went to look at a horse to buy, and he tried to knock her off his back by going under a large apple tree. Obviously she wasn't in control, and no, we didn't buy him.
The herd of horses is a beautiful shot. I like this new camera a lot. You look like you have figured it out. I would learn a few new things every month rather than try to get it all figured out right away. Remember it toom me six months to discover macro on my wife's camera. Slow learner here.
ReplyDeleteGreat Photos and great memories...It's sad to grow old and die...leaving only memories...
ReplyDeleteGoing riding tomorrow with the daughter...hope not to get bitten...
aww.. so sad for your loss.
ReplyDeletebut wow.. what wonderful memories
Happy Trails Joe! I was born loving horses and Joe reminds me of my cousin who always had a slew of horses on his farm because he loved them too. So glad he got "the ride of a lifetime" before he died. What wonderful memories you have and what a gorgeous area you live in.
ReplyDeleteJoe is my father and I'm very happy to have found this blog. He was a gentle man filled with love for his family and of course all of his horses. He would give sleigh rides to all of us at Christmas time, which kept him very busy because there are around 65 of us. Slid down that hill many times with friends and family. Miss him every day. Connie, I am so glad to have seen this tribute to my dad. It is beautiful and means so much to me! Sam I Am, Happy Trails was played at the end of my dad's funeral. It was a wonderful celebration of his life.
ReplyDeleteHi Connie...the pictures of Dad's horses and "the hill" are really neat. He loved his horses almost as much as he loved his friends and family...most importantly Mom. Like Jeanne said, he was a gentle man, with so much love to give. Don't think there is another "good ol' Joe" out there...miss him terribly. He had a wonderful life...lived to be 85 years old...was about 80 when he was last on a horse, but talked about his horses, family, old times almost daily...lots of good stories. Dad died on August 13, 2012, but people are still coming up to us kids, telling us how great Dad was and how he touched their lives..and they are still talking about how they loved that "Happy Trails" was sung at his funeral when we all exited the church...very fitting for the horse lover kind of guy that he was! I am so honored to have had such a wonderful Dad that meant so much to me and that he meant so much to you too Connie! Thanks for your wonderful story about him!
ReplyDeleteJeanne and Julie, Thanks for stopping by. Your Dad was a one of a kind.. I cannot remember a time that I didn't know him and your Mom. They are good neighbors:)
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