Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: Grandpop's New Year's Day Ride

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Grandpop's New Year's Day Ride

Howdy Folks,

This is the Eighth in my series of Grandpop stories. I began writing about Grandpop, June 27, 2013, with what at the time I imagined what would be a standalone short story, "Perhaps I've Just Lived Too Long." You can read that story (and find links to go on) (HERE) Folks said they enjoy visiting with Grandpop, so I wrote more. Frankly, I enjoy him too. I hope you enjoy this New Year's Day Ride with Grandpop.

Grandpop's New Year's Day Ride

We didn't ride every New Years day lately. Grandpop had a year every now and then, in recent years, when he just wasn't up to it. And I worried since he'd retired ol' blue a few years back his heart wasn't in it so deeply any more. He'd spent a long time brushing Blue this morning, explaining to him it was best he just stay in the barn and sit this one out. Frankly I'd have been satisfied to stay by the fire and sit it out too. But this year again the trek to, "ride in the New Year" as Grandpop called it would be just him, me and two fine looking geldings.

Riding in the New Year was a tradition he and Mom had started the very first year they settled on this ranch. For a few years it was just Mom and him, then I came along and Mom strapped me on in front of her and toted me along. "She had you so bundled up I worried you couldn't get a breath of air," Grandpop told me every time he tells that tale. I rode with them every year until I moved away and drifted into those years when I was certain I was far to busy to come home and ride a horse in the freezing January weather. I always wondered why it had to be extra cold on New Year's Day.

"You know it brings good luck to uphold a tradition on New Year's Day," Grandpop swung into the saddle with the ease and grace that defied his 85 years. I swung up too, and just as every time I watched him do anything, I hoped I'd be that spry when I was his age. Our hats tied down with scarves we set out for what I hoped would be a short ride. But I knew better.

A cold, sleet-filled blast nailed us as soon as we cleared the barn. Grandpop twisted in his saddle and flashed me his jolly grin. "Gonna be a brisk one I reckon, son." He aimed his horse for the three foot drift between the barn and tractor shed.

"Something about riding through the deep snow brings out the kid in me. YeeHa!" He tossed his arms in the air and they plowed through the drift, then set out in a trot along the fence line. I saw the cows huddled in the ravine below, safely out of the nasty wind. Secretly I wished I could join them.

"New Year's Day," he yelled above the wind. "Lots of things start over then, but I always figured lots of good things just carry on too."

We rode side by side along the fence, then cut away aiming for the hillside trail up to the mountain. I figured my hopes of a short ride were dashed and settled in for a cold morning's ride. My younger brother had planned to ride with us this year, but he and his sons were still hauling hay to the cattle. At least they had the truck cab to warm up in.

It took over an hour to get halfway up the mountain. Grandpop pulled up at the first overlook. Ice glazed his hat, face and mustache, and clung to our horses' muzzles and manes.

I chuckled to myself when I realized I could barely feel my feet. The view, though, was worth the cold. The company, too. Looking out over the windswept valley, sleet and snow blowing sideways, it truly was a sight to behold. "Worth every minute of these frozen toes." I told him as I dug into my saddlebag, pulled out the thermos, and fighting the wind, poured our celebration coffee. Then passed the cup to Grandpop.

"Happy New Year World!" Grandpop held the cup high in a salute, took his drink, leaned toward me and handed me the cup.

"Happy New Year World!" I saluted the world, and finished the drink. Then poured our second cup. We sat together there and drank until the thermos was empty.

"Glad ya rode with me son." He turned his horse and started down the trail.

"You bet."

****************

Gitty Up & HAPPY NEW YEAR WORLD! … Glad ya rode with me. ~ Dutch Henry

To read our next visit with Grandpop "A Nation Of Millionaires" CLICK HERE

2 comments:

AnonymousJanuary 1, 2014 at 9:22 AM
Loved it... speaking of that... I do ride EVERY New Year's Day...Nothing like starting out the New Year on the Back of my Horse... Gotta get...Saddle Up and Giddy Up.. Happy New Year Ya'll.. It's a New Book...YOU are the Aurthor.....Make it a good one... Tina Mae Weber :D
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Dutch HenryJanuary 1, 2014 at 10:06 AM
Thanks Tina Mae!! - Thanks for joining us on our New Year ride - And yes, it'll be a great one!
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Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

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