Harold Tibbs on his beloved and famous Appaloosa stallion Toby I, riding off with his loot after winning the performance championship at the first-ever National Appaloosa Show at Lewiston, Idaho, in June, 1948.
~~~~Harold Tibbs~~~~
April 12, 1916 ~~~ November 21, 2003
It's been 60 years since the picture above was snapped, and we're having a hard time believing that it's been five years since we said good bye to our dad, granddad, great-granddad, husband and friend, Harold at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.
It's been at least five years since any of us have heard Harold remind us to "keep our nose clean," but we still work at it.
We have not heard the stories of Montana's Madison Valley and the Millard Easter Ranch, of Meadow Creek where his parents ran the school, of Simon Francis' horses, of horse logging north of Bonners Ferry, of this horse or that horse.
Nor, has any of us watched intently as Harold, the oldtime cowboy, pulled cigarette papers and tobacco can from his wool-shirt pocket and masterfully "rolled his own" in preparation for the next smoke and the next story.
We've not been reminded to "shut the gate," "put stuff back where it belongs," nor "to take care of your animals before you take care of yourself." But we shut the gate, try to remember to return items to their appointed places---and the animals get first attention.
We've not heard a strong opinion on how things ought to be done right, especially when you're driving your tractor and pulling equipment while harvesting a field of hay.
We've not watched the man with the perennial limp, sustained from a horse-logging accident back in the 1930s, head off for the barn or to his shop to putter.
We've not been reminded to "shut the gate," "put stuff back where it belongs," nor "to take care of your animals before you take care of yourself." But we shut the gate, try to remember to return items to their appointed places---and the animals get first attention.
We've not heard a strong opinion on how things ought to be done right, especially when you're driving your tractor and pulling equipment while harvesting a field of hay.
We've not watched the man with the perennial limp, sustained from a horse-logging accident back in the 1930s, head off for the barn or to his shop to putter.
We've not seen that brilliant, practical mind or those skilled, seasoned hands miraculously come up with an inventive way to build something or to repair a piece of equipment.
We miss seeing all those things, but we do work hard every day to carry with us the influences that guided us, inspired us and entertained us when Harold was alive and such a central part of our lives.
We do not forget, and we cherish his memory on this and every other day.
We miss seeing all those things, but we do work hard every day to carry with us the influences that guided us, inspired us and entertained us when Harold was alive and such a central part of our lives.
We do not forget, and we cherish his memory on this and every other day.
2 comments:
Ok, you succeeded. I got to start my day off with a good cry! However, after some loving tears I have a perma-grin on my face now. That picture is remarkable! Between the picture and what you wrote, tons of great memories come flooding back. The biggest is that now I know where I learned to put things back where I got them and that the animals always come first. Not only do I do those things but I strongly preach that to everyone at the barn!!! I can be a real bear when it comes to those two things.
All day now, I'm going to be thinking about keeping my nose clean and not taking any wooden nickels!
Thank You!!!
Love you all,
Monty
Hello,
Jason Clizer here in Kennewick- enjoyed your blog about remembering and honoring those important people who've had the most impact on us.
Hard for me to believe grandpa Clizer left his body 5 years ago as well- and my dad too- will be 2 years this March.
They sure are right about that "time flies..." thing!
Take care,
Jason
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