Rusty and Charlie

Every morning my grandma knocked very loudly on my bedroom door at 5 am. Not a minute earlier, but maybe a few minutes later, depending on what day it was. On Mondays, her knocks were two raps, meaning you’d better not need another. To me, this meant to get a move-on, chores to do before school. Horses to be feed, dog, cats, and even a squirrel. Hay from the loft for the cows, bulls to be let out for pasture all before breakfast. Do not get the wrong impression, and this was not near as brutal as it might sound, considering if you are used to the routine.

Being the lucky one, My baby sister could sleep 30 minutes longer. But she, too, had her chores. My youngest brother was only responsible for grinning.

Being the oldest, It was my responsibility to get the rest of the herd all moving. My two younger brothers bucked me at the most turn, but I was the bigger one back then. Nevertheless, before 5:30 am, was a run to the kitchen for breakfast then getting chores done before school. Brother two had to saddle and bridle both Rusty and Charlie; Brother three had to feed all the other animals while I settled the hayloft… All before 6 am.

From the barn to our school was close to 4 miles and with old country roads, make this about 4.5 miles one way. We called these roads FM roads ( Farm to Market ). These were old dirt roads for tractors and such. Usually, there was very little traffic on these roads other than maybe a Tractor or a younger lady taking her kid to a babysitter in her husband’s car in a hurry.

My two brothers rode Rusty because he was a bit more spirited. I took my sister on charlie because she easy and like the smell of another gal on her back. The gait was always easy unless there was a snake in the road or maybe a dead animal.

Once we all got into town, my brothers when to their respective classes in school. I would ride further to a dropped off my sister at her school. Soon I would bring Rusty to her pasture and then go to my class.

In the later afternoon, the same once again, and we all would be home.

The smell of fried bacon and fresh cornbread for supper, with greens and gravy, were heaven to me after my chores were done.

But most important to me will always be the warmth and security of family that I felt. The news reported all sorts of ugly things at that time, but I never felt threatened. Now I am not so sure

The days of my youth.