Stories from James E. Greet.
“One morning, mom wondered if there were any fresh wagon tracks on the county road past our gate, and she sent us kids to go see. George and Marjorie said yes, there were. They tried to explain to me how they could tell, but to no avail. I could see other wagon tracks and all were just wagon tracks to me. The mystery was not solved, much to my distress.
The big flat stone in front of the cabin made a nice place to sit in the evening and review the events of the day. In the conversation, someone mentioned the skyline just beyond the county road. Of course, I wanted to see the “skyline”. Mom tried very hard to show me, but to no avail. I knew what a clothesline looked like, everyone had one. Then, too, there was the telephone line at the home ranch, but I couldn’t see that skyline just beyond the county road.
With so many interesting things going on, I fell in love with the mountain. That love lasted a lifetime. My brother, George, was fortunate enough to live with Grandma and Grandpa Pyle on the mountain one winter to go to school.
There were several families that lived in the area and they built a one room school house and hired a teacher for the students. Several of them came to school on skis. I thought, “how lucky”!
When those pioneers went from place to place, they rode horseback or used team and sleigh in the winter. All such horses that were used for getting around soon learned to stay on the packed snow.
One time Harry and Grace (Mills) were coming off the mountain with four head or horses hitched to a sled with a hay rack on it. One of the horses stumbled and fell on her back into the deep snow. Harry got her unhitched and took his scoop shovel and shoveled snow until he could get the mare up. When all was in order again, Grace tells that I watched in silence – then I said “Old Bess did hell (fell) down, didn’t she?”
I can still see Old Bess there on her back in the deep snow. This was my kind of life – so full and exciting!”
The schoolhouse I think he is talking about would have been just out of frame to the left in this photo. Nothing is left but foundation stones. This photo was taken December 31, 2023. The cabin is “new”, not historical. Not a year of deep snow… (so far).
Find me here!
James, thank you for telling your stories here. I enjoy imagining as I read.
Enjoying the “Reminiscing” and the photo is spectacular!
I, for one, would buy a book containing James’ writings. Love them! How humorous his boyhood memory of trying to see the skyline. I wish I had a copy of Wyoma’s writings, too. I believe that old schoolhouse was still standing – empty – when we lived there.
I love the old stories placed with your beautiful photography. You could create a beautiful coffee table book from these.
Sounds like every day was a wonderful adventure for him! I’m learning a lot and enjoying these stories very much.
Poor old Bess!