Hollenbeck: Sharing the Basics
My husband and I have reached the so-called Golden Years (which happened very fast), and are now experiencing something we often heard about in the past, which is “after you retire, you’ll be busier than ever.” That comment was hard to imagine, as we once dreamed about a time when we no longer had to go to bed exhausted after the long, hard days of physical labor required from running a ranch, a household, raising a family and all the unexpected challenges that appeared along the way. Well, here we are.
Although we are still happily living on the ranch and somewhat involved with its operation, we have sold our livestock and leased the place to a hard-working grandson. My husband has curtailed much of his participation in training, traveling, and competing on his popular G2 rope horses; and I have recently retired from traveling long distances, either performing my poetry or presenting quilt programs. So, what do we do with our idle time? For starters, there seems to be very little idle time. There is still a lot of upkeep here on the ranch, even though we no longer own livestock. My husband spends long days, when weather is suitable, eradicating noxious weeds (especially thistles) and red cedar saplings; “trying” to eliminate prairie dogs that encroach on the place; mowing the grounds; minor repairs on buildings and fences; and watching gates while cattle are being fed each day. Another thing that keeps us both busy is “Sharing the Basics”, basic skills and knowledge that we have gleaned from past years.
After being encouraged by the State Arts Council Director to become a mentor for someone in South Dakota wanting to learn traditional hand quilting, I sent a query to the Winner Quilt Guild and immediately garnered four applicants. Now there are six that I am teaching. In addition to working with this group, I am helping 4-H kids in Valentine who are learning to sew making Quilts of Valor. That is just a part of the assistance I am giving other individuals with their projects. Volunteering has consumed many idle hours for both my husband and I, as he helps young folks with their roping and horsemanship skills; helping a neighbor and his son with a troubled horse; and enjoys being called on to help move or sort cattle.
Here is an example of how “Sharing the Basics” is filling our days. Yesterday, after my husband watched gates while the grandson fed cattle, I drove to Millboro to play the piano for the little country church there. I returned home for lunch after which my husband spent the afternoon helping a fellow who is starting a couple young calf-roping horses. I had just sat down when a dire emergency occurred needing my assistance. It seems that my 7 year-old great-granddaughter, Oaklynn, had a special “blankie” that she had slept with since infancy. This soft pink blanket had a bunny head in the center…one with floppy ears and front paws, and perfect to cuddle up with. A sobbing little girl and her mother entered my house revealing the trauma. It seems the bunny head had detached from the blanket and the little girl was devastated. In no time, I had reattached the unit, using strong quilting thread so hopefully it will last another few years, and after the tears were dried and after receiving a few hugs of thanks from the little girl, we spent the afternoon, along with her little brother, making Valentine cut-out cookies…a basic tradition passed down from my mother and grandmother.
We seniors may be old and “woke”, but we possess skills and knowledge that many younger folks are not blessed with, so it is important to be “Sharing the Basics” so future generations can do the same. It certainly helps pass those idle retirement days.
