Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Monday, November 21, 2011

New Coat! Oh, and Christmas Tree . . .

Clockwise from right: Aly (Hired man's son),
Anita, Blair, and Me - in my little gold beauty.

It wasn't often that we kids were able to go on a field trip with my Dad.
When it happened, we were eager.
When it happened at Christmas, we were beyond excited.
Ecstatic.
Exuberant.
Exhilarated.
Elated.
Euphoric.
Electrified.
That's all of the 'E' words I can think of.
Except that 'energetic' should be stuck in there somewhere.
And, for me, usually immediately followed by, "Empty all tanks!"
When I think about it, I guess it's not surprising that we didn't go on field trips with my Dad very often.
Back to my story . . .
Dad was taking us four oldest kids to the Sweetgrass Hills to cut down our family's Christmas tree.
It was the 50's.
Families did things like that back then.
But we had to make a quick stop in Milk River at the Robinson's store to get me a winter coat.
I had outgrown my old one and Dad wasn't excited about trailing me through the forest wrapped in my blanket.
Go figure.
So the excitement level for this trip had just been dialed way up.
In fact, I was so elated, that Dad didn't even wait for the 'announcement' (see above), but sat me in the car with a bucket already in my lap.
Smart man.
We made the 20 miles to Milk River without incident. (see above . . . again.)
And entered the store.
I should explain here that the Robinson's Store was the only shop in Milk River that featured clothing.
There were neat piles of everything wearable.
And the wood plank floors creaked delightfully.
And if you were really lucky, you got to watch Theo Barrows gift wrap packages at her counter in the middle of the store.
The curling of the ribbons was especially fascinating.
Where was I  . . .?
Oh, yes.
New coat.
Dad asked the manager where we could find coats in my size and was conducted, with me tagging eagerly behind, to a rack at one side of the store.
My eyes were immediately drawn to a gold, furry, wonderful garment.
I reached out a hand and brushed the soft fur.
Oooooh!
"This one, Daddy! This one!"
"Okay, we'll try this one," Dad said.
I dropped my blanket and slipped my arms into the sleeves.
Perfect!
"I guess we'll take it," Dad said.
Good thing, too, because there was no way they were ever going to pry me out of that coat.
Dad paid and we trooped back out to the car.
The other kids excited now to get to the real reason for this trip.
Me brushing and brushing the soft fur on my arms and chest.
We had fun finding the tree.
I think.
We did end up with one.
I really don't remember much about it.
Me and my coat were happy, sitting in the car together.
And watching through the windshield.
Because, after all - one couldn't wear one's new coat out into nature!
What if it got soiled?
Later:
Blair (in my now-outgrown coat), and Anita
The original recycling program
Dad later said something about 'waste of time and money'.
But who listened?

5 comments:

  1. funny how kids are. They fall in love with something and it pleases them so much they forget everything.
    It's delightful to watch a kid love something you bought or made for them.
    My Dad took me shopping when the stores were closed lol
    We'd see nice things and he'd say Ah too bad.
    I would have bought it for you. lol
    Then I'd forget and life goes on. lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mom used to buy "Little Nugget" coats for me and then pass them down to a neighbours kid. Never anything as delightfully fuzzy as yours.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I tried really hard, but couldn't think of any more 'E' words that fit! I guess that makes it official - you've identified them all!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That looks like a nice fuzzy coat! I remember that all I wanted for my 10th birthday was an "Annie" belt. That's the year that the first Annie movie came out in the early 80's. I did get one and I wore that belt until it didn't fit anymore. It was my favorite clothing accessory of all time! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Diane...I'm finally getting some time to stop by. Love the coat!! Although we don't cut our trees, we do buy real one each year. Our dd loves to pick it out.

    ReplyDelete

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