Some People To Pattern Life After

Many people have left a mark on me in life. Surely everyone can relate to that in their own way. Each of these people, in their own way, have influenced my daily life and how I look to the future. We hope you enjoy a glimpse at a few of these folks.

The first would have to be Grandpa Dalrymple. He came to Cheyenne-Arapaho Indian Territory in a covered wagon with Grandma and four children in about 1900. There were no roads, no bridges across the creeks and rivers and no town nearby. He staked his claim in Western Oklahoma in the "run" to "settle" the Cheyenne-Arapaho lands. His family of four then five lived many years in a small one room dug out "house" in the side of a hill. They made it. They survived. They had livestock and farmed the hard way. They died owing no man and with a bit of money in the bank. I have thought about Grandpa and Grandma a lot. They had vision, courage, enormous energy, they endured hard work and  poverty, conquered it and were stronger because of it. I have benefited from their example.

Next would be my parents Elmer and Stella. Both were children during the pioneer days. Dad was born in and lived with his family for many years in the dugout earth house Grandpa made. My parents were farmers and stockmen. Dad was a bit of a meat hunter. They lived through the eras of the pioneer days, World War I, the Dust Bowl, The Stock Market Crash, the Depression, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. They lived from the time of no roads, animal power, no radio, no telephone through all the decades of so-called development to the electronic-space-computer age. It is mind boggling to think of all they experienced in life. When others were fleeing to California in the 1930's +-, they persisted, they endured, they adapted, they survived, and they were successful. I have benefited enormously by their example.

Now comes my Uncle Dutch. "Dutch" because his parents were pure-bred German pioneers and he could not speak English in first grade school. Dutch was a pure farmer and stocksman. I worked for him as a youth. He was a wise man to me. He could kill a coyote at near 200 yards with is 22 Hornet rifle with pen sights and the naked eye. He was still farming at year 83, when he was killed by a drunken driver in a head-on crash going back to the house from his farm. There is hope that I can have the mind and body to be farming and "dogging" when I am 83.

And there is cattleman John. At 79 years still caring for and working his own cattle. Another target to shoot for.

Old friend Eual was still quail hunting at 80 years. At the end of the season he told me it was his last. I asked why? Well, he said, I hunted using a walking cane this season. I fell down a creek bed with a loaded shotgun. I just think it's time to quit. I hope I have the drive and fortitude to hunt at 80 years.

The last time I went quail hunting with friend Mr. Cash, he was near 80 years. Good attitude, full of life, and enjoying the hunt. Yep, it can be done.

And lastly, Mr. Cashman, joyfully hunting with friends into his 70's. He had not cared whether he shot a quail or not. His gun made a lot of noise. But he was happy, having fun, and enjoying life. Another guide on for me.

I challenge you to think about your "people to pattern life after."