Sunday, August 16, 2009

Billingham family

Between Walter and Kenny there were 6 grandchildren but only one of them - Lois - Walter's daughter - was interested in horses.





Walter and Grace and Lois and her brother Roy lived upstairs in the apartment above the house.





Roy took Pop on a trip to the West. They went to the Calgary Stampede. Pop was most impressed.


Pop had to have surgery and was away for a while and the riders did extra chores. We helped to clean out the garage. Pop was not too happy about this and he went to the dump to retrieve some of his junk.

Wal Ken Farms

There was another farm down the road which Pop owned. He kept the young horses there. When they were ready for further training they would be walked along the road.



The name of the road is Chemin de l'Ile aux Chats. The road close to it is Rue de la Dame-Neuve. Pop used to joke that he lived on the Damn Road.

Mom and Pop

I remember many happy hours spent in Mom’s kitchen listening to her stories and watching her bake pies. The two sons went into business together and bought a restaurant. Mom’s pies were much awaited every day. I can almost hear her saying - Arthur, put on a clean shirt, it is time to take the pies. The pies were in boxes with towels held down by clothespegs.


Pop had other jobs - at Canada Safety Fuse in Brownsburgand he also had a mail run.



Pop took Mom shopping on a Wednesday when the stores were open late.
Mom was not too happy to have to go shopping or to church in a truck.



For their 50th wedding anniversary the two sons organized a big party at a local hall with food and entertainment. The riders sat together at a table.

Pop's dad was at the event and I am sure that not too many dads can be there to celebrate their son's 50th anniversary.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Hardworking unpaid help

All the riders.



Cleaning stalls.



Watering the horses with buckets or taking them to the sink. It was later that he put in the automatic waterbowls.


Haying and lots of that; to other farms to get it and then stacking in the loft and the arena. Pop taking us for ice cream afterwards.

Other people

Phil who helped out.


Ernie the blacksmith who died in Pop’s arms.



Summer folks who came from the lakes.



The strange folks at the other farm and the house at the corner that had a garbage dump. Both places belonged to Pop.

Happy trails

What where their names??

Soft drinks

Mom sold soft drinks.


She rang the large bell to let us know she was open for business.


She kept a tab of those who owed money.