Welcome to the new posts from your archives with a theme of family and friends. Very important as our support system at the moment as many of us are isolated and out of physical touch. If you would like details on how to participate here is the link: Posts from Your Archives April 2020 Family and Friends
Author Darlene Foster shares a lovely post about her dad, who was a real life cattle man, and also shares some of his down to earth wisdom. This was first posted in 2014
Cowboy Wisdom
My Dad was a cowboy. Not the Hollywood type, but a real cowboy – a man who tended cattle. A hard-working man of integrity, loyalty and determination, he almost always wore his signature cowboy hat and boots, jeans and western shirt. He lived the code of the cowboy where a man’s word was a man’s word and you never broke a promise once made. He believed you should do what has to be done without complaint, take pride in your work and always finish what you start. He was a man of principle; tough but fair. I learned so much from him.
His education included grade seven. Responsibilities on his father’s farm in the spring and fall took him out of school, which put him behind. By the time he turned fifteen he didn’t bother going back to school being so much older than the rest of the class. In spite of his limited schooling, he was the smartest man I have ever known. A curious man, Dad believed in continuous learning. His gift of the gab enabled him to start a conversation with almost anyone and he always came away wiser. “You can learn at least one thing from everyone you meet,” became a lesson I never forgot.
Dad read the newspapers and kept up to date on current events, but his busy schedule didn’t permit him to read much else. At age seventy-five, he finally retired and moved into the city. His love of the outdoors and fresh air, took him on walks to the local library on a regular basis. Once there, he chose about half a dozen books on a subject he had always wanted to learn more about. He took the books home, read them front to back and returned with a new subject in mind. At seventy-five he educated himself and expanded his world. I found this to be most admirable.
There wasn’t much I couldn’t discuss with him. He taught me the art of conversation, negotiation and debate; valuable lessons that have served me well over the years. He served as my confidant, financial advisor, political guru, mentor, and he was my hero. He always had time to listen to my woes and to provide encouraging words. I didn’t make many major decisions without discussing with him first. But he wouldn’t tell me what to do; he just helped me look at all sides of the situation. He encouraged me to be an independent thinker, creative problem solver and not to always look for the easy way. He claimed, “You make your own luck in this world.” I believe that to be true for the most part, but I sure was lucky to get him for a Dad. His confidence in me and my abilities enabled me to reach higher and not give up on my dreams.
Always a perfect gentleman, he could also swear a blue streak if the occasion called for it. Like the time he hit his thumb with a hammer while fixing a piece of farm machinery. He forgot I was in hearing distance.
Life wasn’t always easy for a cowboy but Dad’s amazing sense of humour and positive attitude got him through the tough times. He loved a good practical joke and April Fool’s was his favourite day. I can still see the twinkle in his eyes when he knew he got one over on us. He didn’t mind laughing at himself as well. There were many times he would tell a story and have everyone in stitches. From him, I learned the value of a good laugh and how to look on the bright side. He often said, “It could always be worse.”
A tough cowboy on the surface, he was really a big softy. Dad always found the best in everyone, was a helpful neighbour and a good friend to many. His love for his animals was evident as was his unfailing devotion to his family. A generous, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he made an impact on everyone. When I see traits of him in my children and grandchildren, I am comforted knowing his legacy lives on.
Dad and his family 1995
It’s been seven years since we lost Dad. There isn’t a day I don’t think of him, quote him or seek his advice. He was a true cowboy to the last.
Mom and Dad
©Darlene Foster 2014
About Darlene Foster
Growing up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, travelling the world, and meeting interesting people. She also believed in making her dreams come true. It’s no surprise she’s now the award-winning author of Amanda Travels, a children’s adventure series featuring a spunky twelve-year-old who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. When not travelling herself, Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with her husband and entertaining dog, Dot.
A selection of books by Darlene Foster
One of the recent reviews for Amanda in Holland
Amanda in Holland is the latest addition to the exciting Amanda series of books written by Canadian author, Darlene Foster. Each book in the Amanda series is set in a different country and details some of the amazing cultural and historical sites as well as dishes, drinks and clothes that are specific to that country. This aspect of the series makes it unusual and appealing to young and older readers.
Amanda, who lives in Canada, travels to Holland to meet up with her best friend, Leah Anderson and her father, who live in England. Mr Anderson is in Holland for business purposes and the two teenage girls are free to enjoy themselves seeing all the wonderful historical and cultural sites Holland has to offer. The story starts with a bang when Amanda is nearly ridden over by a woman on a bicycle on her first morning in Amsterdam. The woman’s behaviour is a bit odd and this event is followed by Amanda and Leah discovering a young puppy which has been abandoned in a box next to a rubbish bin around the corner from a cheese shop they are visiting.
Mr Anderson agrees for the girls to keep the dog until it can be taken to an animal shelter and this decision sets in motion a series of occurrences that draw Amanda and Leah into an exciting adventure involving selling animals from puppy farms and stealing rare tulip bulbs. While the two girls investigate the mysterious circumstances of the abandonment of the puppy and the strange behaviour of various individuals who keep turning up, like the woman who nearly ran Amanda over, they also visit a number of interesting places such as the hide out of Anne Frank of The Diary of Anne Frank fame, the Keukenhof Botanical Gardens and a Canadian war-memorial cemetery. Amanda has the picture of her great uncle Harold who disappeared in Holland during the war and whose grave she is hoping she might find. The two girls meet a number of interesting people and get to spend time with a number of Dutch people who introduce them to some delicious Dutch treats.
The book is action packed and filled with interesting titbits of information about life in Holland, WWII and perseverance and determination in unraveling a mystery.
Amanda is a clever and kind girl who will appeal to middle school and young teenagers who will admire her pluck
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
and: Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow Darlene: Goodreads
Connect to Darlene
Website: Darlene Foster
Blog: Darlene Foster WordPress
Facebook: Darlene Foster Facebook
Twitter: @supermegawoman
My thanks to Darlene for sharing this post with us and as always your feedback is very welcome. Thanks Sally.
Wonderful reading something about a real/ true Coyboy. Thank you, because here we only got the information by films with John Wayne, and the other well known actors. It is certainly a very difficult, and not too well paid, job. Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very tough job and riding a horse all day must be back breaking apart from all the other work involved.. xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for featuring my post, Sally. My dad suffered from backache as long as I knew him. He would be pleased to see folks reading about him, but probably a bit embarrassed as well. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like mine… I don’t want to sound like a grumpy old women, but there are some young men today, especially those on the reality shows, who could learn some valuable lessons from the likes of your dad and mine. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. Yes, my dad was the hardest working man I ever met. But he loved his work and wouldn’t have wanted to do anything else.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thats great to hear, Darlene! Than you for the wonderful story. Best wishes, and stay save. Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
A lovely post, a reminder of how important being a father is when men are often sidelined.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks. He took his role as a father very seriously.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Janet..agree with you…xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing that, Darlene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ruth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t believe I didn’t know that about you, Darlene. I love that era.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know you do and you read books my dad would have liked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is why I love it when people share their posts here..xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have painted a lovely portrait of your father with your words Darlene. What a wonderful tribute! Thanks for sharing awesome pictures. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Balroop. He was a special person and I was so lucky to have had him in my life.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Balroop..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your dad sounds like a great guy, Darlene. My dad also doesn’t have that much education. He is dyslexic and in those days that just meant lazy and/or dumb. He is actually really clever too and his four daughters all adore him. Thanks for including my review, Sally.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sounds like a wonderful dad Robbie…and delighted to share your reviews..hugsx
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad that they have finally realized that being dyslexic is not being stupid or lazy. Some very successful individuals are or were dyslexic. He sounds like a great dad! Thanks again for that wonderful review!
LikeLiked by 2 people
He sounds like an amazing man, Darlene. Life experience is worth far more than any education, in my eyes, and he instilled his wisdom in you. {{hugs}}
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jacquie..hugsx
LikeLike
I so agree. And it’s what you do with that life experience! xo
LikeLiked by 3 people
Darlene, I really like your dad’s wisdom that “you can learn something from everyone you meet.” I’ll try to keep that in mind.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remind myself of this continually. It always proves to be true. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a good man! It’s pretty special to know that one’s father is admired by others. He sounds like a real “salt of the earth” type.
LikeLiked by 3 people
He does Pete.. lovely dad.x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Pete. That is a great way to describe him, “salt of the earth.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful tribute to your father Darlene. Sounds like a prince of a man. You were blessed. ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Debby ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was blessed indeed. My mom did a good job of finding the perfect husband and father. Thanks for sharing, Debby.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Stay blessed ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a wonderful tribute to your father, Darlene. I really enjoyed reading this – and thinking of my own dad, too.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Mary x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Mary. Glad you enjoyed it and that it brought back thoughts of your dear dad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a beautiful post, Darlene. I got all weepy from this one. Your dad sounds wonderful, wise, and loving, and his legacy lives on in each of you. My deceased brother was also a real cowboy, so this post was especially poignant. Loved this. A great share, Sally.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sad to hear about your brother Diana… ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awe, thanks so much. Dad has been gone 13 years already but I still get weepy thinking of him. And if your brother was a cowboy, you know what I mean. xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep. 17 years for my brother and will always miss him. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Precious, Darlene… A wonderful tribute to your dad and to his family as well! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Bette..hugs♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Bette. I’m glad I can share him with the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely and wise dad you have, Darlene. My dad also read everything in the newspaper and made great influence on my love of reading. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Miriam. Aren’t we lucky to have dads like that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Darlene, I always brag about inherited the love of reading, exercise and the green thumb from my dad. 💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
he sounds like a wonderful man, what a loving tribute. I share a couple of things in common with your dad – our love of libraries and learning, and having April Fools Day as our favorite day of the year!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jim.x
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is so great, Jim. Every April Fools Day I think of him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure he would be happy to know that!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really enjoyed this tribute to your dad. He must have been a remarkable man.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Liz x
LikeLiked by 2 people
He was remarkable, but he didn’t realize it, That was part of his charm, I believe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can see that. My dad was the same way.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
I am a guest on Sally´s Smorgasbord Blog Magazine where she features a post from my archives about my wonderful dad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He sounds a lovely man. You were lucky, Darlene.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Stevie.x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really was! Thanks, Stevie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fathers are amazing people. I never met mine but still miss him so much…
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is very sad Jaye and that you never met.. my mother lost hers in 1918 when she was 12 months old so never knew him either and that loss stayed with her throughout her life. xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I have always felt something missing…
LikeLiked by 1 person
♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wars result in many children not knowing their fathers. So sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tragic…xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry to hear that. I know not all dads are good and I am forever grateful mine was.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He was lovely, apparently, just never came back from the war…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reblog. xo
LikeLike
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – April 19th – April25th 2020 – Bond Themes, #Waterford History, Royal Navy WWII, Letters from America, Poetry, Book Reviews and Guests. | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
This was just wonderful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Jennie..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Sally. Hugs to you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jenny. So pleased you liked the post about my dear old dad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are welcome, Darlene. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you both Sally and Darlene for re-sharing the story of Darlene’s Dad!!! After reading your write-up on your Dad, Darlene, I feel like I know him!! What an awesome person and your were blessed to have him as your father!! Stay well Sally and Darlene!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for commenting Kirt and stay well and enjoy your week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I´m glad his wonderful personality came through in the post, Kirt. I am happy to share him with my friends. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I always love reading stories like your father of those that went before us and what they had to deal with!! Situations change, but a loving parent and their influence on the next generation doesn’t!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your dad sounds like someone I’d have been honored to meet, Darlene. “You can learn at least one thing from everyone you meet.” Words I’ll remember.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Teri..xx
LikeLiked by 1 person