Chapter III

Chapter III

The spectator stands surrounding the TransNational Ring at The Meadows were overflowing.  Everyone  anxiously awaiting the commencement of the 20th Kings Plate.  The decision in 2002 was the equestrian course be designed by Ken Romke and they were not disappointed with the results.  It offered entertainment for the viewers but would also be an extreme challenge for the riders.  John and Arlene had given Ann  box seats for Christmas, truly a gift that could not have been more appreciated.  Arlene was judging the event and would remain in the center ring for the afternoon so Ann and John toured the stables admiring the Warm blood teams from Belgium, Denmark and Sweden.  The Warm bloods with such charming personalities always amazed Ann with their agility and how they lifted and extended themselves with such ease over the big fences. The German Oldenburg's, waxed, ribboned and braided were picturesque with their strong sculptured features.  Ann was mesmerized by the Selle Francais entry from France, while John was affixed on the athletic, bold Holsteiners all dressed in the bold American colors.   The grooms were busy finishing up with washing, trimming, waxing and braiding of their horses. Ann commented to John -

"This is like a day at the Spa. It's amazing they stand so still."

"They know the preamble to their performance."

As they continued down the row the acoustics from the ring were overpowered by the ruckus coming from a stall near the end of the barn.  Looking in, there was a slight gray stallion, muzzled and harnessed creating havoc in the stall.  Also inside the stall was a young groom, he obviously not at all intimidated by the stallion and his temper, yet wise enough to protect himself with a hockey helmet and mask, chest and knee pads and a crop. Ann looked on and concluded that the horse was winning the battle.

"John don't you think you should call someone to help him?"

"No, everyone here knows Axe Court."

"How can that young man stay in there with that animal?"

"Axe Court likes this groom, I've seen him with other handlers and they have not lasted the day. Once all the prep work is done and they get him saddled, bridled and out into the ring, no other horse can match his agility or flare.   He floats over any jump that has ever been built and loves the attention from the stands."

Ann raised her eyebrows and asked John if the name, Axe Court meant anything.

"Short Stud."

"How appropriate."

"Of all the children John, Arlene has always had an extraordinary bond with horses.  Lynn, of course is a natural around animals, like her Grandmother, she was always dragging every lost, needy or forlorn creature, either four legged or two legged home with her, but Arlene's a natural around horses. She was so young when she almost lost her arm, that would be the end of horses in her life.  The vision of this tiny little girl coming around the corner of the barn with her arm swinging like a broken stick.  The cinch on the saddle had slipped and literally tipped to underneath the horses belly, with Arlene hanging on and when she dropped to the ground the horse stepped back to avoid her but stepped right on her arm.   Bless Mom, she new Dr. McMillan, the head reconstructive surgeon at the hospital, so she called him and he was waiting for us when we arrived at the Emergency Ward. After he looked at Arlene's arm he warned me that because of the extensive damage he may have to amputate.  So off she went,  this tiny little angel on this massive stretcher, having no idea of what the outcome may be.  After hours of surgery Dr. McMillan emerged through the doors, content that he was able to repair most of the damage to the nerves, tendons and ligaments.  The humerus bone was reset and Arlene's arm was set in a cast.  To this day I am amazed that she has the use of that arm."

John and Ann had  just returned to their seats in the stands when Florence and Franklin arrived.

"Hi Mom, have you had a chance to walk through the stables?"

"No responded Florence, we came right up.  Saw Arlene over at the Judging box.  Look at this place, this sure is different from the Pine Creek Hilton."

Everyone laughed at Florence's reference to the family farm.

"Just one of these horses would keep us set for a few years."

"Sure Gramma, how would you propose we gain possession of one of these horses?"

"All right Franklin, don't encourage your Grandmother."

"How was your trip Franklin."

"Good Mom, the roads had little traffic on them.  Picked up some vegetables at the farmers market." 

"Franklin,  when will Dee and Maire be back from Ireland?"

"They will be back in about two weeks."

Dee and Maire had gone to Ireland to visit relatives.  Ann had heard from them several times over the summer and waited patiently until they returned home.  She loved the times that she and the two girls spent the day together. Both girls had grown into such beautify young ladies.  Dee, the older, exuberant, lively and fiercely independent; Maire, the younger by four years, was shy, sensitive and gentle. Ann always had such admiration for Franklin, having grown up without his father, showing such natural love and compassion for his children.  Perhaps because of his circumstances, he had resolved not to take anything for granted with his children.

"Blair & Margaret are coming up next week Ann,  so they can drive me home, okay?"

"That sounds good Mom.  I wish you would think about staying longer.  All the kids would love for you to spend some time."

Florence always missed her grandchildren.

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                            When the Eagles are silent, the Parrots begin to Jabber      
                             ..Sir Winston Churchill

After Johnston's death in 1959, Ann and the children moved in with Florence.  Ann put her education on hold and found a secretarial job at the Bank.

"Good evening Florence."

"Good evening Elder Toms."

"May I come in?"

"Yes, please." 

Florence held the door open for Elder Toms to come in.  Never had she had an Elder of the Church call in the evening and this made her very nervous.  She was quickly trying to think of anything that she had done wrong.  Probably had not spent enough time working on the various volunteer committees.  She was not the strongest of member of the Church.  Munroe did not practice the same faith, giving Florence the perfect excuse not to attend.

"Florence is Ann in this evening?"

Florence immediately stood up and went to get Ann who was busy putting the children to bed.

They both returned.

"Ann,  it is so good to see you."

"Thank you Elder Toms, it is nice to see you as well."

"Ann,  I and the other Elders have met and agreed that it best the Church take full guardianship of the four children.  We of course will see to it that the boy, Franklin receive the full benefits of the Church and the three girls, Leigh, Lynn and Arlene be fostered into members homes.  The futures of the children under your circumstances, gives us very little hope for their betterment.  After you have given up guardianship of the children to the Church, you, still being a young woman, can pursue your other interests in life."

Ann was devastated and started to cry.

Florence jumped to her feet. 

"Get out of our home and don't you come back.  You will not take my daughters children and how dare you think you know a better life for these children than with their family.  Ann and the children have a loving family. Leave now and if you ever come near any of us again, you will deal with me."

Elder Toms, wishing he had visited with other Elders, moved towards the door and left without any other words being spoken.

The Township of Pont was controlled by the Church and anyone in business stayed in business, supporting the Church. 

On  Monday when Ann arrived at work she was asked to come into the Managers office.

Mr. Rully told Ann that they were cutting back and that she was being let go.  She was thanked for her work and promptly left.

She spent the remainder of the morning walking up and down the main street of Pont seeking any type of work.  To no surprise, there was nothing available.

"Mom what am I going to do?"

"What we are going to do is leave this place.  We will move to Calgary.  You can get a job and I will care for the children.  We are family and no one will tell you how to raise your children."

In the past her mother's independence and drive had, on occasion, made Ann uncomfortable, but now showing this kind of support and unconditional love, Ann could not think of anyone else who she would rather have beside her at this time.
 

By the end of the month the house had been packed up.  Relatives had all helped.  Several of them were using their trucks to move the furniture.  It was agreed that Munroe, being stationed in Pont with the CPR, would stay until his transfer  was approved and the house was sold.

Florence had found a wonderful small acreage south of Calgary.  Ann had found welcomed employment at the Nixman Construction Company in downtown Calgary.

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Florence searched the community for any type of school and found the Pine Creek Elementary.  It was a single room brick structure, complete with a wonderful teacher, a pot-bellied stove, and a standing post for horses.  There were six rows, covering grades one thru six.  Leigh, Lynn and Arlene will start there in September.  Fredrick was still too young to attend so he would remain with Florence.  The school was about two miles from the farm so the girls will walk in warmer weather and in the colder weather Florence will drive them to and from school.  There was always, of course, the possibility of getting hobby horses and the girls could ride their horses to school. 

Every evening Ann would arrive home with the aroma of homemade bread greeting her as soon as her car door opened.  The children were running about the yard playing.  It seemed that Florence enjoyed having the chaos of children more so, the second time around, after raising her own three children during the depression.

The first month at the farm Florence had the neighbors in to build a run for the chickens, fixed up the barn and corrals and also built a couple of shelters for dogs.  One neighbor was a retired  Police officer, who also happened to have two retired German Sheppard's.  As soon as Florence heard that they needed a home they were brought to the farm that afternoon.  All the children  had been told not to go near the dogs. They did prove to be great guard dogs, completely devoted to Florence. 

"Owweeyy, let go.  No it's mine."

"Owweeyy.  Gamma help."

Florence ran out of the back door and saw Franklin's arm in the mouth of Rex, the elder and larger of the two dogs, dragging him across the yard, heading towards the field. 

"Rex stop."  The dog did stop,  but refused to let go of Franklin, who remained face down on the lawn.  His little cowboy boots half off his feet, his cowboy hat almost chocking him from the side and his free arm, holding his sword (really a tree switch), trying to hit Rex.

Florence removed the switch from Franklin's hand, then removed his hat. He had so much dirt and grass in his mouth he could not talk, or thank goodness, at this moment, cry. He still was not free from Rex who had half of Franklin's arm locked in his jaws.  Florence was trying to remember the commands given to her to have Rex release and lay down.  Rex again began dragging Franklin along the lawn.  Florence remembered the command and Rex stopped and then released Franklin's arm.  Once Franklin was free, she saw, in the child's hand was the soup bone she had given Rex earlier that day.  No wonder the dog was heading out to the pasture - he was going to bury the bone and, if necessary, Franklin with it. 

Franklin was taken into the kitchen so that his arm could be cleaned up.  Other than scratches there was no serious damage.

"Franklin that was Rex's bone and you have been told not go near the dogs when they are eating."

"Yes I know that Gamma."

"Then why did you do it, you could have been terribly hurt ."

"Because I am a cowboy and I was bringing home supper."

"Okay cowboy Franklin the next time you need to hunt for food check the fridge."

"Okay Gamma, can I go play with the chickens now?"

'Yes, but don't bother them."

Florence had just started getting supper ready when Franklin was banging the back door.  

"Gamma hurry.............Gamma hurry!!!"

All Florence saw when she opened the screen door was  Franklin, in his tiny cowboy boots and his sword trying to out run the rooster pecking at his legs.  Florence followed  behind Franklin and waved a towel at the rooster who ran off.

"Franklin, what did you do?"

"Nothing Gamma.  I was playing with the chickens and that bad bird came under the fence and chased me." 

"Oh Franklin, let's find you something to do in the house."

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Ann and Florence had been busy for the month of December getting ready for Christmas.  Florence had been going to all the markets selling her jams and baking and had saved enough to buy the Christmas turkey and all the trimmings.   She had been at the Sally-Ann and found three sweaters for the girls and one cowboy shirt for Franklin.  Ann had found the material to make all the stockings.  Munroe had brought a train set for the children.  All the family was expected to be at the farm for Christmas.

Florence loved staying up Christmas Eve to get all the presents wrapped and the stockings stuffed.  She had insisted that Ann, who had worked all day, get to bed early.   Christmas morning was always magical.  Somehow they always managed to make sure the children had all their Santa's lists under the tree. When everyone congregated around the tree the room was overflowing with gifts.  There was a bike for Franklin and dolls for Leigh, Lynn and Arlene.  All Franklin saw was the brilliant red shiny bike with a cowboy hat on top "with love from Santa".  He would never know that Munroe had claimed it from the lost and found at the Station.  When he brought it home Florence was thrilled and repainted it and Munroe replaced the tires.  The dolls were picked up at the Sally-Ann.  Florence and Ann hand stitched new outfits for each doll, "with love from Santa."  Ann had taken her bonus to purchase gifts and a new blanket for her parents bed, which brought Florence to tears.  Munroe was thrilled with the shoe polishing kit the children had made him.  Ann and the children gave Florence winter gloves.  The children, while shopping with Florence, had found scented soaps and a brush for their Mom.  In order to pay for this they all did extra chores for Florence.   Their eyes twinkled when Ann opened her gifts. 

Jimmy and Marlene, were also at the farm for Christmas.  Their first child was expected in January.

While supper was being prepared Jimmy and Munroe took the children, all bundled in their sweaters, scarves, mitts, coats and boots outside to play.  Jimmy had not mentioned that he had brought a toboggan for the children for Christmas.  The only time they had seen such a beautiful toboggan was at the store, but understood that their Mom could not afford to buy it. When their Uncle Jimmy explained to them that the toboggan was for them, their screams could be heard from within the house. Behind the barn the natural topography of the land was hillside, all slopping down, to a creek, surrounded by tall aspen popular, grand spruce trees and a few Maydays. This time of year the creek was frozen over. Jimmy pulled the toboggan, holding all four children towards the hill.  Munroe went to the bottom of the hill to "catch" the children when they came down.  All clinging to each other, looking like little mini Michelin-Men, Jimmy gave the toboggan a slight push and down they went.  Munroe and Jimmy could not have anticipated the speed that the toboggan would gain going down the hill.  Jimmy started running after the toboggan but could not keep up. Munroe would later state,  collectively, not one of the children made a sound, either frozen from the cold or from fear, but nothing was coming out of the open mouths as the toboggan flew past him heading for the creek and continued on until going deep into a snow bank.  

Munroe and Jimmy were quick to get to the toboggan and start pulling out the children.  Franklin, who had been placed at the front of the toboggan had received the brusque force of the impact, yet once the snow was removed from his face he was ecstatic and wanted to do it again.  The girls however only wanted to get to the house so that they could  warm up.  By the time they returned to the house Munroe and Jimmy had convinced the girls that this was one of the greatest rides they had ever witnessed and how the girls had managed to control the toboggan all the way down the hill.  Ann did not need an explanation; it was all over the girl's faces as they came through the door.

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Everything was going well, Leigh, Lynn and Arlene were finishing their first year at Pine Creek Elementary.  Ann was learning so much on the job at Nixman.  She had been promoted to Office Manager, which kept her very busy.  Franklin continued his adventures around the farmyard, or he was busy travelling to the markets with Florence.  Ann would leave home before the children were up.  The drive into Calgary would take about 50 minutes and most evenings she would return after supper. As soon as her car came into the yard the children would race to the door and wait for her.  It was her favorite part of the day.