Thursday, February 11, 2010

My Horse and My Opal Kadet

        As the daughter of a ranch foreman, I was given a horse by the owner of the ranch when I was about nine. 

        Let me re-state that.  When I was about nine, my father selected a horse for me.

        Tuesday night while driving to the basketball game,  I had the chance to gather more details about how that horse was chosen.

                       My Interview

Me:  Daddy, how and why did you pick Regalito? (Regalito means little gift in Spanish )

My Father:  Pause… Well , the other foreman had first pick for his kids.

                        Pause… And he picked all of the good mares.

                        Pause…  I didn’t like the looks of the  mares that were left.

                       Pause…  So I picked a stud horse- a stallion.

                        Pause… The stud fees from your horse went into your savings account .

        I used that money to buy my first car to take to college, when I graduated from Saint Mary’s Hall.

        It was a used, red Opal Kadet.

        What is the moral of this brief story?

        I am not sure, other than it tickles me that while the other foreman was selecting gentle horses that were suitable for pleasure riding (and breeding of course), my father did things his way, on my behalf, and picked a stallion that I would never ride.

        But ride I did, in fact, in my little red Opal Kadet, with a stick shift and a loud AM radio.

        

 

22 comments:

Debra@CommonGround said...

Love this Laura, just think you could have had a "mustang"! (my first car to drive, actually it was my mom's.)
Your Dad sounds like a smart man!
love,
Debra

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Sounds like you had a very smart Father!

Theresa said...

Love that sweet story! I love a Daddy with a plan:) Sounds like a sweet ride then and now! Have a blessed evening!

DKG aka Scrappy Doo said...

Great story. Your father is a wise man.
Have a great evening :-)

{oc cottage} said...

What a great story!

m ^..^

Sandra said...

Great Story as usual!! xoxo

Marguerite said...

Sometimes fathers know best! I remember the Opal Cadets! They were very cool cars. My first car was a Volkswagon bug, also with a stick shift. Those were the days, cher! Happy Weekend!

joanne said...

my hubs had a redish/goldish colored Opel Kadet when I first met him...we drove that car forever!! Sweet story, smart dad. jj

Karen said...

Laura, I can just hear your dad being quizzed by you. He probably wasn't real quick to answer... but would be slow and deliberate.
Everyone needs to know that this is one handsome man in his boots, jeans, starched white shirt and western hat. He is a man of "substance" and there are few men to be found these days even similar to him. So glad I know him!
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Beth in NC said...

Ha! What a cute story!

Jennifer said...

Great story!

June said...

Too funny Laura. Your father gave you a gift that just kept on giving. hehe I love the way he thinks. And his gift eventually gave you something to ride after all.
hugs

donna baker said...

Oh Laura, I did not know those things about you.

Our Porch in Hillsborough said...

What a sweet story - and sweet dad. If you turned this into a short story, I bet you could easily sell it. Happy Friday!

Lisa said...

Such a wonderful story! You got a lil' horse-power for your horse,didn't you. LOL
PS We are soooo snowed in. The thespian had a snow day and we have been in our jammies all day making (and eating) blueberry pancakes.When it's cold outside, all I want to do is eat!!! If I lived in DC they'd have to lift me out of my house with a crane.

Gayle said...

Hi Laura,
I so enjoy reading your blog and your take on life.
Sounds like you had a nice, practical Daddy.
A girl always needs one of those.
I hope you have a wonderful Valentines weekend!
Always a pleasure to stop by.
:0)

Gayle

Debbie's Garden said...

Big Daddy "keeps a tight rein"

Michelle said...

Good story!

Tricia said...

Sweet memories and story Laura. Happy V-day to you and your family.

trash talk said...

You're daddy must be one heck of a horse trader. I love daddy stories!
Debbie

Unknown said...

what a sweet story! thank you for visiting my blog. enjoy your weekend! susan

C. Earl Mahan said...

love it!!!

 

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