June Ends with A Celebration of Two People: My Dad & My Birthday!

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

Larada dancing with Dad - birthday — Larada Dancing With Her Dad

I want to celebrate two people on this last Sunday in June: end my celebration of Dad for Father’s Day month and me because yesterday I turned 73! What a great birthday!

Surprisingly, Dad Shows Up in Much of My Writing

I have written about my dad in most of my books. Because he was such a major player in my life, I have either focused on him or woven pieces about him in the following books on mine:

Dad on his favorite horse, Rusty - birthday — Dad on his favorite horse, Rusty

First Five Books

This Tumbleweed Landed – The title for this book came from a conversation I had with dad many years ago about my moving around so much.
When Will Papa Get Home? – Dad told and retold a story about a horse thief and I fictionalized that story in this book. He wasn’t in the book exactly, but he was!
Let Me Tell You a Story – I co-wrote this book with Dad about how his dad put our ranch together in the 1920s when many of the homesteaders were losing theirs.
A Time to Grow Up: A Daughter’s Grief Memoir – This book is about the loss of my parents.
- H er e’s a sample chapter from this book about Dad.
Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flipp – No where in this book do I mention Dad, but he got me into square dancing. So, his influence was there.

Last Five Books

Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? – I mentioned Dad eleven times as I tried to deal with the pandemic. He follows me everywhere.
Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir — Once again Dad showed in thirty-one times in my Christmas memoir because he was a vital person in my holiday celebrations my whole life.
Was It A Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry – I mentioned Dad nine times in this first book in my five book poetry series, dedicating whole poems to him.
- Here’s one of my poems about him entitled Dad.
Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey – In this short FREE chapbook of poetry, I only talk about Dad once, but I love the imagery in this line about him: “The blistered, scarred cowboy hands of my dad.”
Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry – In this second book in the Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry series, I mention Dad seven times!

In all my ten books, I mention Dad at least once. You can see how he slipped into every part of my life somehow. Thanks for going on this four-week travel through my dad’s life. It means the world to me!

Celebration of Me

Yesterday I celebrated my 73^rd birthday and it was a delight—my first here in Panama. Lin started the day with a thoughtful gift of perfume for me. I love perfume and it was a nice one.

Breakfast at the Sandwich Shop

Larada, Lorrie & Carol - birthday — Eduardo Lighting My Birthday Brownie

Then we met three friends at one of our favorite breakfast places, Boquete Sandwich Shop. I thoroughly enjoyed the bantering around the table and with our favorite server there. The owner gifted me a delicious brownie with whip cream and strawberries and only one candle. Thank God there weren’t 73! They sang to me, and I felt really celebrated.

Cribbage Time

Lin & Larada Playing Cribbage - birthday — Lin & Larada Playing Cribbage

Then we drove to the German Bakery on Via Boquete for two games of cribbage. We had invited a friend who hadn’t played in years. She assisted one of our new player/friends during the first game.

Again the bantering that went on was hilarious. We have team names: the Bulldogs (Lin and Lorrie) and the Greyhounds (me and Kenny). The Greyhounds lost the first game.

They all laughed at me because I have spreadsheets for all of our cribbage games: between Lin and I dating back to 2018, at the Senior Games with the Gilbreaths in St. George Utah in 2018, on our trip to Spain in 2020 with the Gilbreaths, on our trip to Scotland in 2023 with the Gilbreaths and the games just started between the Bulldogs and the Greyhounds.

So to help the friend who hadn’t played in years, Lin assisted Lorrie and she took Lin’s place. Kenny and I skunked them. Now where to put that information? It doesn’t fit into my spreadsheet for the Bulldogs and the Greyhounds. So, I created another spreadsheet. She suggested their name to be the Sloths, but I don’t remember the name Kenny suggested for our team. Oh, well! We’ll play again, I’m sure.

Afterwards, Lin and I went home. I showered and responded to all the birthday wishes on Facebook and LinkedIn—what a treat!

Panama Football Game – FIFA World Cup 2026

On the drive to the local sports bar, the TapOut, my brother called to wish me a “Happy birthday.” He told me about a big rainstorm we had on our ranch and we celebrated that.

Lin and I returned to the TapOut, at 3:00 PM to get good seats again. This is our third time we’ve gone there to watch the games. This time it was only Lin and I—the other games friends came, too! But they’ve lost their first two games, so others lost interest. We didn’t.

We loved being with the Panamanians watching their team. They lost again, but they scored which is what we had hoped. The crowd exploded—what a thrill it was to be there with them! But it was taken away because a player was off sides. Immediately the atmosphere changed.

Birthday Dinner Out

For the game, we went to Tres Scalini, for a delicious Italian dinner. We enjoyed the view of an open area with two horses and the jungle vegetation. We had a delicious leisure meal and talked about everything going on—it was precious time for us.

Then we capped the evening with a visit to Lin’s favorite ice cream shop, Saori’s. I had one scoop of Maracuyá pie (passion fruit) in a cup. Lin had two scoops of decadent chocolatey ice cream in a cup. We love this place because it’s downtown Boquete, so we watched people going by—so much fun!

End of My Birthday

As we were eating, Lin suggested I select a movie of my chose for the end of the evening. He voiced “Sound of Music” or “Dancing in the Rain.” Yes, I love those two.

I thought “Dirty Dancing,” “Sound of Music,” or “Grease.” “Grease” won! So we drove home, and our night ended with lively fifties music and me singing the words to all the songs.

I never tire of Olivia Newton John or John Travolta and the dancing! Oh, I love the dancing.

Finally,

My 73^rd birthday made me laugh with my friends playing cribbage, scream at the TV at the TapOut and sit in my recliner with my leg elevated but my feet were dancing!

I hope you celebrate your birthdays in a lively way. Tell me about your birthdays!

Happy Birthday to Larada — It was a Happy Birthday at 73!

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 e-book

ISBN – 9798989688654

$3.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688623

ALWAYS FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688630

$3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book

ISBN – 978-0996614498

$3.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir audiobook cover

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If Your Dad Is Still Alive: Hug Him Today!

June 21, 2026June 21, 2026 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

If your dad is still alive today—hug him! My dad died January 6, 1996, thirty years ago. I would love to hear his voice, smell his leathery sweat from his cowboy shirt and hat, and hug his lean firm body.

My Thoughts Today

As I’ve thought about writing this blog on Father’s Day 2026, I have lingered over the loss of my dad. After thirty years, you might think I was over the pain, the loss, but no! If I could dance once more with him and do his unique dance steps he taught Mom and me, I would celebrate.

More of His Cowboy Life

Dad led a full rich rancher’s life. He worked besides his dad until Granddad died November 6, 1966. They didn’t always agree on everything, but they had a system that worked.

After Granddad died, Mom stepped in to be his right-hand woman. Daily she went with him to the ranch, doing whatever the season required: feeding cattle and digging out of snow drifts in the winter, calving in the spring, preparing for shipping calves in the fall, and stepping back to relax in the summer. His eyes lit up when he bragged on how much she helped.

He loved his brand, Lazy H Spear Point. He put this on the calves when he branded them each spring. Yes, it hurt. I remember the smell of the hair burning, but the state required it to protect the ranchers from cattle rustling. You can see it on Dad’s tie in the first picture above.

Dad and Granddad ran Herefore cattle. He often said, “My favorite colors in the world are red, white and green: Hereford cattle in a green pasture.”

Dad & Mom’s Dance Life

Dad and Mom danced whenever and wherever they could. Remember, they met on the dance floor. They loved the local country and western dances in the Branson gym. I remember watching them glide across the dance floor so fluid and graceful—to me they competed with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Dad always had a dance or two for me. And he often danced with nieces and great nieces. At many dances around the area, they had a tradition of exchanging dances with other couples too.

Often after the Branson dances, they hosted After Parties at our house. I remember the living room and dining room overflowing with friends, laughter and alcohol!

They also loved to square dance. Dad was our 4-H club caller and taught many members to square dance. They traveled hundreds of miles to dance and made lifelong friends with square dancers all over southeastern Colorado, northeastern New Mexico and beyond.

Dad Loved to Travel The USA

When we were growing up, Dad didn’t have the means to travel much. When I was ten years old, we did a trip to San Diego, California to my half-brother’s graduation. While there, we went to Disneyland and had an amazing trip.

Later in my teen years, we made other trips to San Diego for Christmas.

After I left home, I went with Mom and Dad on several local trips around Colorado and New Mexico. We also traveled to California to see us family out there. On almost every trip we took, he had several rules: get up early and travel until about 10:30 PM each night. I fought with him to stop earlier so I could enjoy the motel’s swimming pool. Once he did and I had a blast. Another rule he had—we could only be gone a week. Dad was such a country boy; he couldn’t accept being away from home and the ranch for very long.

They traveled to Nashville on a tour and had an amazing time.

Dad Loved His Family

Dad was a family man. He took care of his parents until their dying days.

He had three children with his first wife and two with my mom. They had nine grandchildren and I’ve lost count of the great grandchildren. He did not live to see many of his great grandchildren.

Holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas meant the world to him. He never joined us in the games around the round table in the dining room, but often I saw him laughing a long with us and keeping up with the conversation going around the table.

Finally,

I long for another dance around the gym floor in Branson, in his arms as he leads me through the waltz or two-step. Anytime I heard “In the Mood” at a dance with Dad, I would grab him to dance because that’s the rhythm he did his unusual movement. Oh, to do that again!!!

But mostly I’d like a hug, a bear hug and a whisper in his ear, “Happy Father Day.” I know his reaction—he’d smile and snuggle close and say, “Shorty, I love you.” You can’t beat that!

Is your dad alive? Hug him if he’s near. Call him if he lives away from you. Celebrate him today! And let me know what you did!

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 e-book

ISBN – 9798989688654

$3.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688623

ALWAYS FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688630

$3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book

ISBN – 978-0996614498

$3.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

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Dad · family · Holidays · My Thoughts

How My Dad Became a Real Cowboy

June 14, 2026June 14, 2026 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

Because it’s June, I want to share more about Dad. Father’s Day is coming next Sunday, so I’m still celebrating him. His family transplanted from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Branson, Colorado because of my his health.

Dad Immediately Loved It!

Dad & Aunt Helen on their horse in 1927 — Aunt Helen on their horse with Dad in 1927

Dad on a different horse in 1930 — Aunt Helen on their horse with Dad in 1927

Somehow very soon, Granddad bought Dad and Aunt Helen a horse and Dad’s life was changed forever more. They moved in April 1927 and they had their first horse by May 1927. He never told any stories of a horse in Oklahoma. They lived in the city, so I don’t think it wasn’t possible.

He quickly learned to ride, and any time my grandparents needed to find him, they just looked for him and his horse. Because he was a natural, horseback riding became his major hobby.

He attended Branson school and graduated there in 1937. I loved to hear his stories about tricks and antics they pulled on the superintendent and other students. Somehow a car ended up on the roof. They turned over many outhouses, and were surprised if someone was in it then.

It was a carefree life.

The Horner Ranch Started

Granddad as mail carrier in blizzard in 1930 - Dad — Granddad as mail carrier in blizzard in 1930

My grandparents, dad and aunt arrived in Colorado in 1927. Granddad immediately realized he had an edge on the other ranchers in the area because he had a job working for the post office, delivery mail to the ranchers east of town. He started buying land and cattle in 1927. Granddad wheeled and dealt with the bank for loans and worried about increasing his debt. Also, he dealt with other ranchers in the area who were building their ranches too.

When the depression hit in 1929, Granddad’s postal job really helped him buy up land and pay off the loans he accrued. And Dad enjoyed every minute of the ranching life Granddad provided for him.

World War II & Being a 4-F

Horses, ranching and cattle became Dad’s life. After he graduated, he went to work with Granddad on the ranch he had put together, and he worked it for the rest of his life.

When World War II hit, Dad stayed home while many of his friends went to fight the war. He rated a 4-F because of his health—the asthma. When he shared these stories, he had shame about it, but he found a way to serve. He did day labor on ranches around the area whose sons went to war.

Dad loved to work on Louden ranch, east of Branson, near Mesa de Maya. He had hilarious stories about working there and having lunch with Dick and Zita Louden. I think his presence helped them with the ranch work, but it also diverted their worries away from their sons being gone.

Dad told stories about going to Trinidad, Las Animas County seat, to get tires for the ranch truck. They rationed the tires, so he had to be wise about what he did. The man ahead of him in line told the judge he needed four tires and the judge said that was excessive, so he shooed him out of the courthouse. Dad listened and asked for two and got two. He thought he was pretty smart learning from the other man’s greed.

Dad’s First Marriage

He married Nell Williams from Walsenburg, Colorado. They lived in a house near our ranch’s headquarters. They had three children but divorced in 1946. During this time, he grew his herd but lost half of it with the divorce.

Dad spent five years single but having his children as often as possible. Nell moved to Denver, so they were 250 miles away. Around this time, his sister divorced, so he stepped in helped with her two sons.

In fact, I was visiting with her eldest son today, and he said, “Your dad, Granddad and Grandma raised me because Mom was too busy.”

Dad ventured out in his cattle buying during these and some years he did well and others he lost money.

Life Changed for Dad

So in 1949, life changed for Dad. He met my mom at a dance and he was smitten. She had eyed his dance moves and wanted to dance with him but worried she couldn’t keep up. One night he sauntered across the dance floor to a group of young ladies. Mom hoped he chose her, but she wasn’t sure.

He did, and they became a couple.

One night they had plans to go to the Crystal Lounge in Raton, New Mexico and dance. The owner knew Mom was underage, so he threw them out. Apparently, she hadn’t been truthful with Dad about her age. Dad stayed away for a year until she turned 21 and. . .

Finally,

Yes, my dad became a real cowboy—he smelled of sweat, leather and manure. I’ll keep the story going next week with what happened with my parents.

For more of my dad’s story and how my Granddad put our ranch together during the depression, check out my book I co-created with Dad and Mom, Let Me Tell You a Story. It’s available as paperback, e-book and audiobook format.

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 e-book

ISBN – 9798989688654

$3.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688623

ALWAYS FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688630

$3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book

ISBN – 978-0996614498

$3.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

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Dad · family · My Thoughts · Ranching

Father’s Day: An Early June Celebration

June 7, 2026June 7, 2026 Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

Let’s start early on celebrating Father’s Day. Yes, it’s two weeks away, but I want to share my father with you, Harold Horner and his story and how it unfolded.

Where Dad Started

Harold Horner was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 20, 1918, the eldest child of Laurence and Pearle and the first grandchild, celebrated and spoiled by both sides of the family. Because of Dad having “a touch of tuberculosis” that turned into asthma, his family doctor encouraged his young parents to relocate to a higher and drier climate. Such a twist of fate!

I can’t imagine the heartbreak for both sets of grandparents as the possibility of a move of this couple and their children hundreds of miles away loomed overhead. And what about my grandparents? They had lived near their parents their whole lives, but the health of their eldest won out.

Granddad carried the mail in Tulsa after trying his hand at a bike repair business with his brother. Way before the internet, he somehow connected with Mr. Bass in Branson, Colorado and they exchanged jobs. I have idea how they connected, but they did, and the wheels started turning.

Travel in the 1920s

What the trip from Oklahoma to Colorado might have looked like! - early — What the trip from Oklahoma to Colorado might have looked like!

In April 1927 my grandparents, my nine-year-old dad and my eight-year-old aunt left Tulsa, Oklahoma’s tree lined streets to Branson, Colorado in an awesome old car, probably a Model T or A. I don’t know for sure—I’ve seen pictures. As I’ve thought of this, I marveled at my grandparents’ adventuresome spirit.

Was this move necessity in their eyes? I will never know. I do know my grandmother never adjusted to the plains and canyons of Branson and blamed my dad for this move his whole life. Standing at the window, looking out over the vast tree less prairie, she yearned for the tree-lined streets of Tulsa and the green.

Dad never spoke of this journey to me. I just can’t imagine making that five hundred miles then in that car. In a car today, Google says it would take about eight hours. Google AI overview says it would have taken them 14-20 days in the 1920s. I never asked Granddad or Dad how long it took.

Dangers of the Trip

Google AI overview also notes that they would have faced unpaved road networks with dirt or gravel roads. They may have faced mud slippery roads in April. Or they could have faced a spring blizzard, wind and snow drifts.

As “the early automobiles like the Ford Model A or T required frequent maintenance, and flat tires were a daily hazard on rough western roads,” another obstacle followed them. The last issue they faced was the lack of the amazing infrastructure we know today. “Services like gas stations, mechanics, and motels were sparse. Travelers often had to carry extra cans of fuel, motor oil, and spare inner tubes.”

Taking a break from writing, I shared the topic with my husband, Lin. He asked about the speed limit in the 20s. Again, I ran to Google and found out in the AI Overview no federal speed limit existed. On the dusty country roads, my granddad would have driven, the speed limit would have been between 30 and 35 mph on the rural dirt roads. Imagine that! In our 75-80 mph world of today, that seems impossible. No wonder it took so long to travel the five hundred miles.

Where Dad Ended Up

A reservoir full after a summer rain on our ranch - early — A reservoir full after a summer rain on our ranch

A country road with summer flowers on our ranch - early — A reservoir full after a summer rain on our ranch

So, at nine years old, Dad and his family started a new life on the plains of southeastern Colorado. He adapted quickly to the rural life and immediately acquired a horse. Horses and the country living became his life.

Dad saw a T.B. specialist in Colorado Springs, Colorado—176 miles away. It would have taken 10-14 hours to travel dirt roads there, so it was another lengthy trip for the times. The T.B. was arrested, but he lived with asthma as a child.

More next week. Meet my dad, the cowboy!

Finally,

For Dad’s 75^th birthday, Mom and I compiled a book he helped us put together about how the Horner ranch was put together. This book is available on Amazon in paperback or e-book format.

I would be remiss for not writing down Dad’s stories—he exceled at storytelling. My sister chided me after she read this book to her. She questioned with sadness in her eyes, “Where are his stories?”

So, it’s never too early— be sure and write down, record—do anything to capture those stories. I really would have liked to hear Dad’s nine-year-old version of that long trip from Tulsa, but he’s gone! Don’t wait!

PS – I’m sorry to say I have no pictures here of my dad as a child.

It's never to early to talk to your dad, your mom or your grandparents! A Plushie of Larada! — It’s never to early to talk to your dad, your mom or your grandparents! A Plushie of Larada!

FINAL DAY OF MY SALE: Was It A Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetryy E-book is $.99 until TOMORROW. Don’t miss this sale. Click on the title and grabbed it today!

My Newest Books

Time Measured Out!: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #2 e-book

ISBN – 9798989688654

$3.99 for limited time

Is My Truth Universal?: A Woman’s Poetic Odyssey e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688623

ALWAYS FREE

Was It a Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetry, Book #1 – e-book

ISBN – 979-8989688630

$3.99

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir e-book

ISBN – 978-0996614498

$3.99

Buy My Audio Books:

This Tumbleweed Landed

Let Me Tell You a Story

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

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