Category: Colorado

A Redhead Once Again!
Colorado · Mom · My Thoughts

A Redhead Once Again!

Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment
Me a redhead now!
Me a redhead now!
Me a redhead now!

I’m a redhead once again! I’ve not felt like it for the past seven months—but I decided last Thursday it was time, time to reclaim my life.

I’m not a natural redhead, so I became a redhead from a bottle. In fact, over the last seven months, I noticed a strong growth of white hair around my face—not a lot sprinkled elsewhere, but some! I inherited my dark hair color from my mom and grandmother and our German roots.

My Family History

My dad was a redhead, so much so his nickname as a young man was “Red.” I never knew him as a redhead because his hair had thinned out and changed to a brown speckled with some gray. I learned about this nickname years later from one of his friends.

My half-sister and half-brother both were redheads, and I always admired their hair color growing up!

First Time a Redhead

In May 2007, Kathi Raver, Lin’s deceased wife, Lin, Ted and I were at a square and round dance festival in Norfolk, Nebraska. The morning after the festival, we had a delicious breakfast at a local restaurant, rivaling in the fun memories of the weekend and were standing in line to pay.

Kathi noticed a woman in line ahead of us and said to me with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, “Go ask that woman what color she uses. You would look good with that color hair.”

I looked at the woman’s flaming red hair and felt a nudge inside, so I walked up to her, and asked what color she used—”Hot Tamale by Garnier Nutrisse.” I shared this information with Kathi when I returned and tucked it away.

At that point in my life, I hadn’t reconsidered coloring my hair. I had been a beautician for fourteen years before I became a teacher. I experimented regularly with coloring my hair. In fact, I volunteered to be the first to have my hair “frosted” in Beauty School only to end up with a green cast to my frost.

For many years, I bleached out the “frame” around my face and experimented with a variety of shades of color, from silver to pink. Right before my best friend’s wedding, I “framed” my face with red—fire engine red, and it horrified her when she saw me because my maid-of-honor dress was peach, and I was to wear a peach hat. What a clashing color combination that was!

So, I came home from Nebraska and pondered the possibility but didn’t do anything immediately. In June or July, I went to Colorado to visit my mom and told her about the idea. She always loved to do adventurous things with her hair, so we did it.

When I came home a redhead, Ted’s only comment was, “So you did it!” I continued coloring my hair until October or November and decided it was too much work.

Second Time a Redhead

Me, the redheade
Me, the redhead

Fast forward to 2013. My mom passed away in March, and in the summer, I needed an uplift—I remembered the “Hot Tamale” color and went for it. I loved the new me in the mirror and I received lots of compliments. It felt right!

Garnier Nutrisse did away with “Hot Tamale” a few years ago, so I changed to “Red Hibiscus” and have loved it ever since.

I continued coloring my hair until July, 2024 when the dog viciously attacked me. To say the less—I focused on recovering and making it through another day. At first, I couldn’t stand easily and used a cane. Then it just slipped past me. In fact, it was too much to do in my mind with all the doctor’s appointments and the pain.

Not a redhead anymore! Notice the white hair!
Not a redhead anymore! Notice the white hair!

About 4-5 months after the dog attack, someone asked me, “Where’s the redhead?”

I said, “She’s dead.” I really felt that vivacious, energetic person I had been for so many years had died.

A week ago Friday a good friend, Cindy Gillette, asked me, “Where’s the redhead?” That’s all she knew me as. I told her about my earlier response, but I was feeling more like a red head again.

After pondering it for a few days, I decided it was time. So, last Thursday, Lin (my hearty assistant) and I colored my hair. The redhead is back! I look in the mirror and love what I see! I know in my heart-of-hearts—I’m a redhead!

So, what does that mean?

Am I totally healed? Yes, the wound has been healed for a few months, but I still struggle with nerve damage pain. I’ve had five injections in my ankle and leg with little relief. Next Wednesday, I see the pain management doctor and he’s going to do two trigger point injections in my knee and butt because the pain radiates up from my ankle to my butt. I also have an appointment at the end of March for another three injections in my ankle. We have no idea what the prognosis is.

No, I’m not totally healed, but this redhead can hear her dad saying, “Take the bulls by the horns. Don’t let the SBs win! Drink a lot of ice water and stay in there. Quitters never win and winners never quit.” You can see my ole cowboy dad was full of what he thought were motivational sayings.

Yes, today I agree with Dad—no matter what—I have to be true to myself, keep going and for now—that means being a redhead!

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What Does Labor Day’s Mean to You?
Colorado · Dancing · family · My Thoughts

What Does Labor Day’s Mean to You?

Larada Horner-Miller2 Comments
Labor Day Rodeo
Barrel Racing
Bronc Rider

Growing up, our Labor Day tradition consisted of a family time together at the Las Animas County 4-H Fair and Rodeo in Trinidad, Colorado. This is what we did!

Wednesday Before Labor Day

We started back to school before Labor Day but got the Thursday and Friday before Labor Day off to go to the Las County 4-H Fair and Rodeo. So, Wednesday was a half-day of school—what a long morning that was! Anticipation coursed through my veins and all my classmates! In the afternoon, we loaded up our horses and off to Trinidad we went.

The first year my brother showed his horse, when they arrived in Trinidad, his horse looked like someone had beat him up. So, Dad learned, and the next year when I became old enough to join 4-H and show, we loaded both colts and their mothers in the trailer and drove them around a few times before the fair to get them accustomed to the trip.

When we arrived in Trinidad, we stabled our horses at the fairgrounds with all the other horses from across the county. A carnival resided in the parking lot near the horse barn, and our country horses weren’t used to its noise!

My family stayed at a motel for the full five days—this was our annual vacation. To start off the holiday, we went bowling as a family until the year Dad broke his hip in a horse accident and that ended this part of our tradition.

Thursday & Friday

Halter Class with Prince
Larada showing Prince at Las Animas County Fair - Labor Day
Reining Class with Prince

Thursday morning, my brother and I showed our horses. Most years, I showed Prince in the halter class. One year, I rode him in the reining class. We had worked all summer for this moment as witnessed in the poem below. Some years we won; some we lost. I showed my knitting and sewing. My knitting won many awards.

Thursday night, our Livestock Club went to the movie together—yes, this was a special event for us! Friday was the livestock showing which many of our friends and cousins participated in.

3 Days of Dancing: Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Each evening we danced—my favorite part—at varies dance halls in Trinidad: Eagles Hall, American Legion, and Sebastiani Gym. Good old country and western dances with friends from the county and cowboys from the rodeos. They always held the Sunday night the dance in a garage at the fairgrounds. I really like that because we could run over to the carnival and go on the rides at night.

Carnival at Labor Day

Saturday, Sunday & Monday

During the weekend, we enjoyed the Livestock sale, Cowbelle’s barbecues and the main attraction in the afternoon: daily amateur rodeos! Cowboys and cowgirls came from far and wide to this annual event. As teenagers, we liked to go over to the chutes and sit near the chutes to see the animals and cowboys up close!

During the day, Mom and Dad turned us loose to do whatever we wanted. My brother and I joined friends from the county and roamed the fairgrounds, spending as much time as possible at the carnival—and as long as our money lasted!

Monday, Labor Day

This holiday ended on Labor Day with a parade and the final rodeo. Then we loaded up our horses and clothes and headed home, smiling ear-to-ear, remembering all the fun of this year and anticipating next year’s Labor Day adventure.

Here’s a poem I wrote about this adventure!

4-H Projects and the County Fair

A frequent question for me has been 
“What did you do to entertain yourself
out in the country,
especially during the summer?”
And the most often used word to describe 
my possible plight was
boring.
That word never entered my mind.

Our summer days were filled with 4-H. 
Meetings, dances, roller skating parties—
but mostly projects:
knitting, sewing, and horses.

Uncle Tanky and his brother Billy led the Livestock Club;
Margaret Lewis led the Home Economics Club.

I waited and waited,
eager and excited to finally be nine
and old enough to be in 4-H.

For my first-year livestock project
I selected my horse,
a colt at Chet Rose’s.
I chose the white colt
with no other coloring,
but
he grew up a buckskin,
a beautiful golden color
with a dark brown mane
and stockings.

Bub chose the black one.

I named mine Prince,
Bub named his Yogi Berra.

What an adventure to halter break a colt!
First we chased them in from the horse pasture,
using the pickup to herd them.
We brought in all of our horses.
The colts hung close to their mothers
for protection—Chet lent us the colt’s mother
for a while, until they were weaned!
We ran them into the smaller corral,
next to the saddle room,
then the work started.
The horses circled the small corral—
all of us were nervous.

Initially, Dad did the haltering
because it was a war—that colt
wanted no part of this.
He wanted his mama
and
freedom!

Carefully, Dad edged up
and slipped the rope
around Prince’s neck,
gaining some control
over this little spitfire.

After several jumps and twists,
the halter went over his ears
and around his nose.
The buckle was hooked, and I was in business.
Cautiously, Dad turned him over to me.
Now I had to grab the lead rope
and hold on for dear life.

But Bub was still waiting!
After a repeat performance
by Dad,
we were both holding
onto our horses—what an experience.

Once the colts settled down,
we brushed and curry-combed them
get the dirt and stickers o#.
We ran our hands over their bodies,
raised their feet,
and made them feel comfortable
with us.

Each day, this episode repeated itself
until it became routine.
Then it was our turn to halter our horses,
and it became old hat.

Many hours were spent just walking around
and around,
and around,
and around in the corral—
teaching Prince to follow.

My only respite in this—singing to Prince.
The laps were long,
so I sang,
and sang,
and sang.

The finale came in September
over Labor Day weekend,
what we had worked so hard for—
the Las Animas County Fair in Trinidad!
This was our family vacation every year—
Five days of fun.

Friends from all over
the county came together
for this annual event.

We 4-H’d—
showed our horses
had my knitting and sewing judged.

As a family,
we went bowling,
and we danced.

We went to movies,
we attended barbecues and rodeos,
and we danced!

Our Labor Day holiday was my
favorite part of the summer
and marked the end of summer every year.
The five days ended too soon,
but there was always next year!

Larada Horner-Miller, This Tumbleweed Landed (Horner Publishing Company, 2014), 113-117.

Finally,

I cherish my childhood memories of Labor Day! What are your Labor Day traditions? Do you have any? I’d love to hear about them

Podcasts & My Interviews

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This Tumbleweed Landed

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Let Me Tell You a Story 

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Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Memoir Audiobook

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

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Margaret Taught Me to Knit: Women’s History Month Continues!
Colorado · Friends · Gratitude · Memories · My Thoughts

Margaret Taught Me to Knit: Women’s History Month Continues!

Larada Horner-MillerLeave a comment

Margaret Lewis taught me to knit—a lifelong hobby I love! I continue celebrating Women’s History Month, and my personal heroines! Today, I honor Margaret Lewis, a lifelong friend and my Home Ec 4-H leader. I knit because of her!

Margaret Lewis at the 2013 Branson-Trinchera Reunion

This afternoon, I had a delightful conversation with Margaret Lewis and found out a bunch of information I didn’t know about her. When I stopped outside her house, childhood memories flooded me. During my childhood, Harry and Bea Warner lived in the house Margaret now lives in. I used to visit them regularly to get eggs. Such strong connections with the Warners and Margaret!

When I knocked at her door, she waved me in and we greeted each other warmly— she looked so good at 99 years old. Immediately, I started the interview and she aptly answered most of the questions with giggles and sighs ever so often.

FAMILY LIFE

Margaret Oxandaburu was born June 7, 1924 in Las Animas, Colorado. Her parents immigrated from France. They were French Basque. Her parents didn’t meet until they arrived in Las Animas and were there because of a couple, John & Jean Mary, who sponsored the two to come to the United States. This couple was called her parent’s “home parents.”

She was the youngest of six girls and grew up on their ranch south of Kim, Colorado, but her dad bought a house in Trinidad, 410 College Street. He took the six girls to Trinidad where she attended Holy Trinity Catholic School from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

After high school graduation, the six girls went to Trinidad State Junior College. Afterwards, Margaret went to Denver, Colorado to live with her sister Mary and husband Kenneth where she attended DU for several semesters. Then she finished her degree at Greeley with an elementary education certification.

After college, Margaret returned to their home ranch and rode a horse one to two miles to teach at Fallah Springs’ school for her first teaching assignment. Fallah Springs was fourteen miles south and east of Kim.

LEADING UP TO MARRIED LIFE

She met Don Lewis when he came home after the service. By that time, Margaret had several years of teaching under her belt. Also, by then she taught at Branson, Colorado. Because of the shortage of teachers with the men off to war, she taught English, history and math in the high school.

Branson Hotel & Restaurant - Margaret
Branson Hotel & Restaurant

At this time, she lived in the hotel ran by Mrs. Shaw which also had a restaurant. Two women teachers lived there: she and Clara Van Matre (who was a dear friend of my parents and our family). These two young women walked to school each morning together.

Don Lewis’ parents owned the ranch presently owned by Will Ward north of Branson. Margaret’s sister, Ray, and her husband, Toy, owned it for most of my life.

Don and Margaret married January 17, 1944 at Holy Trinity Church in Trinidad, Colorado. They had two children: Dave and Lori. Margaret lost both Don and Dave. But her family has grown exponential: she has seventeen grandchildren. Her daughter and husband live in Branson and take good care of her. And her grandchildren regularly keep in touch. Her eyes sparkled with pride when she talked of their accomplishments.

Teach - Margaret

As she thought back over her life here in Branson, Margaret noted she taught over fifty years in Trinidad, Fallah Springs and Branson. She remembered a memorable trip to France with her granddaughter Kerry and her husband, Jacob. And she noted she easily conversed in Basque there.

4-H LIFE

Margaret led 4-H groups in Trinidad at East Side school when she taught there, but her longest run as a 4-H leader was in Branson, where she so deeply touched my life.

Knitting needles - Margaret

Thinking back, she remarked, “I taught a lot of girls to knit,” as we talked about her 4-H groups.

“You taught me to knit when I was ten,” I replied, “and I’m still knitting sixty years later.” Margaret taught me and her niece and my classmate, Kay, the same year to knit.

However, we didn’t talk about all the hours she taught me to sew, too! First year I made a red gingham apron, the requirement for the first year. Each year afterwards, the requirements got harder, and she continued to teach me more and more—how to put in a zipper, gather a skirt and so much more. Margaret dedicated hours to me and many others, teaching us individually!

OTHER MEMORIES

When I asked her about her favorite memory about Branson, she sighed, “I have so many. It’s a charming little town.”

I knew she had a close relationship with Ray, her sister, who lived in the old Lewis place north of Branson. She shared a hilarious story: they each had two-way-radios. So, when they talked on them, they talked in Basque. Other, listening in, heard them and had no idea what they were saying and these two mischievous women loved that. Margaret also helped Ray out with her nine children.

Her niece, Kay, and I were in the same class, so I was with them often. When I joined them on trips to Trinidad, they stopped by 410 College Street to visit Grandma Oxandaburu and Uncle Cadet. I remember hearing them speak Basque and they taught me how to say “hello” to them in Basque. It sounded so luscious! Uncle Cadet was her dad’s brother and they had worked together. She noted he was a bachelor.

ON LEAVING MARGARET TODAY

Before I left, she asked about my husband, Lin, remembering sitting next to him at the banquet at the prom at the school several years ago. She reminisced about watching my parents dance. I have known her my whole life. As we talked, she’d forget some details and said, “I’ll remember when we circle back.” What a memory she has for 99 years!

We ended our visit with her identifying five languages she can speak: French Basque, French, Spanish, English and Italian—what an amazing woman! As I gathered my things, we hugged a couple times, lingering over the memories and our sweet relationship. We moved to the front door, still holding on to more memories and relationships. I updated her on my family.

Yes, Margaret has always been a heroine of mine. This gentle, quiet, loving woman taught me so much, but more importantly—loved me and encouraged me my whole life! I look forward to big celebration in June of 100th birthday!

Did you have an adult in your childhood that not only taught you skills but so much more? Let me know.

~ My book cover of Hair on Fire made it to the 2nd Round: Out of 100 covers only top 50 covers will go to the next round. Voting time again. Vote my book cover at #CoverOfTheMonth. https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/17423/

~Enjoy my recent interview on the podcast, The Writing Table

Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir - Margaret

~ Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir available in audiobook format at the following places:

~SHOP TODAY FOR YOUR AUTOGRAPHED COPY! Shop at my Etsy Shop or my Shopify Store

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A Reunion Reborn!
Colorado · family · Friends · My Thoughts

A Reunion Reborn!

Larada Horner-Miller2 Comments
Football game at the Branson-Trinchera Reunion
Football games and
Ice cream and dessert social at the Branson-Trinchera Reunion
Ice cream and delicious desserts!

Last week on Saturday, August 27, 2022, the Branson-Trinchera Reunion saw a rebirth after being canceled for two years because of the pandemic. The creative committee came up with a different format, which attracted younger alumni.

So, this is how the day looked! The celebration started off at Branson’s new amazing football field with two games—first the junior high and then the high school. Many alumni circled the football field to cheer on both teams. We didn’t have football when I was in school. In fact, the football field is where the baseball field used to be!

The senior class manned the concession stand and provided needed refreshments on a hot day. What fun I had talking to old friends in the cafeteria—hugs galore!

After the two school games, there was an alumni flag football game. Several recent graduates stood in front of me and my car during the game, eager to get back on the field. As the high school game drew closer and closer to its finish, they put on their cleats and stretched muscles, ready to get on the field once more. During this game, the festivities began in the gym with an ice cream and dessert social. The committee provided the ice cream; the alumni brought the delicious desserts.

Keeping with tradition, the committee displayed Tom Cummins’ amazing historical photo collection and land plats. Many alumni with their families strolled by the photos, and I heard exclamations and shouts when someone recognized a relative.

The atmosphere of lifelong friendships and storytelling filled the air. What a pleasant experience! We only had a few “ole timers,” but people clustered around them to show their love and respect. The sad truth—we don’t have many “ole timers” left!

Kaylinn Gilstrap, a professional photographer, added an art show to the festivities, with its opening reception on August 13, 2022 from 3:00—6:00 PM and its closing reception coinciding with the reunion from 5:00—7:00 PM. This art show added quite an artistic flair to the traditional reunion. Many people ventured up to the old County Garage building to view the amazing artwork from many local artists and alumni.

I served on this committee for about twenty-five years, and we had seen a major decline in attendance. The “ole timers” were passing away. Many alumni from the 60s, 70s and 80s, for whatever reason, chose not to attend the reunion, and I don’t understand why. I love the fact that we had it this year—maybe different, but we had it.

When I first saw the flyer announcing a change of date and format, I have to admit I was skeptical. I couldn’t see how our elderly alumni could attend the football games, then stay for the social time with ice cream and desserts. I thought it would be too long! It worked!

Finally, it wasn’t the old format, but is that so bad? This innovative committee worked hard to provide the event we all love—a time to get together with family and friends. You can’t beat that.   

And now looking towards 2023 and the future. Next year we will celebrate 100 years for the Branson school. What a time to celebrate! (The black-and-white picture is the original Branson School!)

~WATCH MY NEW INTERVIEW on Douglas Coleman’s show dated August 5, 2022.

~MY FIRST AUDIOBOOK IS AVAILABLE: Go to Audible to buy my first audiobook, Let Me Tell You a Story. I’m working on Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? but have gotten stalled with shingles.

~Do you listen to podcasts? Here are three podcasts with interviews about my new book & some Flippo stories:

Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo meme. Reunion
Grab a last drink on the beach with Flippo & enjoy!

~Have you bought a copy of Flippo’s biography yet? Believe it or not—it’s been two years. Go here for your hardback or paperback: https://www.laradasbooks.com or at Amazon.

~For me, it’s Christmas all year long! Here’s a variety of Christmas greetings from Flippo & Neeca, featuring his song, “When It’s Christmas Time in Texas”: https://youtu.be/mpJCUGffU3A

~Wish You Were Here: A Novel by Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite authors, deals with the COVID pandemic in fiction as opposed to my nonfiction book. Check it out! Interesting story!

Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better meme. Reunion
Read, reflect and respond!

~I’m not afraid of tough subjects like the coronavirus. Yes, I get people are tired of hearing about it, but. . . Visit my website to find out about my new book, Coronavirus Reflections: Bitter or Better? and my other five books and three cookbooks: https://laradasbooks.com