Didn't really care though. Grew up on ranches in Alb, Wyo and Montana. Always on the run from the law. No, not really. Just how it was trying to manage several spread out places.

We had a lot of kids and not enough cash sometimes to go to the store and buy everyone new school clothes and that kind of thing. We had plenty of food as I remember. No powdered milk.

I sometimes went to school in shoes that had holes in them. My feet outgrew my shoes. Wasn't the only one though so it wasn't that big a deal. I still wear shoes with holes in them. Sometimes. C'mon, I've got nice shoes too. I think I hate to throw anything away is the thing. I did throw an old garden hose away this week. I've been going to throw it away for awhile.

It was often feast or famine growing up. I think a good part of our income was oil leases and royalties. When the lease check came in we were loaded for awhile. Pay the bank and the bills, new stuff for the house, new equipment, buy a new car, buy some horses, that kind of thing. Everything was expensive so when the money ran out we were poor again until another check arrived. Don't think people were good money managers back then. But we were happy and enjoyed a good life. Mostly outside the cares of the world.

We didn't have a Mawma who had 19 loaded guns in the house. But the women in our family could ride and rope and keep right up with the men. No sissies.

My kids have grown up a lot different. Never wanted for anything. I'm not sure what life is the better. I think mine was. I've often thought I should move back to the ranch.