Growing up in the Rockies: ..... Remember Me

By Janice N. Richards

My heart drifts back to the Rocky Mountains as I sit and look out the window. I see the snow that once brought such joy to my heart. I remember the days when I would have been known as a snow bunny. I think of my poor mother and how difficult it was for her to keep me indoors, for I was a mountain girl. I climbed the mountains. I chased the animals. I found all of Gods creatures beautiful.
I was my fathers child. He roamed the wilderness and I learned from him. I loved to live life and I was very, very happy. It makes me very sad when I think of children who have not experienced such happiness, for I was one of the lucky ones. That is why I wish to share my life with you.
I hope that in this day and age of single parents that maybe someone who reads this can get hope from the true meaning of family. I had a family that surrounded me with love and I never understood the meaning of poverty even though we were very poor. I always felt like our life was normal and that was how the whole world was.
It would not be till my adult years that I would find this not to be true, and to experience the pain of a life that I had never known.
It is hard for me to know where to begin as I remember back on the life that I loved and miss so much. However I wish to share the memories that made me who I am today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456756116

Janice N. Richards

Janice Nadine Richards, born on August 17,1950 in Butte, Montana, Silver Bow County. She was born to Fred Wilson Richards and Eleanor Edna Pritchert Richards. She has one sister, Jeanine Arlee Richards Schmidt who is four years older, currently living in Missoula, Montana. She graduated from High School in 1968. She attended Rocky Mountain College for two years studying music education, and then two years at Eastern Montana College completing her special education, and reading endorsement. She graduated in 1972 with a BS in Secondary Education . She retired in May of 2009. She has also taught ESL for the College of Southern Idaho. She has taught in Montana, Idaho, and Nevada, and currently resides in Rupert, Idaho where she can be close to her sons, Shawn P. and Michael G. Koski . They are the love of her life. She spends most of her time on the computer reminiscing about her life and the experiences that have touched her heart. She has spent time writing, poetry, song lyrics, children’s stories and fingerplays, as well as novel manuscripts. She loves writing and will continue to do so as long as she is able to. She may also be found on facebook. Future plans include, another poetry book which is already in progress, A memoir of her adult life, several children stories, and several books on education. You may also find some of her short poems written in the next book to come out on IVORY PAL , the TENNESSE WALKING HORSE. Her biggest challenge is new technology and aging gracefully.

Book preview

Growing Up

in the Rockies

… . remember me

Janice N. Richards

missing image file

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2011 by Janice N. Richards. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 06/27/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-5610-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-5612-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-5611-6 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011904564

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

Dedication

Special Dedication

Author’s Biography

Overview:

Growing Up in The Rockies

Section 1

Fall Introduction

(September, October, and November)

Chapter 1

The Fall

Chapter 2

Labor Day

Chapter 3

School

Chapter 4

The Neighborhood Store

Chapter 5

Neighbors

Chapter 6

October—Halloween

Chapter 7

November and Thanksgiving—

Family Tradition

Section 2

The Winter Season

(December, January, February)

Chapter 8

December and Winter Vacation

Chapter 9

Christmas

Chapter 10

Winter Living in the Mountains

Chapter 11

February and Valentine’s Day

Section 3

The Spring

(March, April, May)

Chapter 12

March—The Coming of Spring

Chapter 13

St. Patrick’s Day

Chapter 14

Easter

Chapter 15

Christ’s Living Art Gallery

Chapter 16

Spring Break

Chapter 17

April

Chapter 18

May

Section 4

The Summer

(June, July, August)

Chapter 19

June in Montana

Chapter 20

July

Chapter 21

August

Section 5

Memories

Chapter 22

Family

Chapter 23

My Sister

Chapter 24

Church

Chapter 25

Friends

Chapter 26

Work

Chapter 27

Home

Chapter 28

Butte, Montana

Conclusion

Growing Up In the Rocky Mountains

Memoirs of a Snow Bunny

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… . remember me

Janice N. Richards

Introduction

My heart drifts back to the Rocky Mountains as I sit and look out the window, I see the snow that once brought such joy to my heart. I remember the days when I would have been known as a Snow Bunny. I think of my poor mother and how difficult it was for her to keep me indoors. I was a mountain girl who climbed the mountains, and I chased the animals. I found all of God’s creatures beautiful. I was my father’s child. He roamed the wilderness and I learned from him. I loved to live life and I was very, very happy. It makes me very sad when I think of children who have not experienced such happiness, for I was one of the lucky ones. That is why I wish to share my life with you.

I hope that in this day and age of single parents that maybe someone who reads this can get hope from the true meaning of family. I had a family that surrounded me with love and I never understood the meaning of poverty, even though we were very poor. I always felt like our life was normal, and that was how the whole world was. It would not be until my adult years that I would find this not to be true, and to experience the pain of a life that I had never known. It is hard for me to know where to begin as I remember back on the life that I loved and miss so much to this day. I will begin with the memories that stand out in my heart and are what made me the person I am today. I will try the best that I can to divide the book by the four seasons, although the seasons have changed. Some memories will overlap into other seasons. However, life seems to run according to the events of the seasons and this will help to organize my memoirs.

Growing Up in The Rockies

Growing Up in the Rockies

was so special to me.

The beauty of God’s world

was a special place to be.

I look back through all my dreams

how long ago it seems.

Yet memories are very vivid

of my life that wasn’t dreamed.

So as I remember back through

the how’s, where’s and when’s.

I will do my best to share it all

with those who can’t recall.

A life that was so special,

To those who lived through it all,

For the Rockies were the place to live

to have a childhood so vivid.

So as I write my chapter book,

I will look through every nook.

But I will have to choose the best;

there won’t be room for all of the rest.

But the times I remember most

are those that let me boast.

About a life time of happiness,

That to me was so blessed.

Some secrets I will surely share,

hoping that you will care.

I will try to put some humor there,

but only when I dare.

About the freedom of this land,

where everyone lent a helping hand.

Children could roam about,

never worrying or having a doubt.

For God watched his beloved Rockies,

And made them high for all to see.

It was a different time back then,

Common sense told you how to act when.

My beautiful mountains held much danger deep within,

But no one wanted to leave once they settled in.

For life up in the Rockies was good to one and all,

it was a beautiful place to live and that’s what I recall.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my family, my parents, Eleanor and Fred W Richards, whom I miss so very much. Also to my sister, Jeanine A. Richards Schmidt, who not only helps me to remember when I forget, but also shared my life as we were growing up. Last but not least my sons Shawn Paul Koski and Michael Glen Koski, who have helped me to remember the true meaning of family, and have supported me in my endeavors with their love and encouragement.

This book is recognition of a life that my parents gave me with a loving home life, encouragement and opportunities, which they not only shared but also supported. I grew up in a time when mothers stayed at home, cooked and sewed. When fathers worked, fished, and hunted. When children were allowed to be children, and when role models were the pride of the community. I am very thankful for the family I had growing up. We may not have had everything, but we had the most important thing one can ever have, and that was love. I miss my parents very much, but I know they are in my heart and they walk with me in spirit everyday. I am so very thankful that my children knew their grandparents love and adoration.

I dedicate this memory to a simple life when people worked through their problems and stayed together. A time when neighbors helped each other and people could be trusted. This was a time of limited technology, when people found ways of entertaining themselves. It was a life respected when people made commitments to each other and to themselves. My father always said, You are only as good as your word. It was a life of truth and honesty. When all you needed was a handshake. It was a time when people held their heads high, with pride that was earned and deserved. It was a time that was good, when children were able to be children, and much different from today. People had a sense of humor, and you didn’t have to worry about looking over your shoulder. It was a time that should not only be remembered, but also returned to, and enjoyed to the fullest.

This book is also dedicated to the many friends that I had the pleasure of experiencing life with, Joanita McCarton, Dorothy and Carolyn Cox, my cousins Delores and Debbie Maunder, and many more. However, I would especially like to remember Steven Knutson, who before his passing encouraged me not only to write, but also to publish my deepest thoughts and memories. I will always be grateful to him for the knowledge and passion of writing that he shared with me.

Steven’s belief in me was instrumental in my success as a published author. He was a high school classmate of mine and he reminded me of home in his book, "It Takes One to Catch One."

I would also like to dedicate this book to the teachers, family friends, and classmates who have influenced my life growing up. I would especially like to dedicate this book to Butte, Montana and the people there. Butte was a wonderful place for a child to grow up.

Also to Smither’s and Son Photography Studio, who took my childhood photographs, along with many others, leaving me with memories of family and friends for the rest of my life. I thank them for permission to use these photos in my book.

May God Bless each and everyone who has shared in my life.

Special Dedication

This is dedicated to my cousin Richard Jay Todd in Celebration of his Life. Jay was born November 20, 1947 and passed away March 13, 2001 after a car accident. Jay played a larger role in my life than he ever knew. He loved life and nature. Jay we will miss you.

My Cousin! My Brother!

A boy!

A son!

A brother!

A cousin!

A student!

An Athlete!

A Man!

A Soldier!

A husband!

A father!

An uncle!

A grandfather!

A great grandfather!

A friend!

A Hero!

Richard Jay Todd

We salute you!

      Richard Jay Todd

You knew life at its best,

You saw life at its worst.

You made a life to be proud of.

You helped one and all.

You enjoyed a love of the wilderness.

You loved. You cared. You shared.

We Love you very much and will miss you!

I looked for you and you weren’t there.

I waited, I watched.

Then I found you were gone.

I am sorry I took too long.

You were my cousin, the closet to a brother.

I loved you so, I wanted you to know.

Rest in Peace cousin!

You have gone home.

Richard Jay Todd

My Cousin! My Brother!

Author’s Biography

Janice Nadine Richards was born on August 17, 1950, in Butte, Montana, Silver Bow County. She was born to Fred Wilson Richards and Eleanor Edna Pritchert Richards. Her father worked at McKey printing and then was a linotyper for the Montana Standard Newspaper. Her mother was a homemaker and a professional seamstress. She has one sister, Jeanine Arlee Richards Schmidt, who is four years older, currently living in Missoula, Montana. She lived in her parent’s home, on 604 Caledonia, Butte, Montana until she graduated from High School in 1968. She then left for College, where she attended Rocky Mountain College for two years studying music education, and then attended two years at Eastern Montana College to complete her special education endorsement, and reading endorsement. Both colleges were in Billings, Montana. She married her high school sweetheart, whom she divorced after fifteen years of marriage. She had two sons by him, Shawn Paul Koski and Michael Glen Koski. They are her only children and the love of her life. Janice became a special education teacher and taught until she retired in May of 2009.

She was married two other times. Once to a man from Peru, but her marriage ended due to domestic violence. She was divorced within a year of her marriage, but they only lived a few short months together. He was from a third world country and he once told her, The more I love you the more I hit you, Maybe one day I will love you so much I will kill you! These were words he meant and she knew if she wanted to live she needed to leave.

She later married a man from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, and was married for seven years. They separated due to different goals in life, when he abandoned her in Las Vegas, Nevada. It took her three years to find him in order to divorce him. She has experienced the true meaning of third world country, and culture clash. However, she continues to have a high interest and respect for all cultures. She has been very active with the Hispanic community, and has also taught English as a Second Language, for the College of Southern Idaho. She likes to travel and has been to Mexico three times and is self-taught in the basics of the Spanish Language. She frequently jokes about her, Spanish stating that she has a huge vocabulary with no grammar. However, she has minimal problems communicating when needed. She likes to learn about different cultures and has taught the adult ESL population for the College of Southern Idaho, working with Hispanic, Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, Korean, and other Asian cultures.

She continues to share her life’s experiences through her writing. She has taught in Montana, Idaho, and Nevada, and currently resides in Rupert, Idaho. She visits Montana when ever possible. Her experience is vast; however, she has mostly worked with poverty level and high-risk students, special needs and ESL students. Her life’s work has shown her a side of life that she never knew existed. She has worked as a Target Coordinator and a psychosocial rehabilitative counselor advocating for both student and adult disabled. She has a strong background in behavior management and has not only taught, but has been a consultant for emotionally disturbed children.

She has many hobbies however; her first love is the piano. Her second love has become her right hand and that is her computer. There she spends time reminiscing about her childhood, and remembering life in the Rockies. She has also spent time writing, poetry, song lyrics, children’s stories and fingerplays, as well as novel manuscripts. She loves writing and will continue to write as long as her health and memory will allow her to do so. She likes learning and experiencing new things in life. She looks forward to working with different communities and traveling for book signings, guest lectures, and whatever new experiences may come her way. Her plans for the future include another poetry book, which is already in progress, a memoir of her young adult life, several children stories, and several books on education. You may also find some of her short poems written in the next book to come out on IVORY PAL, the TENNESSE WALKING HORSE. She also contracts for free lance-writing assignments such as anniversary, wedding, memorial, and poems by request.

Recently she has been requested to write natural health articles for a Magazine ne out of India, Blog Sites on disabilities, and articles for www.711articles.com. She also is involved with LinkedIn.com, a site for authors, where she participates daily in conversation about current trends in writing, learning about new publishing, marketing and technology methods. She is getting ready to start her own Blog site and is learning how to twitter.

She can frequently be found, on classmates.com, facebook, and twitter communicating with family, friends other authors, artists and her readers. She is currently in the process of learning about Ebooks, since her family presented her with a Nook on her birthday. Her books will all be Ebooks in the future. Her biggest challenge is new technology and aging gracefully. She wishes to thank everyone who has purchased her first book Dreams of Yesterday, and the wonderful support they have given her.

Overview:

 Growing Up in The Rockies

I was born on August 17, 1950 in Butte, Montana. My parents were Fred Wilson and Eleanor Edna (Pritchert) Richards. I had one sister, Jeanine Arlee (Richards) Schmidt, who was four years older than me. I was the baby of the family and although I didn’t think I was the spoiled one, my sister would probably argue that point. Butte was a traditional mining town, which I will address through out the chapters of this book.

There were more bars than churches, backroom gambling, red light districts and many other things you would expect in a mining town. However, because the town was a melting pot of cultures coming from all over the world with many languages spoken, everyone was friendly, and helped each other.

The main practiced religion was Catholic and the most predominant nationality was Irish. I was taught at an early age there were two things you didn’t talk about if you wanted to stay out of trouble. You never talked about religion or politics and life was good. I have tried to use that rule to live by in dealing with life’s experiences. Throughout my life it has kept me out of many arguments growing up, for those were the social verbal taboos. Back then it was not like today when everyone wants to argue over these issues.

The only industry was mining, so if you didn’t want to work in the mines you had to learn a trade or skill. Back in those days there were apprenticeships, where you learned a trade on the job. That was what my father did to become a linotyper, after he returned home from World War II. There wasn’t money for a college education unless you were amongst the wealthy few, and even then jobs were scarce. However, an apprenticeship was easier to come by since they paid lower wages while you learned the trade or skill. Once you passed your apprenticeship you earned full wages.

Although we had many cultures, I never experienced racial discrimination as I was growing up. It was a time when you were taught to go with your own kind, meaning race, religion and economic status. I learned from my father to give anyone a chance until they proved you wrong, which I still do to this day. I didn’t understand growing up what it meant to go with your own kind, but I have learned to understand it completely over the years. Butte was a melting pot of culture for the city, because it attracted workers from Wales, England, Ireland, Canada, Finland, Austria, Lebanon, Serbia, Italy, China, Syria, Croatia, Montenegro and Mexico, in addition to all the areas of the United States.

Although the town was very friendly and everyone waved at everyone including strangers passing through, people kept pretty much to themselves. The kids would play with each other outside in front of the houses, in the streets, or yards. Parents worked hard and when they went home they stayed in for the most part. People took pride in their homes and yards. They spent their time taking care of what they had no matter how little that might be.

My father taught us that a lady was never seen in a bar, and that gentleman never swore in front of a lady. More than once I can recall my father going out and scolding boys in the neighborhood for cussing, because There were ladies present, telling them to take their gutter mouths somewhere else. I always respected and admired him for that.

I was always amazed when going to town with my father that everyone knew him and would shake his hand. He was a man that was respected by all and he seemed to know everyone. My oldest son, Shawn comments on that frequently, as he experienced the same thing when going to town with his grandpa. That was always a good feeling to know he had the respect of others.

My mother was very active in church organizations. She was happy trying new recipes, or designing new sewing patterns. She always had some project going on. We always went home to home cooked meals and desserts. She created and sewed all our clothes, and even clothes for our dolls, making whatever creation she came up with. She was an artist and could visualize her projects before she started. That was one talent I wish I had inherited from her.

My father only attended church when we were performing for holiday activities, weddings, or funerals. However, he believed in being with God in nature. He frequently would say that you couldn’t be any closer to God than on a riverbank, fishing, and enjoying the beauty of the Rockies. He believed that nature was his Church.

Although in his later years, he went back to church after making a commitment to God, that if my nephew Benjamin (who had SIDS) lived he would regularly attend church. God held him accountable. My nephew lived and my father kept his word.

My sister spent most of her time reading. She was very quiet and shy except with me. She was a good student, which caused me some agony later on in school. We joke about it now. I was the risk taker. She grew up enjoying the piano and had an interest in