Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.: June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010 Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021 |
Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.
"I hope more and more that we can raise our young ones in the wide open spaces, with an ample supply of snakes, turtles, dogs, cats, horses, and what ever else suits their (and our) fancy."
― Jody Smith
Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: At 21, Jody is pregnant, continues to ride Starboy, attends college, and keeps house.
917 Remington
Fort Collins, Colorado
Monday, April 30 1960
Dear Mom, Dad, and Jessie,
April certainly roared out of Colorado; we've had a couple of inches of snow on the ground for the last two days but the weatherman pretty well redeemed himself today with temperatures in the 50's and, of course, rapidly disappearing snow.
We have poor Starboy isolated in a pasture all by himself which is away from the creek so that he can't romp around with his playmates or stand in the water. His foot is better but he's still limping and the cut is still wide open and hasn't started to heal. So far, so good though, since it isn't infected. Pete or I or both of us have been out either every day or sometimes every other day to put on fresh medicine and rebandage it... keeping a bandage on a horse's foot is quite a task! Guess I can't complain though, we're lucky we didn't lose him since a wire cut is the worst kind of cut and this is in the worst possible of places.
We certainly splurged last night. One of Pete's friends who lives here is a forestry major and has been doing research on fish in the mountain streams. A few of the fish were "accidentally" shocked a little too much by the equipment which they use to stun them so we had delicious Rocky Mountain trout for dinner last night. Pooh turned into a veritable tiger when Pete teased him with the heads and tails.
Thursday night Pete and I both attended a banquet as guests of Phi Kappa Phi (free $1.65 meals, no less). I wore my blue suit to the banquet - looked as nice if not nicer than some others who were there in similar attire. It was a pleasant evening out together although we had much studying to do when we returned. I had a final in Modern British poetry the next morning at 9:00. Starting Monday we finish out the quarter with a two-hour course in modern American poetry (same instructor, same hour, different text).
Aggie's and Gary's house looks and sounds quite nice - of course. For me, it's too bad it's in the city. I hope more and more that we can raise our young ones in the wide open spaces, with an ample supply of snakes, turtles, dogs, cats, horses, and what ever else suits their (and our) fancy. I surely appreciate the opportunity and privilege of having pets while growing up. I hope our children will be able to also. Training Mike, Lobo, and particularly Starboy, has taught me more patience than all my other activities combined; and being owned, dominated, and at times, completely ignored by a cat has been a rather ego-shattering and sobering experience - which, needless to say, I much enjoy even if it's a bit discomforting at times.
Perhaps our letters crossed or something, but think that I already mentioned that the Easter bonnet arrived intact in plenty of time. I could use my good short white coat but there's no hurry so don't send it specially. The black Milgrim coat hasn't come yet.
I'm glad you did send the maternity clothes early since I knew then that I could quit worrying about where we were going to get the money to buy any. It's certainly been a pleasure to wear nice clothes to class. I ordered a pair of maternity denim pants and pedal-pushers from Sears, which have saved my black slacks much pasture mud and spring shedding hair.
Been feeling fine - a bit tired once in awhile, but nothing unusual.
Bye for now,
Love,
Jody
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Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.
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