Milliron Monday: The Journals July - September 1982

 

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.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals.

July 1982

·        Ran errands, saw Connie, Jimmy L. at bank > Pete/Eric garden > rode Junie, Pete rode Apple, picked blackberries, brought a few home

·        Pat, Tim, Amish man, Eric, 2 boys, put up hay > cleaned out horse shed, part of lower sheep shed

·        Worked at desk, wrote poem for Trefa > napped > went to Point of View restaurant, excellent meal > worked at barn

·        To church > made yogurt > ate at fairgrounds, chicken BBQ, homemade ice cream, etc., youth horse show > rain > we rode with Amy, Jerry, rain, horse fell in pipeline ditch, they turned back, I stopped at Chris/Connie’s party, fireworks, rode home in dark, rode to Windy Hills, chicken/corn

·        Broccoli, celery out of garden > to barn, let dogs run around pond > let Bullet loose > read, worked at desk briefly > Pete worked at clinic late – beer, Meeks

·        Looked at eclipse 1:30 am > to clinic, barn, briefly > to CJ’s, Pete, Pat, me > to movies, Rocky III > Pete jogged > wrote letters

·        Worked on drug bills > bad headache > Ron Muhn worked on freezer/motor burnt > Pete on calls

·        Pat, Stan Jones, Columbus > ran errands, took Pete’s car > John Branner brought aerial photos back, lent us plot maps > Ron Muhn fixed refrigerator

·        With Pete on calls > to CJ’s, Jessica’s birthday party

·        To church > lunch, beet greens, corn > napped > rode, ate berries > dinner, beets, cauliflower > 3:30 am, Kanga here

·        Worked at clinic > Pete milked Faline > DQ lunch, movie Annie

·        Tim, friends, Bookman boy, etc., baled hay, here for dinner > worked at barn/clinic

·        To bank/library > Jerry Hartley here > noon church prayer group, ran errands > Pete on calls

·        Fryman at clinic briefly > Pat left for Jamboree of the Hills > worked at barn/clinic

·        Wash Lolly, Persimmon, Junie, Faline > Pete, Eric, Tim, finished putting up hay > Humane Society, Echoing Meadows, visited animals > Pete on calls, 2 hours late > saw E.T., well done

·        To church, ate at Old Coach Inn > read > rode, checked on oxen at Windy Hills, up new “hill climb” type trail on Schmittauers, got back ahead of storm, close lightning strikes hit middle oak tree

·        Joe L. brought oxen back > worked at barn/clinic

·        Pete on 2 farm calls > Pete horse surgeries > Pat, Pete, me, ate at CJ’s > 8 pm lecture Father Ony [?], Writing, Technology, Consciousness > to movie Star Trek Wrath of Khan > got horse out of recovery stall

·        Worked at desk > worked at clinic/barn > ate at Sizzler’s > on calls with Pete to Charleston, to Nancy Bonnett’s, home 3:30 am

·        Slept in, worked at clinic, Mr. Fryman there > Buchli’s arrived

·        Buchli’s Amway talk > lunch CJ’s > Buchli’s left > Pete on calls, worked at clinic

·        To church, held in undercroft (scaffolding for fans upstairs) > ate at Croxford’s > Pete work at clinic > nice nap > read Urantia Book (3 days) > rode, most of berries gone, stopped to look at puppies, Eric rode rest of way with us > Eric fixed salad, had dinner out of the garden > Pete jogged

·        J, P. Davison (7 years) here for dinner > walked up to check on grain for oxen, took dogs > tried to call Mom/Dad, phone always busy > Pete, goat surgery

·        Ran errands, CJ’s lunch, movies/cartoon Secret of Nimh > tried to call Mom/Dad, phone off hook

·        Flea combed Mr. Mistophels [?] > worked at clinic > Pete emergency call > to Fair, racing/watermelon

·        Dewormed sheep, groomed Ruff, goats, fixed board fence (Eric’s horse pushed board off) > L. Davis, Pete, Pat, here for lunch > pulled out burrs, groomed Bullet > Hartley’s to CJ’s, movie

·        Clinic/barn > Hoon’s, Rick Bowen’s birthday 10 – midnight

August

·        Slept in > Church, new fans, chandeliers > Old Coach Inn, lunch > to Dairy Barn, photography exhibit > napped > Gretchen H. called about cat > put ram, Billy goat in hay meadow, fed them in shed > rode Junie, took Streak, Puff, checked Lucas’ fence line/ Pete rode Apple, took Colonel, long ride, back at 10:30

·        Barn, let ram back in pasture – running fence > Pete on calls

·        Pete to Charleston > ran errands, Dave Smart cut hair > bedded down sheds

·        Ran Coggin’s tests to post office, stopped at Mac’s > barn, ewe lamb w speckled ears, broken left ankle, tied her up, ram lame, cleaned out foot > Pete, Larry Smith, flying, too overcast > Pete rode Apple, took Colonial

·        Mr. Fryman, clinic > keeping “Marley” for Eric (Dob pup) > Pete haircut, Dave Smart > dewormed equines

·        Clinic 9-6 > CJ’s lunch with Rick, Cassie (Hoon) Bowen > Studio 38, O’Hooley’s

·        Church, OU Inn > napped > Pete fed animals, rained most of day > Windy Hills, pizza, swimming, hot tub

·        Ron Muhn here, looked at drains > very tired

·        Rode Junie, took Puff, Colonial, Streak > to fair, dog show, Pat demolition derby

·        Prayer group, copied Urantia Book excerpts at library > rode Junie, lame, took Puff, Streak > Pete, Eric, rode, took Colonel > to movie, Glenn Ford > worked at desk

·        Junie, top of fence post in foot > put bottom gate back up, took Puff, Colonel, Bullet > Pete checked Junie’s feet, took one shoe off, not so lame

·        To Fair, watched Eric race > calls, Michelle P, student from Marion Fair > Carl Meeks, reset horses at barn

·        Pete up from 2 – 4 am, Jiggs cast (Carl Meeks horse) > went down for paper, took Puff, Colonel > to church late > Old Coach Inn > Pete jogged > rode Junie, Pete/Eric skinny-dipping at Thorndike’s pond party, gave kids rides on Junie, brought her back, slightly sore-footed; Pete rode on around, Eric stayed at party

·        Helped T. Thompson with Gussie, lent her light line

·        Work at clinic/barn > lent Thompson’s crate

·        Up at 3 am, to clinic/barn, to Charleston with Pete on calls

·        Buddy Sycks brought ducks, Mr. Fryman at clinic

·        Burros to hay meadow > Echoing Meadows, Humane Society here > at barn, Thompson’s crate, looked at Colonel > Pete, Pat, I went by Sundance-Larson’s party, not there, ate at CJ’s, went to Larry Smith’s party, JD Jewell, Leo Sheridan, etc.

·        Church > Croxford’s Old Coach Inn > napped > Pete jogged > rode Apple, I rode Junie, took Colonel, Puff, Streak > read

·        J. Lucas here about wildlife/stream violations > took Sissy, other dogs walk around pond

·        Baked quick bread > went to Huron after wagons

·        Church prayer group > took copy of excerpt from Urantia Book, took flea collars for Mary Ann Swardson > Pete bed early, read

·        Pat and I worked on cattle guard electric gate > Pete ran

·        Finished reading C.S. Lewis > Pete, Larry Smith, flying on calls > J Hartley birthday potluck party, took leg of lamb, gallon of honey

·        At clinic, Pete sewed up eye on G. Thomas dog > to church > DeWitts arrived as we were leaving > rode Junie, Pete rode Apple down to New Covenant, over to Dow Lake, trail from Scatter Ridge, down to campground, rode up road beyond store, through woods to connect with motorcycle trail, stopped at John, Conner B.’s, showed them trails; came back thru Phillip’s place, gas line road; horse waiting at clinic to see Pete

·        Pete, Pat, Will here for lunch > Pete, me, heated discussion about building project > napped > K Foster here, brought stationery

·        Dewormed sheep, goats, left ram, ram lamb, 2 Wethors at barn

September

·        Prayer group > Pete, Baer’s, greenhouse, dinner late

·        To barn, showed chores to Eric > repaired electric fence, picked up Pat, looked at his house > drove to Mom/Dad’s, there by dark > Pete, I, long walk, lovely moonlight, discussed “budget”, etc.

·        Church of Good Shepherd, North Carolina, lovely little church > trout fishing, Pete caught 5, Pat, I, each caught one > played cards > rabbit

·        Gave Daddy bridge book > walked under dry falls, lovely > Mom, I, went for walk with dogs

·        Ate in Sylva with Mom/Dad, went to World’s Fair, Knoxville, ate at Chinese Pavilion, toured Fair 11-5, drove home thru Lexington, Appalachian Highway, home 1 am

·        Milked Faline, penned Billy up > Marshall at clinic > Perrine’s brought wine, napkins, rings > took dinner down to Pete, worked straight thru

·        Pete on calls > rode Junie, took Colonel, Puff, Streak, saw squirrel hunter on New Covenant

·        Groomed Puff, Colonel – hips x-rayed, excellent lungs, histoplasmosis, eyes/retina excelled, tattooed > took Sissy, Puff, Streak for walk, checked around gas well > Pete/Eric checked out beams, 2 stolen

·        Went on calls with Pete, picked up clocks > went for walk, laid up in hay meadow, watched the stars with Colonel, Lolly, Persimmon

·        Up at 5 am, Pete went riding > early church, late > Pete/Eric horse surgery > rode > Pete, Eric, Mary Ann, picked pears > Pete/Eric c-section, Georgeanne’s bulldog

·        Pete, Tim, moved beams > Pete on call Fritz/Carolyn Bookman’s

·        Groomed Puff > made Dutch apple pie > Pat here for dinner, put barrel in duck pen for me > worked Colonel, Streak, very good on ducks > Pete ran

·        To Charleston on calls with Pete, to Nancy Bonnett’s for dinner, home at 12:30 am

·        Worked Puff, Ruff, Colonel, on ducks > Echoing Meadows, Humane Society here > Pete on calls > cancelled concert, went to movies instead

·        10:30 church > took paw-paws to Joanne Wells > short nap > rode, took dogs, stopped at Lyon’s, saw several deer > Pete ran, I deburred dogs, read Urantia Book

·        To Clinic > small claims court > ran errands/got groceries

·        Pete/Eric cleaned out chimney > worked at clinic till noon > used Pat’s car, auction Zanesville, no sheep bells > Pete, I rode, back before dark

·        To church, Lew Kemmerle from Old Testament > Pete work at clinic, Carl Sweeney here worked Colonel, Marley > oxen out, rode Junie to look for them, took Colonel, Streak, rode around, light rain

·        To barn briefly, turned billy goat out > met Mary Gene Adams at Jennings recital, harp, violin, piano > dinner CJ’s, Eric/Mary Ann there, gave Eric ride home

·        Rock Springs Fairgrounds, Charleston, Nancy Bonnett’s > back to colicing horse at clinic 

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

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. 

Mylee's Corner: Hocking Hills Book Fair Author Podcast Timothy J. Brown, Ph.D.

 

Welcome to the Hocking Hills Book Fair Author Podcast!

Where Books Meet the Rolling Hills of Southeastern Ohio

NEW EPISODE! 

Meet Author Timothy J. Brown, Ph.D.

SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN! 

Hello, book lovers, wordsmiths, and unapologetic hoarders of half-read novels! Welcome to the Hocking Hills Book Fair Author Podcast—the one place where southeastern Ohio’s literary charm gets amplified through your headphones. Whether you’re tuning in from your favorite reading nook, your car as you dodge potholes, or your kitchen while waiting for your coffee to brew, we’re thrilled to have you here.

This podcast is your backstage pass to meet the brilliant authors who grace the Hocking Hills Book Fairs with their wit, wisdom, and occasionally questionable coffee habits. These fairs are more than just about books—they’re about community, creativity, and perhaps an unspoken competition to see who can entice the most readers.

Find us on Spotify, iTunes, iHeartRadio, and more. Mylee will be hosting a new author every Wednesday! Follow us on Facebook for Book Fair Events and connect with seasoned and new authors. 

This Week @ Monday Creek: Yellowstone - A Country Girl's Perspective

 

My mare, Zubedia, enjoying a rest from the storms @ Monday Creek Stables

Yellowstone: A Country Girl’s Perspective

Let me start by saying, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Wild West. Growing up surrounded by open fields, muddy boots, horses, and my Dad’s herd of polled Hereford cattle (The Proud Breed with the White Face), I’ve always felt a connection to farm life. But “Yellowstone” takes that connection and turns it into a full-blown obsession. If you haven’t binge-watched this show yet, you’re missing out on a pop-culture rodeo for the ages.

Several years ago, a friend asked if I had watched “Yellowstone”. Well, I tried watching it when it first was released, but the harrowing first scene where the horse gets hit on the highway was a bit much. As a horse owner, I couldn't watch. I dismissed the show completely until a few weeks ago when I was searching for something to entertain while sitting through my husband’s IVIG infusions (another story). I skipped the opening scene this time – I had already seen it, anyway. I was skeptical about all the hype - “How much drama can you really squeeze out of a show about ranchers?” I wondered. Well, the answer is: *a lot*. Within the first ten minutes, there were more betrayals, brawls, and existential crises than in an entire season of your average soap opera. And the scenery! Rolling mountains, endless skies, and enough majestic horses to make a Disney princess weep—it’s basically Instagram in motion.

The Characters: A Dysfunctional Family Reunion

Watching “Yellowstone” is like being invited to someone else’s family Thanksgiving—except instead of passive-aggressively arguing over the turkey, these folks are wielding literal firearms and plotting corporate sabotage. Let’s break down the Dutton clan for those who haven’t had the pleasure:

• John Dutton: The patriarch of the family and a man who looks like he could wrestle a grizzly bear before breakfast. Played by Kevin Costner, John Dutton is all about legacy, land, and silently judging everyone around him. His resting face screams, “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe.”
• Beth Dutton: If chaos were a person, it would wear power suits and answer to the name Beth. This woman is equal parts terrifying and hilarious, with a sharp wit that cuts deeper than a branding iron. She’s the person you want on your side in a bar fight—or a corporate takeover. “You’re a trailer park and I am the tornado.”
•  Kayce Dutton: The prodigal son with a heart of gold and a face that could win any heart. Kayce is a complex mix of cowboy charm and emotional baggage, which makes him irresistible, both to viewers and to trouble. A bit naïve at times, Kayce seemed to it together in the final season.
• Jamie Dutton: The family lawyer who seems permanently stuck in a Shakespearean tragedy of his own making. If there’s a wrong decision to be made, Jamie will find it, analyze it, and then make it with gusto.

And then there’s Rip. You have to watch to write your own bio of Rip. We should all have a Rip in our lives who is loyal to a fault. Throw in a cast of ranch hands, tribal leaders, and shady businessmen, and you’ve got a recipe for drama that’s spicier than a bowl of Texas chili (beans or no beans?).

The Fashion: Cowboy Chic

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the sartorial brilliance of this show. The denim is perfectly distressed, the cowboy hats are angled just right, and the boots? Oh, they’re made for more than walking. After a few episodes, however, I noticed a few wardrobe faux pas – some of the characters were in t-shirts, while others were wearing Carhart/ranch jackets, all in the same scene. 

But it’s not just about looking good—it’s about looking like you’re ready to lasso a calf while simultaneously closing a multimillion-dollar land deal. That’s the kind of energy I aspire to bring to my next barn gathering.

The Plot: Shakespeare Meets Spaghetti Western

The genius of “Yellowstone” lies in its ability to balance high-stakes drama with moments of quiet introspection. One minute, you’re watching a heartfelt father-son conversation about legacy, and the next, someone’s being pushed off a cliff (the Train Station!).  

The core conflict is about land—who owns it, who deserves it, and what they’re willing to do to keep it. This theme resonates deeply, especially in a world where property disputes usually involve fence lines and neighborly gossip, not shootouts at dawn.

Lessons Learned from the Ranch

After binge-watching (yes, I went all in), I’ve come away with some valuable life lessons, such as:

• Never underestimate the power of a well-timed quip. Beth Dutton could teach a masterclass in verbal takedowns.
• Trust is a rare commodity—guard it like John Dutton guards his land.
• If someone offers you a job on the Yellowstone ranch and hands you a branded jacket, run. Just run.

Why You Should Watch It

“Yellowstone” is not just a show; it’s an experience. It’s part drama, part Western, and part meditation on the complexities of human nature.  

So grab some popcorn, settle into your comfiest chair, and prepare to be roped into a world where the stakes are as high as the Montana skies. And if you catch yourself shopping for cowboy boots afterward, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

www.gmcknight.com

 

Mylee's Corner: Hocking Hills Book Fair Author Podcast ALLISON KENNEDY

   

Welcome to the Hocking Hills Book Fair Author Podcast!

Where Books Meet the Rolling Hills of Southeastern Ohio

NEW EPISODE! 

MEET AUTHOR ALLISON KENNEDY

SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN! 

Hello, book lovers, wordsmiths, and unapologetic hoarders of half-read novels! Welcome to the Hocking Hills Book Fair Author Podcast—the one place where southeastern Ohio’s literary charm gets amplified through your headphones. Whether you’re tuning in from your favorite reading nook, your car as you dodge potholes, or your kitchen while waiting for your coffee to brew, we’re thrilled to have you here.

This podcast is your backstage pass to meet the brilliant authors who grace the Hocking Hills Book Fairs with their wit, wisdom, and occasionally questionable coffee habits. These fairs are more than just about books—they’re about community, creativity, and perhaps an unspoken competition to see who can entice the most readers.

Find us on Spotify, iTunes, iHeartRadio, and more. Mylee will be hosting a new author every Wednesday! Follow us on Facebook for Book Fair Events and connect with seasoned and new authors.