During the fall season, my dad Billy McLeod would have men like his friends Eli Tom and Adam Boston help him with logs, which had to be brought down from the mountain range. The logs were felled earlier in the summer for firewood.
Eli and Adam harnessed the team of horses, hitched them to the big wagon, and loaded their axes and other tools they would need.
Adam did the driving of the big wagon, snapping the leather reins, while Eli kept watch on the road. My dad rode horseback so he could open slipwire gates for Adam and Eli, then close the gates again so people’s cattle and horses would not get out of their pastures.
On the way, we stopped at Caroline’s home for coffee. She invited us for lunch and we accepted. Her home was on the mountainside surrounded by cottonwood trees, overlooking the reserve. I used to enjoy visiting her. I remember listening to the soap opera As the World Turns on her battery-operated radio while she and I did the dishes.
Then I had to leave, with my dad and the other two.
We arrived at the log site. Adam had the crosscut saw ready, my dad got the other end of the saw, and then they began to cut.
The logs were pretty big, so the cutting took time. Then the last one was done, loaded up and ready to go.
Eli had the team of horses hitched up to the wagon again, and we were on our way home.
My horse could feel the snow in the night air. He began to trot faster without my encouraging him, the saddle making creaking sounds from the cold.
I saw our home ahead, the coal oil lamps giving light through the windows, which looked so warm and inviting.
The barn was dark, so my dad had the coal oil lantern lit, then he brought the lantern outside for us to see what we were doing.
Adam unhitched the team of horses while Eli dropped hay into the hay stalls.
The harness was removed from the horses, then hung up inside the barn.
My horse was unsaddled, then put inside the barn too.
Then we went up to the house. Inside it was so warm and the food smelled so good. Each of the men washed up, then we sat at the table. Prayers were said by Clement, then we all ate.
My dad asked the men, what did you do while we were gone?
My brother Clement said he cleaned out the meat cooler, then placed fresh meat inside. Back then we did not have a refrigerator. The meat cooler was homemade. It had four walls with screens on them.
Clarence cleaned the barn, shoveled manure, then filled the hay loft with more hay.
Herman cleaned the root cellar, making room for fresh produce later like potatoes, turnips, carrots, apples and dry salmon, too.
During the Depression years, we always had men living with us. My dad gave them a place to sleep and a place to live in comfort, without shame or degradation. He said, this is how our Lord, our K’welencuten, would treat these people. Now, my family, you remember this: always treat others with respect, with honour and dignity.
Isaiah 65; 24. “And it shall be that before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear. Thus says the Lord God Almighty.”
As always, in friendship,
Jeanette McMaster
Elder, Upper Nicola Band
