pg 360 More Big Hill Country
I, Gina, have always loved horses and cattle. Actually they told me that I stole my first pony while still in Alabama, U.S.A. Naturally the pony was grazing in our yard and had a bridle on and needed a rider! My Mother and the police were all looking for the pony and me.
We moved to Canada when I was in grade two or three. Then on to the Bar C Ranch north of the Morley Indian Reserve, Mom, Gramma, Step-father Walter, my brother Jack and myself. We all loved it at the Bar C, lots of wildlife and wild horses. Jack and I made a Little money trapping and selling squirrel and weasel pelts. my brother Jack and myself. We all loved it at the Bar C, lots of wildlife and wild horses. Jack and I made a Little money trapping and selling squirrel and weasel pelts.
I’m sure our Gramma must have suffered a lot, as she left all of her friends in Chicago where I was born. As for Jack and I, we didn’t care about having the conveniences – no running water, ice on our bedroom sheets from breathing on them, and heating in a pot bellied stove with wood. My important job was keeping wood split and the kindling box full.
We went to school in the bunkhouse with the Ranger (the Measors) our closest neighbours who lived three miles away. Vivien McNamee was our teacher, who stayed with us, and was my Mom’s best friend. Vivien was from Cochrane, Alberta.
Finally, I grew up, or so I thought, and got married to Bob McDougall, at eighteen years old! We had three great children: Sally (Rod Griffin), Bobby (Carole) and Jeanie (Allan Minchaw). Our marriage ended after twenty-three years. Bob is now deceased.
Then after some time on my own, I met and married Ken Cohoe. We had a wonderful time together, he with his Thoroughbreds, and me with my Quarterhorses. He would smile when his colts sold for more than mine did. After a lengthy illness due to a stroke, I lost Ken, after ten years of happiness.
He was such a great person and didn’t deserve this. He once said, “It was the happiest time of his life”, which makes me very happy now.
Somewhere in between, I also worked at the Bohomilic Ranch near Coleman, Alberta riding colts. After awhile, and “getting long in the tooth”, the body can’t keep riding colts so through desperation I turned to art.
I had no background training but with the help of Doug Stevens and Mac MacKenzie, I actually succeeded and Mac MacKenzie and myself were inducted into the Artist’s Hall of Fame. Thank you so very much, I am honoured.
I am now living with Ken Johnson, (who is a sweetheart) and Willie our pup, who weighs ninety-five pounds. I’m eighty years old and going on eighteen (or is that backwards)?
Thanks to Ken Johnson, we are living at Cremona, Alberta, with a few ponies on an acreage with wonderful neighbours. Yes I’ve had a pretty crazy life!
My brother, Dr. Jack Souther and his wife Betty, have done very well and live in North Vancouver, British Columbia. They also work at Whistler Mountain.
