I just returned from a trail ride south of Tatla Lake, BC. On the way home, I stopped at a little general store there. I had been there once before and loved the store, the owners and the quiet peace and contentment I felt when I walked around the aisles. I knew they carried many non-fiction books and I had already phoned ahead before I left home to ask if they were interested in carrying A Life With Horses. With a copy under my arm, I climbed the wood steps, noting the overflowing flowerboxes and remembering how I had admired them on my last stop the year before.
"Nothing has changed," I thought. "I like that."
Inside, I exchanged greetings with the owner. "Do you remember me?" I asked.
"Yes," she said. " I do remember you. I didn't remember your outfit when you drove in, but I remember you." (Dodge truck with four-horse Sooner trailer with living quarters!! Who doesn't remember that!)
"Good," I thought. "She's a 'people person'." I showed her my book and asked her if she and her husband would look at it and tell me if they would like me to leave a few for their store. Then I started browsing the aisles. I already knew I wanted some pottery crafted by a local artisan, but there was much more...
The lady's husband, Dave, was now back in the store and asked me if I would like a cup of coffee. I gladly accepted the steaming brew and continued to shop. After I made my selections, I came back to the table conveniently set up in the middle of the store for those who stopped for coffee and conversation. Dave had just put my book down on the table.
"When were you in the Coteau Hills?" he asked.
My hearing is not what it used to be, but I think it was more about my surprise at his question than not hearing. I asked to repeat what he had said.
"I was born there," I said.
"Where?"
"Beechy. You know where that is?"
Turns out Dave not only knew where Beechy is, he had been there and had many connections through family. I can't remember if he actually lived there, but he knew many, many people that I knew. We kept throwing out names back and forth and filling in a few blanks.
"I think we need an evening sitting down and reminiscing," I said, but he had a store to run.
I couldn't get over it - A Life With Horses connects the Chilcotin (BC) with Beechy, Saskatchewan!
It's a small world after all!
(...and West Chilcotin Trading Ltd in Tatla Lake, BC now carries A Life With Horses!)
