TYG Brothers’ Appreciation Supper

Friday evening, August 3, 2018

Lots of help before brothers arrived,

then time to catch up a little,

while brothers gathered on the patio.

When the dinner bell rang, brothers followed the sound - - -

to the chuckwagon, where they were welcomed by Megan.

After someone led everyone in a prayer of thanksgiving,

sisters went to their stations and filled plates for brothers.

Megan made pulled pork sandwiches, Kate added baked beans, and Promise added potatoes before she passed the plate out of the end of the wagon (which I forgot to photograph )

Lemonade and water were dipped from steel tubs and served by Charity, Janelle, and Heidi.

Watermelon was plentiful; next to the watermelon was a tub of soapy water which may or may not have come in handy.

These *authentic* metal plates which added to the cowboy/western theme originated from Helen Woerner (if I have my story correct) who gave them to A. Joyce who gave them to A. Marcia who let us borrow them. The matching tin cups, various western paraphernalia (note the pickax, the metal stool, the saddle, and the harnesses hanging on the wagon), and the campfire contributed to the aura of the era. The rubber tires of the chuckwagon did not, which is why they were kind of hidden.

The straw bales weren’t likely available to cowpokes either, but the girls didn’t want to make the guys sit on the ground at their appreciation supper so they took a few creative liberties there.

After the meal, the group was divided into teams for an engaging game of Cowboy Jeopardy.

Question: What was the most popular cowboy instrument?

Question: What western tv show lasted for ten years?

Question: What state was Home On The Range written about?

Question: Which state has the highest cattle-to-person ratio?

Question: What was considered the worst crime in the old west?

Question: What condiment was named after a modern-day ranch?

Question: What truck was named after a modern-day ranch?

Question: What was the most famous gunfight in the old west?

Question: Who was the famous sharpshooter who could shoot a dime out of the air?

Question: Who was the author who romanticized the old west through his novels and short stories?

I was impressed at how well everyone knew their wild west history, and the kids seemed to enjoy it. I’ve no idea who won the game, but I think the prize bag of caramel m’n’ms was shared by all, so no one really cared anyway!

Then a beautiful singing out of the (of course) - - - Country & Western Hymnbooks.

Was a really beautiful evening, especially the singing, and especially after the sun went down and it cooled off a little.

And the next morning – this was a beautiful sight! A few girls stayed to help that night late, and with all that metal clanging (they said it was pretty loud even though they tried not to be), Dad & I heard nothing. We were pretty tired I guess!

And that was the end of the Brothers’ Appreciation Supper for another year.

What? You want answers to the cowboy questions?

well of course:

harmonica, Bonanza, Kansas, South Dakota, cattle rustling, Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing, King Ranch, OK Corral, Annie Oakley, Louis L’Amour