50 Wonderful Years!! Our Anniversary Celebration!

By Jackie Tone Polk

WOW! What fun we had! Our family kept us away from the arena barn while our daughter, Nancy decorated it, and what a surprise! They put up all my foreign flags that I made in 1976, and added real greenery from mountain trees. At the west end of the arena they rented huge white tents for serving, and even had gambling tables! (not real money!) The arena was full of round tables complete with lovely table cloths, china, silver, pine cones, candles, and golden horse shoe decorations! There was also a dance floor and a live band on a wagon - the music was performed beautifully by our good friend, Randy Sparks. The east end of the arena was built up to look like small mountains, with live trees, deer, and a lighted arch-way entrance. Our children parked the green John Deere Gator by our front door, and Paul drove me out to the barn dragging old cans, old tennis shoes and a sign on the back "JUST MARRIED 50 YEARS"!

Our farmer friends and neighbors built huge golden cut out signs, and a huge lighted "50" was at the top of our flag pole by the barn! They barbequed rib eye steaks near the creek, and the food was delicious. I had worn a borrowed family wedding dress, and the local museum put it on display along with all my old photos!

When my daughter led *SIDI-BRAHIM into the arena, he looked so beautiful all white - with gold sparkles sprayed on his body and his mane and tail! I could see our other horses in their stalls - watching - and they sparkled too! Counting our 5 children and their families, we enjoyed many guests from Southern and Northern California, Montana, Portugal, Switzerland, and nearby special neighbors that are close farming friends of our family. Thanks to our good friends, Zita and Steven Strother and other good friends, we have many photos to remember that special night in November.