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I will admit that liking Dale Evans took more work for me. Oh, she was a good gal in reel life and real life, but I was always a little jealous of her getting my guy. When I would watch scenes where Dale was snippy to Roy, I wanted to punch her myself. Of course in the end, the guy always got the girl and I never wanted her to be standing in what I considered MY place either.
I was lucky enough to visit the Roy Rogers Museum in Branson shortly before it closed for good. Oh, I had such a good time walking down memory lane. I saw Nellybelle, holstered guns, lunchboxes from my childhood, and Dale’s flouncy gingham skirts loaded with rick rack much like the skirts I wore too in those days. After tootling around the memorabilia, we went in to hear the musical program. When I heard Roy’s son Dusty sing those old favorites full of a cowboy’s longing under a star-filled western sky, tears trickled down my old cheeks remembering the “good ole days”.
There was the Roy Rogers Riders Club in the 1950's with rules that encouraged kids to live a life that exhibited a code of goodness. Being clean, polite, obedient to parents, kind to animals and not wasting anything was high on the list. The guidelines also encouraged attendance of church, respecting our country and flag, and to love God. Who could argue with any of these doctrines for growing up to be a decent adult? Then when you heard Roy and Dale sing "Happy Trails", well life was just plain old good. I wish there were such decent role models for kids today.
So happy birthday, Roy. I miss you but appreciate all you left behind in me. Now, I think I’ll go listen to the Sons of the Pioneers sing "Cool Water".
6 comments:
Roy Rogers was my favorite cowboy. I visited his museum when it was in Apple Valley, California years ago. It was such a treat.
A few weeks ago, I was remembering a long play album we had growing up of Roy, Dale and several of their children singing Christian songs. I remember "Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sun Shine In" and several others. We didn't have TV and spent a lot of time listening to "records"...
I also remember reading "Angel Unaware" by Dale. Did you ever read that?
Thanks for helping me remember some good stuff from my past!
I remember watching the shows and loving the singing scenes! My aunt&uncle lived in Sherman Oaks, CA, and the Rogers had a house in their neighborhood while they were taping the shows. Whenever we visited, I would always hang my head out the window looking for Trigger! Never saw him!
noexcuses
Great post!!
My brother and I watched Roy's TV show. We also had a set of "Roy Toys." We had the jeep... I think was called Nelly(?), and we had the "dolls" of Roy and maybe Gabby..or whatever his name was. AND Trigger the horse! And believe me, we did not have many toys, and I know these had to have been a Christmas present. They were kind of large, too....like Barbie doll size. I haven't thought of them in years! Side Note: Have you ever noticed how much the country singer, Clint Black, resembles Roy? He says he's heard that a lot, but there's no relation. Great post, Claudia!
P.S. My parents also had a Sons of the Pioneers record album! I loved listening to it, too!
. . .Absolutely love The Sons of the Pioneers. . and Roy. . .when one of their songs come on during my iTunes shuffle play, I remember back to simpler times. . .Happy Trails, indeed. . .Thanks so much, Claudia. At the house of my parents, long ago, Saturday mornings belonged to The Sons of the Pioneers, The Kingston Trio, and Marty Robbins. . wasn't that a time. . .I think I'll go have me some cool water. . .sans tumbling tumbleweeds. . .
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