In my last post I wrote about Canadian prairie horses. I was born in 1939 so I was on the end of farming with horses. I do remember horses pulling farm implements. I do remember the farmers stories about their horses. I do remember using horses for winter transportation. I was even trusted a few times to go the six miles to the village to pick up mail. We also skated during some of those times.
I enjoyed writing the post and recalling the past. I enjoyed your positive comments. I was surprised to find people with similar experiences. For those who have no idea what I was talking about, don't worry.
However, there is some conflict arising from the post.
I am reading Bill Bryson's "The Body". I was reading ch 4 about the head. In that chapter he has a section on memory. They are not really sure how memory works or doesn't work. They think things are lost in memory and that some things have been added and other things colored.
So there I was writing a post based on my memory of things that happened more than 70 years ago. So the little doubts came into my mind as to how accurate things might be.
When I visit my brothers, we usually remember things differently.
I like Western Canadian history. I've read many books on the west. I've read about Henry Kelsey and David Thompson and many more. David Thompson used horses.
I've read much on the settlement of the west, the ranching that occurred and how agriculture began. I think I have a pretty fair knowledge of what went on before transportation and agriculture were mechanized.
So I'm quite agreeable to have a caveat put on the things I say.
I also just finished reading "Ghost Town Stories " by Johnny Buchusky. He describes villages that were built on the Red coat trail. Very few of them are left.
My sister and I remember things somewhat differently too. She is two years younger, had a bubbly personality, and reacted to things emotionally much differently than the way I did in my quiet little insecure self.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about the personality differences and how this might influence memory.
Deleteyes, memory is known to be highly subjective and faulty but you didn't just make it all up. My recollections (of the same events) are different to my siblings and much different to my mother's but I think there is truth in all of them
ReplyDeleteEnough truth so that it can be used in court!
DeleteEven with your reading, your "horse sense" or memory is probably accurate. My 2nd husband was born in 1948, one of 9 kids, living on a farm in North Dakota, 50 miles from the Canadian border. The first 5 kids were born at home; the last 4 at the nearest hospital. His laboring mother had to endure a ride in their sleigh with draft horses bounding over snow to get to the hospital, in 1948. His siblings seemed liked they lived in another time zone with the conditions in that very rural area. Their 2-story house had very tiny windows and he said the snow drifted and reached the eve of the 2nd story a couple of times! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteNorth Dakota was hit as hard as anyplace with drought , grasshoppers and the depression. It was very hard for the adults at that time.
DeleteThe most curious thing about memory that I've observed is this: If we are talking about a town you haven't been to for years you might say that you no longer have any memories of the place, but then if we take a trip to the town in question you'd see all sorts of things that you "remember" from your earlier visit. Now where have those memories been hiding?
ReplyDeleteGood question. Scientifically they don't know much about memory. Only some guesses.
DeleteYou are the same age as my Pirate..born July 1939, brought up with horses
ReplyDeleteWe also experienced the war. My bride lived in Royston through the war and has a much different memory of the war than I do.
DeleteI think we all rememberthings in our own way - I often talk with my son about things when he was a child and more often than not we remember things differently.
ReplyDeletememory may have something to do with maturity.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI have a horrible memory, especially my childhood times. I have little flashes of different times, sometimes old pictures help bring back memories. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!
I think family groups or communities staying together help to maintain memory.
DeleteI really liked Bryson's Body book.
ReplyDeleteYes, people often remember things differently. When talking about the past, my dad often remembers (or doesn't remember at all) things differently than my brother or I. It doesn't matter to me. I continue to write them as I remember them.
Good attitude. No sense fighting about it.
DeleteI sometimes wonder if certain events in my past actually happened or whether they were dreams that became real in my memory. And yes, remembering is a very tenuous activity. I sure enjoy your reminiscences, though,
ReplyDeletethere certainly is some self doubt when it comes to memory. We just can't open a file and say, "There it is."
DeleteMy husband and I are from small families. We shared Christmas with a large family recently and memories were slightly different in the family. It was interesting to experience their varied memories.
ReplyDeleteYou and your husband may be from the same area so it's easier to remember.
DeleteI think my memory would differ from my siblings as well.
ReplyDeletecheck it out!
DeleteI have found that many of my childhood memories are prompted by family photos and family movies from those days. Every now and then, tho, a clear memory will be triggered by something I see or hear and the feelings return from those early days. It often surprises me and I wonder where that memory has been hiding in my brain!
ReplyDeleteGood question as to where the memory has been hiding . We just can't find a file, open it and there it is.
DeleteIt's true, memories are notoriously inaccurate. But they are all we have, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteMy siblings and I often remember things differently. It's interesting to consider how each of our perspectives are shaped by how we experience things.
ReplyDeleteIt's also influenced by the various personalities.
DeleteMemory is a dicey thing, for it depends upon one's perspective. My perspective as a child was one of fear - will this hurt me? Do I need to run and hide? So many of my memories don't look like the memories of my 4 sisters. They will recount a memory from childhood, and my question is always, "Um, was I there?!" I understand the brain much better now, having studied Bruce Perry's book, "What Happened to You?" and "When the Body Says No" by Dr. Gabor Mate. VERY interesting and helpful stuff. Highly recommend these books to anyone interested!
ReplyDeleteI think that you're right that memory is influenced by experiences people go through. I will have to look for these two books.
DeleteEveryone's memory is different but we do share some that are the same.
ReplyDeleteI think we share the same overall memory but not the details.
DeleteWhen my brother and I compare memories, I'm often surprised at how different they are!
ReplyDeleteI think most people would find there are differences.
DeleteIt was interesting to me that I read your post which mentioned the Bill Bryson book today as I just had been reading Temple Grandin's book "Visual Thinking". Seems like there may be some commonality of interests there.
ReplyDeleteI must look for this book. sounds interesting.
DeleteMy sister is 11 years younger. Over the years I have been astonished at my memories becoming hers. Stories I've told she repeats as her own. I used to argue. Now I just stay quiet.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that she took on your identity.
DeleteYes my brothers say the same thing they recall differently:)
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you watch them argue about some things.
DeleteWe all have different memories, I think. They are colored by our own peculiarities. I noticed small details. My sister? Not so much. So while some little detail in a memory stands out to my story, it does not stand out in her own telling. There are also things that we both find that we remember the same. We were raised in a violent house, and there are things that we remember in a vague sort of black and white way. No details. Just the facts.
ReplyDeleteSad that there was great stress in the family and that you see that it has influenced your memory.
DeleteAll of our memories are probably wrong in some degree. At least that seems to be what I gather form experts. Except mine. Mine are perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, perfect in every way!
DeleteI've always had a rather poor memory and it's only gotten worse. My brother has a very good memory and tells me things I don't remember at all. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteYou probably remember different things than other people do.
DeleteInteresting memories anyway.
ReplyDeleteFunny how the memory works. My wife and I usually remember very different things from the exact same trip or activity. My memory has never been great, and it seems to be getting a little "less great" as I get older!
ReplyDeleteYes , some of remember detail and some a general picture.
DeleteHi Red, Wow, I took a few days break from looking at social media and I missed 3 posts here on Hiawatha House. You are really picking up the pace here and congratulations on that. In this post the part that really hit me is, “They are not really sure how memory works or doesn't work.” That does make me feel better. You know, scientists have figured out lots of things but there are still a few questions that haven’t been answered and one is how memory works. Another is how and where does human consciousness come from? You know, that little voice in your head. 😊 I hope scientists will find some answers for us one of these days. Hope you’ll keep sharing your memories with us. John
ReplyDeleteI didn't intend to post on memory but bot that's where it went.
DeleteMemory is indeed a strange phenomenon. We remember some things and forget others without obvious reason.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly makes us wonder what is going on.
Delete