The Blacksmith and the Beekeeper

George Jackson is a retired professional agrologist.

The Blacksmith, Hugh Gourlay, is pictured as a dour, friendly man, with a sense of humour, committed to serving the needs of those who visit his blacksmith shop. The community that was blessed with a person like Hugh Gourlay, someone who could fix most anything, whether related to animal or to machine, was very fortunate. The Beekeeper, his wife Cathie, is a cheerful sort, who manages the family, the house-hold, and Hugh.

Wes Henderson, who has written another book about prairie life entitled Under Whose Shade, spent his early days in the west central Manitoba rural community of Swan River. This book is a collection of the reminiscences of the folks who lived there. The story is organized as a series of interview paragraphs attributed to members of Hugh’s family, friends, neighbours, and clients.

These glimpses remind us of the lifestyle of an era before mechanization, fast transport, instant communication, and thermostats. The days of self-sufficiency, home-grown food, fun, laughter, and recreation. This story has been lived all over rural Canada. Reading it will tickle the memory for many.