October 21, 2020 – Julie, Leadership, and the Square Dance Promise

In this storytelling‑rich episode, Lyn Goffaux remembers a season of illness when she had to leave the ranch for town, and a frightening drive where drowsiness at the wheel nearly led to disaster. From there, she shifts into vivid memories of life on the ranch and how a young Julie stepped up as a capable, respected leader while Lyn was away. Lyn recalls how ranch hand Henry Strong treated Julie like the boss, and how visiting “dudes” and long‑time guest Jenny fit into the rhythm of ranch life. A powerful thread in this conversation is Jenny’s warning never to smoke, a moment Lyn took deeply to heart and credits with her lifelong choice to avoid cigarettes. The heart of the story is a promised square dance: Ally resists hosting it because of all the work involved, but Julie, still just a teenager, insists on keeping the promise, organizes the caller, and collaborates with the guests, who joyfully clean and wax the floors themselves after the dance. Lyn’s pride in Julie’s courage, resolve, and gentle authority shines through as she reflects on how that same strength shows up later in Julie’s own home and family life.