Hailee and the Blimp!

Here's a photo of Miss Hailee, doing what she always does, grazing with earnestness. Above her in the sky, unbeknownst to her, is a Blimp! I love blimps. Whenever I see one, I am immediately reminded of a long summer day when I was in my early 20s, spending the summer with my parents and working at the paper factory to help pay for graduate school. One hot lovely day in Menominee a blimp just kept circling the city, slowly and low, really spectacular. And here's one now in this photo, floating one beautiful morning over Grand Rapids and Hailee's pasture.

That pasture has lots of interesting objects fly overhead. One morning I was standing with Renny and his mother jumped and spun around and looked at the sky ready to flee, and the little man followed her lead too! What disturbed her was a big blue heron which flew over the pasture and then landed heavily in a tree with his long neck turning this way and that to look at the beautiful mama and lovely foal. Pretty exciting! Renny though it was a pterodactyl. He was concerned! He practically jumped in grandma's pocket!

Big Boy Nursing

I am writing this on August 19th and here're some photos of beautiful boy having a nurse after running around in the pasture and goofing off with Ruthie. You can see that he's such a big boy, only a handful of days from weaning, so much bigger than he was during his first few days of life. I am so proud of him.

Rock 'N Roll Deluxe

Okay, I love these little side photo as i write this on August 19th. You can see his beautiful splashy red mane. And you can see his gorgeaus bright cherry red shiny coat. And you can see that he's well-muscled and cute as a button. And you can see that he is the definition of "Fat and Sassy!"

Grazing Alone!

I am writing this post on August 19th as I sit at my office at work. Today our graduate students are taking prelims, so I am monitoring the demography one and wishing them all well.

The dog days of summer are upon us. And I just want to report that this summer has easily been among the very best in my life. I spent so many mornings just puttering around, following my little fellow, watching, grooming, playing. I learned what he's like. I know how he plays, how he works his herd, how he eats, how he feels about his mama. I am so glad that I spent these days and hours with him. The summer was short. I miss those mornings and evenings with him already in his first few months. In a little while we'll wean him and my little man will be officially on the trail to ready himself for his own family with children -- great little athletic show pony in the making!

Jackie and Arcangelo

Here are my two fellas, Jackie and Arcangelo, enjoying a late afternoon taste of catnip. I am writing this post on August 19th! I haven't been as nice to the two of them as I should have this summer. They rarely get out to rest in their garden. I am going to have to change my routine a bit, so that my little men have a chance to enjoy their properties! I am so blessed that Jackie has been ruling my roost. He takes such good care of us, crankly old responsible buddy!

Beautiful Fatty

Okay, so he's been super healthy from the very beginning. He was born good to go, looking cute, getting up, kissing his mom, nursing, pooing, running, and being absolutely perfectly adorable. He's enjoyed his mom's fat-enriched grain, hay, grass, his mom's milk, and his baby grain. And then he got switched to his weanling grain to get him ready. It smells great. It looks great. And now, in mid-August, my little boy has become a big old boy. He's 292 pounds and he is all stud colt!

Babies with Hailee

Here's my little guy in 7th Heaven. He's got his mama, his girlfriend, and his grandma is watching, reminding herself to bring little man a little apple sauce and molasses syringe when she visits next. He understands his place in the universe -- lovely creation, super pony!

Walking Toward Mom!

What I like about these late July, early August photos is that you can just see Renny's confidence as he strides toward his mom. In the first photo, you can see his nice, long, relaxed stride. He'll make a wonderful hunter pony!

And no surprise, his grandpa is the very famous Blue Rain. You can see videos about him on Youtube!

Grazing with Mom!

These grazing photos are from August 8th. I am writing on August 14th, late at night, with the breeze blowing in through my window and a rain falling gently. I've returned from Joe Jacoby's retirement reception and art gallery opening which was a lovely, lively, joy-filled event. Anyway, these photos almost bring tears to my eyes. I have been so blessed to have Hailee as part of my life, and certainly blessed, blessed, blessed to have this healthy sweet foal. He's been healthy from the get-go. As has his mom. Born quickly. Up, nursing, and pooping within 1 1/2 hours. And Hailee recovered and sweet and working hard to care for her boy from the very first instant. I'll never forget that first day when we let him out of his stall. She followed him so close as he zipped around the ring, whinnying, whickering, worrying after him. I have been so blessed for this experience.

Grazing with Ruthie

What a blessing that these two had each other this summer. My Renny will have been shaped by his free, loose, foal time with this tall lovely girl, Ruthie.

Head through Annie

Handsome boy peeking at Grandma!

The Cute Herd

The photos are from August 8th and video from the 14th. I am writing this as I listen to the rain outside my window late at night. Not much to say other than that I feel like this Summer 2008 was a miracle. I've enjoyed every moment with my foal. He's been a true joy. He's funny. He's gorgeaus. He looks so smart and sassy and sweet when I show up in the morning to give him love and kisses. He enjoys his grooming. He's fun to watch as he snacks and eats before he's led out. And he's fun to lead to the pasture. This summer, he's filled my heart with happiness.

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The Girls' Routine!

Here's a photo of the girls' daily morning routine. They go out and graze, relax, and visit with Cruiser. On the days Vi is in heat, she flirts with Cruiser and makes out over the fence. On days she is annoyed, she kicks and hurts her back ankles. On days she is happy with life, she just strolls, grazes, and dreams horsie dreams!

The past few days, I am writing on August 14th, the weather had been perfect. Gorgeaus, cool, a little hazy. So, I would get up early and drive out to the stable to visit and ride. I had to take side roads because of a bit of construction on Poe, so I've seen beautiful farms, beautiful stables, beautiful possibilities. I look forward to finally having my own farm and stable! I pray that happens some day if it be the plan for me.

Anyway, Vi and I have had a wonderful time together. She gets groomed, we walk out to the back outdoor riding area which is enclosed by corn, and we step out and work hard. She's a great girl because she tries so hard to please and get it right and learn. She brings good energy and happiness to her work. And she always knows that it's a team, she puts us first, not herself! I love her for her team spiritedness!

Practicing Studliness

I was so lucky on this morning. Renny caught a scent of his mother who was in heat, so he decided to practice a little studliness. He stood wide, peed, and lifted his nose in satisfaction, wafting the morning breeze. I think it's just a hoot that he's only 3 months old and already practicing how to manage a herd and girlfriends!

And on this morning as well, he and Ruthie practiced wrestling and running and bucking!




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Rock 'n Roll Baby with Mom!

I love this photo of my little guy and his mom, Hailee. You can see his beautiful red mane which is getting thicker and longer every day. And you can see that he's got his mom's big old rear and that he love his mom! A year ago this time, H was running around in Kentucky with little Ren inside, growing strong on Kentucky Blue Grass! And now here he is, so handsome, funny and sweet.

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Jackie

The man of the family. Of my eight living creatures, he's been with me the longest. I'll never forget the first day I met this household tiger, this domestic lion!

My Cats in Catnip!

Jackie has been unhinged this summer with the desire to get outside! He walks through the house yowling and he's always super happy and proud when I finally figure out his wishes and let him outside. On this beautiful afternoon, I sat on the porch and watched my gorgeaus creatures chomping on the catnip plant along the front walkway!

Beautiful Babies

These photos were taken on August 8th, the video on the 14th. I am writing this note on a truly lightning night! I can hear the thunder, our first storm and rain in such a very long time, as you can see by the brown patches in the photos where Ruthie and Renny stand. You can't imagine how grateful I have been for this summer. My little guy has had a great chance to enjoy his foalhood. He's had a dear friend. He's learned from an experienced mom and from his new, but very smart own mom. He's visited with his Aunt Violet and the other horses of the farm. He's been cared for by Derek and the Lees. He's been praised by the Valentines. And he's dodged and danced away from short and tall dogs! And he's gotten more and more handsome by the minute!

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Breaking Bad!

I am writing this entry on Thursday evening, August 14th. The past few days have been exciting in Renny's little life. He and Ruthie shared a cold, so they've been on medication. Derek gives it to them quickly and efficiently. They don't even seem to mind! Plus Renny has just been in a growing spurt. When I show up in the morning, he just seems so much taller and more mature! And he is much more picky about whether he wants to play with grandma or not! When he wants my attention, he demands it. But mostly, he just wants to hang with his herd or play rambunctiously with Ruthie. I love seeing him in the morning. He'll run with her, wrestle, chase up and down the hill. He'll burst out in speed. He'll kick and buck when Tucker the bulldog barks at him. And usually when I leave, he and Ruthie will plant themselves under the trees in this photo and just chomp on the leaves with their moms way down the hill by the road. Just love this little guy and his gal!

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My Little Macho!

So little Renny is my baby, but he's also a little stud colt. Here's a photo taken on August 6th of my young man feeling good. He's strolled out by the creek, taken a little pee, and sniffed the air in this wide world! He's a happy man in charge of a herd of lovely ladies!

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We're Good Friends!

Here are some photos from August 6th of Renny and Ruthie, sharing a lovely morning and being dear friends. It's so funny. I brought him to Showgate in mid-June and he was just a nervous little guy. He stuck close to Hailee and didn't go near Ruthie and even scampered away when she tried to make friends. Now he bumps into her and cozies up like she's his dearest sister!

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Gorgeaus!

Okay, I mean, really! Can you believe how cute this little man is? He's a dollop of gorgeaus. Such a lucky baby!

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Renny's Tall Girlfriend!

Here are some photos from August 5th of tough little Renny and his lovely girlfriend, Ruthie. They are the cutest little couple. They are good buddies and are happy to see each other in the morning. She's very patient with his rough and tumble ways, but she will let him have a jab with her back hoof when he's especially naughty. They are a good little baby team. They often are together far from their mothers, causing trouble in the back corner or under the trees. So, I think they will be very happy for each other's company when they have to be weaned!

Baby's First Big Owie!

I left for Boston on Friday, August 1st, and when I returned on Monday, August 4th, Renny had experienced lots of adventures. The water broke in his stall and it was flooded! He cut his eye. And he switched to new weanling food! I bet he was super glad to see his grandma come back! Here's a photo of his cut. I made Derek look at it and report that it should be fine. So, each morning, I put on antibiotics for him. But this morning, he decided he had enough! He put on quite the little wrestling match. It was the first time that he refused to do a task and made me work for it. (I am writing this on August 7th). So, you know, my little man is growing up fast!

Charles Gibson Reports from Bowling Green!

Here's a photo my cousin took that beautiful Saturday in June 2007! She was trying to get an elegant photo of Violet by her stable's sign -- Violet of Breezy Acres!! But she decided to cover my face with her own. So, instead, here's a photo of what I'd look like as a Centaur in reverse. Instead of my head on a horse's body, you have a beautiful horse head on my body!! So, it goes!!

Okay, so I'm posting Tuesday, October 7th, and I am pretty excited. Charles Gibson of ABC news came and did a live broadcast of the National News and he was standing right outside my office window for the big event! His interviews with our students showed them to be intelligent, thoughtful and lucid. Top notch! And then he showed a segment where he visited our beautiful Bowling Green windmills at the edge of town! I travel by those windmills every single day on my way out and home to see my horses! And for months now, I've been thinking to stop and take a photo of them. They are beautiful, just beautiful. Anyway, Mr. Gibson praised them and talked about them and gave us props for our environmental leadership! I was just popping with excitement! Those windmills are among my most favorite things about this town! Very cool! Plus I saw Jorge, Christine, Gary and Naomi on national news . What a hoot of a day!

Riding Violet!

I've enjoyed riding Violet this summer. I go early in the morning, groom her, lunge, often do Parelli at which she excels. And we take leisurely rides, practicing our walking, trotting, cantering, circling, and trail work. She's a complete pro at crossing the bridge, stopping and standing on it, backing off. She's a pro at walking into the square. She's just a gem. And what I like about her the most is that she always has in the forefront of her mind that she wants to be part of the team -- the team of two -- Laura and Vi!

Renny's Inspection: The Branding!

Okay, so here was the end of the day experience. At the inspection, you could get your ponies branded with the NASPR logo, if you wanted. Barbie and I were debating having this done and were prepared for a freeze brand, if we were going to proceed.

So, after the Grand Parade when the judges gave their verbal commentary and discussed the strengths and weaknesses -- my judge's main comment to me was that I needed to find another stallion for my Hailee. Anyway, after this Grand Parade, the judge got out a camouflage rifle case and strutted down the center aisleway. We all gave her a look of surprise and she says, "Do not worry. It is not a weapon! It is the brand!" And sure enough, she pulls out a long brand and begins heating it with a flame torch. One mare and one foal were branded. The mare was an adorable dapple grey young three year-old who had jumped the chute with willingness that day. She reminded me in her sweetness of Snowflakes Princess. Anway, she came out of her stall with an expectant obedient look on her face, her entire demeanor radiated, "Okay, daddy! What can I do for you now!" And for her efforts, she received a blazing hot iron poker to her rear. Flames leaped off her hide and she just looked hurt in feelings more than anything. Then a foal got a brand and he too looked surprised. I think his owner felt like crying.

Anyway, so here's why Renny didn't have to suffer a similar fate! As part of our preparations, Barbie and I sprayed my mare and foal with lots and lots and lots of product! They were Champion pepi sprayed with oil-based product. They were Show Sheened. They were baby oiled! They smelled like chamomile and roses by the time we were done and had the lovely oily gloss of Paris Hilton! And someone told us, if you are going to get a brand, make sure you haven't sprayed them with anything. The fire from the branding will set them ablaze.

Barbie and I had a good laugh. I dodged a bullet on the branding decision. Which is good because my Soc 101 students by a landslide voted for branding. As Barbie put it, it would be pretty bad if we went to the trouble to get Renny ready for his inspection only to return home with baby in a small pile of ash cinders in a baggy. After two days of telling me trailer disaster stories, riding class disaster stories, training disaster stories, etc., she said she wouldn't know quite where to file a "I set a foal on fire" disaster story!

So, Renny earned his NASPR rating and returned home with his beautiful chestnut red coat entirely untouched! Happy ending! Namaste!

Girls and Corn!

Here they are at the end of July, enjoying each other's company. Violet is so funny and sweet. Last year in October, she enjoyed being filled with fake terror because of the monsters chattering in the corn. This year, she stood by the corn completely mellow and chomped on its leaves. Goes to show you! It's all your mood. My Vi is the very best company!

Renny's Inspection: The German Judge!

The judge for the inspection process was German and she had just flown in the night before from Europe. Her companion judge was the president of the NASPR registry and that woman spoke fluent German as well. So, they conducted their inspections in German which is sometimes a stacatto, angry sounding language. It was actually pretty funny sometimes to hear this rapid fire guttural German come flowing from her mouth and then you'd see the handlers look stricken because they were certain she was saying something horrible abou their mare or foal. So, then the judge would see their anxiety and translate in english, saying something like, "your mare has a nice deep shoulder" or "her pasterns have a correct angle."

What was really funny about her in a good way was that she had really decided opinions. When we first let Hailee and Renny off their leads, Renny was confused and feeling a bit subordinate, so he immediately mounted Hailee. She took it in stride and then began her business of trotting and cantering quietly. Renny was still loopy and confused, so he kept bashing into her and getting right up in her business and under foot. So, finally, she picked up her hind leg and pushed it in his direction. I was mortified that she looked like she was planning on kicking baby, but the judge said, "Very good. She gave him a warning shot. She is a good mare. She teaches him well." So, Barbie and I just gave each other a look and laughed later! Barbie liked that the German judge preferred the mares!

All day long, the judge had cracks like this. For one bad-acting foal, she said that he was listening to his own music, but he needed to get another band. And then at the end of the day, of this very handful, naughty, dangerously misbehaving foal without boundaries, she said in front of everyone, "He is spoiled."

My baby was very good. The only naughty thing he did was my fault and it was a biggy! The judge was standing quietly beside him at the start of his inspection and he was a bit impatient because he'd already stood through his mother's inspection. She was standing admiring him, looking at his darling face, quietly assessing his sweet temper. He was rustling his lead shank a bit and standing quietly but letting me know that he was bored. When suddenly he put his little muzzle forward and gave a teeny tiny peck at the judge's butt. She just smiled and stepped away. he didn't really bite her, but he did put his teeth on her! Naughty boy. She then stepped forward and put her fingers in his lips to feel for his bite. He stood quietly and obligingly, so no harm, no foul!

But can you believe that I let my baby bite his inspection judge!?!?!!!! What a nut. I will do better the next time I bring a foal to inspection!

The Happy Girls!

Here are Sedona and Violet on an early cool morning at the very end of July. The morning was sort of misty and they were just so happy to be together. Sometimes when I let them out, they trot around like proud young girls, showing off their beauty. b

Renny's Inspection: The Blue First Premium Mama!

Hailee always surprises me. She's always brings a fresh wonder or miracle into my life. And here's what she did at the inspection which was unexpected, but delightful. I knew she was a good-looking mare and I am always proud of her atheleticism and overall appearance. But when we arrived at the inspection, it just seemed that every time I looked at her, she was transforming herself from the inside out as a spectacularly good-looking mare. She just seemed to inhale and radiate vigor, beauty, good-breeding, gloss, elegance, refinement, power. So, by the time, Barbie pulled her out of her stall and clipped the shank to her, Hailee was clearly init2winit! I could tell that the judge thought she was an appealing creature. And she stood in that center aisleway with quiet elegance as Barbie showed her to perfection. Everyone was impressed!

I think she was going for that Blue Premium because she knew it would help her foal in the long run and that it would help any other foals that she may have in the future. She behaved beautifully at her inspection, she walked quietly through the triangle, she was calm about trotting and cantering at liberty, she stopped when I quietly said whoa and turned to me to be led out. In all ways, she behaved like a wonderful broodmare. The judge thought she was a good girl! Now she belongs to three horse registries -- the APHA, the Foundation Horse Registry, and NASPR. She's a First Premium American Sportpony now. I am proud of her.

Baby's Wrinkled Nose!

Renny wrinkling his nose on the last day of July!

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Renny's Inspection: The Seasoned Traveler!

As you can imagine, the thing I was most worried about was whether Renny would travel safely to the inspection. He had only travelled once before in an open trailer the short distance from Breezy Acres to Showgate Stables. So, I was nervous he might be scared or injured.

But Barbie and Tom made a plan. They were going to put Hailee in the first slot and shut her gate and then let baby have the rest of the open trailer with some hay. I was nervous he might try to climb under her gate or get hurt by Hailee.

But "on the day," as we were getting ready to go, Hailee walked quietly on board and then called out to him in a commanding whinny as he stepped into the barn aisleway. And sure enough, my little brave boy just walked confidently up the ramp. He paused for a heartbeat, but then I stepped forward and put my arm over his withers and told him it was all okay and that I loved him. At this precise moment, Hailee gave a motherly shout and baby walked on in quietly. He was eating hay before we left the driveway!

And then here was my proudest most happiest moment of the entire trip. We got to Windrush Farm later in the evening, around 8:30pm, so it was dark. And when we opened the trailer door, what do you think I saw? Hailee was standing quietly in her slot, and baby was standing next to her with his butt by her face and his face by her butt. And he just looked at us as calmly as you please with his ears forward and an expectant smile on his sweet muzzle. So, I walked in, put on his lead, and he walked quietly and sensibly off the trailer and waited patiently for his mom.

Then we walked quietly through the dark to the open door of the barn and when we arrived, Renny gave a little "Renny's in the house" whinny of greeting which all the mares and foals returned with whinnies of their own. Then he walked quietly into his stall and received his water, grain, and hay happily and sweetly. No cries, no worries, no fretting. Just a hospitable greeting to his friends and a settling in for dinner and bed!

And THEN, the next day was even better, though hard to imagine. When we were ready to leave after the inspection, I was leading Renny up the ramp and Barbie told me to wait a minute while she finished locking in Hailee. Renny stood quietly and waited for his turn, standing on the ramp. And then he just finished stepping into the trailer. He didn't balk. He wasn't upset. He was perfectly calm and agreeable about taking his next very long trailer ride!

And this great loading experience was witnessed by people at the inspection. Someone praised me for my foal's very good behavior! Renny travelled home peacefully and when I peeked at him at a gas station stop, he was standing as before, quietly with his head down, with his rear by his mom's face and his face comfortably by her rear.

When we got back to Showgate, he let me walk into the trailer and clip him as before and walked quietly to the door. He stood at the doorway for a moment, waited for a little pat and a word of love, and then walked quietly off the trailer. He gave me one quick glance as if to say, "Careful Grandma! The ramp is steep and I wouldn't want you to slip!"

He's my brave, sensible, darling boy! And I could NOT be more proud of how well he traveled to his inspection and home. I am a lucky girl!

Renny's Rock Star Mane!

Here's another photo from late July. Look at his spiky jagged super white socks. Look at his beautiful red coat. And look at that rock star mane! He's like the foal version of Roger Daltrey or something! Too fine! The week I took this picture, Barbie called me and said that I should start teaching his mane to lay down by putting rubber bands on it when he's weaned. I can't even think about it! I just love to run my fingers through that red soft mess of hair!

Renny's Inspection: The Good Friend!

Barbie Valentine has helped me through the years with my equine adventures. She gave me lessons, trained my horses, helped me find Hailee and Violet, and oversaw Renny's entrance into this world! I am lucky for her friendship on the equine side.

But I'm also lucky because she's just the nicest person and so caring and generous. She wants happiness for her friends. So, she helped me with the inspection by driving up from Kentucky to take us all to Michigan. And here's the fun sweet part. The part where you discover just how good a friend you have.

Barbie is always an elegant woman. She is turned out beautifully all the time, even when she is working hard with horses. She dresses impeccably and shows care in her grooming. She's lovely! So, imagine how hard I laughed in the moments before the inspection when we both went to dress in our handler's outfit. She stepped out of the trailer as elegant as ever, but dressed in stark white pants, a white long-sleeved shirt, a dark blue polo, and white shoes. She still carried herself like she was wearing Chanel, but she definitely was willing to wear a parking attendant's outfit out of friendship for me. I laughed at her willingness to go in for the adventure whole-hearted!

So, we went and got our horses in our matching handler's outfits. We were the most correctly dressed by far, everyone else was wearing jeans or khakis. Our horses were beautiful with their glossy coats, tight braids, lovely Quillin halters, Valentine Hall lead shanks, and their beautifully-dressed handlers. When the German judge saw us, she said, "Oh, very good. You are very clean!" And we all had a good laugh at the good-hearted newbies who brought their best to the inspection. That's what I like about Barbie, she brings her heart, she brings her best, and she's init2winit!