The Cool Girls!

I am lucky to have Violet and Hailee in my life. And I am so very lucky to have been able to bring Sedona and Annie into their lives this summer. I know that Violet was so unhappy being a stall-bound girl. But now she has her best girl, Sedona, and her place in a herd of beautiful girls! Namaste. This photo was from October 4th!

Coming for Grandma!

This photo was taken on October 12th. My handsome boy was out with his friend, Ruthie, relaxing and having fun. I love his white blaze, intelligent eyes, pert ears, and perfect freckle. He confidently expects to be kissed on that angel spot freckle! Anyway, what I really wanted to say is that I ordered several books from the library about how to train foals, weanlings, and yearlings, and later, when they have age and strength and maturity, how to train horses to driving. I've decided that, if I am able to fulfill the social contract with Renny that I would like to teach him how to be a driving pony. I think he'd be great fun to drive around a farm! I am writing this entry on October 27th, and I have to say that he's very intelligent. He knows how to back and move with the most light touch and voice command. He lets me rub him all over. He lets me pick up all of his feet and pick them. He lets me lead him with ease and graciousness. He waits patiently while I do tasks in the saddle room. And he is now letting me put things on his back and wave them at him -- and he's just short of 6 months old no less! Tonight I put a saddle pad-sized towel on him and it was funny and sweet to see him skitter about, then walk quietly and with confidence, and then stop and thoughtfully check out the towel. He's going to be such a joy to work with. I am so lucky. Namaste.

Graceful Boy

This photo was taken on September 1st, just a few days before Renny was weaned. You can see his sleek, thin, lithe loveliness. He is cantering up the hill in the front pasture, relaxed, comfortable, and confident in his world. I love this handsome little fella. I am proud to be his grandma! Namaste.

Beautiful Girls in October!

These photos were taken in mid-October of Violet, Hailee, and Sedona. They are grazing in the cool Fall sun, pulling up tufts of the last summer grass. I love my mares. I feel blessed to have these mares. I am writing this entry in the week before the election. Our economy is in trouble, we're still at war, and things are very uncertain. So, I pray that I am able to fulfill the social contract with these girls and keep them as a part of my family. Looking at them in this photo makes me think of their sister, Snowflakes Princess. If you could imagine a heaven, I could imagine my three mares and my little fella, running around and being adorable. And I could imagine my home critters, including Tigi and Teacake, around my fire, as we peek out our window to the pasture with my lovely equines! But I'm being over the top! I'm a bit tired right now because it's my first day back at work after a week's vacation! I missed my pets, so feel pretty mushy about them just now! Namaste!

Breaking News! Eclipse Awards 2008 Announced!

Yesterday, the 2008 Eclipse Awards were announced and Violet's darling, Curlin, earned Horse of the Year for a second consecutive year, the first horse to do so since Cigar won a second Eclipse during 1995-1996. Curlin also earned Champion Older Male, and his trainer, Steve Asmussen earned Champion trainer. Curlin has now retired to stud for a first year fee of $75,000 at Lane's End in Versailles, but hasn't figured out his new job. Here's what his dad, Jess Jackson, had to say, "Curlin still wants to run. He's running around the ice-hardened floor of his Lane's End paddock, and when he goes into the stable, he gets depressed. He doesn't know what he's up for. I think he's going to be very pleased." Here's a photo of him at his new home taken just this year by Terence Dulay.

Big Brown earned Champion 3 year-old Male and a nod for Horse of the Year and Zenyatta, the undefeated filly who took the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, was also a nominee for Horse of the Year!

Proud Spell earned Champion 3 year-old filly, and Midshipmanand Stardom Bound earned Champion 2 year-old male and filly respectively. My sweet Indian Blessing earned Champion female sprinter and Adena Springs yet again won Outstanding Breeder. These are just a few of the results for an intense year of racing!

Sisters Grazing Side by Side!

This photo was taken on October 12th and it shows the four girls -- Sedona hidden behind Annie, and my lovely, lovely Violet and Hailee. I am the luckiest woman I know. These are beautiful, sleek, glowing, silky girls. They are intelligent, thoughtful, beautiful, delightful. They are my treasures. Namaste!

Sabbatical Musings: Week 4, Day 1!

All right, here I am writing at the top of week 4 of my 25 week sabbatical. We are hosting job candidates this week, so will be very busy. Plus I am trying to work on several papers. Plus read journals. Plus get a grip on a few administrative tasks. So, I don't necessarily feel the "rest" or "break" side of my sabbatical, but at least I am working and feeling like a scientist.

What else? Okay, I am sure that I am going to report this in other places, but yesterday was pretty exciting. I went to the stable and put out all the horses and then walked over to the front pasture to have coffee while watching my six. I counted 5. I look and look and then my mind trys to process that Renny is confidently standing on the opposite side of the fence from his girlfriend, calmly chewing shrubs as he stands on a precipice like a mountain goat. My boy has figured out how to scale that steep incline covered in brush and trees. I walked over to him and tried to shove and scoot him down the hill. He just looked at me like I was nattered. "Poor Grams has lost it." So, I took a stick and tickled him. Nothing. And then finally I poked at him with it and he turned and slowly leisurely casually walked down the precipice without any missteps or slips.

So, later that day, Barbie texts me and tells me that when she arrives at the stable, Renny is completely gone. He escaped up the hill again and was calmly eating grass by the round pen while all 5 girls watched over the fenceline at the naughty boy!

I know he's smugly happy with his naughtiness, but now he'll have to stay indoors or for very short turnout until we're able to build a fence alone the ridgeline. Barbie says that he's very brave -- not shrubs, underbrush or steep inclines scare him. He'll never refuse a jump. He will be a great eventing/hunting pony!! I love that little dickens!

My Sweet and Darling Violet

Today is Monday, October 27th, and it's rainy and cold today. I have been home two days now since my week long trip in Florida. When I returned, my horses were in their full tilt winter coat and they'd been indoors for several days for their turnout. Their days of a leisurely breakfast, followed by grazing with friends in the sun, are over. Violet, my sweet, sweet girl, is suffering for the change. Her back legs are stocked up pretty badly. On Sunday and today I worked her a bit and rode her, and gave her turnout with her friends, and this evening I gave her a little bute, so I hope that takes the swelling down. I feel badly for her to go from a full day's turnout to more constrained circumstances, but I will work through it this winter!

Anyway, so here's what I know about my sweet girl. I've been working through Parelli and she's just the most intelligent, sweet, compliant girl. She loves a challenge and wants to please and is adorably kind. You would laugh if you saw us doing Parelli together. She is clearly the more intelligent of the two of us. I can just see her paying perfect attention trying to figure out what I want, and because I'm not very good at asking for it, she uses her intense intellect to try and guess. She anticipates and tries to leap eagerly to the task. Sometimes we actually communicate well and we are both super happy with our efforts. She licks her lips and grinds her teeth with happiness and rolls her head in for a big hug and kisses and whispers. And I get to praise, praise, praise her. And other times, she just dances circles around me, showing enthusiasm and joy about wanting to do the work, and making her "best guesses" about what I wanted.

I am the luckiest girl I know to have such a sweet, intelligent thoroughbred in my family! Bless her sweetness!

A Beautiful Blaze and a Quillin Girl

Here's the lovely blaze on my handsome boy, and he's peeking at me under the long elegant neck of his girlfriend who is wearing a fine Quillin's halter from the leather shop in Paris, Kentucky! Namaste!

A Kiss at the Fenceline

Ruthie is a bossy old pushy girl, and she really enjoys getting up in Renny's grill. She considers him her boyfriend, so she likes to sneak beside him for a little grazing and maybe a stolen kiss or two! Namaste!

A Mellow Early Fall Afternoon!

Here is another photo and video from October 4th. I love my little guy. And I am so glad he has lots of confidence. I don't think he knows that it's not usual for a little crossbred pony to have such a long-legged supermodel girlfriend. But he doesn't know any different. He loves his buddy and sweetheart and accepts her as his girl! I can remember when he was a little bit afraid of her. And I can remember his very first kiss!

Sabbatical Musings: Day 4, Week 3!

I am in my third week of my sabbatical and moving forward on two papers. I met with a lovely student yesterday and am about to meet with a student about a project today and a faculty and student colleague about a paper tomorrow. Next week, our department begins a job search for a new faculty colleague in demography and family. So, I am busy, but feeling a bit depressed today. Today I am indulging in the useless emotions of feeling like I am not accomplishing anything because I spread myself so thin. But, of course, the truth is that I could do better, but I definitely could be doing worse as well. I am definitely well on track on finishing the revisions of this one paper and preparing the list of last tasks for the second paper. I am going to learn something this evening about emergency horse care management at a Veterinarian clinic workshop. And I am trying to retool by reading more deeply and broadly in the scientific literature. Along with these goals, yesterday, I planned my money and note that though I live a tight financial life, my money does indeed work hard. I pay board on three horses, I pay my very costly professional dues, I care for 8 animals, I save toward my nieces' college educations. My money works hard. So, I am trying not to think of myself as a bad person, but am struggling with that wicked old winter depression that I sometimes get. I think I'll spend a little sunlit time in a snowy pasture with Violet this afternoon and see if that works. Part of the problem is that I think that I have not been careful with my little Renny. His nose has a bump on it and I am certain that I caused it by having a poor-fitting halter. But at least I've ordered a new halter immediately today. I may cause problems, but I try to be vigilant and I try to the best of my ability to stop them once I discover them. Bless my little fella and please hold him close!

Rock Star Manes from the Shaggy Krewe!

Today, I went out to the stable, October 18th, and let out the four mares in the front pasture. Barbie brought up three pregnant mares from Kentucky, so they were right across the creek in the far pasture. I enjoyed watching all 7 mares line up and face each other over the creed. The lovely Hope (Pleasure Dynamics), Mindy's Fashion, and About Time.

Then I had a yummy fish and chips lunch which was perfect at Laroe's in Grand Rapids and then spent part of the afternoon reading short stories by Annie Proulx in Ruthie and Renny's pasture. Now, it is late at night, and I am getting ready for bed, so that I can get up at 3:30am and then travel to Florida to see my family! Here are the little rock stars on October 4th!

Welcome President Obama! #44

Yesterday, several friends and I went to the Clazel Theater to enjoy the inauguration day festivities. We enjoyed the music, the poem, the welcoming comments, and, of course, the swearing in of our new Vice President and President. Mrs. Obama wore a lovely lemongrass dress by Isabel Toledo and then later at the inaugural balls, she wore an ivory dress by Jason Wu, a 26 year-old designer from Taiwan who works out of New York! Mr. Obama's inaugural address was wonderful and he even referenced the importance of science and universities! I toasted the event with a glass of champagne and then spent the afternoon napping, I was so tired!

Renny's Big Red Engine!

Here are some photos taken on October 2nd, of the cutest little muscley red rear on my beautiful little boy. I have a feeling he's going to stay fairly small, but I know he'll fill out beautifully and make his mama and grandma proud! I am looking forward to seeing what he looks like when he's 2 or 3, and I definitely look forward to teaching him how to pull a cart, and how to tie quietly, and how to take a shower in the cross ties, and how to do Parelli! He and I will have so many adventures!

Relaxing with My Cute Self!

I like this photo, taken October 2nd, because it shows my sweet fella all relaxed. You can still see a bit of the summer in those trees, but fall is beginning to shake through. I know when I took this photo, I was very happy. I was proud of Renny and how well he earned his membership in the American Sportpony Club, and I was so glad and relieved to receive a unanimous vote for Full. Since then, I've had a few shakes to my confidence (I'm writing on October 18th), but tomorrow I leave to visit my family, and I am sure that hugging my nieces will make me feel more whole!

Beautiful Fall Coat!

This photo was taken on October 2nd, and my fella was the most gorgeaus furry red scruffy fella. Now I'm writing on October 18th, and my fella is covered in dust from the indoor ring and he's got the thickest fluffiest winter coat which stands right up! But still, the handsomest sweetest baby ever! Namaste

Gorgeaus Girls on a Cool Autumn Day!

An October 2nd photo of calm girls on a cloudy day!

Sabbatical Musings, Week 2, Day 5!

I am sitting quietly in my home office on Saturday afternoon of my second week of sabbatical. I went to the stable this morning and then into work. And I'll spend this afternoon, happily editing a paper. I am really enjoying my time. I'm not doing anything radical with my sabbatical, but I am enjoying my early morning winter visits with my herd and my days reading science and conducting my research -- catching up on papers hanging over my head and envisioning my next projects! Plus I had wonderful coffees with Katie and I-Fen over the past two weeks, so enjoyed the time just to converse and think about the shape and contours of my career and the warp and woof of what I might do next! Namaste!

Great Manes!

Here's October 2nd photo and video of the babies, enjoying grass against a backdrop of spent corn! My Renny has the most lovely shaped hooves and cutest face. He's becoming more "weanlingish," but you can see the traces of that sweet adorable angelic innocent foal still. I can hardly believe that it was just a few short months ago that he was nothing but curiousity and agreeable chumminess! Now he definitely is still a good compliant boy, but one with stronger opinions!

Fall Brushes the Landscape!

An October 2nd view of the girls and video of the babies. You can see Fall in those trees and that grass!

As Handsome as He Wantsta!

Again, a September 23rd photo of Renny and October 6th video of those Marey Pranksters! Namaste.

Morning Kisses and Grazing!

Here's a September 23rd photo of the babies and an October 6th video of the girls in the far pasture. On that October 6th, yesterday, I just sat on the bridge wall and watched these beautiful girls in the Fall dusk. It was cool and the setting sun was heading down into the spent corn field. The girls coats were darker and thicker in preparation for winter and they were just so relaxed and large and in charge of their world. Annie kept chasing everyone around, and Hailee and Violet would flash hooves every once in awhile. Sedona was the only one who tried to keep the peace, sweet young girl that she is!

Anyway, as I write this entry, I'm thinking about Derek who was such an accomplished skilled rider and who was so such enjoyable early morning company. I liked sharing horse stories with him and hearing about his views. I hope he is doing well in his last few months of school!

Cutie Patootie!

Check out my cutie's super derriere on September 1st! And what a sweet expression! Namaste!

Sabbatical Musings: Day 1, Week 2

Okay, so my first week got off to a good, but not great start. I read Demographyand Journal of Marriage and Family. I organized both my home and work offices. I planned out my projects to complete. I set up meetings. But I worked sporadically and without much conviction. And I let myself get distracted by snow, horses, shopping. But it's week 2 and I am going to put the nose to the grindstone!

All the Girls!

Here is a photo and video from September 23rd. You can see my sweet V at the fenceline, giving me a glance. She is a happy herd girl. I am writing this the week that the Lee's are about to go to Congree and I'm about to go to Florida, so very soon, my horses will have to hunker down for winter and go out less often! They will have to dream of their summer under the sun, being horsey.

It's been an amazing summer. Curlin just cleaned up in everything he entered -- trying his hoof and doing admirably on Turf and winning the Jockey Gold Cup. He now is the highest-earning racehorse ever! What else? Renny joined NASPR! In my mind, both milestones in equine history! Namaste.

Danada: The Barn Closest to the House!

Here are two photos taken from inside the beautiful stable closest to Dan and Ada's home. The barn has seen better days, but is still achingly lovely. Right behind it is a nice roundpen. Clearly, now they use it for storing the hay wagons and for putting up the draft horses used for special events. But it seems just a bit gone to seed. However, it is truly breathtakingly beautiful with roomy, roomy box stalls, burnished wood and such elegant design.

I could completely imagine Ada having her first morning cup of coffee and then running out to this barn to see what was up! Namaste, Ada, and namaste to your sweet one too, Daniel, for your work to nurture thoroughbreds and your work to honor horses.

A Snow Day!

On Friday, we started to get snow and by Saturday morning, we were up to our ears in about 10 inches of snow! Barbie texted and said that they were going out to the stable to shovel out and give the horses a snow day! So, I shovelled with the help of Joann and her snow blower and went out to experience the festivities! Barbie was sledding with her girls and then 4-wheeling and pulling a sled! The horses were out enjoying the very heavy snow! And I just had a great time! Tom gave me a lesson on lunging with Violet and it was a great day. I even had the fun of driving home in almost white out conditions through the beautiful countryside. The wind was blowing, it was snowing, and drifts were just producing these great grey white blue clouds of snow.

Then later on Saturday evening, I walked into town with my big old snow boots and met Danielle for drinks at Becketts and pool and then shuffleboard at Cafe 149. We visited with Amijo and Angie and had a good pre-semester time! Then I slept in today. I shovelled this morning, made my organic multi-grain pancake mix, and a batch of gingerbread muffins! I meet Annette later for dinner, so I can safely say that today and this weekend has been wonderful! Now I'm going to read the Sunday NYT's with Jackie on my lap!

My Jackie

Here's the guy who rules my roost. I am blessed to have such a determined cat in my life. He is determined to guard and protect his family.

Danada: Lucky Debonair!

Here is a stone and plaque honoring the memory of Lucky Debonair, ridden by Willie Shoemaker to win the roses for his mom and dad, Ada and Daniel Rice, in 1965. He went on to a rich and successful breeding career, and was sold by his mom in 1975, after his dad died. He lived the remainder of his days in Venezuela, also serving as a stud successfully. He died at a ripe old age in 1987. And he was honored at Danada in 2002 with this plaque.

My girl, Violet is closely related to him. Lucky Debonair's damsire is Count Fleet! So, there you go...

Baby's First Autumn!

Again, this photo makes my eyes water. My darling baby boy had a lovely first summer and looks so good and strong and sweet going into his first autumn. I love my little fella.

Danada: The Second Aisle

Here are some photos from the second aisleway of the Danada Equestrian Center. Many of the horses were outdoors in sacrifice pastures, but several horses were indoors, enjoying their humans. I found each horse to be sweet, agreeable, and welcoming. They were all uniformly wonderful ambassadors for Danada! I took a photo of the harness for the draft horses because seeing the hanging harness got me excited for my big adventure in Georgetown Kentucky this coming April! Namaste!

Grazing Babies!

A beautiful September 23rd photo of the dynamic baby duo of Showgate Stables! Namaste.

Christmas 2008: The Wild Girls!

On my visit to Mars, I celebrated my birthday morning by watching my wild wild wild girls go bonkers with happiness as they drove in their jeep!

Danada: The First Aisle

In these photos, I've just stepped into the doors of the main stable with more than 20 stalls. It is set up so that the stalls are in the center, with a few at either end against the wall, and with a very luxurious large aisleway wrapped all the way around. The history books claim that this plan was to allow training even during inclement weather. I imagine that could work, though it sure seems a bit strange to my modern sensibilities. Anyway, here is a photo of Dolly who greeted me when I first arrived. She was so unbelievably hairy! I asked whether she had Cushing's and was told that she just gets a good solid furry winter coat! Lucky girl! She hasn't a prayer of getting cold!

Cutest Herd Ever!

I'll never be able to express how stupidly happy, simple with happiness, dumbstruck with happiness, blissed out and trippin' with happiness, I am, when I stand at the gate and watch these girls.

Christmas 2008: My 45th Birthday!

Here we are on the 27th of December, celebrating my birthday! We had organic bean soup and a chocolate cake. You can see me celebrating wth my nieces! I had a very nice birthday! I saw my horses, enjoyed my dog and cats. My baby weanling, Renny, showed me that he was the dirtiest weanling in America. He was coated in dried mud and looking like a rough-and-tumble boy for my birthday present. He made me laugh and laugh with happiness! I also received many greetings from friends and family. I had a meal at BW3, and presents spattered throughout the week. Tomorrow to cap my birthday week, I am having coffee with Joe and receiving a present, and then having a party at Danielle and Todd's to watch a scary, scary film! Good to get the adrenalin up when you're a 45 year-old woman!!

Danada: The Buildings!

Jorge and Christine celebrated their nuptials in a truly beautiful setting. They elected to have the reception at Danada House at the Danada Equestrian Center. This private home was bequeathed to the Dupage County Forest Preserve District and now serves a variety of purposes. But one of the main purposes is as an equestrian center to promote safe horse handling and riding practices and the protection of mustangs. They hold seminars, workshops, hay and sleigh rides, and many other events.

In 1928, Daniel and Ada Rice purchased this vast tract of over 1,000 acres when it served as a working farm. Daniel then, at Ada's request, purchased 8 racehorse yearlings from Lexington, and they never looked back. They had 20-40 racehorses in training every year at Danada, and also had Idle Hours Farm in Lexington! They were extraordinarily successful in this venture and Ada totally loved it. They kept the racehorses in her name!

The day after the wedding, this past Sunday, I went back and visited the stables and the buildings. Right now, they have mostly draft horses and mustangs, including these mammoth-sized weanlings! Everyone was very friendly and I was able to tour the setting where Lucky Debonair trained to win the roses!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keCGrh2iLUg

My Happy Girls!

Here's a photo and video taken on September 23rd and I am having my morning coffee. The girls are all a happy herd now. Violet thought she was happy when she got to spend a summer outdoors with her girlfriend, Sedona, but now she gets to have lots of friends! She and Hailee rebonded as sisters! And in fact, now in early October, Hailee is a little jealous of Sedona and often chases her away from Miss V. I barely recognize Violet anymore, she's so blissed out with her changed circumstances! Oh! I am writing this on October 7th, so here's a nice story. This morning, I was having morning coffee watching the girls and Darla came and introduced a new broodmare prospect to the herd. Violet was super excited and trotted right on up to say hello and offer her services for grooming and kissing. And Darla told me that a horse buyer had been at the Farm yesterday and inquired whether Vi was for sale because she was a good mover. And then Brian asked me how old my "sorrel" was. Isn't that funny? He knows Hailee's name, but he didn't know good old sweet Vi's name. Anyway, I was flattered that someone wanted to know about V, but who could sell such a sweet happy loving girl!

Christmas 2008: A Pittsburgh Horse!

On my walk in Pittsburgh, I passed this one building which now had an architect's design studio. The building was built in 1888 and I just loved that it had this truly lovely horse head statue over the door. I thought it was so very expressive and unique!