A Green Slice of Heaven

I am writing this entry on Wednesday, June 10th, of an unusually good week. Barbie had told me to harness up Violet and take her for a spin by myself this past weekend. So, on a beautiful Sunday, I went out to the stable and did just that. While her dad was mowing the pastures, I hitched up my sweet girl and off we took on this big loose trot all around the outdoor! Then on Monday, I had an excellent riding lesson with her using draw reins and even jumped an X. We felt very proud of ourselves. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, I hitched up my girl again and we went for cart rides. We have been very productive. Today, Violet did her first backing with the cart. She was very good. What's been exceptionally nice is seeing the herds out on the bright green Spring pastures. Violet and Hailee, just like in this photo, hang out close together. And I often see Hailee standing with her tail in V's face, just whisking that big black brush delicately over her girlfriend to keep her free of pests -- a real treat a thin-skinned thoroughbred truly enjoys! Namaste.

Wood County Fair 2009! Getting Advice

Here's a young woman on gaming day, getting some advice, probably from her dad. Just look at her sitting relaxed and confident and settled on her partner. She is a true cowgirl. Namaste.

Breaking News! The New Cart!

Okay, I am writing this

entry on the last Sunday of August after a spectacular weekend. The weather was weird and off on Friday, with an odd pressure, so I worked hard and then went home and just barely mowed the lawn before a huge rainstorm arrived. It rained most of Friday and through the night, but I didn't mind because I just laid in bed and read newspapers and relaxed and listened to the rainfall. And then Saturday morning, I went to the stable and visited the herd and enjoyed a lovely wonderful amazing cart drive with my joyful hard-working Violet! I worked teaching a summer class, so that I could purchase this used Pacific Carriage Training Cart and though I was nervous, it was a great idea. This cart is amazing. It was delivered while I was at home visiting mom and dad, so I got my first drive in it last Sunday. I've had lots of fun with it this week and Violet is very good in her fabulous new cart. Then today, I just relaxed. I cleaned the kitchen, read the paper, and was quiet for the 4 year anniversary of Katrina. I enjoyed Zelia and the cats and the chickens and the finches and the sparrows and the bunnies and the squirrels. I ate polenta with okra, mushrooms and tomatoes and a caprese salad and my eggplant pie. Now I'm making crystal hot sauce wings for work. It's been an amazing weekend. Namaste!

Hugging Ma

Sam done good.

Wood County Fair 2009! Jersey Giants

Here is what my girls are becoming, big beautiful stately magnificent intelligent Jersey Giants. I own chickens like these! Lucky me!

Baby Ziva with the Herds

Namaste.

Wood County Fair 2009! Girls Hugging

Sportsmanship. Namaste.

Perfection from a Distance

Namaste.

Wood County Fair 2009! Girls with Awards!

Here are Chelsea and Logan with their lovely horses. Chippy has just earned reserve champion and would later take Chelsea onto a reserve champion in western equitation, and a champion in western halter and western pleasure. Chippy would also win her halter class and earn a 4th for Montgomery, and then help Jenny earn a reserve champion in showman of showmen. This 20 year-old mare is spectacular in her goodness. She is a true joy to all who know her and she knows her job. Many blessings on her beautiful head.

Is It Dinner Time Yet?

Here are my two girls, tired and mellow at the end of a day. They are waiting patiently and quietly to come in for the day, have a little drink of water, and some hay and grain.

Wood County Fair 2009! My Vegetable Basket

Here are the vegetables I picked on a beautiful August morning as I prepared to bring my vegetable basket entries to the Fair. I love my yellow peppers and green tomatos and cucumbers and carrots and cabbage and eggplant. And I just love my beautiful gorgeaus happy healthy cheerful edible nasturtiums. Bless my home, please.

The Queen of Chummy Grooming

When I see photos like these, I am so happy for Violet's changed circumstances. She spent a few years with only solo turnout and with no sister or nephew. I mean, as soon as Hailee arrived, Vi could tell that her world was getting better. She was always pert with ears forward and a friendly expression. She wanted to be friends. But mostly, she wanted to groom, cuddle, hug, chat, chat, chat. She's a happy friendly girl!

Wood County Fair 2009! My Violet in her Stall

Here's my girl, looking around and checking out her first show stall ever. She seemed genuinely curious and engaged with the festivities and activities and excitement. What a good trusting joyful eager girl.

My Friendly Equine Family

I love this group of photos. You can see the love in my equine family. In one photo, Hailee gives her little guy a kiss. And in another, Violet kisses her nephew through the fence. My happy creatures. Namaste.

Wood County Fair 2009! Cute Cow Showing

I love this little cow. On one of the first days of Fair, I went into the cow area and watched the young people practicing showing their 4-H projects. This little cow just radiated intelligence and sweetness. I adore this little cow.

More from My Lazy Day in May

Here we are late in May, being lazy, lazy, lazy. And happy. Namaste.

Wood County Fair 2009! Gaming Day!

Here's a young brave rider, zooming around with her horse in the warmup ring. Sure wish I had her brand of bravada! You go, Girl!

My Spring Pony

Here are some photos of my little guy, taken on May 26th. He's a little dirty and scruffy, but you can see that he's turning into a svelte performance sport pony. He's intelligent, kind, funny, brave, athletic, and, yes, sporting!! I love to spend time with him, even if it's just to hand graze him on a lazy lovely Friday.

Wood County Fair 2009! Gaming Day!

So, on the morning I went to see Jenny show her chicken project, I walked over to the horse arena and watched the kids warming up for a day of gaming. They were getting their horses ready by putting on their equipment and going into a equipment-check class to prove their saddle and gear would hold up to the rigors. And then there was an arena filled with crazy twirling cantering, galloping, and skittering horses and ponies. One of my favorites was this brave little girl on a short pony with a big attitude. I love this little pony! I hope I know the children who get my Renny.

A Happy Friday

Here's some footage from May 26th when I went to the barn to visit. Violet and Hailee were in the front pasture with Sedona and Chippy, and my little guy was hanging out, chatting up his grandma and his girls!

Wood County Fair 2009! I'm a Chicken Owner!

I am so happy. Tim Johnson helped me get ready for the Fair, by helping me set up a henhouse and coop and giving me two wonderful Jersey Giant hens, the fabulous Thelma and Louise. So, I was proud and delighted to go to the Fair and know that I too am a chicken girl. I will get protein from my own happy girls!

My Sweet Loving Girls

Namaste from the doublemint girls.

Wood County Fair 2009! Chelsea and Chippy Rock the House!

Here are some photos and a video from the English show day at the Fair. I went to see Chelsea compete with the wonderful elder Chippy. Chippy was groomed to perfection itself. She looked wonderful. I had lots of fun watching the event with Doreen, Jessica, and Tina. And Chelsea earned a reserve champion in this class. In the days that follow, I will tell you about Chippy's extraordinary success!

Gorgeaus Girls on a Spring Day

Namaste.

Wood County Fair 2009! Violet Celebrates her Success

Here is a photo of my beautiful girl, the morning after her successful trip to the Fair. She's my beautiful gorgeaus carrot-eating happy girl!

Tree Chat

Here are a set of gorgeaus girls, hanging out under a tree and gossiping about their day.

Wood County Fair 2009! Violet Says Neigh!

This year, I brought a vegetable basket, hostess basket featuring New Orleans, photos, four canned products, basil and Violet to the Fair! Here are photos and video of Violet's arrival. She was beautiful and gorgeaus and show ready. She was just lovely after her primping by Barbie. And lots of people worked to make her happy and comfortable for her show day in the Light Horse Cart class. But such was not to be! I went home, put on my pajamas, and received a phone call that Violet was nipping people and putting her face on people. When I returned to the Fairgrounds, she seemed as sweet as usual and happy to see me. And she was surrounded by a group of people with strong opinions! Some thought she was an angel. Others had "tested" her by walking horses up and down beside her to discover whether she would put her friendly nose on them. She did. So, I said, "That's it!" Violet has done the fair. Let's put a bow on this visit. We pulled up the trailer and she looked at me and just stepped on board all sweet and polite. And Barbie, Doreen, Tim and I brought the great show mare home to Showgate. I love her. I am proud of her!

Spring Stroll

I love this photo of my gorgeaus healthy girls. Hailee is taking a comfortable low walk toward me to give me a greeting of love. You can see her satisfaction and relaxation. She's got her little Violet who she protects and defends with vigor. And she's got her "ma." And she's a mom of the cutest pony ever. My happy strolling girl.

Spring Sisters

Double happiness.

My Driving Girl

Here's an April 18th photo of my sweet Violet, taking Barbie and Angie for a drive! She's a hard-working girl!

Spring Pastures

May 18th. Namaste.

Spring in the Front Pasture

Here they are, my two very gorgeaus athletic intelligent mares, looking at me calmly and happily on a beautiful May 18th day. The world is green around them and they know that they are young and fresh and lovely. Happy sisters!

Rainy Day Violet

Here's a photo taken on a Friday evening of a beautiful May evening when it was raining. Vi and I hung out together, relaxing and enjoying some time. We were waiting for her veterinarian to come and do a Coggins test, so that she'd be ready to travel to horse college at the end of the year. She's my beautiful intelligent sweet companion!

My Blessings

A blessing from May 5th. Namaste.

Babies in Early May!

Here's a May 5th photo of Skippy Jon Jones and my Renny. Every so often, Ren likes to prove that the grass is always greener. He's very resourceful. In this photo of the baby, you can see his smart bright nature! He's about a month older than the other two babies, so he'll be the first to wean. He's going to be put in pasture with my Renny who better enjoy about the week's worth of time with someone a bit smaller than him. I have a feeling that SJJ is going to be a giant yearling pretty quick!!

Early May on Green Grass!

Here are my gorgeaus mares on May 5th, relaxing and enjoying their beauty on a cool sunlit spring day.

Renny on a Rainy Friday

These photos were taken in early May, on a Friday, at dusk, as the rain was falling. You can see my handsome boy, peeking out into the world. And then later, trying to sneak out of his stall. I love my boy.