My Darling Baby and Plans for 2010!

So, I am writing this entry in late October 2009, the weekend before Halloween and La Touissant. I've had a great week of riding and driving my Violet and working with Renny and Hailee. In this photo, you see my little guy with his girlfriend, Ziva, taken in early September. The year 2009 has been unusual to say the least. I earned Full. I went on sabbatical. I stayed in Kentucky and went to a driving school. Violet went into training for 7 months and learned to pull a cart. And Renny became just the most glorious funny pony. In the winter, he was climbing sheer cliffs to become free of the pasture. In the summer, he escaped from my hands and ran joyful fearful circles around me when he was with his girlfriend, B. And he has been the king of his own little herd of babies, the beautiful Hamlet, Skippy Jon Jones and Ziva. He's just so intelligent. And this Fall, a new reining trainer arrived at Showgate and I put Hailee into training to learn how to get in touch with her cowgirl nature. So, the end of year always puts me in a pensive mood -- I am already plotting out my adventures for winter 2009 and 2010. I want Violet to improve under saddle and pulling cart. I want Hailee to enjoy her training and maybe find a job as a broodmare or cowpony. And I want Renny to enjoy the beginning of his training and the start of his life as a delightful pony for children!

Jack Resting

Here's a photo of my Jackass in late summer. He had started his hyperthyroidism medication and was working on gaining some weight back. Now he looks almost like his old handsome self, but he still could use a few more ounces of weight. But I am overjoyed to report that in late October as I write this note, he is back to his playful, demanding, crabby self!

My Angels in the Mist!

Namaste!

Renny and His Young Filly Friend

Here's a September 2009 photo of Renny giving Ziva a little buss.

Handsome Young Man!

When I look in his eyes, I see intelligence just radiating. This pony really rocks. This photo is from early September and I am writing in late October. Earlier this week, Coy told me that Renny doesn't know that humans are not part of the herd -- that he accepts us as herd members. He also praised Renny for not being a bully or bossy in spite of his unusual babyhood!

A Perfect Way to Spend Sunday

A Sunday spent reading the New York Times with my New Orleans Street Trash and the other cats, and occasionally peeking out my bedroom or study window to see the ladies scratching and sunning is truly a slice of heaven!

My August Girls!

I am writing this entry in late October and this photo and video were taken in mid-August shortly after the girls moved to Laurel Wreath Farm. I took this photo right before I left to visit my parents in Rhinelander. That trip was difficult and I was not the best nurse for my dad. He is frail and forgetful and sick and I am impatient and mean. Now that I see this photo, I can see that my girls have gotten substantially bigger since they moved here. And it's so funny to see that green green grass. They currently are in a dirt yard because of their effective vigorous scratching!

My Fall Break Last October!

I am writing this entry on Sunday, October 18th, and the photo of Miss Thing is from September 6th when we were busy fitting her new harness and making her beautiful. I had the most wonderful Fall Break last week, read a good novel, read newspapers, cleaned the house, rode and drove my Violet, worked with Hailee, and played with Renny. I just had a wonderful true break from routine and felt relaxed and rested. And sure enough, this past week coming off Fall break, I got a ton of work done!! Namaste.

Peas in July

Here are a few photos of teeny tender beautiful shoots of pole peas. They never had a chance this past summer. I think they were the treat for rabbits and other critters. So, this year in my 2010 garden, I am going to try and take another crack at it! I'm going to give them a little more protection and love!

Cabbage in July

Here we are deep in winter, but here is a little photo of something I love right in the middle of the summer! Namaste.

Renny Troublemaker with Skippy Jon Jones

Here's a September 7th photo of Renny in a relaxed fashion giving a baby trouble. He seems so calm and content with his grip on the chattering agitated weanling. And he even has time to give his Grandma a loving glance and posing for a picture. He is a complete fractious cutie pie!

September Girls, October Drive

Here are photos of my gorgeaus girls, taken in September as they relaxed in the far pasture. I am writing this entry on a beautiful Fall evening on October 19. On Friday and Saturday, I went to Quarter Horse Congress with Dorene and Jessica and saw lots

of friends, including Lisa and Cassy, Angie, Barbie and Tom. So today I was pretty tired, but I worked hard on teaching and then in the afternoon, I went to the barn -- the weather was gorgeaus -- warm with a touch of cool, chattering corn, sunny. Violet was all charged up and worked in the round pen like Secretariat. Then we hitched to the driving cart and took a fun ride with Coy, and then Chelsea and her new friend, Justin. Violet was awesome, trotting and cantering with energy. She trotted behind the barn and went up and around the property twice with happiness. Then I hand-grazed her in the afternoon sun and hand-grazed Renny. Soon Hailee will begin training with Coy. She will have a chance to learn a job! It's been a big weekend!

My Beautiful Elegant Girls!

Here are my girls relaxing in their pasture. Even though Vi looks goofy in this photo, I like this picture because both girls look dark and lustrous and gorgeaus! Such beautiful glossy girls!

My Summer Boy

Here are some photos and video of my darling summer boy, little Renny. He was busy growing up and enjoying his yearling summer while his aunt was learning how to be a driving mare. Violet would trot by Renny's pasture and he would put his muzzle over the fence and give her a big old friendly smile -- he loves his auntie and grandma, and his girlfriend, B.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Beautiful. Happy Valentine's Day! With lots and lots of love.

Fat Bird being Fed

Here's a busy skinny bird, personally feeding a lucky happy fat bird. And so it goes! Happy happy busy birds!

Renny and his Peeps

Renny finally has friends to boss around! He really has been one of the luckiest ponies. He had sweet little , Ruthie as his first girlfriend. And he has had many bossy girlfriends since, Sedona, T, Lily, B. And now he has his own band of babies to practice being the man -- Ziva, Hamlet and Skippy Jon Jones! Lucky little man!

Soon I'll be Gardening Again!

More sunflowers in 2010 for my happy gorgeaus beautiful finches!

My Happy Accomplished Girl!

Look at those happy ears! Look at that peppy gait! Look at that relaxed demeanor! Look how beautiful in her new shiny harness! Namaste. The spirits in Violet and I honor the spirit in you. We wish you well on your own adventures!

Snow Day Blues!

I've had a rough couple of months. My dad was hospitalized last July and has become very disabled. My Hailee colicked on New Year's Eve. My Violet got a bad trim which made her ouchy for a few weeks. I had two car accidents in January and my car is currently in the shop. I am waiting to hear the estimate for its repair. But sounds like I am going to at the very least replace a rear axle. My dad is in the hospital again and is not doing very well mentally. And my mom is burdened with his care. It's been a tough half year and is still going on. I am having troubles. I am trying to be a quiet girl and just let the trouble flow through and out of me. I try to be like Winston Churchill and say, "When you're in Hell, keep going." I try to be like Muhammad Ali and tell my troubles that if they keep up, they're going down like Sonny Liston. I try to just not beat up on myself. But yesterday was a hard hard day. I cried cried cried. I felt like I was a bad person. My anxiety button was triggered. And I slept horribly. I feel tired, sad and panicked. But you know, it's a new day.

This morning our snowstorm started and I pulled out the chicken coop cover I had made back in September. I walked Zelia in the beautiful big-snowflaked weather. I played with Jackass, Arcangelo, Orangeina and Moibeal! I drank coffee while watching all that beautiful snow, looking at the squirrels and the three sets of red cardinal gentlemen and their mates eating from my feeders. I spoke with my mom who is preparing to bring dad home from the hospital.

I am trying to keep strong. I will miss my horses as all of this sorts out. And I am going to pray hard for the strength to deal with these spurt of troubles. I want to stop feeling like a bad person. That's all I know. I can't express it well. I just know when things are bad, as they are now, I take it as a sign from the universe that I am bad. But I know that can't be so and that G*d must love me too as one of his creations. So, I am going to pray that I manage these troubles in the spirit G*d intends. Please help me be strong.

My Little Bunster

Here he is! Trouble! My little -adorable bunster! My great-grandma Jane told me that in Scottish, bunster means, my little servant of love! And here he is!

The Most Gorgeaus Loving Girls on Earth!

Each precious day I spend with these girls, I realize how lucky and blessed I am. Namaste.

The Happy Crowd!

Happy Happy Joy Joy, Happy Happy Joy Joy. Happy Happy Joy Joy Joy!

Cheers!

Renny would like to give you a glad hoof!

The Mod Squad 2009!

We could not be more hip!

Zelia

The universe sent me this amazing intelligent sweet creature. I am blessed beyond any description. She and I share a wonderful history together.

My Lovey Dovey Fashion Plate!

Here is such a beautiful refined mannerly lovely girl. Violet is all that and more. She is truly the foal of royalty!

Here We Are!

The most beautiful herd in the world, relaxing with their mama on a lazy Saturday afternoon late in September. Look at that handsome well-behaved sport pony, that amazing western cutting pony, and that elegant thoroughbred!

My Big Gorgeaus Girl

Can you believe that I get to share in the life of this granddaughter of Easy Jet and Doc Clabber? I am truly blessed. Namaste.