Handsome and Annoying -- A Happy Memory!

Here's an August 28, 2008 photo of Renny harassing his first girlfriend, Ruthie. He just enjoyed pulling on her halter and hauling her around and pushing and shoving and kissing and bussing. And she just ate it up. Look at his cute little shape. At that age, I could still wrap my arms completely around his adorable girth and touch my hands and hug him big. And he liked it! He liked it! He liked having morning coffee with Grandma!!!

Joyful Young Man

Here's an October 27th video of Renny running happily joyfully athletically across his pasture and in the distance, you can see Coy taking mares to their distant pasture -- the start of a wonderful day.

Old Times

Here is a photo of the girls

and video of Renny and B taken in November 2009. I really miss B, but she's been sold now herself and no longer lives at Showgate anyway. She's on Sandy's farm now, owned by Terri and her girls.

Renny Digs Grandma!!! Always Have, Always Will!

That is the world's most kissed freckle. Namaste.

Sweet Potatoes and Dish Towels!

I am writing this entry on March 30 and the weather was sunny and beautiful, but cold today. The day also had a fog rolling into the morning -- the kind of fog that's not there at first and then starts at the top of the treeline and then descends into completeness. It was wonderful.

So, I went and had a wonderful ride on Violet on this day and when I returned Mr. Chandler came by and gave me sweet potatoes to start the seedlings for transplanting in mid-April. He instructed me how to approach planting and growing sweet potatoes. And I am very glad for such a knowledgeable and kind neighbor and gardener.

And a few days ago, I saw Marita and she and I chatted over cross buns. We discussed how to keep fleas off of Zelia and the cats and how to grow organic pickle cucumbers and what we are going to do differently with our gardens this year. And she gave me dish towels that she had made. I shared Thelma and Louise eggs with both Marita and Mr. Chandler.

I really love my animal companions and I love my gardening neighbors.

The Tao of Napping

Namaste!

A Joyful Jaunt!

Namaste. From November 2009.

My Little Red Man

I like this photo taken in March of my coming 2 year-old. You can see his sweetness and his character and his cuteness. And you can see his strength as well as his winter scruffiness! I was worried about him a bit last week (as I write this on March 30th) because he'd broken free from the cross-ties and I worried that he's like his mother -- that he learned he could do something bad and so would do it at will. So, when I saw him on Sunday in the rainy day cross-ties, I felt like we had to commit to his goodness. And sure enough he was squirrely and nervous and annoyed and pulling, but then he just calmed himself down and was fine. He didn't make a fuss and waited patiently for his grooming and cuddling. And he watched with interest as I groomed his mother. So, I think that he knows that the world is a good place and that he ought not to be too naughty -- just naughty sometimes!!

Epona and the Tao of Equus

So, I am writing this entry on March 30, 2010 after a really wonderful amazing day. Here is a photo taken by Vikki Krane in 2007 at Breezy Acres. Today I am writing as a boarder at St. George. I've been reading lots about horses and thinking about having a horse research project, so horses and humans are deeply on my mind. I just finished Linda Kohanov's The Tao of Equus and she writes about how she uses horses in equine-facilitated therapy and how wounded horses can help humans and how horses are deeply connected to the spirit world and how our myths of them emphasize this -- Epona, the Great Mare, she who cares for horses and ponies, the goddess of fertility, she who carries souls on their afterlife ride. And Pegasus who carries mortals to Olympus and when his hoof touches the earth, healing fountains appear. And Kohanov discussed how we can communicate with horses and join their herd.

And I knew this and much more. So, on Sunday, I went to the stable on a very rainy day and just spent the day grooming and resting with my herd. I sat and enjoyed time with them as they dashed around the indoor ring, rolled in the dirt, came over for an affectionate nuzzle and groomed eachother as a set of three, lips twirling and teeth grooming in happiness. And I read the Sunday paper with them.

And then today on a beautiful sunny day, I lunged Hailee and I really felt that I could hear her heart and her views. And I got Violet ready for a private lesson with Stacey. And I can honestly say that Violet and I had our best ride ever. We long trotted, working trotted, collected sitting trotted in lovely relaxed circles, all the while sidepassing inwards and outwards, and we upward transitioned into canters and downward transitioned into trots, and we serpentined and did big looping circles at all ends of the arenas, and we were unconcerned by gates, jumps, and barrels. We were a team, a beautiful, happy communicating team. And Violet held her own head and kept her mouth quietly in my hands and was responsive and with me.

I really feel like we had a breakthrough because I felt in my heart that Violet cares for me and that we're supposed to be together. She and I truly are part of the same herd and brought together in the love of the Great Mare. I can only say that I felt so moved. And I was pleased because I used my hands, seat and legs independently. And I sat straight and sat deeply. And I didn't lean and had my shoulders back. And I carried my head and watched where we were going. I even gave thought to my tongue. Violet and I followed the way of the Horse!!!

My Cute Grey Man

Here is a December 2007 photo taken of my little Jackass. He is such a wonderful cat. I am writing this in March 2010 and he just looks great. He had been so thin until we determined that he had hyperthyroidism, but he's responded well to the twice daily doses of Methsimazole and he is radiant. He glows He's lively. He's determined to stroll his garden. He sleeps with me at night and guards us all He is the king of the family and my number one pet!

Jackie's Toes

Can you believe how wonderful those toes are -- silver dusted and so refined! I love Jacques Mamou Lagniappe!

Winter Buddies Kicking it!

My pony has the most intelligent expressions!

Yin Yang of Love

Namaste.

My Winter Beauty

I love this dear creature. She's so intelligent and thoughtful. And she's glad to be part of my herd!

My NOLA trash

Again, perfection. Namaste.

Zelia Yawns

My beloved dear creatures. My blessings. My best hearts!

Snow Day!

Kentucky 2010: Ending with an Olympian

Here is the President of the USEF and an Olympic Gold-medalist and only the second American to win Badminton.

My Regal Prince

Here's the most goofy elegant creature in my world!

Kentucky 2010: A Hackamore Winner

Okay, so this blew my mind. Here's a horse who ended up in the ribbons at Rolex who was jumped in the final day of competition in a hackamore. I cannot believe it. You should have seen some of the contraptions these horses were wearing, including bits that were held by circular reins which went up and through the poll and into the riders' hands. So, seeing this light non-fancy hackamore end up in the ribbons was a revelation!

A Loving February Glance

Last week, in mid-March, I went to Pittsburgh for two days to celebrate Clara's birthday. I had a wonderful time. So, when I drove him, I decided to stop and see the herd before going to my house. I got off 80 and zipped over to St. George and it was so worth it. My little man was out in the pasture with his buddies relaxing, but as soon as he saw me, I am telling you, he did not walk casually, or trot. He put himself into a high gallop to zip all the way across this large field to come to the gate and give me mega love. He really really knows how to lay on the love. He's a zen buddhist lover boy!

Kentucky 2010: As Gorgeaus as Ya Wanna

Hotcha!

The Census

Here are some photos from March 8th on Violet's birthday. Jackass is checking out the letter from the Census giving us the headsup that our form is on its way! And here's a picture of my girl happily being cozy with me on her big day. She's now a big old 7 year-old. Hugs and kisses for my darling red girl!

Kentucky 2010: Beautiful Winners Promenade!

Namaste.

Renny with Jumps

Here's my young man in March in one of his training mornings. He's casually checking out the jumps he will eventually encounter in his career! I have a happy little story about him. I talked with Sandy, the woman who owns Renny's dad. And she gave me excellent advice about how to go about preparing Renny for sale. She discouraged me from putting him in auction and said that I should wait for him to shed out and become beautiful and then if I got a good picture of him, she would be happy to help me promote him via her webpage. This makes me very happy because her reputation is sterling and she is very well known in the pony world. So, it would be terrific to find a wonderful home for him. In other good news, I also spoke to Darla and she too said she would be happy to get the word out about my Renny. That also made me super happy because I really like Darla and because she's known Renny since he was only two weeks old. She knows him as a good sensible sweet smart adorable talented pony. She could also help me find him a good family!!! Wish us luck this year!

Kentucky 2010: Rolex Best Conditioned

Here is the winner of this year's best conditioned horse at Rolex. Happy healthy strong horse, indeed!

Renny with His Saddle

Okay, so I am writing this post in late March. I've probably already written about this, but I want to discuss Renny's spring vet appointment again. He was such a little gentleman. And he was cute and funny. He was so surprised and intimidated by Dr. Zimmerman's height, so he was just peering up at him. He stood quietly for every procedure. And he was so knocked out by his shot. He had to have one wolf tooth taken out and I felt badly for him. When he came out of his medication, he came up to me to give me a happy nuzzle and kiss and he got my hand all bloody. That's when I felt bad for my little man.

Another funny story I want to tell is from a week or so ago as well. I was teaching him to be patient by the mounting block and I walked him up to it for the first time. But he wasn't paying attention, so he didn't see much stepping up to the top. The next thing he knows, he turns around and I've gone from standing next to him to towering well above him. He took off like he was the Roadrunner in a cartoon. Four legs spinning and zip -- you could see the cloud of dust shooting out behind! So, I know it was mean, but I had a hearty wonderful laugh at my startled fella. And sure enough, he couldn't care less if I climb up on the mounting block and squeeze him between the wall and mounting block, as long as he can see me. He's a smart young sensible pony.

Kentucky 2010: A Boyd Martin Horse

Okay, so here's what I thought was cool. Boyd Martin rode about a dozen (okay, more like 4) horses in the Rolex this year and one of them was a tiny Quarter Horse! Can you believe it! And here is that downward sloping Quarter Horse all quiet and waiting to promenade now! Beautiful ol' creature!

Looking Rough in Spring!

Okay, so I am writing this post in late March and the photos are taken on March 16th. Here are my two girls on pasture. What's funny is that in a few short days, this pasture turned bright beautiful radiant living green! My girls look pretty rough right now. I purchased a whole bunch of anti-fungal shampoo and pink spray products for them. I am so looking forward to giving them their first summer bathes and making them shiny and gorgeaus and beautiful again. I love these wonderful girls!

Kentucky 2010: Waiting to Promenade!

Happy horse with green ribbon! Namaste!

Cutie Pie in Cross-ties

Here's a photo of my gawky handsome teenager. I am writing this post on a rainy cold grey spring day in late March. And all I can really say is that I am so proud of Renny. He's been working hard to take on new tasks. This past Tuesday, he tried very hard to canter while lunging and showed real effort to learn the right words for his upward and downward transitions. And he stood quietly in the cross-ties while I used the clippers to trim his nose, bridle path, and coronet band. He's just a pleasure to be around. I love him so very much.

Kentucky 2010: Buck Davidson and a Pal

Here is a photo of Buck Davidson and Titanium, relaxing with a pal, getting ready for the winners' promenade!

My Winter Beauty

Here's a February 27 photo of my beautiful foundation mare. Namaste.

Kentucky 2010: More Cool Mountain Cooly Jumping

Again, here's that thoughtful quiet boy, Cool Mountain, jumping with his giant rider, and enjoying the benefits of his granddaddy's power, Bold Ruler.

Winter Distance

Here's a photo of Hailee on December 20th, 2009. She's resting and relaxing in her new home, confident that she is part of a wonderful herd.

Kentucky 2010: Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain Jump

Here are some photos from the winning jumping round!

The Treat Search

Here's a late February photo of my girls. I just gave Hailee a treat, so Violet is giving her the shakedown. Namaste.