Arcangelo and Orangeina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful colors on a green couch!  These photos were taken a full year ago, so Arcy is much plumper and Orangeina is more mature!  But they are still perfectly adorable on that green couch!  Happy Halloween!

Arcangelo in the Shade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's my bundle of love, resting in the shade and being gorgeaus as usual.  He is very flirty in the morning and wants to be cuddled, petted, loved, teased.  He is really so very funny.  And he's getting to be quite plump. 

Coming for Some Grandma Love!

Namaste!

My June Boy!

Here're some photos and video in the lushness of June of my darling boy, relaxing in his pasture. He had just turned two and he had no inkling that by the end of the summer, he would be a working pony who would carry Coy, Kelsey and his Grandma. I love this beautiful happy little face!

Skinny but Vigilant

I'm writing this entry on Thursday, September 2nd, and I have to say that I am a bit worried about my beautiful cat.  He is struggling with his weight again.  When he comes to snuggle with me at night, I can feel his little two hip bones like tiny points and I can feel all the bones along his spine and he's lost lots of muscle and weight mass in his shoulders and thighs.  He's still got good energy and a good appetite and he takes his medicine well, but I think he might need a bit more tweaking on the medication or treatment front.  I think that he's having more problems with his kidneys because the urine output has increased and he is avid about drinking water in the morning, after breakfast.

Now, that said, I would like to focus on the things that he cares about.  He still takes amazing care of us all and manages the household routine.  He still makes sure that he snuggles with me at night, resting on my chest with his heart pressed against mine, or comfortably at the foot of the bed, or best of all, with his butt facing me and his tail tucked under my chin.  And he still has strong opinions about how things are running -- he is disgruntled that I haven't let him out in awhile and annoyed that I haven't dehydrated catnip yet.  I need to improve my household management!  What a good beloved boy!  I am blessed to have Jackass in my life!

Sweet Pony, My Blessing

Is that not the all-time sweetest face you've ever seen on a hardworking pony?  Here he is, just shy of 2 years and 4 months old, and he is happily, calmly, sweetly waiting for further instruction.  No wonder I have spent the past two years having adrenalin fits of desire to kiss that freckle at the end of his adorable muzzle.  Thank you, Coy, for helping this pony attain Green Greatness!

Renny and His Favorite Guy Pal

So, I am writing this entry on Thursday, September 2nd, and I am still going through emotional turmoil about the ending of Renny's 30 days of training.  He has just transformed from a sort of gangly, but attractive pony to a pony with much much more substance and elegance.  His bones look stronger, he's got more muscle mass, his chest is broadening, the whole pony package is really coming through like a diamond.  And what's nice is that when I go to the barn, people say such nice things about him.  Last night, Robin was telling me how sweet Renny was when she turned him out -- he gave her a big lick and hung around the gate looking for love.  And she said that she thought he was just terrific and that if Sarah were any younger, she would be all over trying to get him.  And then she said that she can't believe what a nice job Coy has done and what a special pony that he just went with the flow and didn't buck or kick or cause any trouble.  And that he rides around with all the horses and the pasture pals without being bothered by anything.  I could not have been more proud and more like a crazy Grandma when I heard that.  But I'm all nervous Nellieish right now, waiting for Patrick Woolf to call and tell me when we can get this video done!!

My Hardworking Blessing

Namaste.

I Love this Pretty Face

Pretty is as pretty does -- and Renny DOES pretty!

Working Pony Waiting on Orders

I'm proud of this relaxed sleepy little face! 

Keeping Him Going

So, if you're a middle-aged lady going through menopause and you have been brilliantly blessed to have a young trainer who in one moment can make your pony canter as sweetly as that and in the next moment break into a completely relaxed sleepy calm little square halt, you have to ask yourself -- will I be able to help this pony along on his training adventures?  Will I be able to cut the nervous cord that runs from my heart and mind right down into my tailbone?  I sure hope so because though he's a perfect little dumpling and adorable and well put together, who knows how long it will take to find him his new home.  I may be riding him to keep him moving along for quite awhile.  Coy says that he will be glad to help -- and I am glad for that, but I will have to "pony up" too as it were!  ;) 

The nice thing is that Renny has demonstrated nothing but willingness and calm, so he offers me joy at the prospect of riding him!  Coy believes in me so I will trust that Renny believes in me too! 

Oh, a nice thing (of the many many many nice things) that has been said about Renny yesterday from his trainer is that he thinks Renny will sell fast because though the market is really really bad for okay and bad horses, the market is always and still good for great horses -- and Renny is a great one.  See why I like our trainer so much?!  Thanks, Coy!

Getting Good Advice from a Good Person

So, here are two photos from August 31st, Tuesday morning.  In the first photo, you see Renny's trainer sitting as quiet and still and peaceful as you please as Renny practices cantering at a pretty good, but relaxed clip.  Beautiful!  And in the second, you see my pony casually glancing over at me, relaxed, satisfied, calm, and recognizing me as a member of his herd.  Just seeing this photo brings a sting to my eyes.

Anyway, what's my point?!  Well, Coy has brought a richness of perspective in my life.  I've been telling him about problems I've been having with Violet in the early mornings as we prepare Renny.  And he is very sage.  I asked him why they were happening and he just sounded like a Buddha about it -- they just are.  It doesn't matter.  They just are happening.  And that they will be easy to fix if I just focus in a disciplined relentless relaxed way on fixing them.  He made me feel much better.  And he pointed out to me that Violet was a very special mare -- very intelligent and kind and friendly.  And that she was well-behaved as compared to most horses.  And so I would be able to work on making her light and responsive, I could work on bringing to her what Renny  has in such untarnished plenty.  My big gift to Renny was having Coy as his trainer -- he is making that pony so soft and responsive and willing. 

Getting Ready for the Big Day!

Here are some photos and video from just yesterday, August 31st, of my little Renny who was just pulled out of his stall and saddled and ridden without a thank you very much and after working just the night before.  He brought his best heart to the task and wasn't sullen or cranky that he couldn't be outside with his pals.  That's the kind of pony he has become.  So, suddenly I went haywire -- which is not good.  At some point this weekend, Coy, Beth, Kelsey, Patrick and I will all coordinate with Renny to produce his sales video.  I pray that the task goes well.  We are currently waiting for Patrick to let us know his work schedule, so I am really hoping it is Monday that we can tape, so that Kelsey can have a few rides on Renny to show him at his best advantage. 

I'm not very good in transitional moments and especially those with ambivalence in them -- like when the transitional moment is going to occur.  But I just keep on praying that things continue in the really wonderful smooth easy way they have rolled and that on that day, Renny does what he has always done -- brings his best.  And then on that day, I will sleep like a baby!!!  I will sleep a long long long time!

Our Talented Creative Trainer

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So, I've mentioned how July and August, 2010 have been among the happiest months of my life.  I've so enjoyed watching Coy train my little pony and watch this pony develop skill, strength, body mass, and relaxation at his work.  I've watched Renny bring his best heart to the work and I've watched him grow to love his trainer and love his work.  You should see how calm and sweet and athletic this little hardworking pony has become.  And so you can imagine, when you have very high expectations, HIGH, and very high hopes, THE HIGHEST, it's a little emotionally unsettling to have them surpassed.  Coy has surpassed my highest most unreasonable hope.  He has managed to turn Renny into a lovely calm sweet talented pony who seems far more broke than simply 30 days.  It's been an astonishment, really!  I will never in all of my life be able to say what this gift has meant to me of Coy's time.  I will remember this time my whole life.  And I only hope that I can still be the kind of owner Renny so preciously deserves.  He deserves the very very best care and training.  He's truly a great pony!

Drooling!

Namaste, my beloved little pony.  I love giving you your baths, after your training sessions and I love taking you to your pasture.

Cow Pony

I love this photo because it shows that he's got a sweet quiet nature and a raw cow pony streak of goodness.  I love this pony.

Baby Loves to Drool

So, on Day 28 of Renny's training, I was walking around videotaping and photographing.  And Coy pulled Renny into a whoa and was just sitting there -- and I noticed that Renny was drooling like crazy -- drool, drool, drool and bubbles.  And his lips and mouth were very still.  Renny had learned to suck down on the bit and was so soft in his mouth that he's just a soft-mouthed sweet drooler.  I'm so proud of him!

Baby Loves to Shutdown

One of the many amazing things about this hardworking pony is that he's so quiet and calm about all his tasks.  He enjoys being a good boy who knows how to work hard and do a good job.  He has a strong clera work ethic and wants to please his rider.  But what's hilarious about this quality is that when you whoa him, he delivers up a great whoa that's square and still.  And you can look at him and see that he's getting doe-eyed and sleepy and that he's dribbling and drooling on his bit and that he's happy blissful happy.  It's so cute!  I can't stand it.

Our Wonderful Tuesday

So, this morning, August 31st, I went out to the barn to watch Coy train Renny.  My pony had just been worked the night before and then put up for the night and then we were right back the next morning to train on him.  It's real clear that Renny just loves and cares about Coy.  He was all soft-eyed and happy and agreeable and trying to playfully lightly sweetly kiss Coy.  And then he just walked out all quiet and calm and sweet to work without any delays at all.  He loves his trainer.  And, so he had a beautiful workout -- walking, trotting, cantering, groundpoles.  Everything done with ease, calm and love.  And at the start of the training session, Coy tried hard to be nice to me -- he asked what I might like to work on with Renny and instead of taking it as a compliment, I had a mini-meltdown -- why ask me!?  He's the trainer!  And that's when Coy said that he felt that I'd come a long way and that I was ready to be Renny's trainer and that he had confidence in me.  I was really surprised and wished that I had been nicer about my compliment.  I am going to really really fiercly really mega miss my mornings with Coy and Renny.

Our Wonderful Monday

So, I'm writing this entry on August 31st and yesterday, Monday evening, Coy called me all excited about Renny.  He said that he came out to the barn late, just pulled Ren out of the pasture, saddled him without groundwork and rode him in a riding lesson.  That my pony was not disturbed by the other horses and traffic, was happy to work in and out of the jumps, was not fazed by the gate opening and big groups of horses being led in from pasture -- that he took it all in quiet little calm stride.  Coy was impressed like nobody's business about my good hardworking pony.  I could go on and on about this phone call, but let me just say, it made me so proud.

Our Wonderful Sunday

So, I am writing this entry on August 31st and this past Sunday, I went out to the barn and just pulled Renny out of his pasture, long-lined him in floating figure 8's, saddled and rode him.  It was wonderful.  He was quiet, agreeable, willing.  He was light off the rein and my leg.  He was terrific. 

Jackass and the Lightcatcher

My handsome fella is having trouble keeping on his weight, but his good doctor is helping him.  We are adjusting his methsimazole and putting him on epakitin which he likes really well.  He is lively and large and in charge of his household, even if he is pretty wiry.  And I love this photo of my handsome fella, resting in the late afternoon sun with Laura's beautiful pink suncatcher putting dapples of color on his beautiful silver frosted coat.  Namaste, Jackass.  Thank you for taking such good care of us.

Bless this Pony and His Kissing Freckle

Namaste!

Day One of Garden 2010

I'm writing this entry on August 30th and my garden is overrun by potatoes, eggplant, bunnies, rotting cabbage, growing carrots and beets and happy happy chaos.  And tomatoes.  I have much work ahead of me in that garden and much work taming my other beds and raking leaves later this fall.  But here is a photo of my initial hopes and dreams -- the neat little garden with it's New York Times and straw and it's planted little beds.  You can barely see the pale little green seedlings of vegetables here and there!  Crazy!

Resting

Namaste!

The Robin

If you look closely, you can see a robin in my neat garden.  Now you couldn't find a mountain lion in that space it is so overgrown and wooly!!!  I'm writing this entry on August 30th, a time of maximum happy garden chaos!

Breaking News! Zenyatta sets World Record with 19 Straight Wins!

This photo is taken from The BloodHorse, and was taken after her 19th straight win and her third straight win of the Lady's Secret Handicap.  She's awesome.  She's large.  She's in charge.  She did her little dressage posting kicking strutting piaffe dance before the race.  She ran last forever and ever and ever and then finally went wide around around wide around the horses and at the 1/16th pole, put her ears forward and blazed by the leader for a half-length win.  The girl does like to give her money's worth.  Then she stopped in front of the stands dead in her tracks to receive her adulation and to make her fans weep weep weep with ecstasy and then she did an impatient pawing dance in the winner's circle -- boring!  This gal is headed to the Breeders Cup Classic in November to attempt her 20th straight win and her second straight win of that race -- She is the only female horse in all history who won the Classic.  After that race, she will retire.  She has mostly run on synthetic surfaces and this Classic is on a dirt track, so her trainer, John Shirrefs, is hoping to demonstrate her true range by closing out her career with a second straight win on that type of surface. There are no words for this horse.  Her trainer said that she is a gift.  And that's all he could muster.  She has passed beyond being described with words.!

Jackass and Zelia

When a girl is lounging around in her bedroom, could she ask for any better companionship other than these fine examples of New Orleans street trash?  I think not.  Bless their good good hearts!

Beautiful Zelia

This year when I took Zelia for her vet appointment, Dr. Amanda could tell that Z felt more tentative and fragile and unsure of herself.  She was a much more scared girl.  I love Dr. Amanda because she took good care of her and made her feel welcome and safe.  And she put her on a new painkiller which I believe is doing great good for her.  Zelia seems more lively and excited and happy and active about walks and playing in the garden.  So, we have tougher more ouchy days, but we are having good loving full rich days!  Yay beautiful Zelia!

Happy Mornings in My Life

I can never express how meaningful my summer with Renny and his trainer has been in my life.  I had thought I hadn't wanted to see him taking on his riding challenges, but seeing his good decent spirit has been a grateful healing balm in my life.  Thank you, Renny and Coy.

Renny and Healing

I thank my Creator every day for giving me the blessing of sharing time with this good little pony.  I hope I can become a better rider to help this pony along.

May Renny be Blessed with Love and Safety

Look at this photo!  You see a calm happy relaxed pony cantering on a circle.  What a lucky woman I am to share my life with this great trainer and this great pony!  Namaste!