Renny Greets a Cat!

In mid-December, one early morning, I let Renny loose in the aisleway, just so he could take a stroll. He visited his girlfriends, he checked out the cats' feed and water bowls, and he said hello to this slightly freaked out cat! Guess no one told my little guy that it's not lucky to have a black cat cross your path! He looks totally unconcerned! Brave sweet rebellious boy!

Full Celebration! The Training Whip

Okay, so one of the things I learned was that you must always have a driving whip with you. You need the whip to encourage the horse as well as give an aid for direction and energy. But most important, you need the whip to whack him one, if he flips out and tries to back up or turn in the traces. But I kept hitting my trainer with it, so finally just handed it over to her. I need lots of work with the whip! Can't wait to order a pretty one!

Renny and Tea!

Here's another mid-December shot of that boisterous morning. It was wonderful, just wonderful to peek my head in the door and see these wild things zipping around, all full of themselves!!

Full Celebration! Through the Woods

Here we are, traveling to Grama's house to pick her up for the Church Social.

Derby Day 2009 with My Baby!

This past weekend, I spent my Derby Day like I always do, in the company of my darling thoroughbred, Violet. Here she and I are in the small pasture. Her friend, Angie, is taking the photo. On this day, we went for a cart ride and it was so much fun. She worked hard and I felt comfortable and happy and secure. It was the first drive since I got back from Gayla, so I was very enthusiastic. And she was a trooper, given her little holiday from driving!

Anyway, I have to say that I really love owning a thoroughbred! This year's winners of the Oaks and Derby, Rachel Alexandra and Mine that Bird are only distant relations to Violet, as compared to previous years. But we don't mind! She has at least 7 Kentucky Derby winners in her heritage and 2 Triple Crown winners. She has Belmont and Preakness running through her veins. So, on this day, every year, she gets extra praise and hugs for her special heritage!

My Little Guy's Mid-December Indoor Run!

Here are a few photos of Renny taken one cold morning in mid-December. He and his girlfriends are ripping around, enjoying their legs and their cuteness. That Black filly, as you know, is down in Lexington now with a trainer learning how to be a race horse. She is a sweet long-legged bossy competitive girl. Renny and I miss her!

Full Celebration! The Pond

Breimer wonders whether I will drive him through the water hazard!

Renny's First Birthday!

Okay, so the past few days have been wonderful. Yesterday, I went to the stable and Barbie and I drove Violet. She was such a good mare. She trotted out sweetly. She trotted swiftly. She was light on the reins. She turned tightly. She did nice big tight circles in a relaxed manner. She was just great. Barbie even gave Montgomery and a friend a drive.

Then Todd and Danielle came to watch the Kentucky Derby and we had a good time. I can't believe that Calvin Borel won the 2007 and 2009 Derby and then this year won the Derby, the Fairground Oaks, the Kentucky Oaks and many other graded stakes. He's absolutely on fire.

Then this morning, a gorgeaus spring cool but sunny morning, I went out to the stable to celebrate little Renny's birthday. He's a big boy now! I can hardly believe it! Barbie, Tom, Monty, Karrington, Doug, Pat, Sarah and Jenny were all out, so it was lots of fun. Then I went home and worked in the garden -- I laid compost, started new compost, planted seeds for carrots, okra, bush beans, climbing beans, peas, mesclun, sunflower seeds, and nasturtium. I put up my towers and fences, weedwhacked, spiked down the fenceline, weeded, mowed, put in screen doors and windows. Things look beautiful! Just beautiful. Here is my richly soiled garden, getting ready for the third summer of vegetables, fruits, and herbs!

When all my work was done, I glanced out the back window at the garden and saw robins and other small birds, resting on the trellises I had put out or skittering along the rich soil looking for worms in my organic garden. And I saw my wheelbarrow resting against my garage, the wheelbarrow I made, and I thought of my little Renny and my wonderful critters, and my garden. I thought about how very glad I was last year this time when my little man was born. He was so small and he was so wonderful. He was truly amazing from the very first flashing second of life. Just love my little pony! Namaste!

And I close this blog entry of birthday celebration with photos taken this morning of the little red flowers I planted the Fall that Renny was growing in his mom. They peeked out before his birth and they were bright and red and happy on the day of his first birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

2:46am, May 3rd, 2008.

Here is a photo of my darling creature, my sweet perfection, on his third day of life.

Full Celebration! Little House on the Prairie

Here I am, off to visit the Ingalls.

The Beauty in Secret Gifts

Here is a photo of small little flowers, waiting for their time to bloom, in my front yard, by my steps, taken in the early morning hours of April 30th, 2008. I had just arrived home, after another night of sleeping at the Hintz', waiting for Nitro to be born. No foal. Hailee was overdue, but I was not discouraged. I knew he was okay and just taking his sweet time and that Hailee would be a wonderful mother. But I was needing encouragement anyway. And here is the gift waiting for me at my home. Thank you for my blessings, Namaste.

Full Celebration! The Land Bridge

I was nervous right here because on each side of the brush, there's a drop off. This landbridge is a small test for their driving competitions. Breimer said "ho hum," but I was very excited to be crossing it!

Thoughts of Love on May Day!

Here is a mid-January photo of Jackie and Arcangelo, taking a rest on Lynn's lovely quilt -- they are naughty because they know they are not allowed on that couch and certainly not that quilt! But that's not my point! My point is that these two boys are deeply in love and isn't that a nice little May Day Spring Message! My darling boys!

Full Celebration! On Our Way!

In this photo, we had just left the arena and were embarking on our cross-country drive. The farm is about 540 acres and just simply breathtaking in its beauty. So, in this photo, you must imagine me excited beyond belief about setting out!