Stepping Lively over Groundpoles

Namaste!

Good News

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th, and this week was a busy one for Jackass and myself.  I was worried about him because he's been losing weight.  But he still has an appetite, is lively and bright-eyed, keeps to his usual routine and seems happy.  He doesn't miss a treat and he eats his meds.  So, I took him for bloodwork on Thursday and his physician, Dr. Amanda, called on Friday and said that his bloodwork was all normal -- his thyroid, creatinine and BUN were all in the normal range, so that we should just keep doing what we're doing!  He can have his medicine-laced tuna snacks, which he loves!  I was astounded, and so happy.  She says that she believes that he does truly have kidney disease in conjunction with hyperthyroidism, but that it's being managed right now, and that he's probably skinny because he's an old guy at 13 1/2!  It turns out that the average life expectancy for indoor cats is 13 years, while others say it is 14-16.  My fella is a wiry old guy!  And I love him!

My Dressage Pony

When I see a photo like this, taken in early September of my hard-working talented pony, I just don't see how I can sell him.  He is truly a magical hardworking dear pony.

Violet and I Work on Jumping

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th.  This past week, I rode Violet 5 times and at least 3 of the times, we practiced jumping.  We were very happy and relaxed and good at it.  And we even jumped crossrails.  So, I am really happy to report that yesterday, we had a jolly lesson with Mary and Baker and it was fun.  Violet was a little fussy, like a tempermental mare, but she was willing to work hard.  And we were great over jumps. I was giving her face and leaning forward without roaching my back.  And I worked at keeping my shoulders back.  I still have a bit of a problem with a lean to the left on the flatwork, but I am really enjoying trying to improve my riding with my darling red girl!

My Hardworking Mama

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th and this photo is from September 2008, showing my girl getting ready to help her son by going to a American Sportpony Inspection.  She earned a blue premium at that event and was very focused on helping her son do his best and earn his papers.  Anyway, today I went out to the barn and rode Renny in the indoor arena and trotted and circled and figure 8'ed.  And it was awesome! I had a wonderful flatout happy time.  And I was happy afterwards because I cleaned my western saddle and had a joyful moment remembering that over 30 years ago, I was using that saddle to ride Snowflakes Princess, so that was a nice moment too. 

And then, I went and got Hailee, figuring that she needs time and attention and a workout too -- to feel purpose in her life.  She was so delighted to be picked over Violet and happy for her grooming.  And she was completely satisfied to work at Parelli.  She played the games with interest and then she seemed so eager to please and she had a soft eye, as I jumped her both directions over cavaletti and then both directions over double cavaletti.  She worked hard and elegantly.  She wants to be included among the working horses!  I just love her for that desire. 

And what made me love her even more is that she just kept throwing me some of the exact same expressions as Renny and her eye was soft like his and she worked hard like him, so I felt proud and happy and joyfully filled with love to work with generations of that great family!

My Beautiful Boy

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th, and I am feeling blessed.  This past week was the transition from Coy to me as Renny's main trainer.  And we had a blessed week.  I rode Violet 5 times and Renny 4 times and it was wonderful.  The weather was cool but gorgeausly sunlit with big puffed white clouds.  And my little guy was a true joy to ride.  I rode him on Monday, after his very busy hard Sunday making his sale video.  And then I gave him two days off and worked him on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  We worked in all three arenas and I rode him between arenas, and we trotted, and we worked big loops and circles and figure 8's.  We are working on becoming a happy team together.  Renny likes me and always comes up to me in the pasture willing to work hard!

Nice Forward Trot!

Blessings on your good head, Easy Blue Renegade!

My New Orleans People

Here they are, pets 1 and 2, holding down the fort in comfortable fashion.  You have no idea how happy and relaxed and mellow I feel when I am in my bedroom and they are in those exact places.  All is right in the world when Jackass is surveying us from the king spot on mama's pillow!

Good Sunlit Snooze

Namaste!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

So, Renny is the gift I gave myself for surviving my accident with Hailee.  And let me tell you, I had absolutely no idea how this wondeful gift would transform my life.  I am enjoying every second with him, from researching and finding his daddy, to hoping and praying for his conception, to grooming and taking thistles from his mama's tail, to singing songs to him in the womb, to waiting for and attending his birth, to playing soccer with him, to enjoying morning coffee with him, to suffering through his weaning, through being prideful at his wonderful attitude at the inspection, to his elegance and good spirits in training, all of it.  All of it. All of it.  And it keeps going on.  Renny is a bountiful bountiful gift to myself!  I am spoiled!

Working in the Setting Sun!

Namaste, my angelic sport pony!

Dramatic Pony!

I love this photo because you can just imagine Renny working a herd of cows, trying to get them closer to safety before the storm rolls in.  He looks like his mama's son -- a good old cowpony!

My Beautiful Dog and her Chicken Friends

I am writing this entry on September 9, 2010, but this photo and video is from August 3, 2009.  My beautiful darling Zelia is looking at me with love and appreciation.  And I am truly blessed to say that just this morning, she looked at me with agreeable appreciation too.  We went for a jolly walk and had a happy breakfast and we kept each other cozy warm during the night because I've been leaving the windows wide open and the weather is getting brisker.  We are really a happy family!

My Happy Cutie Pie

Here's a June 1st photo of my delighted boy, grazing on long grass, enjoying his life while comfortably knowing that he's adored by Grandma and handsome as all get out!