Pony Girl Rides Again

Deck the Halls Part 2

2009-12-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

The holidays are typically a joyous time of goodwill and good spirits.

Then, sometimes, you hit a wall.

I've been rushing around in a holiday haze. You know, stopping at green lights.

So much to do. Hand making some of my gifts and procrastinating at it.

Last minute errands. Just a quick stop at the mall yesterday proved to send me over the top. I couldn't believe how many people were at the mall at 2:00 on a Monday. When I shop, I am on a mission. I do not do well behind lollygaggers. I walk fast.

One reason I have so enjoyed sharing photos of my Christmas trinkets is because I just have little vignettes set up around my place this year, rather than a full home decor. Why? Because my landlord decided to have some remodel work done in my apartment this week. I will appreciate the work when it is finished, but I am not appreciating the disarray and mess during the holidays. Luckily, I am not hosting family or entertaining guests this year.

Yesterday, I heard the news of young actress Brittany Murphy passing away at the age of 32. Then, I get onto Facebook and learn that a friend of mine from college, age 36, was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks ago. She is recovering from a mastectomy and starts chemotherapy in two weeks. And....still then, today I hear that my aunt's husband (she lost her first- my uncle Teddy- three years ago) passed away from his battle with cancer. They had two short, but wonderful, years together.

And so, I just started crying. Staring at my computer screen. Perplexed that such a joyous time of year, can also be so sad. My mom posted about this last week. Around the holidays, there is so much loss. So many memories of deceased family members that bubble up. Smiles for remembering the good times. But heartache and tears, still. Sadness that they are not here with us.

Thorns and stings

And those such things

Just make stronger

Our angel wings.

~Emme Woodhull-Bache

{Fake snow in photo alert! I couldn't resist.}

On to more cheerful things. There is still much, much to be thankful for. And a new year soon on it's way. New promises and hopes and dreams.

I sprinkled more photos of my decor throughout this post. I have to tell you a funny story. I intended to cut some greens from the trees on the back of Paint Girl's farm the other day and completely forgot.

I got home and checked in on my email and my Blogger dashboard. I saw a post from The Lettered Cottage. When I went to open it.....it wouldn't open. The tab just said "loading"......and flashed that way forever. Which has been typical of my Internet as of late. It gets stuck and won't load web pages. Frustrated, I left the computer, grabbed my gardening gloves and scissors and went out to my yard.

I don't have much in the way of greens on my property. There is this tree/bush thing that looks like an stumpy evergreen and drops these red berries all over my walkway every autumn. The name escapes me. It's the closest thing to "greenery" that I've got. I started snipping it's branches.

I arranged them in an old galvanized milk pail that I got at an antique store over the summer. I wanted to bring them inside, since I don't have a fresh tree. In the chaos of the home improvement project, there just wasn't a space. I moved a pot of dead perennials from a stool beside my front door and put the pail there. Still, it was missing something. I didn't know what to add to it that would be relatively weatherproof. I remembered all the pine cones I had and tossed some into the center.

Back inside, I got my web pages to load properly (after rebooting my computer.) I checked out The Lettered Cottage's post on Christmas decorating. And almost fell off my chair! One of Layla's charming ideas (actually, I think it was her mother's) was to fill a metal mop pail with greenery and pine cones! You can see the post here. I also had filled a silver bowl with moss leftover from my Twilight project, and silvery Christmas balls, which reminded me of a bowl Layla has on her mantel. She shares other thrifty decorating ideas that are just so simple and wonderful. I've been following Layla's blog for a long time and find her and her husband just so adorable.

Well, one thing that helps us get through the rough spots of the holidays.....all the yummies out there. Someone at work gave me a bag of these cookies.

You can't eat just one. They are scrumptious, especially with a glass of eggnog.

Then again, everything goes with eggnog, if you love it as much as I do. Here is the recipe for the cookies:

Chocolate Supreme Crinkles

2 squares unsweetened chocolate- melted
1/4 cup soft butter
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all of the above ingredients together and chill in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or overnight. Roll into small balls and roll the balls in powdered sugar. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

I blanketed my pony in a downpour yesterday, as drier, cooler temps are on the way. In fact, Paint Girl, bless her little stinkin' winter heart, may even see more snowflakes. Seriously, I might be moving into her garden shed if she keeps getting the snow and I keep missing out! We don't even live that far from each other, and it's like we live in different climates. Here is a little video of my poor drowned rat boy.

He was being more neurotic than usual. You see, Paint Girl had the veterinarian out earlier that morning to do booster shots on her filly. And My Boy knew something had been up. He could still smell vet in the air. And when I blanketed him inside his run-in shed, instead of taking him out to the normal grooming area, it felt different to him. He was worried about needles, I could just tell. Horses are so funny sometimes!

I am excited, the family is heading to Paint Girl's the day after Christmas so I will get to see My Boy again soon. I'm trying to decide what to get him for Christmas! And, my little cousin is coming along for the ride this year. Quite literally- I am thinking Paint Girl and I might give her some pony rides on My Boy and Brandy, if she wants. I am sure she wants. She is a pony crazy little girl! Surely a photo opportunity!

I hope you are all finding a moment of reflection and peace as we head into the final days before Christmas!

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. -Agnes M. Pharo

Deck The Halls, Part One

2009-12-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

I wanted to call this post "Deck the Stalls." But I don't have a barn. Ah well. I just love decorating for the holidays! Goodness, I think I could leave it up year round! Let's start with my pony.

He was not very thrilled about wearing my snowflake scarf.

Suck it up, cute Appy boy! Just be thankful I didn't have a Santa hat and antlers!

After sufficiently humiliating MB, I made it up to him by letting him chow down on the green grass growing in the corner of the arena. He was happy. I took off his blanket for a while as the big freeze had thawed and it's been fairly mild out. By the way, he's recovering well from his hoof abscess. While longing him yesterday, he broke into a trot on his own and even threw in some frisky head tosses. I think he would have kicked up his heels had the arena not been a bit muddy and slippery!

On to the home decor.....I'm pretty sure this Santa was my Nana Vi's, so he is at least over 25 years old. I found it in the garage sale pile at my parents and I snagged it. I don't have batteries in him yet, but if it did, then he would shake his arm and ring that bell. If I remember correctly, he might even march in place!

Its hard to tell in this picture, but this Santa has very blue eyes.

I started collecting snowman "stuff" years ago. I just love snow! The groovy thing about snowman decor is that I don't feel so guilty leaving it out through January.....since it's more winter decor than Christmas decor. Right?

This snow woman (I dubbed her so) is new to my collection. She was a gift from a co-worker. She has a primitive style to her. And details that I adore, like a yarn scarf and real twig arms!

In her twig hand, she is holding a glitter star.

O, holy night. The stars are brightly shining.

Here is one of my two little Christmas trees. This one is white ceramic with a bulb inside that lights up the little red birds. I got this one at a garage sale, but many years ago, my Nana B made a similar one. It is green and has light bulbs, not birds. I remember it from my childhood Christmases at her house. She still puts it out every year.

I bought a set of white feather birds at the dollar store. I had a vase of bare branches left over from my fall decor. I added holly to the vase, then wired the little white birds onto them.

Because winter is so dark, I find comfort in the glow of candles during the holidays. Here are my birch wood candle holders. I have a variety of dollar-store wreaths, with fake leaves and berries and pine cones, that I put around my candles. I can't use my big candles as the candle wreaths are too small! (My little tree is glowing pink in the background.)

I love anything rustic during the holidays! It reminds me of cozy weekends at a ski lodge. I especially like the combination of the birch, metal antlers, and bit of greenery around deer's neck. I wish I had a whole family of woodland animals like this!

That is all. For now! I need to make a cup of cocoa, put on some Bing Crosby, and continue my decorating. Oh, and present wrapping. I finally have presents! (What's that I hear? Sounds of my family members clapping in delight!)

I have more holiday treasures to share next time.....

Etsy Holiday Finds

2009-12-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

Before I start officially this post I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your comments about mares! Truly, I did not know so many people felt the way they did about mares- and in such a positive light. Most of what I have heard about mares has been in terms of them being "mareish" and less than favorable. Thank you for your insight, I am now inspired more than ever to read Betsy's book!

'Tis the season! Still need some last minute holiday gifts? Some of you might be familiar with Etsy.com. It's a wonderful site for artists of all kinds to sell their handmade goods. You can even find neato vintage treasures on there, too! Artists set up little online "shops" to sell their wares. I know, because I've become addicted. Mostly with browsing, but I have purchased a few items and have been completely thrilled with every transaction.

The other day I did some searching for horse-related Etsy items, and here is some of what I found. Click on each artist's name to follow the link to their Etsy.com page. I have not shopped from these vendors specifically, I just like their items. By the way, everything I've featured is under $30! And you have to act quick on Etsy, many items are one-of-a-kind and sell out quick (some of my original choices for this post, which I started over a week ago, have since sold!)

Be fair warned though, once you click over, you will not be able to leave! Make sure you have a cup of hot cocoa and some good shopping music playing in the background!

Black Beauty 1952 vintage Children's book found at Ismoyo's Vintage Playground

"Dancing In The Clouds" 8 x 10 signed Giclee Print by LGraceOriginals

Giddyup Jada Oval Belt Buckle Wearable Art by M "n" M Treasures

Girl's Custom Boutique Horse Lover's Dress from Vintage from A Vintage Touch

Christmas Horse Holiday Gift Tags by Judy's Crafts

Women's Backstage Horse T-shirt by Stevester (they have great tote bags too!)

Modern Mare Original Horse Art Pendant by Gypsy Mare Studios (she has a blog too!)

Happy holiday shopping! And if YOU have an Etsy shop you like to tell us about, please leave a link in the comments section.

You can be sure I'll stop by!

Speaking of the holidays....I've been trying to bring some festivity to my own little place....I will share some pictures in my next post!

Mares- You Gotta Love 'Em!

2009-12-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

I have always been fascinated by the mare/gelding thing. Meaning, why some people claim they will never own mares, only geldings. Or why some people only seem to have mares, like my sister Paint Girl, who owns three of them and has, her entire life, only had mares. Well, except one Shetland Pony gelding that I passed down on to her.

Maggie, the Morgan mare I learned to ride on.

Myself, I have had four geldings, and only one mare- the very last horse I owned before my 16 year horsey-hiatus. When I went on the hunt for a horse again two years ago, I did not necessarily intend to get a gelding. In fact, most of my prospective searches turned up Quarter Horse mares.

The book Mares! (Ya Gotta LOVE ‘em) is a must-read for anyone who has ever owned a mare. The book's subtitle is "Fifty Stories to Aid and Inspire Mare Owners." The book's tales are compiled by Betsy Kelleher.

Here is the review of the book:

Mares often require special handling before their best side is evident ~ Betsy Kelleher

In Mares! (Ya Gotta LOVE ’em), Betsy Kelleher has assembled a diverse collection of tales representing different breeds and backgrounds. Each of the fifty stories has one thing in common – they are an inspired tribute to the elusive Mare. The book is also about women, and the essence of being female is an interwoven theme. The original true stories, written by 38 different mare owners, enlighten and entertain while introducing us to the seeming paradoxical nature of mares – from stubborn to loving to dangerous to protective and loyal.

Mary Wynn Craig’s Lisa, the quarter horse with the permanent scowl, will capture your heart. Trainer Ron Meredith includes an excellent article on Gender Differences: Training Mares. If you’ve ever loved and lost any horse, you’ll cry when young Erin Landers tells the tale of Duchess, her very first horse. You’ll root for Factor, the thoroughbred brood mare, in Chiropractic Saves a Life. Helen Farley sticks with her little bay Abby, despite repeated admonishments about mares being no good, in the touching Kindred Females.

This book acknowledges the unexplainable moments present in the lives of horse owners and encourages us to find God at work even in more difficult situations. Some of the stories are completely zany and others touch on profound sorrow, yet lessons of love and hope show up in each tender tale, alongside practical tips for handling your mare.

Mares! will leave an impression on every horse lover and is an irresistible read for those moments when you just want to take care of you.

Betsy Kelleher’s first riding horse was a Percheron mare from her grandfather’s work team on an Iowa farm. She writes a monthly column for the Illinois Horse Network newspaper. Her website, Sometimes God Uses Horses shares her columns, horse photos and information about her books.

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton: http://www.dreamsaloud.ca/. Be sure to check out Carol's site, she does some pretty amazing work and is a horse lover herself!

Copies of the book are available from the author, who right now is offering a Christmas special! If you buy one book, you get one one half off. She has another book out, as well. Check it out at www.goduseshorses.com.

So tell me- are you a mare or gelding fan? Does it even matter to you? I'm curious about your experience, have you typically owned more geldings or mares in your life? Was that intentional or random?

And the Winner Is.....

2009-12-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

Thank you to those of you that participated in the Alison Hart book giveaway contest. I am almost half-finished with Shadow Horse and I'm really enjoying it!

I'm happy to announce the winner of the drawing for the book Anna's Blizzard, (plus a few extra goodies from me) is........Emmi! Emmi has a blog called Heart on Fire. She has a beautiful rescue Paint mare named Ava that she adopted, and she takes amazing photos. I think it was so cute that I drew Emmi's name because in her comment she wrote:

I can't wait to see who wins, even though I have a very low chance of winning I would really like to see what else comes in the box with the book.

I am so glad Emmi commented and entered the giveaway, as I didn't know about her or her great blog! I am glad we have finally "met" Emmi!

In other announcements of a winning nature, I won a giveway myself recently! Michelle over at the A&MD Ranch had a little contest. I just got my treasures yesterday and I adore them!!! I am one tickled cowgirl!

She sent me a really beautiful necklace and cross (with tiny bling rhinestones on the corners, hard to see in this picture.)

A fun black "Cowgirl Tuff Company" hat.

And a great drawstring "Cowgirl Tuff" bag which will be great for hauling boots or belts and other odds and ends cowgirl bling. I will be quite the well-styled cowgirl! For more great finds, be sure to check out Michelle's store, the Rhinstone Cowgirls. They have some amazing things!

Thank you, thank you, Michelle!

An Appaloosa "Angel"

2009-12-14T06:38:00.000-08:00

From time to time, I get emails from readers of my blog. Often they answer questions I've asked in their comment section, ask me questions, or comment on something I've written about. Sometimes, they just want to say hello, that they enjoy my blog, and tell me their own horse story. One such story was particularly touching, and since it was about an Appaloosa, I just had to share it. The email is from a lady that calls herself "Shadow D."

Here is the story from Shadow D in her own words:

Hello..... I just read your website story about how you came to get your Appaloosa..... he is a pretty thing isn't he?..... I love Appaloosas....they are so different and smart.... I think they are much smarter than most horses. I wanted to write and tell you about my Appaloosa....its somewhat similar to your story.

I , too.... had not ridden much after I was a teenager. But, one day I had decided that for my 52nd birthday, I was going to get myself a horse, because, it was "now or never". So, I decided that I wanted to find a paint or an appaloosa, since I loved the patterns on these horses, and they were my favorite breeds, although I loved horses period, and had, all my life.

I kept thinking about names that I might want to call the horse, once I found "the one". I wasn't particular about it being a gelding or a mare.... but, the name kept eating at me. I had a Timber Wolf/Malamute , named Shoshoni, at that time, and since Paints and Appaloosas are "Indian" horses, I wanted a Native American name for whatever horse I found, no matter what its "real" name already was on file. I thought of many names, but the one that kept coming back to my mind, was, "Comanche". So, I had the name....now, I had to find the horse.

Not long after that, I was driving out of the Rockies, where I lived at that time. I suddenly saw a red barn roof, off the highway on a lower, side road. I thought, "I wonder if that is a private barn or a public boarding barn." I had some extra time that day so, I decided to turn around and go have a look-see. It turned out to be a boarding barn. I went in to see the manager there. Didn't tell him what kind of horse I was interested in, at all. Just asked if he knew anyone who had a horse for sale. He led me down to a beautiful little mare, who was 4 1/2 years old. I looked down, at her stall door, and her registered name was there............ it said "Comanche's Lunar Nova"....... I almost passed out!!! Wow... was this a sign from God? Or what?

The man told me that she was worth 6 or $7,ooo ..... she was breeder's trust, Appaloosa registered. At the time, I had no idea what her breeding line was, but she has Man O War, thru his grandson, Wapiti, Plaudit, Yaqui Warrior, Double Six Domino, Buttons B, Mansfield's Comanche twice in her line, Sully, and, because of Mansfield's Comanche....she has the Goldolphin Arab, and the Darling Arab, both in her line, who were used to create the first Thoroughbreds in the world, in Britain, in the 1700's. She also has Poco Bueno breeding as Quarter horse...another top breeding line.

I told the man that I couldn't afford her. He said, "Lets call." I went to see the owner. She told me about the mare's breeding. She told me what she was worth. I said, "I only have a thousand dollars".... thinking that this woman would shortly laugh me out of her house...... She sat there for a few moments..... (probably stunned at my audacity) and then..... she said "Alright, I want her to go to someone who will love her.".................. I think my mouth fell open .....I couldn't breathe for a moment or two...... but, she was mine. My horse..... I do believe that my horse knew it before I even met the woman who owned her.

Comanche knew my car's motor sound within 3 days of my finding her. She would meet me at the door of her stable, and I could let her out without a rope or bridle and lead her around in the barn in a wavy line with her nose tucked into my hands crossed behind me, in just a couple of days. That horse knew I was hers and she was mine. She's a gorgeous thing...and, she knows it.... she loves to have her picture taken....in fact...she's watched me smile at my cellphone camera, and then, she turns her head sideways when I point it at her, and she smiles a big horsey grin. Its hysterical.

Comanche is very fast, and while I am not that kind of a rider, she tries to make sure I am okay when I am riding her. She's now 10 years old, and I bought her shortly after she turned 4 1/2. She's gone from being almost solid white, with black stockings and a silver and black mane and tail, to looking like a totally different horse. Its like having a new horse almost every year! She has a mark on her nose that I tell people is my guardian angel standing there, as it looks like wings in an upright position. I tell Comanche' that's why she has to be a good girl for me, since my guardian angel is riding on her nose.

Appaloosas are incredible animals. My Comanche' is a very smart creature. She "dances" with me in the arena. I move next to her, and she does the same thing I do, as I do the move. Its not choreographed, just spontaneous. Of course, I have a little secret..... I have a peppermint candy in my hand. Honey, she can smell peppermint from a mile away!!! Its probably her favorite thing for a treat. She'll do ANY thing to get that piece of candy. It just tickles people to see her "dance". After she chomps down on the candy, she'll walk over to another horse and "breathe" out into their nose, so they will smell the peppermint.... she wants them to know what they are missing! She's very protective of her "treats". Doesn't want to share any.... she wants them all!!!

I think its very special that God let me have such a wonderful horse, and even gave me the name ahead of time, so I would know which horse was mine. I am so glad I have her. And, I think she knows she's loved. I am glad I found your site. It proves to me that other people also get their soul mate horses. I love mine with all my heart.

What a special story! I truly think some horses come into some of our lives for reasons. I was so tickled that after my encouragement for Shadow D to start her own blog, she did! Be sure to stop the link here and say "hello." Most of us can remember what it was like when we first started blogging....waiting for those first few visitors!

Thank you Shadow D, for letting me share your story. I look forward to reading about yours and Comanche's adventures on your blog!

The Birthday Cowgirl

2009-12-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

Just back from Vegas....with stories still to tell, is my mom- the Coppperpony Cowgirl! And it is she who has a birthday today!

I have to tell you a funny story about my mom's birthday. For many, many years, I could not remember the date of her birthday. I knew it was between December 11-13th, I would just forget which exact date. Why is this? I have no idea. One of those weird phenomenons, like when you can't spell certain words. Like the fact that even though I won my Elementary School's spelling bee, on the word "astronaut", for many years, I spelled the word "restaurant" like "restraunt." (I just did it again and had to use spell-check to fix it.) My long-time childhood friend's mom's birthday is the on December 11th, and somehow that always confused me- I thought my mom's was the 12th, a day after hers.

Regardless, I think I finally have it down! I am so proud of you mom, for your perseverance and determination to become the rider you are! The love you have for your family, friends, and animals is amazing and admirable. Have a fabulous day, I hope you get some beautiful snow to go on a lovely walk in! I love you!

Now I can't say happy Birthday to my mother without saying it to my auntie, CowgirlJlynn. Because she is my mom's twin and they share the same birthday! You can see more pics of my mom and her twin sister here.

Snow Dance

2009-12-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

C'mon everyone, do it with me! The snow dance! You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out, you put your left foot in and you shake it- wait! Wrong dance. Oh well, make up your own!

The weekend is here! I have SO much to do. I could really use a snow day Monday. A day where small children get to rejoice in building snowmen and drinking hot cocoa and adults can relish in a few extra hours to get some things done! (Particularly those of us who don't have small children to tend to.)

For me, it's mostly some blog activity that will keep my fingers a-typin' the next few days!

Someone I know is having a birthday tomorrow and she'd probably prefer I don't mention it or do a blog post about her. Too bad.

My book Alison Hart book giveaway contest ends tomorrow at midnight, so don't forget to go here and leave a comment so you have a chance to win! I will draw and announce the winner on Tuesday.

Yes, even Boston Terriers can do the snow dance, people! At least, I think they are Boston Terriers?

I have a guest blogger sharing her story about her special Appaloosa horse on Monday.

A few of you have asked about the cookies on my header. I made them at Christmas last year, they are very yummy, my family (especially my papa!) loved them. But Houston, we have a problem- I have no idea where the recipe is! Mom- did I happen to leave it at your house? I tore it out from a magazine. I am going to try to track it down.

Update: thanks to Latigo Liz, here is the link to the chocolate peppermint cookies!! Thanks Liz!!

However, I had the most delicious pie at a holiday party last night, so I am going to attempt that.

Wednesday I will have another guest author and giveaway! Goodness! I'm beginning to feel like an agent for my own blog, hee hee! I love it. I love sharing other's stories. I've always wanted to start an interview feature. I'm sure you're all a bit tired of hearing about me anyway, right?

Okay, I'm off to eat my Cheerios then get my horse some hay before the snowy icy roads have a chance to impede that errand.

Stay warm and toasty.

And don't forget to dance!

(Thank you to Photobucket users for the great pictures for this post!)

Alison Hart: A Horse-Lovin' Author (and a Giveaway!)

2009-12-08T22:48:00.000-08:00

I am always excited to do book reviews when asked because I love books and writing! Especially growing up, reading was such an integral part of my childhood. It's a great way to get to know authors I'm not familiar with, as well.

This week I am happy to introduce Alison Hart. Alison is a Virginia author of over thirty books for young readers. Upcoming books include the re-release of Shadow Horse an Edgar-nominated mystery from Random House, along with the new title Whirlwind, its much anticipated sequel (May 2010.) Emma's River (Peachtree) a historical fiction chapter book about a plucky girl and her pony and their adventures on the Missouri River is coming out in April 2010. Her latest early chapter book Bell's Star (Random House) is the second in the Horse Diaries series. Gabriel's Horses (Peachtree), middle grade historical suspense, has been nominated for nine state awards. Find out more about Ms. Hart and her exciting books at www.alisonhartbooks.com.

Here is Alison's story in her own words....

I’ll admit it: I have been horse crazy since my first Steiff pony and first Billy and Blaze picture book by C.W. Anderson. Decades later, I still ride and read horse books, and now I have added writing about horses to my passions.

Writing about horses came naturally. My first story about a lost pony, published in Highlights magazine in 1984, was based on true events. Since then, I’ve written over fifty novels about horses. Many are contemporary including Shadow Horse, an Edgar nominated mystery, and its sequel Whirlwind (Random House, May 2010).

I have also combined horses with history to create suspense-filled historical fiction. The two meld perfectly because human and horses have been intertwined as early as 3500 BC when horses were raised for milk and meat in Kazakhstan. (see the fascinating March 2009 article in National Geographic http://new.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090305-first-horse-domestication.html)

My historical novel for young readers, Anna’s Blizzard, is about a heroic pony during the real Blizzard of 1888 in Nebraska. Gabriel’s Horses, Gabriel’s Triumph and Gabriel’s Journey (the Racing to Freedom trilogy) took over two years to research. The three books follow Gabriel, a slave on a Kentucky horse farm who earns his freedom as a jockey, from the Saratoga Race Course in New York to the battlefield of Saltville, Virginia, where he fights with an African American cavalry unit (all based on real history.)

I am partial to my books, of course, but they aren’t the only exciting reads. Try Chosen by a Horse a memoir by Susan Richardson and Riding for my Life by Julie Krone. If you like mysteries, author Dick Francis is intense and Carolyn Banks (A Horse to Die For) more light-hearted. Revisit Black Beauty and The Horse Whisperer to shed a few tears, and for a great tale of rescue read Horses of the Storm: the Incredible Rescue of Katrina’s Horses by Ky Evan Mortensen. If your library doesn’t have these on its shelves, you can get them through inter-library loan. This chilly winter, when riding gets harder, enjoy a good horse book. Then, please, share them with others!

Thank you Alison, for letting me be part of your blog tour!

Goodness, lucky author Alison Hart sure has her dream job, doesn't she? Reading, researching and writing about horses every day! I love the "Billy and Blaze" picture book myself. In fact, I recently saw an old copy in the library and had to read it, touching and smelling it's weathered yellow pages!

I just started reading Shadow Horse and I am really enjoying the story, which combines themes of family, horses, and mystery! I am hosting a giveaway to introduce you to one of Alison's other great books, Anna's Blizzard. And because I SO love to put together giveaways, I will throw in some other trinkets along with the book. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment, telling us your favorite horse-related fiction book(s)! The giveaway closes at midnight on Sunday December 13th.

Good luck and happy reading!

From Mud to Frozen Mud

2009-12-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

This frosty and icy weekend was beautiful.....and productive!

The sunset on Saturday night was breathtaking.

I had a busy weekend taking care of this cutie for some friends of mine.

An update on MB's possible hoof abscess. On Thursday's soaking he seemed better. I felt around on the sole of his hoof, feeling for tenderness. I found a "squishy" spot, but thought perhaps it was just a soft spot of sole due to wet hooves.

After soaking the hoof on Saturday, I pulled off the boot and in good daylight and noticed the soft spot on the sole now had a tiny crack/fissure. A small opening perhaps, where the had abscess burst and drained? My Boy is also getting around better on that hoof, does not appear to be as off or favoring it. However, he is having a hard time getting around his pasture in general now, which has become a tundra of frozen mud which makes walking difficult for both equines and humans.

I cleaned out MB's shed. He watched me as he nibbled on the rest of his breakfast. Note: he is resting his left hoof here, opposite of the one he was off on and favoring last week.

At one point he walked up and stood in the entryway of the shed, watching me as I cut open four bags of shavings and spread them around. As if to say, um, hurry up please. After I finished, he walked in. I thought for sure he'd roll, but he just circled and sniffed the bedding, then comfortably stood in the middle of it. Content and cozy in his blanket. Snuggled in for a mid-winter afternoon nap.

Goodness, I don't know why I bother, since he'll pretty much stand in them and soil them up. I guess I'm a sucker for making more work for myself! But I like being a good horsey mommy and I'll sleep better knowing he has a soft dry area to stand and lie down at night. Especially as the temps drop into the low teens the next few nights.

After getting some fun-loving flack for posting about my Twilight obsession, I will now be posting about books of a horsey nature, including a giveaway, so be sure to stop by later this week, and again next week! I hope that wherever you are and whatever your weather, you and your ponies are toasty warm and healthy!

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

2009-12-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

I feel like I've been hanging on like the last leaf of autumn this week. It's been nothing but crazy and I am exhausted. I've hardly had time to get around and visit your blogs at all!

Why am I with my horse in the dark by moonlight, sensor lights, and flashlights?

For one, the sun sets around 4:20 around these parts. Second, My Boy is requiring some medical attention after I get off work this week, hence seeing him in the dark. He is off on a hind leg, most likely a hoof abscess. All the signs are pointing this way, from experience with an abscess he had a year ago.

My attempt at a self-portrait using my point-and-shoot.

There is no wound or apparent swelling, just a little heat, a slightly stronger pulse, and resting and pointing of that toe. He is walking and putting weight on it, but has not been the usual "gallop to his hay" kind of pony. The recent wet weather and newly trimmed tender hooves have me believing he either got a bruise that abscessed or just a weather/mud related abscess. So for now he's getting the boot.

I am soaking it with Epsom salts and hot water, hoping to help it draw out and drain. If it gets worse or will not burst on it's own in a few days, I will have to call out the veterinarian to see if she can find it. Abscesses are a pain in the you-know-what to deal with but overall are the lesser of possible evils, at least with treatment it will heal up and he'll be fine.

I have some exciting things to share with you in the coming weeks, including a guest blogger story and a few book reviews. Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Holidays Are Here!

2009-11-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

I had a really nice Thanksgiving weekend. It was full of family and ponies and good food. I got to talk with family, eat, shop, sleep, and take a lot of pictures with the Nikon.

On a wet and dreary Thanksgiving morning, my mom brought her gelding Dusty in from the barn for a little ride.

Dusty had lots of kisses for my Papa.

I got to ride my auntie's smooth Missouri Fox Trotter gelding, King, for the first time.

I took a trip with my cousin Horse Dreams, the "man cub", and cousin Sares to see a tree lighting festival.

The man cub just wanted to run and play in the wet leaves with all the other children and not listen to the Christmas carolers, like us adults. I guess he doesn't understand the concept of "holiday spirit" yet.

Back home on Sunday, I got to see My Boy. I took him up to the arena to longe him, where he was absolutely wild and out of control.

Um, yea.

Afterward, Paint Girl (a.k.a. Arabian groom extraordinaire) showed me how to "body clip" his lower legs his fetlocks.

My Boy shows no sign of mud fever, but I thought I'd be preventative and get rid of that long hair that holds in the mud and moisture.

Paint Girl took her filly Chance up to the arena for the first time, and worked on some leading and backing. We were wondering about Chance's size when she is full-grown......but I realized that in this picture, she looks huge!

It was a good, productive, yet relaxing weekend. I am finally listening to Christmas music and starting to feel the holiday spirit. It's taken longer to get here this year, for some reason. Now I've got to figure out a plan for holiday cards. I'm not sure I want to send them out this year....... are you going to send out cards? Do you send email cards or through the mail?

Turkey Days

2009-11-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this, but when I was a child our family briefly had two turkeys. Mine was named "Salt" (he was white) and Paint Girl's turkey was Pepper (he was black.)

So I thought. The picture I drew when I was younger says that my turkey's name was "Wobbly." In the scrap book, I had taped in real feathers from Wobbly and Pepper.

By the way, those turkeys did not end up on our table. I don't think I could ever own a chicken or turkey, then end up eating it.

I probably wouldn't make a very good farmer.

I hope you are all enjoying this Thanksgiving holiday!

He who thanks but with the lips

Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving

Comes from the heart.

J.A. Shedd

Cat Tales

2009-11-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

For some reason, off and on over the years, I have this "thing" with cats. I don't know what it is, but sometimes I swear if there is a cat anywhere within a mile radius of me that is in need of something, I tend to find it. Or maybe it finds me.

It started years ago, at my parent's former beach house. I heard a cat crying in the brush at the end of the driveway. It saw me, it kept crying. I could tell it wanted to come out of the bushes yet it was hesitant. Eventually, the lonely kitty, abandoned by the home's former owner, did come across the lawn to meet me. And I fed it dried dog food while my dad stood at the sliding glass window, shaking his head. Shortly thereafter, "Lily" the cat found her way into my parents' hearts and home because unfortunately, they are blessed with a deep love of all creatures great and small.

My mom calls Lily her "angel cat" and I have to tell you, if it wasn't for me and my persistence and a bowl of dampened dog food, I'm not so sure that cat would have found a family again.

Another time, I was dog sitting for a friend and woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of a cat crying, a sad, desperate cry. There was a small strip of lawn and a fence that separated the town home I was in from a small apartment complex next door. I could hear the cat all night, even through closed windows. I was so frustrated. Why wasn't the person letting the cat in? Was it hungry? Cold? Did the owner go on vacation and leave it out? The cat was still there the next day. I peered through the cracks on the fence and saw it on the doormat of one of the apartments. It seemed to know it lived there. I crawled through the landscaping at the end of the fence line and called the tiger-striped cat. It did come, but wouldn't let me pet it. I filled a Tupperware with water and food and hid it there. I noticed a sign on the side of the building with the landlord's phone number. The cat still hung around, and cried, all day. This was bothering me to no end. I felt bad for that cat. I made it my mission to figure out what was going on. I called and reported the cat crying. I was just trying to help. The landlord said she knew of the unit and would stop by and check it out. She did say that the tenant was not supposed to have a cat. Oops. I finished out the dog sitting job and never heard what happened to that cat.

Two summers ago, I had a strange visitor to my patio. A very masculine looking medium-haired gray striped cat with a bob-tail.

The cat would appear late in the afternoon, and just sit or lay on the warmth of my cement patio, staring out into the night as twilight set in.

Maybe the cat was hunting birds that flitted about the bushes. He'd come over and rub on my legs and let me pet him. He was well-fed and cared for. Even wore a collar, sporting a new one at some point in time. I never knew where he lived, which house he belonged to. I kept a bowl of water for him on the patio. One day, after this happening for several months, he just disappeared.

While driving around with family on a recent vacation, we drove down a dead-end road. We had been looking at houses that we'd lived in as children and were snapping pictures like the paparazzi. As we exited the street and stopped at the stop-sign, I saw a black cat appear in the ditch. It stopped to watch us and didn't move. I told my cousin to wait and I jumped out of the Suburban on a whim, Nikon in hand, crouching down low and calling the cat. The cat looked at me and did not run off. But it also did not want to meet me and it walked off down the ditch. The cat was beautiful, jet black with yellow eyes. I couldn't get a good focus on the eyes.

Halloween is over. But last week, on a stormy wet night, I got into my car to go to the grocery store. As I pulled away from the curb I saw a black cat streak across the end of my very busy street, towards entrance of my house. As I got to the stop-sign, I looked at the steps leading to my patio and the cat was standing on them, looking back at me. I quickly backed up my car back into it's parking space, pulled up my coat hood, and headed back out into the pelting rain to see where the cat had gone. It was no longer on the steps but as I walked up I saw it scuttle under the over sized azalea bush. I called it, here kitty kitty, which could hardly be heard over the sound of car tires on the wet pavement as they drove by. I bent down towards the bush and called again, and the cat leaped onto the wall surrounding that part of the yard and disappeared, probably to the sidewalk below, where it slunk off into the dark night. Avoiding the road, I prayed.

Many, many times, I have been told by people how surprised that their cat, which does not normally approach strange people, is not afraid of me, and, quickly becomes my friend.

My parents had a feral kitten that let nobody other than my parents touch or pick her up. Even though I visited my parents at their homes for weekends frequently in my twenties and early thirties, it does not explain the closeness I shared with that cat based on the little day-to-day contact I actually had with her. She would sleep in bed with me, sit on my lap, and let me pick her up and hold her.

What do you think it is with me and cats? I don't consider myself a "cat lady." I don't even have a pet cat. Why are we finding each other? I have some theories of my own. Have you ever had something pervasive like this in your life? A series of events, which separate, are just experiences- yet when you connect them dot-to-dot, perhaps some kind of meaning starts emerging out of them?

My Thoughts About Twilight

2009-11-19T06:53:00.000-08:00

I mean Twilight the book and movie. Not twilight, the time of day. Although I love that, too.

I hesitated admitting my obsession to the public.

Coming out of the coffin is not always easy.

However, I was thinking about it while driving home from work the other day. In it's own small way, Twilight has changed my life. Goodness, that is pretty profound. In some ways, it's probably for the worse. For example, do I really need body lotion scented like lilac, honey, and sun- the scent the author of Twilight described the vampire Edward smelled like? Um, well, yes I do. It smells really good. Hmmmm....I wonder if the name "Sponge Bob Square Pants" was on the bottle, if I still would have bought it?

New Moon sweetheart treats from another Twilight fan, Patches at her Furry Four Legged Kids blog. Thank you, thank you for the treats!!

I was a late bloomer to the Twilight saga. I had never even heard of the young adult novels when a friend and I went to the movies one night and randomly decided to see Twilight, mostly based on the hype we'd heard in the media.

The movie was unique and mesmerizing from the get-go, and different that the romantic comedies or blockbusters I typically saw. Shortly thereafter, I purchased the book.

My infatuation still didn't really kick up until last spring. I finally finished that first book (slowly) but whipped through the next three in the series within a month and a half. I bought the DVD. The full-on obsession hit me out of nowhere. The movie really brought the characters to life for me. I have not felt this way about anything in the pop culture realm....at least not since I was a teenager.

So, what has Twilight done for me? Let me count the ways.

1. The series has made me re-appreciate trees. I know, how bizarre is that. The books take place in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, they take place in a town (Forks) that I lived in for a short while during my childhood. My cousins lived there for several years after we moved, so we continued to visit them there. When the book speaks of rain, trees, and ferny woods, I get it. The setting for these books makes me appreciate green, moss, rain, fog, and puddles more than I ever thought I could. Those of you that remember this post will get a chuckle out of that. That's my point- I appreciate what I have again. Trees are cool! Hug a tree. You never know what could be lurking in them. Vampires? Mutant monkeys?

The above dazzler-in-the making is my second cousin, the "man cub." You can see more creatively edited pics of this pint-sized charmer on my cousin's blog, Loveleigh Treasures.

2. Its inspired me to start writing again. I have written off and on for many years, and have always found the genre of young adult work particularly interesting to me. Now, all kinds of creative ideas are swarming in my head....

Move over Bella! Edward has eyes for Pony Girl..... alas, well one thing is for sure....she only has eyes for him.

3. Romantic notions. Okay, funny thing- but one of the reasons why Twilight has been such a hit, with fans, women in particular of all ages, is the romantic notion of the "perfect man." Edward embodies the perfect man. He is strong, loyal, devoted,and forever. He would kill or give his life to protect Bella. He's beautiful. He respects her. Given, he's a too little intense at times....I prefer a guy with a bit more of a sense of humor.

4. The bonds that form. I can not tell you how many people I ran into, and keep meeting, that love, love, love this series! We talk about the Cullens and Swans and Blacks like they are real people. It is a common, instant bond. On a weekend adventure with some cousins, we totally immersed ourselves in all things Twilight. It was indulgent and wonderful. Yes, we even took pictures with cardboard cut-outs.

Yes, I am 38 years old.

5. This series rekindled a love of reading. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't ever read books. Honestly though, most of my reading in the past two years has been online~ blogs and the like. I really rarely picked up novels anymore. Now, I have a stack of 5 that I'm reading. All at once.

6. Movies don't have to be gory. While Twilight the movie (and the books in the series) do have some violence, they are not filled with gratuitous blood or gore. Less is more. That's my theory and I'm stickin' with it. Sometimes, what you don't show or say, or how you say it, can craft better imagery. The fact the movie and the books are not filled with blood-dripping fang-tooth demon vampires, yet are still liked by so many, speaks volumes to the kind of entertainment many of us are happy to view.

I realize that I probably won't love the Twilight saga at this intensity forever. Some day I will chuckle and say, remember when I thought I was going to marry Edward and that Paint Girl's dog might be a werewolf? Nah. However, I do think a few positive things have come out of this series for me. And for that, I'm a grateful Twilight fan.

The latest movie installment in the Twilight saga, New Moon
opens tonight at midnight.

I won't be seeing it tonight at midnight.

My 38 year-old body craves it's sleep a little too much for that.

Never fear, I do already have tickets to see it Friday night.

As Edward says to Bella and I'll say to you.....

Be safe.

My Walk With Bailey

2009-11-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning was cold. After scraping thick frost off of my windshield, I drove to the Painted Creek for a late morning farrier appointment.

After My Boy was reshod, I turned him out to finish his morning hay. My hands were cold and Paint Girl's OH has started a fire in the woodstove, but I wasn't ready to head inside just yet.

I grabbed the Nikon and took a walk around the property. Bailey, my- er- Paint Girl's dog, always takes walks on the property with me. Typically, he cavorts off into the meadow or woods here and there, on a secret mission of his own.

The big meadow was nothing but decaying grass, heavy with melted frost and littered with deer droppings. I trod through it in my muck boots, unsure I'd find anything interesting to photograph. Admittedly, I didn't see anything with my naked eye, but knew that along with a long-awaited visit with my horse, a crisp autumn walk was just what I needed to unwind from a few very busy weeks.

Then, I stumbled upon these fabulous fungi. I noticed a lot of mushrooms are growing around the Painted Creek these days. Thanks to a record setting amount of rain this autumn, I presume.

What does Bailey see? A deer? I do not know. We continue on.

The once green and toxic bracken fern is now brown, but still standing strong.

Bailey likes to hide in their tall stems, as he continues his stalking mission. He sees something again.

Could it be my pony finishing his hay in his pasture?

Beautiful, brown stained alder tree leaves catch the overcast light and you know me, I can't help but photograph a few.

Always on the hunt for some bokeh.

Here comes Bailey, running alongside the arena. Ready to keep walking, Pony Girl?

We continue on the backside of the arena, and down along the mare's pasture. We stop along the fence between the two pastures to toss some apples inside.

Within seconds of hearing the crinkle of the Ziploc, a fuzzy Appaloosa muzzle with a snip finds them.

We walk wander into the yard, where I spy hydrangeas, a delightful blend of lavender and blue hues. Goodness, how exciting to find a splash of color left from summer, amongst all the green and brown.

The guest room! I have not stayed in it recently.....I'll have to remedy that. I miss Paint Girl's OH's cooking. There trots a golden horse statue in the window.

I cross the lawn, where I let My Boy graze for a bit after his visit with the farrier. More mushrooms. Look closely, you might notice a few Aussie hairs on these ones. I am always amazed at the details my camera captures when I download photos! {click on photos to enlarge.}

Oops. Looks like Paint Girl's OH left these boots outside a little too long. That happens around these parts.

I hope you enjoyed this chilly November walk with me and Bailey!

Bye bye, Bailey. See you next weekend! I'll be getting hay. Which for some reason, always seems to make you so happy, seeing that truck of hay you want to jump up on!

New Specs For Autumn

2009-11-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

What I  love about the fall season is how it forces you to really look at it through a different lens. To find beauty in even the wettest, most annoying, frustrating parts of it.

Like the muddy muck boots.

And My Boy's dirt-caked hooves.

And biting wind blowing through my hair and my pony's mane......

........while threatening the cedar trees holding on tightly to their branches, hoping to keep them from becoming scattered bones at their base.

Each leaf is a piece of art.

Even those that fall and stick onto everything in the yard.

Each watery ditch a cacophony of colors.

Each Rhododendron-munching Aussie a bundle of autumn energy.

Bundle your autumn energy.

Find beauty in the little things, despite the darkness, the wetness, and the mud. Oh, the mud.

Cherish the mud.

hee hee.

Happy Friday the 13th! I have never been happier to see a weekend  arrive!

.....Go Together Like a Horse & Carriage....

2009-11-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

"One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun."

"See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!"

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."

"Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow."

Congratulations to my beautiful cousin and her new hubby!!

2009-11-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Many of you guessed Salem as the destination of my recent travels....I think I threw you off course by mentioning spooky and Halloween! Actually, you were quite close, I was in Rhode Island. Providence, to be exact! One of my co-travelers actually joked that we should go to Salem, which she said would be crazy on Halloween. But Providence was old and spooky enough for me. They even have a Providence Ghost tour! And no, I didn't go on it!

I did not get to see much of Providence other than downtown, it was a quick trip and related to business. What I did see, was quaint, and old. Everything is old there! The architecture of the buildings was especially amazing. I have only been east to NYC, so it was great to see another part of the area.

This weekend, my travels include a family celebration. I am hoping to see My Boy tomorrow....I miss him dearly. But alas, weather and travel has kept me from him. I rarely go a week without seeing my pony! Around this time of year, he's probably wishing I'd sell him to someone who lives in a warmer, drier state.....like Hawaii. Here is a picture of me and my pony in sunnier, drier times. Is that a tank top I'm wearing? Sigh.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Reformed Worry Wart?

2009-11-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been doing some traveling. Here are some pictures, taken on my Sony point and shoot, from one of my trips. Any guesses as to where (state, or city) I was in? And family, no, you can't guess as you know! I will say, it was a perfectly spooky place to be late in October......

Also, I thought I'd add another "Typewriter Tidbit on Life" from that old typewriter manual I bought at a yard sale in September. This one is on worry, and you might have heard part of it somewhere else before. I chose worry because normally when I am to fly on an airplane, I am wrought with anxiety. This time I was actually rather calm, my stomach mostly void of those churning butterflies. The only time on the planes that I got nervous was when we hit some pretty rough turbulence and my adrenaline got pumping a bit.

Worry

Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere. If you can do something about a matter that gives you concern, go right ahead and do it. If, on the other hand, you can do nothing about it, what is the use of worrying?

Most of the things we worry about never come to pass. The only sane way of living is to do in the present what needs to be done and to do it in the most intelligent way you can. Work is the best antidote for worry. A person who is so busy with matters that require his whole attention does not have time to worry.

Now I mostly agree with this tidbit, but wanted to clarify that for me, along with work, any form of keeping busy- such as pursuing hobbies such as riding my horse, or hanging out with friends, does help keep the nerves at bay.

Are you a worrier? Does flying on a plane make you nervous? What helps you keep those stomach flutters away?

Monday My Boy Fix

2009-10-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

I missed my horse! As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been busy, busy, busy! And that means little horsey time for me. I was so happy to see my horse today. We had to get him hay from the farm store, then I went out to groom him while he was eating. The downpour from earlier had subsided, and a sharp autumn breeze kicked up. The horses had been a little wired during feeding time (a lot of galloping and bucking) so I tossed a few cookies in My Boy's bucket and entered the pasture. He followed me up to the tree where his hay had been thrown. He was eagerly assessing me, did I have any more cookies?

I picked up a grooming brush and he shied away. Stinker! You'd think he was the wild Mustang on the property. He finally let me groom the dried dirt off of him.

Then, I sprayed some more wound spray on his boo-boo and it stung. The stinker left me again! (By the way, the scrapes scab have mostly fallen off and it looks fine, I just like to keep the new skin moist.)

I realize that My Boy's copper color almost perfectly matches that of dead cedar twigs.

They are falling off their branches left and right in the wind and end up everywhere....in My Boy's tough, blanketing the ground....even suspended in bare branches around the property. I became obsessed with photographing them.

My Boy got a drink of water at his trough, and then he moseyed back up to keep eating. It was nice to hang out with him as the sun lowered behind the damp green trees. I love this time of year, the crisp air and nature sprinkled with shades of amber. If I'm dressed warmly enough, I could spend all day outside hanging with my horse.

Brandy wandered down to the water trough from the back of her pasture and I snapped a picture of her, all fuzzy and dirty. Paint Girl said she'd never have a white horse again. I can surely understand why, but there is also something very organic and earthy about a dirty white horse.

Finally, it was time to head inside and warm up my hands.

Goodnight, sweet spotted boy. See you later than sooner.....

Fenced In

2009-10-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in the car a few weeks ago during a fall harvest tour, and I happened to look over at a pasture next to me. There were no animals in it, but I focused on the fence. Some thoughts went through my head and I grabbed my camera and started taking a few pictures.

This particular fencing was hog wire lined with barbed wire, and possibly, a strand of electric wire. I was imagining a horse getting his leg caught in big squares of the hog wire and then as it struggled, being torn apart by the barbed wire. Yes, I have a bit of an overactive imagination.

My Boy's fencing at the Painted Creek is hog wire (the narrower rectangles, not the large squares) with electric wire on the top. He is very respectful of fencing, and even thinks there is hot wire on the parts there isn't. We've had almost no problems with this wire in terms of safety except one- My Boy injured himself recently when he bucked near the fence. He came down on the hog wire part of it with his leg, scraping up his inner hock. Had the wire been barbed, I can only imagine the damage that could have occurred.

The only downfall to this fencing is that without a rail or electric wire on top, it is very easy for a horse to lean it's head and neck over it and bend the wire. I won't mention any names, but a black and white paint mare whose name begins with an "F" has been known to bend a few fences in her life in search for the "grass that is always greener." So no, our fencing isn't perfect for horses, but I would take it over barbed wire any day.

Do you believe in a perfect type(or near perfect) fencing for horses? I've often heard people say that a horse can injure itself in or on any fencing. It seems to me this is true, but I also think you are lowering your odds of injury with some kinds of fencing over others.

What kind of fencing do you have, and if it's not your dream fencing, in a perfect world, what would be your ideal fencing be?

And can someone please clarify for me, is it "barb wire" or "barbed wire"? I have seen it written both ways.....

What a Drip!

2009-10-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Goodness, this weekend was a wet one! Autumn is alive, painting the landscape a fiery burst of colors.

When I first started photographing these trees, their golden leaves were just dripping in a light drizzle.

Then a downpour began. Thankfully, I was on a covered porch!

Even these crows seemed in drenched discontent on their high-wire perch.

Due to this weather, I didn't do much with my horse on Saturday. First, I emptied his grain bucket of water, nearly full after just 24 hours of rain.

Then I gave him an apple and contemplated his new beach-front property. I have no idea where all of this sand ran off from.

The mares no longer live at the Painted Creek. Apparently, it's now "The Painted Lake."

I bid goodbye to the mud-caked equines and drove to Paint Girl's workplace, an indoor stable, where I got to see her work a few horses. I can tell she is really enjoying her new job! Here is a handsome bay 3-year old stallion she just finished longing.

Sunday was slightly better in the weather department. I was able to bring out my horse, groom and clip his mohawk bridle path, and trot him out in the sloshy arena. He checked out the orange cedar needles floating on the arena puddles (and munched on the weeds growing out of the puddles, of course!)

I took a picture of my pretty pony against a scenic yellow tree.

I am so bored with all of this posing already!

My visits to my pony are going to be scattered few and far between over the next few weeks, as I am doing some traveling with family and work. I gave him his fuzzy warm neck a BIG hug and told him to stay out of trouble until I get back!

Typewriter Tidbit on Life

2009-10-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Last week I mentioned that at a yard sale I got an old typewriter lesson manual, maybe from the 60's (I could not find a date.) The picture above, which I took from the front page, says it all.

In honor of my sister Paint Girl's new job, her dream job- working with animals, I have chosen this typing lesson to share from the book.

Lesson 47
Measured Typing

1. Too many people seem to be content to spend their time in just carrying out the purpose of others. They work for nothing but the pay; they think more about the pay than the purpose. Give them the pay, and somebody else can have the purpose, for all they care. In this way millions of people live unhappy lives just because they do not have a purpose.

2. You can and should have a purpose of your own. At the same time you can serve the purpose of another and serve it even better. You can still have the pay and yet be working out your own purpose. Remember that all good purposes tend in the same direction and go hand in hand. Decide now that you will have a purpose; then your life will be the richer.

I think this is so true- we've all probably been there at some point in our lives. Often a necessity, a job is a job, but it is not a passion. It does not serve a purpose, other than to make ends meet. I am excited that my sister is finally working a job that is more than just a paycheck to her. I truly believe she is also now using her God-given talent of working with animals.

Is your job your passion in life? Do you think you are fulfilling your purpose? If not, do you think that someday,you might find yourself there?

The Baby is Here!

2009-10-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

Due to previous obligations on Sunday, I couldn't be at the Painted Creek for the arrival of my sister's Mustang filly, Chance. Luckily, I was able to get myself to the farm later that afternoon to see My Boy and how the new little munchkin was doing!

Chance was running a loop around her pasture when I first got there. Paint Girl and I walked out and climbed over the gate of her pasture. She immediately calmed down and walked around us, pausing at times. She seemed unsure if she wanted much human contact or attention. However, it was obvious that our presence comforted her.

Hey Pony Girl, what are you doing over there?

My Boy's leg scratch is mostly healed, but there is a huge scab over the worst of it. I felt like picking it off but I washed it out and put antiseptic on it, but left it be to de-scab itself. I took him back and longed him in the arena. He was being lazy and I only had the 14 ft. line so he just trotted about ten minutes each way. He's out of shape! Afterward, I let him graze along the filly's pasture.

Chance grazed alongside him in her pasture. She reminded me of the bird in the book "Are You My Mother?" by P.D. Eastman, wandering around asking other animals and things if they were his mother. My Boy kept eyeing the pretty filly suspiciously at times, but didn't really seemed overly concerned or interested in her. He's definitely confused as to why she isn't a goat! He thought it was pretty cool she's wearing green halter that matches his, though.

Later, I put My Boy away and picked rocks out of his pasture. I ended up taking a little video of him and Chance. Please don't laugh at my Pony Girl voice. I can't help talking to my horse that way, it's hilarious and sappy, I know!

It has been cute to see my sister worrying about Chance. I think she'd make a good mother someday! Hint, hint! Baby horses are a bit spontaneous and unpredictable, and I think Paint Girl's biggest fear is that she's going to get herself into some kind of trouble.

Look how little Chance is in the background! I think she is whinnying.

I think My Boy is looking handsome here. I love that his coat gets a richer copper color as his winter fuzzies grow in.

Congrats Paint Girl, on bringing your new baby home! It will be fun to watch her grow up, and I know My Boy will look after his little sister!