Katies Wedding - Lots of pictures

It was a beautiful day, a beautiful wedding, a beautiful bride and a handsome groom. There are a lot of pictures, if you aren't interested that's OK. It was special to us.

Mr and Mrs. Cameron C. Collins

and me

and Bob

She and her daddy dance.

She and Cam

Cam and his Mom

A beautiful bride

Grandpa Bob and the Dollar Dance

This picture should have been near the top but it would not move there no matter what I did.

Alicia who caught the bouquet.

Off into the sunset and on to their honeymoon.

I am off to bed. A long day.

Special blessings to Katie and Cam and to you all too.

Why I Ride

WHY I RIDE

I BELIEVE THAT THE WORST ASPECT IN FACING ADVERSITY IS SURRENDERING CONTROL.. I'M UNSTABLE TO CONTROL THE HAVOC THAT INJURY, ILLNESS OR FATE HAS CAUSED IN MY LIFE BUT I CAN CONTROL MY EQUINE PARTNERS. IT'S A MAGICAL SENSE OF EMPOWERMENT. A MERE FLICK OF A REIGN OR TAP OF MY HEEL AND I CAN COMMAND A 1,000 POUND ANIMAL. RIDING REQUIRES AN ALMOST ZEN LIKE LEVEL OF FOCUS. INSTINCTIVELY, I THINK HEELS DOWN, EYES UP, FEEL THE HORSES MOUTH, AND KEEP MY BACK STRAIGHT BUT SUPPLE. THESE ARE THE THOUGHTS THAT OCCUPY MY MIND AND PUSH ASIDE THE CONCERNS SUCH AS DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, PRESCRIPTION REFILLS AND TORTUOUS DECISIONS. THE CADENCE OF MY HORSE'S GAIT BECOMES A SOOTHING LULLABY. MY HORSE TROTS AND I FIND BALANCE. MY HORSE CANTERS AND I REDISCOVER PURPOSE. MY HORSE GALLOPS AND MY HEART SOARS. I AM UNBOUND BY THE PAIN AND UNBRIDLED BY REGRET. WITH EACH STRIDE, MY HORSE LIFTS ME SKYWARD AND I AM MOMENTARILY NOT A PART OF THIS EARTH.

AND THAT, TO THE END, IS WHY I WILL RIDE.

Written by Darlene Larson

Who is fighting stage 4 breast cancer.

Blessings to her and to you.

Frustrated

I was down on my knees pulling weeds around the end of the arena which is Sages hangout place during the day. I felt warm breath on my back and turned around and guess who. She was wondering what I was doing down there. I was glad I had the camera with me.
Our "new" old round pen. I have been fussing at Bob for some time about the footing in there. Bob went in and disced it up good and hauled in 10 tractor buckets of tailings and I raked it around and then we drug it and its wonderful. Just what I wanted him to do.

However, after getting off and on her at the hitch rail she kept moving away from me when I tried to get on and Bob got scared I was going to get hurt. I was not worried at all but he is so afraid I will get hurt. I was sitting on the stool and crying. I just wanted to really ride her so bad and he is so nervous. Sage came over and nuzzled me on the head and put her nose on my face. Then I did cry. He promised we would try again tomorrow. I am sorry I made him feel bad crying but frustration got me.

I did a milk test for Shannon's milk goats this evening. I took the training last winter but did not remember too much. Shannon had to walk me through it. Not hard once you get the hang of it.

It was nice to visit with her too and then came home and took a shower. I was so dirty from working outside most all day.

Blessings

Good Ride

Coyote Ice Cream aka Cody. He needs a new home and new person. His owner has turned all his paperwork over to me. She can no longer pay his board. Hasn't since April. She lost her job about 2 1/2 years ago and her unemployment has run out. She is losing her house and needs someone who will love Cody to take him. No cost, free if we know its a good home. I promised her that.

He is not broken to ride but is very gentle and leads well. He stands good for his feet. She had a saddle on him and layed across it about a year ago. He is sweet and gentle. I would call him a chocolate palomino except his mane and tail are getting darker. He is about 7 I believe.

Emma is going home over the next few days. Her owner has a chute that we are going to try to get a halter on her. He said he would not put her down so home she is going. She just has no trust and we have made little or no progress with her. She is just as spooky and wild as when she came. We feel totally failures about her.

No pictures but I rode Sage with Bob having just the end of the lead rope around the hitch rail. She is getting bored with this. I swear tomorrow I will take her in the round pen and get on her. Bob is just so afraid I will get hurt. I am not afraid at all and she is very relaxed about the entire thing. We changed bridles today. She likes this snaffle better than the one we had. That one is a 3 piece snaffle. This is a plain D ring snaffle. I think we will be using it.

It was cooler today. Enjoyed that for a little break. Back to the heat tomorrow.

Blessings

Creeping to 1000

10000 blessings

(well close )

889. Red white and blue flowers

890. 4 days away with Bob and our horses

891. Clear water in the river

892, Sitting in the shade reading a book

893. Cooking with dutch ovens

894. The first picking of raspberries

895. My pony Rosie was not hurt in her little wreck

896. Visiting with old friends

897. Getting kisses from Sage

898. A web cam that allowed me to watch Caroline run in the Barrel Racing Championships

899. A first ride on Sage

900. Talking to Caroline

901, BBQ with friends

902. Lazy summer days

903. Crocheted rugs

904. Peace in my heart

Grandkids before the wedding

Our beautiful "granddaughter" Katie who will walk down the aisle and marry the love of her life next Saturday.

She and Cameron. They are so sweet together.

Cameron and his horse Liberty. They are learning together.

Katie was tickling Ravens lip and that is what she did.

I made them an afgan to fit their queen sized bed in blues and whites. I wanted to give it to them personally rather than taking it to the wedding. I should have taken their picture with it. Never thought of that. Darn.

Have fought a headache today so was a little nervous about getting on Sage. So Bob made me put it off until tomorrow.

Blessings

A wonderful day with friends

This afternoon our dear friends Greg and Lisa came out to bbq and their kids rode Pepper. This is Mariah. Her second time on a horse.

Kierstan and I don't know if she has ridden before and..........

Josh who had not ridden before. Kiersten is Josh's girl friend. The kids all seemed to have fun even with us "old folks".

It was a wonderful time with really special people. We are blessed to know them.