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Lest you think I have skipped the country, I haven't. I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday at a horse show in Yakima. It was very hot, in fact 98 on Sunday and not a drop of shade to be found for the most part. I drove straight home after the show was over and collapsed into a warm bath and went to bed. I had a hard time making it through Monday without sinking into the nearest chair all day.

Yesterday our youngest daughter had surgery and we were at the hospital most of the day. In the evening I had to go to Couer d'Alene to a friends home and put together baskets for a silent auction at the Panhandle Back Country Horsemen clinic we are doing September 10 at Farragut State Park. The clinic is called "From Spooky to Calm". There will be, besides the silent auction, a despooking clinic, a trail obstacle clinic, an inspection of horse trailers, a trail ride, a packing demo, a leave no trace discussion, horse first aid and a mounted shooting demo by Bob Peters. If you choose to just come and watch the fee will be $15.00 If you bring your horse It is $25.00. And if there is more in your family that want to come the fee is $65.00 which covers 3 or more with horses. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent and must wear a helmet when mounted on a horse. Lunch will be offered for $5.oo per person. For questions you can call me 994 9829 or Karen at 208 772 2434.

I have only had time to love on Sage a little and groom her today. I did umteen loads of laundry and I am still working on my craft/sewing room. It was so awful but I am getting there slowly.

Maybe tomorrow I will get on her again.

Blessings

Hallelujah

I really rode her today, not attached to the hit rail. Bob started out leading her around outside the round pen and then he led us into the round pen and let out the lunge line. He could not let me go completely on my own. I rode her around and reversed and figure 8's for better part of an hour. I backed her and bent her head both ways. To the left is not so good but easily to the right. Tomorrow I swear I am going to make him let go of me.
I wanted to shout but know better than that. A slow comfy walk was all we did and she was very relaxed.

Wrangler and Liberty. I sat on the ground to get the picture I wanted and was attacked by ants. I thought I was going to have to strip out there in the pasture. Didn't, but could feel them crawling even after they were gone.

Miss Liberty.

Raven

Abby. Her tail is growing back quite nicely. Better than Wranglers but his is growing too. Silly horses to chew each others tails off.

A load of hay. We have about 3/4 of our hay in. Bob is mowing for the guy to pay for most of it. That is a relief.

Bob and I will be heading for town shortly. We have to make a trip to Aslin Finch and then to Couer d'Alene to our Back Country Horsemen meeting this evening. Its been a super day.

Blessings

Last Night's Moon

Just a series of pictures I took of the moon last night. I thought it was particularly pretty last night.

Today I worked in the house most all day. I am trying really hard to get my craft/sewing/stuff room organized and cleaned. It is a challenge for sure. I need to get rid of a bunch of just stuff.

Tomorrow for sure I am going to get outside and work with horses. This break to get things done in the house has come to an end. I need to work in here but need to work outside too. I did pick raspberries today but nothing else and my garden is a jungle. My horses miss me too.

Blessings

O Happy Day

This was the view coming home from the wedding last night.
Our dinner today. Oh was it wonderful. It smelled great, and tasted better.

I took a long nap today, did not sleep much last night., Slept clear through the Mariners game. Woke up as the last person for Boston struck out. M's won. That was a good thing.

Tomorrow, out of my lethargia and get going.

Blessings

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