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

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