Ginger

This has been on the blackboard down at the barn for a week or so, thought I'd post it for everyone to see.  Congratulations Seth!

Tammy Hanging On to City Girl Status

Over the past few years, we have been working our farm magic on Tammy and bit by bit she is turning into a country girl, but she still has a few city girls rules.  These are her rules.  She keeps referring to them - so I don't know why she had to go and type them up...it's not like we aren't aware of them. I especially object to rule #8.

Lynn to the Rescue!

Well tonight Lynn thought she would take Spirit and I to the outdoor arena and give me a lesson on 2 point. Spirit has had a bit of a sore back lately, and so Lynn wisely decided that from now on when he was being ridden, his girth would not be quite as tight as we had been doing it. We got out, and up I went into the saddle.

 Spirit was being slightly difficult with me, going into a trot before I asked for it, and then trying to tell me where we were going instead of going where I was trying to tell him to (he was really just trying to figure out what I wanted)-and so I was making him work a bit, doing circles hoping he would realize that doing what I was asking would be easier! But then that boy thought, "OK you want a circle?" and before I knew it he was trotting a circle that was quite small, and when he stopped I was still in the saddle, but I was hanging off his side! Well I really was shocked hanging there off his side-wondering how did  this happened? I mean, I LOVE hanging around at the barn-but this was not what I had in mind!

 As I hung there, I looked to my security zone-the one who always makes me feel confident and safe-I looked to Lynn. She was standing wrapped in my sweater-freezing, looking right back at me. I think we both realized at the same time that I was not going to be able to recover gracefully on my own, and then we both had that wide eyed look when that realization hit, and said "OH!" in unison. Well I haven't seen Lynn move that fast EVER! I sure am glad she has been jogging lately. She ran full speed ahead, arms pumping at her side with my sweater flying behind her like a superheros cape, and was beside me before I knew it! She reached up and grabbed me-we both agree we don't know what limb she pulled on, but she did, and I was upright again before I even had time to realize that maybe I should have been a little scared in that position-helpless to right myself!

Yes I had forgotten that the girth was a bit loose tonight, and I obviously didn't have enough weight in my outside leg, but I did end up having a great lesson on 2 point and rein control, and even tried a nice little controlled canter (which I thought went OK until Kathleen tried and showed me how it was really done). 

Lynn and I both had a good laugh afterwards, as it all ended well (thanks to Lynn)! I have been replaying it in my head all evening, and can see the look on her face when she realized I was in trouble and then running to me-I just start laughing out loud, and I think my family thinks I've lost my mind~ Thanks again  Lynn, oh and when do you want to try that again?  I'm ready! :)

Ginger's Surprise!

This week Ginger was with Seth on Leland's road, trotting and she slipped into a nice canter which Seth rode wonderfully. Seth's Mom, Michelle, and I were really surprised but both Seth and Ginger seemed happy so we were too. No worries.
Later, in the outdoor arena Seth was really smart - he put Ginger behind Marie and Mister and yelled, "Canter Ginge! Canter!" so off she went, cantering behind Mister. I fished my iPod out and managed to capture this fun moment a bit later. Steering is not yet a major priority, so sometimes Ginger surprises Seth with where they go! This was a fun surprise for us all.
Ginger is definitely 31 and we're careful with her but there are times like this when she lets us know that she is not willing to retire to the pasture just yet - she still loves to have fun with these new riders!

Dozer the Dog - Chief Security Officer

There are two sweet little barn swallows down in the barn trying to build a nest so they can start their family.  Apparently, however, they did not apply for a building permit.  Dozer the Dog (Chief Security Officer) is going out of his mind trying to evict them!  I hope he doesn't scare them away, but he is passionate about his job.

Perspective

It was a dull, dreary kind of week. Jeannie and I were talking to each other about being kind of "down" yesterday, and I was trying to determine why I was feeling so "low", when she said something simple/yet difficult, and wise...".it doesn't matter why you are down, what matters is figuring out how to get yourself back up."
Well I had little help with that today because the sun came out and it always gives me such an amazing lift. But I took what she said to heart and re-introduced myself to my grateful journal. Today, I thought I'd "picture" some of my grateful thoughts. So here goes:

                                          Sunshine (on a cloudy day!)

                     My wild rose bush and the old bird house.  Not a well-kept bush, but I love it to pieces.  The blooms start now...and go for most of the summer.  The blooms are one of the farm's first signals that summer has started.

Wild roses, (lilacs have the same effect)  for immediate uplift (if your name is Lynn Beazley) So grateful to be able to see these right from my window...

and....low tide.  It makes me pause and marvel at everything.  (Hey look...you can see the rosebush and the birdhouse in bottom left hand corner)! This is not a complete low tide....maybe 1/4 of the way out.  Our shoreline is actually "famous" for having the worlds's lowest tides.

Anyhow, this whole "down" versus "up" thing left me remembering a little fable I've read a few times and it provides a visual for me to tie into Jeannie's simple/yet difficult, and wise comment:



Have a great weekend everyone!  Hope you manage to figure out what feeds your Good Wolf!

Video of Rawdon Hills Trail ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm50iIDknr8

We took a trip last weekend to the Rawdon Hills.  The video doesn't really do the area justice.  It was a grey day and we ended up taping a lot of the ride when we were in a clear cut area.  If you know the words to this song.....you are OLD!