Look Who Followed Us Home

Isn't she cute???

Wordless Wednesday - Three Little Hens

What's in a Name?

We have always had difficulty in naming our critters.  Craig calls everything Fred and T comes up with these really complicated names.  Anything I suggest is usually shot down.  Before Jet had an official name, he was called Fred for so long that it kind of stuck.  We often referred to him as Fred in conversations.  I was affectionately calling the bay roan Red Fred while we searched for a name.  T came up with something that we all begrudgingly agreed to....

He shall be called Ima Red Rooster or Roo for short

One of these days I will get some nice conformation shots of him so you can see him in all his glory.  He's a really fun horse to ride.  Lots of energy but comfortable.

Macro Monday - Allergens

It's been a hot and dry summer.  Just about the only thing blooming or even remotely green right now are the weeds that are triggering my allergies.

Sunday Stills - the letter "S"

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is the letter "S" - The only rule this week is that it has to be THINGS that start with the letter “S’ and NO ARCHIVES. 

Sunlight and Shadows

Silver Silos

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Brenda Photo Challenge - Orange

How could I pass up the Brenda Photo Challenge for Orange??  The leaves are changing, the crops are being harvested -  a colorful time of the year.

Gourds and Indian Corn

A warty pumpkin 

(I'm sure there's some sort of technical name for it)

Zoey and I discussing which frisbee she should chase - the pink or the orange

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Skywatch Friday - Season 4, Episode 11

Blue sky reflected in a pond while an Egret searches for food

Annie has moved on

Not in a bad way....

The past few weeks have been absolutely crazy for us with the start of school, the winding down of the show season, 4H, work, life in general.  The horses and the barn are usually my therapy.  I like to go out to the field and just hang out with them or bring them in and groom them.  I absolutely love riding but I don't have as much time as I would like to ride.  When we got Annie, I had hoped that she would settle in with our herd and our family.  She's a different type of horse than the ranch horses and Quarter Horses that I'm used to and we just didn't seem to click.  I started to realize that she needed more time than I have to give to her and maybe we weren't a good fit.  We sat down and talked about what we should do.  I had very mixed feelings - I loved riding her and she was a lot of fun but I was concerned that she needed more from me.  I decided this week to list her for sale.  Yesterday a very nice couple came to see her and really liked her so she left for her new home.  They will be using her as a trail horse on their 100-acre property.  They liked her energy and felt that she could keep up with the Peruvian Paso that they wife usually rides.  I wish her well in her new home with her new owners and I hope they enjoy her as much as I have.  Craig kissed her on the nose for me to say goodbye.

And so the herd is now three branded ranch horses....

Wordless Wednesday - Heading for Home

An Unplanned Horse Show

On Sunday, we headed over to Spring Mountain Farm which is located in the same town as the barn.  This farm holds 6 gymkhanas a year and T wanted to see what it was all about.  When we got there, she was checking things out and we decided to run back to the barn and pick up Zip.  Luckily it was close by and they were back in less than 45 minutes with Zip all tacked up.  I managed to get her registered in time for the first class.  This ring is smaller than the Buxmont ring which is the only place that we have showed Zip.  There were 13 riders in her division and the competition was tough.  T and Zip did great!!! Zip is getting better and better with each show.

Ring Spear

Pole Bending - 3rd place

Keyhole - 5th place

Potato Race

Shoe Lace - 1st place

Barrels - 4th place

Hoop the Barrel

Stake Race - placed 3rd

More photos here

The last show of the year at Spring Mountain Farm is October 10th.

Sunday Stills - Flags

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Flags.  I didn't have much time this week but did take my camera along as we ran some errands on Saturday.

An American flag and cigar flag outside of the smoke shop

An American flag and plastic flags at a local greenhouse

A flag box for old American flags at the firehouse

Skywatch Friday - Season 4, Episode 10

Canadian Geese departing the pond

Rosie, Rosie

We had been told that Rosie had been used for barrel racing but it was hard to imagine that seeing her so skinny.  Now that she's so much more substantial, T has been riding her about once a week (give or take).  She is so quiet and easy going on the ground but man is she a pistol under saddle.  That little pony has some go to her!!  She is completely bored and restless just riding around the ring but give her something to do and she's a different little pony.  She obviously knows the barrel pattern since she pretty much did it herself the first time T took her through it.  She must have been something to see in her prime.  The vet estimates her age at about 21 and she has surprisingly good teeth.  She brings a smile to my face whenever I see her even when she is selectively ignoring me.

Wordless Wednesday - In the Mirror

Saturday's Show - Grand Champion!!

T and Zip did fantastic at Saturday's show!  They placed 3rd or better in every class with 2 blue ribbons and are totally clicking as a team.  He was even good at the ingate which has been hard for him.  She finished the night as Grand Champion!!

London Bridge

Cat's Cradle

Tunnel Vision

Barrels

More pics here

Times and Placings
London Bridge - 1st place with a time of 11.849
Cat's Cradle - 3rd place with a time of 17.176
Tunnel Vision - 1st place with a time of 10.191
Barrels - 3rd place with a time of 19.944
Big T - 2nd place with a time of 18.895
Poles - 2nd place with a time of 26.168
Keyhole - 3rd place with a time of 10.021

One more show - October 2nd - and then we are done for the season!

Macro Monday - Kale

I just love the leaves on decorative kale

Sunday Stills Challenge - Glass

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Glass.  The first thing that popped into my head was windows but I wanted to look for other things too.

A display of gazing balls, also called yard globes

Transom light on a colonial building

Zoey gazing out the glass door

In Memory - September 11th

I posted this video last year.  It makes me tear up whenever I see it and I think it bears repeating.

In this day and age of instant communication, sometimes words are just not needed. Budweiser ran this ad just once, not to sell product but in tribute to all those that lost their lives on September 11th (click to view).

Never forget...

Practicing

A quick practice after a trail ride along and in the creek

The first full week of school (it officially started last week) has made our already busy schedules all the more hectic.  I've been reading blogs but haven't had time to comment so please don't take it personally!

We have the 5th gymkhana of the season Saturday (one more in October and then we are done) so wish T luck!

Skywatch Friday - Season 4, Episode 9

A turkey vulture soaring in the updraft on a windy day

Signs of Fall

On Labor Day we took a ride to the grain mill to top off the grain bin.  It was getting low and we have a show next weekend so we took advantage of the long weekend.  On the way back, we stopped at Hoover's Farm stand, one of our favorite places along the way.  Mary Ann Hoover makes the best oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and angel food cake.  The farm stand sells all kinds of produce, baked goods, flowers, and statuary. It's starting to look like fall.

Lots of decorative gourds

Maize, also known as Indian corn, for decorating

Sweet corn to eat

Apples by the basket

The temps will be back in the 90s this week but there are definite signs of fall.  I am so looking forward to crisp autumn days.

Happy Birthday, my Girl!!!

T turns 14 today - I can't believe it!  I remember when she was a little tiny thing.  Now she's a good 3 inches taller than me. 

Happy Birthday, My Girl - Love you!!

We are very proud of all that you are!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Busy Bees