Hey, it's BreyerFest week at last! Let's celebrate here on the Horsiemama blog as we always do by listening to Chubby Checker's Pony Time!
I am soooo excited and looking forward to not only BreyerFest itself, but the week leading up to it.
Apologies for the two days of no blog posts. We've really had the perfect storm here for that to happen:
~ Due to researching and writing the BreyerFest History posts, I did not get any blog posts written ahead of time and scheduled to post for those days when I would be too busy to write.
~ We have so much family in! It is fabulous! It is busy! It is loud! It is exhausting! And we are so happy to see them.
~ I have passed the "early riser" gene on to more than one person in this family. I generally write early in the morning (sometimes as early as 4:00 AM) and I cannot resist a grand who walks in and starts talking to me. I'm not going to miss that opportunity to make memories with them.
~ And the worst reason of all - my computer appears to have some malware operating in it. I can't even get it to turn on. I noticed issues about a week ago that just got worse and worse. As I type now on my laptop (grateful to have it) Craig is working on my desktop. What little time I have had to write has been spent wrestling with that desktop.
In the meantime, Happy HorseFest week! Posting may be sporadic, but fingers crossed that my techie hubby can put things to right with my computer.
Stay 'tooned!
On the way to Indy for the 4th of July bocce tournament.
I skipped BreyerFest 1998. I had spent that spring student teaching, graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois in May, and was hired by the school where I'd student taught right after graduation.
Yikes! I had a very short summer to prepare my first classroom and familiarize myself with the curriculum for two grades (I would be teaching a 4th/5th grade multiage class).
Reading aloud to one of my first classes. This class used to ask if they could sit close to me while I read to them. They were such a nice group of kids. (And they are all grown up and in their thirties now!)
Of course, my children were very active in the summer, too: swim team practices and meets, sports, scouts, church, and more. Craig and I divided and conquered, but it was a lot to keep up with. And so I chose to not attend BreyerFest 1998.
BreyerFest 1999
This year Kathy and I went together again, but we met up with some hobby friends, sharing a hotel room with Stephanie Clift and Jessica Swaney. (Possibly Beth Dickinson, too, but she may have been staying in the host hotel by then.)
Beth, me, and Stephanie. (I wish I still had that tee shirt!)
Stephanie, Kathy, and Beth. (Beth is a huge draft horse lover!)
Believe it or not, that is all of the pictures I could find that I knew were from BreyerFest 1999!
Molokai, the 1999 Dinner Model Horse.
4,200 were made and value now runs $30 to $40.
I still have the program from the event tucked away in my boxes of hobby ephemera.
It is fun to compare it to the one Breyer just published for this year's event. That one is bigger and has so much packed into it.
The 1999 program is more minimal
and easier to read as a result.
Definitely earlier BreyerFests were not as intense
or as jam packed full of things to do for attendees as they are now.
A quieter, easier to navigate BreyerFest!
And as I write that, I am thinking of a social media post I recently read where someone asked how people were feeling about the approaching BreyerFest.
More than half the responses mentioned that the person was very stressed, had a lot to do, wasn't sleeping, would not be ready in time, and more.
I felt a little sad when I read some of those responses and I sure hope things smooth out and calm down for them so that they can enjoy the biggest event in our hobby.
It was in 1999 that I got all four key chains. I wish I had gotten Oreo, too. This page indicates that the Open Show was still being held in the Covered Arena.
The Bentleys! I used to buy so many models from them back in the 1970s. Lovely people.
There were far fewer model businesses back then and the number of ads for them is much smaller as a result.
I do not know Natalie, but back then everyone knew about Puffthemagicdragon Stables. She had the coolest purple and green fabric sign.
Never heard the 1962 song Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul, and Mary? You are missing out. It's gentle and lovely, and a little sad at the end. It's the story of childhood and leaving behind our childhood toys as we grow up.
Which begs the question, do adult collectors have Puff moments? Or are we still like little Jack Paper? I prefer to think that little Jack and I have a kinship and that my Puff is still hanging around in the form of a Semi-Rearing Mustang, an Indian Pony, or a 5 Gaiter. My Breyers still bring me happiness.
I wish I'd gotten that Welsh Corgi at the time, too!
The next BreyerFest I attended was 2000. I think. All I could find was the program so I am still trying to document my attendance.
Wait'll you see the program - it is 8 pages longer and with much more information crammed into it. Quite a change from the 1999 program!
And since it's hot and very summery outside, how about beginning with a horsey (and wintery) song.
Sleigh Ride on an O-roll Ochestrion! (Video from Bruce Newman/DuoArtOrgan.)
I said I would post a little about how my player piano works.
The video will show part of what goes on inside. (A second video that I made will not upload for some reason. I'll keep trying.)
These are the piano rolls that are played most often so I keep them at the side of the player piano.
I have more in the dining room next to the good piano, and then a stash in my laundry room - out of the blue, Bruce sent them to me last summer, saying he'd found them and thought I'd like them. (He was right, but there is definitely no more room at the inn for any more piano rolls now!)
I like to put the rolls out on top of the piano as decor.
When last having the player piano tuned (a beast to do according to the piano technician),
I snapped a photo of its interior. You can see part of the cast iron that makes up the inner workings.
Since it's the Fourth of July, let's hear my favorite piano roll one more time - The Stars and Stripes Forever.
I'm off to go eat some Texas Sheet Cake and play some bocce. Wish me luck and enjoy your holiday!
Wait, speaking of eating cake, would you like to have my recipe? Here ya go!
Texas Sheet Cake
Cake
Mix together 2 c. sugar and 2 c. flour in a mixing bowl.
Into a saucepan, put 1 c. butter, 1 c. water, and 3-4 heaping Ts of cocoa. Bring to a boil, and pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well.
Add 2 eggs and beat until blended.
In measuring cup, mix 1/2 c. milk, 1 T. vinegar, and 1 t. soda. Pour into mixing bowl along with 1 T. vanilla and beat. Pour into greased sheet cake pan and place in oven. Bake 25 - 30 minutes at 375. Remove and set aside.
Icing
Into the saucepan put 1/2 c. butter, 1/3 c. milk, and 3-4 heaping Ts of cocoa. Bring to a boil and pour over 1 lb. powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and pour over cake right away.
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and in our family, that means it's time for the annual family bocce tournament! (And Texas sheet cake, too. Always Texas sheet cake.)
My sister Jenny holds a potluck lunch and then we all head out to the bocce pitch (her front yard) and play. It's a highlight of the summer for us all.
We have been holding the tournament for 13 years and while I have stood on the winner's podium a couple of times, I have never actually won. Could this be my year? (Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!!)
Here's a look back at a few of my favorite videos from past bocce tournaments.
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2023
Curt and Cole coming down to the wire with Kyle judging and factions of the family cheering.
Why yes, we take our bocce seriously. Don't you??
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2021
The Great Bocce Mishap. Craig had won, and in celebrating during the awards ceremony (of course, we have a trophy and ribbons to 4th place), came close to taking out a competitor. How that bottle failed to break is a mystery but we are glad it did not.
Craig still feels sheepish about what happened, but told me it was okay to post the video here. Thanks, sweetie.
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2016
The singing of the Indiana state song complete with a little shuffle dancing by Jessica. (I mentioned that the song would be heard again in yesterday's blog post!)
We also sing the national anthem and, if Cole is here, have a "fly by" of the Blue Angels. (Basically Cole spreading his arms into wings and running as fast as he can across the bocce pitch while making airplane noises.)
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2018
A little brotherly/sisterly competition with my brother, Steve. And yes, I did sorta kinda cheat by bumping his elbow at the end.
But he deserved it, right? After all, he called me a loser! And he deliberately belched LOUDLY just as I was getting ready to throw my first ball! LOL
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As you might imagine, I am really looking forward to tomorrow's bocce tournament. (That Texas sheet cake, too.)
But most of all, I look forward to being with the family who is coming in for the weekend. Sarah, Todd and Trinity (with Blue and Rhett) arrive today, and Cole, Emily, Julie, Kate, and Susie (with Henry) join us in Indy tomorrow.
Of course, local family Lisa, (Nash and Mama), Curt, Vanessa, Ian, Mila, and Lukie (Gus) will be there along with other family members like Leslie and Rick, etc.
It's gonna be a day!
Note: Since I will have family here, blog posts may either be late or not appear at all. Don't worry if that happens. I will be back.
To honor the Fourth of July, I am going to play a few patriotic songs on the piano for you. I rarely play any more, so please forgive any "errors" I might make.
A little background...
We have two pianos, much loved reminders of the time when all six of our kids (and I) were taking piano lessons and we needed more than one piano so that everyone could get their daily practicing in. We actually had three pianos back then - one in the living room, one in the family room, and one in the dining room.
The "good piano" is now in our dining room - Craig bought it just after Lisa was born, taking a friend who was a professional musician with him to choose it. That was a very good idea - this piano has a beautiful sound.
Our second piano (and everyone's favorite) is in the living room. It has been dated to 1910 so it is an antique. A friend of ours, Bruce Newman, restored it. Long story short, he learned his craft at a school in Champaign, Illinois (where we were living at the time) that taught the repair of mechanical music-producing machines, and our piano was his student project.
I'd say he passed with flying colors - that was at least 30 years ago and the piano still plays beautifully despite its age. I love both pianos, but not gonna lie, this one is my favorite and the one I am going to play for you.
(Interesting side note: the interior of this piano is cast iron. It is heavy. It took seven men to move it into our home.)
Anyway! Back to the "concert." I hope you enjoy it and don't mind that I chat at you as I play. Feel free to sing along!
Our first number? My favorite patriotic song, John Phillip Sousa's The Stars and Stripes Forever! (3:57)
Isn't that a fabulous song? And isn't it amazing that I can play without using my hands on the keys?
Next up , our national anthem, Star Spangled Banner (3:36)
Now, a Civil War era song, The Battle Hymn of the Republic written by abolitionist Julia Ward Howe in opposition to slavery. (3:51)
And last but not least, a family favorite, one that is sung any time we cross the border into Indiana. Back Home Again in Indiana. (3:14)
(You will get to hear my family sing this song very soon. Stay 'tooned!)
That concludes the Fourth of July Concert. I hope you enjoyed it.
A little more about the man who restored our player piano...
After finishing restoring our piano as his student project, Bruce then married and moved to the west coast. He is now one of the world's premier restorers and repairers of mechanical instruments such as player pianos, pipe organs, and orchestrions. We feel lucky to have a piece of his work in our home.
Ever heard of an "orchestrian"? Here is a video of one that Bruce worked on that is playing Frostythe Snowman.
He has the outer case off because he was working on it and so that you can see all the elements as they work together to produce the music.
There is a fascinating variety of videos on his YouTube site that can be found here (DuoArtOrgan.) He has also restored calliopes, Wurlitzers, Fotoplayers, and more. Click on "Videos" and then scroll down. Jaw dropping.
Another time I'll show you just how a player piano works.
Meet Paul Bunyan! The breakfast model from the one and only Equilocity event I have ever attended. (With Kathy, of course.)
He is one big boy, hence the name. (Plus, Paul Bunyan was a lumberjack and this is a woodgrain model, so... yeah.)
My memory is very fuzzy about going to this event. I think Kat and I had first gone to Keeneland to watch the early morning training on the track. (Which was REALLY cool.) And then we went into a building at trackside where Equilocity was being held (complete with a breakfast.)
I have not had much luck in documenting more than that. And apparently other records are incomplete, too.
I contacted this site, confirming that the model was indeed the Standing Drafter in woodgrain and including photos to document that. I heard right back from the woman running the site and she thanked me and updated the information.
Each model was signed, dated, and numbered by Peter Stone. Kathy, didn't you get #002??
At the 2017 Stone Country Fair - Derby Daze, I won the prize for the oldest Stone model present that day with my Equilocity drafter.
And you know what? That's all I can remember about Equilocity. A good reason to write things down close to when they happen.
I'd like to say that, with one NAN already under our belts, Kathy and I were cool, calm, and collected (alliteration!!) for NAN 1997.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!! Not so! Held over two days (July 23 and 24) and with 174 entrants, the show was far bigger than the 1995 show. Cue the nervousness!
The show was held again in the Holiday Inn Ballroom which made it so the location was somewhat familiar for us both, but was it ever CROWDED. Even worse than NAN 1995.
(Like the 1995 NAN photos, these will have glare and distortion.)
My Windsong Sherif took Top Ten in the OF China Arabian Foals class.
Kat and one of THE nicest vintage Stablemates I have ever seen with its Top Ten ribbon. (Kat, I don't have any more pics of you from this NAN. I'll keep looking.)
Windsong Jaarko (named after my Finnish friend, Merja's, son.)
Fancy Freckles, a North Light British Spotted Pony. (You don't see North Lights at shows much any more but I sure loved him. Still do!)
MacIntosh took a Top Ten in the OF Plastic Native/Historical Costume class.
I was lucky enough to get on Lenore Jacobs' list for a Native American costume years ago. It always did well at shows. I still have it, but I rarely show performance any more.
Here is a recent photo of the complete set. It interprets the Lakota Sioux Nation.
Ouiatenon (guess where I got that name? LOL) took a Top Ten in OF Plastic Western Pleasure.
He also competed in the games division but didn't place.
You can see from this picture just how crowded we all were in the ballroom.
Two days of showing is a lot, but we still had plenty more to do on our BreyerFest agenda. One of those things was Equilocity.
