Holiday Horsiness: A Pony for the Winter

The holidays are here! Thanksgiving is this Thursday and Christmas is only a few weeks after that. I thought it would be fun to look at how horses are included in our holiday celebrations.

I'm going to start with an old favorite, the book  A Pony for the Winter. It's not really a Christmas book, but it takes place during the winter months. My original copy is long gone. I found this one in a pile of giveaway books at school. It's yellowed with age but other than that, the book is in great shape.

I was seven when I first read A Pony for the Winter. I had my glass horses, read everything about horses that I could, and had been pestering my parents for my own horse, insisting that the back yard was big enough. (That phrase has followed me through my life to this day - I must really have been insistent!)

The story of a girl like me, Deborah longs for her own horse. When ponies appear down the road from her home, she visits them and discovers that they are summer carnival ponies and need homes for the winter.

Her parents agree to let her have one of them and after soon Mollie, a small black pony, arrives.

Initially, everyone in the family as well as some friends help Deborah clean Mollie's stall, feed and water her, and even ride her. 

When I was twelve and got Amy, I remembered this page - could I ever relate! I used to lug buckets of water down the moraine to the paddock during the winter when the hoses froze. More than once I went to school in wet jeans from all that water sloshing out of the buckets.

A view from the top of the moraine.

Deborah finds that having a pony is worth every bit of work that they are. Eventually her family and friends get tired of helping, and soon Deborah is the only one caring for Mollie. I can still quote one of my favorite lines verbatim: "Ponies are a lot of work, but you're worth it!"

I used to look at this picture and just wish, wish, wish I had a horse! 

After a long winter full of the ups and downs of having a pony, spring rolls around and it is time to give Mollie back to the carnival. Deborah is sad to lose her pony, but then she is asked by the carnival operator to take Mollie again when summer is over. The book ends on a high note with Deborah happily looking forward to having Mollie back in a few short months.

Stay 'tooned for more holiday horsiness!

The Clay Horse that Changed Me

 As I wrote in my one of my 50th Anniversary posts, I went back to school in my mid 30s to get my teaching degree. One of the required courses was an art class. 

I am not an artist. I draw horses and mermaids the same way I drew them in 6th grade. My NaMoPaiMo horse will never win any prizes although I am beyond proud of it and plan to participate in NaMoPaiMo 2021. But that art class changed me in an unexpected way.

At the time I was going to school full time with six kids all still at home. While Craig and I shared the parenting/home responsibilities, it was probably the busiest time in my life. I knew how to multitask, how to streamline, and how to get things done quickly and efficiently.

The art class was the polar opposite of that. Twice a week we had two hours to create. I found it difficult to not go-go-go through my projects - and as a result, I always finished early and there was no joy in the journey. But as the class progressed, I began to understand the value in slowing down and taking my time.

And then something magical happened - I created a piece of art. And I had to slow down to do so.

We'd been given a piece of clay and told to create whatever we wanted and then given two hours to work. The professor fired our projects and then the next couple of classes were spent painting and glazing. 

The rationale behind that college class for teachers was that incorporating art into lessons is a wonderful way to educate kiddos. I discovered that I loved art and vowed to incorporate it as much as I could into my teaching.

Fast forward two years and into my very first classroom. It was there that I found that teaching science through art was an excellent way to engage students and enrich and broaden their learning.

One way I did that was through Gyotaku, a Japanese art form that originated as a way to study fish after they died. When my students studied oceans and marine biology, I'd go to one of the Asian fish markets near Purdue and buy frozen whole octopus.

We would lay them out on paper and ink their bodies, carefully place rice paper over them, and then lift up that paper and set it aside to dry.

We would also carve our own chop marks and add that to the octopus print. 

I'd rinse all the octopus off in my classroom sink and put them into the refrigerator for the next day's science lesson - dissecting those octopus! 

Believe it or not, even though a few kids were hesitant or even squeamish at first, I never had a kid not jump into the activity. I didn't force those who were unsure about dissection - I told them that they could just watch - and every time, those who hung back eventually could not resist the lure of seeing what was inside an octopus. (Try nine brains and three hearts for starters!)

I also learned (the hard way) to NEVER EVER EVER let the body parts go down the sink during post-dissection clean up. The year I learned that lesson, my classroom smelled like octopus for days and we had the windows open even though it was cold outside!

I no longer have my blue pottery horse. When my dear friend and penpal Sue Seese's husband died of a brain tumor, I sent it to her as a gift. But the lesson I learned when making that horse - to slow down, to enjoy the process of creating - is still with me.

Pony Pal Mila's Horsey New Bedroom

Recently Pony Pal Mila and Cowpoke Lukie traded bedrooms. I'm not clear on why, but Mila has been having fun setting up her new room. It's a horsey one, and a few days ago she took me on a tour.

She stopped as we went up the stairs - two barns were in the hallway and she wanted to show them to me.

These cubes are for holding horses and books but so far, no books are in sight.

One of the cubes was already full to the brim with model horses of various sizes and makes.

Mila had to show me her Breyer catalog. (How many times did I look through those when I was young?)

The sheets on her bed are horsey (and purple and pink. There is a LOT of purple and pink in her new bedroom.) I'm not sure what that red ball with a unicorn horn is.

There was a unicorn in her closet

and horsey art on the walls of the bedroom.

A brown stuffed pony was in a furry chair. Mila had to give it a hug.

There was pony after pony

after pony!

Sure looks like the horsey gene is very active in this Pony Pal!

Dear Anne - A Mini Circus Performance

 Dear Anne,

I'm back! Got my hair cut and colored and feel much better. It had gotten so long that I was constantly pulling it back into a pony tail to keep it out of my face.

Anyway, after those seals had bounded into the room and romped around, Circus Girl had an idea - a way to let Elecktra and Little Lynn see a bit of a circus performance. The side show acts, like the seals, were small and easily set up. Plus, some of those performers (specifically the Hagen Renaker Circus Ponies) liked any opportunity to show off. Why not do a mini side show?

The seals were so happy when Circus Girl pulled the ring out that they insisted on helping her set it up, too. (Notice that it's upside down. We didn't tell them because they were so proud of themselves for helping.)

They may be on winter break, but the seals were still in top form. I missed the photo op, but that seal on the pedestal threw the ball to Elecktra. Was she surprised! (And she caught it, too!) We all had a good laugh about that.

The dogs wanted to go next. Somehow one of the monkeys joined them - how did he get loose? I made a mental note to make sure he got back safely with the other monkeys when we finished.

The dogs were very energetic, and the smallest one was so exuberant that, when the act was over, she jumped up onto Elecktra's lap and give her a kiss!

Following the dogs were the pygmy elephants. Minnie, the baby in the middle, stole the show. She isn't actually in the act yet, but she followed her mama into the ring and then wandered around while the others performed.

The elephants had barely exited the ring when we heard the sound of approaching hooves. Coming into the ring at a gallop was a herd of miniature horses. Fondly called the "Phony Ponies," they packed themselves into that ring. 

Ten miniature horses, all at once! 

Last, but not least, the Hagen Renaker circus ponies performed. They are the real pros of the show, and their performance was flawless. 

Then we were in for a real surprise. Circus Girl brought Mr. Nedz out in full circus regalia and let the girls work him! What a showstopper he is!

After untacking and turning Mr. Nedz out into his paddock, we all sat around and chatted a bit. And then, Circus Girl had one last surprise in store for Elecktra.

She gifted her with her favorite model. Elecktra thanked Circus Girl and told her that she would treasure it always. (Your girl has such good manners, Anne!)

With some teary hugs and good-byes, Little Lynn, Elecktra, and I piled back into the car and headed to West Lafayette.  Elecktra had a box to catch so that she could go out in the day's mail to her next stop, Aurora, Colorado and a visit with Jennifer Buxton. (Lucky girl!)

Since we were all teary, I didn't take any photos of Elecktra's departure. I made sure that she had everything she needed for her trip and gave her one last hug.

Little Lynn and I will miss her, but we look forward to hearing about her adventures with Jennifer. Thanks again for letting her visit us, Anne! And we hope that some day you can visit, too!

Love always, 

Lynn xo

Dear Anne - Entering the Circus World

 Dear Anne,

I come by my love of circus ponies and horses honestly. You know that my dad owned a circus pony, O' Boy. But did you know that there is a strong circus influence in this part of Indiana? It's centered forty-eight miles upriver on the Wabash in Peru, Indiana.

Peru was the winter quarters for the Ringling Brothers Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The International Circus Hall of Fame is located there, too. 

And, I have family connections to the circus - my husband is a relative of P.T. Barnum and his cousin (one of my high school classmates) worked for years as a clown in the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus.

So is it any wonder I am so fond of circus ponies and horses? And that Little Lynn and I wanted to show Elecktra that part of our Indiana heritage?

My grandfather doing a trick with O'Boy.

Luckily for us, it is that time of year when the circus is in its winter quarters so Circus Girl was not on the road. She said that she  was happy to host us, but she wanted to be sure that we knew that, with the circus in their winter quarters, only practice sessions and new choreography was happening - no real performances were being given. 

Little Lynn and Elektra didn't mind that a bit, so we hopped in my car and drove up to Peru for a visit.

The girls were surprised to discover that Circus Girl was a model horse collector like them!

And she photo shows, too! This is Mighty Mouse, her favorite piece. (That made sense - Mighty Mouse is a circus horse!)

Circus Girl took us to the set of Flamingo Pond and to our delight, some of the flamingos came over to meet us along with Little Raj! Anne, grab your tissues - Elecktra told Circus Girl that she loved flamingos because they are a connection back to her mom and the flamingos she has in her yard.  (I think maybe Elecktra was feeling a bit homesick at that moment. I slipped her a Hershey bar from my purse.)

Next, we were introduced to some new members of Circus Girl's family of performers.

This stunning black percheron is called Black Beauty, or simply Beauty for short.

The girls were surprised at how big he was, so I pulled out this photo of me meeting a black Percheron in Santaquin, Utah while visiting Mountain Mama Jessica last year. Riggs is 18 hands and huge just like Circus Girl's Beauty.

Also new to Circus Girl's act is this lovely Welsh Pony, Merriment. He piaffes in place on cue!

Elecktra sure has a gift when it comes to horses. The last new member of Circus Girl's performance family was a very shy, skittish miniature horse named Gingerbredz.

Elecktra got down on her knees and offered him the apple she'd been saving from lunch. Little Gingerbredz overcame his shyness and stepped up for a nibble. (The flamingos were hoping to get a bite, too!)

Suddenly, there was a great deal of commotion and a couple of striped balls sailed in through the door. Following those balls was a bunch of rowdy, noisy seals. They bounced around the room, pushing those balls back and forth, balancing them on their noses, and threw them to one another. It was absolute chaos, and noisy, too!

Circus Girl turned to Elecktra and Little Lynn and said that she had an idea. She asked if they

Oh, shoot! Look at the time! Anne, I have to run as I am getting my hair cut in a few minutes and I am going to be late. Sorry to close so abruptly. More tomorrow so stay 'tooned.

Hugs from Indiana,

Lynn xo

Dear Anne - All Around the New Barn

Hi, Anne,

Sorry for that interruption - Pepper loves her daily walks and we were dodging rainstorms, so I had to go when there was a break between storms.

Anyway! Back to Elecktra's visit to the barn. After I topped off the water trough and we fed Abby and Sultanna their treats, Little Lynn could not wait to show Elecktra Tim's vehicle collection in the new barn.

They got the giggles at the paddy wagon since they'd promised to be on their best behavior and were now sending you photos of themselves in an antique jail wagon.

But they knew you would laugh - Elecktra and Little Lynn have good heads on their shoulders.

The girls especially liked the red and black family surrey. When they climbed up into the luxe leather seat, they discovered bells.

They promptly plopped down on those bells and started singing. They'd kick the bells with the heel of their boots and then sing along with the chimes.

 Oh, how I wish I'd gotten a video of that to show you - they harmonized beautifully! And Little Lynn taught Elecktra the song, Back Home Again in Indiana!

I jumped in and sang that song with them - I couldn't resist.

You had told me that Elecktra was bold and liked to climb things. Did she ever!

Not gonna lie, Anne, but my heart was in my throat when they scaled the mail wagon. I'm afraid of heights, but luckily things went okay and they came down when they saw how scared I was. They explained that they wanted to have the US Mail sign in their photo, and I guess that makes sense. 

A tour of the new barn isn't complete without going into the tack room and seeing Tim's collection of western saddles, bridles, and harnesses.

More climbing! Elecktra shinnied up some harness leathers

while Little Lynn stayed down lower - like me, sometimes heights bother her.

There are two antique typewriters in the new barn's office, and the girls had fun pushing the keys. 

It was like watching the piano scene in the movie Big where Tom Hanks plays that big keyboard!

Little Lynn and Elecktra tried out my English saddle and then went into the lounge of the new barn.

They checked out Tim's wood carvings

and the outhouse mousetrap. The "Do Not Open" sign on the door ALWAYS tempts people to open the door. Opening the door triggers the mousetrap but no one got hurt as the trap inside had not been set.

After touring the interior of the new barn, we went back outside. The girls noticed that bluebirds were coming in and out of the birdhouse mounted on the fence.

Elecktra climbed out onto it and peeked in the holes, but all the birds had flown away.

The last thing we did was walk out to the nursery paddock and climb into the hay mow of the loafing shed. Little Lynn showed Elecktra how to jump from the mow into the hay stack and then Elecktra gave it a try.

Honestly, Anne, I didn't stop them and I hope that that was okay with you.  Having done so myself a few times when I was their age, I know how much fun it is to jump into a big pile of hay. Plus, the hay was stacked really high so I knew the girls would have a soft landing regardless of where they jumped from.

Well, this letter has gotten lengthy - are you still reading? LOL I'll stop now, but look for another letter soon. I think tomorrow's plans are to go to the circus and visit Circus Girl and Mr. Nedz.

Don't worry about your girl - she's having fun and we love having her visit!

Love,

Lynn xo