Illini Abby

We were at the University of Illinois for twenty seven years, and during that time I got my Bachelors and my Masters in Education there. So even though we returned to West Lafayette, Indiana, home of Purdue University, and I did part of my undergrad degree at Purdue (and got my credentials for Gifted Education there, too), I am an Illini through and through.

That love of all things Illini spills into my classroom which is themed in orange and blue. My class is closed down for the summer, but this final picture taken last Friday gives you some idea of the orange and blue going on in it.

(I've had the child of one of Purdue University's head coaches in my class for the past two years. He would look around at all my University of Illinois orange and blue, shake his head, and just laugh.)

Is it any wonder, then, that the things I purchase for Abby are orange and blue, too?

My Favorite Horse Color Is...

Varnish roan. To me, nothing is prettier on a horse.

 I love the silvery affect it can give their coat, and the way it sometimes shifts and changes.

Unchanging larger spots are sprinkled throughout, and those are like buoys, markers as to where you are in the map of the animal's coat.

 White markings like blazes, stars, and socks feather out into the coat due to the roaming affect.

You might argue that, since Amy and Abby, my two favorite horses, have both been varnish roan Appaloosas, that is why I like the coat color so much. There may be some truth in that.

Regardless, I think a varnish roan coat is stunning.

Whodunit - Solved!!

A breed trait in foundation Appaloosas is a sparse mane and tail, something evident in Abby.

But there's a difference between a sparse mane and tail and one that is either rubbed off (such as when reaching through the hay rack to eat) or nibbled off.

I think I may have solved the puzzle.

Feeling Snorty

The agribusiness next door to the north pasture has been cutting down the brush line between their property line and Tim's. There's a lot of noise and a burn pile that's putting out its own noise and smoke.

That leads to a herd of horses feeling snorty.

They're not really scared - you can see in the movie that it's not a panicked galloping about.

Oil and Water

Normally, these two are oil and water. Despite Trouble's heft, Abby dominates him most of the time in the herd pecking order. (Being BFF with Diablo, the herd leader, probably has a lot to do with that!)

But every now and then, Miss Sassy Pants tolerates his presence and they spend a little time together.

Typical Hoosier Barns

Stereotypes are often rooted in truth, and the one about Indiana's love of basketball is a true one. There was even a movie made in the 1980s about the state's love affair with the game.

Another one is that, in rural areas around the state, a common sight is barns with basketball hoops mounted on them so kids can play.

 The old barn that stores the herd's hay and has two large run-in stalls for them is no exception.

Can you see it? It's old and weathered, but it's there.

Just waiting for another generation of Hoosier horsemen and women to play a pick up game.

Grammy's Girl

My daughter Jessica may not be a horsey girl herself, but she does a nice job of supporting her daughter's budding love of all things equine!

Cambria gives her mount a pat on the withers while Daddy looks on.

A gentle walk around the paddock.

 Adjusting the helmet to make sure she's safe.

And off we go again!

I hope they get to come to Indiana this summer to visit so we can go play with Abby and her herd mates!

Annie Oakley & Me

What girl from my generation didn't know who Annie Oakley was?

Back in the 1960s, I had a cowgirl outfit my mother made (complete with a felt hat) and a "pearl" handled cap gun. My sister, Leslie, had the same, and we spent hours together cantering around the yard on our pretend cowponies doing our cowgirl duties and shooting 'em up, just like Annie did.

So, when I was asked to loan some of my model horse collection for a display with Annie Oakley's things, I wasn't going to decline!

In September, 2013, my things were  included in an exhibit at the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association's annual get together and competitive shoot along with artifacts loaned by the Annie Oakley Foundation and the Tippecanoe Historical Association.

The common denominator? My sister, and fellow cowgirl, Leslie. She is a historian and works with museums and other organizations whose mission is to preserve historical items while promoting access to them. It was through her that this project all came together.

I have to admit, I was really excited that some of my horses were included with an exhibit of Annie Oakley's things! (Although, sadly, I did not get to see it as the display was not local - my sister often travels in the course of her work.)

 One of the two glass display cases of my collection. 

 Antique sidesaddles (one of my sister's loves) and rifles.

 Some of Annie Oakley's personal items along with some marketing items.

 Literature on display.

Leslie and her husband, Rick, manning the display while a visitor examines rifles.

Not sure who these folks are, but you can see the second glass case with my horses in the background.

I also loaned Leslie some horses that I keep for my grandchildren to play with - pieces that are okay to be "loved hard" and can handle being galloped across the carpet. There was an area in the exhibit for children to do some hands on things, and they were used in there. She told me the display had been a big hit, and that the children especially enjoyed the models.

Yep, me and Annie Oakley, were together at last. Riding into the sunset after we'd done our cowgirl duties.

Cheering the Kentucky Derby Horses On

Today was Derby Day, and naturally I watched the race. Lisa, Curt, Vanessa, Ian and Mila came over, and we ate Chinese takeout and cheered on the horses.

My pony pal, Ian, helped me cheer for Nyquist, the eventual winner.