The First Halloween Decoration!

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the colors, the smells, the approaching holidays and the anticipation they bring - there isn't anything I don't like about fall.

Yesterday I put out my first Halloween decoration.

Naturally, it was horse-related!

This is Cryptic, Breyer's third Halloween horse, produced in 2004. They have done many others since, but Cryptic is my favorite. And, he's the most realistic - the other Halloween horses have decorations painted on them instead of being made to resemble something you might really find.

Cryptic is made to look like a headstone decoration, but when the lights are out, there is a skeleton painted underneath that glows in the dark.

I think he is beautiful, even elegant, and one of the best ideas Breyer has had. They have never repeated the concrete/headstone color; I wish they would do a whole series like this!

Camp Horses and Ponies!

I took my class to Camp Tecumseh for a two day simulation of early Indiana pioneer life this week.  It was hot and humid, but the simulation was very well done - a mix of learning about Hoosier history and good l' campfire fun.

One of the stations the students rotated through was the barnyard where they got to meet a calf, pig, chickens, goats, a llama, and this cutie:

I don't know his name, but we were told he is a miniature horse. (Regarding miniature horses...  I've read arguments both pro and con, and I think a pony is a pony is a pony!)

 He was quite gentle and tame.

 Sharing the hay net with the goats.

The teachers were set up right across from the barnyard, so I got to watch him for much of two days.

I went around to some of the other stations so that I could take pictures of the kiddos and was surprised to find a bunch of horse related items in the log cabin.

 A horseshoe nailed to the lintel over the door.

 A curb bit (looks to me like it's from the 70s. Er, the 1970s, not the 1870s!!)

 A string girth (again, from more modern times.)

 And another bit, maybe older than the previous one.

But the pioneer camp is only one kind of camp within Camp Tecumseh. It is a year round camp, and there are many different aspects to it. One is the equestrian camp.

 There's a beautiful barn.

 The view down the barn aisle.

 The indoor arena. The flags represent the home nations of campers who've attended Camp Tecumseh throughout the years.

Some of the camp horses out at pasture. I couldn't get any closer to them for pictures, but had a better look earlier  and they appeared to be good quality horses.

Some oddly placed horse sculptures - inside a grove of pine trees and very easily missed.

I am not much of a camper, so while I enjoy this field trip, I dread the sleepover aspect of it. Having all the horses around me made it a much better experience.

More Mama Support

I am not the only horse-lovin' daughter my mama had. My sister, Leslie, is also a horsewoman and has been since she was little like me.

This is Leslie with Amy's son, Rusty. My mother is helping my niece, Holly, have a go bareback around the sand lot.

Mom owned the property that Leslie lived on at the time, making it possible for Leslie to have her horses. There was a nice pole barn, a small pasture, and a trailer on the property that Leslie lived in. It was secluded and quiet, and out by Americus near the Wabash River. (Hence all the sand.)

Leslie lived there until she married and moved onto the farm where she lives now.

9/11 Limited Budweiser Commercial

This commercial aired only once as the company wanted it to be a tribute, not a money maker. I still cry every time I watch it.

Abby's Friends - Snickerdoodle

Instead of focusing on Abby each post, I thought it might be fun to do an entry on each member of the herd. All the horses except Abby belong to Tim, and three are currently living elsewhere - Dolly is out in Williamsport with her third foal, a filly, and Sultanna, Dolly's first foal, is at a farm in West Point for training.

Dolly's middle baby is a yearling colt named Snickerdoodle.

The light in the old barn this afternoon was dim as it was partially cloudy outside, so you cannot see his gorgeous coat color.

But you sure can here! Snickerdoodle is a registered Quarter Horse and full brother to Sultanna and Dolly's newest foal (who has not yet been named.)

(Drat! The sun went behind some clouds again!) He's the lowest in the herd hierarchy and is quiet and very approachable - he seems to like being around people.

 Look at that backside - you can tell he's a Quarter Horse!

When he was foaled, Tim let my daughter, Lisa's class of 4th grade students compile a list of name suggestions. (They were very heavy on the names of candy bars and food. Go figure.) Tim chose "Snickerdoodle" or just "Snickers."

I don't know what Tim's plans are for Snickers or Sultanna. I know the newest filly belongs to the stallion's owner so I may never meet her as she is about an hour away. Snickers and Sultanna are almost perfectly matched in coloring and markings, and a gorgeous shade of gold. I would not be surprised if they end up staying with the herd!

To the Barn at Last!

I have been unable to get out to the barn to see Abby since my mother died on August 27.  She's only five miles from my home, but it's not the distance that was challenging, it was finding the time and energy to get there. Planning my mom's funeral, having all our children and family come in, keeping my classroom going, and dealing with the myriad things the passing of a loved one can bring took every ounce of energy I had and made for some very long days.

Last night I finally felt that things had settled enough for me to spare the time it took to head out and see my girl.

Abby was happy to see me - no dithering about whether she wanted to amble over and see what treat I'd brought her this time!

Nope! She stretched her head over the stall door as far as she could, crowding up against it  as you can see in this picture.

It was over 90 degrees outside, but inside the old barn was cool and breezy. (I love how the sun comes streaming through behind Abby in this picture.)

Abby made short work of the apple I'd brought her and then licked my hand thoroughly. That every-visit gesture from her was comforting. It helped me relax and feel as though some bit of normalcy had returned to my life.

I am so glad I was finally able to get to the barn. Horse therapy is a very real comfort.

A Mustang - Ford Style

My family teases me that, if it has a horse on it, I'll like it. While that is true about my two favorite football teams (the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Brochos are directly related to my passion for horses... )

 ... I think I'd like this car regardless of its logo.

 A 2014 Ford Mustang!

 It belongs to my nephew, Eric.

After my mother's funeral, we all changed into more casual clothes and were hanging around at my home, talking, playing games, and just enjoying being together as a family despite the sad circumstances that brought us together. I had been wanting a ride in Eric's car for some time, and I got it after dinner.

It was only a spin around the block, but it was fun. Thanks, Eric!