HolaMole'

2010-06-06T05:43:00.000-07:00

A Nothing Post

Life moves on and Bella and I just stay plump. She is maturing nicely in our desert walks, but lays her ears if someone tries to pass. Her little short legs do double-time so she can stay ahead of the Tennessee Walkers and Hanoverians that get to watch her "attitude" from behind.

2010-05-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

Bella-12 Hours Old

And my font size is almost bigger than her. 5 years ago and so much life lived.

We had the equine dentist out and Bella had her first ever real check-up. She had a lovely cocktail and then the scraping, pulling and adjusting commenced. Now, a few weeks later, she is much more comfortable without those troublesome wolf teeth getting banged by the bit. I had no idea the difference it would make. And, the dentist let me feel the "hooks" on her inside lower molars. Now I fully get the whole importance of floating regularly. Money well spent.

Oh, I saved the pulled teeth which are about the size of human bicuspids.

2010-03-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

Our desert is blooming.
I heart my desert.

2010-03-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Bella

5 years ago a little buckskin filly was born with a zig zag stripe down her back and a big attitude. The Queen has arrived.

She makes me laugh everyday with her expressions and opinions.

No Photoshop was used in that picture to enhance her beauty or airbrush out that funny shadow on her muzzle. It's just Bella in all her perfection.

2010-03-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

Lucy and Ethel, Bella's best buds.

2010-03-07T16:09:00.000-08:00

Not so easy to see but Bella had a play-date out in the pasture. Lucy and Ethel, the two mini donkeys, got to go out with Bella. While Bella was very excited to have company the girls were hesitant to get too close. I was on anger management watch just in case Bella got possessive so I only got to snap this picture. Of course there was nothing to worry about.

Where did February go?

2010-01-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

Not Bella

Yeah, Not Bella Either

But aren't they cute? We've been thoroughly enjoying some of the nicest horseflesh on the planet...all in my desert right now. Every winter these jumpers and hunters come to town for 6 weeks and we get to watch some very fine athletes, both human and horse. We have likened it to all the prettiest models in the world, one nicer than the last, all in one place for us to watch. For 6 weeks. After awhile one tends to get extremely picky about which is the most beautiful.

And I find myself tending to pick ones that look like Bella.

2010-01-27T08:36:00.000-08:00

Lawn Mowing and Weed Eating

2010-01-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or is everyone else in love with their horse?

2009-12-31T17:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Bella and I wish everyone a very prosperous New Year.

Her accent is diminishing along with her grey.

This picture compliments of Cheryl who came for a little visit and knows how to find the perfect shot.

2009-11-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

Moved

I had Bella shipped to California from Mexico recently since it looks like we will be staying awhile. The trip up was slow only due to papers being produced and stamped and an 8 day quarantine at the border. It was nice that the 700 miles didn't have to be traveled all in one day.

I cannot adequately write the words to describe how hard this decision was to move the little horse from her native habitat. However, I finally decided this California desert isn't so different from her birthplace and that she could probably survive relocation especially at this tender age of 4. And with me to spoil the living daylights out of her for the rest of her life maybe she would some day forgive me.

Step One was to stress over her pick up. That was accomplished 3 days after the appointed date. I had found the very best horse shipper in Mexico who had a lovely 12-horse trailer and knew how to go about all the paperwork. My girlfriends met the trailer and stuffed Bella in without much more than some strong pushing. It took maybe 5 minutes. Step Two was to get her to the border and into quarantine. Blood tests drawn and sent off. Worry and wait, wait and worry. And worry some more. Finally the test results were in and she was free to go, so the next step was to haul her up to a farm in Tucson and prepare to be included in a group of 5 horses coming over to California. Another 7 hours in a trailer and she arrived safe and sound, coming off the trailer like the queen had arrived.

For a little Mexican horse who never left her birthplace this was a big trip with a lot of new stuff to see and encounter. I have found her a barn that appears to be so very perfect for her and me. Some very nice horses attached to some very nice women who would rather spend the day with their horses than just about anything else in the world.

Bella and I picked right up where I left off about 6 months ago when we left Mexico. She is already nickering at me when I arrive at the barn for my daily visit. Music to my ears.

A new phase for us has started.

2009-11-17T05:43:00.000-08:00

I can't resist a pile of kitties.

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2009-10-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

Seahorse
Monterey Bay Aquarium July

Seahorse
My Friend in Mexico yesterday

2009-09-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Good Buddies

Sunni and Cali are sharing their ration of psyllium and beet pulp just as my buddy, Cheryl, shares her experience of horse ownership with me.

I'm very fortunate to have met her.

2009-09-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

More Hurricanes

Our cat, Floyd, turned 10 this weekend. The little feral Plain Jane has lived his extra lives to the fullest and can now live as a senior citizen with his senior citizen hosts.

10 years ago this week Hurricane Floyd wrecked havoc along the eastern seaboard, causing millions of dollars in damage with unrelenting rain and then flooding in Eastern North Carolina, our cat's birthplace. The island where he was born was evacuated when it looked like the approaching hurricane could be a problem.

When residents returned to the island after the worst of the storm passed, our good friend found this little rat in the middle of the road, abandoned by his mother before his eyes were even opened. Ray fed him from an eye-dropper, taught him to use a litter box properly, and turned him over to the other house cats for proper attitude adjustments.

Late in October of that year, my husband and I were back there having a little vacation in our beach house on the same street as Ray. We had lost one of our two rescue cats a few months before to a birth defect, and the surviving cat was still lost without his brother.

Ray was completely smitten with this little Floyd who would ride in the car right on his shoulder. Ray's wife was beside herself with an overabundance of cats they were already living with and gave Ray the ultimatum of culling the herd, or she would.

Lucky for us! We weren't really in the market but it seemed like Floyd might just be the perfect companion for our lonely Chester back in California. Floyd had whatever shots a 6 week old cat can have, and I purchased a soft-sided carrier so I could take him on the plane like a piece of carry-on luggage. The rule was something like the pet had to be 9 weeks old to fly so we lied and took him anyway.

Chester welcomed Floyd with open paws and started right in showing him the territory he would be responsible for in our housing development. Before we knew it, we had two roving bird and rodent and goldfish (or koi) murderers.

There is more to Floyd's story.

2009-09-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hurrican Hits Home

It was late last week. Nobody up here knew anything about it. It didn't impact Cabo so it wasn't a story anymore. My friends down in my town are still suffering without water but they have electricity, phone, and good attitudes.

2009-08-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

Another lovely day in Paradise with so many horses so little time. Cheryl Ann invited me up to visit her herd again right before school started. I felt very honored to be with her on her last day of summer vacation and share in her wonderful horseflesh. Everyone had their time out of the pens and got a little special attention.
Thank you, Cheryl. I hope your school year is wonderful. Those kids are lucky to have you for a teacher. I'm sure you change many little lives.

2009-08-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

The Cove

I had the pleasure of a few days over in Santa Monica with my sister this week. When she has free time and I have free time we like to go to the Farmer's Market or a good movie. We got to do both on Wednesday. If there is an opportunity in your world to see The Cove I highly recommend it. Dolphins in Japan. Dolphin slaughter in Japan. From a man who worked on the Flipper TV series. Your heart will ache for his deeply felt guilt over not understanding the dolphin's condition until he lost his best friend, and how he is dedicating the rest of his life to their safety. Please see it and spread the word.

In other news, today my good buddy back in North Carolina sent me a snapshot of a recent Leatherback hatch on the Outer Banks. When we lived back there in the 90's, I was on a Turtle Patrol team. That meant walking the beach very early in the morning to see if there were turtle tracks and possible nests. Once the nests are identified they are cordoned off with police tape and checked daily to be sure no crabs, birds, or humans have disturbed them. After 60-70 days the nest boils (hatches) and out (up) pour dozens and dozens of hatchlings. It is then the Turtle Patrols' responsibility to safely see that the children crawl toward the ocean. That 50 or 100 yard crawl is very important for the babies' lungs. Thereafter they will need those expanded lungs to take deep breaths for their sea lives.

I wonder when the whole world will understand how important our oceans are to our terrestrial lives.

2009-08-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Cactus Blooms

2009-08-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

Sunni has a good lesson.

I got to go up to enjoy Cheryl Ann's beautiful horses again and, boy, did we have a busy day. She boards them uphill from the extremely hot desert we live in, so they enjoy a more reasonable summer.

Cheryl Ann's cousin is an amazing woman who has had horses in her life since she was a kid and has learned how to train and work with them. She's that one in a million horse person who really reads a horse well and they respect her as soon as she enters their space.

The one horse that needs a good teacher is Sunni, a big gelding who worries about the gremlins under every blade of grass, and has a huge sensitivity to his behind. The farrier cannot even get to his back feet.

Cheryl Ann's cousin is taking her time and gaining his confidence in baby steps. In the above picture she is asking him to "stay" and then walking to either side of him and eventually behind him. He has to trust her and in the picture you can see how hard he is concentrating. I just love him. They make a wonderful team. By the end of the 30 minute lesson he was allowing her to walk directly behind without moving his rear away.
Here is Scout with Cheryl Ann. This mare is gorgeous, built like a real honest cow pony who could work all day, and has her own opinion about lessons.

I am so fortunate to have met such a wonderful friend with a stable full of horses, and with a cousin who can interpret a horse's thoughts, and who is willing to share the bounty with me.

2009-08-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

Mexican Veranda

Lots of visits and lots of visitors. Some phone calls. Some drama, but not all. A grandson getting his driver's license and one starting high school at a college. Sisters returning.

My good buddy, Cheryl Ann, has been so kind and has invited me to visit her lovely herd again tomorrow. I think all will become clearer and my perspective better after smelling some horse flesh.

2009-07-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

Mustang

I had the delightful pleasure of meeting a fellow blogger on Monday. Cheryl Ann invited me to go to her barn and meet her herd which includes two mustangs, two thoroughbreds, a lovely quarter horse, and a big warm blooded gelding. I kept thinking how wonderful it is to have so many muzzles to kiss, so many pony nickers calling for attention, so much horse-flesh to squeeze. I was in awe of so many colors and personalities.

In the end though, I had to agree with what the horses were showing me. They are lucky to have such a warm, loving person to take such good care of them.

The picture above is of her alpha mare, and one of her mustangs, Scout. You can see by that expression that Scout loves having Cheryl touch her and talk to her.

2009-07-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

Mama Baby

This little mare was my #2 horse. She was my first horse's baby, probably # 6 foal or something. Her daddy was supposedly a son of Poco Bueno. That's a straight line to the big guy. She was born in August of '64, when I was gone. About 12 years later I repossessed her and enjoyed her spirit and willingness until I had to sell her 5 years later. She was your typical little bitchy mare and I loved every minute of her attitude.

She never had the chance to reach her potential, yet she was a fine, flashy ride. She turned heads when we rode along the roads. I still miss her.

I was up in Monterey last week and had the pleasure of visiting my friend who is riding a beautiful Hanoverian mare for a woman. This is one of those perfect examples of a very well trained horse with abilities that have been tapped beyond Dressage. She has not exactly reached her potential but has had every opportunity to with wonderful schooling. She is jumping and showing and enjoying life at a lovely barn. I watched her float through transitions.

Of course reaching potential is not what owning a horse is supposed to be. You should be able to enjoy your horse without keeping it in training, trying to find everything the horse is capable of doing. Sometimes just keeping them healthy and happy is enough.

2009-06-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Appaloosa

So a couple of posts ago I showed my little mare with a very full head of hair. A forelock that begs to be braided and removed from in front of her eyes. The look and the attitude reminds me so much of a pre-schooler with hair that needs tending but turns out to be too big a fight to accomplish. My little mare is good about grooming, scratching ears, soft brushing her face, but combing that forelock always produces a frown and her trying to move away. It's a good thing I once-upon-a-time had a little girl, human-type, so I understand the complex attitude that small females have.

My last horse before Bella, Buck The Perfect, or Prince-The Horse Formally Known As Buck (after he moved into the barn with a stall all his own), was certainly as opposite to Bella as black is to white. While Bella was only a halter broke yearling when I bought her, Buck was a bomb-proof old man when he came into my life. I had no intention of paying good money for an old bag of bones, but Buck had other ideas. He turned on his charms, sweated that sweet horsey pheromone, and looked me square in the eye and said, "Lady, really you do need to have me to take care of you in payment for those buckets you'll supply everyday, always. K? It's a deal then. Go pay the woman."

All of my old grooming equipment dwindled down to a hoof pick, a couple of brushes that were like steel wool, and a sponge or two. I could take that hard mud remover brush you might use on legs and scratch it through his body and he loved it. Not much need for a mane and tail comb since he only had a couple of mane hairs which I loved each Spring when they grew long enough to bend over, and just a tuft of fuzz for a forelock. And his tail? Just enough to pretend to hunter braid, sort of.

In the summer I worried about him not being able to swat flies properly since his tail wouldn't really reach all the way around to much past his butt. I tried several types of fly sprays that worked a few minutes until those lovely pheromones found the pests again.

A couple of friends helped me come up with a perfect plan to attach a tail bag to his stubby hairs so he wouldn't be so handicapped in the fly removal area. We were all very thrilled with ourselves when we braided him and attached this nylon extension.Back out to the field he went, obliviously proud of himself. Problem solved.

Oops.

The winds tend to whip up in the California valleys in the afternoon. Buck had now become a one man wind-sock, tail blowing straight sidways, letting us all see what direction the wind was blowing.

Before we gave up this hair-brained idea we tried stuffing straw down in the empty sock to weight it down. No go. Even that did no good. Anything heavier might have pulled his skinny little braid right out and he would have been worse off. We forgot the tail bag entirely.

He was a marvelous horse. My once in a lifetime push-button pony. He passed away in 2003.

2009-06-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

What Cat?

2009-06-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

Bella as a Yearling.

2009-06-16T06:59:00.000-07:00

Facebook Quiz

Don't you love those tests that prove who you are? The ones that validate what you know already? Facebook is loaded with them. Maybe it is for those who are still figuring it out.

You are water: Known as the smart element, you are a thinker known to consider things before delving into them. Still, if there are sudden unforeseen problems, you flow right past them, finding alternative solutions. In other words, you are resourceful, and your fantastic memory helps you stay that way. Inherently, water has two characters: moving, and still. There may be stages in your life where you become sense-driven, filled with wanderlust; and other times when you are simply... calm. Be careful of the first, since it can lead to a bad habit of easily discarding your goals for new ones just as easilly discard later.

2009-06-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Mexican Bird of Paradise

Whew. It took me weeks to solve that puzzle.

Otherwise, the temperatures in our California desert are the best of the whole year. Open windows overnight, shirtsleeves and swimming during the middle of the day.

2009-05-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

My Fireworks Plant

I don't know the name of it even though I bought and planted it myself in my tiny California garden. We have these plants near our house in Mexico, too. The plant has exploded into bloom in the last two weeks since we drove up here.

2009-05-28T08:46:00.000-07:00

Dinner Roll Tragedy

I think Michigan is having a very hard year.

2009-05-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Fashion Police

Thankfully the fashion police weren't out yesterday as we took our trail ride. My capri jeans are my favorite riding pants, and when coupled with my ropers are always an attractive statement, however now that I see it from this perspective it doesn't enhance my fabulous body or look as I imagined. The jeans are a size too large so sitting and moving are easier. The Fresh Produce shirt is short to the waist. Under the shirt is only a jog bra. Put that all together with a peek-a-boo leg and you've got no-no's galore.

Since I was a young rider I've never ever cared how I looked on my horse. I always put on what was comfortable for the season and trail. Luckily the horses never spoke up to either compliment or complain about the dress code I chose. But after always thinking I look OK, and now seeing with my own eyes I might be mistaken, I will be picking through my closet a little more...complimentary shall we say.

However, if this is all I see I'll fall right back into my old habits.

2009-05-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

Trimming a Mini

One of Bella's best friends is Munchkin. They are neighbors most of the time unless another horse goes into Bella's normal paddock and she gets shuffled to another. Bella got her shoes done yesterday and naturally Munch had to have her toes filed, too.

2009-05-03T08:48:00.001-07:00

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2009-04-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

I rode Bella today in the arena and she wore out before I did. I've got to try to work her every few days since she has gained, oh, just a tiny bit of weight. Tonight, as she got her coffee cup of pellets, she had regained her energy because she ate it like a dog.
Easy Keeper!

2009-04-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

Winos In Paradise

So no sooner did we get home from California but we had friends come down to help celebrate a rather inconsequential birthday. They brought 6 packs of wine...3 of them. And their 3 dogs.

Mugs of wine and shrimp tacos. Onion rings. Watermelon. Carnitas. Pineapple. Tamales.

Our friends have gone back up across the border and they replaced the wine with fresh squeezed orange juice and kilos of fresh shrimp.

Time to get back to basics.

2009-04-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

Yes

We drove back down into Mexico yesterday. It was a lovely trip if a little too windy. Our SUV was bumped by wind the whole way. And, we did not see any border trouble at all. It seems to be somewhere else that they are talking about.

Obama is in Mexico today discussing the drug/gun border problems. Do you think he might stop by for a piece of my birthday cake?

2009-04-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things in memory is sharing daily life with my big sisters. We played outside until after dark...together...me trying to be as big as them, while they made sure I could keep up. We three girls have been best friends forever, and we always introduce our new friends to our sisters.

Having the privilege of meeting, and being included into, a new form of family in the blog-world has simply been delicious to me. The more the merrier.

I love my real sisters, my real-life girlfriends, and now my blog friends. You are all my sisters.

Carolynn passed on this Sisterhood Award and I just want to say how much I appreciate it. I have a few women to pass it to that you may or may not know. Check them out and they may become your sister too.

Kristy who is a delight and a sister.

Stacey who owns the biggest horse.

Donna who was one of my first blog sisters and I think of daily.

Anne who turns a phrase so well and is raising a sister.

MiKael who is the ultimate sister with her stamina and determination.

2009-04-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

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2009-04-07T06:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday at the College of the Desert Outdoor Market

Sunday at La Quinta's quaint Farmer's Market

It doesn't get more "California" than this. Designer dogs in backpacks, amazing fruit and vegetables picked very close by, everyone carrying home fresh eggs and local bread.

We've been eating strawberries everyday since then. Sliced strawberries with sugar and Meyer lemon juice. I can't quite get enough.

2009-04-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

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2009-04-01T06:06:00.000-07:00

Bounty

That is our first crop of oranges from our little tree in our tiny yard up here in California. The next crop is already starting now that the deliciously fragrant blossoms have fallen off and left baby oranges the rest of the year to gestate on the tree.

The wine? Yes, well now that is just for my restful mind. I received the sweetest un-birthday present from Carolynn, the book Radiant Body, Restful Mind along with a fancy Lavender sachet from L'Occitane that is sitting right here next to my computer. Thank you a million times, my friend. I read through the first chapter yesterday and found myself breathing deeply and relaxing with a handful of raisins and my legs in the sun. Treating myself properly.

Since my birthday is marching up the lane this month I am going to do the same thing she did and offer this lovely book up to someone who just needs a reminder to treat yourself like the valuable human you are. If you would like to receive my own un-birthday gift being passed forward leave a comment and I'll do some random eeny meeny miny moe thing. All of my blogger buddies are valuable, you know.

2009-03-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

Barn Puppies @ 9 Weeks

I got so lucky! Diane gave away all the puppies but these two little girls. Now she simply refuses to let these two go. Last year several of her old dogs passed away and she has been missing her pack that goes out in the desert with her when she rides or walks.

Do you see that one of them is my precious Dot? Diane tried to name her something else that didn't fit and is now back to Dotty. The other puppy is Guapa who seems loaded with personality. Dot tends to be a little shy, which is so endearing, but she knows me and comes running.

I will work at getting a real picture of them some other time. They are in perpetual motion. As this picture was snapped they were about to attack the cat. The cat loved it. I guess they are his puppies, too. They are about the size of the cat at this time.

2009-03-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

We are going to be driving back north across the border in a few days and I don't have even one moment of doubt that we will be safe. It's really a shame that the drug problems have gotten so bad that people are worried about traveling down into Mexico. We see none of the trouble.

Maybe it is time to legalize marijuana.

2009-03-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

The dreaded cell phone pictures again.

Gary and Bella went out in the desert for a ride with friendly Larry on Rubio. My girl was quite pooped after cantering in circles and then walking with her buddies. So much stimulation.
I didn't take another picture of how lovely she was after rolling in the poop pile after being unsaddled.

2009-03-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

I've been up in California for 2 weeks and today was my first day back out to see Bella. Gary worked with her a few times while I was gone and showed me what they have been doing. He has her really understanding leg pressure and moving off the leg. Also, the canter is coming along.

Gary is a retired trainer. He got lonesome for horseflesh while down here for the winter. He'll be gone in a few weeks.

I couldn't have been more fortunate. He is soft and light with Bella. A perfectly wonderful man and she is an amazing little horse.

2009-02-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

Our Sundial

Our mountains can almost tell the time of day/time of year with their shadows on our bay.

2009-02-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

Barn Puppies @ 4 Weeks

This beauty has already been chosen.

These two dolls are still up for grabs.

And then there's Dot.

You can see why we call her that.

I'm not taking a puppy. Nope. Really. Nada. But I wish my neighbor would decide she needs to take Dot home.
I'm going to take her out to the barn this week sometime and just put Dot in her hands. If she gets one whiff of that puppy smell I think she'll be a goner.

2009-02-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

Does she look like an Arab yet?

My friend, the retired Arab trainer, was willing to teach Bella to collect herself. I think she looks like her Andalusian side of the family.

With our limited facilities and no, (zero, zip) tack stores we can improvise fairly well.

2009-02-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

Cabalgata=Cavalcade

There was a horse get-together today, or maybe better to say a cowboy get-together on horseback. They met up at 8am, rode a few miles before stopping for breakfast and cervezas, and then rode on some more. They should be done before nightfall.

The horses were all pretty well mannered as they paraded by us. One friend refilled her soft-sided cooler with fresh beer that we handed over.

Could be some of Bella's relatives.

2009-02-12T13:13:00.000-08:00

Thursday Haiku

Pelicans swirling
Like clouds over schooling fish
Dive-bombing, full throats

2009-02-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Full Moon Monday Morning Sunrise

The sunrises are heading north again, over the hills, on the other side of the palm trees, and the water turns to copper for only a few minutes as the colorful clouds are reflected on the smooth sea.

2009-02-06T13:56:00.000-08:00

Finger over the cell phone lens.

Still it is us out on a "real" trail ride.

I was pretty happy with Bella and she was almost as happy with me. We want to do more of this kind of riding.

Sandy and Brent rode with me.

It was 80 degrees this morning before noon.

There just doesn't have to be drama.

2009-02-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

Awful Cell Phone Pictures of Cute Week Old Mexican Barn Puppies

4 boys, 4 girls. Little piggies are growing like ticks and about to open their eyes.

Nope, I'm not going take one home but I am already partial to Dot, the cute little black and white female with the prominent dot on her forehead.

2009-01-27T04:47:00.000-08:00

Bella had her first set of shoes tapped on gently by Hoel. He is the only shoer who has handled Bella and there was no drama. I'm going out this morning when it gets light to see if she still is standing on all 4 feet. After he was done and paid ($25 and I bought the shoes and nails in the US a few weeks ago) she seemed rooted in the same spot. I'm not sure about that. Hoel got a little sweaty since it was warm but Bella didn't. Ho Hum.

Hoel has cut and scraped Bella's feet for 3 years. Most of this was just the some old stuff to her.

Sonora, the oldest dog at the farm, knows to hang around for nice new horse hoof clippings.

2009-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

2009-01-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

Twinville over at Laughing Ocra Ranch was making me laugh with her Obama poster art. So, I had to try too.

Thank you for entertaining me and giving me a fun project to play with.

That woman is so energetic that she makes my head spin.

2009-01-21T09:35:00.001-08:00

I awoke in the middle of the night last night to rearrange Floyd who had taken over my pillow and had tucked his paws in my hair. I became aware of an excited and happy overall feeling.

THE OBAMA'S HAVE ARRIVED!

This means so much to our country and individually we have our dreams of how these next few years will play out.

THE OBAMA FAMILY SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE WHITE HOUSE!

For the first time in 4 or 6 or 8 years I don't feel the need to run away. Now I can go back to the US proudly as a citizen who belongs in that group of millions at the capitol mall.

Oh, and also, as a little more excitement on my way back to sleep, I remembered my short trail-ride yesterday on Bella. She was a champ with a good steady pace once we were truly away from the barnyard. At one turn up the road she flattened her ears at her mother who was ahead of us. I suppose that meant she didn't want to go that way but her four little legs went anyway. Also, she must get shod before we go out again due to sore feet by the time we got home.

2009-01-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

Bella's 6th LessonAll 4 legs planted squarely.
Bella's jog is very nice to sit.

She has gotten more and more interested in trotting. I got 2 steps of a canter but she just worried about breaking into it with me on board. I'm noticing that if we try something in one lesson, by the next lesson she will probably do it beautifully. I'm not hammering new ideas into her but just trying stuff. Her "back up" is coming along and her turn around on the rail is softer.

Karen took these pictures for me. I have been really good about wearing my helmet during these practice sessions but neglected it this time. When I tried to mount Bella, she was quite interested in going over to Karen and didn't stand still. I set her up again and she understood this time that walking off is not acceptable.

At the end of this lesson I asked her to back through the gate and then we left the barnyard and rode out to my car to unsaddle. It's all good!

2009-01-11T05:15:00.000-08:00

Bella and Roman

Bella is giving Roman "horse signs" that he needs to move-on. Ears back, teeth, snaking neck. Scares me, but macho Roman couldn't care less. I've even seen Bella flash the stink-eye at him if he dare to get close to her bucket. Speaking of teeth, she has a new incisor (right on schedule.)
I think Bella secretly likes Roman's soft fur but wants to make him think she's the boss.

I quietly slipped onto Bella's bare back yesterday. It was heavenly. We walked slowly around the arena and I quietly slipped back off. I hugged her neck and slowly got to the ground. Her only interest in this event was to turn around and sniff my leg, then she walked on gently. Our lessons are going forward so nicely.

2009-01-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

Floyd didn't want to talk about it.

2009-01-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

Quinceanera for Christmas

We had the amazing opportunity to go to a real quinceanera over the Christmas week. We had about one week to prepare and a few days to make reservations. I'm a pretty good travel agent and map reader and so had towns picked out and dates decided.

We left home on Christmas Eve and headed down to Mazatlan. Driving into that city on that very afternoon seemed like such a great choice and we were both very excited to have gotten there. Two days later we headed down to Morelia, into new territory for us. The drive was perfectly beautiful, and then the city of Morelia was beyond our dreams. Pulling into the city center felt like being somewhere in Italy.

The quinceanera was near Morelia, in a very small village with hardly a name or a street sign. It did have a lovely church in the center of town. We certainly looked out of place but never felt that way. Some of those pictures from my last post are of us all walking from the church as the Mariachis serenaded the young woman on the way to the party. What a lovely experience.

After 2 days in Morelia we headed up to San Miguel de Allende for an overnight. Another beautiful city which we will try to return to when we aren't in the middle of a whirlwind trip. Then one night outside of Guadalajara where we shopped for talavera and felt spoiled at our Bed and Breakfast.

At last we headed back to Mazatlan for one more overnight before driving on home.

Jewels for sale by the Mazatlan bay.

Fruit for sale by the Mazatlan bay.

Mazatlan before sunset.

Guards in San Miguel de Allende.

Carved door in San Miguel de Allende.

2009-01-02T08:42:00.000-08:00

Road Trip Squared
2200 miles in 7 days

more to come

2008-12-22T05:48:00.000-08:00

I never get sick of colorful awakenings. Every one has its own character.
Today starts the lengthening of days!

2008-12-13T05:27:00.000-08:00

Bella's Progression

We've had 3 lessons under saddle now with Bella progressing very well. I have changed her saddle to a lightweight synthetic black one that fits better and doesn't overwhelm her back.
Lesson #2 we walked out better and started figuring out turning and sometimes stopping at Whoa. Less time was spent on the lunge line.
Lesson #3 she really started listening to my requests to go, turn, stop. And we trotted. And we used the whole arena and moved through a cat fight right in front of us without being troubled more than stopping to look. I turned her in a few big circles and walked her over the poles I'd set on the ground.
We might try outside the arena next. I haven't had my camera since the first ride but will try to remember it next lesson.
I'm driving up to Tucson to pick up sister Barbie tomorrow and that means Bella's lessons will be limited for a week.

I never dreamed these lessons would go so quickly, but that's because I play these scenes out in my head and they always have unhappy endings. Reality is so much better than fantasy.

2008-12-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

Bella Under Saddle

All of the right planets lined up on Wednesday in the proper order so that my confidence in Bella's attitude was perfect. Karen met us out at the barn to offer a friendly hand.

I saddled Bella over by her corral and then led her to the little arena. No complaints, all is well. 78 degrees and not a breeze to be seen. I asked her to lunge a little just to be sure there wasn't any hidden loose screws. Karen joined us and stood quietly by while I mounted and tried to sit deep and relaxed in the saddle. We petted a minute in that position. Then we asked Bella to follow Karen around the arena once to see if her balance was Ok with my weight on top. Still no feathers flew.

Back to the middle of our little lunging area and Karen asked Bella to go on out on the circle. Each of Bella's feet made their own deliberate step. There was no hurry. We went around in Pony-Ride circles both ways with me begging myself to relax and enjoy the moment.

Soon Karen thought we might try walking without the life-line lunge line. That stumped Bella. How to walk forward without a Mother's hand to hold. After we finally got a little movement we decided to dismount, pet and check saddle, and mount back up. This time we did more steps on our own and then dismounted on the opposite side.

She was a champ, my little girl.

I pulled the saddle while still standing there and she didn't have any dampness anywhere. Meanwhile, my bra was soaked.

I wish I had worn something a little more sparkly and photogenic, but it certainly wasn't about me. Bella takes good pictures under any condition.

2008-12-02T08:41:00.001-08:00

Coconuts

I found these love-a-ly coconuts upon arrival in Mexico. The tree was busy all summer while I was gone. Now I'll need to open one and see if they are any good. It is the first real "crop" this 14 year old tree has produced. I'm so proud.

Bella has not forgotten her lessons from last Spring and seems ready to take on a passenger. As soon as I can pin down another horsey friend I will mount and have my friend on the end of the lunge line.
My little horse continues to lighten. I bought a yearling buckskin and now have a 3 1/2 year old light grey filly. Maybe I should ask for a refund.

We got down here before Thanksgiving but went right back up across the border to be in the US of A for the holiday. The weather is so perfect right now I don't want to go anywhere for awhile.

2008-11-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

A Joke for my girlfriends just to keep you entertained awhile longer until I return to Mexico:

IMPORTANT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN Do you have feelings of inadequacy? Do you suffer from shyness? Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive? If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include: - Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration - Erotic lustfulness - Loss of motor control - Loss of clothing - Loss of money - Loss of virginity - Attraction to the same sex - Table dancing - Headache - Dehydration - Dry mouth - And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.
WARNING : The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

2008-11-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

The Day A Fascination Became A Passion

This is the exact moment that I was sunk for a lifetime. This old white mare was not the first horse I got to sit on, but she was the first one I got to ride. The first time I had hold of the reins and had the opportunity to turn, stop, go, move. Comet was a wise old mare who knew how to take care of me even when I had no sense of danger or urgency or possibility. I didn't even know how to ask but she understood what her job was.

It was Northern California probably around the fall of 1956. The cattle had to be moved down from the high hills to the low hills before winter rains made it difficult to check on them. It was a different time, a different era. We found the cattle by listening for the cowbells. As naive as I was then the cowgirl bug bit hard and forever after my best fantasies were of moving cattle aboard a reasonable cow horse.

I probably did little more than a fast walk directly behind a real wisened old cowgirl. I don't remember if she had a lead rope on Comet, but I bet she just barked at me to stay behind her. That was how Sally dealt with children. They were to be seen...doing as told, not requesting but helping. I would never dream of asking a favor of Sally. I was there to do her bidding, to learn how to grow up to be just like her so I could go on cattle round-ups several times a year. She rolled her own cigarettes and fried a dozen eggs in a cast iron pan over an open fire without breaking a yolk.

I lived about 200 miles away from Sally and Comet and so did not get to be a cow girl often, but I did get to fall madly in love with horses forever and always.

I've got this one picture to remind me where it all started and how I have always wanted to achieve the common sense, no nonsense, approach to horsemanship.

How about you? Do you have memories of when and where it happened?

2008-11-02T16:31:00.000-08:00

Alternative Energy

I was driving 80 miles per hour down highway 10 when I clicked my cell phone to try and capture a few of our windmills that make up an enormous windmill farm on the west side of Palm Springs.

I've had this on my mind quite a bit with the tide-charts of gas prices. I certainly hope within the next decade we can all be more confident that we aren't ruining the environment while at the same time we can move back and forth across our country affordably.

Just wanted to share with you.

2008-10-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

I Hear Music When I See This Picture: Flashing Lights by Kanye West

Nope. That's not me. I wish my neck was that thin. And no. I haven't been helping Sarah shop. Although, I do like the heels and the way the "spike" goes straight down from the heel. I also love Patent Leather. Especially red and purple.

I'm still up in California and will probably be here another few weeks. I understand Bella is fat and happy with all the green grass in the desert. I was about to buy a new, shorter cinch from Country Supply, but maybe I can save the $20.

2008-10-15T14:12:00.001-07:00

Reba and Kelly

The concert in Reno was so much fun. Quite the birthday party. I didn't think I would ever complain about cold weather again, but the climate changed in our honor and we felt what below freezing was like. It still didn't dampen our fun. Both artists were on the stage the whole concert and sang many duets.
I won big on the nickel slots. I think $76.
I skirted the LA fires on the flip flop by going east through Bakersfield and then over and down. My desert was a nice sight after realizing my blood has thinned to water and I can't survive below 50 without multi-layers. But the jeans fit!

2008-10-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

Short Trips

I am always happy to wake up before daylight so I'm in position to watch the sunrise. This morning I sit here looking out at the dark backyard watching the garden art change colors and anxious to see the cactus flower that I just know has opened over night.
I am driving up to Monterey today for visits with good old friends and a new gelding. This friend has a wonderful older Arabian mare who is retired, and this youngster she bought two years ago. He has had every opportunity to become what he was bred to be, a little trail horse who is also talented at reining. His owner has had him in training and is committed to giving him a good foundation. I can't wait to finally meet him in person.
Then, I'm taking my daughter up to Reno for a Kelly Clarkson concert this weekend. She chose that as a birthday gift, so how could I say no.
I'm excited about all of the above and the fact that I get to wear jeans. Down in my deserts it has been too hot since April to wear anything tight, long, and heavy.

2008-10-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Sillyness

For my good blogger buddy Snarkypants:
(I apologize to everyone else)

Boys

2008-09-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

Slacker Blogger of the Century

Thank you so much to our dear little Carolynn.
She is patient with me when the only blogs that I post are 4 words and, if you're lucky, a picture. I do so enjoy her prose and poetry, pictures and descriptions, her Bunny and her Bear. I accept this humbly and must try harder to be sweet and wordy.

2008-09-25T18:10:00.001-07:00

These Blooming Idiots

No, no you guys! My cactus, not McCain and Palin.
For goodness sake.

2008-09-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

more animals

2008-09-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

And on a little different note:

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

2008-09-18T15:22:00.001-07:00

Cell Phone Pictures of Napa

Since I forgot my camera...AGAIN...I am stuck with only a few snaps from my cell phone. Napa last weekend was about as perfect as it could be. Lovely weather, multiple thousands of people going wine tasting. I wasn't. I had business. But I long to go back.

2008-09-07T15:55:00.001-07:00

You Are Cowboy Boots

This doesn't mean you're country, just funky.

You've got a ton of attitude and confidence.

You're unique, expressive, and even a little bit wacky.

You wear whatever you feel like – and you have your own sense of style.

You are straight shooting and honest. You tell people how it is.

Low maintenance and free wheeling, you're always up for an adventure.

You should live: Where you can at least get to wide open spaces

You should work: In a job that allows you to take change

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Thanks Twinville! That was eye opening and fun to do. Who'd a thunk I was a pair of boots? Seems likely nonetheless.

2008-09-03T07:26:00.000-07:00

Floyd's Been Out Overnight And to help you get that image out of your mind here is my cactus blooming it's heart out in September! How do the bees find these flowers that don't have any scent at all to us humans? And the bloom only lasts about 12 hours.

2008-08-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

Moth Balls

I learned recently from my son-in-law that placing moth balls around the garage would either keep the black widows out or send the current residents on their way. We've had a few in a couple of areas of the garage that just won't move even when I demolish their homes and threaten their first born. They call congress and get low cost loans and rebuild right in the path of my wrath once again. So I liked the idea of making their environment less inviting and went on a hunt for the killer moth balls.

Home Depot employee didn't have any idea but sent us to the Home Defense section. No luck there.

Target Customer Service young women tried to stifle a case of giggles over my noun and had to call for help. They were sure I was teasing them, even though old people don't tend to use foul language in strange company. Yes indeed, they had what I was looking for over in the hanger section. After I snagged the box I took it back to the women so they could see that I wasn't really just sending them on a 'snip hunt.'

I got them home and sprinkled about 20 around the garage. It got quite ripe in there the first few days and almost brought tears to my eyes as I walked through to handle the garbage but the...um...balls have melted away now and I don't see any signs of rebuilding construction workers. I'll keep you updated on widow movement if I see any.

So, I learned that as we age we cannot assume normal everyday objects will carry over to the next generation.

2008-08-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

Smack That

Kind of a smack dab in the middle kind of day. Just past the middle of my summer, just before the middle of August, and right in the middle of the week.

A nice little trip up to my daughter's house, whereupon she rescued a new dog. Cutest little Yorkie-poo kind of black dog. Sophie joined a three cat family and she's smaller than them and is already full grown. She now has been spayed and has a hair-cut and is learning to skirt hissing, claw-wielding felines. While I was up there I spoke up about their slow dial-up service and we ordered the DSL to be hooked up. I also gave my son-in-law my old Toshiba laptop that I took 3 days to clean-up. He's not much of a computer man, but with the faster connection and my snappy laptop he is checking out things he never thought he needed.

I'm really enjoying the Olympics, especially all of the equestrian events. Thank you Oxygen Network for giving us frustrated horse people some of the great sport. My friend's son is riding in Stadium Jumping.

I bought some new walking pants on sale and wear them almost to bed they are so comfortable. But now I see the next animal print I should own will be the python hoodie whenever it goes on sale.

2008-07-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Marking Time

We are not standing still. No. Not by a long shot. It may be hot but we are moving fast enough to not notice.

We got FiOS. Fiber Optic bla bla. When I got here a couple of weeks ago I couldn't even watch a great video download because it crawled along like I was on dial-up. I called into Verizon and asked what it would take to connect me to the zippy FiOS. Not bad, not much different, and if I discontinued a monthly fee for long distance I could save that on the monthly bill. Furthermore, I learned from the very pleasant woman on the other end that when we go back to Mexico we can put the whole phone, internet business on vacation and save 75%! Wow! Who knew? The deal now is that once I open iTunes the regular podcasts that I download are just moments from finishing. What a difference. I must really be careful to not get too quick to fall in love with some new music because I can own the album in moments. I bet I could even watch TV shows. Like Weeds if I missed an episode.

I wish I could download Bella because I miss her.

2008-07-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

Mamma Mia

I drove up to my home in California late last week. I brought along my cat and a friend that needed a ride up to Arizona. The border was a snap for me and the cat, but we were delayed as we waited for my friend to walk across. I have a "fast pass" and zip across pretty easily but she had to stand in a long line and it took longer than we figured. One of the gates was closed to people walking since the recent rains caused a sink hole in front of it. The sink hole was actually a tunnel that caved in. Don't ask me. I guess it was a drug tunnel, but I don't know. So, the trip took 13 and a half hours, instead of the normal 11. By the time we got to Gila Bend I stopped and bought a double-shot espresso and sailed the rest of the way home.
Now I'm in the land of plenty with movies and groceries and convenience. I went to Mamma Mia today and really enjoyed it. And I went and got a library card. My husband will be along in a couple of days so the girly stuff will come to an end. I think we are going to stay up here until hurricane season is over this year.

2008-07-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

Taking pictures with my cell phone isn't always a planned event. So, I apologize.
I got to feed the herd last night and asked Bella to give me a hand, please. She thought that meant to taste each armload and be sure it was appropriate for our high society horses.
This is what you get when you try to take a picture of a moving target and don't have any idea what is centered.
Is Bella too plump? She'll grow into her baby-fat, right?
This was taken in Jan. '07. See the loose halter on this baby face? She was still a yearling.
Yesterday, at nearly 3.5 years old. Same halter, same hole. It's getting tight.
I guess I'll have to ride some of that fat off her.

2008-07-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Quiet Sunrise

I was sitting here watching the sunrise unfold and preparing to take a little walk with my husband, when I remembered it is the start of Badwater today. Our son is once again out there proving he can push the endurance limit. He hopes to finish in under 30 hours. Meanwhile, we walked all of 30 minutes and came in sweaty and bitchy. Humpf.
Son called a few minutes ago and said he will start in a few hours. He explained that the Elite runners start later when the sun gets meaner. He's awfully tough.

2008-07-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Palms

Coconuts, Mangos, Iguanas, Bananas, Tequila, Cruise Ships, Lightening, Sunburn, Music, Food, Agave

Jet Skis, Jungle, Muddy Rivers, Parachutes, Silver, Snakes, Mountains, Opulence, Movie Sets, Buses

Statues, Bandares Bay, T-shirt Shops, Talavera Tile, Ice Cream, Multi-lingual, Lichi Nuts, Fruit Stands

Mexican Highway, Mountainous Road, Jungle Canopy, Tour Buses, Water, Water, Water, Water, Wet Socks, Toll Roads, 1600 Miles

Wha'd I miss?

2008-06-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

Summer Sunrise

These summer sunrises aren't nearly as dramatic as the colorful winter ones. And once the sun peaks over the hill I have to lean around my big lamp and hide from the eye-blinding rays. Sunrise down here is around 5:30, and sunset is close to 7:30.
We are driving down to Puerto Vallarta this weekend for a week of laziness and civilization. I'll try to capture interesting shots of stuff we don't see around here.

2008-06-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hot Summer Swim

Since it's really summer now, here is what is going on in our neighborhood. Most Mexicans love their seashore as much as a Tarheel. Enjoy the swim.

2008-06-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Moving Along

My friend is having her 60th birthday today. She is not allowing celebration because today is also a sad day. It was her mother's birthday as well, and mother passed away last December. So it is the first birthday they don't get to have each other. I made a card that says, Happy Summer Day and got her this vase and cut flowers just to liven up the mood.

Meanwhile, Floyd wanted to help me set up the flowers and insisted he stick his nose right in the arrangement. A week ago today we had to put his best buddy, Chester, to sleep. It broke our hearts into a million pieces to lose our Staff Sargent who told us when to get up, eat lunch, serve dinner, and go to bed. Everyday for Chester was a strict schedule of ins and outs and ups and downs. Now we have to go about our days rather lost. But, the fact that Floyd thought he should help with the flowers made me feel better that someone would take up the organization of our little family.

2008-06-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Desk Space

Pony Girl in all her cuteness tagged whoever to post a picture of their spot where they read blogs and otherwise spend too many hours/day. I decided to be honest and not clean up the mess I live around. This picture shows my personality pretty much as you see it. Slightly tilted lampshade and lots of important objects surrounding my very beloved black MacBook. A favorite Lindt Stymeist Button Mug. A big bottle of water. An external hard-drive. Several books including "All The Pretty Horses" that I have in line to read, and a California map book. A pair of scissors. Les Choristes DVD. A telephone. My lovely pink cell phone attached to a charger. A pair of tweezers. A used piece of dental floss. Pens. You don't see the very large surge protector, that includes a voltage regulator so my computer is Protected, behind the chair.

2008-06-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

ABC's

Ami tagged me to tell these very interesting facts about me. There might be a quiz later so stay awake and take notes.

A. Attached or Single-I'm married and have been forever

B. Best friend- Sue. She's been my friend since even before I met my husband!

C. Cake or Pie- YES. ok ok, cake I guess.

D. Day of Choice- Thursday, it's right before Friday!

E. Essential item- Tweezers

F. Flavor of Ice Cream- Butter Pecan

G. Gummy bears or Worms- Gummy bears, but I love sour worms

H. Hometown- Atherton

I. Indulgences- My horse

J. January or July- July

K. Kids- 2

L. Last movie I saw in a theatre- Made of Honor (not so bad)

M. This one was missing so let's make one up...Magic Kingdom or Sea
World- Sea World

N. Number of siblings- 2

O. Oranges or Apples- Apples

P. Phobias or Fears- Heights, or falling

Q. Quote- "...bite off the nose to spite the face"

R. Reasons to smile- A really nice deli sandwich

S. Season- Spring

T. Tag-(only if you want to) Pony Girl and Mud Ranch

U. Unknown fact about me- I have seen Milli Vanilli in concert

V. Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals- Meat Eater

W. Worst Habit- Leaving the dishes until morning

X. X-Rays or Ultrasounds- X-rays

Y. Your favorite food- Pasta

Z. Zodiac- Aries

2008-06-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

Royal Poinciana

That's the tree that shades my front patio. I finally found the real name of it after several years of calling it just Beauty. Maybe that's the same species that is called a Flame Tree in Africa.

2008-06-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

More Monster Lessons

Yesterday we finally worked on walking across the dreaded tarp. I've been meaning to do this little task for, oh, about a year. I finally found the moon and stars in a row and remembered to take a tarp out to the barn along with the other important tool, the handy lunge line.

First I put the bundled up tarp in the arena with her loose so she had the opportunity to smell and taste it. Don't you love it when they cock their head to get a good look at any monster lurking under the object? Then, just holding the end of the lunge line loosely I drug the tarp to the position in which to work. Since it was breezy I needed to find a few small rocks to weigh it down on the corners. With all systems 'go' we petted and relaxed and discussed what I had on my mind. I stood next to the tarp and sent her off on a little circle. She locked her brakes as soon as she realized there was no place to go other than over the monster. Stop and think. Then, back the other way. Screeching brakes again. Slowly and softly we did this several times before I got her head and neck across in the left direction. A few more slow semi-circles and she gritted her teeth and barely stepped on the demon. We stood and contemplated whether she might lose that hoof or not and then she walked directly onto the middle of it and took a mouthful to be sure it was dead. Her very best human friend, Larry, had walked up to the rail in the middle of all this torture so after she bit the beast a few times and then let out her long held breath we walked over to receive a treat from him. A brief recess then we went back to work a little more on the right side but she was much more cautious that way. Her Ying and Yang weren't in agreement that this monster should be trusted. We went back to Ying and finished on a high note. Another day we will deal with Yang.

2008-06-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

Bella's Belly
That Felt So Good

2008-06-01T06:50:00.001-07:00

Teddy

I loved him. I had hope that he would continue to show how talented ponies (or small horses) can be. He was a shining star.
He had to be put down due to an awful fall that tore tendons in a back leg. It happened on his way into the barn as he was rushing in. A simple slip and now this incredible pony is gone.

2008-05-27T14:33:00.001-07:00

The View

I got to go bye-bye in a plane this morning. It was quite lovely seeing the town from above.

2008-05-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

Desert Blooms

Saguaro Cacti are blooming all over California and Arizona. They are so beautiful and dramatic. (I didn't take this picture but found it online to show you what I've been rubber-necking for all the way back down into Mexico.)

This little cactus in my California garden heard me say I was leaving and rushed it's blossom to open before I left. I woke up before dawn and looked right out at it.

And then I got home to Mexico and found the sun rising way far north over an energetic bay.

2008-05-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

Spa Day

Yep. We get our nails done in Mexico, too. At least some of us do.

2008-05-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

Road Trip

That's not my picture. But take away the clouds and it could be.

We were up in California at our abandoned home where new tile had just been installed. I spent days and days on my knees cleaning and organizing my furniture back to where it should be. Oh, and dust! So much dust. It all had to be scrapped and blown off of everything. Hey, I found out you can use the air can for your keyboard to blow dust off everything. That does put it back into the air, however, and then it will settle somewhere else. But for little nooks you can't get to the air can is perfect.

Back down here gas prices are steady at around $2.60something and the stores aren't short on rice.

I have yet another trip back up in a few weeks to check out the new carpet we ordered for the bedrooms. I just wish I could make it on one tank of gas.