FAH REEEEZZZIN!

Barely 40, raining...needed a jacket and should have worn a hat!  This was the first day for the ponies to have on a rain sheet.  Fortunately, after they finished their grain the rain was pooping out and they were happy to head for the pasture.  Once again, Barb was helping me.

Look who spent the night in the feed room.  Surprise, surprise.  I'm afraid he is calling this place home.
How about if I call him Le Grand L'Orange?  Anyone who speaks French... please tell me how to spell this.  He is not afraid of anything...comfortable with the kittens and the dogs...scruffy...not as hungry as he was a few days ago (must be that bowl of food he keeps finding in the barn) and obviously has lived in a house.  I don't need another cat!!!!  Sid and Seymour are keeping me in the hole already.

Today we bit the bullet and put the plexiglass back in all the windows.  It had to happen sometime.  Barb helped and when Gar got back from coffee he cut enough for three windows that needed to be replaced.  At any rate, it is done and I'm sure the ponies will appreciate it.

Drove down to the Village while Gary finished up in the barn.  The new facade on A Different Path Gallery is 99% finished.  What an improvement! 

Got myself over to the farm market before canopes got blown away.  It was so windy the vendors had to take them down half way through the day.

I bought (what else) homemade fried cakes.

a 10 pound cabbage....

bratwurst and pork/apple sausage

and a gigantic cauliflower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good day to do some fall cooking.... and I did...while I watched the Equestrian Games at Kentucky Horse Park.

















Had a nice fire going.  Jenny stopped up for awhile.

Watched everything from reining to...

Musical Freestyle...it was on for hours.

What a difference in these two disciplines.  The reining horses have nothing on their faces and the dressage horses get cranked.  It's hard to know what the horses think.

As for my fall dinner...had no noodles, so I settled for elbows with butter and parsley. 

pumpernickel bread....

and bratwurst on top of sauerkraut with onions and apples.

We also had some applesauce I made a couple of days ago and some good mustard for dipping.

Went out to do chores about 6:15.  Had put the hay in the stalls earlier, so it was a breeze. 

It was almost dark when I got in the house.  Of course the dogs had muddy feet.
Night all.

ABBE'S TURN...

The sunrise was very bright....

and cast beautiful light on the back porch

The leaves are beginning to change color....fall has arrived.

Barb helped with the chores...I was in slow, but we still made good time.  The ponies are still managing to get a decent amount of grass.

I went over to the grooming/tack room and started pulling out sheets and blankets...all needed to be cleaned. My favorites are closed front (not waterproof) stable blankets that must be over 20 years old.  I love putting them under a rain sheet...they fit so much better than the blankets that have straps or clips in the front.  I just ordered some rug wash for the Rambos. 

There must be a total of 20 and I am feeling overwhelmed.  Two of the ponie's sheets were able to be washed at home, but the rest????  The local laundromats don't want to see me comin'....and paying someone is so expensive.

Barb was coming back to help me with Abbe, and I was stilling cleaning tack when she got back at 11.  The saddle just didn't fit her in the shoulders (Stubben  Tristan that I have used on every horse we have ever had) so I used my Albion and it was much better.  She has a broad back and no withers.  The no withers part is a real pain.

I had to go and change my clothes and let the dogs in from the back yard.

The kittens were snoozing on the love seat.

Started Abbe off with some ground work...free lounging at the walk and trot.  She was very quiet and responsive.  Barb had never ridden her, but got on and did a great job.  She never used a hackamore and it took a little getting used to.  I so appreciate her gentleness and adaptablity.  It will take awhile for them to get a good line of communication going, but today was terrific.  Finally, Abbe was getting some work.

When we finished, I put the dogs in the car and we went to Tractor Supply...found fleas on both pups and the Animal Hospital was closed.  Wanted to see what I could find.  Have any of you used something other than Advantage? 

Proceeded out to Glen Darach Farm to give Andrea an 84" Rambo winter blanket that used to belong to a Belgian that lived here for many years  (before he passed at 32).  She has a couple of big horses...hopefully it will fit.  While I was there, a saddle fitting was taking place.  It just happened to be a black, Stubben Tristan...exactly like mine.

On the way home I stopped at Apple Creek Farm to pick up some drops for the horses.  Phoebe and Gucci were happy to run around.

Barb had chore duty tonight and Gary made us dinner.  Veggie burgers with onions, corn and he sauted up some onions, zucchini and tomatoes which we topped with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

While Gary was cooking, I gave Gucci and Phoebe a shower.  They like having their hair dried!

Gary had started a fire in the kitchen, so it was nice and toasty for them.

Sidney and Seymour provided me with entertainment for the rest of the evening while Gary went out to his favorite chair in the Workshop to do some reading.

Night all.  I'm heading for the fire and a cupa tea.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN....YEY!

A  coolish morning, but at least there was no rain.  Did chores quickly and was back in the house by 9.

Phoebe and Gucci went out with me and got their feet and bellies all full of mud.  The kittens didn't even bother coming to the barn.

My friend Peggy came over with Braveheart around 10:30.

We warmed up in the indoor and then went out back...into two different woods.  Berlin was much better than she was the last time.  I was very proud of her today. 

This horse is very special to me.  I can have her stand like this while I put on the radio or open gates...when I call her she walks to me.  What more could I ask.  She was born here 26 years ago.

I had no place to keep my camera safe and missed some beautiful shots.  The next time that won't happen...I'd love to show you the woods.

 Off the subject.....
Do you know anyone looking for a beautiful Stubben Tristan Dressage saddle?  I'm trying to sell it for a friend who used it only once many years ago, and is finally ready to part with it.  It has a 17.5 seat and the tree is medium wide.  It comes with leathers, a girth, pad and cover.  Today they cost over $2200 and he is willing to sell it for $900.  It is in perfect shape. 

The bottom does not look like it has ever been on a horse.

Meanwhile back at the ranch....the clouds looked like cotton candy as I headed into Brockport on my way to the bank, Country Max, and First Friday.

Tis the season for mums...they are for sale all over the place.

Pumpkins too.

Today, First Friday celebrated the retirement of Jim Dusen.  He has been the official college photographer for over 30 years.

As usual, Gary let go with some of his funnies.

In one of the rooms, they had a slide show...not of Jim's photographs...but photographs of him.

and a gigantic cake.

There were many familiar faces in the crowd...soon you will know them all.

 

Greg Turner (who played at our party) provided some great sounds.

 Got home about 5:45...Barb and I pulled in the driveway at the same time.  I'm so glad she was doing chores tonight.  This yellow cat has been hanging around the neighborhood for the past week or so, and wants to live here.  Like I need another cat.  Who knows where he came from...probably dumped off to fend for himself.  He gets dry food in the barn, but wants to be in the house...needs to be neutered, wormed and defleaed (probably).  Cha Ching....

Well guess what...I am done and it is only 8:40.  Night all.  Have a great weekend.  The night temperatures may get in the high 30s here Saturday or Sunday.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY

All these shots were taken over the past three days...from pouring
 rain to amazing sunsets and sunrises.





To view other sky shots from around the world, click on my sidebar.