Here She Is!

Here's Velvet's new Baby! I took these when she was just over 2 days old. She was still wobbly on her legs. Mom was nervous about people around her little one so I got these two pics and left them in peace. She's black like Daddy and she was an unexpected early arrival!

We're still expecting several more little ones. Got to keep my camera handy!

New Arrival!

Very early Tues morning -- 4/7 -- the first baby for 2009 was born at the stables! She's a black filly and her mom is Velvet. As soon as I can, I'll try to get pics of her! Wow!

Happy Birthday, Rusty!

Today Rusty is 17 years old! Happy Birthday, Rusty!

Here's to many more years together!

My Wonderful Cats (Part 2)

Here is Skipper, my shy guy. When we first brought him home, Skipper hid in the corner behind some record albums for several hours. I had to feed him downstairs in the bathroom because he was too frightened to eat in the kitchen with the rest of us. After several days, he ventured out of his hideaway and began to explore the house.

It's taken several years but he is has become an affectionate pet. He will demand to be petted! He's very vocal about it. As he's become more comfortable with us, we've been able to see his playful antics and enjoy his company. He loves to mess up our area rug in the living room. Dibbuns will wait for Skipper to come by, jump out at him and the chase is on!

Skipper loves to be petted but he does NOT like to be picked up! He's very nervous about being held. When Doug and I had to treat his ears, Skipper would be very stiff in our arms. He took to hiding under the bed when he knew treatment was coming! He has a very good memory. He hid under the bed for over a week even after the treatments for his ears were done!

Skipper will sometimes pay me a visit in the evenings when I'm reading in bed. Dibbuns is there every night. It's very nice when Skipper joins us, too.

Dibbuns and Skipper have such different personalities but they get along very well. They have their little tiffs but most of the time they're good buddies. A visit from a neighborhood cat will make them angry, but it doesn't last long. Once I had to throw a pillow at them to break up a nasty fight. When the "intruder" leaves, all goes back to normal.

I'm very blessed to have these two furry companions! I wouldn't be without them.

My Wonderful Cats (Part 1)

This kooky Birman is our cat Dibbuns. He's a true character and he knows he's cute! He gets into a lot of mischief and keeps us laughing with his antics.

He acts like a puppy when he follows us around the house and always has to see what we're doing. If Doug is doing a project of any kind, Dibbuns will be right there watching. He's great at stealing chairs from you as soon as you stand up for any reason. I've sat back down on him on more than one occasion! He'll hide under the blanket on the couch downstairs and I won't know he's there until I try to sit down!

He's very friendly and likes to curl up in bed with me while I read at night. He's my "Guitar Hero" critic, sitting in on every session.

Doug and I adopted Dibbuns and his pal Skipper from HELP here in St. Charles. What wonderful additions to our household! More on Skipper coming soon....

Great Ride Today!

What a great day to ride today! Worked without stirrups during my ride. I'm finding that after I pick up my stirrups again, my legs are like they're glued to Rusty's side. I'm trying to keep my lower legs from moving so much as I ride. This is helping!

Rusty was really good today and we rode outside.

I'm thankful for the wonderful days I can spend with Rusty. Thank You, God!

Great Riding!

What a terrific week of great weather for riding! I could get spoiled.

Rusty has been so good this week. We've ridden outside a couple of times and he was great. I've been keeping up with my no-stirrup work to strengthen my legs. We cantered without stirrups on Tues and again today! On Tues. I had more difficulty balancing than I did today. I tried to concentrate on my balance and not hang on Rusty's mouth too much.

I know we're not out of the woods with the cold weather yet, but it's been so beautiful that it's hard to think about it. I enjoy each day as it comes and thank God for it.

It's great to see people at the barn that you haven't seen in a while! My friend Denise (Ivory) told me she and another boarder were going on a cattle drive this May. They've started to prepare for the long hours in the saddle. Denise rides English most of the time. I reminded her to do some riding in a Western saddle because it will feel so different! She thanked me for the suggestion. When I trail ride in Michigan with my husband, we ride Western. Even though I ride 2 to 3 times a week, the different saddle made my knees sore. I usually ride English, too.
I wish Denise the best time! It would be fun to do something like that!