Moving on to Fall in Toronto

Hello Dear Reader(s),

When I drove west out of Yates Center last evening, it was towards a spectacular sunset outlined by sunflowers in full bloom and the beautiful prairie grasses. With the windows down and Toby with his head in the breeze we motored home on the gravel road. Toby got pretty excited when we saw the deer mama and her twins sprint along side then across the road to the cottonwood trees on our place. All four of our boys in the front pasture lifted their heads when I went by. As I drove around by Frog Pond, I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my pretty black mare sillouetted against the sunset. As I drove slowly on toward the house, I stopped to watch a flock of geese fly by. I've been gone for 3 days and I smile every time I come home.

This has been a summer to remember with the timely and plentiful rains that should offer us a memorable view from our deck this fall as we watch the foliage change colors around Lake Fegan. Come visit. ap

Field Trialing in South Dakota

Dear Reader(s), On September 2 Bud and I set out for Trail City, South Dakota to attend the Southwestern Derby and Championship on the Johnson Ranch. We went to watch Babe, pictured above, compete in the Derby. Our friend, Gary Hill handled her, showing her impressive race and natural bird finding nose. She didn't win this one, but we partied with Gary, Carol, Lisa and others, happy in the fact that she finished with style. One week later, Gary called with the news that Babe (aka Shadow's Prairie Wind) won the D.E. Hawthorne Border Classic in Columbus, N.D. which certainly calls for another celebration!

The red setter shown above is "Star", Gary's granddaughter's competitor, raised by our friends, Don and Lynda Beauchamp, KS. Star was third to Babe's win in the Border Classic. Below is a picture of some of Gary's trial dogs.

Of course, Joleen traveled with us and below are pictures of her and her pal, Mac.

I was entranced by the prairie dogs. See below.
And yes, that's me in the next pic.
Field trialing is not always easy. Here's where we kept our horses.
As you may imagine, catching was tricky, the weeds are really high and treacherous, just ask me sometime. It was not all hardship though, we saw a small band of "wild" horses, we rode across the high plains with no sign of civilization other than the many many well cared for cattle, and we were rewarded with a delicious home cooked meal each noon. Those amenities were enhanced by the comfortable cabin and hospitality at Howdy House and great dinners compliments of Carol and Lisa, chefs extraordinaire. We really had a wonderful time surrounded by good friends. The picture below was taken on our last morning in Trail City looking east from Howdy House.

As always, glad to be home, here's Bud in his new seating arrangement complete with shade, compliments of Eukanuba. Happy trails to all.

Anniversary, Birthday, Art

Dear Readers,

Mimi, Poppi and I celebrated their Anniversary enjoying sparkling spumante with dinner. Kyle had his birthday lunch with Mimi and Poppi on Sunday. Then Mimi took phone calls all day on her birthday and I think she had the perfect day. And finally, we started painting on the canvases that Robin and Rachel sent in Mimi's birthday package... I must say that the box of chocolates were over the top and are being thoroughly enjoyed!

Mimi's painting is titled "frog whimsy"...


Then Poppi put together this collage titled "3 peas in a pod"... the pods are actually "enlarged" carrot seeds, very cool! Actually, I did the pink "river" but Bob definitely claims the piece!

So then Mimi drew out the last piece and I painted it for her. This is "The Silent Scream"... note KU blue and crimson??? Thanks for the materials, we hope you like our "art"... we're taking orders :)