Dear Favorites,
As blogger fans, you know that our Lawrence law student and her trusty companion, Joey, happened upon some boat races on the river during a walking tour. Coincidentally, KU staff recently received a notice from the Kansas Crew, the rowing team, made up of over 50 student-athletes and their fundraiser: Rent-a-Rower. For example, 1 rower for $12.50, 2 for $25... sounds like a deal!
We did one of those things on Saturday that leaves one shaking one's frozen face... we loaded up horses and dogs and motored out to Turon (near Pratt) on Saturday afternoon, watching the temperature drop from 40 degrees in Toronto to 32 degrees by the time we saddled our horses for our breezy ride through the very tall prairie grasses. Loosed three dogs, rode up numerous pheasants and some tiny baby quail... No time for chatting afterward as we quickly departed and turned up the heat in the truck.
Poppi, Mimi and I are watching DWTS and enjoying it... well, at least I am, I think Poppi is simply being a very good sport. If I ever get finished with my current project at work, I'm going to take some vacation time. The Sunflower All Age Championship starts on Monday. We have entered dogs in the weekend trials before and after... what are we thinking??? we don't know.
p
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Out West in the Wild
Dear Ones,
On Thursday, October 1st, Bud and I headed West... well a little south, to Oklahoma and Texas. We traveled through the Little Sahara, 4 wheeling paradise and wound up south of Arnett, on a ranch for the running of the Raymond Rucker Classic. We picked up Lucky and one of our pointers, Fancy, in Pratt.
Arnett is about 6 1/2-7 hours from home depending of course, on how many times one stops. We also took Lacy the wild, Pretty Boy the good and Ebony the dependable. Isabel, pointer, was entered in two stakes, the first one she refused the front and chased deer and the second one, redeemed herself with 55 minutes of an excellent effort topped with a bit of disappointment when she then chased the quail. Whoops! West OK is based in sand and grows all things stickery, and sand burrs seem to be a specialty... In fact each and every dog's foot that ran was wrapped in duct tape. Some liked their boots better than others. And oh, heaven help your hands, if you drop your lead rope on the ground. Leather gloves are a must.
It's wide open, rolling hills of sand and what they call "chinnery", little 3 foot high oak trees, thick as bushes. Honestly, every thing either sticks or bites. Oh, and did I mention that hogs run wild??? I didn't see any but they are plentiful from all reports.
We spent the evenings at the Bar G Lodge in Texas, about 48 miles from the field trial grounds. Lovely accommodations, excellent company and meals prepared by a very fine cook. While we didn't win anything and Ebony came home with a "black" eye from an unfriendly horse, all in all quite a fine time. Not particularly relaxing, but a nice alternative to "real" life...
ap/p
On Thursday, October 1st, Bud and I headed West... well a little south, to Oklahoma and Texas. We traveled through the Little Sahara, 4 wheeling paradise and wound up south of Arnett, on a ranch for the running of the Raymond Rucker Classic. We picked up Lucky and one of our pointers, Fancy, in Pratt.
Arnett is about 6 1/2-7 hours from home depending of course, on how many times one stops. We also took Lacy the wild, Pretty Boy the good and Ebony the dependable. Isabel, pointer, was entered in two stakes, the first one she refused the front and chased deer and the second one, redeemed herself with 55 minutes of an excellent effort topped with a bit of disappointment when she then chased the quail. Whoops! West OK is based in sand and grows all things stickery, and sand burrs seem to be a specialty... In fact each and every dog's foot that ran was wrapped in duct tape. Some liked their boots better than others. And oh, heaven help your hands, if you drop your lead rope on the ground. Leather gloves are a must.
It's wide open, rolling hills of sand and what they call "chinnery", little 3 foot high oak trees, thick as bushes. Honestly, every thing either sticks or bites. Oh, and did I mention that hogs run wild??? I didn't see any but they are plentiful from all reports.
We spent the evenings at the Bar G Lodge in Texas, about 48 miles from the field trial grounds. Lovely accommodations, excellent company and meals prepared by a very fine cook. While we didn't win anything and Ebony came home with a "black" eye from an unfriendly horse, all in all quite a fine time. Not particularly relaxing, but a nice alternative to "real" life...
ap/p
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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
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
Friday, September 18, 2009
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.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
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 :)
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 :)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Bob rides bareback
Hi Reader(s),
Sometimes one is lucky and realizes it. I'm lucky. I spent last evening with Bob and enjoyed every minute. He's the one with the quick smile, dares to do anything and one minded in his commitment to family. He's a good guy and he's riding bareback. Just look!
And if you just can't believe your eyes, check out moving proof below.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Seeing Rachel on her big day
Dear Readers,
This is Rachel and Joey and her green apartment door overlooking her parking area. Having an apartment with a reserved parking space is a coup, I parked a block and a half away. Early on August 20, I tried to get to Lawrence in the trusty Miata, but due to a billowing white smoke problem I had it towed from Yates Center to Chanute to the car doctor, tracked down Bud, got a ride back home and set out again in the old "little" red truck for my meeting in Lawrence, but especially for my "real" reason... to see Rachel on her first day of Law School... and I have pictures to prove it. It was a lovely day all around. Thanks Rachel!
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