I have to say I just love the fall mornings... the weather feels so much better and I actually begin to feel like doing things. This morning I was greeted by this view as Mabel and I made her morning rounds... but it's an exciting day for me, because I am once again, taking riding lessons.
It's not that I can't ride... I can... but I want to get my skills back up.. I want Tonka and I to become a team again, and I want to take advantage of the wonderful things that I have in my back yard, and not just let "them" sit.. which is what he (and I have been doing). I also feel that by having lessons, I'll get honest again with my riding, because I will have to practice what is taught. I have to admit, I am a little nervous.. Tonka hasn't been off the farm in years.. literally... so it will not just be the lesson, it will be loading and trucking and seeing new sights.....
I picked a Friday (for today and a few weeks ahead) thinking that Ed is here to help with the trucking and such, just in case. So, Ed put the trailer on the truck, while I packed the goodies... we got Tonka... walked to the trailer like I knew all would be well... and he hopped right on. Not one bit worried. Maybe he feels happy to be of use once again...
Abraham pitched a little fit, and I hoped that would upset Tonk and it didn't. So, all loaded up we headed to the lesson.
After watching Kate all summer school Abi, I knew that she would be perfect for me. And now that the kids are back in school, I guessed the stable would be quiet. Which is was and I had the whole arena to myself.
We did a nice warm up, Tonka was so well behaved, that I was able to hop on. I really didn't have any expectations for today..just thought I'd take one step at a time, but he seemed willing to just get on with things.
It felt so good to be riding again... it felt familiar and with Kate teaching and using all the horse terms that I know. It's true that both Tonka and I are very out of shape, we're both too heavy.. and our skills are rusty... but under all of that, we're "there" once again, and this is just the beginning .
Where it's all going to go, I don't have a clue or a plan... Kate asked if I did have anything in mind... but I said I just wanted to ride and have good skills... I'm keeping an open mind... trail riding, beach riding.. a fun show or two... who knows.... right now.. it's today, and this is what was done....
and I even have high hopes of getting the blog up and running in a proper manner.....
With my own riding lesson coming up at the end of the week...I have been trying to get Mr. Tonka out and working once again. I'm excited about the lessons, because I know it will get me working with him once again. But, today, Sadie gave a call and said she would like to come up and get on the boy and see what she could do with him. I was thrilled at this idea.
I have to say, our Sadie is a true horseman. She has always had a natural riding ability, ever since she was very little... and so, seeing her on Tonka made me so happy. She hasn't ridden in a long long time... last year she was expecting little Kelsey, so she couldn't ride.. and even before that, she never really had the time. I'm hoping that now she's gotten back on.. she'll try to find more time to do so.
Tonka was a very good boy for her, but he knows when someone knows how to ride, and so he doesn't act silly when someone is in good control. They played around in the round pen for a bit, and then Sadie took him out around the farm...(sadly I didn't get pics of that!!!)
But I know he appreciated the big hug and praises after his workout. Now, it's my turn to keep this all going.. and I can't wait to the end of the week and my lesson with Kate.
After Sadie's visit, we had another very happy visit... with our friends Christina and Marty from New York. I have known these folks for 40 years.. but it's been a long long time since we have had the chance to visit. Christina was here a few years ago with her sister, but Marty wasn't able to come, this time though he could.
We had such a good time talking over old days and catching up on what we all have been doing lately. Christina was a school teacher, and was teaching only five blocks away back in 2001 when the world trade center was attacked. Since Tuesday marks another anniversary of that horrid day, it was kind of "strange" that they were here today. She doesn't like to talk much about it, but will share some bits and pieces of how that day went, and how it took her almost 16 hours to get back home.. on what was normally a 2 hour commute for her.
I would very much like to visit New York City, and I think we're going to plan on visiting with them in the spring and have our own personal tour guides of the city. Ed's not sure how he feels about this idea, but I know that if I plan a trip for the spring, he'll come along. And it would be so nice not to let as much time go by in between visits.
Just thinking back over the summer, we had have some really nice visits with life long friends, what a joy it has been.....
It occurred to me this morning, that yesterday 9/7 was Livy's fifth birthday. I knew it was coming right up, but didn't quite realize the date. So, in honor of my little brown dog.. who I so dearly love... needed to just say "happy birthday". I can't believe she is really five... I somehow think she has just always been here, and then I think there is just no way that we have already been together five years. Time has that way of zipping by us, and each day is such a gift, though I don't always think that way. But things like this are excellent markers and reminders.......
Here's hoping we have at least 10 more years together little girl!!!!
Finally, we have had some normal weather. The past week was a true heat wave, and though I should enjoy each day as it comes, I am not sorry to have some cooler weather. Though it would come on a day when we have a big chore to do... but, that's later in the story.
Right now, this is what we woke to this morning... my only guess is that Henry must have been cold in the night and found a warm place to cuddle. And maybe Livy was glad for the "warm blanket" on top.......
I stopped a minute during morning chores to catch this photo of Rio. Poor chap, he has molted and all the tail feathers for this year have gone. Perhaps he's happy not to carry all that weight on the hind end, but he does look kind of "sad" as a normal bird.
No fears though, he'll grow out a nice new tail for next spring, and I have great plans for all the feathers he left me this year...
We haven't gotten to making his larger pen yet... it's on "the list" of things to do, and I really want to have it done at least by the spring. So, maybe the bigger pen will move to the top of the fall list.....
But, today is all about getting "camp" put away for the winter days ahead. Mainly the docks. We had them installed last spring, which was good, because they went in while the water was still kind of cold... but, I won't say it's 'cheap" doing it that way. So, I said to the family, that perhaps we could get a crew to pull them in the fall,and save a bit in that department.
So, Micha and Dayna called in the siblings and we had a great crew of young guys happy to help us out. As I said, the heat has broken, but the boys said the lake water wasn't too cold... yet. It feels kind of sad and early to pull docks, but the weekends in September are already filling in, and it seems that October would be the next time we could get this crew... well, no one wants to go into the water in October, so here we are.
The little guys happily played in their sand box and watched all that went on. The boat was pulled first.. then all the other "toys" were tucked away, and then the docks came out. I was really surprised at how quickly it all happened and now that it's done, I do have to say I feel better that is project is off the list.
I will say, it was just an OK summer...so much went on, both good and bad, and the weather was beastly hot... I am looking ahead to the fall with a brighter attitude.
We all had a nice supper together, and with the kiddos back at school, and talk about fairs, and trips, and teaching dog classes again.. it feels like the season has switched....
So, today we were up nice and early and headed down to Sadie's to see Abi off to school. Third grade!!!!! and now going off to school... catching the bus and doing it all is feeling like old hat. Abi wanted to be sure to get her photo under the big maple tree, because sadly, the tree is dying and will need to come down. So, Abi wanted to be sure we got this shot. She also told me she's pretty excited, because the third graders are on the second floor of the school, and she will no longer be down on the first floor with the "younger kids"...
funny what a year difference makes!!!
She is such an amazing, amazing big sister, and wanted to push the stroller up to the bus stop. I know in the blink of an eye, we will be here to watch Kelsey off to her first day of school.... but that is a few years off just now.
Talking and hiking along, I can't help but think how blessed I am that all our kiddos are close by and we can share in these moments. It was such a pretty morning and we really had a nice time walking up to the bus stop.
Kelsey picked up on the excitement of the day.....
And Abi explains to her what is going on, and tells her she will be back in the afternoon.... "before you even know!!!"
Looks like Kelsey would like to climb on the bus too......
and it rolls up... and without a look back, she is on and off to this year's adventures....
with all our prayers and good wishes that third grade is full of fun, learning and wonderful things.....
Happy day sweet Abi!!!!!!!
