Picture perfect weekend

This post will be told in photos/captions, enjoy!

And so it begins...

These misty mountains are my home and my love

Setting up Thursday  night

Went to see Stan on Friday for a bit; took the briefest of rides

Stan's new little brother; Stan hates him lol

4-H'ers showing their livestock (but for the record 4-H isn't just cows&corn)

Couldn't ask for a prettier place to hold the fair

Limbering up

Yeah, this is how WV toddlers have fun; mutton bustin'.  (Excuse the poor quality of my photos, wrong lens.)

What could be hotter than a line-up of cowboys?  Oh, that's right, nothing.

Prayin' for a safe night for themselves and the animals

Mmm, mmm, cowboys.

Rodeo clown/comedian

The developing sunset

Top bull rider in the country; rode a solid 8 seconds on that bull.  (Again, excuse the poor quality of my photos, wrong lens.)

(Again, excuse the poor quality of my photos, wrong lens.)

A beautiful autumn WV evening

What could be sweeter?

Sweetest (mini) trailer ever.

Spook is the greatest little stallion

Spook driving

A mini mule!!!!!  FenBar, I think you would approve!

Mud boggin' results; yes, in WV we have contests to see who gits 'er done the best.

Tease

With the horse market as it is and opportunities cropping up daily, not having a horse – and KNOWING I should not get one right now – is the biggest tease ever!  Killing me!!

I just keep telling myself the perfect horse is going to come my way as long as I’m patient.  It works that way, right?

Ack.

At any rate, test drove a beautiful half QH/half Arab mare last night for a friend who is fostering her.

She was a dream.  Stood like a statue to be mounted.  Gave to pressure on her mouth with only slight touch on my part.  Responds to voice commands.  Very forward moving and eager to pop up into a trot or beyond.  She has the subtlest trot-canter transition I’ve ever experienced, she kind of feathers her way into it ever so gently.  Her gaits are balanced and  a pleasure to ride.  She’s got SPEED, oh goodness.  Rarely do I feel trusting enough of a new horse to test out that rate of speed on day one, not this mare.  She really wants to take care of you, and it was obvious.  So I asked, and she gave.  What a joy.

From the get-go we had to navigate small spaces and big, strange, brightly-colored, potentially-scary objects (cars, wood piles, tractors, trailers, a mini bulldozer, wheelbarrows, upright beams with yellow and black striping) and she excelled through all of them.  Tractor trailers j-breaking and going at a spritely little clip coming from both front and behind (on the road that borders the rails-to-trails we road on) only caused her to toss a single ear to note what they were doing.  No change in pace, no shudder, no hesitation.  Big German shepherd?  Hesitant, as she tried to figure out what he was (he’d take two fast steps then stop and wait, then repeat) since his movement was jerky and unpredictable.  But after 10 seconds or so of watching him, she decided he wasn’t to be concerned with and moved forward at my request.

Oh, and did I mention she’ll go over a jump willingly?  ‘Cause she does that, too.  One hell of a test ride!  That’s for certain.  Great, great, great mare.  If the family doesn’t talk the father into keeping her permanently they really won’t have an issue getting rid of her.  She’s brilliant.  Wish I could take her, but it just isn’t the right decision right now. 

 I don’t know where I’ll be in a year.  I need to save my money for school as is.  I don’t want to get a horse and have to worry about getting attached/getting rid of it when I inevitably leave for grad school.  I love WV, certainly, but that doesn’t cure the fact that I have this “anywhere-but-here” feeling right now.  And I have NOT yet left the state.  It’s time.  It doesn’t have to be permanent.  But it is time to seriously consider getting away for a little while.  I need to grow a little more and really be outside my comfort zone.  It’ll do wonders, I know it.

But for now, here I am, and here is this wonderful horse to ride when I ride with my 10-year-old counterpart.   Couldn’t be better. 

Oh, wait, yeah it could.  Stanley’s back in my life, too.  Going out tomorrow to see his big beautiful face!  If his shoes are back on then it’s time to ride and start getting that poundage off!

West Virginia (my love)

A Country Kind of Weekend

I. Love. This. Time. Of. Year.

PERIOD.

Cool weather.  Changing leaves.  And the county fair.  LOVE!!  Back to my country roots real hard and deep this weekend.  Livestock, mud, rodeo, country music, beer, and amazing, amazing people.  Seriously, what could be better!??!?

So many photos to come.  Just you wait.

Kenai, Keeny Bug

I recognize that very few of my posts involve Kenai (keen-eye) lately ever.  So, I’m mentioning him now. 

His daily antics amuse me and make me realize how empty my life was pre-dog. 

I love the responsibility of having him.  I love how I HAVE to get outside every day because I know he needs some time to run and be crazy in order to not drive me mad.

I love that when I wake up in the morning his cute face is the first thing to greet me.  I love how soft and fluffy he is & despite the seemingly large-ness of him due to the fluff he is really petite and the lightest, most fluid mover ever (due in part to being a Siberian).  He’s basically the most beautiful dog ever. 

People complain about owning Sibes because of their antics and high energy, but I love it.  This doesn’t go without saying that he does annoy me – frequently.  But he’s more like a little brother in his annoyances.  And they amuse me the majority of the time.  His newest obsessions?  Tennis balls and sock hiding.  Tennis balls make him go ga-ga. He could care less about the “bring back” part of fetch, but boy loves his tennis balls.  And sock hiding?  Only men’s socks usually.  He’ll root them out of your shoes or duffel or dirty clothes hamper in order to lick them and love them before “hiding” them in a corner or under some silly object.

And his newest hate?  His awesome pack!  He despises going out with it on.   Thinks it lowers his street-cred.  I think he looks rather dashing!  Even if it is a little over-sized.  It’s done its job so far, slowing him down just a tad & giving him a bit more of a work out.  He doesn’t realize it yet, but he may be wearing it a TON this winter if the ski resort I’m working at for NSP will permit him to be on the mountain.  The patrollers are psyched about the idea, now to see what management thinks.  His obedience is greater than ever before, I’d love an excuse to amp it up.  I have several dog-trainer friends who have trained various levels of service dogs to gain guidance from.  I don’t have the time or $$ to do legit search and rescue (SAR) or service training with him.  I would love to train a SAR dog one day before I die though.  For now, hopefully Kenai can just learn to ride a ski lift and be our mascot for the winter.

Formally introducing Stanley

 

I love this horse more than most people (as I believe I have previously stated).  We began our relationship in the spring of 2006 and were pretty hot and heavy for two years until college really bogged me down, ownership of him became a little weird, and then I got really busy, and then I got Orion.  Now with Orion off with his new mom I have a void in my life that is bigger than it has ever been.  The responsibility and joy of horse ownership really threw me down the rabbit hole of horse craziness deeper than I’d ever been before.

 

I miss the daily husbandry of caring for an equine companion.  It was one of my favorite things.  In fact, I almost like that part of horse ownership better than getting to ride all the time!  So, Stan and I are reunited again.

We still have a strong bond.  Perhaps stronger due to our time apart.  As much as he pretends he doesn’t want to do anything and trots off in the field when I arrive, he doesn’t really mean it.  Its more of this show for his friends so he can uphold his “cool” status.  ‘Cause he is boss gelding, don’t y’know.

 Big boy has put on a couple hundred pounds since our endurance days.  He’s quite plump and very sassy about it.  I will make a point of getting some video of him long lining this weekend upcoming.  Wish I had this past weekend. Oh. My. Goodness.  His head carriage, his gliding, floating gaits, he looked like a dressage horse.  Gah-juss.  I was beside myself watching him.  I can’t wait to jump on and cruise around the trails on him soon.

  

Big ol' Appendix QH.  Close to 16hh.  He's a little parrot mouthed, but that's minor.  He hates the show ring - unless there are jumps in it, loves the trails, and excels at endurance (completed our 1st [and only] 30 mile limited distance with a time of 4 hr. 15 min.).

Our bond riding is even stronger than our ground work bond.  He’s that horse that reads your mind or mine anyway.  I know for a fact he doesn’t ride like that for anyone else – at least those I’ve observed. 

In actuality I know he’s just hypersensitive to the little cues my body gives that I am unaware of when I want to speed up, slow down, take this left or that right.  He’s got it.  He knows.  Not saying he’s not without his acting-up moments, ‘cause he’s got them, but they’re few and far between.  His main triggers are school buses and white geese.  That’s about it.  He’s brilliant.

 

And I love him.

And you will, too.  ‘Cause I can nearly guarantee his presence in the blogosphere is going to increase greatly in the upcoming months. 

Recapping

A relaxing evening at the camp

I had high aspirations to write a lengthy post about everything that has gone on, but as more things keep happening and happening, the likelihood of that is becoming slimmer and slimmer.  So here's the bulleted version:

• Morgantown bound last weekend.  Visited with so many people and had a hands down amazing time.  I sucked at partying and going out when I was in college, but I seem to be better now considering my bedtime of 5am on Saturday morning!  (Gibbies for drinks, Bent for mad dancing, and onward with more friends for a cool down.)  Win.  And I wasn't even drunk and therefore didn't have to combat a nasty hangover.  Double win.
• Hotdogs are a completely acceptable breakfast.
• Drove to Elkins,  then to my cabin on Saturday for my dad's birthday/to see family for the weekend.  Intended on staying the night there and hitting up some Purple Fiddle action, but sleepiness over took me and I drove home and conquered 12 hours of sleep.  Booya.

Mini-tour of our cabin; family built it/re-built it in the late 80s after the first burned down

Kenai wanted a charred stick but was afraid to get it

Family and friends

The high elevation fields and mountains of WV where our cabin is

Just chillin' on a back road

• Woke Sunday morning with the realization that I had another two days of weekend and Elkins was presenting me with nothing to do.  So, spur of the moment, I drove BACK to Morgantown for the WVU vs. Marshall football game.  I had no ticket but I did tailgate for a bit and then ran into a friend I hadn't seen in two years and watched the game w/ him at his friend's place.  We got hungry and decided to walk the 6 blocks to my car midway through the 3rd quarter - oops.  Rain, hail, lightning, thunder & me screaming expletives at the sky as hail pelted my bare legs.  (WVU's game ended up have 4+ hours of rain/lightning delay and Marshall defaulted the win to WVU, 33-13)  Yeah, it was a good time.  Hilarious.  I haven't been thoroughly soaked by rain in a long time.  Loved it.  We finally got into my car, got across town, and snagged showers and some food at his friend's house then headed out for a sushi dinner a little while later.

Ravi drenched

Drenched, but happy!

Om nom nom nom

• I ended the evening crashing at my friend Jack's place with him and his buddy.  Chilling and watching movies on that rainy night was just what I needed.
• It basically rained from Saturday - Thursday here.  Boo.
• Rain brought cooler temps.  Yay.
• Sickness struck me down Tuesday morning.  Tonsils swollen.  Queasiness started to ensue.  Went to work for a half day and came home.  Ended up being out of work all week until Friday late morning.  Fever, strep, nausea, puking.  It was glorious.  NOT.  Despite being loaded down with tylenol I still had a fever of 101.5.  Blech!  And NOTHING I ate would stay down for two days.  My food love has returned.  And I have a renewed sense to work out and be in shape after lying in bed for three-ish days.  Must. Move.

 

Cows in the road; how many points should I get for hitting it?  'Cause I may or may not have grazed one at a balmy 5mph

I'm alive.

I recognize that I have not posted in over a week.  I had high plans to this week, but I was struck down with some awful 3-day flu bug.  YUCK.  But I lived. 

I have much to tell of my past weekend's adventures and of this weekend's pursuits.  Photos will abound, for now, I leave you with me and the love of my life, reunited at last.  I love this horse more than most people.

Shhh, don't tell Stan that he gained 100+lbs since our prior riding pursuits

Landau

America's Got Talent

I don't usually, well, scratch that, I've NEVER watched this show before.

But y'all better vote for Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

Seriously.  He's from WV and he's phenomenal, and he was a CARWASHER before this show.  He's brilliant and I love him and his music choice.

VOTE!

Pearl and Feathers

So, riding Pearl? I didn’t get tossed. Booya. But boy, oh, boy was she a royal pain in the ass. Constantly attempting to turn and go home despite her other pony friend being on the trail in front of her. Doing all she could to avoid popping up into a canter. Trotting rampant off the side of the trail and trying to commit suicide with me on her back off the steep edge of the railroad grade. Um, NO, Pearl. I don’t have a death wish, thanks. As a result my left arm is sore from trying to keep her turned way off the edge since she had more of a death wish as we returned to the barn. She managed to freak herself out at one point though, giant culvert pipe sticking out the side of the hill she wanted to toss me down and she’s all OHMYGODITSGONNAKILLME while I’m all OHMYGODGETYOURASSONTOLEVELGROUND.

Yep, it was wonderful.

Nonee on her pony Nanny had a great ride. Hooping, hollering, speeding to and fro. I enjoyed watching her while my not-so-faithful steed put me through my paces. In the end Nonee demanded I ride Nanny awhile so I could have some fun, too. And then Nonee proceeded to put Pearl through her paces in a way I was unable to. FAIL on my part. Shown what’s up by a 10 year old. But I’m cool with it. She’s a fab rider and I love spending time with her.

Now, onto another subject – feather hair extensions & jewelry.

I’m bringing this up purely because I took the time to fix and adjust my own feathers last night and thought I should share this fun, "natural" fashion trend with everyone.

Please excuse the crappy ipod quality photo

This trend may or may not have reached your community recently, its taken mine by storm. A lot of the little girls in the 4-H horse club I help with have them now. Ironically, for the first time in my life I was way ahead of the curve with a trend. A friend of mine visited Boulder, CO this time last year and came back and decided to start exploring into the world of feather extensions and beyond. After buying up a TON of supplies she started experimenting on some of her friends and fellow rock climbing females [aka moi]. The idea of feather hair extensions caught on in our town like wildfire. Literally, it was crazy how quick everyone suddenly wanted them. The salons were quick to push my friend out of the spotlight, but that was fine because she’d moved onto bigger and better feather crafts. EARRINGS! Check her stuff out here, it’s beautiful, hand made, and makes great gifts. The wire is bent and hammered by her as she designs beautiful ways to show off the natural beauty of the materials she uses.  Seriously, check it out.

I leave this afternoon for Morgantown and my weekend.  Majorly looking forward to it.  I hope yours is wonderful, as well!

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you're looking at change." -Dr. Wayne Dyer