A beautiful Fall day

The day started with a 9AM meeting at the office with Penny and Ashley.  We talked systems, calendars, plans and programs.  It's a good team.

From there, Cherese and I headed  to Fall City for our lesson with Mona and Nora.  Another day in the round pen and feeling really good to be part of the horse connection.



Cherese with Nora.  Caroline, our trainer, teaching the Parelli games.






Po Dog for Lunch!  Vege hot dogs and french fries - YUM.

The Perfect Birthday



Mona....my sweet girl.



Cherese working with Nora, using the carrot stick to help Nora feel OK when the stick is rubbed over her body.



Not sure who is training who sometimes.









Alert the media - Harry's arrived.

Summer harvest





Summer ends today and so does our hope for more ripe tomatoes.  Behold the bounty...such as is was. Fried green tomatoes anyone?

And then there's this fella....the red pepper. 

Meet Stella Scout Zeiler

Sara and Telle welcomed their daughter, Stella, into the world on June 11th.  Surrounded  by the coffee house hubbub at Victrola, the beautiful Stella slept soundly.  It was delicious to spend time with beaming moms and Miss Stella! 

Happiness

Abby's here!

And so are Donna and Lorelei! Abby's having a very hard day, as you can see. 

Bounty from Bainbridge

Dina brings us vegetables from their garden.

Just picked that morning - A black greenbean - who knew?

Beets, roasted with olive oil and sea salt

Thank you Paula and Dina for sharing your harvest!

The Best Part

Warm days

                                                

Cherese's Sunday morning paper and Sally's sunbathing time

                                                  

Dear friends Sydni and Kendy.....and fetching balls at Magnuson Park

After a long and satisfying ride in the countryside

Cherese and Thunder

Cherese has been training on several of the horses at the farm, but Thunder seems to be the one she's bonded with.  Class is over and it's time for a carrot.

Waldo, resident "old guy," who is free to roam the farm and do whatever pleases him.

Happy Trails to Dew and Marty

Marty checking the roadtrip goodie bag.  He loves his popchips!

Almost ready.

Sunday morning, July 20th, our dear Dew is surrounded by those who love her - friends, neighbors, children and dogs. 

Marty's ready.

Dew and Dolly

Dew leading the way, Marty right behind.

Our dear Dew - you will be missed. 

Frolic in Palm Springs

Happiness is

an orange ball

riding in Palm Springs

90 degree weather and a pool

Lesson #3

Another Saturday morning at the horse farm.  I got a shots of some of our one-on-one instructors, including Tess on her horse, Rocket.  Rocket is 23 years old.

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Sheri's teacher, taking a break on Rio.

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This is Kyle, Tracy's teacher.

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Heather, my teacher (Tess filled in for her last week) on her horse, Legacy.

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The only thing as fun as riding, is buying the right gear. 

Are you sure you don't have more boots?

Sticking with her tried and true,  a Texas boot from Donna Williams, that's seen a lot of miles...shall we say.  

Lesson #2

Cherese - And she's off!

Today was all about getting on the horse and staying on the horse, bareback.  I had no idea horses were so warm.  With no saddle between me and Cutie, I could really feel her underneath me.  Here we are in the round pen, with Marie, our instructor at the helm and each of us with our one on one  instructors, making sure we're safe.

Sheri  is an experienced rider.  When I see her on her horse, it looks like she's been riding him for years.

Heather is also experienced and like Sheri, already has that sense of confidence. 

Tracy, could not be happier at this moment.

Tess, my nine year old one on one instructor, asking me "How many times have you been on a horse?"  This makes 2.  Shortly after I took this photo Major Marie said, "all cell phones in the car!" 

Marie said I looked like a ballerina up there. A ballerina with a really big head.  You know I'm not happy with that helmet.   Feet in, not out, when you're riding.

The end of another satisfying day.

Tess, with her horse, Rocket, saying good-bye to us as we leave the farm. 

Just another day at the farm

Horse riding lesson #1.

And so it begins, Tracy, Sheri, Cherese, Heather and me - we piled in the car at 8AM and headed for E&K Farm in Auburn to begin lessons.  Marie, third from left, is our fearless instructor.  Each of us is assigned a one on one teacher as well. Note Tess (with Heather's arm around her) age 9, Marie's assistant instructor.  Kid you not. Our one on one teachers are much older....at least 14. This is going to be great!

From Horse Lessons to Sheep Shearing.

After our lesson, Cherese and I headed to Bainbridge to help (watch) Dina and Paula shear their sheep.  Once sheared, we did help to pick out the debris (poop) from the wool, then fold into thirds, roll and bag.  Next stop: into the wash to clean.  Then it's ready to spin...I think. 

Dina on the right with the shears and Paula pulling the wool back.

Almost done

Summer cut

Picking out the debris

Folded and  rolled with the best side up

Paula, taking a break with the goats and one sheared sheep.

Thomas, giving kisses to Rebecca.  He's next.