Friday, November 18, 2011

Can't wait to get this book!

One of my favorite authors, Lisa Kleypas, has a new book coming out...Rainshadow Road.  It is a contemporary novel due out January 2012. 

I love Lisa's historical novels but my favorite are her contemporary novels like Blue-Eyed Devil and Smooth Talking Stranger.  Rainshadow Road is her second novel set in San Juan Island, the first Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor was such an enjoyable read that made readers feel right at home, and gave them a cup of cocoa, that I can't wait to get my hands on this book.

Here is an excerpt of Rainshadow Road from Lisa Kleypas's website:

Lucy Marinn, a glass artist who lives on San Juan Island, has just been dumped by her boyfriend Kevin. Needing some privacy and time to think, she goes to a nearby beach and meets a dark-haired stranger . . .


In the periphery of her vision, Lucy saw a dog making his way along the edge of the water. He was followed by a dark-haired stranger, whose alert gaze was fastened on her.


The sight of him kindled instant unease. He had the strapping build of a man who earned his living outdoors. And something about him conveyed a sense of having been acquainted with life's rougher edges. In other circumstances Lucy might have reacted differently, but she didn't care to find herself alone on a beach with him.

She headed to the trail that led back up to the roadside turnout. A glance over her shoulder revealed that he was following her. That jolted her nerves into high gear. As she quickened her pace, the toe of her sneaker caught on the wind-scuffed basalt. Her weight pitched forward and she hit the ground, taking the impact on her hands.

Stunned, Lucy tried to collect herself. By the time she had struggled to her feet, the man had reached her. She spun to face him with a gasp, her disheveled brown hair partially obscuring her vision.

"Take it easy, will you?" he said curtly.

Lucy pushed the hair out of her eyes and regarded him warily. His eyes were a vivid shade of blue-green in his tanned face. He was striking, sexy, with a quality of rough-and-tumble attractiveness. Although he looked no more than thirty, his face was seasoned with the maturity of a man who'd done his share of living.

"You were following me," Lucy said.

"I was not following you. This happens to be the only path back to the road, and I'd like to get back to my truck before the storm hits. So if you wouldn't mind, either step it up or get out of the way."

Lucy stood to the side. "Don't let me hold you back."

The stranger's gaze went to her hand, where smears of blood had collected in the creases of her fingers. An edge of rock had cut into the top of her palm when she had fallen. He frowned. "I've got a first aid kit in my truck."

"It's nothing," Lucy said, although the cut was throbbing heavily. She blotted the welling blood on her jeans. "I'm fine."

"Put pressure on it with your other hand," the man said. His mouth tightened as he surveyed her. "I'll walk up the trail with you."

"Why?"

"In case you fall again."

"I'm not going to fall."

"It's steep ground. And from what I've seen so far, you're not exactly sure-footed."

Lucy let out an incredulous laugh. "You are the most . . . I . . . I don’t even know you."

"Sam Nolan. I live at False Bay." He paused as an ominous peal of thunder rent the sky. "Let's get moving."

"Your people skills could use some work," Lucy said. But she offered no objection as he accompanied her along the rough terrain.

"Keep up, Renfield," Sam said to the bulldog, who followed with apoplectic snorts and wheezes.

"Do you live on the island full-time?" Lucy asked.

"Yes. Born and raised here. You?"

"I've been here a couple of years." Darkly she added, "But I may be moving soon."

"Changing jobs?"

"No." Although Lucy was usually circumspect about her private life, some reckless impulse caused her to add, "My boyfriend just broke up with me."

Sam gave her a quick sideways glance. "Today?"

"About an hour ago."

"Sure it's over? Maybe it was just an argument."

"I'm sure," Lucy said. "He's been cheating on me."

"Then good riddance."

"You're not going to defend him?" Lucy asked cynically.

"Why would I defend a guy like that?"

"Because he's a man, and apparently men can't help cheating. It's the way you're built. A biological imperative."

"Like hell it is. A man doesn't cheat. If you want to go after someone else, you break up first. No exceptions." They continued along the path. Heavy raindrops tapped the ground with increasing profusion. "Almost there," Sam said. "Is your hand still bleeding?"

Cautiously Lucy released the pressure she had been applying with her fingers, and glanced at the oozing cut. "It's slowed."

"If it doesn't stop soon, you may need a stitch or two." That caused her to stumble, and he reached for her elbow to steady her. Seeing that she had blanched, he asked, "You've never had stitches?"

"No, and I'd rather not start now. I have trypanophobia."

"What's that? Fear of needles?

"Uh-huh. You think that's silly, don't you?"

He shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. "I have a worse phobia."

"What is it?"

"It's strictly need-to-know."

"Spiders?" she guessed. "Fear of heights? Fear of clowns?"

His smile widened to a brief, dazzling flash. "Not even close."

They reached the turnout, and his hand dropped from her elbow. He went to the battered blue pickup, opened the door, and began to rummage inside. The bulldog lumbered to the side of the truck and sat, watching the proceedings through a mass of folds and furrows on his face.

Lucy waited nearby, watching Sam discreetly. His body was strong and lean beneath the worn bleached cotton of his tee shirt, jeans hanging slightly loose from his hips. There was a particular look about men from this region, a kind of bone-deep toughness. The Pacific Northwest had been populated by explorers, pioneers and soldiers who had never known when a supply ship was coming. They had survived on what they could get from the ocean and mountains. Only a particular amalgam of hardness and humor could enable a man to survive starvation, cold, disease, enemy attacks, and periods of near-fatal boredom. You could still see it in their descendants, men who lived by nature's rules first and society's rules second.

"You have to tell me," Lucy said. "You can't just say you have a worse phobia than mine and then leave me hanging."

He pulled out a white plastic kit with a red cross on it. Taking an antiseptic wipe from the kit, he used his teeth to tear the packet open. "Give me your hand," he said. She hesitated before complying. The gentle grip of his hand was electrifying, eliciting a sharp awareness of the heat and strength of the male body so close to hers. Lucy's breath caught as she stared into those intense blue eyes. Some men just had it, that something-extra that could knock you flat if you let it.

"This is going to sting," he said as he began to clean the cut with gentle strokes.

The breath hissed between her teeth as the antiseptic burned.

Lucy waited quietly, wondering why a stranger would go to this amount of trouble for her. As his head bent over her hand, she stared at the thick locks of his hair, a shade of brown so rich and dark that it appeared almost black.

"You're not in bad shape, considering," she heard him murmur.

"Are you talking about my hand or my breakup?"

"Breakup. Most women would be crying right now."

"I'm still in shock. The next stage is crying and sending angry text messages to everyone I know. After that is the stage when I'll want to rehash the relationship until all my friends start avoiding me." Lucy knew she was chattering, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. "In the final stage, I'll get a short haircut that doesn't flatter me, and buy a lot of expensive shoes I'll never wear."

"It's a lot simpler for guys," Sam said. "We just drink a lot of beer, go a few days without shaving, and buy an appliance."

"You mean . . . like a toaster?"

"No, something that makes noise. Like a leaf-blower or chainsaw. It's very healing."

That drew a brief, reluctant smile from her.

She needed to go home and think about the fact that her life was entirely different than it had been when she woke up that morning. How could she go back to the home that she and Kevin had created together? She couldn't sit at the kitchen table with the wobbly leg that both of them had tried to fix countless times, and listen to the ticking of the vintage black cat clock with the pendulum tail that Kevin had given her for her twenty-fifth birthday. Their flatware was a jumble of mismatched knives, forks and spoons from antique stores. Flatware with wonderful names. They had delighted in finding new treasures—a King Edward fork, a Waltz of Spring spoon. Now every object in that house had just become evidence of another failed relationship. How was she going to face that damning accumulation?

Sam applied an adhesive bandage to her hand. "I don't think you'll have to worry about stitches," he said. "The bleeding's almost stopped." He held her hand just a fraction of a second longer than necessary before letting go. "What's your name?

Lucy shook her head, the shadow of a smile still lingering. "Not unless you tell me your phobia."

He looked down at her. The rain was falling faster now, a fabric of droplets glittering on his skin, weighting his hair until the thick locks darkened and separated. "Peanut butter," he said.

"Why?" she asked, bemused. "Do you have an allergy?"

Sam shook his head. "It's the feeling of having it stick to the roof of my mouth."

She gave him a skeptical smile. "Is that a real phobia?"

"Absolutely." He tilted his head, studying her with those striking eyes. Waiting for her name, she realized.

"Lucy," she said.

"Lucy." A new softness edged his voice as he asked, "You want to go somewhere and talk? Maybe have coffee?"

Lucy was amazed by the strength of the temptation to say yes. But she knew that if she went anywhere with this big, good-looking stranger, she was going to end up weeping and complaining about her pathetic love life. In response to his kindness, she was going to spare him that. "Thanks, but I really have to go," she said, feeling desperate and defeated.

"Can I drive you home? I could put your bike in the back of the truck."

Her throat closed. She shook her head and turned away.

"I live at the end of Rainshadow Road," Sam said from behind her. "At the vineyard on False Bay. Come for a visit, and I'll open a bottle of wine. We'll talk about anything you want." He paused. "Any time."

Lucy cast a bleak smile over her shoulder. "Thank you. But I can't take you up on that." She went to her bike, raised the kickstand, and swung her leg over.

"Why not?"

"The guy who just broke up with me . . . he was exactly like you, in the beginning. Charming, and nice. They're all like you in the beginning. But I always end up like this. And I can't do it anymore."

She rode away through the rain, the tires digging ruts into the softening ground. And even though she knew he was watching, she didn't let herself look back.

Pre-Order from:

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**I am lucky enough to be one of Lisa's Divas - a group of select fans who share into & content related to Lisa's novels and get sneak peeks & swag in return.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day
...to all of the Dad's out there, especially my Dad
You have been an inspiration to me.  You have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and helped pick me up with I fell. 

Thank you!


Doing what he loves best, sailing.


Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happiness

Someone loves rolling in the grass

...and cow poop

....and dead animals.

Lucky for me, today she only rolled in the grass.


Friday, June 17, 2011

I'm Ready for the Weekend

It's the weekend!  And I feel exactly how Copelan is acting...ready to shed my work clothes have some fun.  Sporting shorts and t-shirts, not heels and slacks.  I get to work in the garden and play with the animals, (I'm conviently forgetting the chores I need to do...shhh).  It's great way to relax and prepare for another week at work. Ahhhhh.....

Tonight calls for good friends, good food and possibly a nice bottle of wine.

Get that itch!

Have a great weekend!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This blog is linked to Farmgirl Friday at Deborah Jean's Dandelion House. Check out the other great farming blogs!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Comin' In

Each evening the cows come down from the front pasture to the back pasture.  This journey takes them through a nice shady lane.

Normally, I head up the lane with Jackson following closely behind me to call the girls in.  This particular evening they were already heading in.  It was a nice little surprise.

Jackson is watching the girls come down the lane, missing his evening herding opportunity.

So nice of the girls to head in by themselves.

Mama Cow is always first.

Then comes her 2 yr old calf, the Future Leader.

Sweet Rose trying to avoid the paparazzi after a hard day.

"Are you really going to take my picture?" Julie isn't too keen on photographs today.


And BeBe making sure everyone made it in.

If only every evening was this easy.  No worries, I am sure I will be walking up the lane looking out for snakes tomorrow.  The girls like to keep me on my toes.  At least Jackson will be happy.  He loves being the herd dog of the operation.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I Like to Think I am Loved

I would like to think that the chickens genuinely like me and are running to see me.

But I know better...they think I have food.

This is what I see every evening on my walks, even when I am not carrying a bag of veggies.


A few herald my appearance.
Then the rest start to follow.




They come from all directions.





Waiting expectantly for some tasty morsel.



Mister Rooster is always front and center...though he rarely gets the first bite.  He's a gentleman like that.





They just keep coming!





Piggy, my shoulder riding chicken, is in the middle of the pack hoping that I have saved her the best bite.





Wow, we have a lot of chickens!





Yeah, I would like to think that they just wanted to be in my company but the truth is I had food.  It helps the ego to see so many running to be near you. :)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Mulberries

I made a discovery this past week...I have a Mulberry tree behind my house!

At first I didn't know what it was. The berries look like blackberries but the birds weren't eating them. Because of that I thought they might be poisonous.

Turns out they weren't ripe yet. As soon as they turned I was competing with the birds for the tastiest berries. I was outnumbered...so I didn't get as many as I would have liked. But no worries, I am now hovering over the unripe ones and I'm ready to pounce when they ripen. The birds won't get too many more.

Once I have enough I'm making a cobbler. Yum!

I better go back out and see if any have ripen since last night. Yep, I'm getting obsessive...but I will get those berries.
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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Chicken = Parrot


Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip
~ Will Rogers

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I Just Want to Sleep In

Having animals, both pets and livestock, means I don't get to sleep in until I *want* to wake up.  I seem to always be on their schedule. Whether it is the donkey wanting to be fed (which is all hours of the day) or the dogs wanting to go out.

My cat, George, is my partner for sleeping in; my ally, my co-patriot, my gato simpatico... She is the one that has to be pushed out of bed so she can eat her breakfast before the others get it. 

But lately she is getting up at the crack of dawn.  And she EXPECTS things from me when she is awake, she is the epitome of a diva.

"Where is my breakfast?"

"I want to go out!" 

"How come you aren't up?"  "Because it is only 6:30, my alarm is set for 7."

At 6:30 she is by my bed *talking* to me.  I'm barely coherent at 7, so 6:30 makes me a zombie with a not happy attitude. She doesn't care...actually I think she enjoys poking me.

If her *talking* can't get my attention right away she climbs up, gets in my face and starts over.

"Where is my breakfast?"

"I want to go out!"

"How come you aren't up?"

She will be heard...and yes, I do cave.

Diva to the max

I used to think I had an ally for sleeping in, apparently that has now changed.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

I Dream that One Day...

My dream is to one day be back at the family farm in Oklahoma.  This is one of the farms I spent summers on with my Great Aunt Lula; we picked tomatoes, shelled peas, collected eggs, fished, and everything that regular farm kids do.  Mostly get into trouble...

I remember catching fireflies by the Mason jarful.  I remember hot afternoons in front of the black and white T.V. watching soaps and trying to learn how to embroider.  I still have the sampler that I spent all summer on. You can see the progression; and I have to credit Aunt Lula for her patience. It wasn't easy, and I am surprised she decided to teach me at 8 years old.  But glad she did.

Another memory, though not fond, was the midnight runs to the outhouse.  Yes, you heard me right...the outhouse!  The farmhouse didn't have running water.  So each day we hauled water to the house.  With the outhouse you didn't always know who would be accompanying you. 

One time a hen was setting on her eggs in there. That was a little odd, to have a chicken stare at you while you did what you needed to do.  She did hatch her chicks and soon moved them back to the coop. Thank goodness, because the outhouse wasn't big enough for all of us.

The farm has since been sold and the house, though standing, has been taken over by the elements but the barn is still standing resolutely against the Oklahoma wind waiting for animals to return home for the evening.

One day I want to go back and rebuild the farm, and build a bunch of new memories.  One day....

Monday, June 6, 2011

A Night with the Classics

Last week I didn't want to do the dishes.  So I left them in the sink soaking and headed out to the historic Kentucky Theater in downtown Lexington. I picked up my friend Carrie, both of us needed a respite from the activity of our lives. 

If you know Carrie, you know she likes to be at the movies well in advance so that we can get through concessions and find a good seat.  If you know me, you know that I tend to be skidding into the parking lot, running to the ticket counter and hoping Carrie saved me a seat. 

Carrie has been a good influence, I now have time to go through the concession line, then race to my seat in the dark.

But I was good last week.  I didn't know how bad traffic would be downtown, and I was coming from a new direction, so I gave us plenty of time.  Thank goodness...

There was a long line at the ticket counter.

Then there was a really long line for concessions.

Then we couldn't find seats because the place was packed.

We found our seats and got to know our neighbors as we listened to the movie organ music that was playing, creating an atmosphere that took movie goers back to a time when going to the movies was an occasion to be relished.  The theater manager came out and gave us a brief history of the movie we were going to see, The African Queen with Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.

The movie started and everyone was enthralled.  You didn't have the teenagers in the back texting or the couple in the corner canoodling...everyone was actually watching the movie.  We laughed and gasped together and in the end we all clapped. 

This was what made movies the experience that people relished.  There wasn't a lot of high tech special effects, but yet it kept everyone engrossed.  Mr. Bogart did a great job as a gin-swilling riverboat captain, Charlie Allnut. And Katharine Hepburn...wow...she always does a great job and her character of missionary Rose Sayer was no different.  It reminds us that love comes in the strangest places, at the strangest times and with the strangest people.  Who would have thought the African River with man-eating crocodiles and huge mosquito's would bring about love.  Oh, and they blew up a German warship...

I am glad the Kentucky Theater brings us the classics each summer.  In two weeks I will be leaving my house super early so that I can avoid the long lines and get a great seat.  They are playing Breakfast at Tiffany's...I can't wait to see Holly Golightly on the big screen.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

The End of the Day

On the weekends this is what the end of day looks like; five cows heading home.

This particular evening the flys were pretty bad, and the girls were high-tailing it to the wooded area when it was time to come in, which is in the opposite direction of the gate.

If they made it to the woods I probably would have never gotten them out. With that possibility on my mind I moved quickly...& by quickly, I mean I actually ran across the field to head them off. Its amazing what you can do when your adrenaline is pumping.

Goodness gracious...it hurt to breath...

After a few deep breaths to keep oxygen flowing, I blocked their path by yelling and waving a stick.

(They're huge, I had to do something to make the turn.)

They wanted to run from the crazy person. With these efforts I got them turned around and headed in.

So, luckily, the end of day looked like this.
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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

An Evening Walk to the Tree of Life

Is he outside?
Evening walks through the pastures with the dogs are part of my routine. They sniff out all the animals that went through the previous night and day. This makes them happy, and therefore, me happy.




Each night partway through our walk I will turn around and find Jackson, my cat, behind us. He loves to go exploring. Since he was a kitten when I got him in Illinois he would go on walks with me and the dogs.


He needs more attention!

When it is just in the pasture I don't worry too much, except when he decides to climb down the groundhog's hole...that is a whole another story. In IL, we lived in a little historic village (I really have a thing for historic homes it seems...hmmmm) he thought walking in the street was better than the broken and disappearing sidewalk. Luckily, the residents knew us, and gave Jackson a wide berth. Silly cat.

Come here groundhog
On one walk this evening I took my camera along to get photos of one of the interesting trees. Before I knew it was I more interested photographing the animals...again. Willow was trying her darnedest to get the groundhog that lived under the tree (different groundhog, sadly); Kody kept looking over at the neighbor's hoping they were outside so that he could get a treat; and Jackson just wanted attention.



The subject that I had intended to spend the rest of the daylight hours photographing only got a few shots before the sun went behind the trees. A favorite of my Mother's; I call it the Tree of Life, not only because it looks like it was here when God created the earth but the twists and turns of the branches represent the paths life takes each of us on. I enjoy just looking up sometimes and trying to navigate the turns of my life.



It is a great place to put out a blanket and read...after the cows are put up. They are nosy critters and always want to read over my shoulder.



P.S. I have tweaked the name of this blog. I wasn't 100% happy with the title but then Kim from Life in a Little Red Farmhouse commented about me being an Okie girl. A light when off! I am an Okie in the Bluegrass. I identify with two wonderful states. My roots are in Oklahoma but I am enjoying my time in the Bluegrass state of Kentucky. So the title changed. Thanks Kim!

Friday, May 27, 2011

I Never Thought I Would See This

I never thought that living in the city, even though it is on 20 acres, that I would have more wild critters running around then when I actually lived in the country on a big ole’ horse farm. But it is true. Since there is no major green space all of the wild critters come to my little 20 acre paradise. I have seen the traditional squirrels, and variety of birds. Now I am seeing raccoons, foxes, and the ever present groundhogs. I think we have a least ten that call my paradise home.
One of her favorite holes in the field.



It is these groundhogs that keep Willow busy. She has always got her head in one of their gigantic holes. Holes so big that I have contemplated using them as storm shelters during all of the tornado warnings we have been having here in Lexington. On our evening walks she will dart off because she has caught a glimpse of an elusive yet ever-present groundhog.


This past week while my Mom was visiting, we were planting flowers into the garden. Out of the corner of my eye I kept seeing Willow run around; at first I didn’t think anything of it but then I realized she was looking up and circling the same area. Looking up, I first thought the tree had a huge wart on it’s branch but it turned out to be a treed groundhog. That’s right, Willow treed her first groundhog. You might be shaking your head in disbelief, much like I was doing, because as the name indicates these are underground dwelling creatures but apparently they can climb. I even took pictures so that I could have proof.


She stayed on that groundhog until he or she came down. Once it was down she proceeded to chase it. She caught it but she was so stunned that the groundhog got a 3 yard advantage and beat her back to its hole.

This kept her busy for awhile.

Willow’s day was made and I was very proud of her. My sweet puppy has found her new ambition…Groundhog Hunter. (It’s the catching part we are working on.)


P.S. Two days later we discovered that that particular groundhog had dug up under my house, right under the heater and broke it. Now I’m really glad I have my own bona-fide Groundhog Hunter at home.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Just a Little Prank

I’m not a devious person…mischievous, but not devious. Most of the time I keep my mischievousness in check, I am after all supposed to be an adult… (Mom I can hear you rolling your eyes.) But yesterday I couldn’t resist playing a small prank on my co-workers.


At my office we celebrate birthdays that fall on Friday and the weekends on Thursday, because many of my co-workers are off on Friday. My birthday is this Saturday. Since I am well aware of our pattern and I haven’t forgotten my birthday, I knew they were going to decorate my cell. But I didn’t want to make it too easy for them.

I hid all the decorations.

In the fridge.

Better yet, someone put something in the fridge in the morning and didn’t notice them, even though they were out in front.

They did eventually find the decorations and proceeded to over-decorate my cell!

 
Plus, they posted signs through the whole floor telling everyone that I was celebrating an old
er birthday than I actually was. *sigh*










This might be the last time I play a prank…no, it was too much fun!!


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Meet Begonia

Meet Begonia, a slightly irrational Jersey milk cow that lives on the farm.  Her personality is less than approachable, more standoffish and somewhat belligerent.  But yet I like her. I want to say that she is misunderstood but I don't think that is it.  She trots to the beat of her own drummer and even at that she is off beat. Begonia, or BeBe as I have affectionately started calling her, gives our small herd character.



Begonia "BeBe"

Monday, May 2, 2011

Rolex Cross Country and Freestyle Reining

Saturday the worlds of 3 Day Eventing and Reining intermingled.  It was the setting for one of the most exciting days in the U.S. Eventing world, Rolex Kentucky Cross Country day.  A day where internationally ranked riders and horses go across hill and dale jumping obscenely huge obstacles, splashing through water, jumping in and out of canyons all under a time crunch.  It is completely crazy and COMPLETELY thrilling. 


Leap frog

Cross Country is most riders and my favorite portion of eventing; in truth it is the reason we event.  And Rolex is where the top riders and horses come to play, the setting in at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park makes it even more magical. As a child this is where I dreamed of coming to one day. (Little did I know I would one day work at an office in the Horse Park.

Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day for cross country. The rain had finally stopped and the temperature only got into the 70's. I met up with some long lost friends from my California riding and Pony Club days (Thank you Facebook!).  I was great seeing them and catching up.  It felt like it was just yesterday that we were out hacking in Briones National Park together, which helps keep the delusion of my age going. ;)  I don't need any more reminders that I am getting ready to celebrate another birthday.


Good pace!
We got to experience our own version of cross country as we walked from fence to fence, the run-off water had created streams and bogs all through the fields.  And smarty-pants me was only wearing tennis shoes, because we had a day and a half of sunshine so I thought everything would be nice and dry. Yeah right.


The excess water did help the Range Rover driving course, where everyday people in possession of a drivers license got to test drive a Range or Land Rover.  My favorite part of this course was the teeter totter.  I can't quite explain how your stomach drops when the teeter totter drops. 


They are trying to balance before they drop down.

After a good day in the sun watching extreme riding I headed over to the Alltech Arena to watch the World Championship Freestyle Reining competition.  I was prepared to see some good reining freestyles but I was taken by surprise to find out that 4 top event riders would be participating...  This should be interesting.

Bellying up to the bar

Watching the event riders try to do sliding stops and spins had good entertainment value.  David O'Connor did a respectable job, enough for him to place sixth.


David O'Connor showing reining skills

Shane Brown and Houston Shine won the night with a great interpretation of the song "In Color" by Jamie Johnson.

It was a busy day that is now full of new memories.  Unfortunately, I still had a whole day of the weekend left to clean the house. sigh

Friday, April 29, 2011

Rolex Dressage

One of the many benefits of working in an office at the Kentucky Horse Park is that I get tickets to most of the events.  This weekend it is the legendary Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event or as it is widely know, "Rolex".

Lunch hours are spend perusing the vendors eating high priced fair food (that burger wasn't worth the $9 I paid) and running into people you see once a year at Rolex. 

This year I stopped and watched a bit of the dressage as I caught up with a friend from my youth.  Going to these horse shows makes me yearn to get another horse and today was no different.  I can only imagine what tomorrow will be like when I watch cross country, my favorite of the three days.