Spring Music on the Farm

My granddaughter Alexa, friend Holly, and I decided to take a ride around the farm. The ground was still squishy under our horses' feet, but the squish was a good squish. A chill in the early spring air was soon forgotten as we roamed around the vast acres of pastures. In the summer they would be filled with hay, but now they were wide open for riding. Alexa felt as free as the whistling wind and asked Tantra to gallop. It was not my intention to follow, but Tango wanted to keep up with Tantra, so that's exactly what we did. The sound of Alexa laughing as I begged her to stop (half-heartedly) was music to my ears. Spring music. As we walked up the path towards the barn Chuck was waiting there with his video camera.

It was the perfect timing for him to open the gate for us to the outdoor arena so we could ride in a confined area before we called it a day. Just a little more cantering. A little more music from the horses' hooves on the soft ground. And a little more wind to remind us of the melody of the wonderful season that had not quite blossomed enough to burst into an entire orchestra of sound .

Though the video is far from artistically perfect, my guess is you can hear the same spring music that we heard on our lovely ride in the early spring.

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Who's Cold?

In spite of the fact that I'm ready for spring, one thing I never am...at least for very long...is cold! I can honestly tell you that a three-dog-night (or day) is as good as warm sunshine when it comes to thwarting off the March chill. This photo was taken right after I got home from a long morning of riding. Of course, Tango's body heat keeps me warm when I'm on his back but afterwards when I'm untacking, well, it's cold!!! Three dogs are better than hot tea. They're better than a glass of wine. They might even be better than a hot bath tub! And as I half-sit half-lay on the couch, having the three dogs as close to me as they can get is a great way to drift off while I'm remembering the thrill of my morning ride.

Who could ask for more? Not me!

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Meet Our New Grandson!

Luke Michael Mader

6 pounds and 9 ounces

March 18, 2011

1:35 a.m.

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Talk About Luck!

My latest assignment for a magazine I write for was to write an article about how to prepare a pet for a new baby.

Since my son and daughter-in-law are expecting our grandson any second, they made perfect models for the article!

So did Riley!

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What Kind of a Person Does This?

Ivy is so sweet and woud be the perfect family pet. In fact she was. Then HER family gave her up because they were moving. The fall leaves hadn't even begun to change when Ivy was dropped off at the animal shelter. It was September then. Ivy's been in a cage ever since. She went from living the life of a family dog to living in a cage in an institution and in my opinion that sucks.

No one wants to adopt Ivy. Why? Because Ivy is eight-years-old. Age doesn't mean anything though. Ivy is still very playful and probably has five or six more years of life left in her. She's no different than me. Most people my age don't do what I do. Thank God no one took me away from my comfy home and locked me up! They didn't tell me I couldn't gallop my horse across a field either. Poor Ivy.

Ivy is house-trained. She gets along with other dogs and older children. She does well in doggy playgroups and is well behaved. She's not overly nervous either.

Ivy's been at the shelter way too long. She is really in need of a good home. If you live near Columbus, Ohio (or want to transport) or know anyone who would give Ivy a loving home please contact Jen at 614-415-6243. You can also email chaanimalshelter.org

The only thing that makes me feel better about situations like this is to do something. My house is full right now but I can still network with all of you. Thanks for letting me bend your ears.

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

Clearly Ivy's owners weren't worthy of her devotion.

P.S. I was just reading some of the comments that have been left and someone I consider to be a total dog expert thinks that Ivy could live to be 16 or so!

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There's Always a Way!

Who says only kids can play ring-around-the-rosie? It's a great way to share the arena on a winter night and carry on a lively conversation at the same time. The other half of the arena was being used for lessons so the barn was full of life!

If you'd like to leave a comment scroll way down...

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A Lovely View

I was waiting at the back door and watching for cardinals when I realized I had the best view of all right in front of me. I put on my boots and jacket and joined my crew just to breathe in the frosty air. We stayed out long enough to awaken our senses to the most sincere of all winters that I can remember. I can honestly say that time seemed to stand still, even if only for a moment. Wishing for spring seemed like wasting precious days of our lives.

"To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the snow."

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