Christmas 2013

We have had a wonderful Christmas. The best part is having all the kids here . Now, the boxes are put out because it is Boxing Day and I am going hunting. Sarah and Kevin are going to visit friends, Will is playing basketball with high school buddies and Sam and Steph are, hopefully, enjoying time off work! Mike did go to work, oh well! I saw a beautiful red fox this morning in the back pasture, which is always a welcome sight. ( I know I am not just feeding raccoons!). It is cold and by tonight frosty again. Mike tried to use his new telescope last night but starting with the moon might be easiest, hopefully it will rise earlier tonight.  There were lots of stars but it was really cold -numb fingers! Happy Boxing Day , Happy Hunting to my fox hunting friends  and Happy New Year to everyone !

spreading Christmas joy to all.....

The most wonderful time of the year.....yes, for most of us it a wonderful, joyous, love-filled celebration. The kids are coming into town today !!! I am so excited to see them. I was up early and  placing the gifts around the tree. I know the brightly wrapped boxes are not the real meaning of Christmas but it is a " real" pleasure to think of little things to bring smiles to my family. I love trying to find or make a unique gift  that has some significance to their lives. We are all " the three kings" bearing gifts to our cherish ones.   Perhaps it is my way of honoring the holy spirit to gather family under one roof for a couple of days and tell them how special they are to me with a thoughtful expression of my love. Yes, the real meaning of Christmas is the gathering and exchange of love. The Spirit that binds family together and makes us cherish this time of year is hopefully carried through to all parts of our lives. We can make it real by the change dropped into the Salvation Army pots, by the smiles to strangers and the patience given to hassled store clerks. By the extra pats to the dogs and horses in my life. It is the softening that lets me bring the barn cat into the basement because he is lonely outside. It is the chicken scraps I give to the foxes I feed behind the woods ( or raccoons!). It is the stockings filled and given to adult children who secretly still love them!! It is the donations given to charities, the thanks and silent prayers sent overseas to troops who miss their families. The Spirit of Christmas Love is everywhere and it is what makes this such a special time of year. Let us remember the less fortunate and do what we can to make all it special for everyone. Happy Holidays to all my friends and family.

there will be a brighter star in the heavens....

We may never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again in our lifetimes. This morning I heard a quote from him which was " Difficult times can break some men and make others." His whole life was an example of how to face adversity and stay true to yourself, without hatred or condemnation.  What I remember most about Mandela, other than all the  history we know, is his smile. He beams in his pictures and his joy for life is evident. He was the master of his soul! At this Christmas time I urge everyone to honor Mandela's memory by doing something wonderful for someone else. You remember the bumper sticker of past that said, "Random Acts of Beauty and Forgiveness", well, in his memory I want to make someone else smile today and hope they try to pass it on. We can all "play it forward" this season and keep his joy and kindness alive.  May we all
find peace and joy.

favorite memories....

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Annie and Will who came up from Charlotte and we all loved doing Sam and Stephanie's first Thanksgiving dinner in their home. Sarah and Kevin were with in Santa Barbara with a new nephew and the rest of the Milner family. Lots to be thankful for and enjoy. Missed hunting on Thanksgiving Day but it definitely was a little more relaxed. We all ate too much and stayed home to avoid crazy shoppers on Black Friday. Put on my orange vest and rode in the woods, hoping the hunters were still eating. Mike and I decided that the beavers have definitely gotten the upper hand, the woods are turning into a 12 acre pond, so we thought,  better to join them than to fight them. We spent two hours clearing brambles, brush and small trees from the wood line below the house, so that, now we have a view of the engineering marvel! The deer and beavers are probably saying WTF but we can now watch the water level rise. I do wonder how deep it will get, the beaver lodges are the size of a small igloo. However the water jumps are definitely a plus for horse training, even Bob cleared it with ease.

I came across this photo recently and it is about 18 years ago. Lestat, the horse, is still here and is 30 and is still the same size. The kids however are all much bigger!! And Will is no longer blond! The cats are gone ( the kitty in Will's hands is probably saying" watch the hand, buddy!"). We have a new cat that is not a very good barn cat- keeps wanting to come in at night. I remember posing for this photo and was so proud of Sarah for jumping up on Lestat.

day before Thanksgiving....

I have spent the day planning the next day!!!  Polished the silver, pulled out the casserole dishes, figured out which serving pieces to use. Found the butter dish, put in new candles, set the table with the gold chargers at the place settings and set out the best crystal. Planned the menu, prepared the sweet potato casserole, figured out the timing and now I am sitting here all alone waiting for Thanksgiving!!! Some of the kids are here, Will and Annie are in Annapolis and we are going to Sam and Stephanie's new home for his turkey dinner tonight. Sarah called from the grocery store in Los Angeles last night, trying to remember the ingredients for the sweet potato casserole and laughing, I told her "evaporated milk- not sweetened condensed"!  She laughed and said " No wonder everyone said it tasted like dessert last year!" She and Kevin will be in Santa Barbara with his family.  I miss her.
So, I am looking out the window at a cold, rainy day and being thankful for my family, my friends, my horses - the babies are still running around on the wet fields and the older ones are patiently staring out from the run-in sheds. I am thankful for my health and the good health of those dear to me. Thank you to all the military folk who are away and missing their families in order to serve their country. I appreciate your sacrifice. I am blessed and I am grateful for this moment.

eight random things.....

Recently, friends have been posting "eight random things you did not know about me" on FB. It has been fascinating to learn obscure little facts about friends that would never normally come up in regular conversation. Last night at a casual dinner get-together we were laughing about some of these posts and one friend said both he and his sister had had polio as youngsters, in fact his sister had been in an iron lung. He remembered it being in the living room, breathing for her! The same friend had been on a bridge in Tampa, Florida, when a barge hit the bridge, sending dozens of cars into the river below. He was other the other span and saw this. I remember reading about that barge incident. He does not like crossing bridges to this day. Another friend posted that he had been on the Amtrak when it derailed many years ago. It was a serious incident, with fatalities, and I remembered reading about that also. He and his wife had randomly been in the bar car and were OK. Just odd to later meet and know people who had actually been in these accidents you hear about. And to learn the impact it had on them. Because I realized when I did my own eight random facts that they were moments that have stayed in the forefront of my memory for some reason. Perhaps because of people we met or the fear it instilled, as in the aversion to bridges. This is going out on a limb, but it also made me wonder about past lives and deep, deep memories. I am not the most trusting person and am a little cautious when meeting people at first. There have been many dreams over the years about clandestine adventures and rather dark encounters. I swear I was a French spy and I have a weird "memory" of dying from a shot or lance or arrow through the upper back. I can see the hood around my face and the ground rushing up as I fell. As I said very weird. But to get back to the random facts, I wish all my friends would do it as I have really enjoyed reading these little nuggets of information, like little snapshots into their lives. I was told that if you post on someone's "facts" then you have to do it for yourself. And for all the non-Facebook sharing friends, their random facts will be the subject of dinner parties!

Tough Mudder 2013

The morning was misty and cool and thousands of people in all manners of dress were gathering for the 2013 Tough Mudder. A grueling 11 mile obstacle course run several times a year in different areas of the country, as well as all over the world, my youngest son Will, and two friends had signed up to challenge themselves. Will had never run a marathon or even a half-marathon, a little cross-country running in high school was the extent of his experience. His friends were D1 soccer players so I hoped he was fit enough. We decided to go for the weekend to see Will and Annie and lend some support.
It was a great experience. The course was fantastic and the people involved do a first - class job with set-up, organization, safety etc. I was impressed. It is also a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors and I believe they raise a substantial sum with this event!
Every 15 minutes, from 8am to 3pm, a group of perhaps 200 runners start. The obstacles range from muddy "miles" under barbed wire, up and over deep drains and ditches, thru drainage pipes into water under wire cages.  They have to run and crawl thru electric shock obstacles. This had Will worried until I reminded him that he has straddled my electric fence on several occasions, cursing but surviving, so he said OK. Afterwards he said the obstacle was much worse, like being punched hard the whole time through! There were very high, slippery slopes to scale as well as "Berlin Walls" to pull oneself over. Here, the volunteers do an excellent job of encouragement, strangers help one another, the old, the fat, the disabled, all seem to find the strength and help to get over. It was very inspirational.  A disabled young man, whom we had seen start in a
wheelchair/stroller being pulled by a
friend dressed in a kilt, was lifted up and over this wall at the same time as Will. Apparently he was being lifted or carried through all the obstacles! We saw old people, heavy-set folks, lots of knee braces. I think my husband was envious and plans to get his whole "masters" lacrosse team to do a future event. I think I could do it, not fast but it would be very satisfying to complete.
Impressively, Will and his friends run and jogged the course to finish in an unbelievable 2 1/2 hours. The usual completion time is 3- 4 hours.  You cross the finish line and are handed a Dos Equis beer! And there are showers because the mud is, well, you are just covered in mud. Everyone donates their running shoes at the end, though I am not sure who would want them! It was the best day!
We went to a favorite restaurant that night after wandering around Charlotte's very high-end mall. From the muddy cow fields to a Hermes store in one day - my kinda trip! I loved seeing and playing with Will and Annie, two of my favorite people.

Fall beauty

Fall has a beautiful rhythm on the farm. I get to ride or foxhunt depending on the day and watch Mother Nature at her finest. The "inside" of the forest reappears as the leaves fall and once again I can see thru the trees to the beaver pond or the deer paths. I can imagine new trails that go over fallen logs and access new areas. I sometimes see the fox slip by, hunting mice. As soon as he sees me he races off but it is so wonderful to quietly watch as he hunts, nose down, his full brush with its white tip held high. The current catchy tune is "What Does the Fox Say", and I will tell you he says "Shuush, quiet", as he pads along. The beaver pond has brought the ducks and herons and if I am really stealthy as I approach, I can hear the slap of a beaver's tail as he ducks below the surface. As they drop new trees I have new jumps, so I am starting to enjoy their tree felling endeavors instead of lamenting the mess. Before I would ask the husband to go and move the these obstacles across my trails, now I wait a day and marvel at how quickly the beaver strip the branches, gnaw the trunk into manageable sections and drag them to the beaver dam. If they are too big they stay and I enjoy the new jumps! The rafter of turkeys has grown up and I do not see them race across the fields anymore. I do catch them flying awkwardly into the trees when I ride up on them. I keep my eyes out for the coyote I think has moved in somewhere. I see large prints and scat but I never see it.  I suspect it sees me and watches as I feed and pass by on the Gator which kinda gives me the creeps.
The weanlings are fun to watch as they race each other to the feed buckets, the broodmares are lazy and  the hunters now have the blankets on, so sport some color in the fields. They look like players on different teams, a blue team, a green Rambo team etc.

another day in the Blue Ridge...

We had another great day hunting in the Blue Ridge with Keswick Hunt. Tony Gammell is a terrific huntsman and my friend Jennifer Nesbit leads the field right on his heels. We viewed a big red at first cast who proceeded to run around Mount Sharon for the next 90 minutes! From the western side of this mountain the views of the Blue Ridge were beautiful, hazy, blue and magical. From the other side where we eventually stopped one could conceivably see all the way to Washington DC or Fredricksburg to the east.  It was a lovely day, perfect footing and everything hunting in Virginia promises. I love coming here and one day would like to have a "hunt box" and see these
great friends more often. Yesterday Rosie Campbell and I chose to hunt with Piedmont Hunt, where her son-in-law Spencer Allen is the huntsman. They have so many fox and so much beautiful land to hunt over. We put 4 fox to ground and accounted for one and were back at the trailers in 90 minutes. That's a lot of fox!!!  Said "Hi" to some old Marlborough friends, Jack and Caroline Helmly and Laura Dietrich. Tomorrow we are hunting with Old Dominion Hounds in Flint Hill where the legendary Poe brothers are still hunting at 90+ years young. Always a pleasure to see such hunting legends.

Foxhunting in the Blue Ridge Mountains

I have come down to the Virginia Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley to foxhunt for 5 days, and to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. This time of year I have a brief moment when the foals have been weaned, the yearlings sold, the broodmares back in foal and out in the back fields. So I take a short trip to one of the most beautiful places in America, the Blue Ridge Mountains , and visit foxhunting friends I have made over the years and enjoy the hospitality of the Virginian. We hunted Rappahannock yesterday and tho' exquisitely beautiful, it was a blank hunt, probably due to the harvest moon the night before. Hunting lore says that the fox hunt on a full moon and then sleep all the next day which I have found to often be true. Today was a heartbreak blue sky day in the hills and valleys of Culpeper County. Bull Run had a great day and we were in their best country with lots of varied jumps. Heaven on earth for someone like me who is happiest on the back of their horse. I am never tired when hunting. After a glass or two of wine later ,Yes, but I can ride for hours in this countryside.

Rainy days...

I am enjoying this rain which is making me catch up on all the "house chores" and "letting" me sit and read all the magazines that have piled up. A lazy day which I am spending reading and relaxing. Some of the broodmares were very grateful to come in and get dry this morning. They lay down in the dry stalls and  said thanks with a sigh. Now they are back out and happy to be eating again. Think I will bring in again tonight, everyone else has a run-in and seems fine. Why these two mares are totally spooked by their run-in shed I will never know, but they are convinced a boogie man is there! The babies are all weaned and this picture is of the four of them saying hello to one old gelding
I am riding. They are wonderful to watch, like a children's soccer team, they all run around in a group, as though tied together.

NA Field Hunter Championships 2013- hot and heavenly!

I would have to say this year's Championship week will be remembered for the heat. Almost 90 degrees each day! Enjoyable in October if I wasn't galloping on very hard ground, wearing a jacket. Otherwise it was a very fun and wonderful week. Four days of hunting in Virginia with a final romp thru the Glenwood racecourse on Sunday, dressed in my Sunday best!! The "appointments" class was won by a gal with the "sewn-in" bridle ( theory being that you don't want to have a buckle break on the hunt field) and top hat etc. I did my best with very clean tack and fabulous braids, had the correct sandwich and string gloves tucked under billets- but next year I will borrow that sewn-in bridle!
The first day, at Keswick Hunt, I missed because I was selling a yearling at Fasig-Tipton's Timonium sale. We did OK for a Lionhearted colt and he will go on to race in Maryland, That's good for breeder bonuses. We started the week on Tuesday at Casanova. It was hot, dry and the highlight was a baby bear cub! We startled him in a corn row and at first thought it was a black chow dog. Quickly realized it was a bear cub and while the whips were excellent at knocking the hounds off quickly we were all a little worried about "momma" bear!
Next day was at Snickersville Hounds in Middleburg at beautiful Sunnybank Farm. This is the Smithwick home and the birthplace of the Field Hunter Championship idea, The huntsman is daughter, Eva Smithwick, who hunts their PennMarydel pack! Gregg Ryan led the field here and at Piedmont and does a wonderful job. We stayed in the woods as much as possible because of the heat and there were lots of jumps. Lucky for me this is where my very handy, bold hunter was able to shine and we were picked on Wednesday. He can jump and turn mid-air and stop on a dime which impressed the judges enough to overlook his Thoroughbred overeagerness! ( I believe we missed the very final pick because he jogged across the Glenwood racecourse, at the start,  believing he was about to race!).
The last day was at Piedmont and as usual it is the most beautiful part of the Virginia countryside. We had a lovely view and, as usual, stayed out about 2-3 hours because of the heat. The chance to hunt these big expanses and run and jump and look at the Blue Ridge mountain vistas are the reasons that I do this every year. And to reconnect with my friends who also come every year. I receive invitations to hunt from Cheshire Hounds in Pennsylvania to Low Country Hounds in Savannah, Georgia and I will do them all.
This morning I am relaxing and watching the dawn break over my farm. Heaven!

9-11 anniversary

9-11  Hard to believe that it has been 12 years since that horrific day. I was sitting at the back of my barn aisle way and couldn't believe how low a blue Continental plane was flying that day across my back fields. I ran to the front of the barn, thinking I was going to see this plane go down in the corn fields to the west of me. It was the plane that hit the Pentagon. It had been so low I could see heads in the windows. I was so sure it was going to crash that I called Mike to tell him and that was when I went into house and saw the World Trade Tower come down behind Peter Jennings . I will never forget that moment when he was still speaking, still trying to make sense of it when the tower collapsed behind him- we could see it before he realized what was happening. We can never forget that atrocity. Everyone moves on and life is stronger but we will never forget the terror of that day and perhaps will never be as trusting again.
Today is hot and humid, muggy as a July hot spell. Early morning cubbing was a nonstop run from the moment the huntsman cast the hounds into the first covert. After a 45 min run the hounds were exhausted to the point of "tying up". They needed to stop and sit a spell in the shade so we actually called the day - new meaning to the phrase 'fast and furious'.  I bet the fox was exhausted too, though he never let up his run. Jim said he thought it was probably 105 degrees in the corn with no air. The mares and foals were waiting at the gate to come in at 8:30 am. Those big horse flies have been miserable lately and the horses cannot wait for the dark of the barn. I am hiding in the air conditioned house myself!

First day of cubbing and movie extras.....

Today was first day of cubbing and we enjoyed a lovely morning of riding around the very tall corn. LOL. I laugh because I was whipping on the very outside and several times had to go through the corn rows - about ten feet tall, full of spiders and briars- to get to the outside road or path. I literally emptied spiders out of my boots at days end! yech! I could see disembodied heads ( of riders) go by in the far distance and then had to hightail it to the other side of the corn! One crossing was like quicksand and another deadended in the darn creek- these are frustrating things for whips but it was still out hunting so I was happy!! This brings me to movie extras- as I did not think a picture of corn stalks very interesting I am posting a picture of daughter, Sarah, on the set of Clint Eastwood's production of Jersey Boys! She is an extra and was "playing" a spectator at the "Ed Sullivan Show" scene in the movie version of the musical. She said it has been a great experience- she loves the vintage clothes and makeup- said there were 50 makeup /wardrobe people for 200 extras . In addition the other 250 seats in the "theatre" were filled with dummies in vintage clothes and makeup!! At one point Sarah said Clint Eastwood asked the "audience" to be more enthusiastic and lively- especially the dummies in the back!!!  She is having a ball to say the least. I miss her and appreciated the phone call from her to let me know how much fun she is having. Better than galloping in cornstalks with spiders in your face :)

September morn

Sleepy mom and baby. It is still hot and humid and the flies are awful so they like to come in under fans for part of the day. I have started weaning, so one baby is not happy but with a little help is dealing with separation. One a week then I should be done at end of month. Yearling sale is also end of month and then foxhunting is in full gear.  I plan on some Virginia dates with the Field Hunter Championship and Virginia Hunt Week.  My friend from Belle Meade is up judging the Field Hunter Championship so will be great to see her.

the next generation...

The first baby of my children's "generation" has arrived in our family circle. My son-in-law Kevin's sister had a 7 lb beautiful boy named Jaden on Monday night. This makes my daughter Sarah an aunt! Jaden will be the oldest of the cousins! How many times did we all sit together and figure out who was related to who and who was the first cousin etc. The circle of life continues with the next group and it is wonderful to see the happiness on Kevin and Sarah's faces as they hold their nephew, the newest addition to their extended family. I think I still have awhile before I am a grandma but it is very cool to see the love affair that is children begin for a new generation. Congratulations to Amy and Brandon, the proud parents and to both sets of proud grandparents.

Friends...

An added bonus to my surprise birthday party was Steve Clagett's attendance. Steve was walking well and driving which is pretty awesome. His rehab from the horrific car accident has been steadily improving, even tho' he will tell you it has been a long road. It was wonderful to see him and Margie out and having fun. Thanks for making my day special.

a sister's love....

I had a wonderful surprise birthday party, thanks to my husband and awesome friends. Thank you, thank you. I had no idea and it was really a special occasion.  On Friday, my sister Margaret arrived, unexpectedly to me, to celebrate with me. It was great to spend the weekend with her and to catch up on family news. She was able to meet many of my dearest friends and relax on the farm, just enjoying my life for a bit. Sisters are the best. We do not see each other for the longest times and then it is like putting on the most comfortable sweats- we just fit together- in a relaxed, quiet kinda way. We speak the same language and have the same memories. When we are together my brother Ian, Mom and Dad are still "alive" in the room with us. We sit and remember the best of times and laugh at the worst. Her hug brings everything back and another part of my world fills in around me. She is my witness to all sixty years, the one who has shared the whole thing with me. The only thing missing was my other sister, Patti, who was probably missing us as much as we missed her. But the love reached her anyway. Her absence is just the excuse for a future get together, in fact, Scotland is the locale of choice.
The party was wonderful and I wish my other kids had been closer but there again, it means I will visit them soon! Thanks to everyone who wished me a wonderful second half to my life!!

lightening up for the second half...

Here are more reflections on achieving sixty years. I spoke of lightening up and here are the things I am letting go and the also the things I want to try more -

Wear high heels often and to do errands. They make you stand up straighter and take more time!
Use the good silver everyday.
Spend the money for a wash and blow-dry. Makes your hair look great.
Try not to worry about the kids. Remember all the crazy stuff you did and you survived!
Dance in your living room, all by yourself. ( Lots of good "oldie" stations on the TV)
Turn off the TV.
Laugh at and share the funny videos everyone posts.
Don't worry if you forgot to put makeup on.
Don't worry if you forgot your phone.
Spend time outside.
Keep doing your chores.
Take a nap.
Rescue something or someone.
Forgive and move on, keeps the good energy flowing.
Eat dessert first.
Go to Paris.
Get rid of the clothes you don't wear. Give them to Goodwill. Then buy a new outfit!
Be generous.
Love.

Thoughts on sixty years...

As I do almost every morning I am watching the approaching dawn.  August 16th and the sun waits until 6:30 to crest the trees. Now, at 5:40 it is still dark, pre-dawn. The trees are black, the grass is silver with dew and barely a hint of what I know is green. The sky is palest ivory with brushstrokes of grey. A monochromatic world which even as I type the next word is changing. Lightening up.

I am thinking about this turning sixty. I have been here sixty years! The alternative of not being here makes me throw wide my arms and say Hallelujah! I am here and healthy and happy!  I am aware of lightening up myself as I get older. Aches and pains are not so worrisome, they are just reminders of a day spent working. I had a tick bite checked out recently and the nurse asked me if I felt more tired. I looked at her and laughed. And said, "Yes, but I thought that was just part of getting older. I kinda like a little nap sometimes." That is a guilty pleasure, lying down under a cashmere wrap and just resting for a half hour, reading maybe.

My broodmares are already at the gate, waiting to be fed. They are quiet, foals at their side, heavy with the next one. I have a mare now that is very crippled on one leg but she manages. Is very careful as she walks and very tolerant of the colt jumping at her to play. I stoke her neck and murmur, " We are a pair, with our bad knees." If she can do it,  so can I ride into my nineties. And ski. And foxhunt.  I think I will walk over in my dressing gown and feed them as they are so patiently waiting. I would not have done that in my thirties I would have dressed first. They are my kids now.

Three children. I think back on breakfasts made, lunches packed, soccer games, lacrosse games, dance recitals, swim teams ( which they all hated), tears dried and broken bones healed, noses wiped and fights refereed. I think of the gales of laughter and food fights and helping me with the horses . They can all ride tho' nobody does, and they can all yell at a horse to make it behave! I smile at friend's grandbabies, happy to hold them, and wonder how I managed to do all that. Three wonderful, awesome people that I am so proud to know and be part of their lives. I am a lucky lady.

One of my favorite authors, Doris Lessing, and Margaret Mead, the anthropologist, both wrote about the idea that women have three mates in life. Maybe not everybody, but they make the argument that it is not uncommon. I subscribed to this and believe I was blessed. The first was short-lived, a mismatch but he was very good-looking. The second, according to the aforementioned experts, is the mate we pick for childrearing and nest building. Mine was a great guy, needed me to help him reach a dream and together we had children and built a big nest. I turned a old tobacco farm into a horse farm and am living my dream. The third is the mate that we grow old with and is perhaps the best one- for me -yes! I have a wonderful husband who is also my best friend. I had to find a guy slightly younger to keep up with me! But oh so handsome!

So I am happy to be sixty and looking forward to the next sixty (my son, Sam, told me last night that the world's oldest man is a Bolivian and he is 123 years young!) Just think what I might accomplish in the next half of my life- hoping the knees keep up and the husband!

I hate beavers....

I have this huge beaver "pond" in my back 25 acres. I believe they are about to make a 10 acre lake, though my duck hunting friends tell me it will not be a lake but a duck hunter's paradise! I have had to change some trails that I ride as they have become underwater at this point or so muddy that I hesitate to proceed for fear of getting hopelessly mired. I am sure my horses agree! A
nyway, yesterday I saw this tree and wondered which beaver gets the last bite, so to speak. Do they draw straws to see who has to rush in and sink the last gnawing crunch that deals the "felling " blow.  There have been several trees like this recently, some have come down and I have a nice water jump now. The tree came down on an overgrown path that is right beside their dam. You have to jump the 2 ft log ( tree trunk) in about a foot of water with a rushing stream on one side. Kinda fun.

August routine and babies

We are back from Saratoga where we watched the rich buy very expensive horses. Made some great contacts and, as always, had fun with friends. We went to the track on Sunday and watched the Vanderbilt stake race. The grandstand and grounds at Saratoga were packed. Very festive and it seems that the whole population attends the races. Wish it was like that here in Maryland! The mares and babies are all back from Kentucky and settled into the August routine. I love watching the foals play tag and their version of hide and seek around the trees. Moms watch patiently, as they race from one cover to the next tree doing endless laps. Future racehorses indeed. I have actually started to ride again. When August rolls around I get a little itchy to be back in the saddle. Red and Polly are enjoying their morning rides ( except for the deer flies and occasional horse fly which, unfortunately,  get me when I forget to spray myself with OFF!)
Sam is loving his new job with Northrup Grumman and Will took the offer for a spot in private equity in Charlottesville for a year from now. Sarah is back on set, she says, doing "extra" work and makeup gigs to fill in gaps with the restaurant job. Interestingly, her new Prius is getting "extra" work also!!
Go 'SKINS!

Funny red-haired girl...

This is my Smarty Jones filly who started life as a chestnut- now she is a striking grey with red hair!!! Mane anyway. She and the dark brown Freisan Fire look like a set of piano keys as they play in the field. I love having the foals back, it is the best part of the breeding game, watching them grow up. We are off tomorrow on the last trip to Kentucky to bring the last set of mares home. Fingers crossed all goes well and they stay in foal. Already lost one that reabsorbed after 45 days. It is a little crushing after all the time and effort and then Mother Nature steps in and says, "Sorry- not this time". The summer is almost half over and I can feel the urge to ride starting to return. Told Joanie next week we can start singing....Back in the saddle again!! I do enjoy my four months off, time to do other things and be lazy. The foxhunters enjoy the lazy time too, but Red and Polly look ready to get back to work. Lily is still hurt, she broke her coffin bone last January and is still a little gimpy. She gets more time off and can babysit the weanlings in September

A little bit of history is born...

This is a wonderful photo moment and how similar the two new mothers seem. Princess Diana thrust the monarchy into the modern limelight and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has continued "humanizing" the royal family. Happy, casual and normal are the words that come forth when we applaud the arrival of the new royal prince. I love seeing Diana's beautiful sapphire wedding ring on Catherine's finger has she holds the next heir. This is living, fluid history. That ring already in a way belongs to the new prince. William inherited his mother's jewelry and fittingly gave that ring to Katherine, a romantic gesture to honor his mom. I wonder if I will be alive to see the next photo of the Prince of Cambridge's wife holding their infant and wearing the same beautiful symbol of love. I can only imagine how the world will change in that next thirty ? years.  What is remarkable is that I can see, in my mind, the tradition continuing and the next beautiful smiling mother representing our future. This iconic moment, captured in a photo, is why the monarchy is cherished by many. These private individuals share their lives with the whole country and everyone gets to partake of that special happiness like a birth. Congratulations !

Summer heat

The two weeks after our wonderful OBX vacation have been brutally hot. When it is this hot, the temperature seems to control everything. I get chores done early so I can get out of the "sauna" outside by ten o'clock and then I still seem to have no energy for the rest of the stack on the desk! Languishing...languishing by the pool... sounds wonderful- tho I have no pool! I called my friend with a pool, only to hear she was on her way to the cool of Wyoming as we spoke, back in two weeks. Sounded like the best idea yet. Damn.
Did make a trip to Kentucky last weekend to bring back some of the mares and babies. Had to drive all night to keep the horses cool. It is nice to have Buddha and her Smarty Jones filly back. I think she will be grey like mama, though she started as a chestnut. Now she looks a little like an orange orangutan because her long baby hairs are red and falling out as her white/grey permanent color is underneath. She has a white face with a bright red mane- very striking. We are going back next weekend to get another set. One will ship back and then all the girls will be home. I love watching the broodmares and foals in the fields. Though right now they are in the barn under fans, living a very spoiled life!!

Outer Banks vacation

I took a vacation from everything when we went to the Outer Banks of NC recently, including my blog! This was a special celebration for me as we had invited all the kids and spouses and girlfriend to spend the week with us on the beach. It was to be sort of my 60th birthday gift from them. It was a wonderful week of sun and beach and family. Laughter and sibling bonding and cooking rivalry and jigsaw puzzles and Scabble- you name it, we probably did it! We watched the fireworks on top the Nags Head Dune, which had a 360 degree view of many seaside town celebrations. We ate North Carolina BBQ in a local dive and decided it was the best meal we had out! The weather was great, enough sun, not too hot with daily rain showers which made the hot tub really inviting once a day. Watching all my kids boogie boarding in the waves again was priceless.

Rolling Stones concert at Verizon Center

I took a chance, thinking the Stones may never tour ago and just went to the Verizon Center last night. I have scalped some great tickets at football games in the past, so thought "what the heck!". Well, the scalpers were all wanting $600 for the nosebleed seats so I was thinking my chances were pretty slim as I had a mere $200 cash in pocket. They laughed at me. But.. I had a stroke of luck, a fellow quietly walked up to me and said he had an extra ticket for the "pit"- standing room only, right in front, was I interested?  Just had to pay the $85 he had been charged as a member of the fan club!!! Yes!!! I ended up right in front, hanging on to the barrier in front of the stage. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger definitely look all of 70, but nobody can prance like Jagger! He reminded me of a panther. He is whip thin and moves like a cat, all sinewy and lithe. Richards is the most charming old pirate. I was so lucky to catch them for one last time - the songs are timeless and awesome, and I danced and felt like a kid. Rock and roll forever.

Graduation from Naval War College/Visit to Rhode Island

We had a wonderful visit with Ryan, Julia and Emmett Roehling in Rhode Island this past weekend. Michael graduated with his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and we combined that with the visit to Julia. Emmett is the best toddler! Charming and a little gentleman. He has a great pony named Tinker and a pony-sized dog named Titan, who is not so friendly. The pony enjoyed beer in the garden with the adults, the dog did not! Mike received his diploma from Admiral Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations which was an honor and he was presented with a "coin" for graduating with Distinction. A reception followed at the CO's home which had the most beautiful view of the water in front of the Naval War College. We sampled the local lobsters with Doug, Ryan and Julia  and walked the cliff walk in front of the famous Newport mansions, notably The Breakers. Unimaginable wealth around here! Fun for me was watching Julia play polo with her team on Friday. She is very good and Ryan winces each time she knocks over the retired admirals or whatever on the Naval War College team, for whom she plays! She grins! It was a great weekend.

Father's Day weekend

It is a beautiful day, the Saturday morning of Father's Day weekend in June. Clear, dry and blue, blue skies, no clouds. Thinking of my Dad, I wanted to find an old photograph of he and I walking at the Calgary Stampede, hand in hand. I think I was about 8, proud to be there in my "squaw" dress - so politically incorrect to call it that now. I think it was a type of dress with a ruffle at the bottom and smocking at the neck that the women on the reservations near Calgary wore. So, for the Stampede week in July it was the costume for all the girls in various colors! Dad had his Stetson on, the required costume for all the guys! A friend from Maryland recently told me his son was going to be working in Calgary, in the oil industry. I should tell him where to get a Stetson for his son- he will need one! I still remember the parade and walking with Dad; he seemed so tall and handsome. All I wanted was to see the horses and the cowboys. The beginning of my lifelong love affair with all things to do with horses. Happy Father's Day Dad. I miss you and hope you are somewhere still watching me ride!

Sarah as Rosalind

Just returned from Los Angeles from my whirlwind weekend with Sarah. I was able to see her perform as Rosalind in "as You Like It" a couple of times- what a treat. She loves to perform and it shows. I thought she was terrific, funny and exuberant, she lights up the stage every time! Los Angeles was fun, same wonderful weather- much cooler than the east coast and infinitely drier!! Came back to green, green everywhere and rain, so much rain. It is fun to step out of my life "on the farm" and be in someone else's life for a bit. What I really notice is that the rhythm of another's life is so different. My schedule of feeding, mucking, walking, riding is natural to me but I love trying on another. I rose later, got into LA traffic and drove with hordes on endless freeways, walked on pavement and entered innumerable cafes. People watching replaced horse watching. You know how we unconsciously always pay attention to the movement of our horse- how they walk up to greet you or how they jog away, or gallop in the distance. One can immediately see a discord or bad step and respond. Well, people watching is similar for me. I watch the way they move and walk and greet each other. Body language tells you everything about someone- how their day is going, how they are feeling, what they think of the person they just greeted! People can not pin their ears back like a horse but if you watch they show animosity in physical ways too. Anyway, people watching in LA is fun and I had a great weekend. Mares in Kentucky are getting in foal and the summer slowly warms up. I am enjoying my short visits to the kids and looking forward to the beach when we will all be together!

visit with Will and Annie in Charlotte

I had a wonderful weekend with William and Annie in Charlotte. Will was able to take me up to his office in the Hearst building and I was so impressed. Huge office, trading floor and impressive glimpse into the financial world that is Will's life right now. Leading me thru many security checkpoints, his desk is in a room straight out of Wall Street the movie. It was very early morning, so empty but I could imagine the chaos it would have seemed to me at a regular hour. Helped to see where he has been spending all his time this past year. Then we drove to Asheville and Annie and Will showed me her apartment ( very cute) and the famous Biltmore. An American Downton Abbey, it is an incredible home. An architectural  masterpiece that is amazing to imagine a private family called this home. Simply too huge to really imagine except I have watched Downton Abbey and now understand how an estate like this is really a village of people and gives work to so many people. Very beautiful and the cool breezes really did keep the massive place comfortable without air conditioning.  It was a great visit and I was so happy to see Will. Truly I am relinquishing the "mom" role and becoming an admirer of my children! Will has accomplished so much and I am so proud of him.

favorite time of day

6 AM  This is my favorite time of the day this time of year. It is warm enough to sit out and watch the sunrise but no bugs yet and no killer humidity yet! The birds are singing and it is just perfect. The sun comes peeking over the treeline and as it warms you up , one can feel muscles just relax and go Ahh.  Three  mares are back in foal and waiting on news of last three ( counting my clients that foal here) . I think I will need more than one camera next year! They are all going to be foaling in a two or three week period. Yikes. Hopefully some nice babies- these are nice Daddy's ! Both Into Mischief and Midnight Lute had two runners each, in this year's Kentucky Derby. That is unusual for first crop three year olds.

June is a month "off" -time to visit kids!

This is a photo of my Preakness hat! Last weekend I took the last mare and foal to Kentucky to be bred back. It seems like a vacation around here. All the mares and foals are away and I only have 10 horses here- that seems like nothing! Mike has been wonderful to feed for me and I am going to go visit the kids. Will and Annie this weekend in Charlotte. I can't wait. Annie is driving to Asheville and can show me the Biltmore and where she lives in the North Carolina Mountains. I have really missed seeing my children. Next weekend I am hopping out to California to see Sarah and Kevin. She has the lead in her next Shakespeare production and I am happy to get a chance to see her perform again. It has actually been a long time since I saw her in a play! These are quick trips but that's perfect. Then on to Rhode Island for Mike to receive his Master's from the War College. Get to see Julia and Ryan as a bonus! Then beach week!!! The best present ever for my birthday is everyone coming to a beach house in the Outer Banks . This is the stuff of lasting family memories and I am fortunate that it worked out for everyone. Soon enough the mares and babies will be back and my "horse whisperer" job cranks up. 

Preakness Baby!!

Baby number 4 waited until midnight to arrive on Preakness Day! Big colt by Munnings out of my mare Hallowed Dream, he is lovely. Now I can go to the Preakness and enjoy the day. Yesterday we were able to go into winner's circle with the Black-Eyed Susan winner, Fiftyshadesofhay, courtesy of my friend Dennis. That was a thrill, tho' one day I hope to walk a winner myself into that circle, as I suppose all horse breeders dream of that reward. I am so glad all the babies are here and the last arrived on our anniversary as well. Mike made it home from a lacrosse game just in time to help with delivery. He was a very big baby and I needed that muscle. Thanks dear! Happy Anniversary.

My real "babies"- my sons

Will made a surprise stop in Baltimore yesterday for a quick dinner. Wonderful to see him and celebrate his 23rd birthday! He looked very impressive leaving his banker's meeting and I am so very proud to know this young man. We all had dinner near Sam and Stephanie's home and were able to assemble the  troops for a birthday moment. Sam and he rushed off to catch a plane back to Charlotte. Sam, my colorful son, was doing a 5K in Baltimore last weekend and caught this photo at the end of race. These are the moments that take your breath away! Love you.

May Days

Spring has been very slow to warm up this year. Today supposed to hit 80 degrees- we'll see.  I would like to sit with a cup of coffee and watch sunrise but it has been too cold! Yesterday was Sarah's 26th birthday and tomorrow will be Will's 23rd! I look at friend's baby pictures and wondered at how fast it all went by. Mother's Day brunch was lovely with Sam and Stephanie, I am so glad they live near Annapolis. We will see William briefly for dinner on Thursday

and then he is back to Charlotte. I am so looking forward to our beach vacation with everyone. This time is filled with foal watching but as soon as the last is born and all bred back I can perhaps start to write again. Everyday seems to get busy with something unplanned and then I am too tired to start a new project but the back burners in my head are getting full!

Happy Mother's Day

I have heard from all my children today- all is right in my world! Though scattered, we all connect on Mother's Day and for this I am grateful. Thank you all for picking me to be your Mom. I am so grateful and feel blessed to have been able to make the journey in this life with you. Lots of ups and downs, some funny, some sad, some scary but all of it makes the trip fantastic! I feel truly thankful to all the powers that be that I am a part of three kids who sustain loving relationships, who pay their own bills, who write intelligent, thoughtful letters, who are respectful and know how to have fun. That is success by any definition! I am so proud of you all. I am looking forward to this summer for a week of fun in the sun at the beach with all my kids and their husbands, wives, girlfriends!!! It is going to be so much fun.
One more mare has yet to foal, so  I am still wakeful at night. It is exhausting but watching the foals play makes it worth it. Two are off to Kentucky to their "date nights" with some high powered stud horses!