The Sleeping Hat is Missing.

Ah, November.
At Cowfeathers, it means fires in the fireplaces, piles of sweet potatoes from the garden, the blankets get strapped on the horses, I start making things like "Irish Soda Bread" and "Spiced Pumpkin Soup". The tea pot gets a tea cozy, and I start using smaller cups. Baking once again becomes appealing...pretty much anything that keeps the kitchen warm because the oven is hot. And November means time to don the sleeping hat.
Only, this November I find myself in mild panic because I cannot find the sleeping hat. I believe I last wore it whilst tent camping in June, but that has not borne fruit of discovery.
My sleeping hat is a necessity to Cowfeathers comfort. I have not yet found anyone else who sleeps in a hat, but I highly recommend it if'n you're comin' for a visit!
According to the expert in everything, Wikipedia, " Nightcaps are not often worn in modern times. They are often featured in animation and other media as part of a character's pajamas." This is accompanied by the following illustration:


So, this is me.
Wikipedia also says " They were common in northern Europe before central heating was available, when homes were cold at night." Which explains a lot, as although we do have central heating, it is a little less than the word "heating" would imply.
I started wearing The Sleeping Hat several years ago. It came about after Christmas in 2006? when I said to my nearly slumbering Huz; "My head is just so cold" as I attempted to join him in sleep with a hand on my crown for warmth. He sensibly suggested "Why don't you wear a hat?"
It just so happened that for Christmas that year , Huz's Mom, who is a sensational seamstress, had gifted me a hat she had sewn out of soft polar tech fleece. The hat was on a pile of my new presents next to the bed. I reached over and snatched it up under the warming covers. When pulled into place, my head became instantly warm, also, it became instantly dark. This is because I have a head that is deceivingly small.  My noggin is about the same size as a child. It helps when teaching riding lessons, because if I need to get on a kid's horse to ride it, I can usually borrow their little helmet. Also, hats usually look good on me, probably because they balance my head, and it looks normally sized?

I guess I choose big sunglasses too.
Anyway, it was dark in my new hat because the brim settled down to about the middle of my nose. Warm, and cozy and dark. I fell asleep that night with a warm head.
Happily, the new sleeping hat also fixed another issue I had been battling. Every winter for a few years, I had lost my voice for weeks at a time. This was not a sad thing for my family, but what they called "Vacation". Still, it was a frustration for me, and most difficult at work. Have you ever had a whispering doctor? Pretty weird. Not to mention the hardship of making phone calls. This added a burden to my staff, as I would have to snag someone to call, they would dial, relay the problem to the answering party, then proceed play interpreter for the client."She said; 'It looks like Jonesy is having liver problems.' "  Dreadful.
But after donning the sleeping hat, I've not lost my voice once.
Which may be a clue to why my sleeping hat is now missing.

Even so, I am now in the market for a new sleeping hat. My search has turned up three populations to which sleeping hats are marketed.

• Newborn infants
• Cancer patients who have lost their hair to chemotherapy
• African-Americans, I think for protecting the style of their afro?

I'll tell you who does not buy sleeping hats. Middle aged white women who still have hair. I haven't given up on you, Etsy. I know somewhere in your vast resources my sleeping hat awaits. In the mean time I found these two contenders:

 Option one: Possible because of peanut-sized head (see paragraph above), also, gives the illusion that I have really long eyelashes. It looks warm.

 Option two: talk about warm! And, hard to lose that one. Plenty dark in there for happy sleeping, probably even in daytime. The very unusual shape would deter me from sleeping any way but on my back. Huz could use my hat as an additional pillow. For that matter, I wouldn't need a pillow. Think of the possiblity on car trips! You could lean against the window without getting a crick in the neck. Plus, the odd holes in the sides could store things. Like, snacks, or magazines?

I am currently using a wonderful hat knit by my dear friend, Lee Lee. It is green, and pretty, one of my favorite "day hats". See, I wear a hat all winter, pretty much everywhere but at work. Work has heat. But it isn't the sleeping hat. It fits, so doesn't keep my nose warm. Plus it tends to slide off when I'm sleeping and then I wake up several times a night to grope around the bed and floor to find it and re-apply.
Maybe Santa will bring me one of his for Christmas. He's got a big head, and I'll bet that sucker is toasty warm! 

NCSU-CVM 20th Reunion- going Back.

You can't go Back. Back just won't have you. If you stay, the changes are subtle and gradual, and they are assimilated. But if you leave, going Back is a jolt to your system, connections are lost- place isn't quite the same.
Still, it is an exercise in memory and sense to try going Back. Some things will spark a memory, other things are just confusing. Huz and I attempted Back last weekend. Back to where we met- Raleigh, N.C. And, a few things looked familiar, a few things sounded familiar, but nothing felt familiar.

I moved to Raleigh, N.C. in 1988. I left the area after the birth of Eldest in 1995. They were busy years for me. Objectively, I obtained a career, a husband and started my family. But the reason I landed in Raleigh was the career. I wanted to go to Veterinary School. This I had decided at age 12. It was an unflagging certainty that never waned, and for that I am grateful. It is easier to get somewhere when you are driven. I had started my higher ed at University of Richmond, where I collected some of the greatest friends in the great, great world. But, not even leaving them could sway me from my vet school goal. So, I transferred to North Carolina State University, the home of the Veterinary School which I had set my sights upon. I was in Great Britain for the summer months, so returned to the states to a packed "U Haul" (my mother had been busy at summer garage sales in prep for me setting up my first home) and drove to the unknown in Raleigh. While I was "across the pond" a friend of my mother's had picked out an apartment for me, and there I went. To Ivy Commons. It had air conditioning- which I didn't use, because at $350/month the rent was a stretch! That year I found friends, Mereth and Shila in quick succession, and the Dean's List. Aiko the cat shared my apartment- perhaps illegally.
My life got bigger as I moved to Bloodworth St. in downtown with Shila, acquired a dog, Randleigh, and a job milking cows.
My 1st year Vet School class was a tidy one. We may not have been conflict-free ( I did get punched in the kisser by a classmate-betcha can't wait to hear that story) but for the most part we were a tight, friendly group. We supported one another, cheered each other on, and someone had your back. I didn't feel there was jockeying for top rank- but perhaps that's because I wasn't in that horse race. For the most part, my class was inhabited by 70ish people I genuinely liked. And, I loved some too!

You can't go back. Raleigh has changed. For one, Huz and I stayed at the Bed and Breakfast down the street from my old house on Bloodworth Street, and we walked around the neighborhood. At night.
But here's what hasn't changed; the bond. It only takes minutes, when back in the embrace of a friend, to be exactly where we left off- the passage of time erases, and I wonder why I don't see these friends more often. I have been so fortunate in my life to have found such wonderful friendships. I may have exceeded my quota. But, darn if I don't want to be greedy and enjoy each one regularly.
20 years was too long. 5 is too, but I'll take it. Here's to hoping for a 25th Vet School Reunion! 
See Y'all soon!

DDK and me...now. I had forgotten how little she was until I went to hug her and put my chest in her face. So...I crouched down for a picture!

DDK and me....then. With classmate Kim as "hear no evil". I love this picture for a few reasons. We "dressed" for a party. I had a fancy party. And, check out that fireplace! Not typical college digs. It may have not been the safest place to live, but it was a great house.

This is the house, now. I have to say, when Shila and I lived here, it looked a LOT more "homey". Shila always had an abundance of plants and flowers, hanging baskets and color. We had a porch swing full of pillows, and a garden blooming with perennials. The house, then, was painted a drab yellow, so this is an improvement, but when we lived there it looked loved.

Here are some of my vet school chums having supper on the front steps of Bloodworth Street. I love this picture for another whole set of reasons. Catfish is in it, and we all miss him. The girls are all in panty hose. And, even though we hosted this party for my entire class, and dates, we still had enough china, flatware and crystal. Not one paper plate or plastic fork. Never doubt my deep seated addiction to tableware.

This was 1991. Per usual, Spidey is buried in girls. 

 

Re-creation of the photo, 23 years later. How I have missed these friends! Ladue couldn't be here for the reunion, so Deanna took her place (less blonde, less tall, but it works!)

Oh boy.

The Last Annual Barn Party!

When we bought Cowfeathers 11 years ago, I had so many plans for the place! They all piled up in my brain to be sifted out and tackled in turn. The barn is so beautiful, and has the stamp of hundreds of years of use in every beam...the barn will be 2 centuries old this decade. More about that later. But, when I walked around the top of the barn, with its worn, heavy floors and soaring height, I saw it as the ideal place for a Barn Dance. And 9 years ago, for Huz' 40th Birthday, the first Barn Party commenced. Because it was also a big birthday, and a huge novelty, we had family from all over, friends from all over, all the neighbors, tons of food and the best darn band I ever was lucky enough to book! We all loved the party, if not the temperature- it was COLD. And it became an annual event, albeit a month earlier in the calendar.
 This year, I believe was the last Annual Barn Party.
A pictorial of  this year's event, once again graced with fabulous weather, in this beautiful, old barn.

 Pete Shew and the Back Porch Swing Band have set aside a Saturday evening in the fall each year for the past 9. They come in one or two at a time, until we have a wonderful crew of musicians, singing, calling squares and boy, I love that fiddle!

This little guy figured out an "allemande left with a grand chain" smart as a whip!

 We had some ADORABLE kids here this year! They helped sing, play maracas, and were fast learners in the square dancing challenge.

Tucker has been to all 9 barn parties. He was a youngster at the first, and an elder statesman at the last. 

 The first year of the Barn Party, I rented a porta-potty. Really not my thing. It was expensive, and icky. So, the next year, before September rolled around, I built an outhouse for the barn. Charming, well appointed, full of light from the window, people didn't mind using this outhouse. It had a Dorothy moment a few years back when it got picked up by the wind and deposited in the cornfield. Luckily, we have friends. And a fine group showed up to roll it back into place. The window didn't even break! But, alas, the door was never the same again.

 Dad encouraging this cutie to shake those maracas!

 Unlike some years, when gale force winds had us all inside the barn, this year was warm, with a light breeze. Perfect for listening to a band play old standards and eat a plate of pot luck. Julia (black dog) didn't exactly beg...she just put herself very, very close.

I am terrible about hostessing as well as snapping photos. Fortunately for me, one of my pals picked up my camera and shot some pictures, allowing me to forever have this image of myself doing "The Blurry Robot."

.

 And this, better one of Huz and his "country gal".

 This year was a great year for kids who wanted to dance. And, to me, this is a big part of why I love this party. Kids and their parents dancing together, seeing Mom and Dad having fun, being foolish. And in the square, everyone is an equal partner, or corner...

 Speaking of corners, this was the boyz corner. Ironically, opposite the girlz, who were sitting together outside. It was like 7th grade all over again!

 This is my boss, Dr. John, "goin' roun' the outside" with a capable little dance partner.

 The big kids gettin' fancy! Eldest was my only child who could be at the Barn Party this year. Both Middlest and Youngest had band obligations. This is a central reason why this party will be the last. It has been years since my children could all be here, and while they are elsewhere, I am missing out on cheering them on in their pursuits. But, at least Eldest made it! She brought a friend, Nick, and I think they danced every square.

 For many dances, Julia wanted to participate. But by now, all these folks are expert at dancing around dogs and children!

 And boy, do I love that fiddle! This night of the year is the best night to do the barn chores. As I feed and water all the critters below, the band playing above seems like magic!

Eventually, Julia found her safe spot, where she could observe everyone but didn't get stepped on.

Leaving the Barn Party behind makes room for something else? We shall see. And, perhaps I will revive some sort of barn centered celebration for the bicentennial of the Cowfeathers Barn!













twice!

My Eating Disorder? VAD.

I have an eating disorder. I don't' know if it has a name. So, lets name it. Hmmm. It's kinda like morning sickness all the time, but not as nauseous. I start stressing every morning about what I am going to scrape together for dinner, because nothing sounds good, appetizing. But, once I have food in front of me, I've no problem putting it away! Sometimes I go to the market and wander around, hoping for inspiration, or browse the magazine rack "PAULA DEEN'S DELICOUS EATING!" ,"Food Connoisseur", "Gluten-Free Baking" and see gooey treats or blackened kale with truffle oil, and blah. I wander the produce section saying to myself "So, what can I do with carrots? " or, "Avocados look ripe... what would I do with an avocados?" And, sometimes divine fortune smiles upon me and I think of something! Red peppers will speak to me "Roast me, and toss me with olive oil and feta cheese...then gobs of fresh basil and broil me on some bread.." and I will do so, and my husband will think I'm brilliant and normal.
Instead, many nights I think about what to serve all day, and still, still, when Huz gets home I got nuthin'. NOT A PLAN. Some nights I go for a cover, and put rice on the stove. It's a base. If I come up with zip, zero, a can a black beans on the rice and a tub of sour cream keep the family from mutiny. Of course, I am leaving out a few things in pursuit of a name for my dyscrasia. Namely, that both Huz and Youngest are formidable in the kitchen. They are aces at putting dinner on the table. Without them, the past 5 Thanksgiving dinners would have consisted of a plate of mashed potatoes and a side of cornflakes. But, aside from their possible role as enablers, I don't think they are germane to the question at hand. A term for my inability to find a desirable foodstuff.
So. I have VAD: Vapid Appetance Disorder
There ya go.


I know my changes in diet have indubitably helped my health. VAD may be a side effect?
(For those of you fortunate enough to have not attempted to cook for me, go to a restaurant or give me a "Hey, ya want some?" treat, I am, well, difficult. To make a long list short, I usually call my diet a "gluten-free, vegetarian, whole food diet"...with a few food allergies to things that are ridiculous. Who is allergic to cucumbers???? OH, and for those of you unfortunate to try and go anywhere or do anything with me prior to my dietary changes? I am truly, deeply, forever sorry. And if you are still my friend you forever have my respect. I owe you one. Or more. Depending. HOW did Huz put up with me all those years?)
If VAD is what I have to deal with it is vastly better than what I lived with before.
As for today's menu suffering? It was one of those "Go to the market and wander about" days. I eventually decided on stuffing some Delicata squash. And then I saw some ciabatta that looked like my family would approve. This fleshed out to be a dinner of Mahi-Mahi with roasted red peppers on ciabatta and roasted Delicata squash stuffed with fresh spinach pesto and walnuts. My portion will forgo the ciabatta. I do eat fish ( I don't muddy with waters with being a "pescatarian") .  Lest you think I have VAD due to some puerile notion that in order for food to be delicious I must eat like a hipster or Latte-Leftie...today for lunch I was perfectly satisfied with left over butternut squash soup (thank you, Huz) and some red grapes. Hmhn. That sounded pretty latte-like. For breakfast I had a plain scrambled egg? True, I did not have a side of shot-it-myself-venison sausage, but that is because, well, I'd be ill. So, as for a reason for the VAD? Open to suggestions!
Life is learning.

Theirs. Mine had no bun. But delish! And, I highly recommend the soft, sweet Delicata squash with the rich walnut, spinach pesto. It still didn't sound good, but it sure did taste fine.

Going North to South Farm, and, Band #1!

I feel like I don't spend enough of my time with the horses, and yet, I feel like an inordinate amount of my blogs feature horse related activity. Where is the rift?

In any case, this weekend was another horse-related activity, but not solely thus, it was also a band-weekend (the other thing prominently featured in our fall schedules!)
I was the horse- mom, and Huz was the band-dad.
Middlest's marching band had their first competition of the season, and they pulled off an amazing show, as they seem to do annually, receiving the Class Winner award, Best Auxiliary in their class, Overall Best Music, Overall General Effect, Overall Grand Champion, and the only band at the competition to be awarded a Superior Rating, and qualify them to compete in the Ohio State Band Marching Finals.
I have to say that I watched a bit of practice on Friday, as I waited for the correct moment to collect Youngest from his school and head off to his competition. I parked the car in the lot with the windows open to listen to the music. Which, is ah-mazing. It is Gershwin, and I know I think this every year, but it is my favorite show so far. Sitting there, I also got to listen to the band directors. And, I think I discovered the secret to the success of our band. Don't do anything wrong, and the directors won't let you know you just did something wrong. Now, just give the kids incredible music and complicated, seamless marching drill, plus the will to not hear their name over the loud speaker, and ta-DA; perfection.

I waved at Middlest atop her podium (she may have seen me, but I guess one mini-van looks like every other mini-van, so why wave back at a woman in a suspiciously familiar mini-van.) and headed to pick up Youngest.
He was part of our Pony Club's D-Rally Eventing Team for our Tri-State Region competition. It was held up near Cleveland, and our friends, and teammates were giving Sonny Girl (Cheez-It) a ride to the affair. He had everything, clean, labeled and packed in the car, except the pony. This is remarkable for a few reasons. The list of required items is exhaustive, everything must be clean- really, really clean, plus in good condition, and he did all cleaning, labeling and packing in one afternoon/evening. Preparing for a rally is best done over several days, so I had my doubts. But, he pulled it off.
Our friends stopped their rig on the road, and we loaded up the mare for the long haul north. I didn't really know how far north until we got out of the car and realized it was COLD. I also should point out here that as we got closer to the ironically named "South Farm", I was thrilled to find we were surrounded by the Amish- a fascinating canyon in our 2014 timeline. I am not one to want to chase celebrities about , but I think I could be an Amish paparazzo.

Despite my neck whipping about to see every buggy, buckboard and scooter, we arrived, got the ponies all tacked up and headed straight out to the cross country course, because for this special event they allowed the kids and horses to school the course prior to the competition the following day. This greatly increases the chances of success on course, as the horse has seen the obstacles, and this, usually, makes them less scary for the horse. We had a wonderful schooling session. Youngest was entered in the Intro level for the competition but went ahead and did some of the next level up fences while we were schooling. Great for building confidence, but also for realizing you need to work more in order to feel comfortable stepping a level up!
The kids then organized their competition tack room, and got their horses put to bed for the night. And it was night. A late supper and then an early morning start. Youngest and I slept in the car. Well, he slept. I tried, unsuccessfully.
But, morning comes.
And with it we were off! I was one of the coaches for the team, sharing duties, thankfully, with another experienced eventing Pony Club mom. Each competitor presents themselves and their horse, tacked up and ready to ride, for Formal Inspection. This is mostly a check for appropriateness and safety for the lowest level, but builds to quite a scrutiny for the upper-level competitors. It was made more difficult by a persistent, cold misty rain, with periodic downpours.

 In the indoor arena, Youngest tightens his girth under observation by the judge, while Horse Manager, Hannah, holds his pony. Then, to the dressage arena they go. The first of our team to compete was Katie and Scooter.

 The salute to the judge to begin the test.

They were followed by Riley on Falcon, with a very good test and McKenna and Starz, who are so adorable and flashy, everyone watches! I paused to watch the pair while I "walked" the Show Jumping course with Kelly, who was competing on a higher level team, and doing the Novice level. "Walking the course" is when the unmounted competitor (and sometimes the coach) walk the required course either on Cross Country or Stadium (or Show) Jumping. This is where you plan your ride, look at footing, terrain, count strides to obstacles, and plan your "line", or where you will guide the horse to go. It is also part of memorizing the course, so you don't screw up!
Last to go on our team was Youngest on Sonnygirl.

In the warm-up we worked on guiding the pony on a geometrically round circle, just the right size, and having a light contact with the ponies mouth. In this photo he has the pony nicely bending on a 20 meter circle.

For his final halt and salute, the sun came out!
I think it was because he had just completed a very nice Intro level test, being awarded a great score at 36.25! His work on getting a 20 meter circle round was awarded by high scores. I was very proud of him.

Next up was the Show Jumping phase. Kelly led off with the Novice course on Niki, pulled out a clean round, even though Niki is 24 years old and doesn't love murky footing...after all the rain the ring was pretty wet.

Then Katie and Scooter had a nice, clean, nearly la-de-dah round. A huge step for this inexperienced horse who tends to be less than brave.
Riley and Falcon were excellent, and little Starz, managed with not just a little encouragement from McKenna, to get over everything, despite short legs and muddy ground.

 After each competitor was finished with their show jump round,  they put on their safety vests and reported straight to the start at Cross Country. My coaching co-hort was there to get them on their way, and Horse Manager, Hannah was there to receive them at the Vet Box when they finished the course. I only got to watch from afar a few fences of the course. It looked like the going was tough. I could see many competitors having "hiccups" as McKenna sunnily put it. This included our own team.
The penultimate pair of the day was Youngest and Sonnygirl/ Cheez-It (for those of you wondering, Cheez-It is the show name Youngest chose for Sonnygirl, as she is reddish orange, and Cheez-Its are an excellent snack "food").
He was our Pony Club's only Intro level competitor, but he had the same course for Show Jumping, just at a much reduced height.

  The mare was a star, gamely- and safely- jumping every obstacle on course, finishing with a very pleased rider.
And off to the abbreviated Cross Country Course for the Intro level. The most difficult challenge for many ponies was the Amish buggies flying past on the road- black boxes chasing a horse. But, Sonnygirl was raised in a pasture next to an Amish farm, and she was unfazed.

 The pair as they canter away from fence #4. They swiftly accomplished a clean round with no faults!

And, after the Vet Box, there was Hannah, treating each horse and rider like they were Olympians.


After turn-backs (when each competitor is checked to make sure they have cleaned their tack, boots and ponies after the ride), scores were completed and the results were in!

The D team learned a lesson in promptness when they neglected to turn in their written test on time and were docked 5! points. They also lost one point for a pair of tall boots that did not have toe-trees (boot trees hold the shape of the leg shank of the boot, but a filler in the toe keeps the foot part from collapsing when they aren't being worn). This -6 points put them in 4th place in Horse Management. Oops! They also came in 4th place in their division- Cross Country penalties of -40 points.On the surface this seems, perhaps, like a poor result- but it was a triumph in many ways. I am very pleased with the riders for challenging themselves and their mounts. For their kind riding and their positivity. They are all moving forward together, and each pair grows every time I have the privilege of seeing them ride. 
Kelly's team ended in better stead. They earned a first place in Horse Management and a second place in their division.
Youngest was a leading scorer, placing in 4th place overall. He was properly pleased with himself and his excellent pony! 

Youngest, McKenna, Katie, Hannah, Kelly and Riley- Way to go team!!

Double Dutch: Seeing Re and a Model from Connecticut

This is nominally a blog about my trip to The Netherlands, but truly it is a blog about friendship. I have some wonderful friends in my life, current and past. I have a friend I treasure who has been mine for over 40 years. I have friends all over the United States, and I have friends in other countries, on other continents. I am terribly fortunate that they have seen something worthwhile in me, a connection, a bond. I have found over the years that these, true, friends have something in common. When I am with them, within seconds, it is if we were never apart.
I have a map in my sunroom. On this map I have pins holding tags. Each tag has the name of a treasured friend written in my hand. These are the people I have a thread to, no matter how far. I want to see, visit with each one. But, life has a way of making this goal a slow one. I have set up a fine life full of family, farm and jobs that mean stepping away is technically difficult. Every so often, I get to see one of these treasured friends. Last year, Amy Brangaccio Wolf came for the night "on the way home"...which it really wasn't, but close enough for her to detour. It was magical to be with her.
This trip to The Netherlands also held magic, for living in Amsterdam is my ReRe. Re was the girl some faceless person at the University of Richmond thought would be a good match for my College Roommate. Although that person was entirely correct, I'm quite certain the Dean of Student Affairs was not grateful. ReRe and I were an instant pair. Less like chocolate and peanut butter, more like, well, tequila and lime. We soon picked up more ingredients, Phillipe, The Rama, Spatch, and a margarita was born.
We had fun. No filter. It is a mark of my early ambitious determination that I eventually left these girls and moved to North Carolina to continue my schooling. I could see veterinary school slipping away. But not the bond I had with them. That stayed.
I tried to find, this morning, photos of me and Re together at College. I found precious few, and what I found was the worst film quality I've ever seen. It's worse than my series that could be called "Guardrail photos from I-81, circa 1979." And, all I can say is "Thank You, Lord." For, although I wish I had great pictures of that time, I can be mostly thankful that I don't, and hope no one else does either. No social media was a luxury I was unaware we held.
Curious photos I found? Re, arms on top of her head, in the window. She is in shadow. and there is a large bouquet of yellow flowers on the windowsill. Did we pick them from the University President's front yard? Did they come from a boy? I don't recall.
I found a pictures of Spatch in the ReRe Jean, and Phil in the ReRe Jean, and Re, in the same. Every one of the pictures is almost completely brown, figures mostly indiscernible. And I had forgotten about those jeans. I think we were the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, long ago.
The best actual photographs of that time were of people I don't remember at all. Usually dates for the semi-formal of the week (it was a Greek school, there were a LOT of formals).
Such as this example:

 I don't know who my date is, I don't know who the people are in the picture behind us. I do recognize the couch/bed we all had in the dorm sophomore year. The dress is a gorgeous dress with black jet beads that I still own, and had been my mothers.
But I found very few pictures of Me and Re. The one I did find was this:

 The two of us, laughing. Which, I believe appropriately represents our friendship.

As shown by this photo:

Taken shortly after finding one another on the street near her house in Amsterdam 11 days ago.

I am so grateful that we got to "swarm" (as we always called being together, because we were like bees, sweeping through and scaring everyone around us, I'm certain.)

 We couldn't stop clutching at one another, I have missed her.

 We got to share a bottle of wine,

And I got to see her awesome husband again, and for the first time, meet her children! They are adorable boys, who I now miss too.

I wanted to include this photo, because there are three in this picture. Re's Eldest, me, and the photographer.  I am smiling at Re. And I am so very happy. (Plus her hydrangeas are incredible.)
Here's to being with you again, frond.

End of an Era, Sheepless.

After a long hiatus from this blog, I just don't think I can catch up! We have had a fevered, cool summer here at Cowfeathers Farm. July saw us enjoying the wonderful company of our French Exchange Student, Xenia, with whom we fell in love instantly. She accompanied us to the Kentucky Horse Park for Middlest and Youngest to compete with our Pony Club region against the top competitors from Pony Clubs in every region except Hawaii. But July was soon over, and Xenia was once again back in Paris. We miss her still!
But in August we did not enjoy the "dog days" of hammocks and cool drinks. No, August means Band is back in swing, school starts, and then Huz and I were off for a trip to The Netherlands, where he presented some research at a meeting of Rad Peeps, and then we visited with family, and one of my best fronds ever- ReRe, roommate from College, who lives in Amsterdam with her adorable family.
We are now home, the Grands, who stayed with the kidlets while we were gone have flown back to their own nests (Huz's parents took the first week, mine took the second). And we are staring down September.
She has shown us some changes in just this first week of her month. We are down to one rooster in the barnyard. Winston departed to be someone's soup after growing way too big for his britches and stalking us for sneak attacks. Then Chuck the ChickenDuck and our senior roo, Uglybird, got into a stramash and a few days later, Uglybird was found dead. The Roo-icide is still under investigation. Chuck the ChickenDuck is in custody.
And, yesterday, the entire flock of sheep left for greener pastures. A nice family of Shepherds purchased the flock to start breeding in the sweet, handle-able dispositions of the Border Leicesters into the more difficult Hamp-Sufflolks they already raise. I am sad, but glad. Middlest was done raising and showing the sheep, and they needed a new job.
But, it seems awfully quiet around here.
Bye-Baaaaaaah.

HRPC Camp 2014- Fun.

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014

 

Chapter 4

So far, in the blogs of PC Camp days
It seems we are all work, seriousness, no play!
So in this addition of Cowfeathers Farm,
I feature some photos of Camp fun and charm!


No camp’d be complete with out painting the ponies,

The teams compete for prizes, no, not for cash monies.
Surprise creative planning is done by each team,

They all pick a pony, some paint and a theme.

We had a Scooter- complete with wheels!

And stooting for the Starz- who won top notch appeal,

But wait, that’s not it…there is still one more

There is Mrs. Seuss, Thing 1,2, 3 and Thing 4!

The kids leave no doubt they like ponies painted,

But Listo made it clear it made him feel tainted.

During the week special talents they share;

A boy who can grill,

A girl who flies through the air!

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In Pony Club not every kid can ride, grill or fly. But the thing that's important is that you always give it a try! 

 One thing we know they all do supreme, 

is move jumps and poles;    

And eat Young's Dairy Ice Cream!

Pony Club forges friendships.This we promote!

  

We do not require you share ice cream with the goat. 

  

At Camp you are cool! Make no mistake.

If by "cool" you mean you get flaming Birthday Cake!

Sometimes we're loose,

Sometimes we're tight.

Our tack rooms are always labeled and right.

We Camp for the sunsets,

  We Camp for the crafts,

 We Camp for the breakfasts!

We Camp for the laughs.

We Camp for the TEACHING!

We Camp for these mugs.



 We Camp for each other.

We Camp....

for the hugs.