I am sitting at my kitchen counter watching Regis and Kelly on a vacation day. I am rather pie-eyed from fighting a double ear infection, and tired of sounding like I am in a goldfish bowl when I talk. I guess viral ear infections are harder to kick than bacterial, and I am going on my second week of dealing with it. I guess I've been so healthy the past many years that it was about my turn for something like this - what an inconvenience! Still, with all of my friends and acquaintances knowing at least one loved one battling with cancer and other horrific diseases, it is shameful that I even talk about my little head cold.
We had a great time visiting with Greg, from Chicago, who owns a farm near Seneca. He invited us over last Wednesday night to discuss options for marketing ASAP, thinking outside the box a little bit, and ways he and his wife might help. They adopted two horses from us over 12 years ago now - maybe you remember them? Nickel Slick and Barcelona! We got to see them and I swear Nickel Slick remembered me? They look FANTASTIC, and thanks to Dawn and Greg for their continued commitment to these horses as they get a little older! Thanks to Greg for his hospitality. He actually did come to see us the following Friday, as they are thinking of adding a horse to their family. The rains didn't help, but Greg was a sport and stayed to play with Taser and Cobra and others anyway!
Yesterday was such an AWESOME day! We will post pictures soon, but the CC summer school classes came down for a short day camp. Remmie, Janimal, and Chief were the busy horses, providing rides to the many students. For some it was their first time on a horse. What a neat experience for them! Some started out with tears, clutching on to staff, but ended with a smile.
Judy, Jessica, and Ben King were my HUGE helpers, providing activities and popsicles for the kids as part of a girl scout project they were doing. Without their help I could not have pulled it off.
After day camp my good friend and adopter of Pavo (formerly Musical Mike) came over to talk about a new design for our web site. If you all remember, he and his wife, Kim, were the ones who designed our web site and were webmasters for a long time. It was so good to see him again and I found out there is a great video of Pavo on youtube that I would encourage all of you to watch! Go to www.youtube.com and type in Horse Trains Human.
It is so amazing to watch and brought a smile from ear to ear! So be watching in the next few weeks for some exciting changes to our web site.
We spent the weekend as hopeful tenders of a booth at Wild West Days in Viroqua. It was my first time at this event, though we have ridden in the parades there for the past several years. The amount of units in the parade Friday night were down - last year there were over 60 units and Friday night this year we only had 31. I guess the economy continues to worsen and people just don't have the extra dollars to travel to do things with their horses that they have done in the past. I took Rachel and Jessica up to ride in the parade, and we had a lot of fun!
Saturday was a huge disappointment to us, with little sales of our video games that Kirsten N. donated to us from her company. The kids still had a great time watching the rodeo, and Rachel and Jessica each took a turn riding the mechanical bull! I hope to be able to share videos. On Sunday we had more success - there were actually fewer people in attendance, but more shoppers! I shopped as well, and found a booth that makes sun catchers, zipper pulls, and more out of horse hair. I brought the hair I had been saving from Star Cheetah (he passed in 2006 at the age of 30) to have made into one of each. She asked for a picture, which I also brought her. It is good to know his memory will live on through these items. IF anyone wants her name and contact information I can get that for you.
In other news, Izabeau continues her recovery and convalescence with Cyd and Craig in Iowa. Thanks again for all the hard work you have done to get her to your place and give her the medicine she needs to recover from that nasty molar abcess. We have several horses available to adopt in Illinois right now- there is a push for a place for Superbowl Joe and Ooops, in case you can help out?
So, parades, booths, day camps, meetings, and now today I am just going to enjoy my family and my critters! That is, after a care conference at the nursing home where my mother is, currently. She had a fall and afterwards suffered some intense back pain, which ended her up in emergency. Since this was the second or third time she has come in with problems after a fall, they wanted her to go to a nursing home for evaluation and rehab. Sigh......back to where we were two years ago. I really pray for a quick rehab and plan to, hopefully, break mom out of there next week!
I hope to take several long trail rides with the August I have left - an overnight would be "the bomb" - we'll see what happens!
Hugs,
Sue
