Eric's Birthday (Dancing) and Bolder Boulder (Running)

Summer was fun! Although I can't believe it is October, I am still relishing the fantastic summer we had.

So, the first review I'll cover is the Bolder Boulder weekend. We stayed with cousin PJ and Bob in Co Springs. PJ's son, Eric, celebrated his 30th birthday, and we were fortunate enough to be invited. We partied in the barn (no chickens, but a great old tractor of Charlie's), complete with dancing.

Lots of other fun, too!

The beautiful blonde with Eric is his friend, Lauren. She is brilliant, kind, beautiful and she loves horses!!

Then, it was on to the Bolder Boulder. It was Steve and Sariah's first go at it. If I remember right, there were 53,000 entrants. They were able to carry names of those who served our country, and Steve and Sariah had proud lists. Thanks to all who sacrifice to keep the US of A the premiere freedom example for our world.

Some other fun shots. And, PJ brought a terrific picnic lunch to enjoy after.

We're "So Cute" Together!

I had the opportunity yesterday to host a Nebraska Natural Horsemanship clinician and her intern. They came out on their way to a clinic in Colorado and gave us some pointers and spent the night with us.

Ruby and I put on quite a show for her. We rode up a steep hill, tooled around at the top, and wheeled back down. On our way gaiting past her, she shouted, "You two are so cute together!"

I have to agree. I love this little horse. When she gaits, it is like floating on silk. She really likes to go. I never used to, but I do now. Who would have thought? Here I am, in McCook, NE, living my dream...

I do believe she will be my last horse. Her grandfather and great grandfather both lived to be 37 and were ridden until they were 34. She is 4 and I am 56, which means I should be able to ride her until I'm 86. Probably will be too late for another green horse at that point.

Purple Ribbon Pie Girl

Before Sariah, Adam and kids all moved to Korea, they stayed with us here in McCook for awhile. Fortunately for all, it was county fair time. Sariah is quite the homemaker, and has worked to perfection her apple pie baking skills. So, we decided to put it to the test and enter it in the premier of all apple pie contests...the county fair.

She has now taken her ranks with the champion pie bakers of all time. Purple ribbon!! Congrats, Sariah, and be ready to give me a lesson next time we meet.

The House Next Door (or, We Wondered Why Our House Didn't Sell)

It all started innocently enough. When we purchased our house five years ago, this house next door was vacant. We decided that if it ever went on the market, we would try to buy it and either tear it down or renovate it. Well, last weekend, the For Sale sign went up. $7,000...no, no zeros are missing.

I went to look at it this week, with the building inspector in tow. Here's some of what we saw inside.

These are photos of the master bedroom and bath. The entire house looks like the occupants fled following a nuclear holocaust and left it for six years. After the building inspector gave me estimates on what it would cost to rehab or demolish (it is full of asbestos), we decided to pass. Of course, the bigger problem is that no one will want to invest in this bad investment, and it will crumble into a nuclear dump next door.

Sorry, kids, but when we die, this will probably be your inheritance....

welcome

Welcome to us, into the 21st Century! Simon had lovingly welcomed us into the year 2000 a couple of weeks ago when we got our first satellite TV. We have been, again, embarassed by our children into moving forward technologically into blog creation. As CSN (Crosby, Stills and Nash) said in the early '70's, "Teach your parents." Thanks, kids.
I can't promise fancy on this blog. You will get the basics. But, the basics are the foundation (kind of like neutrals in your wardrobe, according to Clinton and Stacey), and we may even add a punch of color now and again.
Anyway, we're happy to have joined our children at blogspot, and hope you enjoy our ramblings about us!