What Is My Name?

I believe I am having an identity crisis. It seems I don't know my own name.
Well, I finally ordered my birth certificate so I can get a passport and go to visit my family across the sea. To my surprise, I found that either I have been spelling my middle name incorrectly for over 50 years, my mother changed her mind, or the courthouse made a mistake. Hmmm. The middle name on the certificate is not what my mother told me it was. I called the courthouse and learned that I can change my name to what my mother told me it was. It will only take six months. Oh, and it will cost me (of course!).
Now, here's an even more interesting piece of info. I talked to PJ today and told her my story. She was born seven months before me. Our mothers were raised as sisters. She said that she originally was given a particular middle name, but a few months later, her mother added a second middle name...the same one that is on my birth certificate. So, I have several questions.
1. Who had it first?
2. Did one of our mothers influence the other?
3. Did my mother decide, after we both had the same name with the same spelling, that she would change the spelling of mine to not look so obvious?
4. Is it all a coincidence? A mistake? Nothing at all?
5. Are PJ and I actually fraternal twins?
The answers to these questions and other mysteries may be forthcoming. Or, they may remain Family Secrets.

Antiques Road Show, Here I Come

My real goal today was to buy the house on the corner from me. Simon and I had a plan. I held true to that plan...I stayed in our budget and did not buy it. Yes, it would have turned out to be a three bedroom, oak-floored, 10-foot-ceiling home, but the things that needed to be done may have put us farther into expenses tan we wanted to be. The lucky buyer got it for $22,000!

However, my time was not wasted. I may have snagged a couple of real finds. Turns out the 97-year-old lady who lived there really liked finer things. And, things from far away places. Here's an example:

Betcha can't guess what this is. Wow, I'm impressed! You are right! It IS a genuine camel bladder lamp from Cairo. I have to admit, I didn't realize how special this item was when I purchased it. I just had memories of neat little hippie shops when I saw it, and I was able to purchase it with a few other other items for a total of $5. It has been lit since I brought it home, and I love, love, love it. I do feel badly for the camel, though. Estimated value? $100

As far as investment goes, this may have been the best deal. I was attracted to it because it was sterling silver and had a classic shape. However, I hadn't looked at it before the auction, so I didn't realize that it was Gorham silver soldered. After looking on the internet, I realize I may have a real steal here. Taking this one to the jeweler today to see what he thinks. According to what I'm seeing, this could be turn-of-the-century and have value from $100 - 4,000. Definitely worth checking out. Purchase price? $8 It's a great piece, even if it is not "worth" anything.

I can't remember the last time I owned a rocking chair. But, this grandma is ready now for all those grandchildren to come and visit. A nice little bentwood rocker. $13

This one is just for me. It is going to the jeweler with its friend, the pitcher. Could be real. Even if it is not, it is beautiful in real life. $5, along with a flat pearl tie necklace. Woo hoo!

I just liked this. In order to purchase it, however, I had to take a very ugly painting in a great oak frame, along with a three-tiered end table that will be very functional. Just guess....nope, the bundle was $2.50. All in all, even though I did not end up with a house, I had lots of fun, took lots of ribbing from the auctioneers, and got some interesting things that you can all see in person next time you visit.

It's Been a Wonderful Year

Several years ago, I discovered the Rocky Mountain horse. I rode one in Torey, Utah a few years back, with Seth in tow. A memorable trip. The red mud was a couple of feet thick. It had been raining for two weeks straight. But these horses we saw were something very unique. This was the horse I had always dreamt of. Smooth as silk, personality like a puppy, and bred to ride trails. Oh, but then there was the price... I would keep looking.

It was late October 2007 when I found her. I wasn't looking for her, so it's interesting that I found her. Actually, she found me. I was looking at her mother, a mature, well-trained Rocky Mountain mare. I saw her on the Colorado breeder's web site, and paid a visit to see if we were a match. Although Mom had a fine history of producing offspring and gaiting like a dream, our personalities together were not impressive. While I was assessing her, I felt someone glaring at me from behind. I turned around to see the filly on the right, Red Ryder, staring at me from across the yard. Upon inquiry, I discovered that she was an untrained three-year-old. Just what I didn't want. It had been only two years since I had been busted up pretty badly by a young filly, and promised never to do that again.

I came, though, to try to buy a horse. Not just any horse, but a perfect Rocky Mountain horse with a deeply discounted price tag (yeah, right...even with all the free horses on the market right now, the Rockies have remained pricey). I asked the breeder to bring her out. I'm not sure what got into me, but I found myself standing there in the yeard, waiting for this rather raggedy little girl to come out to meet me. We clicked. She liked me. I liked her. OK, logic has been replaced with emotion. I asked her price. Several thousand dollars more than I was willing to, or even could consider, paying.

Then, what turned out to be the miracle, happened. The breeder explained that I would need to make a quick decision. His ranch and everything on it was auctioning in two days! Now I knew my dream would have to wait. This was a long way from home, I was on my way there now, and we had a day full of plans on auction day.

I went home and told Steve about my experience, showed him photos of this mystical little girl, and was prepared to put it to rest. To my surprise, he said we needed to change our Saturday plans and go to the auction. I told him that was ridiculous. I am not nearly experienced enough to make a good purchase at a horse auction. So, Saturday morning, as we were driving back to Colorado, I was learning how to buy a horse at auction for a price I could afford, from a good family friend, over my cell phone. I had no hope this would work.

Arriving early, we spent time looking her over, getting opinions from Bruce and Karen (see Living My Dream post), brushing, leading...yep, I was going to bid. Auctions are a great substitute for lots of highs. Oooh, adrenaline. I had my limit set, understood the strategy, and didn't think I had a chance. Well, you had to be there, but it seemed that everyone there knew I was supposed to take this filly home. I won the bid, the crowd applauded, and I cried. I had just purchased a skinny, large-headed, untrained horse. Her coat was four inches long, covering a severe case of dandruf. No vaccinations, needing a farrier and dental check. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

That was one year ago. Last weekend was our one-year anniversary together. Steve and I took our mares for a ride on Saturday, past rocky bluffs and down a long canyon. Ruby (her barn name) ambled (she's usually pretty hepped up), gaited, trotted, offered her first canter (oh, so gentle and easy to ride). She even did a piaffe all the way down the road, back to the barn! I'm sure she has more surprises for me, as she continues to mature, strengthen, and become more confident. You can see that her head is no longer too big for her body, and she has developed a great deal. We have developed a great deal, I should say. I am thankful every day to have this perfect horse and am looking forward to many more anniversaries to come.

Riding With Rosalie and Kenny

Yep, riding again. This time, with our friend (on the left) nearby who breeds Tiger horses. If you're not familiar with Tigers, they are, basically, gaited Appaloosas (Steve's mare, Mona, is a non-gaited Appy). It was fun to ride Ruby (on the right) with another gaited horse. Our friend's is mature and well-gaited and mine is still young and learning. Bird was a fine teacher, as you can see from the photo. You can also get a good idea of what Nebraska looks like...lots of rolling pasture that never gets as green as Illinois. Great places to ride, though, with lots of caverns to trek up and down and prairies to ride as fast as the wind, that let you see as far as you can see.

Nebraska is also full of wonderful, down-to-earth people like the ones you see above and below.

This is Kenny. He knows just about everything there is to know about horses. He helps us not get killed with our horses. We are fortunate that he is only about 10 miles down the road, so it is a short haul to get there. This photo shows him sitting in his Coverall building. They are amazing structures for riding. I saw my first at the Parelli ranch in Pagosa Springs last fall.

This huge structure holds 1500 people in bleachers, with plenty of room left for several horses running around at the same time! Not a bad view, either. This is one of my goals when we get our country property...just a small Coverall.

Follow the Prophet.....

We are very blessed in our church to receive counsel from the president of the church that helps us be successful today. Those who are not of our faith would be surprised, I believe, to hear the kind of counsel we are given. Things that keep us sane, connected to our loved ones (forever!), out of debt, healthy, etc. Really, good common sense stuff.
Well, one of the things we have heard forever is to keep a journal. I have tried at various times over the years to be obedient. After all, I know the blessing in this obedience is for me and my family as I record personal and family history. I will do well for a few weeks at a time. Then, I get "busy", or fill a journal and not have a new one and get out of the habit before I replace it...you get the picture.
It is also not my style to sit and write and write. However, I loved it when our boys were on missions and we sent and received letters. I always said it was perfect journaling…we only shared the most important stuff, and there was no room for nastiness.
Yet, I seem to have a new fire for this activity since I have begun blogging. I am finding that blogging really motivates me, as it is more like when I was a radio and tv major in college and worked for the tv station. With blogging, I not only write, but get to add photos, music, and design elements. Even though I'm not very good at it yet, I am learning all the time, and recording history at the same time. And, by posting comments, we are all getting to know each other better. Wow. Imagine that technology could do all that. I am feeling fulfilled. I am following the prophet!

The Three Amigos

Here they are. The three amigos. It's hard to imagine hanging around with your best friends 24/7, eating lush food, lying in the sun, swatting pests off one another. Ahhh, this must be a reward for something we've done right.

On closer examination, however, you may notice something interesting. Yep, only one horse is paying attention to the approaching human. That's Ruby. She actually caught site of me when I was about 1/4 mile away. Yeah, the others know I'm coming, but my arrival does not spark their interest. I take a place in the amigo group only to Ruby. In fact, this is the welcome I usually get from the other two:

(That's Mona, Steve's Appy on the left, and Buckshot, my old QH gelding, on the right.) They are akin to the Pasture Prince and his Princess. Poor Ruby is the indentured servant. However, her humble position in this little herd keeps her focused on me, which is the whole point. Here's how the welcome looks as I get closer:

This alone is worth the feed bill, pasture rent, truck and trailer, gasoline for the 64 mile round trip every time I go out, farrier, vet, etc.... Ah, the love of a horse. I know I'm anthropomorphising, but there is no doubt in my mind this little horse loves me as much as I love her. And, since we don't drink, gamble, boat, ski, go to the movies, or even the Husker games, I spend that time and money on this creature. And, we're both happy.

Living My Dream

Ever since I can remember, I have had a dream. I can't count any more how many times I've driven through Wyoming on Interstate 80 and dreamt. It would begin as I saw the open, sparse spaces unfolding before me. They would be punctuated with snow-capped mountains, tufts of forest, herds of mule deer and an occasional grove of aspen. The important part of the dream included riding a fantastic, smooth, trustworthy horse across the expanses, unencumbered by time restraints and geographic limitations.

Well, folks, I HAVE LIVED MY DREAM! Thank you to Bruce and Karen, our friends in Cheyenne, for making it happen. We met B&K at the auction in Ault, CO, on the fateful day when I bought Ruby. They purchased her mother, Lady Red. Both are Rocky Mountain mares.

We all really hit it off right from the start. We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses, and kept in touch.

A couple of weeks before Labor Day, they called and invited us to come out for the holiday and ride with them. They own five gaited horses, and since our mares are still in rabies quarantine (stop laughing, Simon), they said we could ride their horses. We spent a day getting warmed up and acquainted with the horses at their place, and on Labor Day, loaded up and headed to the Medicine Bow National Forest.

We were now in the right place. Remember, the other piece of the dream was riding the right horse. Thank you, Karen, for letting me ride Lady Red. What a little princess of a horse!




Karen, Bruce and Steve w/Lady Red

We went across sage-filled mountainsides, jumped across a creek, trekked through aspen groves, and mucked through a bog. No one fell off but me. Little Lady Red decided to blaze a new path through the aspens, under a tree that was tall enough for her, but not the rider on top of her. Yep, she peeled me off. But, we brushed ourselves off and went again.


Now, it's important to remember we were in the mountains of Wyoming. Big area. All new territory. A long way to go. And, it can all start looking like the right way back to the trailer after a few hours of riding. Luckily, we were with B&K, who are very experienced at this stuff, and Bruce had brought along a fool-proof prevention technique for not getting lost.

That's right, GPS on the trail! It seemed like a miracle when we could see the white speck of trailer off in the distance to take us back home.

Sue w/Lady Red, Steve w/Bandit, Spotted Saddle Horse

You know, lots of people go to their graves never having lived their dream. I'm not sure what I ever did right to deserve it, but at 56, my dream came true. Of course, I can't stop now. The next dream is to do a similar ride in Wyoming with my own horse, Lady Red's daughter, Ruby. I did tell her when I got home that the gig is up. I rode momma, and now know what to expect from Ruby. She dropped her head, looked guilty, and committed to getting serious about getting trained to do the deed. Maybe we'll be back for Memorial Day....

Cattle As Role Models

A few weeks ago, I had taken Ruby out in the trailer for a training ride at a nearby ranch. When we reached the top of the hill at the home ranch on our way back, this is the sight that was before our eyes. The whole bovine family was standing in the middle of the road, and no one was going to move for me. I parked the truck and trailer and got out to investigate.


Now, although these cattle live on the same ranch as our horses, and I see them several times a week, one cannot be sure how bovines will react to humans if you are not familiar with one another. I approached cautiously, as it was apparent that the bald face calf in front had fallen through the cattle grate, and I did not want a panic on anyone's part.


Perhaps the most interesting thing to me was the support that this little guy was getting from his friends and family. Here was a young one, clearly in dire straits. And no one was leaving until they could all go together. I put the idea of a cow panic aside.

We are talking about "dumb" animals, remember. After all, the calf was certainly lacking judgement to have gotten himself in such a predicament. Kind of like kids. Especially teenagers. Lacking experience and wisdom, but having boundless curiousity and courage, they sometimes get themselves into perilous situations that could cause them irreparable damage. It is pretty easy to want to leave them and their sometimes embarrassing situations off to the side.

This little calf was certainly slowing everyone down from their pressing schedule of wandering and eating, but no one was going to get any fatter until the little guy was clearly out of danger. And, the cow concensus was apparent that I could be the redeemer come to the rescue. To their disappointment, I needed to make a couple of phone calls to those who could, truly, assist. Within a half hour, the calf was pulled to safety, and the herd was back on its dining mission.

What I don't want to forget is the dedication this family had to its own. My appearance on the scene, complete with a truck and trailer, could surely have caused the uncommitted to retreat in fear, but they stood firm. Do we humans always respond this confidently when times get tough and we fear the unknown? I will keep this example in my memory and try to be a better, braver support for my loved ones when they mis-step.

Fun With Family and Horses

It was so fun to have the grandkids here this summer. Hannah happens to be as big of a horse freak as I am. Luke, of course, likes to participate, too. We borrowed a pony to have some fun with. Wish these wonderful kids could be here all the time. Grandma would have 'em muckin' and ropin' in no time!

We also went to a Parelli (http://www.parelli.com/) Conference in Denver. We, once again, stayed with PJ and Bob and had an awesome time reminiscing and being friends. What a blessing to have such wonderful friends and family. They attended with us on the first day. We were all enthralled to see the happy horses doing things in a very natural way.