Mini Driving

Today was another sunny, warm day for driving horses. This time it was with a mini! My friend Elizabeth (the person responsible for getting me into this adventure) brought her 2 over today. One of them - CHIP - is an old pro at driving, so he provided us with some fun as we drove around the neighborhood. Yes - he CAN pull the both of us! With no problems!

Shuttle Launch

Last month, Steve and I accompanied my brother, Bob and his wife Mary, to Florida to watch the Space Shuttle Launch on Nov 14th. He was invited by his friend - Shuttle astronaut Don Pettit, to be his guest at the launch and also at a BBQ on Cocoa Beach with the Pettit family the night before the launch. It was wonderful to meet his brave wife - Mickey, and his big family. It was a beautiful night on the beach, with the full moon rising.

The day of the launch we spent at the Kennedy Space Center, before being shuttled out to the causeway by the Banana River to view the night time launch.

Seeing this event, in person, is absolutley incredible.

STS-126 Endeavor left the launch pad at 7:55 EST on November 14. Not only does watching this huge rocket seemingly lift the Shuttle ever so slowly into the night sky take your breath away, it is the delayed shockwaves that you see and feel about 30 seconds after lift off that give you the personal touch! The sound hits you then with a tremendous roar, and on the moonlit river you can see the ripples on the water, as well as in the few light clouds in the sky.

The photos I am attaching to this post were taken by a fellow observer that was on our bus. I was looking at his photos on his camera as we road back to the KSC, and was amazed at the clarity he obtained with his shots. His name is Steven, that's all I know and he graciously emailed them to me last week. I think you will agree - they are beautiful.

A Picture Perfect Launch

Below is a 5 minute time lapse from lift off to when the Endeavor left our sight.

God Speed Endeavor.

PS .... For those interested in a more detailed accounting of this event- you can read my brother's story which he wrote for his web site. STS-126 liftoff of Endevour.

Thank you Bob and Mary, for including us on this once in a lifetime trip!

A great day for a drive!

Pardon me for the HUGE lapse in posting - I will try and catch up in the next few days.

So, I will start with today, and work backwards for awhile.......

A beautiful, sunny, crisp day here in South Texas - the only thing missing is some rain! Boy do we need RAIN! Everything is dead or dying, with no relief in sight.......we just continue to pray that some will come along soon......

A few months back - I took a driving (HORSE) lesson from Francine Dismukes of Luling, Tx.

Since I am not familiar with all the horsey folks, I soon found out that she is one of the MASTERS of training and teaching this wonderful sport. She is a world renowned judge for driving and dressage. and her barn is full of beautiful National Champion Andalusians and Andalusian Crosses.

I am learning this sport, so in the not too distant future, I will be driving Neeko, the larger one of my minis. He will be starting his ground driving soon, and hopefully will be ready to go to Francine's in the Spring for a couple of months. for his formal training with the cart.

So as not to leave Steve out of this adventure........I asked him to come along today, so he can see what he is getting into. :) :) After I did my lesson, Francine invited him to take the reins. Mind you, Steve is NOT a horse person. He will stand just out of reach from them, and I have never seen him on one - ever. Not that he doesn't like them (HE LOVES OUR MINIS) - they are just BIG animals, and he is not comfortable around them. They are not dogs - for sure!

I must say that when he took the reins, under Francine's kind instruction, he looked like a natural. I think he had a great advantage to not knowing anything about riding horses, etc, as it gave him a clean slate to begin with. Francine told me I knew just enough to get into trouble with! Boy - is that ever right!

I am so proud of his success at his first lesson! He doesn't know it yet - but we are doing the same thing next weekend! Weather permitting!

I just had to put up a couple of pictures of Francine and Steve and the wonderful, ever patient Doll, her 5 year old Andalusian. Bless her heart - she was a real trooper having to put up with 2 novices!

Amos approves!

AMOS LOVES JEFF TOO!

Congratulations to Shannon and Jeff

Last night, our precious daughter, Shannon, became engaged to Jeff Goodwin, on the one year anniverary of their first date! What a romantic fellow! They met last year during the making of ABC's Extreme Home Makeover, of which they were both instrumental in making happen. She produced the application tape, and worked closely with ABC during the week long production, and Jeff works for J.S. Hovnanian & Sons, the homebuilder who made the dream come true for Camden, NJ resident, Victor Marrero and his 5 sons.

While they both worked selflessly to make a better life for others, God truly had other plans for them!

Shannon and Jeff, you both have our most heartfelt blessings, as you start this new chapter in your lives.

Love and Hugs

Mom and Dad

Goodbye Cayman.......

Today, we had to let Cayman go.......

She was the total embodiment of the yellow Labrador Lady. Sweet, smart, loving, happy, smiling, nonstop tail wagging, always talking to you.....especially as it got closer to meal time! She would stand on her hind legs and "box" with excitement when she greeted you - as she could hardly contain herself!

She was the Queen Bee in the dog world around here. All the other dogs totally respected her. She was never ugly - just firm and patient!

She would have been a great mother - but she was adamant that she was going to have nothing to do with that process! I tried only once to have her bred - that was enough!

She loved traveling to the dog shows, and so enjoyed socializing with her many friends, dogs and people! She knew no enemies.

We were blessed to have had her for almost 14 healthy, wonderful years.
She left so quietly, so softly.
As one of God's precious gifts to us - I have to believe that she was greeted at Rainbow Bridge by
her buddies that went before her - Justin, Chaplin, Sounder, Bear and others........
Till we meet again, run free, run happy.

Fire Lake

This is the second time I have done this particular painting. The first one was confiscated by our son, Sean, to hang in his home. This one is for MY HOME - to hang in my office.

I love the vibrancy of the colors and the abstract nature of the sunset....

A fun one to do, as it allows a certain freedom and forgiveness - something I need much of while putting paint on canvas!

Three Amigos

These are our Three Amigos. They always hang around together for the summer, but once Fall comes - they will be in fierce competition for the ladies. The one in the middle is the 11 point buck that is pictured in an earlier blog. His antler growth has been really good this year - considering the drought we have been in. Oh - I wish I could trim their antlers before hunting season starts.

Finally.... it rains

"It is the rainfall that sustains the life on the earth. Look at it as the NECTAR of life."

Finally we are getting some much needed rain after an ongoing drought. It is so amazing how fast everything greens up, and becomes so lush. Wished it would stay around for awhile.....

Cheeto Warhol

This is my first attempt at painting something - BEFORE I started taking art classes!

Is it any surprise that it is a dog? This is Cheeto - our blue merle Sheltie. I took a photo I did of her and then gave it a Warhol twist with the paintbrush. I love to do abstract, as it makes me get out of the box - of trying to get things perfect.

Winslow in the Snow

This is a painting I did for our daughter, Shannon, who lives in New Jersey - where she is the Marketing and Development Coordinator for Urban Promise Ministries. She inherited my love of animals, and is never without several dogs in her home, at any given time.

Winslow was her first Golden Retriever. Although he was here for only a short time, he never knew a stranger and gave as much love as any dog could.

Bunting Haven

The Painted Bunting male is known for their exotic blends of bright colors, while the ladies and youngsters are a green color - to help them blend into their habitat.

These photos do them no justice!

This year, we have been so blessed to have become a small sanctuary for the Painted Buntings that migrate each Spring from Mexico. The lady that runs the Wild Birds Unlimited store, where I buy my birdseed, informed me that we have the largest concentration of these beautiful birds in our area, based on reported sightings.

We have counted 9 males and over a dozen females at one time in our front yard. The habitiat is heavily wooded cedar and oak, which gives the birds a great place to raise their young ones. We have running water 24/7, and of course supply their favorite food - millet seed.

From late May to mid August, we totally enjoy their presence. They are now starting to leave, as I have not seen any of the boys in a few days, although the ladies and youngsters are still here.

Their biggest threat is of course by man. Because of the boy's striking colors, when they return to Mexico, they risk being captured to become caged birds, much like parakeets and finches.

Lovable Labs

Labs have been a part of my life since I was 12 years old.

We spent 30 years showing them in Conformation, Obedience, Tracking and Hunt Tests. Although we no longer participate in those events, the Labs are still a major part of our lives....

We are down to 2 now.....

Kodi - our chocolate boy is 12. He is "Mr. Happy" every minute of every day. Always a smile and a wag to let you know that you are the most important thing in his life!

Cayman - our yellow girl is now 13 years old. She still has a mouth, and appetite to go with it! She is the queen bee around here.

Can't imagine life without a dog.
Appropriately - they are GOD spelled backwards.

Poppy and Piper

Two years ago, I started taking art classes here in New Braunfels, and was fortunate to find the best teacher around! Linda Calvert Jacobson of Casadelinda Studio. With her encouragement and guidance I have been able to do something I had always dreamed of - PAINT! She has led me through my frustrations and doubts, to a sense of ability and accomplishment. Thank you, Linda from the bottom of my heart.

The paintings above are of Poppy (top) and Piper (bottom). They are 2 Jack Russells that are the proud owners of my dear friend, Ann Brawner. Poppy is now a retired agility competitor, who keeps in shape these days by chasing buzzards out of her yard! Piper will soon start competing in agility, where I am sure she will be a spectator favorite!

Ann told me should would hang them in her office........I'm thinking - maybe the closet!

Big and Little

This handsome boy is already showing 11 points. I wish I could wrangle him before hunting season and remove his antlers.

This little one is enjoying an afternoon siesta, during another very hot day in Texas.

Keeping Cool on a Hot Day!

Spook, our OCD Border Collie and Connor, our most loving Sheltie, find a great way to keep cool in the hot days of Summer. Turn on a sprinkler and they are in Heaven. Reminds me of when I was little, and during the Summer, all the kids in the neighborhood would spend hours running through sprinklers, spending most of the days OUTSIDE and getting HOT and TIRED!

Sneaky Snake

While most people don't share my enthusiasm for ALL kinds of nature ( since we moved out in the country 12 years ago from the city life) I have a whole new appreciation for everything. Even snakes. I am fascinated with them. This fellow was crossing through our yard yesterday, and I could only get a shot of him - at his level - before he took off into the woods. He was between 4-5 feet long. Cool - huh?

The Yard Visitor

Saw this beautiful Hawk in my front yard yesterday, and grabbed my camera. Only got one shot before he took off!

The Boys at Play - Part 2

It's not really a Part 2, but I was having so much trouble getting the words to go with the post -without running up the side of the photo all fragmented....Oh, the horrors of learning how to do this........It worked with the cat.
Anyway - I had gone outside this morning to spend time with the boys, and they decided to show off a bit! Look like big horses??? NOT!

They are miniatures. Don't let them know that!

The Boys at Play

A New Adventure

That's what this is - a new adventure!
Don't know where it will take me or how it will develop - but for today - it is here!
After seeing a friend's new blog today - I thought I would give it a try, and realized that it is fairly simple to get going - and looks to be a lot of fun too.
Beware my friends - I will most likely pull you into this as well :) :) :)

Oh - the photo? Just put it on to see how easy it was to do!

This cat - Callie - is one who adopted us as her family a few months back. She is gorgeous to look at - but has a serial killer mind - as she has murdered a few of my wild birds, actually snatching them from the platform of their feeders, as we watched the unassuming little bird fly in for a snack. I have since heightened all the bird feeders in my yard, much to her disgust!