Bella had her first set of shoes tapped on gently by Hoel. He is the only shoer who has handled Bella and there was no drama. I'm going out this morning when it gets light to see if she still is standing on all 4 feet. After he was done and paid ($25 and I bought the shoes and nails in the US a few weeks ago) she seemed rooted in the same spot. I'm not sure about that. Hoel got a little sweaty since it was warm but Bella didn't. Ho Hum.

Hoel has cut and scraped Bella's feet for 3 years. Most of this was just the some old stuff to her.

Sonora, the oldest dog at the farm, knows to hang around for nice new horse hoof clippings.

Twinville over at Laughing Ocra Ranch was making me laugh with her Obama poster art. So, I had to try too.

Thank you for entertaining me and giving me a fun project to play with.

That woman is so energetic that she makes my head spin.

I awoke in the middle of the night last night to rearrange Floyd who had taken over my pillow and had tucked his paws in my hair. I became aware of an excited and happy overall feeling.

THE OBAMA'S HAVE ARRIVED!

This means so much to our country and individually we have our dreams of how these next few years will play out.

THE OBAMA FAMILY SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE WHITE HOUSE!

For the first time in 4 or 6 or 8 years I don't feel the need to run away. Now I can go back to the US proudly as a citizen who belongs in that group of millions at the capitol mall.

Oh, and also, as a little more excitement on my way back to sleep, I remembered my short trail-ride yesterday on Bella. She was a champ with a good steady pace once we were truly away from the barnyard. At one turn up the road she flattened her ears at her mother who was ahead of us. I suppose that meant she didn't want to go that way but her four little legs went anyway. Also, she must get shod before we go out again due to sore feet by the time we got home.

Bella's 6th LessonAll 4 legs planted squarely.
Bella's jog is very nice to sit.

She has gotten more and more interested in trotting. I got 2 steps of a canter but she just worried about breaking into it with me on board. I'm noticing that if we try something in one lesson, by the next lesson she will probably do it beautifully. I'm not hammering new ideas into her but just trying stuff. Her "back up" is coming along and her turn around on the rail is softer.

Karen took these pictures for me. I have been really good about wearing my helmet during these practice sessions but neglected it this time. When I tried to mount Bella, she was quite interested in going over to Karen and didn't stand still. I set her up again and she understood this time that walking off is not acceptable.

At the end of this lesson I asked her to back through the gate and then we left the barnyard and rode out to my car to unsaddle. It's all good!

Bella and Roman

Bella is giving Roman "horse signs" that he needs to move-on. Ears back, teeth, snaking neck. Scares me, but macho Roman couldn't care less. I've even seen Bella flash the stink-eye at him if he dare to get close to her bucket. Speaking of teeth, she has a new incisor (right on schedule.)
I think Bella secretly likes Roman's soft fur but wants to make him think she's the boss.

I quietly slipped onto Bella's bare back yesterday. It was heavenly. We walked slowly around the arena and I quietly slipped back off. I hugged her neck and slowly got to the ground. Her only interest in this event was to turn around and sniff my leg, then she walked on gently. Our lessons are going forward so nicely.

Floyd didn't want to talk about it.

Quinceanera for Christmas

We had the amazing opportunity to go to a real quinceanera over the Christmas week. We had about one week to prepare and a few days to make reservations. I'm a pretty good travel agent and map reader and so had towns picked out and dates decided.

We left home on Christmas Eve and headed down to Mazatlan. Driving into that city on that very afternoon seemed like such a great choice and we were both very excited to have gotten there. Two days later we headed down to Morelia, into new territory for us. The drive was perfectly beautiful, and then the city of Morelia was beyond our dreams. Pulling into the city center felt like being somewhere in Italy.

The quinceanera was near Morelia, in a very small village with hardly a name or a street sign. It did have a lovely church in the center of town. We certainly looked out of place but never felt that way. Some of those pictures from my last post are of us all walking from the church as the Mariachis serenaded the young woman on the way to the party. What a lovely experience.

After 2 days in Morelia we headed up to San Miguel de Allende for an overnight. Another beautiful city which we will try to return to when we aren't in the middle of a whirlwind trip. Then one night outside of Guadalajara where we shopped for talavera and felt spoiled at our Bed and Breakfast.

At last we headed back to Mazatlan for one more overnight before driving on home.


Jewels for sale by the Mazatlan bay.

Fruit for sale by the Mazatlan bay.

Mazatlan before sunset.

Guards in San Miguel de Allende.

Carved door in San Miguel de Allende.

Road Trip Squared
2200 miles in 7 days

more to come

I never get sick of colorful awakenings. Every one has its own character.
Today starts the lengthening of days!

Bella's Progression

We've had 3 lessons under saddle now with Bella progressing very well. I have changed her saddle to a lightweight synthetic black one that fits better and doesn't overwhelm her back.
Lesson #2 we walked out better and started figuring out turning and sometimes stopping at Whoa. Less time was spent on the lunge line.
Lesson #3 she really started listening to my requests to go, turn, stop. And we trotted. And we used the whole arena and moved through a cat fight right in front of us without being troubled more than stopping to look. I turned her in a few big circles and walked her over the poles I'd set on the ground.
We might try outside the arena next. I haven't had my camera since the first ride but will try to remember it next lesson.
I'm driving up to Tucson to pick up sister Barbie tomorrow and that means Bella's lessons will be limited for a week.

I never dreamed these lessons would go so quickly, but that's because I play these scenes out in my head and they always have unhappy endings. Reality is so much better than fantasy.

Bella Under Saddle

All of the right planets lined up on Wednesday in the proper order so that my confidence in Bella's attitude was perfect. Karen met us out at the barn to offer a friendly hand.

I saddled Bella over by her corral and then led her to the little arena. No complaints, all is well. 78 degrees and not a breeze to be seen. I asked her to lunge a little just to be sure there wasn't any hidden loose screws. Karen joined us and stood quietly by while I mounted and tried to sit deep and relaxed in the saddle. We petted a minute in that position. Then we asked Bella to follow Karen around the arena once to see if her balance was Ok with my weight on top. Still no feathers flew.

Back to the middle of our little lunging area and Karen asked Bella to go on out on the circle. Each of Bella's feet made their own deliberate step. There was no hurry. We went around in Pony-Ride circles both ways with me begging myself to relax and enjoy the moment.

Soon Karen thought we might try walking without the life-line lunge line. That stumped Bella. How to walk forward without a Mother's hand to hold. After we finally got a little movement we decided to dismount, pet and check saddle, and mount back up. This time we did more steps on our own and then dismounted on the opposite side.

She was a champ, my little girl.

I pulled the saddle while still standing there and she didn't have any dampness anywhere. Meanwhile, my bra was soaked.

I wish I had worn something a little more sparkly and photogenic, but it certainly wasn't about me. Bella takes good pictures under any condition.

Coconuts

I found these love-a-ly coconuts upon arrival in Mexico. The tree was busy all summer while I was gone. Now I'll need to open one and see if they are any good. It is the first real "crop" this 14 year old tree has produced. I'm so proud.


Bella has not forgotten her lessons from last Spring and seems ready to take on a passenger. As soon as I can pin down another horsey friend I will mount and have my friend on the end of the lunge line.
My little horse continues to lighten. I bought a yearling buckskin and now have a 3 1/2 year old light grey filly. Maybe I should ask for a refund.

We got down here before Thanksgiving but went right back up across the border to be in the US of A for the holiday. The weather is so perfect right now I don't want to go anywhere for awhile.

A Joke for my girlfriends just to keep you entertained awhile longer until I return to Mexico:

IMPORTANT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN Do you have feelings of inadequacy? Do you suffer from shyness? Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive? If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include: - Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration - Erotic lustfulness - Loss of motor control - Loss of clothing - Loss of money - Loss of virginity - Attraction to the same sex - Table dancing - Headache - Dehydration - Dry mouth - And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.
WARNING : The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

The Day A Fascination Became A Passion

This is the exact moment that I was sunk for a lifetime. This old white mare was not the first horse I got to sit on, but she was the first one I got to ride. The first time I had hold of the reins and had the opportunity to turn, stop, go, move. Comet was a wise old mare who knew how to take care of me even when I had no sense of danger or urgency or possibility. I didn't even know how to ask but she understood what her job was.

It was Northern California probably around the fall of 1956. The cattle had to be moved down from the high hills to the low hills before winter rains made it difficult to check on them. It was a different time, a different era. We found the cattle by listening for the cowbells. As naive as I was then the cowgirl bug bit hard and forever after my best fantasies were of moving cattle aboard a reasonable cow horse.

I probably did little more than a fast walk directly behind a real wisened old cowgirl. I don't remember if she had a lead rope on Comet, but I bet she just barked at me to stay behind her. That was how Sally dealt with children. They were to be seen...doing as told, not requesting but helping. I would never dream of asking a favor of Sally. I was there to do her bidding, to learn how to grow up to be just like her so I could go on cattle round-ups several times a year. She rolled her own cigarettes and fried a dozen eggs in a cast iron pan over an open fire without breaking a yolk.

I lived about 200 miles away from Sally and Comet and so did not get to be a cow girl often, but I did get to fall madly in love with horses forever and always.

I've got this one picture to remind me where it all started and how I have always wanted to achieve the common sense, no nonsense, approach to horsemanship.

How about you? Do you have memories of when and where it happened?

Alternative Energy

I was driving 80 miles per hour down highway 10 when I clicked my cell phone to try and capture a few of our windmills that make up an enormous windmill farm on the west side of Palm Springs.

I've had this on my mind quite a bit with the tide-charts of gas prices. I certainly hope within the next decade we can all be more confident that we aren't ruining the environment while at the same time we can move back and forth across our country affordably.

Just wanted to share with you.

I Hear Music When I See This Picture: Flashing Lights by Kanye West

Nope. That's not me. I wish my neck was that thin. And no. I haven't been helping Sarah shop. Although, I do like the heels and the way the "spike" goes straight down from the heel. I also love Patent Leather. Especially red and purple.

I'm still up in California and will probably be here another few weeks. I understand Bella is fat and happy with all the green grass in the desert. I was about to buy a new, shorter cinch from Country Supply, but maybe I can save the $20.

Reba and Kelly

The concert in Reno was so much fun. Quite the birthday party. I didn't think I would ever complain about cold weather again, but the climate changed in our honor and we felt what below freezing was like. It still didn't dampen our fun. Both artists were on the stage the whole concert and sang many duets.
I won big on the nickel slots. I think $76.
I skirted the LA fires on the flip flop by going east through Bakersfield and then over and down. My desert was a nice sight after realizing my blood has thinned to water and I can't survive below 50 without multi-layers. But the jeans fit!

Short Trips

I am always happy to wake up before daylight so I'm in position to watch the sunrise. This morning I sit here looking out at the dark backyard watching the garden art change colors and anxious to see the cactus flower that I just know has opened over night.
I am driving up to Monterey today for visits with good old friends and a new gelding. This friend has a wonderful older Arabian mare who is retired, and this youngster she bought two years ago. He has had every opportunity to become what he was bred to be, a little trail horse who is also talented at reining. His owner has had him in training and is committed to giving him a good foundation. I can't wait to finally meet him in person.
Then, I'm taking my daughter up to Reno for a Kelly Clarkson concert this weekend. She chose that as a birthday gift, so how could I say no.
I'm excited about all of the above and the fact that I get to wear jeans. Down in my deserts it has been too hot since April to wear anything tight, long, and heavy.

Sillyness

For my good blogger buddy Snarkypants:
(I apologize to everyone else)

Boys