Sunday, August 23, 2009

Heavy sign of relief. Josie is fine now. I rode her Saturday and Sunday. Sunday we worked on off my leg and inside leg to outside hand. What loverly canter departs. We have a desensitising clinic coming up on the 30th, schooling show Sept. 19 (hmmmm better check the date) and the barn show on Halloween. I wanted to dress Josie up as Pokey but it is turning out to be a little spendy. Might go for a different Indian and Pony approach as I have most of the garb.

I could pay to ride for Nancy Porter and get insight into what I need to do for a test but that is $50 buckaroos I could put forward to almost two lessons with Heather. I had decided not to ride for David D for that same reason - many more lessons could be had for that money.

Josie and I were assaulted by skeets after each of our rides this weekend as we walked to the barn. Spray or not. Man! What a hungry mob! Josie's neck was covered. I kept rubbing the whip all over her body to fend them off. I must say we have been very fortunate this summer and they haven't been bad. No trail rides for a bit right now.

Thursday night I went to the wake for Jerry Wilking, owner of Pine Ridge Stables, who had passed away last week. The wake was from 4 to 8, upon my arrival the line was wrapped around and through the pews. They had decorated with his manure fork and mask, hay bells and other memorabilia. He was dressed in jeans and his trademark flannel with cowboy hat at his side. On the coffin was a silver clad western saddle. They had a slide show of his life as a child, in the navy, with family and friends and barn life. God speed Jerry! I will miss that smile.

I always laugh when I think of Jerry greeting me at the barn, saying good thing my shotgun wasn't loaded last night. That darn Tilly got out AGAIN and was running around the house last night. I tied him up to a tree and went back to bed. My usual retort was I am glad and I told you he needed an electric fence to stay in. That Tilly was an escape artist. I had watched him once put his front feet over the bottom wire and then lower himself to get his hind legs over and off he would go.

I saw quite a few boarders from during my time at PRS. It was so good to see everybody. Cookie looked really good but I can't imagine how she feels without her Jerry.

This has caused me to think about my four-legged kids and what I want in my funeral. I have thoughts of cremation. Somebody said it is illegal to have your ashes spread - gonna have to check into that. I would rent a casket and have always wanted my bridle with me. These days I need to decide which one as I ride with different ones.

All for now. Stay tuned to the adventures of Team T!