Monday, July 30, 2007

July 30, 2007-Old friend still remembers


Hello faithful reader.









Flash back to 2001:

"Dad, she's not getting better, her leg is still not right".
"Well we can't jump her in this condition," says I.
"I know, and i can't bare the though of selling her. What can we do."
"I'll call Ma two and see if they have a spot for her at their little farm and we'll go look for another project horse,if you want."

"I think i would rather like that, said Erin."

Travel now from 2001 to yesterday(July 29)

Having not seen our old, banged up Throughbred Mare for some time, my daughter had us call up to our friend up north to see if she/we could visit.

Not a problem, you knew you could come any time, said Jacki.
I know, I know Erin said, its just, well, timing you know.

LOL Jacki said, I know, come up and visit. Oh and BTW I don't think i told you or your Mom and Dad(us) we moved her to our friend just north of us last year.
No said Erin, is she ok still.

She's fine. Her lamness is all but gone. They had an older horse that passed away, and the other horse was lonely and looking for a new pal. She and Horas, a huge Clyde cross (Horas) are unseperatable pals now. They have a 15 year old daughter that riders her lightly and does a few small fair shows. I knew that would be ok with you guys. With my health, i can't even ride my own.

That is not a problem Jacki. Will the new people let us come up.

Absolutley.

So, after about 6 years, yes i know we should have checked in more often, we saddled up and went for a visit.
Followed Jacki and Bill up the road a few miles, and into a nice old farm property.
Erin gave her special whistle, and out of the run in shed came our old TB, ears forward. I swear after all these years, she remember Erin, maybe not me, but her for sure.
A few carrots and picture showing insued, and it was evident, Megan was indeed happy here. Horas, as mentioned, would not leave her side. Even tried to get inbetween us, untill i brough out carrots.:-)

Erin was asked if she wanted to ride her, and she did. You could still see the bond they had for over 4-5 years.(see picture) and she still jumps the same.

At almost 20 she has a nice place to live, and horsey pal, and a nice little girl to gently ride her.

I had to laugh when we were leaving. Horas went out of the run in shed to the paddock to eat. Megan started to follow, turned around, and came back and gave Erin a head rub. Thats when i knew she remember us for sure. Had to say goodbye before heading out with her pal.

What a great day. I know we should have made the attempt to see her more, but this is the rush age. No time etc, etc.

Well, I;m glad my kid decided to make time yesterday. It was so nice to see her again, and our friends to.:-)

Thanks for listening

DJB

Thursday, July 26, 2007

July 26, 2007-Shoulda done this years ago


Hello faithful reader.

Well, whilst i was standing around, baking in the hot sun last weekend at a two day horse show, my daughter and horse spent a nice relaxing , but fruitful weekend at a Dressage Show in Orangville Ontario. She has owned her horse, Calyn,for 5 years now, mostly doing Hunter shows, but she recently( last September) switched to dressage, mostly due to major conflicts with her old Hunter coach.
The one big difference in the two diciplines is the fact you are given a time that you are to go in the ring and do your test for the judge. This is great, as in Hunter/Jumper land, one has to wait around on their horse for the oportunity t do their thing. Can be tiring and hot etc. So whats the big deal, well she gets to sit and relax in a nice shady area were the stalls are and chat with friends, whilst i'm all by my lonsome, baking.

Well i suppose i should get to the point of todays write up.

At the previous show in June, E had two very good % scores and was Champion on the Saturday(shows are over two days) and won a "Cooler" which is basically a light blanket in real talk.:-).
Well last weekend, she had very good % scores again, and was Champion on the Saturday, but since she won a cooler already, was given a nice saddle pad, and the runner up(Reserve Champion) was given the cooler. On the Sunday, again very good % scores and this time they did not know what to give her for a prize so she got $50.00. Her cooler had no writing on it to say what show she won it at, so the $50 can go to that.

All this time, over two years, we have been trying to sell the horse as a Hunter, with very little interest, and after 2 shows we have a tentitive offer on her.

I always knew she should be doing this dressage stuff, ya right i did.LOL

Any way, we are pleased as punch on E's success rate in Dressage and hope she can do well in the Championships in Sept.

Thats it for today, just some chest thumping from a proud Dad.

Thanks for listeing

DJB

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

July 18, 2007-Almost there


Hi faithfull reader.

Not much to report lately. My bus training is over, for a bit. I have my hours in, and instructor things i'm ready, and so do I.

I have a refresher on Tuesday and road test on Wednesday. Xing my fingers.

Then its up to the Provincial Ministry of Transport to approve my physical. If our level of government is like others out there, i'm screwed.LOL

I think this school bus thing can really work out.

I'm at a very nice relaxed point in my life, having been tossed from the Survey/Mapping game last month. More time to do things I want to do, meaning enjoy and relax.

Had lunch with a friend in the roofing and siding business today, and he sorta offered up a eavetrough sales job to me.

Now if i could drive bus and do that part time as well, things might be good here.

Anyway, its friggin hot out again, so i;'m going for a beer and sitting out side and see if some birds will fly by.

Thanks for listening

DJB

Thursday, July 5, 2007

July 5, 2007-Eyes wide shut


Hi faithful reader.

So, i have begun what is hoped to be, my new carrer training this week. Tuesday was manovering the bus around a big empty Silver City park lot for a few hours, learning turn reference points and weaving in and out of tightly set up trafffic cones. I hit 1 curb and 1 cone. Instructor said thats pretty good for day one.

Now comes day two, yesterday. We went back to the park lot for a second, as my partner wanted to do some more tight turns in a safer environment, as we were scheduled to go and do some back road driving, to get used to the bus, the roads, traffic, albet light, and signals.
We drove north of were i live and its not quiet but its not busy either so it was not to nerve racking. I did some back roads and then she hasd me do some more travelled roads as she felt is was getting comfortable.

This is were i came to the realization, that us 4 wheel drivers are pretty bad. Just in the space of 1/2 hour on moderately traveled roads, i watch as car after car, passed us in unsafe areas, when stopped at railroad tracks and other venues.

This was a huge eye opener for me. I all ways, try, and give the bigger rigs a bit more space, not to dart in an out, but now i see why.

I propose that all 4 wheel drivers HAVE to take a 2 hour road drive in a big rig, so they can see what A holes they can be.

Not only will i have the safety of many small kids to worry about, but 1/2 of York region.

This should prove interesting.

Thanks for listening

DJB

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

July 3, 2007-Strawberry Festival and our record


Hi fathfull reader.

Well last weekend, June 30th, was our Strawberry Festival as part of Canada Day celebrations. Been going on for 23 years. My were does the time go. Seems like yesterday they were still in planing mode.

Well it was perfect day. Weather was warm, but not killer hot. Parade had a good turn out, and our fledgling radio station 102.7 had a float and parade route booth. I took a few pre parade photos and a lot from the float.. Some good crowd shots if i do say so myself.

We did our Whistle Off in the park at 2pm and had 119 participants sign up.
Led by our whistler, Steven Sword, we managed to whistle for the aloted 5 minutes and set the Guinness record for the biggest whislte off.

We did 6 tunes including whistling O Canada in French and English. You can tell the difference.LOL

Any way a long day and sore feet, but a good day.

Please see www.caughtinmotion.com and look for the link to the photos near the bottom of the home page.

Thanks for listening

DJB