On Mitchell Time

 

Sarah thought the meeting was Tuesday, not Monday. 

Sarah and Todd were hosting the Emerald Empire Arabian Horse Club potluck meeting at their ranch in Sagle. 

When cars started showing up in their driveway, Sarah came from her house and wondered what was going on. 

"I thought the meeting was tomorrow," she said. 

"Nope, Sarah, it's tonight, the members arriving told her. 

Todd and Sarah didn't skip a beat.  

Withing five minutes, the resident parrot and dogs were entertaining members on the Mitchell's deck, the grill was going and hamburgers were sizzling. 

We told Sarah that now she didn't have to worry about tomorrow night.  

It all turned out, and once everyone sat down to eat, I began to follow through on my plan to just pop in and pop out and maybe take a few photos. 

Since I won't be here for the September horse show, which was the main meeting topic, I began my exit.  That plan was short-lived as Todd wondered if I'd like to go for a side-by-side, 4-wheeler tour of their hundred-plus acre farm. 

When I had driven up their driveway for the first time, something about the grassy hillside above felt reminiscent of Ireland, so, of course, Todd didn't have to ask twice. 

We spent the next 45 minutes going up and down trails, sharing stories all along the way. 

The Mitchell herd of horses was enjoying evening grazing, while a late afternoon sun was enhancing the view of Scotchman peak and its surrounding Cabinet Mountains. 

Todd told me about meeting some elderly Churchill sisters who had lived on the place years before Fred and Delsie Marienau (Sarah's parents) bought it several decades ago. 

Todd and Sarah raised their family there over their 40 years of marriage.  Their son Adrian has a piece of his own property which he bought from his parents. 

The farm is ubiquitous with cows, horses and a number of other animal species, including a goat herd. 

When we visited a pond which Todd had carved from the ground, he told me that he and Sarah had counted dozens and dozens of bird species.  As we stood admiring the pond and "Adrian's Island," which has been planted with American chestnut trees, swallows were circling overhead. 

It's a family trait for Marienau's to raise gardens and flowers.  Sarah has done her share of keeping up the family traditions.  

The Mitchell place is a busy farm with lots going on and who knows how many animals.  

No wonder Sarah's timing for the meeting was off by day. 

No problem, though.  

Everyone adjusted and went with the flow.  As for me, I loved every minute spent there. 

Thanks so much, Sarah and Todd, for embracing your "surprise" visitors with both grace and supreme hospitality. 

I think a good time was had by all---even the shy parrot.  I LOVED the tour of the farm.

All in all, Mitchell time is pretty fun.  

Happy Tuesday to all.