At the SoF Horse Show

 

I spent only about an hour at the Spots of Fun Show yesterday, but it was time well spent with some fun visits and some wonderful horse-show scenes. 

Year after year, this show never fails to leave a tender spot in the hearts of those who participate and those who just enjoy the camaraderie of loving horses. 

My camera doesn't want to work all the time.  There's something wrong with the shutter, but, thankfully, it still allowed me to capture some fun images. 

Hope you enjoy the photos and the accompanying music. 

I was announcing the Spots of Fun Horse Show 13 years ago today when I received a call from Life Care, telling me that our mother Virginia Tibbs had passed away. 

Horses and horse shows and any horse activity played vital roles in Mother's life. 

We all agreed that it seemed like an appropriate time for her to bid adieu.  

She had just appeared on the cover of The River Journal in another photo of her and her beloved Arabian mare Cricket. 

That Saturday July 13, 2013,  her family members were involved in two horse shows, one in Sandpoint and the other in Monroe, Wash. 

It was a beautiful July day, and she most likely figured her work on earth, especially her deep love for horses, had been passed on.

So, her work here on Earth was done. 

Thirteen years seems like a long time, but the years have not diminished our love and admiration for her. 

We miss you, Mother. 

🐎🐎💙💚💛💜🐎🐎

Sunday Miscellany

 

One purple potato

A few blueberries. 

Some raspberries.  

Lots of lettuce. 

One ripening tomato. 

Lots and lots of oregano with buzzing with busy bees. 

Just taking stock of the early rewards of sticking with some gardening this year. 

I've never had purple potatoes before, so when they grow bigger, they'll make great subjects for photos. 

The gardens are coming along nicely---for me, that is. 

I would never want to show off my plots to true gardeners.  They would laugh. 

For me, however, they're good enough. 

I've been better this year about weeding, but even with that effort, the weeds overshadow the vegetables in some places. 

It's never ending, and I'm guessing that if we stuck with it 24-7, the weeds would still win. 

So, I do my best and will try to do my best to see that none of it goes to waste. 

That job will be somewhat challenging in the next few days as everything comes on strong and the lawn still grows.  

That's always the time when you finish one job several more a staring you in the face. 

If only we could find some moderation between the summer hyperactivity and winter slug time. 

This morning I'll take some time out and go to the horse show at the fairgrounds. 

My sister Barbara is showing her Arabian gelding Vinnie, so we'll be doing some grandstand cheerleading. 

Plus, it will be fun to see who wins the belt buckle for the annual "Harold Tibbs-Toby I" award, which has been given for almost 20 consecutive years. 

Harold took his stallion Toby I to the first-ever National Appaloosa Show in the late 1940s.  It was held in Lewiston, Idaho, and when it was over, Harold and his stallion had won several awards, including the overall performance championship. 

Nearly 70 years later, the family still has the Navajo blanket he won in that show. 

Harold's award goes to a horse that demonstrates versatility in both English and Western-style riding. 

He didn't win the cup. He won our respect. 

I was fascinated with this soccer player from the beginning of the World Cup and even predicted that Norway would win the cup this year because of him. 

Well, it wasn't to be, but this illustration says it all. 

He and his Norwegian fans added a special touch to the tournament. 

I hauled off most of the poppies in the north lawn yesterday, as the plants were starting to get pretty ragged looking.  

Before dumping them, I harvested several dozen heads for seed collecting. 

The poppies were gorgeous and abundant this year, so I'm looking forward to adding more in different areas next year. 

After a little watering and morning chores, it's off to the horse show. 

Happy Sunday.