Giddy Up Monday

 

Until yesterday, I had not loped/cantered a horse for 15 years. 

The last lope was an unwanted one. 

Annie and I were in Ireland, and she had made reservations for us to ride horses on the Atlantic Ocean shore near Tralee. 

That's where we met our friend Cass whom we have seen several times since on our trips to Ireland. 

Cass lined us up with horses and guides and then the horses were loaded up in a lorrie and taken to a start up spot near the ocean.  

My horse's name was Legalos, and Legalos ONLY wanted to canter down that ocean shore. 

Legalos did not have brakes in his mouth.  Apparently, it was calloused over from many years of people trying to get Legalos to just walk. 

Well, the romance of galloping down an ocean shore or anywhere for that matter had left my mind long before we traveled to Ireland. 

I was an old lady (even back then) and I did not want to gallop.  A walk would do just fine, and I made that clear to my guide.  

Annie and her horse Monster got along fine because, unlike her mother, she wanted to gallop. 

Legalos went into high gear almost immediately.  I will give him credit that he knew better than to race. He was satisfied with galloping a slow and easy speed, but I wasn't. 

As we moved along, my guide would try to convince him to go into a lower gear.  

"Legalos, stop," she would utter in her soft, almost whispered voice.  

I don't think Legalos had hearing aids, so he just kept on going. 

Fortunately, I had ridden enough to stay in the saddle, so I was relatively safe but still unhappy with this mount. 

Later, I tried a technique often used with young horses if they get out of control-----turn them a different direction and they have to slow their gait. 

That's when I learned that, in addition to no hearing aid and no brakes, Legalos did NOT have power steering.  Not even close. 

Try as I might, I could not budge that head and neck to turn. 

So, I weathered the storm and breathed a sigh of relief when we left the shore and Legalos quit galloping and walked on the streets through a small village overlooking the ocean. 

Fast forward to 2026 at my sisters' arena where she and I would get the final lesson from Monty, the trainer, on how to run the controls on CB.

Happily, CB can hear.  He does have brakes and he turns with leg pressure. 

So, Laurie took her lesson and worked him both ways of the arena at a walk, jog and lope. 

Then, it was my turn.  Monty reviewed how to use my hands and legs, and we had a good time walking and trotting both ways in the arena. 

Monty also asked me to back CB, which I did.  

He also has the reverse gear too! 

During our workout, Monty gave me some tips on how to distract a horse from something scary.  There was a spot in the arena where, with each pass, CB acted like the bogey man was hiding in the bushes. 

So, I was told to turn his head slightly inward, which gets his attention and move forward.  The trick worked well, so I tried it a few times until suddenly it felt like CB was trying to do a little crow hopping with me. 

No, CB wasn't being bad, I was told.  He was doing exactly what my leg pressure and rein work was telling him to do AND that was to lope. 

His loping didn't last long--just a few steps---so I was happy but unaware of the fact that I had unwittingly told him to lope.

We were about to wrap up when Laurie said, "I think you should lope him." 

To which I immediately cringed, thinking there was no way I was gonna do that. 

Laurie gave me a look and said, "You've already loped him; why don't you do it again knowing that you are actually telling him to lope? 

Monty chimed in and said, "Then, you'll know what NOT to do if you don't want him to lope."

I could sense that it was going to be a major disappointment to my youngest sister if I did not "buckle up, Buttercup," and face the mental challenge. 

And, that's what it is.  

I can easily convince myself these days that so many activities which I used to take for granted and just plunge in regardless of the consequences are not wise when you're pushing 80. 

"Myself" never argues with those decisions, and so far I'm still standing and walking but NOT LOPING.

Well, when you have your sister and your trainer standing and staring back at your cowardly self, you cave and just do it. 

Last words from Laurie before Monty walked alongside me and guided me into the lope were "You can stop after four steps if you want." 

Thanks, Laurie, I thought . . . Monty already has cautioned me that CB knows "Whoa" really well. 

I decided not to go with that scenario.  

When CB transitioned into his lope, I felt a surge of rolling power like I've never felt before. 

He has a powerful but smooth lope.  It takes some getting used to, but I stuck with it for a couple of rounds and then brought him effortlessly down into a trot. 

My body was not quite ready for that, but I'm thinking if I could subtract maybe 20 years, I'd love learning to lope again. 

So, we loped for the first time since Legalos.  I may try it again some day, but for now, I'm thrilled that my little stocking-legged baby has turned into a gorgeous, reliable and willing horse that looks beautiful when he performs. 

This chapter of boot camp for CB has ended, and I'm hoping to get back to my "riding by committee" evenings this summer where Bill sees that I climb aboard, ride around the place for a few minutes and then climb off safely. 

There's no better feeling than having a horse that you can trust, and it's all because people I trust have helped CB and me to get to this point. 

Priceless. 

Many thanks to the "committee." 

And, finally, yes, because of this experience I feel giddy and upbeat on this Monday. 

 

This year Shelby is riding one of Laurie's horses Persi.  She took a lesson yesterday, during which we got to meet her grandparents.  

Dave and Andrea Kramer from Naples are wonderful people. I think the folks in Boundary County would agree. 

Pache stood at one end of the arena while Dusty stood at the other while Laurie, Barbara, Shelby and I took lessons from Monty Collison yesterday. 

Both of these geldings have won National Championships in Western dressage and trail classes, so I think they were doing a little sidewalk supervising. 

I loved meeting Dave and his wife Andrea yesterday, as did Chrome. 

Sunday Miscellany

 

 

It's another cold April morning, but I've been scooting around quickly, not only to get through my morning chores but also to keep warm. 

I'll be glad when the extra layers needed each morning can remain hanging on their hooks for a few months. 

For now, it's still "zip up to your chin" and "don't forget the gloves" kind of mornings.  

Today we'll haul CB over to my sisters' place.  We'll saddle him up, and Laurie will take a wrap-up lesson from Monty, the trainer.  The purpose of this lesson is to figure out all the controls he has learned over the last month. 

Then, I'll probably ride him for a while.  It should be fun and satisfying because Monty does a thorough job with his training of both horse and rider. 

On another note, I settled in to watch the White House Correspondents' dinner last night, anxious to hear the zingers and to see any drama that might unfold. 

Well, the drama unfolded suddenly, and the zingers have to rest for a while. 

It was pretty bizarre watching the top journalists in the country figuring out ways to do their craft without access to their usual technical equipment. 

I realized later that the hotel where that unforeseen chaos happened was the same one which hosted a National High School Journalism Convention which I attended back in the early 1990s while advising the Cedar Post. 

Much quieter scene then. 

Baby red maple leaves have a rather distinctive look. I've noticed them spreading their wings the past couple of days. 

Salad:  above and below.  

Some tomato plants have remained in the house because I ran out of room in the green house. 

This transplanted Romaine lettuce can be eaten any time, but the cukes have a ways to go.  

I always plant them last in the spring so their vines don't spread all over the greenhouse. 

Happily, all the salad makings look pretty healthy so far. 

Pastor Lorraine Davis, the author of the book below, gave the dinner blessing at our Sandpoint High Class of 1965 reunion at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch last fall. 

I sat next to Lorraine in Mrs. Mary Parker's senior English class more than 60 years ago. Little did we know then that eventually we'd each become an author!

Lorraine grew up south of Sandpoint. She was part of the group of Southside School classmates who came to school in town after the eighth grade. 

We've seen each other over the years at class reunions, and it's always been a pleasant experience.

This morning I received a text informing me of the book's availability at Amazon. 

So, I'll check it out, and I hope anyone who feels inspired by Lorraine's summary below does the same. 

Congratulations, Lorraine.  

Good luck with the book. 

by Lorraine Davis

We all have Enemies within and Without in our soul. Many times, we have no idea how to confront or challenge their existence in our lives. 

This book, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, reveals to any believer how to conquer these enemies with biblical instruction and guided prayers. 

Every believer can live a life without rejection, shame, or fear. 

A believer's greatest gift is choice. 

You can choose to take the challenge to live a life of grace and peace in a personal relationship with Yeshua.

Tradition is challenged, but so is freedom from the assault of the real enemy. 

 Knowing the enemy is the first step to healing and wholesome relationships with friends, family, and the Messiah. 

A believer, who hungers and thirsts for better relationships, needs the truth this book holds.

It's the time of the year when Bill and I most love having Border Collies----the grass is at its greenest and the dogs strike a stunning contrast to the green.

Looks like a pretty day ahead. 

Happy Sunday. 

 

Saturday Slight

 

Idaho may have enacted a law about flying flags other than the state or US flag, but it's quite okay with the cows of Kenmare, Ireland,  to promote the Kansas University flag right in front of the ice cream store. 

Willie and Debbie's friend,  fellow basketball lover and coach John Adams (above) accepted the flag from a friend of a friend and it will go to another friend's house in Kenmare.

Lots of scoops of friendship involved in this project.   

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

Today I proposed to my friend Marcia that we lobby for Sandpoint, Idaho, and Kenmare, Ireland, to become sister cities.  

She seconded the motion from wherever she happens to be in Ireland this morning. 

Over the years, it's gotten to the point that folks whom we (Marcia and the Love's) each know from Sandpoint or Kenmare know each other. 

I know Sean Finnegan, Marcia's friend who retired a couple of years ago as owner of a jewelry store in Kenmare.  

Sean and his late wife (Marcia's friend) traveled to Sandpoint to visit with Marcia a few years ago.

  Sean is pictured below with Marcia. A day or so ago, Sean got together with Willie and Debbie's friend John Adams. 

He handed over a flag from Kansas University, sent to me by my friend Jean, a proud KU grad who lives in Palm Springs. 

Debbie passed on the flag and some Sandpoint High T-shirts to Marcia who took them to Ireland and gave them to Sean who gave them to John.  

Sometime soon John will take the flag to a house in Kenmare owned by a couple who graduated from Kansas University and who have decorated their Kenmare home with Kansas University memorabilia. 

Willie and Debbie stayed in the house last fall when Willie put on a basketball clinic for John's Kenmare Kestrals. 

Marcia's friends and neighbors, Howard and Coni Shay, also Bonner Community Food Bank volunteers, are currently involved in a Ring of Kerry walk which goes through Sean's property. 

When they walked on to the property recently, Sean greeted them by name.

Marcia and the Loves know and enjoy a few other residents of Kenmare.  In addition, Marcia and the Love's love Kenmare. 

So, we may just have to look into the possibility of Sandpoint and Kenmare teaming up as sister cities. 

For now, it's great fun exchanging wonderful and fun friendship experiences between peeps in our two communities.   

Sean Finnegan, Coni and Howard Shay.

Mr. CB has adjusted well to being back home.  He left in October for Roxane's stables and then spent the last month at a stable in Stateline, so it's been a while since he ate breakfast in his own barnyard. 

Lots of lawnmowing ahead today.  

The grass is growing quickly, which means mowing and soon walking horses back and forth to pasture.

Busy and beautiful times. 

Happy Saturday.  

A Two-Trip Day; All Good

 

When you win a basketball autographed by Gonzaga All American Graham Ike and he's right there beside you to share in your good fortune, it's a joyous moment, indeed.

When the name "Debbie Love" was announced after a drawing last night, the occupants at our table let out a cheer rivaling the zeal we display in our living rooms pretty much any time a 3-pointer is scored by our beloved ZAGS. 

Plus, how neat it will be for that basketball to reside in the home of Sandpoint High men's basketball Coach Love and his lovely spouse!

Thanks to Debbie and Walker's Furniture, Bill and I enjoyed an unexpected treat last night in Spokane. 

It all began just as I had pulled into my sisters' driveway where Barbara was about to hook up their horse trailer which would be going to Stateline to pick up CB from his boot camp with Monty. 

My phone showed a message from Debbie.  She was inviting Bill and me to go along with her, Willie and John Rinck into Spokane to meet Gonzaga great Graham Ike. 

Why does everything have to happen at the same time?  

That was my first thought, knowing there was no way we could go to Stateline, pick up CB, drive home and then head back to Spokane. 

Well, there was a way, and it seemed iffy, but, by golly, it turned out.  

My sisters and I drove to Stateline, picked up CB, and drove back, arriving at the Lovestead around 2 p.m.  By that time I had learned that Debbie planned to leave Sandpoint at 4. 

I also knew it would be possible for us to take the dogs with us because she assured me the program would not last long. 

So, after unloading CB and watching about three minutes of barnyard dynamics with this reunion of CB, Lily and Lefty (including Lily herding CB away from Lefty), there was time to take care of evening chores, freshen up and get back in the car with Bill and the dogs for our next trip.  

Walkers, which first started with a tiny store in Spokane in 1980, was hosting a meet-and-greet reception for selected nonprofits from each of the communities where the company now has its chain of stores. 

The star of the gathering was Graham Ike,  whose likeness and personal talents as a spokesman help promote Walkers business interests. 

Last night's reception also included formal notification and recognition of donations to the nonprofits throughout the area who benefit from Walkers' generosity.  

Bonner Community Food Bank received $1,000. Debbie and food bank board member John Rinck attended the event to accept the donation. 

Willie, Bill and I came along for the ride and, of course, the thrill of standing next to a very tall young man--a ZAG--whose vibrant and friendly personality fills up that frame and makes perfect strangers thrilled that they had the opportunity to meet him. 

Talking for 30 seconds or so to Graham Ike felt like talking to someone I'd known forever.  Of course, the subject of ZAGS and basketball, which we all love, made this wonderful opportunity easy. 

Graham Ike's positive and happy presence easily lights up a room, so having this opportunity definitely made for a moment to remember. 

Thanks to Debbie, Walker's Furniture and Graham for this precious memory. 

As for the dogs and the horses, everyone seemed to do just fine with this abrupt change in the day's schedule. 

Dogs slept in the back seat and then went for a nice walk in the area around Walker's. 

Horses have settled into their normal routine, and I'm sure Lily is happy to have her CB back. 

Bill and I stopped at Sweet Lou's in Athol and reflected on what a great evening it turned out to be. 

Lots of miles yesterday but great memories to go along with the travels. 

Thanks also to my sisters for transporting CB home.  I appreciate your help.

The Two-Trip Day turned out A-Okay.   

    

I'm 5-7. 

Willie is 6-3. 

Graham Ike is, indeed, tall. 

I had three ZAG hats, of varying ages, autographed last night. 

At least two, with the Ike autograph will land in Irish pubs this fall if we make it back to Ireland.