Ireland: It's What We Do

 

This map has been enhanced through AI to highlight the places we'll be visiting in Ireland. 

It's pretty quiet around the Lovestead, at least on the domestic front. 

Horses are gone.

Doggies left yesterday. 

Squirrels, crows and deer have already started a Lovestead takeover. 

Last night I even fed two deer some apples, just like I usually do with the horses. 

After all, the deer were hanging out in the barnyard waiting for handouts. 

They didn't come all the way up to me at the fence like the horses do, but they came close enough to grab a few apples. 

If past times are any indication, they will be running the place while we're gone. 

Actually, my sister has agreed to do that, which is most appreciated. 

We have stayed home and kept our noses pretty much to the grindstone for most of this year, so it's time to have some of our annual fun.

We've already gotten a taste of what's in store because our neighbors have been in Ireland for several days.

Yesterday they sent me a photo of the steak and potato cakes at the brew pub in Kenmare, County Kerry.

Also, they went to P. F. McCarthy's Restaurant and met our friend Vince who's there pretty much every night in a back open-air room with his friends. Sadly, they missed meeting Vince's wife Mary. 

Vince knows we're coming, thanks to my neighbors.

The staff at Des Moran's Family Butcher Shop in Clifden know we're coming, again, thanks to my neighbors. 

This will be my 13th trip to Ireland, and Bill's 12th.  My first trip was with our daughter Annie who had already visited and wanted to go again. 

Once I visited, I wanted to go again and with the family.  So, we did. 

Our family has traveled there about five times. 

So, since 2011, it definitely had become "what we do."  

As my friend noted in a text, it's hard to describe in words or even photos how magical and wonderful Ireland is. 

The beauty of the land and its friendly, helpful people always draw us back. 

To paraphrase my neighbor again, the Ireland experience and its beauty make us see life as it should be. 

So, off we go with a long, long day ahead.  

Next bed:  Kildare, Ireland. 

You'll see with the highlighted locations on the map where we'll be staying. 

Stay tuned.  

The next time the blog will appear will be once I'm settled on land and have my laptop going again.  

Thanks for your patience. 

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

A Change

 

It was a different kind of morning today.  

No chores. 

No horses. 

Lily, Lefty and CB went to their winter boarding facility yesterday.  

It's owned by Roxane Conrad, and it's just over a mile away. 

This is the fourth year I've boarded the horses, and I have no regrets. 

Boarding them allows Bill and me opportunities to take off once in a while and to stay overnight with no worries AND no chores. 

Plus, the change of pace is especially nice during the winter months because, along with horses to visit at the stables, there are people to enjoy. 

Each year I've appreciated more and more my "winter crowd" of friends who also board their horses at Roxane's. 

The situation allows for getting out of the house during boring winter days and going somewhere else to enjoy both the horses and the people. 

So, I'm looking forward to this change of pace, and I don't think Lily, Lefty and CB mind their nice stalls, good care and getting to know other horses at Roxane's.

I will admit, however, that it was rather quiet around here this morning.  

Instead of dealing with chores, Bridie and I simply enjoyed walking around the place. 

Recent rains have brought on green grass and more blooming from flowers. 

So, it's mighty pretty around the Lovestead these days. 

After we've had a few freezes, I'm looking forward to picking the abundant crop of apples on the old tree. 

They aren't very big, but they make good jelly. 

Not much else on my mind today except another pretty day to enjoy. 

So, that's just what I'm going to do. 

Hope everyone has a great day wherever you happen to be. 

Weekend Wrap

 

Monday morning has broken. 

Actually, this was taken yesterday morning, but it's looking like today's sunrise will be about the same.

These past few days have been glorious. 

The horse show has ended, all on a high note from what I've heard. 

Participants were happy, and the show committee all seemed to agree that the three-day event went smoothly. 

The weather could not have been better, with sun shining every day and temperatures not too hot or cold. 

And, so months of planning and promoting culminated into some positive and satisfying memories. 

Now, the group catches their breath (figuratively, of course) and looks ahead to next year. 

Emerald Empire Arabian Club September Showcase is a wrap, and a good one! 

Below are few more photos from the show.

Thanks to all who donated, all who worked the show, all who participated and all who sat in the stands and cheered. 

And, special thanks to Scott and Barb Marcinkowski who prepared and provided some tasty meals. 

🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎 

Aurora aka Rory Baker put in the hours both helping with awards and participating in the horse show. 

She's a pretty amazing young lady, and she enjoyed a moment yesterday loving Vinnie. 

Jennifer Holmes was the last exhibitor to compete in the three-day show. 

She had a good day, as you'll see below. 

Bob Brannan and his tractor kept the arena in great shape for classes. 

Laurie, Barbara, Marianne, Fred (puppy) and Kevin. 

Thank you, Karlen Anderson, suggesting and taking this photo. 

To reduce the harsh sun glare, I used an AI enhancement with the watercolor option. 

This photo constitutes two thirds of us Brown-Tibbs siblings and one-seventh of the siblings' dogs. 

These four siblings worked in various phases of this weekend's show, and, of course, Barbara and Laurie showed their horses. 

Fred enjoyed a true pup's life with various humans, young and old, watching over him during the show. 

Very meaningful and fun photo. 

 Two "golden" boys and a young pup. 

Kevin and Bob spent long days at the show as show manager and groundsperson, respectively.  

Fred helped, sorta. 

********

Last night on "60 Minutes," a segment featured the mysterious story of an phenomenal Irish race horse, which was stolen in the 1980s. 

Bill and I were pretty excited because several scenes included places we have visited in Kildare, Ireland, especially the Curragh Race facility and its surrounding plain. 

So, feeling a little nostalgic about our Ireland experiences, I wanted to include a link to the segment today.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=shergar+60+minutes+segment&mid=3E4E15A72AA021FBFBFC3E4E15A72AA021FBFBFC&churl=&FORM=VIRE

It makes me just want to pack a suitcase, get on a plane and go back to that beautiful place for a visit.    

Hope you enjoy the video.

Happy Monday.  

All in a Day at the Show

 

Two days down. One to go. 

Cowboys and cowgirls, young and old, with their horses, alive or inanimate, have had a blast at the Emerald Empire Arabian Horse Club September Showcase. 

Today the show wraps up but certainly not the oodles of memories.  

Whether they were winning first place in a class or enjoying tasty meals prepared and donated by Scott and Barb Marcinkowski or visiting in the stands, I observed people enjoying themselves all day yesterday. 

The same was true for me. I loved every minute spent at the show. 

In between snapping pictures, I met some new friends and spent quality time with some long timers.

It was especially neat to see the enthusiasm and energy of younger kids participating in lead line or stick-horse competition.  That bodes well for the future of horse shows.  

Get 'em giddy upping when they're young, and they'll take on the torch, both showing and organizing horse events in the future. 

There's an inordinate amount of work and planning that goes into putting on a horse show, and, from what I've seen, it's all come to fruition for participants and organizers alike. 

The show starts again around 9 this morning and will run through the afternoon. 

Classes are held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds indoor arena, and it's free. 

Come on out and enjoy the fun and all the pretty horses.