All in a Day and TBT

A girl and her horse. 

That's what the photo above says to me.  

Lots of images in different circumstances and/or settings over time have made that same statement.

Terra is getting acquainted with a different horse than her usual Lefty.  Twasn't Terra's idea; twas mine. 

The team of Lily and Terra seems to be doing just fine, as they went to my sisters' arena yesterday and practiced for their classes at this Sunday's Spots of Fun Show.

As always, Lily received her ultimate reward when they returned----oats. 

It will be fun to see how Terra does with a different horse this weekend.  Plus, she'll be sharing Lily with Jade, when Jade rides in the Appaloosa Heritage class.

While Terra and I were over at my sisters', we took a few minutes to walk through Willie and Debbie's house (my mother and dad's home for several years). 

The house caught on fire May 17, and, after a lot of bureaucratic work that goes along with fires and insurance, a crew has started the restoration process, which for the past week has included removing the damaged areas from top to bottom wherever necessary. 

The house has no roof now, in readiment for new trusses and a new roof.  It's kind of amazing how some portions came through the fire with little or no damage, like the beautiful front door Mother purchased while she was still living there.

Still, it's gonna take time, but it sounds as if North Idaho Flood and Fire will do everything possible to make the place as good as or even better than new. 

Actually, a throwback:  Laurie and Lily at one of Lily's first horse shows when she was 3 or 4. 

Thursday Throwbacks . . . .

P.S save this postcard !!!!

Well, Mother it's still around 54 years later. 

And, how fun it is to revisit your trip to the United State Military Academy at West Point, NY, to watch our older brother Mike graduate from the academy in 1966. 

It's also fun to see your beautiful hand writing (sometimes hard to read but beautiful) and to see how you happily "packed it all in" on that trip which took you to all the cool spots in New York. 

Historically speaking, I enjoy the postmark and the stamps and the reminder that we used to have to label things "Air Mail." Of course, that fact that you may have forgotten our box number (I believe it was 110) and the mail still arrived at our farm on North Boyer. 

A fun trip to the past with a mother who was always ready to take off on an adventure at a moment's notice.  

Seems to run in the family. 

With this memory from our mother, I must note that this weekend's Spots of Fun Show, organized for years by Moreen Leen and her family, is special to us family members.  

These days, besides being a fun show every July, the event helps us remember our parents, Virginia and Harold Tibbs. 

Since 2004, a special award for the most versatile horse honors the memory of our dad, Harold Tibbs and his beloved Appaloosa stallion Toby 1.  This award will continue as long as any of us are around to sponsor it. 

Being there for the award in 2013 was bittersweet, to say the least.  The day Kristi Jackson won the award in Harold's name was one day after our mother had passed away. 

Most of the family gathered to participate in that presentation honoring our father and remembering our mother with raw emotion and heavy hearts. 

It was a weekend of horse activities, which meant Laurie and Kevin were not at the presentation because of another horse show over on the coast.  

After hearing of Mother's passing, Laurie tucked a River Journal article about our mother (published that week) in her riding coat and won a Regional Championship.  

I think our parents both approved of how the family handled a rather somber but meaningful weekend. 

And, so with all the new elements associated with our horses and horse people who hang  in our circle, we'll all be thinking about Harold and Virginia once again at the Spots of Fun Show this Saturday and Sunday. 

The family equine legacy continues. 

Kristi Jackson, second from right, from Hayden, won the Harold Tibbs - Toby 1 Most Versatile Horse Award, at the Spots of Fun Open Horse Show on July 14, 2013, the day after our mother's passing. 

Family members at the 2013 Spots of Fun Show. 

Barbara on Dusty at the 2013 Spots of Fun Open Horse Show.

The two later went on to win an Arabian Nationals trail class championship in Tulsa, Okla., in 2017. 

Hangin' at the horse show:  Barbara, Debbie, Willie and brother Jim. 

Annie, Debbie and other family members in the lenses. 

Photographer Willie. 

Laurie and Mani at a reception honoring their second Arabian Sport Horse national championship.

Also, Barbara and Mani's former owner Roxzene. 

Bringing home the loot after Laurie and Mani's first Arabian Sport Horse national championship.

Brother Kevin served as Laurie's groom at the show.   

Mother was pleased.