Hope things went well at the show today, JB!

I survived the show and she did very well. Won three classes and the championship. I must brag and show you her pictures..not bragging really, just very proud of her. In order to accomplish the wins today, she not only had to show Tony the Pony but show her skills of riding and doing the commands the judge says, plus now in these young classes they also ask verbal questions regarding the horse, the tack and the ride and the kids have no idea what the questions will be. It is quite a little chore for such young kids, but you can tell the kids who are serious about becoming good equestrians and the ones who are there just for fun. Both are fine of course since I think horses are what kept my kids off the streets and out of drugs. I put them up on horses when they were both about 4 years old and of course my daughter is still professionally involved as the Equine Specialist for the Dept. of Agriculture in NJ. Son on the other hand choose to play tennis and work as a kid's instructor while in High School, then went on to become a Criminal Trial Attorney.

Here is Grace and Tony


After she dismounted and got cool, they went to the office and picked up her first trophy. Here she is, proud and hot loving good old Tony the Pony.



When I go to these farms for the shows I always look at the gardens and the landscape and almost everyone has beautiful flower gardens and very well kept landscape. It seems animals and love of gardening pretty much go together. What do you think?

Thanks for sharing, JB. She looks very proud and happy with Tony! That's cool about your daughter being the Equine Specialist for NJ Ag Dept! My father was a veterinarian and was in large-animal practice till I was about 8, and I can remember going with him to various farms. Your son sounds like he's done well for himself, too! :-)

Sounds like Grace is learning a lot, just like your daughter did from you!

JB, @HollyAnnS and Ric apparently also put their kids on horses at young ages!! Sounds like a good activity for all.

JB, Congratulations to Grace and Tony!!! Aawww, she is a real cutie, too! So nice to see such a loving and respectable family tradition being passed along.

Thank you all for your nice comments about Grace. She is not only a great little rider, she is a very nice young lady....very sweet and kindhearted. She is also extremely calm, her mother is a basket case but tries not to show it.....it is so funny....Grace has a little sister who we already had up in the saddle and she is 6 months old. Her Daddy is having a rip fit....he loves those girls and would give them the world if they wanted it. No horses yet...I told them to wait and see if Grace is going to be serious about her riding before they invest in a mount for her. I was very careful before I bought my first horse for the kids since you do not want to push them into this life unless they really like it, it will not work. I made my kids help in the barn, cleaning stalls, etc. when we had a horse to teach them it is not all just fun....when you make that investment in four legs, you want to be sure they realize it is their responsibility also....money does not grow on trees....don't I wish it did. I would still have a stable full.

I think that makes a lot of sense, JB! A horse is pretty major. What a lot of responsibility they must learn that way, though!

Just love those horse show pics. JB, we had horses for 18 years and my children were very active in riding, lessons, 4H and showing. Such fun and a great way to help children develop into loving, caring, healthy and responsible adults with good work ethics. I'll try to remember to dig out a few old pics for you.

Oh yes JB, my children did barn chores in the mornings before school and after school as well. Horses are great fun but a whole lot of work. Jen was just 13 when she worked at a local stable for the summer to help pay for her riding lessons.

As many of you know Ric and I are hosting a Fall Plant Swap at our home in Dover, Pa. The swap will be held on Sat Sept 13th. It should be a great time spent with other gardeners, friends, making new friends, plenty of plants for the taking, good food and even a stepping stone craft project for those that would like to make one. If you would be interested in getting all the info please send me a Tree Mail.

thanks, Holly! I'll be there with lots of plants to share!

And I'll be there with LOTS of hugs and smiles to share... and a few plants, too. Oooooh, I can't wait SO BAD!!!

hey, @Speediebean! Would love to hear how your comfy new chairs are doing!

They are bringing my new loveseat recliners this morning, too. I may get outside to do a little gardening soon. The painting is done, the floor is done, almost everything has been cleaned and put back into place. The gardens have taken a beating this year. Between health issues and the work we have been doing on the inside my flower beds have been pretty neglected. We I look at the whole yard it looks pretty good at a glance but close up there is a lot that hasn't been done this year.

Oh how nice Holly! You and Speedie must both post pics of the new additions!

Holly I'm looking forward to seeing your beautiful gardens! I guess it's like anything else--we always are aware of the tiny things left undone whereas others appreciate the beauty of the whole!

I'd love to come but doubt it will be possible as I have no car. Maybe in a later swap or gathering I can arrange something.

I know I'll enjoy the stories and pictures from this one. And Holly I bet your garden is lovely even with a little benign neglect.

Had my PT today for my ankle and the news was not good. My ankle is more swollen today than it was when I started the PT! Verdict: I overused it and need to be better about staying off it.

How is everyone else doing with aches and pains? This getting older business is really for the birds!

Oh, no! I am so sorry. Staying off of it is hard I am sure.

Aches and pains, eh. Maybe we need a specific Aches and Pains thread, LOL!

My thing is usually my back. I injured it a few years ago and haven't been quite right since. Today, I carried a heavy-ish box up the basement stairs and then upstairs to my room to sort through some stuff. (Catmint, this was a list item! My list is dangerous!) I realized mid trip that my back was not liking this project.

Then later I wrestled the ridiculously heavy vacuum cleaner from my housemate's office room up here (where she had kindly brought it so I wouldn't have to lug it upstairs myself) got it into my bedroom and vacuumed under the bedside table and edge of the bed, using the hose and attachments.

My back didn't like that either. (Also a list item!)

Maybe I should burn that to-do list!?

Someone needs to invent self-cleaning houses! And a conveyor belt to get the heavy stuff from floor to floor!

So sorry to hear about your back, Kyla! I have chronic lower back pain due to very mild scoliosis (not noticeable to others visually but apparent on x-ray) and resulting compressed vertebrae. I wear a lumbar support belt about half the time.

An aches and pains thread! Love it!

Sorry about your ankle, Catmint, I know I had so much trouble until I got the cold laser treatments...that was what helped my healing. I also kept it supported with bandage and light cloth braces you buy. I also wore shoes, which almost killed me, but I needed the support when working around.

My other aches are not as good as they were. My shoulders and hips are full of arthritis and the past week they are making me crazy. I hate being uncomfortable especially when I have lots to do.