2010!

Boy! 2010 sounds so furturistic... I guess it is, since it is the new year of the rest of our lives.  Getting ready for our annual trip to AZ. Yeah!  Looking forward to getting out of the cold and grey days of KY.  I've been working like crazy to get some inventory ready for the Scottsdale show, but the little stack, seems awfully, well, little... I've been trying to get some silk scarves digitally printed with my art, but so far it has been  a frustrating failure...goodness this techy stuff makes me pull out my hair.  Just wish there were guidelines to follow so it would be easier all round.  Having it done this way is a bit pricey, but still better than spending so much time on each peice. Oh well, I've ordered some cool silk scarves and some silk velvet scarves to play with...just putting so much time into each peice makes for an expensive item that I'd rather sell at a more reasonal price...perhaps someday.

At least I've started to pack the trailer.  Since the horses are going too things are going to be tight...but certainly doable since the big stuff for the booth is already out there. I won't miss  loading that heavy stuff up!


We're hoping to get going the first week of Jan.  Can't be soon enough.  Wanting to ride again, and is it going to be painfull...since I haven't ridden but once since our last competition the 4th of Dec... But, the boys needed a rest, and I needed to work, so in the end it all works out.


Til next time...hopefully on the road!!

Kentucky life in the saddle

Since it has been so long since I've posted here, I thought I'd summarize my summer here in Kentucky!

I am so lucky to be able to ride my horses as much as I want...how lucky can a girl/woman/old lady get! To make it even better, my granddaughter, Paige rides and competes with me as much as she is able.

First picture is of Paige on Sully and myself on Noways at our first ride of the year, a CTR held at Cave Run Lake in the Daniel Boone Forest only about an hour away from home. Our boys are a bit on the chubby, just off of vacation, condition...us too!

Second pic is of Paige and Lucy in the truck and ready to head home. Paige got 1st Jr. rider and would have been Reserve Champion, but they changed the rules so Jr.s can get that award any more...

The Lucky Ducks really did good and got lots of points in the DBDR Team competition.

Next ride was Top of The Rock in Indiana. It was Sully's first attempt at a fifty miler, so we were proud that he did so well. Got 12th place. We rode with Vickie and Brenda off and on the whole day. Nice weather and we 'Ducks' had a good time. Mary Lynn rode Zelda on the thirty.

Picture is of Paige and Sully after their first fifty together.

Second on Paige and Granny Jan with the boys after their fifty miler.

Next was our ride the Kentucky Stampede. The weather had been cool and wet all spring, so naturally, it took a turn for the HOT and Humid for our weekend. It took it's toll on the riders and horses alike. Paige and Sully were pulled on the second Vet Check, couldn't get his heart rate down to acceptable levels. I did go on to finish the final loop and got 5th place. This is the first ride I have EVER overslept...gosh I hardly even sleep much less oversleep!! It did give us a nice quiet start to the ride though. But the horses missed their two hours of eating hay, and were grabbing at every bite they could get... We were only ten minutes late in leaving, but made up the time well, as the front runners took a wrong turn for a few miles...

Picture is me and Sully before the Stampede, scouting trails in the cool and the wet...

Next ride was Salamonie Sizzler in northern Indiana. Paige couldn't go this time, so I took both horses hoping to ride Noways in the fifty the first day and possibly Sully in the 25 the next. It rained and stormed big time in the early morning hours which made the trails very, very slick and dangerous. But, onward we went...Noways was a basket case every time we came into camp for the Vet Check, because of Sully back at the trailer. We lost both front shoes before the first VC and had to get those replaces in the rain...it was a miserable ride, but Noways did really well and we got 7th place. Note to self...do not go to this ride if they have had 'any' rain. The next day was much better with sunshine and Vickie said the trails were much improved. I elected not to take Sully, as I really didn't want to see that trail once again (the fifty was the same lolly pop loop 3 times) and Sully isn't as surefooted as Noways and Noways was all over the place... Stayed and crewed for Vickie though. She got 4th on the 25!!

Next was Ride Between the Rivers in WV. I love this ride! And this time Paige got to go. Noways was in GO mode the whole ride and poor Paige and Sully had a time trying to keep up. He only slowed on the last loop (there were four out of camp), so at least they enjoyed riding at a more moderate pace then. We still tied for 9th place, so once again a Top Ten!

Poor Vickie got pulled at the first VC on the 25...Boo was off, but she was a great crew!

Next was the Virginia Highlands ride. Another good one. This year unlike last, the away VC was going to be in one spot, so made it much easier to handle without a crew. However, ML was our crew, so we really had it made! Greg and I rode in the 55 miler. The rest of the Ducks went to OH to do a CTR. They did great, finished a team and got us some much needed points!

The opportunity presented itself, and Noways was in perfect form, so we found ourselves running up front! We were actually leading at the halfway point, when he lost a shoe, then another one. After numerous applications of the #@^&% Easy boots, I finally gave up and rode him on into the VC without front shoes. Got new shoes tacked on there, but, we lost precious time fooling with those boots and slowing for the rocks... still we managed to get 4th place! The three front runners tied for 1st. I have I feeling we missed a rare opportunity to place 1st here. Noways certainly had it in him to get there with ease.

Picture is Dr. Otis checking him over for BC judging...I think he looks might fine for having run for 55 miles

Next was the Big South Fork ride in TN. Another beautiful ride. Got Noways and Sully reshod, so they were ready to go. Mary Lynn was to ride Sully, as Paige could not go. She opted to ride two days of 30 miles with Brenda. Greg, Vickie and I rode the 50 on the first day. The most beautiful, but also the hardest. Noways wasn't quite his usual self, but we still finished 6th with Greg 7th. Vickie finished on Boo. Mary Lynn and Brenda both finished their thirty and rode again the next day with Amy who did the fifty. The Ducks really racked up the points this weekend!

Greg, Vickie and I crewed the second day, which worked out great!

Mary Lynn on Sully & Brenda on Elite...

March...and we are back home in KY... Had a great show at Scottsdale, which makes the trip ever so much better. Made some good contacts too, which will hopefully carry over the years.

Really missed haveing the horses with me as I was really looking forward to that, but we did get some of Lee's mom's furiture there so we could at least have a sofa to sit on and an extra bedroom for guests.

Enjoyed the great company I had over my stay. First were Lee & David Black of San Diego CA. They have become such wonderful friends! Certianly made my show ever so much enjoyable with their company and much appreciated help in tearing down the booth! Didn't know it could go so smoothly... And, we ate way too much...

After the show, best bud, Mary Lynn Stockdale and Greg, her hubby arrived. Luckily Greg had a conference to attend in PHX, so ML and I got to go ~ shopping ~ and ~eating~, and ~shopping and ~ oh well just to say I enjoyed their company too. Did the Old Scottsdale 'walk' and really got to see some wonderful art work, went to Wickenburg and went through the fantastic Cabellero museum. To finish off their stay we went to the Cavalia, oh, what a fun time that is!

After they flew home I got busy and painted a room...boy are those ceiling high...yikes. Got some blinds put up in the garage, and finally got the brush hauled off too. Looks a lot better. Really needs some landscape work...but, in time...

Pictured is ML in front of the museum. Weather was perfect for us and we did get in one good walk...

Lee flew out and we packed up and did the requisite four day drive... starting to get used to it.

Jan. 23 ~ and we are still in KY... Boy, I had no idea we would still be here at this late date. I had foolishly left all my work (except my paint, thank God) at my new studio in AZ. So had to reorder leather and tools so I could get some work done here for the upcoming show at Scottsdale.
Not only is my work schedule screwed up, but the riding I had planned on is being canceled out day by day. One endurance ride was held earlier in the month not 5 miles from my house (in AZ) and another one in Wickenburg this weekend... I usually get there just in time to drive up to this ride, and had every intention of riding it finally this year. They can sometimes have awful weather at the Wickenburg ride, but this year it is perfect...naturally...
OK, no more whining, life is what it is. And, we will eventually get there. I must get there for the show at least or my business is doomed...

So, here is a picture of my new barn, awaiting the arrival of my boys, Noways and Sully!
And, of course Lucy is as always checking it out...

And this is one of millions of views from our house! An artists paradise!

We did it!!

Well, we did it...

Drove the four days, with the trailer packed to the gills...had good weather, so took the northern route (I-40) all the way across. Really prefer this route, as it is much more scenic, and we aren't in TX for a day and a half!

As you see, the 'duck' lead the way!


Got the booth and inventory unloaded the day we arrived, so it made the new house seem like home right away. We still had to sleep in the trailer because the house is very empty.

Second night there, we had a real scare and a feeling of the 'wild west'. One of our neighbors was in a domestic dispute and we, being so close got involved...on the fringe though, thank goodness. That was an exciting night for sure... But, now all is well. One is in jail and one went to the hospital. We got to see the law enforcement in action, although a bit closer than I would have liked. Helicopters, fire trucks, police cars, amblances, and a policeman standing in our door with his gun drawn...goodness.

Most of our time was spent getting the house liveable. New dish washer, washer and dryer, refridgerator, washed the carpet, vacumed and vacumed...new bed, towels, bedding and six hundred $ worth of goods at Wal Mart. My credit card was rejected because it wasn't used to such a hit...

Got the little barn and corral up before leaving for the show in Las Vegas! Boy, that was interesting to watch. Really pleased with that. Only need the elec. and water run to it and all will be set for the horses.

Loaded everything up and drove to Las Vegas...To make a l o n g story short, the show was a bust...gosh all anyone was buying was blue jeans, boots and bling belts...the high end stuff (mine) sat there...this economy is the pits. Needless to say, I won't be going back there again... Sure do hope the economy picks up before the Scottsdale show. They have increased their prices again, so it must do well...

It snowed in LV the day after we left...and that would be the story all the way back to KY. A storm north of us and behind us. We left earlier for home because Lee's mom was ill, so we had only one day to unpack, repack, go to the gro., get our propane tanks filled, fix a flat on the truck and get back into the truck for another four days of travel. But, as I said, our weather was wonderful all the way home. We had one day of fog, all day, from Dallas to Memphis, but other than that, good traveling.

It was good to see the family again. It is the first time I can remember not being here at Thanksgiving...That is usually my cooking day. But, Christmas was nice with the kids squealing with pleasure, as always...love them all so much.

Weather was cold for a time, but now it is a bit warmer and of course wet...
Paige has had some issues with her new horse, but we are working on it. And by spring they will be back on the same page, again, and having fun...

Jan The Vagabon

Well, now it is Nov., goodness how time does get away... But, the house hunting game is finally over.

Now we closed on a lovely house in the Rio Verde foothills! Access to the trails is excellent, the house is very pleasing and I'm hopeing easy to live in. It will be so nice to have a 'new' house!

Working on getting horse facilities ready for the trip out with them. But, for now we are just trying to get packed for the first move, along with getting my Janus stuff ready to move and do a show in LV the first of Dec..boy a lot on my plate...

Looking forward to all of it though...YA HOO!

The Search

Once upon a time....

Well, actually it was some time ago... I made trips to AZ to sell my art every Feb. Fell in love with the area, as it was always a childhood dream that I someday live in the land of John Wayne...

Every year the seed grew within me until I started to pester hubby that he too would love to live there also ~ yes? At least in the cold winter months of KY bleakness... And, better still, I could ride and ride and ride...

Then one year just as we were leaving to go home (Mom had fallen and broken her hip), we took one final 'look around' drive and oh my the Perfect Place appeared as we topped the hill on Dynomite Rd that turns into Rio Verde Drive...desert, mountians in the distance, loads of vegetation, and Tonto National Forest all around. That was IT!

So, now after years of 'looking' and wishing, we finally have a little piece of property in escrow!
Now, the wait....