Thanksgiving

Winter update 2011

2011-02-26T16:26:00.000-08:00

Skiing has been wonderful again this year and Faith is getting better and better at it, Grammie is getting better too, but oh so much more slowly. We do have a great time.

Luvon and Kadie visiting with the horses in the barn after a nice ride in January 2011, Notice the 'cookie jar' behind Luvon, the horses know it is somewhere and they are hoping she'll share soooon.

A few minutes before coming back to the barn from a nice winter ride

A few months before that, Faith riding Gabby in the riding ring a work in progress, the horses loved the soft feel of the carpets and amazingly they didn't trip on edges. Now there is a layer of stone dust (finely ground gravel) on top of the carpets making great footing for training and exercising.

Luvon exercising Dozer in the snow. Dozer loves to run and a foot of snow is just perfect to keep her to a comfortable pace.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-10-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

2010 Update from beautiful Poland Spring Maine.
Hi Everyone

January’s 2 feet of fluffy snow and a sunny day made for a fun ride. Dozer loved plowing through the deep snow. We don’t often get good winter footing but that day was glorious.

On our favorite Mountain the snow was more permanent and we enjoyed several good days skiing, Faith has long since passed Grammie’s skiing skills, but she is patient and we have great runs down the slopes.

The BIG surprise on the Mountain was when Maria and family appeared with skis for everyone. After that we met there several times and what a sweet joy to watch little Jael (4) learn to make a snowplow of those tiny skis and go down the hill in her harness , which just a couple of years ago was made for Faith.
The invigorating air on the Mountain made everyone ready for a hearty picnic on the deck of the lodge.

I have officially retired, but it seems like maybe I just “ reorganized”. Children and young people regularly come knocking for some kind of lesson ranging from spelling, handwriting, knitting, painting, and horsemanship, and natural science. And it is easy to teach when they are asking.
One day we went to explore a Porkypine den, Another day it is Kadie coming to practice her riding skills on Gabby and all the cousins and siblings decided to come as well, -hoping for pony rides. We are glad to accommodate..

We have made several trips to visit Maria and her family in Corinth, ME and every time we have been treated to a delicious lunch - most often served on their huge picnic table. The children have a list of exciting things to show us when we arrive so we keep busy examining gardens, trying swings, and they even connived to get Grammie on the Four wheeler once. We are looking forward to more skiing this coming season.

Before the busy summer season took off at a full gallop we managed to get the wood shed full, -should keep the nest cozy for the winter.

Faith has bonded well with Grammie’s new horse, Gabby. One day in early spring Auntie Luvon came to have “Auntie Day” with Faith in the form of a ‘first ride solo’ in the woods. It went well and every time Faith comes we have to do something with Gabby.

Summer was hot , making the lake inviting. One day we went for a breakfast on the water.
There were many other outings in the kayak enjoying the turtles, ducks, eagles, herons , fish and loons., with water lilies and pickerel for color.
Ebony always enjoying being the “skipper” but this was the year when her big wonderful heart had to ‘retire’ In January she showed signs of DCM (Dialated Cardio Myopathy) which is the problem that usually kills Great Danes. After nine months of supplements, medication and gradual decline I had to part with by faithful companion on September 11. I miss her greatly but look back on nearly 10 wonderful years together..

I lost count of how many time we rode “the loop” this summer, it is always beautiful, quiet, not muddy, and restful. The hoses know it so well that we can drop the reins and stirrups, relax and they will take us around the loop with a short stop to enjoy the view of the bog (we used to call it hidden lake). There are other routes and places we like to ride, but for short relaxing ride, the loop is perfect.

The season at Acadia was lovely. Each time I went somebody was glad to come along. Martha, Sue, Becky, Heidi, Luvon, Ingrid and Faith, came along at different times. The accommodations were simple, - horse trailer converted to camper with a broom and water, it kept the rain and bugs out.
Deer, fox, beaver, coyote, owl, plus many musical birds, mosses , lichens, and vista’s to make you heart skip a beat.

Snack time on the carriage road.

This was Faith’s first year to ride solo in the park, she and Daisy made a great team and neither rider nor horse were the least bit ruffled by draft horses pulling noisy carriages, or speed demon bikers whizzing by.

Big horse, little horse, any horse, Faith loves them all.

Our last trip to the park was also a time of beginnings. Leon, Ingrid and Faith also experienced the sad loss of both their aged dogs this summer, and a few weeks ago they adopted a beagle pup, whom they named Nicolas. Sage, an 11 yr. Old yellow lab who has visited me regularly over the past 8 years moved into my house to stay. Both dogs enjoyed their first visit to the Park, and shared their own ‘apartment’ at night. Camping appears to agree with both.

And so , as we look toward the horizon of the future, the unknown we praise God that “We have nothing to fear for the future, EXCEPT if we forget the way God has led us in the past.”
May HE be you closest companion throughout the coming year.

ulla

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-29T14:00:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving greetings to Friends and Loved ones around the world

This picture represents the day when after 11 years of involutary separation I was re-united with Maria (my youngest daughter) and her 5 children, who met their Grandma for the first time. God is still in the Miracle business.

There were many other blessings throughout the year. Once the snow came in January we made several Friday trips to Mt Abram. where Faith (now 7) has graduated to the Double Black diamond slopes while Grammie (me) is quite delighted that I can now ski the Blue slopes without heartfailure. Luvon is the very patient ski instructor who 'takes care' of everyone. Lots of enjoyment is registered by all

Faith is posing under the magnificent

Waterfall Bridge on one of our hikes

Several trips to Acadia during the summer with Ingrid, Luvon, Faith, and various friends left me with many memories and pictures. Ebony was along each time and discovered how much fun it was to ride on the LLBean bus, where she was treated just like a human passenger

A few weeks ago Dozer's niece, Kennebec Nighingale (Gabby) joined our family. Dozer is now 25 years old and with Faith becoming quite the little 'horse woman' we added Gabby to the family, she is adjusting well. Both horses get their time on the trails in our beautiful Maine.

During the warm summer nights the Brugmansia on my patio perfumed the yard; and right now the several colors of Christmas cactus are flooding my studio with their lovely veils of exquisite blooms. Flanked by vitamin rich parsley and a baby pineapple

In the world confusions and discord reigns, but when God is the center of the home 'there is beauty all around'

May each of you know the peace that passes understanding. And may you greet each morning with gratitude.

ulla, ebony, dozer, gabby, daisy