Busy-ness in the best of ways. Yes, the farm is "work" but things you love don't always come easy…and if they were easy; would we truly appreciate how special they are and how much they add to our lives?
Gardening
Growing things is something I have always loved to do. As much as my house plants would prefer to move out…perennial gardening is my favourite with a veggie garden running a close second.
With a drum roll please…the perennial beds around the house are finally ready for plants!!
The automatic watering system is nearly complete and numerous new plants have been purchased and will start the beds journey into lush and beautiful over the next several years.
The front and south side of the house
The north side
A huge thank you to my mom…who is a self made horticulturist and avid gardener…without your vision this would never have been possible. To my dad who was the backhoe operator for the excavation of the treacherous clay. To DH for just smiling every time my mom and I showed him the next version and how much bigger it was getting.
And last but not least…my supervisors / assistants below for their inspiration and motivation!
A 5 minute break in the hammock when gardening is the only place I can go when I am this filthy!
Flag Pole
The wind in late March tore the old weathered flag from the winter right off the pole. Unfortunately, it also released the rope from the top pulley. So it required restringing in order to put up the new flag. Since I was the lightest of the crew…I was elected to climb the extension ladder to the top rung; that was secured in the bucket of the tractor, lifted to it's highest point. Don't try this at home folks! It was shaking but the view was great…taller than the house!
And the flag flies again.
Running
A few more races completed as the spring season continues…even tho the heat feels like the summer running season!
Theresa and I completed the Sulphur Springs 10K Trail Race in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. I just love this race even tho it has to be the most challenging trail hill course I run each year.
We both finished in the top of our age groups…despite the 32ยบ temperature with humidity at 8am!
I was 22/170 for females and 6/48 for females 40-49.
I have started running with the NorthShore Runners in Port Dover on a semi regular basis. It's a great group of runners of all ages, speeds and distances. No matter how you're feeling there will always be someone running at your pace for the night. Scot does a great job training us with challenging and varied workouts.
I ran the South Coast 5K with NSR. Derek won the 5K for the men and I was 2nd for the females.
Most recently I ran the Phlox Race Trail Run at the Brant Conservation Area. Amazingly beautiful course and Debbie from the Runner's Den in Paris does a fantastic job organizing and providing prizes for the winners! The footbridge over the Grand River and the phlox in full bloom throughout the course make this a never miss race.
My first race wearing NorthShore Colours!! :-)
13/94 Overall, 5/74 Women and 2/19 Women 40-49
Before I leave the running topic…the PB board has been updated to remove the marathon TBD! This bucket list goal is now recorded and I have added a second rod for the accumulating race medals.
Stewy
Stuart is 4 weeks into his 6 week lay up. It seems that surgery has maybe improved his attitude a degree so far. (Fingers crossed) His hock looks excellent and he's not had a single lame step before or after his surgery, so I am pleased.
The weather hasn't been ideal for stall rest but Stewy has been making the best of it!
I know this is not the best confirmation shot but when he only gets outside for a limited amount of hours per day at this point, getting him to stand still for a picture is nearly impossible!
I think he has grown again…he's almost 1 year old now and he's 15hh! His growth has slowed some (thankfully) so I expect that he will mature to be a tall boy but not enormous.
Josh Nichol Clinic
Saving the best til last…I had an amazingly perfect first clinic with Erla at the Josh Nichol clinic.
I was apprehensive about taking her out for the first time when I felt like we had so much more getting to know each other to do. But this tremendously supportive and open group of friends and the loving and powerful energy from Josh, made my worry disappear and turn into compassion and kindness for her willingness to let herself loose and trust through her fear. Every clinic we say this is the best clinic yet and then the next clinic surpasses the last. A true testament to the teacher and the wonderful group of women that creates the environment for positive, open learning without judgement.
This group is a support network on my journey to being a better human. Together we are travelling down different paths on the same journey. I am so grateful and humbled to call this group my friends.
And…as if she just "knew" what I needed…Erl settled perfectly into her covered outdoor stall at
The 17 Ranch.
Sometimes we come into a place and we feel "different". Sometimes we don't really understand what we are feeling but we just feel calm, loved and surrounded with warmth. It's that sense that, some people you just feel good being around them because they improve your mood and vitality.
Everyone and everything emits energy. What I feel every time I am in Josh's presence and the presence of this wonderful group is what I will call heart energy. It's energy I can feel from this groups hearts. It's kindness, giving, empathy and a genuine connection. I feel the unspoken sense of acceptance; not judgement. The feeling that no one is a fake. Through our hearts in this group we are present; together, building our heart energy and overcoming our fears and negativity. This is a powerful energy with an extreme draw…one that we have found as a group through our horses.
Onward…with Love.
SD
