Mare Inspection, Wedding and Vacation

The last 3 week have been extremely busy on the farm!

Trakehner Inspection Day

Erland was taken to the Trakehner inspection held at the beautiful farm of Catherine and Dan Templeton's of Listowel area.

Erla was a superstar!   She was so calm and perfect in her presentation.   She wasn't the top scoring mare in the bunch but she scored high enough to make the top mare book so that was perfect for me!   Her overall attitude traveling, spending the night, braiding and presentation on the triangle showed me what a wonderful partner she is turning into.   With the limited amount of work I have put into her at this point, I couldn't be more pleased with how well she presented.  

The Wedding

The next very exciting news...We hosted a wedding at the farm for Ruth and Mike.  

What a beautiful day filled with magic!   The farm was transformed into an elegant and majestic venue.  

Erla's love to be near people drew a crowd at the gate with the wedding guests!

Family Reunion

The annual Dunbar family reunion was also part of the events happening around the farm.

There were less guests than normal with some of the relatives unable to attend for work and travel commitments.   It was another hot, sunny day with no rain.   The food (as normal) was delicious.  Reconnecting with everyone that we only see once a year is always fun and full of wonderful stories from the year gone by.

Vacation

Our annual cottage vacation has been how DH and I spent this past week. 

I made the best of my time away...We had time for visiting with friends.   I was able to run most of the days I was away.    I spent a considerable amount of time catching up on my summer reading.   We kayaked.   We swam.   We tried stand up paddle boarding...which was much easier than I had expected.  However, on rough water I can imagine the level of difficulty increases significantly

And to finish this post…The summer of 2016 has been one of the hottest and driest we have seen in many, many years in SW Ontario.   We have had about 3 days of rain in the last 6 weeks or so; and some of the rain hasn't even been enough to settle the dust and cool the surface of the earth enough to make it comfortable to be outside.   On the one odd day that it did rain…we got a good soaking…

…and the horses were all happy to be outside in the middle of the day.  You can tell how dry and hot it has been…the pastures are all fried and brown.

Even Marley wanted to stay out in the drizzle since it was such a rare occurrence.

A Month has Gone By…Really?

Time sure does fly on the farm in the summer.

Hard to believe it has been over a month since my last post.   There has been so much going on here that it's going to be hard to not miss something!!

Let's start with gardening...

The weeds have over run the property this year!   Even in the midst of a summer drought the weeds are prolific!

The weeding projects have over run me...but my mom has come up with a test solution that we will use on the veggie beds for this season.  We have laid straw over and around the plants.   Very thick straw!   So far it's working out pretty good.

The weeds around the pond are still a complete pain.   Not sure how to get rid of them and not add any nasty chemicals to the pond water and kill the fish!   I tried the horticultural vinegar and salt solution last year.    It worked for about a week and then all the weeds sprung back to life!   Pretty sure if I messed up and sprayed the hostas they'd have never made it!!

Pond  - Before

Pond - After

The lilies in the pond have been blooming and look lovely.  

I was even photo bombed by a frog!

I borrowed waders from a co-worker and was able to tear some of the grass from the pond.   This grass over takes the entire bank on the south and west sides of the pond.    It closes it in nicely from the pergola but it's so incredible invasive!

The waterfall is back to life with the planters and the pump now running as well.

The front flower beds now have many plants and shrubs added.   The irrigation system is complete and now the last step of adding the mulch is remaining.

A special thanks to all my friends (Terry, Terrie, Donna, Mary Ann, Karen, Pat, Sandra) and my mom who gave me perennials to full this massive bed.   They're still some space yet but I will leave the remaining openings for next season to fill and replace whatever doesn't survive the drought and heat of this year.

Front - Before

Front - After

The weed whacking has also began on the farm.   Hours of mindless labour as I clear the tall weeds from touching the live lines on the electric fence.  Worrisome a bit this year that the weeds might actually be dry enough to start a grass fire if they short against the fence!

Cleared lines always looks so good and the visible evidence of my hard work is quite satisfying.   Even my papa bear has taken to clearing the fence lines this summer!

And not to mention the view of the farm from the hill top in #5 at the back fence line brings joy.

Food

The garden this year is quite a bit smaller than in previous years.   It was a late start with the rain in the spring and them life kinda took over at work.   I planted several rows of seeds but they all never took.   Then many of the tomato plants got left for dead with no water at the early stage of their tender life as I worked some nutty hours at work.   Things are looking up now that mom has put her touch on things and got the weeds cleared so the food has a chance to actually yield a bit at harvest time.   Thanks mom...xxoo

Fresh salads and asparagus have made it to the table.   Smoked salmon as well from the new smoker.

Horses

With the heat and humidity taking the temp for many of the days in the last month into the 30's and at times the low 40's...I just haven't been able to tack up and ride.  I certainly give kudos to all my friends that have saddled up and even shown their horses in some of the extreme heat conditions.   One of my last shows with Izzy I rode in high 30 degree heat and I realized how much that really wasn't fun anymore for me!!    I can only presume that I have turned into one of those fair weather riders I thought were crazy when I was a little girl!   I guess in all honesty...my heart still hurts a tad for what was lost and to start over when that wasn't yet in your plan hasn't completely vanished from my consciousness.

I have ridden some...here is Erl and I near the pond.    I know she is dreadfully over weight.   It's hard to ration her even in this drought!!   She has become the herd boss of the tiny group here...so food has become the right of her kingdom!

This is a fun one of her shadow on a working night…

And one of her rock star mane!

Stewy has had a couple of session in the new round pen.   The fencing is all in place now and the footing is in.    Still need to paint the fencing but at least it's useable now.

Running

Many races completed since last post!   Theresa and I have been lighting our shoes on fire this summer (weather pun intended).  Both of us have been suffering through some of the hottest races yet this summer with temps into the 30ºC without the humidex at race start.

We ran the Toronto Waterfront 10K with Olympians Krista DuChene and Eric Grillis.  I ended up 29/331 from women 40-44.  I had a PR time to boot!

Next Theresa, Mel and I ran the Burlington Canada Day 5K.   We all had fast times...I was off my PR slightly but still ran in under 25 minutes.

With this crazy hot weather the crew I run with in Dover (NSR) did a water run to forgo our Tuesday Speed training at the track!   Way fun and was a tough 2 miles in thigh deep water.

The last race to catch up...Theresa and I ran the North Face Endurance Challenge at Blue Mountain.   WHAT A TOUGH COURSE!!!   This was hands down the hardest 10K I have ever ran let alone raced.   The elevation gain and the vertical decent to the finish were treacherous.   I was pleasantly surprised by my 3rd place age group finish from 17 other crazy trail running women my age!

The view from the summit was amazing tho looking out over Georgian Bay!

In reflection...as I have had many people note that I have been running more and they have seen less of me with my horses.   This observation is accurate.   It's not that horses have disappeared.   They are still a big part of my DNA and always will be.   I am still working through the loss of Izzy.   The addition of Erla has been a wonderful distraction.   She is truly a precious horse in many faucets of her being.   Starting over with a green horse is a special time.   I am hoping that she will be my 3rd horse to make up to the PSG/FEI levels...but the difference here is; the element of choice.   My other green horses came at a time when I was in a mental and emotional space ready to start over.   Ready to have a new beginning.   This time ...I didn't get to choose.   It's been a struggle of the heart to catch up with the reality of the situation.   I am wise enough to know that I don't have to have it all figured out to move forward and that new beginnings sometimes look like endings.   So right now...as I carve out a new beginning through a place I haven't had to go before...I run...because walking just doesn't seem to be fast enough.  

A Month in Pictures - Josh Nichol Clinic, Running, Gardening….

Spring brings on all kinds of busy-ness on the farm.

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 32º 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