He basically moved in a month after we did and lived out his final days of light riding and retirement here. He now rests at the head of the farm lane at the front of the woods. He spent many, many hours in the woods of the Dundas Valley so it was only appropriate that he stayed near the woods to cross over and watch over all those who enter the woods from here forward.
Elvis will always be remembered as the benevolent uncle. The horse that had no mean bone, no nasty thought, no bad habit. He was a gentleman through and through. He was the perfect babysitter, companion and friend to all. With love and gratitude to Terrie for entrusting his care to me. He was loved for his sweet nicker at feed time and his happy attitude about all he was confronted with. He will return to this earth with a fresh breath...I hope Terrie; your paths cross again. xo
Hot Air Ballooning
My middle niece graduated from high school this year so we set out on our grad adventure...hot air ballooning!
What a peaceful flight. Totally enjoyed the process of learning about ballooning and how quickly the process is set up and packed up.
Jerome, our pilot was fantastic! He openly shared his 30 years of hot air ballooning experience. Telling stories, sharing knowledge and educating us about something that is his passion for life. His energy and authenticity were contagious; making his company enjoyable to share space with.
3 Generations...Marina, Mom and I
A beautiful sunrise in flight
Our flight path
Running
I've been running of course!
Last race was the Iroquois Trail Test where Gail, Diane and I raced the technically challenging and rocky course through the extreme heat. We raced the 34K as a relay...each taking a 11+K loop. We brought home a trail test Rock as the prize for a 1st place relay finish!
Racing to the finish line!
Theresa and I at the start.
I have been spending my Saturday mornings training through the month of Aug and into Sept on long slow runs (LSR) with North Shore. I have been running 20+K on Sat mornings as I continue to train for back to back half marathons in my schedule for later in Oct. The weekday training runs have now been devoted to speed work. To get faster you need to run faster!! So I am training to get faster....wish me luck!
Here I am with my last 25K run buddies, Brad and Gail out on the Lynn Valley Trail
I have also joined the coaching group a North Shore. I am one of the 8 coaches that helps the learn to run (LTR) group train for their first 5K. It's an amazing group of all women this time that are super motivated and positive. Looking forward to helping them on their running journey.
Wood
Dad and I have been busy getting the wood for the winter ready to go. Papa Bear to a larger degree then me!
I boxed up16 boxes of wood Papa Bear dumped off earlier in the spring from his yard.
Start
Finish
Papa Bear has been clearing the trail through the bush. (Insert my excited happy face here!)
Here is what he has cut from the trail...all trees that have been down for several years, so dry and ready to burn.
He split the piles already....now I need to stack. Yes folks...he's a work horse when it comes to manual labour!
Fencing Changes
The fencing has been modified to remove the horse access to the building that is planned to be renovated as the shop.
Me…making progress…
Mom and I put the stain on the round pen fencing. Made for short work having double the hands working on getting it completed. xo Thanks Mama Bear.
Before
After
Pasture Maintenance
DH has cut all the pastures for only the second time this year. The once a month mowing has not been required this summer with the extreme heat and drought conditions. With a bit of rain this past couple weekends the pastures have sprung back ever so slightly.
The weeds grew prolifically. That includes the burdocks! I spent several hours cutting all the burrs from the fields in hope that cutting before they reseed will reduce the spread of these nuisance plants. Speaking of nuisance...these characters weren't much help in the process!
Hot Tub
DH has got the hot tube hooked up and the new privacy fencing installed. Good for sore muscles after Saturday morning LSR's!!
My Car
Well…my car got a bruise. :-(
I was rear ended on my way to work 2 weeks ago. The damage wasn't too bad but what a pain to have to accommodate having it repaired.
They are not stupid about what vehicle they put you in as a rental! Fully loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nice SUV but doesn't have the go of a sports car!
Well…my car got a bruise. :-(
I was rear ended on my way to work 2 weeks ago. The damage wasn't too bad but what a pain to have to accommodate having it repaired.
They are not stupid about what vehicle they put you in as a rental! Fully loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nice SUV but doesn't have the go of a sports car!
Horses
Erl has been progressing. Her canter is now starting to feel somewhat balanced to the left rather than an overweight Thellwell pony careening around corners at break neck speed so that her feet don't run out from underneath her!
We have made several trips to the woods to enjoy the trail that my dad has been working on over the summer. I asked Papa Bear to make a 5K trail with loops...this way I could also use it for running. :-) He thought himself very clever when he informed me that he made 'a round about' at a big tree at the current dead end!!
Sunset from the bush line
A recent find when walking the bush making a new trail.
Papa Bear dug a small pond along the trail to help contain the water that runs through.
Small but beautiful
Natures art work
Stewy has been gaining a small bit of education being ponied with Erl so that at some point I can take him with me to the woods and get him out and about in the world.
He's still extremely food aggressive and has been border line dangerous at times when he charges for his food. Any helpful suggestions accepted....
The Twerp has also grown!!! I didn't stick him so I don't know how tall he is but bigger than 15.1hh.
