Prepping for the Weekend

Almost a month ago, I went to a local fun show to snap some pics, get my name out & have a little larf. The feedback I got from the kids & adults I snapped pics of was very encouraging, so - I'm headed back this weeked to do it all over again! My plan is basically to take pics for nearly ALL of the 4th of July weekend. Between snapping pics of my kiddos, the horse kids, and the fireworks, I should have puh-lenty to edit come monday.

Last month, I showed up a hair late for the beginning of the festivities, but did manage to get a few good pictures of the kids doing showmanship, and some of the pleasure classes. Some of my favorites from that part of the day were the ones waiting to show - like this girl here....

She looked so intent on what was going on in the arena. So serious.
At some point, there were a couple horses being ridden by kids that I know, who apparently wanted to say hello to me - so I snapped their pics too. Check out the eyelashes. what fun!!


And the glassy-glossy reflection - you can see my flannel shirt, and another horse in this one's eye. Wild.

Of course, some were just plain tired of all of it. This boy cracked me up. I swear to you, when I crept up to snap a few pics, I did NOT wake him up. I'm somewhat sure he was snoring as I left. Yes, horses snore .... some of them.


I got a much better pic of this little girl and her horse (the one ON the horse, that is) but already, I'm getting picture heavy here.

Some were a little anxious from time to time....


No good reason to put this one in here, other than to say that this boy was a stud not too long ago. Not just any stud. The daddy to the two foals I raised here on the farm. I am particulary fond of him. Hims a good boy.

And, of course, there were lots of pics to be taken in the speed classes. This girl was one of my favorites of the day .... she turned the barrels right, didn't look too aggressive or scared during the run, didn't whip her horse (that I saw), and the color scheme she chose flowed well with both her & her horse's coloring. You don't think that matters? Oh, it does. To me anyhow. Look at the important parts of the picture. Really. Her expression is concentration. She is sitting well in the seat, not leaning too far one way or the other, good loose rein, and as a result - a willing, ready to please horse. Look at his ears. They are bright, and attentive, one locked on to her looking for her cues. Great.

There were actually, quite a few good shots that day. Just about every rider I snapped gave up at least one good shot.

Anyhow, I'm getting ready to do it all over again.

Stay tuned for more!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend started out exactly as it should have -- once it got started. I didn't get a sitter, so I couldn't go down to the big car show and snap pics of hot rods like I wanted to so so SO badly. However, that didn't mean I couldn't snap some pictures!
For instance, we had a lot of these this weekend.

Yep. Not much comes close to the first few fresh local crops. We had asparagus, and now we're getting into the good stuff. Fresh, still warm from the field Michigan strawberries ... yum.
The boys had some - surprisingly, even Big guy got in on the picture - he doesn't like to eat fruit or veggies. It's a struggle. But, with a little powdered sugar, apparently, they're ok.

Little guy was doing fine. Must have had 5 or 6 before big mean ol' Daddy cut him off. It was ugly. As seen below. Please, pay no attention to the strawberry juice dripping off his widdle face.

His Dad was not prepared for his tenacity. He just climbed up on him & TOOK another berry. Bit his Dad trying to get it. Then we got this look ...

Kinda looks like 'Yeah, Dad, that's what I thought!'

So he gave up and fed him a few more.

Memorial Day, we had a special moment that just kinda came together fast. I ran out of the house barefooted with my camera to snap these. Gramma was going to take a ride in the Model T. She hasn't wanted to get out of the house since last fall, so this was big. And in the T. WOW.

Got a couple shots with Big guy on the running boards, I liked this one best - Gramma's laugh is so easy & carefree.


They had to do a quick check on the T at the barn then off they went. I got this from a strategic spot.

Hit the brakes (no one was anywhere near me at all) and snapped this as they turned the corner... I love that car. It's wicked crazy to drive, but very very cool.

This is Red Arrow Highway. No joke - the old girl was clocked at a solid 40mph. I'm thinkin' she'd do more if she got a good tune up. Dad is working on it. I'm trying to get him to let me help.

Finally, at the cemetary. That's where we were headed. To visit my Grampa's grave, which had just been decorated the day before by Dad with the flowers I picked out. I miss him every day. He was a WW2 navy vet that saw just about every battle in the pacific, and was on the beach after the bomb went off in Hiroshima. He passed away from Cancer the day of our Wedding reception. I see a lot of him in our youngest.

This is my Uncle Don's stone. He was just about to graduate from HS with a full scholarship to Texas A&M for Music when he died from his injuries from a tragic car accident. I hope the other person responsible for his death is still haunted by their carelessness & disregard. It nearly destroyed both of my grandparents & my Dad.

Got a lovely one of Gramma looking towards the headstones. Though, it is hard to see her with the glare on the windshield. That's Dad getting water for the flowers in the back ground.

The two of them - love them both so terribly much. Gramma was smiling the whole time from what I saw.

On the way home, I hit the brakes again to catch this one, with Gram's arm hangin' out the window, enjoying her little trip.

Turning down our road towards the old family farm.

It was a wild day after that. We'd rushed at the cemetary because of the thunder rolling around. Dad didn't want to get caught in the weather with the old car. (it's a 1927, in case you wondered)

Grampa had refurbished it a few years before I was born, so it's always been a part of our family. It's always been there. And, it's hard to hear that old engine chuggin' away without thinking of Grampa, and his perfect imitation of it.

The only thing that can stop me crying is when Dad hits the Aaooga horn. Yep. that did it.

Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and had a chance to thank a veteran. They are the reason we can do as we please. God Bless the U.S. Military, and the ones that never came home.