Dad's 80th Birthday

Today is Flag Day, which is also my FIL's birthday. If Dale Stratford were still with us, he would have been 80 years old today! We miss him very much, and wish he was still with us. We could use his wise counsel and funny sense of humor. I'm sad that my kids don't remember more of him. He was a good grandpa.
He supported us in everything we did. I still have people in town ask if I'm related to him when they hear my last name and they always have good things to say about him.We had a special family party last night to remember him- more on that tomorrow!

I'm sure he's watching over us, checking in from time to time, rolling his eyes at the silly things we do and laughing with us at the happy times. We love you, Dad!

"Rocko" Balboa

Sometimes you just have to change your plans. We were supposed to be at a big horse show this week down in South Jordan on the polo field. It was going to be what we call our "Show-cation", where we stay at a motel down there and we bring the little trailer for our dressing room/hang-out spot. Didn't work out that way. Rocko was hurt on the way down in the trailer. We'll never be sure exactly what happened, we suspect a bee or wasp stung him, but he bunged himself up pretty good. Kari had to stop alongside the freeway because he was rocking the trailer and the semi she drives. He calmed down after she talked to him, but by then the damage was done. He was in a lot of pain when we unloaded him at the show and after we hosed off his legs, we could tell right off that the vet needed to see him. I don't think he's ever been so happy to see me as when he got off that trailer! Thank goodness the vet is just a few blocks away from the show. So, after 5 hours at the vet, x-rays, ointments, anti-inflammatories, special creams and wraps, he's going to be ok. The x-rays didn't show any internal damage, but I guess we'll have to wait until he can work again to see if there is any muscle damage. His poor left eyelid makes him look like Rocky Balboa, but the eye is fine. He's also getting a pretty big hematoma on his right butt cheek that might need to be drained in a week or so. The legs wraps come off tomorrow, and I'm going to use some herbal spray on the scraps there. He's much happier now that he's home, but the whole thing has been pretty stressful. Horses just get hurt and that's all part of the game. It was just our turn this time. It could have been much worse, so I'm grateful that he's going to be ok.

Blessed

See me new necklace? I love it!My sister-in-law makes these, and donates part of her profits to adoption charities. That's probably because she and my brother adopted the most beautiful little girl from China. We love her. My SIL calls her company Wheat and Wildflowers, and you can get to her website from the link on my sidebar. I wear my new necklace A LOT! It helps me to remember that I really am very, very blessed.

Giro d' Italia

Since Bruce got into road biking, we've been watching international bike racing on TV. I'm sure you've heard of the Tour d' France (coming up in July- Bruce can't wait!), but have you heard of the Giro d' Italia? This bike race lasts for 3 weeks and covers most of Italy. Perversely, the first few stages are held in the Netherlands. Whatever. Here's a map of the route:
Some things I've noticed about professional bike races:
- the riders have huge legs and little matchstick arms.- I maliciously wait for the big crashes- kind of like NASCAR.- This is the approved rider pose when they win an stage:-Followed by the model kiss:-And the champagne spray:
-Fans along the route are insane. They push, slap, spank and harass the riders as much as possible. Sometimes they dress up in devil costumes and run alongside. Sometimes they take off all of their clothes and run alongside!
Helicopters film the race from above and take pictures of the beautiful countryside, castles, windmills, lakes and scenery. That's probably my favorite part. So, if you get the chance, check out professional bike racing!

Ah, Summer!

Summer is when laziness finds respectability -Sam Keen

Porch Addition

I've added something new to my porch this year. It's an old wooden chair, painted pink, and I love it! I found it an one of my favorite new stores, Co-Op Chicks, in Layton, (just a few blocks from the barn!). COC carries old, retro furniture, toys and accessories right from my childhood. It was a bit unsettling, walking through the store for the first time because so many things looked vaguely familiar! Check out the store at co-opchicks.com. Anyway, back to my porch- I added a cute pillow from Target and, voila! Such a cuteness!

Memorial Day

I like Memorial Day! I'm a patriotic person, and I like to fly the flag. I guess, technically, I'm a 1st generation American, (both of my parents were born in Canada), and maybe that has something to do with it. There is a cemetery near my home that I like to visit when people are there, decorating graves. It's a family affair of mostly older folks who bring chairs to sit and visit. I like to think of them remembering loved family members who are gone.We made our own visit to the Ogden cemetary yesterday to put some flowers on my Father-In-Law's grave. He was an amazing man- he knew absolutely everything about everything! He loved his family and died far too early from effects of serving his country. It was a high price for our family to pay. We will all be together again someday.
My own father's grave is a bit far to visit conveniently, and I'm glad that my sister visits to put flowers there. Thanks, Sis! So, happy Memorial Day- enjoy the holiday!