Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Sun and shower, wind and rain


Here is a photo of me riding Pie last evening.  I look goofy, but he looks adorable, as usual.  I think Pie has a very pretty head and face.  We had just finished our trotting work when Maizie took this picture. She took videos of us trotting, and I hope I can post them soon.  She is saying in the background during the video, "Ok, here is Momma and Pie-Pie trying to t-r-o-t", because neither of us were too spunky and getting him moving was a feat. He is just a big, roly-poly doll baby and I am just a wimp who never wants to make a horse work.  

Maizie had her best friend, Sophie-girl, over to the barn to play tennis and the 3 children who live in the farmhouse joined them, so the whole gang of kids were laughing and playing tennis and running and doing cartwheels and climbing trees, yet Pie seemed calm and content.  It helped that we had a single day of 70 degree temperatures (it is cold and rainy again this morning) to keep the big boy relaxed. Still, it was windy and unsettled as a storm approached and Pie was unusually good.

Earlier Brian and Maizie were up on my grandmother's roof installing a new flue Brian had built.



None of the horses seemed to mind "the roofers".

Watching Maizie and her friends whoop it up from horseback was magical.  The sun was setting and Pie and I walked the entire farm in and out of the woods and we could see and hear the kids playing and it seemed like summer to me. We don't live in a neighborhood and Maizie rarely gets to enjoy the free play I remember from my suburban childhood. 

After our ride, I brought Pie right beside the tennis court for grazing.  He was not rattled at all by all the tennis balls flying this way and that.  I am very proud of him.  You could tell that he enjoyed the silly playing and laughing.  I think laughter must be a universal good energy indicator, crossing language and species boundaries.  Pie never flinched the whole evening and even, while grazing, tried to rummage through Sophie's purse in search of her mint flavoured gum.  He is a character!

13 comments:

  1. I love all the pictures. Your daughter is gorgeous :)
    I can almost see, hear and feel your experience of the children laughing and playing, from horse back as you describe it. Sounds magical. What a great day for all.

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  2. I don't think you look goofy at all. You look like someone in "joy" with life, at ease on your sweet, sweet horse, completely comfortable with the photographer. Thanks for the wonderful post.

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  3. 70 degree day! I'm jealous. We're still riding through ankle deep snow, and of course, it's mud season. What a sweet face Pie has. You don't look goofy; you look like you're having a blast. I sure wish I had your nice flat ring to work in on those wild windy days!

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  4. I'm with you on that one, I'm too much of a pushover to really make a horse work. Unfortunately, as I'm just learning now, the best way to teach a horse how to carry a rider well is to get them really moving. Uggers.

    Your daughter is so cute, what a smile!

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  5. Good stuff. I would add to the other comments, "You don't look goofy. You look safe." Well done.

    Dan

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  6. Maize has a beautiful smile! Glad everyone had a memorable day, and Pie got to soak it up. What a good boy.

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  7. Can you imagine Pie chewing gum? I can! That Pie, he is so fun, I imagine he is cpapable of so many fun things. I love these pictures on your post. Irt is so fun to see you and Maizie! Look at Maizie's gorgeous hair blowing in the wind like she is a super model. Oh don't mind me, I am just beatifully hanging out on this roof! Even Brian got some blog real estate! I love his erector-set style chimney! We had our chimneys rebuilt this summer. You cannot ignore chimneys! What are those little shoes you are wearing in your picture? I think you should make a poster of yourself and Pie with this photo. It is just too cute to leave alone.

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  8. You and Pie both look adorable - and your daughter too!

    This post really gives me the feeling I used to have as a kid, when all the neighborhood children played giant capture the flag games in the long summer evenings... with the additional delight of riding horses - which makes it perfect!!

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  9. I think you're right... play and laughter transcend species! :)

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  10. Totally right...picked up the great fun and happiness from everyone. :) Pie is adorable and so is your family and smiles all around

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  11. baystatebrumby - My "little shoes", as you say, are my favorite INOV8 trail running shoes. Brian is the Imelda Marcos of running shoes and he wants me to catch his addiction - he buys me wonderful shoes from Britain. These are the very best so I keep them on after my run and ride in them!

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  12. Oh, this seemed like summer to me...reading of laughter and seeing content smiles, perky ears on Pie...sigh, contented, very much so. Maisie is such a beauty girl..here smile made me smile...like she could see me! Those are universal too, as with laughter...spreading joy and well being to horse and human alike!

    I was smiling at Freyda a minute ago, wondering what she thought off seeing me do it...as my face got within am inch of hers!

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  13. Juliette, Oh, what a wonderful time you and Pie had! And he was especially good, enjoying everything and the laughter and all! He does have a pretty head and face, and it's a really good photo of you on him. What a memorable day!

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