Swept off my feet!

Two brooms were hanging in the closet and after a while they got to know each other so well, they decided to get married..
One broom was, of course, the bride broom, the other the groom broom.
The bride broom looked very beautiful in her white dress. The groom broom was handsome and suave in his tuxedo. The wedding was lovely.
After the wedding, at the wedding dinner, the bride-broom leaned over and said to the groom-broom, 'I think I am going to have a little whisk broom!'
'IMPOSSIBLE !' said the groom broom.
Are you ready for this?
Brace yourself; this is going to hurt! ! ! !! !

'WE HAVEN'T EVEN SWEPT TOGETHER!'
............ ............ ..............
Oh for goodness sake... Laugh, or at least groan.
Life's too short not to enjoy... Even these silly
....little cute............. And clean jokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds to me like she's .......
......been ..........sweeping around!!!
Thanks to Rae Ann for this one!

Trick or Treat!

I love Halloween!

I have always loved Halloween!

I will always love Halloween!

That being said, here is a photo of Daniel and me at a party last evening. The hostess said "dress up if you like, come as you are, or come in barn clothes".

So, I came as I was! Daniel is dressed as "Larry Boy", the Super Hero of Veggie Tale fame.

What fun. I did let him sit next to me as I readied my makeup for the festivities. I did not want him to run screaming!

When Sarah and Nathan were in Elementary School, I got dressed up like the photo above, only I had sprayed my hair jet black and wore a big cloak. I visited each of their school rooms the day of the school's Halloween party. I said not a word, just appeared at the door and walked around the classroom and left.

When Sarah and Nathan got home from school that day, they clamored "Mom, you should have seen the witch that came to our rooms today!" "She was really scary!"

Yea, she was!

Us seniors have to have a little fun somedays!

Thanks to Mickie for sending this.
Subject: Parking Ticket
Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting. Well, for example, the other day my wife and I went into town and went into a shop. We were only in there for about 5 minutes.. When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket. We went up to him and said, 'Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?' He ignored us and continued writing the ticket.
I called him a turd. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tires. So my wife called him a s - - -head. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote.
Personally, we didn't care. We came into town by bus and the car had an Obama sticker. We try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired. It's important at our age.
=

Bye, Bye Bourbon and Diet Coke!

What next?

One of my all time favorite "alcoholic" libations in the summer is Bourbon and Diet Coke, in a tall glass, with lots of ice and a slice of lemon or lime.

I don't drink much, or often for that matter, but occasionally at a big Horse Show where I am a spectator, not showing, having a horse shown, or working, I have been known to get a bourbon and diet coke. In a tall glass, it doesn't look like a "drink". Maybe one, maybe two at the max, but that would be my horse show drink of choice if I were asked to have a drink.

Well......not after reading this in "The no-Diet Weight loss Solution!" "Eat this..Not That!"

quote..."Skip this classic and you may sidestep the hangover entirely. An Australian study found that mixing liquor with a diet drink nearly doubles your blood alcohol content. And darker-colored slcohols like whiskey, brandies, and red wine are more likely to cause a hangover than lighter-colored alcohols, like gin and vodka. This is because darker liquors contain more congners-impurities that are the by-products of fermentation and agiing--for your body to process".

Damn! I guess I'll have to go with vodka and tonic. Afterall there is that healthy quinine issue!

The colors of Ohio

The fall colors may have been more vibrant earlier in the week, but this was the colorful day that I shared with friends on Sunday at the Cleveland Metroparks polo fields trail ride.

I used to trail ride often with my friend Joan Martin. We would travel to the metroparks near Olmsted Falls, and ride all the way out to the stables at the bottom of the Puritas Hill and back.

We would put money, ID and kleenex into a white man's sock, tie it to the latigo strings on our saddle, shove a candy bar into the sock just for giggles, and take the afternoon off. We even rode on Thanksgiving day, sort of like a tradition.

We would ride with Mrs. Adele von Ohl Parker off the Mastick Road property in North Olmsted (Mrs. Parker was a famous trick rider with the Wild West shows, and Hollywood). She would don her siddlesaddle attire and climb aboard "Traveler" and go down the hill. It was an honor to ride with her, and I only was able to do it once.

I was the "horse crazy" kid that sat on the curb on W.50th Street in Cleveland, and wait for the Producer's Milk wagon to come past my house so I could feed carrots to the horse. Lots of water over that dam, and lots of river fording with my friend Joan.

Sunday was a fond trip down memory lane for me.

I tought of Joan often on the ride, and of her beloved big bay horse "Loki".

What a great day! I am still smiling!

A day for me.

I just spent 3/4's of a day on me. Just me! I feel great!

I took Country Club on a trail ride with the NEOAHA group

at the Cleveland Metro Parks trails at the Polo Frields.

One hour out, and one hour back. Invigorating! We rode and

then had a snack after we got back. Weather was perfect, no

rain, temp was 57 degrees, and it was exhilerating, and replenishing!

Great day! Great friends! Great horses! Great to be alive!

Read the fine print!

Hey, we spent last evening helping Nathan and Traci empty the contents of their family room , along with Sarah and Kevin, and Traci's brother Todd. The carpet and padding could be ripped up because there is a leak in the foundation of the home and the carpet and padding were ruined. Nathan is still on crutches, so he could just supervise. They had just purchased a three piece wrap-around sectional and matching double chair and ottoman for their rec room. Big, Big, and heavy.

Living room furniture moved to the garage, family room furniture moved to the living room, and life as they know it is "upside down"!

They are awaiting the estimate on the foundation repair, then they have to purchase new carpeting and padding and have it installed, and then all the furniture must come back to where it works best!

No...it is not covered in their home owners!

Sigh!

It's a Girl!...What do you mean it's a girl?

I don't have any girl names picked out yet! Such was the day 36 years ago at Berea Hospital when I gave birth to Sarah Elizabeth Von Duyke.

October 22, I rode a Quarter Horse mare by the name of "Squeeky's Mollie" at Bernice Ferry's Valleywood Farm in a schooling show. Then I went in the house at Bernice's for Dinner.

Hmmm, I am having pains. Hmmm, there's another one. Bernice said "you're not eating any lasagna or anything else for that matter, I think you are in labor!

And so I was. I had my water break at 1:00 in the morning of October 23, 1973 and so off we went to the hospital. Yup, there's a baby in there all right, and she's heading out. Breach to be exact! Feet first, and with her heels down!

Just one pull and she popped out like I was shellin' peas! 3:30 a.m, no long stay in the hospital labor room for me!

She has been "riding" ever since......with her heels down!

Happy 36th Birthday Sis!

(photo above is Sarah on the left, driving Lucious Lorriane at Walnut Hill, Pittsford, New York, August 2009 and photo on the right is Sarah driving Winfield Renasanz (Tyler for short) when Tyler was 20 years old. Tyler was Sarah's first horse, and is still Queen of the Barn today)

A Bad Day at Hallmark!

~ Ever wonder what happens when Hallmark writers are having a bad day ~

My tire was thumping. I thought it was flat When I looked at the tire... I noticed your cat. Sorry!

Heard your wife left you, How upset you must be. But don't fret about it... She moved in with me.

Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help but wonder... 'What the hell was I thinking?'

Congratulations on your wedding day! Too bad no one likes your husband. ~

How could two people as beautiful as you Have such an ugly baby?

I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love. After having met you ... I've changed my mind.

I must admit, you brought Religion into my life. I never believed in Hell until I met you.

As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am... That you're not here to ruin it for me.

Congratulations on your promotion. Before you go... Would you like to take this knife out of my back? You'll probably need it again.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Dad! (Available only in Tennessee , Kentucky & West Virginia )

Happy birthday! You look great for your age. Almost Life like!

When we were together, you always said you'd die for me. Now that we've broken up, I think it's time you kept your promise.

We have been friends for a very long time let's say we stop?

I'm so miserable without you it's almost like you're here.

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy. Did you ever find out who the father was?

Your friends and I wanted to do something special for your birthday. So we're having you put to sleep.

So your daughter's a hooker, and it spoiled your day. Look at the bright side, it's really good pay

Best Menopause Question Ever!

Q: How many women with MENOPAUSE does it take to change a light bulb?

One! ONLY ONE!!!! And do you know WHY? Because no one else in this house knows HOW to change a light bulb! They don't even know that the bulb is BURNED OUT!! They would sit in the dark for THREE DAYS before they figured it out.
And, once they figured it out, they wouldn't be able to find the stupid light bulbs despite the fact that they've been in the SAME CABINET for the past 17 YEARS!
But if they did, by some miracle of God, actually find them, 2 DAYS LATER, the chair they dragged to stand on to change the STUPID light bulb would STILL BE IN THE SAME SPOT!!!!! AND UNDERNEATH IT WOULD BE THE WRAPPER THE LIGHT BULBS CAME IN!!! BECAUSE NO ONE EVER PICKS UP OR CARRIES OUT THE GARBAGE!!!! IT'S A WONDER WE HAVEN'T ALL SUFFOCATED FROM THE PILES OF GARBAGE THAT
ARE A FOOT DEEP THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE!! IT WOULD TAKE AN ARMY TO CLEAN THIS PLACE! AND...
....... DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON WHO CHANGES THE TOILET PAPER ROLL !!

I'm sorry. What was the question?

Disturbing newspaper story

Today's Medina Gazette had a front page story and photo of a Rottweiler/shepherd mix dog named "Penney". It seems the dog was at the home of the owner's boyfriend because the owner could not keep the dog in her own home or apt.

Anyway, no one was home when the boyfriends' father, age 71 came to the house to cut wood. He allegedly wanted to give the dog more water than the water already in her bowl/bucket in a cage. Dog jumped up at him and barked. Repeatedly. The man opened the cage to give the dog water and had a fence post in his hand. He struck the dog repeatedly over her body and "Upside" the head. The dog died.

How stupid can someone be? To beat something when you had no business being in that animal's space. An enclosed, contained space at that.

He is pleading "Not Guilty".

Good thing I'm not on the jury!

Clippity, clippity, clop!

I attended a class this week on saving money. Lo and behold the class was actually about clipping coupons and saving money.

The presenter had a table filled with products, cereal, toothpaste, cat treats, tooth brushes, brownie mix, corn muffin mix, to only name a few. She challenged us to calculate what she had spent on the table full of goods.

"$15, $20, $25 etc" were amounts shouted out by the audience.

"No" she said "$.38"! Yes she said 38 cents. Then she showed us the register receipt to prove it.

I was amazed. I always fondle the flyers that come in the Sunday paper. Sometimes I clip, then those coupons sit on the table for a few days, then I move them to another spot, then I can't find them, then I forget about them and then months later, I come across them and they are all expired! Duh! Why bother?

Well, I did a little experiment. For starters, she advised us to shop where the coupons are doubled up to 99 cents. i.e. Giant Eagle. Now I don't like the "bird" store, for many reasons that are unimportant, but their prices are higher than everyone else's prices. They have to pay for what they lose on gas prices somehow.

She advised us to only take the coupons for products that we actually like and use, to stockpile, not to buy produce at the "Bird" store, but to buy produce at Aldi's or Marc's, take an envelope with those specific coupons in it, write on the outside of the envelope what the sales are etc.

More info than I could retain at once, but I thought, "what the heck". So off I went to Giant Eagle. I purchased the items that were on sale that I knew were good prices, and the Buy One, Get One Free. I spent $43.34 and saved an additional $24.73. Hey, maybe she has something here. I then came home and clipped coupons. From flyers that were from two Sunday papers ago. I got a whole stash. I did not sort them however, oh and I clipped the Walgreen ones per her instructions. I went to Walgreens and spent $62 and change, I totalled up and saved over $25.00. Next I went to Walmart with the coupons that were over 99 cents, like $1.00, $1.25, $1.50 and $2.00. Again, I spent $60 some dollars, but came home and tallied and saved another $30 some dollars.

I love to shop, so the shopping part satisfied my inner "shopper's anonymous" addiction but I spent a lot of time searching for stuff in the store, and was disappointed at not finding some things.

Perhaps if I were more organized, had stuff in a holder by category instead of spread out through my purse it would be easier. But the lady standing in line behind me at the Bird store said to me, "How much did you save"? She was amazed and so was I.

In all I saved almost $80.00 and only bought what we would actually use.

Hmmmmm!

Maybe I'll continue this clipping.

Wait now, I think I hear the paper man delivering the Sunday paper, "Hey Tim, don't drop the coupon flyers out of the paper when you bring it up the driveway"!

The Black Bra as seen after 44 years of marriage!

The other day I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.One is engaged, one is a mistress, and of course I have been married for 44+ years. We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by wearing a black leather bra & bodice, stiletto heels and a mask over just our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes.

Here's how it all went:

My engaged friend: The other night my boyfriend came over and found me wearing a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you.' Then we made love all night long.

The mistress:

Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing the leather bodice, heels and mask over my eyes and a raincoat. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but we had wild sex all night.

Then I had to share my story:

When my husband came home I was wearing the leather bodice, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. As soon as he came in the door and saw me he said…

"What's for dinner, Batman?"

Sigh!

Did you ever have one of those days?

What I learned in the CT Scan Department.........

...................will fill a gnat's behind!

Yesterday I was privileged to be the "testee" at the Medina Hospital's radiology department for my head. The joke here is "duh, what are they going to find, when it was empty to begin with...yuk, yuk, yuk!) Alright already!

After hitting my head on the asphalt on Thursday afternoon at the Horse Show I experienced dizziness, nausea, sweating and other assorted unpleasantries. Well, I was'nt going to the emergency room etc, I was going to be just fine. Then my son Nathan said two words to me ...

Natashia Richardson!

The lovely actress who fell on the ski slope, hitting her head, and dying a few hours later.

So, off I trudged to the Dr.'s office. Janet examined me, said my blood pressure was a little high, and rechecked it later, still a little high. She thought a CT Scan was in order, not because of some great trauma, but because she wanted to know if any "little" blood vessels were compromised or bleeding out.

The receptionist called Medina Hospital (Not Medina "General" Hospital anymore with the advent of the Cleveland Clinic merger) to make the appointment. The ensuing conversation was like a sitcom featuring Lucy and Desi. She would listen to the voice on the phone asking questions, and then relay the questions my way, and then back with the answers.

Seems Medicare won't pay for a CT Scan unless there is a headache involved. Duh! My head ached, but a "Palm of your hand sized goosegg" didn't count, even though it made my "head ache"! Well, how much does a CT Scan cost? sez I. If I thought I was dizzy before the answer, it ain't nothin' compared to what I was after the answer, "You don't even want to know" said the receptionist.

Okay then, what do we do? How about "I think I'm developing a severe headache while I am standing here!" Not good enough. Then the right question was asked. "Are you having any dizziness?" "BINGO"!!!!! In like Flynn! and don't forget to stay hydrated! Drinking glasses of water, after glasses of water made my trip to the hospital a little longer journey. I had to stop and two McDonald's to pee on the way!

So, with no waiting, no time to run, no time to change my mind, I was ushered into a room of sterile white, told to lay down my purse and jacket, no hospital gown, no dye in the vein, not even taking off of shoes, Voila! I am partially in the tube, lying very still, trying to remember every flash of medical show I have watched on TV and believe me. It was nothing like the movie!

"You are all done now, the radioligist will review the film and forward the information to your doctor"

And I got myself all worked up for that?

Gheez!

Now I wait for the results. Always a fun way to pass the time!

So why do the leaves change color in fall?....

........because the chlorophyll breaks down .

In the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.
At the same time, other chemical changes may occur, which form additional colors through the development of red anthocyanin pigments. Some mixtures give rise to the reddish and purplish fall colors of trees such as dogwoods and sumacs, while others give the sugar maple its brilliant orange.

The autumn foliage of some trees shows only yellow colors. Others, like many oaks, display mostly browns. All these colors are due to the mixing of varying amounts of the chlorophyll residue and other pigments in the leaf during the fall season.

Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of fall color. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation, producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the brilliant red color. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors. The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry and cool (not freezing) day.
Enjoy the color; it only occurs for a brief period each fall.

Rats....I thought it was magic!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Photo below is Nathan and the late "Grandma Neta" (the woman married to my cousin William Koons, who I lived with from the time I was 17 until I was 21).

(Photo to the right is baby: Nathan Winfield Von Duyke, age: One day!)

Today is the 39th anniversary of the birth of our son Nathan. 39 years ago, I as a first time mother to be, spending 24 hourse in the hospital, I gave birth to an 8 pound 20 inch long baby boy. at 3:30 a.m. on October 13, 1970, at Southwest Hospital in Berea, Ohio.

I was not allowed to see him, hold him or touch him. After the birth (remember, we all got general anesthetic to give birth, so I never saw him, I was just whisked off to my room to "wake up" (and hurt!)

"Where's my baby"? "He's in an incubator" "Don't worry, he is okay, but the cord was wrapped around his throat, so we have him in a warm and quiet place, no oxygen, just keeping him warm and calm after the trauma of his birth" "He will probably always be quiet, due to this experience" said Dr. Myron Welty.

I got hysterical. Tim wasn't there , as he had fallen asleep on the wall of the waiting room (No Dad's in delivery in those days) I was frantic. Not allowed out of bed, not allowed to see my baby, and no one around that I knew.

Eventually I drifted off into a fitfull sleep. In the wee hours of the morning, as I recall it was around 5:00 a.m. or so, anyway all was dark, someone nudged me on the shoulder. I opened my eyes and a nurse was leaning over me saying "be quiet, I brought you your baby to see".

I bolted upright in bed. I woke up fully and looked at the baby. She laid him on my lap, unfolded the blankets and said "look, see he has all his fingers and all of his toes, and he is perfect in every way". "Don't say a word, I have to take him back to the incubator, I could lose my job if I get caught". "The shift is getting ready to change and I wanted you to see your little guy". "I have to get him back right away"!

I shall always remember that moment. He spent four days in that incubator before we were allowed to bring him home to the farm house in Valley City.

My little boy!

He was perfect then, and in my eyes he is perfect today!

Farewell to "Miss Kitty"

She did not belong to us. She actually belonged to the neighbors who lived 2 houses east of us, but she chose to

take up residence in the barn owned by the Vaughns'

She was sweet, petite, and very very "purry". She had the loudest purr I have even had. She would spend her winters in the barn and Linda bought Fancy Feast cat food (both dry and canned) for her to eat. She always had a cat feeder on the counter in the barn, always full of dry food, but she got a can of Fancy Feast (or an envelope of Whiska's") twice a day. She would greet me when I went to feed.

In the warmer weather she would come up to the house and lounge around the patio. She was not young, we were figuring about 17 or 18 when she passed this weekend.

I was at a Horse Show, but I asked Tim to bury her. But, Bruce already had. She was the sweetest cat I had ever known, even sweeter than Morton. She acted like she was grateful for any attention, and any special tidbits I would feed her. She had bites of birthday dinners, Sunday dinners, Holiday meals, Turkey and Ham, plus the occasional cottage cheese and milk.

She was "Marshal Dillon's" counterpart.

Safe journey "Miss Kitty" and God's Speed!

Thanks for the memories!

This weekend, I am at a Horse Show in Ashland wth Sarah. We were here Thursday afternoon, and yesterday with only Daniel and the horse. Last night, Samantha Sampson arrived. Sam will be riding my mare Zana Bey today in four Youth Classes, riders ages 11-18.

What is so special about this? I get to go to a Horse Show with my daughter!

While the world is toiling away at their nine to five jobs, we get to do what we love.....be with horses!

Now, I am a hard worker, and work long hours in Real Estate, and my other sundry (sp?) ventures, but the horses are my passion.

I rememer a line from the movie "The Rookie" starring Dennis Quaid. He was a High School teacher and baseball coach, that made it through the arduros auditioning for a major league team in his 30's, something unheard of for his age, and he was recruited by the Tampa Devil Rays.

As in any day to day life experience, we get a little down in the mouth and feel like we have chosen a job of drudgery sometimes. Well Dennis Quaid came into the locker room of the baseball team, with players who were all a little negative and said "Do you know what we get to do today? We get to play baseball"!

My friend Linda White has a favorite line. She says "This isn't a dress rehersal...this is the main play"!

It is cold, and it has rained for 48 hours straight.....but do you know what Sarah and I get to do today?
We get to go to a Horse Show!

What a great night for a weinie roast!

..."but Nana, I never had a weinie roast before!"

"Well let's get Papa to make a camp fire!"

What fun was that!

The Ten Commandments...are not multiple choice!

Some profound and some not so profound thoughts!

The pursuit of happiness is the "chase" of a lifetime

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Love the people who treat you right...forget the one's who don't.

If it changes your life, let it.

Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back.

Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and what's wrong!

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.

And last but not least....The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice!

It just ain't the same....

......without him!

I just returned from announcing the "Ohio Celebration" the Buckeye Walking Horse Associations fall horse show. Long time show chairman, Jerry Fisher was not physically there this year. He passed away suddenly September 21, 2009 at the age of 67.
It's strange to have someone your own age pass away. It was a very, very somber feeling that I experienced when I received a phone call from my friend Linda Vaughn, "I'm afraid I have some bad news" she said. "Jerry Fisher died in his sleep last night".

He was not a close friend, but a professional friend. He chaired the show that I have had the opportunity to announce for the past several years, and he was a very high profile, high energy, high anxiety type of guy, who had forgotten more about Walking Horses then I will ever know.

There always were two opinions in his world, the wrong opinion and his opinion. He loved his Ohio State Buckeyes, his wife and family, and his Walking Horses.

On Friday night at the horse show, Jaime Hankins, Jerry's longtime friend and trainer, exhibited a lovely chestnut walking horse in a class. As Jaime came around the ring, the second way, just before he passed the announcer's stand, he looked up at me, smiled and said, "Hey Judy, look at Gus" (Jerry's horse Jose at Heart's barn name). I caught my breath and tears started down my cheeks. One last ride for the "Gipper" as it were.

On Saturday night, Jerry's wife Julie, daughter Cathy and son-in-law Greg were at the show.
Opening the show was the National Anthem played by horse show organist Chase Williams, and then I introduced a Buckeye Walking Horse member, Georgia Harvey who came into center ring and sat down at the organ. I had approached Georgia earlier in the day and asked her if she would be willing to play the Ohio State Fight Song at the opening of the evening session, in honor of Jerry. She agreed wholeheartedly, and said she would as long as the organist, Chase would allow her to play. Chase quickly agreed, and so, after the National Anthem, I asked everyone to remain standing as Georgia cranked up the organ and belted out the Fight Song. Not once, but twice, the second time it was even more resounding. A fitting tribute to a "good guy"! After the selection was played, Jaime Hankins took the microphone and made a tribute to Jerry, while his longtime friend, Bruce Vaughn, came into center ring carrying Jerry's Ohio State Football jacket and hung it up under the canopy in a place of honor.

We don't know when, or where or how most times, but we do know that our lives touch a lot of people in our lifetime.

Jerry Fisher touched mine, and I am a better person for it!

Jerry is probably already chairing a big horse show in the hereafter!

There's the one judge......there's the one!

The Hat Lady

Often in my life I have had the "chance meeting" of a person who just clicks with me. Such was the case in Lexington, at the Sport Horse Nationals. There is a section at many major breed horse shows, reserved for vendors. "The Hat Lady" is one such vendor. If you win a major horse show event, the show sponsoring organization provides their logo and "team-shop" outer wear i.e. Letter jackets, wool with leather sleeves, and then more modern fabric outerwear that has a little more up to date styling.

This product has become the "trademark" jacket to show success at one of the "Nationals" whether it be Arabian, Morgan, Quarter Horse etc. The status symbol jacket is recognized by exhibitors all over the country.

And we met the "Hat Lady". Terri Deering and husband Tom and daughter Jayme run the shop at shows and produce menories for lots of exhibitors and their families.

Well , Sarah won a National Championship so we all trucked up to the booth where the Hat Lady showed off her wares. During the long process of selection I sat down and just waited and watched. After awhile, the Hat Lady came over and sat down with me and we started to talk. It has been said that I have never met a stranger, and that would pretty much describe the meeting with Terri. We talked about real estate, how she started her business and I was so very impressed, as I have such admiration for women entreprenuers.

In 1984 Terri would attend a Horse Show with a card table, and a tea kettle. "Can I clean up your hat? (show hat, western or saddleseat usually made of wool felt, and she also "colored plain hats with acrylic spray paint. Want a red one and couldn't find one, she could make it happen)" says she. "Sure, it looks bad, it's dusty and out of shape" said the wearer.

That lead to a more sophisticated "table, and then like Topsy, her business grew and grew.
A sweet story told by Terri was of the chance meeting of a gentleman at a show and she offered to "clean up" his western hat. For the purpose of brevity in the telling of the story I will summarize: "Are you going to get a haircut before you show your horse" says Terri. "Why do I need a haircut" says the guy. "Well, you should either get a haircut or wear a bun" says Terri. Laughter from the gentleman. He returned to pick up his hat, paid the bill and they joked a little more. After he left the booth someone came up to Terri and said "do you know who that is"?
"No, said Terri". "That was Patrick Swayze, the movie star". "Oh, said Terri, I've never seen his movies". Terri saw Patrick many times, and they would laugh about the "bun". God rest his soul, he was touched by Terri like so many people were.

A very successful business that is family owned and run. After ten years, Tom left his enterprise and went to work doing the custom embroidery for Terri. And by the looks of the line at the booth he must work long, long hours doing that job.

They traveled the show circuits, but they had Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, and daughter Jayme won her first National Championship at the age of 13. Terri show as well, and they have been involved for over 30 years.

Just plain nice, genuine people. The daughter and Sarah hit it off from the get go, so after the show, Sarah got a call from Jayme saying the family was traveling to Cincinniti to see an uncle, and then they wanted to go up to Cleveland and see the Rock Hall of Fame. "Well you just come right up here with your RV Semi truck and you can park in our drive and go from here". And they did. What fun, as Sarah's friend and client (our friend too!) Maggie invited us over for dinner. Kevin made his special lasagna (one also with sauce and artichokes), Maggie had appetizers, wine, salad, breads and Mama Jo Pies (that's another story). We had a wonderful time and talked and talked and laughed and laughed.

They all went to the Rock Hall on Thursday, and Terri, Tom and Jayme stayed another night with Sarah and Kevin. I headed off to Jackson to announce, but had a warm wonderful feeling having met these great folks.

Whenever you are at a Horse Show, stop and check out the booth of The Hat Lady. They are just plain wonderful! They are off to the Morgan Nationals in Oklahoma City, and then to Arabian Nationals in Tulsa. From November to January 5 or so, they like Dorothy Click their heels, and "there's no place like home" in Washington state.

I am richer for having me them. And believe me, in this economy, being rich with friends like that means you are rollin' in it!
p.s. she also feeds her horses Succeed digestive aid like Sarah and I do, so she takes great care of her horses too!
Take a moment and check out: www.thehatlady.com


Below is Tom ( a musician also, Terri in her signature Tie Dye, and daughter Jayme with the gorgeous red hair!

Soon to be the end of an era!

Above, Storm Cat's barn with the life sized statue of him standing in the grass. Most bronze statues are on a "pedestal". Mrs Young said, "no, horses stand on grass, not pedestals" So the "Cat" bronze was mounted on ribar, and anchored in the ground, so his feet "could touch the grass".

Overbrook Farm, a legend will disappear....

Mr. W.T.Young and his daughter accepting a trophyCenter and right (Above: the legendary 27 year old Thoroughbred Stallion "Storm Cat" who earned $20 million a year in stud fees for the farm.

The farm is closing, and horses are dispersed with the exception of a few wealings who are consigned to the Keeneland Sale in November. Many sired by the above living legend, "Storm Cat".

It was my privelege and bittersweet pleasure to meet my new friend, Beth Meredith on a gloomy and rainy day last week in Lexington at the farm. Beth has worked there for more than two decades, and looked upon Mr. Young as a "father" figure. She gave me the private tour, even though many of the farm roads were underwater from the heavy rainfall. I stood outside the car and looked in every direction.....and all I could see to the horizon was dark painted four board fencing, green manicured pastures, grass and graceful hills all the way to the horizon.

What a beautiful and sad sight all at the same time. Mr. Young is gone, and the next generation is not interested in pursuing Mr. Young's dream.

Beth snapped my photo in front of the trophy case housing "Grindstone's" Kentucky Derby winning blanket of freeze dried roses, and his horsehoes, mounted on the case. The trophies are in every room, hundreds of them. Too many to count, much less catalogue.

Beth is the wonderful friend that I made when I visited Kentucky, at this farm to be exact, at the end of February, 2008. Driving from home to Versailles, Ky, in the worst snow storm and snow accumulation that I had remembered in awhile. Beth was the foster Mom to my new collie, Toby. She has fostered many collies in the past and Toby was one of her favorites.

We have corresponded by email ever since, and of course Toby's progress in the family was photographed and emailed to Beth every couple of months.

Since I was going to be in Lexington, for the Sport Horse Nationals with Sarah, I took the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with Beth.

I can't tell you how much that visit meant to me. A dynasty closing is very, very sad.

The stallions are all gone except a couple of teaser stallions, and "Cat" himself. His caregiver for the last 10 years, Wes, brought him in from the pasture and paused so I could take photos and get an "up close and personal" look. He is magnificent. Even at 27, he gave me chills.

There is a full size bronze statue, true in every detail of him in the grassy entry to his stallion complex. For insurance purposes, and to appraise value, a stallion's worth is two breeding years. So I was fortunate to see in real life, a $40 million dollar horse.

I shed a few tears during my tour with Beth, knowing that this was to be no more. Perhaps some rich person will take up the torch of Overbrook Farm, and keep it in all its glory.

If not, I choose not to think what will happen to the 1600 acres of Kentucky Bluegrass, home to the "Kings of the Sport"!

Not good bye for Storm Cat, as he will ultimately take up residence in the Kentucky Horse Park, Hall of Champions. Perhaps I can see him one more time before he leaves his beloved bluegrass.

...and the winner is!

Show Results for 2009 SPORT HORSE NATIONAL CHAMP
1232 A/HA/AA Carriage Pleasure Driving Turnout Champ SFF
Final Results
Exh #
Horse Name
Rider
Owner
1) 595
LUSCIOUS LORRAINE
VAS, SARAH E
SCHLUND, MARGARET M VALLEY CITY OH

(above photo is of "Hattie (Winfield Haute Couture) and her new baby "Lucious Lorraine" fondly known at "LuLu")

She did it! Sarah and Maggie's filly won the National Championship in Carriage Pleasure Driving Turnout!

What a thrill for me. I'm sure for everyone involved, but especially to me. When Sarah was born, I knew she would be a horsewoman. I did not know at the time that she would be so gifted, but she has proved herself time and time again with the horses.

She was a "horse whisperer" even a a teenager. She has marched to her own drum for a long time, and she has studied, observed, practiced, tried, failed, tried again.

She owned this filly's mother. She bred her mother, Winfield Haute Couture to Monarch V and produced "Lucious Lorraine" a dark brown filly who was tall and slender. The filly has a leg injury that required serious surgery and long post op down time, and rehab. When Maggie had to have her other filly humanely euthanized, she bought "LuLu" as a replacement horse. She kept the filly with Sarah who broke her and trained her to drive, and then this year, LuLu competed in two shows in Indiana that garnered enough qualifing points to allow her to enter this National Competion.

The results are in, and she beat the best of the best!

Congrats to "Sis" and "Lulu". A well deserved win at Sarah's first ever National competition!

Additionally, Sarah and Lulu placed National Top Ten in two other carriage divisions. All of this with the filly being off work for 3-1/2 weeks due to Sarah's injury, and Sarah's injury left her in lots of "pain" at the show as well.

My dreams for her have come true. I knew she could do it some day, and she did.

My heart overflowed with joy for both Sarah and Maggie!

I don't have photos yet of the "Red Rose blanket and trophy" presentation, but I will send them soon!