I owe an apology to anyone who reads my blog.  This time of year I am busy at home and work.  I hate it that work ramps up in the summer and this year has been busier than ever.  But I still have had time for my real passion.  I have been camping 3 times with the horses and friends & family.  I have been filling in the rest of the days with riding and working with the horses.  I went camping  twice to Hay Creek and once to Upper Souix Agency SP in Granite Falls, MN. 

And of course a 20 acre hobby farm needs a bit of attention now and again too.

Here is a picture or of the best part of this time of year.  Laura Bell and I were enjoying our camping trip and the nice trails in a nice state park.  Other campers/riders were admiring what great shape Laura Bell is in and that she sems the perfect trail horse.  She was exceptional that weekend when Summer finally arrived.  Happy Summer to you all.

I love cats.  I have always loved cats.  I grew up with cats and really cannot remember a time when I didn’t have at least one special cat.  Even when I was in the US Air Force and could not keep a cat with me, I had one at home with my mom.   My daughter Katie and I went “looking” at cats one day at the Golden Valley Humane Society and brought home “Cricket” pictured here.  Cricket lives indoors but sneaks out in warmer weather.  Cricket is a very sociable and vocal cat.  She is a very good pet but will not put up with being ignored.  Cricket has a middle name, Marie, because sometimes when she is quite naughty a middle name helps with the tone of the conversation.  <smile>

Cricket Marie

One of the best things about having a hobby farm is that cats are a welcome partner.  Here is a picture of Peach, the oldest of my 2 barn cats.  I saw Peach in the hay on the day she was born and named her.  My dear friends Marcia and Gary saved Peach for me, so I could bring her home when she was old enough.  Peach makes her home in the barn and makes good use of that beautiful coat. 

Peach in the cold winter sun

I am thankful for my family, friends, and the animals that have shared their lives with me.  Enjoy this Holiday all!  Happy Thanksgiving!

(In 2008, I have enjoyed many blessings but the best of all is that the girls now are both close by and choose to spend time “at home”.)

I needed to go to Omaha for some project work over the weekend and Monday.  Vince said he would come with, so we rented a car and headed down.  We enjoyed visiting some of the places that are still there 28 years after we first visited them together.  We ate dinner in the Old Market at Spaghetti Works where we enjoyed our very first date before heading to a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert.  

On Sunday we went to Bellevue to see the apartments and the area we had first made our home while in the service at Offutt AFB.  I also wanted to see the church where we were married, which is only 3 blocks from where we were first living.  We went in to see the chapel and it looks the same as it did in 1981.  Here is a picture of the church , St James United Methodist Church.

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We also enjoyed seeing how Omaha has grown since we left in early 1983.  We discovered a new favorite restaurant, Upstream Brewery, and enjoyed the Durham Museum in the Omaha Union Station.  It is fun to visit someplace where we have so much history and yet discover new treasures. 

It is nice to be home again in Minnesota as always!

My daughters, Kim and Katie (with Vince and Erik’s help) threw me a birthday party on Saturday!  It was a great time and I enjoyed catching up with family and friends.  Thanks girls!!!!!!