Filed under: October 2022 | Tags: autumn wedding, family, horse drawn limo, Outdoor Wedding, Suffolk Horses, Suffolk Punch horses
October 29, 2022
We debuted our 3-seat Limo. We escorted our granddaughter on her wedding day. It was a beautiful day.
The horses were pretty in their braids and shiny coats, but the bride was stunning. She was the star of the show.
We swung around in between the trees and delivered the bride to an aisle raked from the leaves. Lanterns hung on shepherd hooks and lit her path. Traditional words were spoken, vows were said and tears were shed…it was a beautiful day. Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Zach Fraily (Our little Brittany)
Filed under: October 2022 | Tags: Draft horse training, genetics, Suffolk Punch, Suffolk stallion
October 25, 2022
Every now and then I get to see something that moves me. I understand the wonder and majesty that this world holds. Newborn babies always give me pause, as I ponder the miracle of birth. Lately, as our stallion Hank matures, I see our future. Thanks in part to him, our future is looking bright. As we work towards helping to preserve this critically endangered breed, I see the genetic diversity that I am looking for in “This Guy”.
Hank continues to learn his job as a workhorse. He will be starting some intensive “every day” work. This work is meant to put the finishing touches on lessons that he already knows. It will help him learn to pull steady, stand quietly and listen for ques in my voice and through the lines in my hands. He is a good boy. This new phase of training will hopefully endear him even more to me. I do hope he will pass his good mind and behaviors on to his foals. He is quite a horse!
??????????
Filed under: October 2022 | Tags: Camp Koinonia, Suffolk Horses, Suffolk Punch horses, sugarhouse, Sugarwood, Wagon rides
October 17, 2022
The colors of the leaves has been beautiful over these last few days. The weather too has been seasonable with a few very nice warm days along the way. This morning, the weatherman said we will have wet snowflakes in the forecast. I know winter is coming, but I am not ready.
There is sugarwood still to split and get put away. It is not a big job, but one that needs completed. On the upside, our speltz have been planted and the pastures are mostly put to bed for winter.
Last weekend we once again shared our draft horses with kids and adults at the Camp Koinonia autumn carnival. It was a nice time. The morning was cool and windy, but the sun came out and warmed us all in the afternoon.
The foliage was beautiful. The smiles were everywhere. We were glad to have been invited. It gives us the opportunity to share our blessings with others. Abby and Amee, our Suffolk mare were a hit. They worked well as usual. It was a wonderful day.
Filed under: October 2022 | Tags: autumn, forecart, North American Suffolk Horse Association, Saving Suffolks, Suffolk Horses, Suffolk Punch horses
October 12, 2022
We spent the weekend at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds at the Suffolk Gathering. Our group Saving Suffolks Northcoast Chapter, along with the North American Suffolk Horse Association, held a get together and annual meeting. We had a great time. 28 horses and folks from 16 states and 3 Canadian Provinces were represented.
Much of the week before last weekend and these last three days were spent moving in, then moving out of the fairgrounds. Horses, equipment, feed, harness and a whole bunch of other stuff made the trip.
Our boy Hank watched over the people and horses.
Saving Suffolks held a raffle for a draft forecart and a couple cash prizes.
Joe and Cindy won the forecart
Chris and Lavada won some money, but donated it back to our non-profit Saving Suffolks
Zelda was awarded a big Thank You for all of her help as we put this shindig on!
We look forward to next year, as well as, some upcoming promotions as we present and promote this wonderful draft horse. It was a wonderful weekend. Even the trees turned color as if to join the celebration!
Filed under: October 2022 | Tags: boyhood home, life work, Small Farming, solid, time
October 4, 2022
Time is a fickle fleeting thing! I wore this jacket in my junior and senior years in high school. So, 1975 through 1977 when I was apparently much smaller. I even wore a hooded sweatshirt underneath it.
I pinned all my medals on it many years ago, just to keep from losing them. I have wanted to be a farmer all of my life. This jacket was a declaration of my path forward. I can honestly say, that I have been engaged in some for of agriculture all of my life.
I never strayed far from my boyhood home. I still am a mere 12 miles from there. I moved to Jefferson in 1978 and found my spot in the world. I have no desire to ever move and my roots grow deeper and hold stronger with every breath I take.
It is comforting for me to know that I am in the place that I was born to be. I still get my hands in the dirt every day. I can hold in my hands and my heart, the life I was meant to live. Fleeting though it may be, I am enjoying the ride!
My shirt a little bigger, my heart a little fuller I am still declaring what I want to be when I grow up. I even am still comfortable with where! I do wonder where time has gone, but as they say, “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage”. I am thankful for every mile and for every year. It is my prayer that I have many more of both.
RicelandMeadows 