First Day of Our Trip

Yesterday on Friday, we drove up into Colorado and stopped in Gulnare so Betty could see Gletta in her new home.

When we walked up to the pasture where Gletta, the mares and foals were, she came to the fence as she recognized Betty.

But, when Betty got to the fence, Gletta reverted to her old private self. However, one of the gelding yearlings came up to greet her.

One of the nice things is Gletta has become friends with the alpha mare of the little herd.

Besides a nice picture of a couple of the yearlings, the Spanish Peaks are in the background. However, the cloud cover was pretty low so you can't see them well.

Gletta's looking pretty good for 27 years old. I guess the grass is good for her.

Gletta appears to be accepted by the mothers and foals of the herd. You can see two of the foals laying in the tall grass.

Finally, a long shot showing where they are.

It was good for Betty to see what a good setting Gletta is in now. We said our goodbyes and headed North for Fort Collins.

It was great to see our son Wade, daughter-in-law Marie, and, of course our granddaughter Juliet. She really warmed up to us quickly, more quickly than ever before.

First, Juliet had to show us her big blue ball.

And she showed us how her panda bear could go down her slide.

Then she played lifting Nana up from the floor by pulling on her hair.

And she played catch and release with Papa. Ignore the bald spot.

She's our special little love.

On the Way to Colorado

Betty and I are on our way to Colorado to see Gletta on the way and to see our son, daughter-in-law and especially Juliet, our precious granddaughter.

Good times.

Gettin' Ready Thursday

Betty and I are scrambling around getting everything ready for our trip to Canada.

We leave tomorrow morning to drive to Fort Collins, Colorado to spend several days with our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. On the way, we're going to stop in Gulnare so Betty can see Gletta's new home.

Next Monday, we drive up to Cody, Wyoming to spend a couple of nights there. Cody has one of the best western museums in the world - The Buffalo Bill Center. We spent a couple of hours there several years ago which was not nearly enough time. This trip we can spend as long as we want there. We also hope to see a rodeo as well.

Then we drive up to Helena, Montana for a couple of nights to see the sights around there. Then one night in Great Falls, Montana.

After those nights in Montana, we drive up to Lethbridge, Alberta to spend the night. Finally, on Sunday, we'll drive to Caroline, Alberta, about two hours North of Calgary to spend the week with our good friends, Lane and Margie Moore who own the Lazy M Ranch.

So, blogging over the next three weeks will be sporadic or pre-posts at best.

Be good while we're gone and limit yourself to one cookie a day.

Wednesday Ride

Betty and Sugar continue to work with our friend and trainer, Miriam Gonzalez. This morning Betty went out on Sugar and Miriam rode Morgunn and they had a good ride.

Here are some pictures from that ride:

Heading out through the back gate.

Heading toward the open sage.

Back from their ride.

Betty on Sugar.

A good day for Betty and Sugar.

WooHoo!

Betty's home!

She arrived on a Southwest flight at 1:20 PM yesterday. She had to fly from Nashville, Tennessee to Birmingham, Alabama, to Dallas, Texas, and then to Albuquerque. The only good thing is she didn't have to change planes and Southwest does a good job of turning their flights around pretty quickly.

Betty's sister, Margie, is doing better and is still expected to make a full recovery from her accident. It was good for both her and Betty for Betty to be there.

We slept in this morning and then went out to Galloping Grace and had a good morning working with the horses and kids. This afternoon we met with a couple who are having a problem with their son. We were able to give them some suggestions to think about. Then we did some shopping.

One of the things we bought was some fresh corn from our local farm, Wagner's. We bought two dozen ears. We ate two for our dinner and Betty boiled the rest so it could be frozen. We also bought some fresh peaches, some peach and pear preserves and some apple butter. They have great preserves.

While Betty prepared our supper, I shucked the corn and got it ready for Betty to boil for freezing.

Have a great Tuesday evening.

Monday Video - Simon's Cat

We're on a cat theme -- last Monday's video was Catcaboodle about the man who loved his 150 or so cats.

Today's Monday Video is a cartoon from a man who truly understands a cat's true nature.

Enjoy.

Sunday Reflections - "But I NEEEEED That"

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. " (Luke 12:27-31)

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

OK, food, drink, shelter, clothes -- I think I can categorize these things as needs. But where is the line between needs and wants?

I need food to survive -- but do I really need a chile cheeseburger from Sonic?
I need drink to survive -- but do I really need an iced mocha from Starbucks?
I need shelter for protection from the elements -- but do I really need the nice house we have now?
I need clothes for modesty -- but do I really need those running shoes from Zappos?

What about our horses, stable, truck, trailer? Do we really need them -- probably not. They're definitely a want.

Surely my computer is a need. How can I live without the Internet and e-mail? Probably pretty well, so I guess it's really a want, darn it.

The dictionary defines need as 'anything that is necessary, but lacking' and want as 'a specific feeling of desire.'

So, a want is a feeling and a need is something that is necessary. By implication, a want is something we desire, but it's not necessary. We can live without it. We cannot live without a need.

So, God will take care of my needs, but does he care about my wants? I think he does -- to a point. And I believe we define that point. Today at church, we watched a short video that had a central point: "Use your money (goods, etc) in such a way that it is plain to the world that it is not your treasure. Your real treasure is Jesus Christ."

As any good father I believe God wants us to be happy -- but not at the expense of our holiness, our relationship with him through Jesus Christ.

As I sit in our nice house, I'm grateful that it's a gift and it in no way defines who I am. When I ride Morgunn, I'm grateful that he's a gift and he in no way defines who I am.

I am defined by my relationship with God through Jesus -- that and nothing more is my greatest need and want.