Howdy All!

I was pretty excited to have Rick come down to the barns this morning.  You see, Rick and I had always talked about how neat and special it would be to have many rose bouquets outside our barn, to look and feel a little like the Kentucky Derby.  It was always just a dream.  Well I decided that it would be a dream no more.  I got our daughter Amy to pick up 20 dozen roses from Costco and arrange them accordingly.

Amy and her husband Chris, along with friend Seairra, stayed up after midnight making the display beautiful.  I wanted it, so when Rick came down in the morning it would be a great surprise.  Well it was a surprise indeed he said.

I too thought they looked beautiful.  And also, I am a little bit partial to them as the color red is my favortie.

After chores, I hurried on over to an appointment I had in Calgary with a friend.  It was a much needed time.  While I was away,  Amy sent me this photo of a little butterfly that stopped by our barn  I like to think that it was my dad dropping in to say hi.

 

A little lovin goes a long way.  Our worker Kim from New Zealand gave Louie a really good massage by doing this for him.

Each night before the races, the Army Helicopter fly’s by our grand Canadian Flag flying below.  The band on the stage and the people in the stands sing our national anthem freely,  proud and strong.  Back behind the chutes, the outriders take off their helmets, and stand and recognize the free country that we live in.

We had the coveted one barrel tonight.  Just before the races, a major wind storm flew in and the temperatures dropped.  We see all kinds of weather here in the city all due because it is so close to the Rocky Mountains.

Our hook tonight was Spirit on the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right Lead.  Jim on the Left Wheel and Sporty on the Right Wheel.  Chanse Vigen and Ryan MacNeill rode Ed and Andy.  The team started pretty good, but Rick said he didn’t make the prettiest turn.  But you know what?  He made it around the barrels in a clean manner, and ran the race in a 1:12.06, which in turn was fast enough to get us into the top eight for the semi-final Saturday.  Our “Team 23” Crew were pretty happy with that.

Night number 8 was a good one to celebrate with just one drink.  Our friend and relative Tammy, arrived before the races.  We decided we after the dust settled it was time to make that happen.  A little bit of red wine doesn’t hurt anybody.  So that is what it was.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

 

P.S. Very little is needed to make a happy life: it is all within yourself.  In your way of thinking.