Howdy All!

Been a busy time this past month.  Catching up on things at home, and just taking time to see where our next step will be.  We also took time to play, and I hope you do to.

The 2nd Annual Senior Pro Rodeo was held in Wetaskiwin, which was just down the road from our Ranch a few weeks ago.  We decided to drop in and see a bit of the action as we knew a few of the competitors.

They didn’t disappoint.  Together, the crew made things happen and the action was great.

From Calf Roping to Team Roping, to Barrel Racing and more.  There were names we recognized from CFR a few years back, and others that just enjoy what they do.

The weekend couldn’t have been better, the weather was amazing.  The intermission entertainment was priceless.

A local pony horse club, came out to play soccer…………………with their horses!  Well we’ve never seen anything like this, but it was so awesome to see.  This grey pony was the best player around.  He bunted and bunted and scored a few goals.  I think the girl was just along for the ride.  Great Entertainment!

Rocky Mountain House was the place to be.  Rick and I, our barn hands Kim and David as well as our kids and other friends made a camping trip to the finals of the WPCA Chuckwagon Circuit.  We enjoyed ourselves the full week, just camping and taking in all the action of the races.  Young Dayton Sutherland captured his first Championship win after only competing for the last year and a half.  Outrider Rory Gervais also won his first World Championship Outriding title and Kurt and Ashley Bensmiller won another Chuckwagon World title.  Congratulations to them all.

The best entertainment of the weekend, was the kids wild pony races.  But then us old girls topped that by putting in a couple of teams on Saturday night.  Well our team consisted of my daughter Kaylee, my friend Kim and me.  The other team was Lisa Bensmiller, Ashley Bensmiller and Caitlin Fike, (All wifes of Chuckwagon Drivers).  Well what a blast we had.  Both teams were able to rassle those little guys down and the rider got on.  I was that rider on our team.  It brought a huge amount of excitement to the crowd and the young kids cheered us on.  Thanks to Photographer Shellie Scott for the great action shots.

As the days go by, I continue to fill my days with catching up and working on a new journey in life.  I’m excited to step up into see what awaits.  I’ve got a few things in mind and the ball is slowing rolling.

Until next time

From Home on the Ranch and Beyond

P.S.  Until you spread your wings, you’ll have no idea how far you can fly.

Howdy All!

Last weekend, Rick and I ventured on down to Strathmore for the Tribute put together by Billy Melville, celebrating the life of Chuckwagon Driver/Outrider Roy David who passed away.  Roy was part of a family that was very involved (and continues to be)  in Chuckwagon Racing for many years.  While there, we also took in two days of racing.  It was our first time back on the grounds, but this time as spectators, not competitors.  It was for sure a very different feeling, with many mixed emotions.

We arrived back home on the holiday Monday evening, with guests that were more than welcome on our Ranch.  As the trek on the next stop of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association is so long for a one day venture, we invited Lisa Bensmiller and Vern Nolin  and crew, to stop in overnight to shorten the trip.  I admire this couple, as they show what teamwork is all about in the world of Chuckwagon Racing.

When they arrived, the ponies were led into the pens, boy did they like to run, stretch, buck and kick!  After a few hours of traveling, some energy needs to be expended.

I must admit, it sure was good to see and feel the energy of Vern and Lisa’s fit thoroughbreds on the Ranch.  Even though it has only been three weeks since our sale in Calgary,  having the horses gone, sure leaves a void in the soul.

It really hits you how much these horses became a part of you.  You lived and breathed every moment with them. They were our babies.

Well travel days are always tiring for all on board,  the big and little kids alike.  So when they were let free, it was time to monkey around and use up some of that pent up energy.

They all made me smile, just hanging around like nobodies business.

When the horses were settled, fed and watered, it was time to sit down and enjoy a home cooked meal.  Meat and potatoes, salad and home-made pie!  Those fresh saskatoons and garden rhubarb make the best pie going.  Not to mention strawberry and rhubarb too.  We had such a good visit just sitting outside and enjoying the quiet country evening.

Morning came early, and after a hot cup of coffee, bacon and eggs, the crew headed out to start to load.  It was time for our guests to hit the road on the 7 hour trek up to the northern city of Dawson Creek BC.

The horses always like to get in one more run in before they are put into the liner.  And some of them just like “not” to be caught until they have to.  I’m sure it is a little game they play, just like little kids.

It didn’t take long, and the crew gathered them up, one by one.

I can’t say enough about the kids of Lisa and Vern.  They are the best little helpers, and the politest kids around.

 

 One by one the ponies were caught.  Rick and Cody gave them a hand as well.

While the last ones were loading, the kids continued to play.  And who best to play with, but the cute puppy named Bling.

Well, it was finally time to say goodbye.  The horses were loaded, the trailer was hitched.  The Kids needed to be counted, and made sure each one went pee.  The littlest one continued to hang from the fence, until the last-minute she could.

We truly enjoyed our guests on the Ranch.  It was sad to see them move on, while we stayed behind.  A part of us would have loved to have went right a long.  So many great memories were made as the years have gone by.  But it is now time for Rick and I to move on.  We look forward to new journeys, and stories in new adventures that we make at home or abroad.

From Home on the Ranch

P.S.  Every house where love abides and friendship is a guest, is surely home, and home sweet home, for there the heart can rest.

 

 

 

 

 

Howdy All!

Although we have been home from our final Chuckwagon Race for just over two weeks now, there has not been a shortage of things to do, here at Home on the Ranch.  That first week was mostly a time of catching up on sleep, and just being present at home to recharge our systems.  The rest of the time, I have been working at catching up on all the paperwork that was piling up, with things such as bills, GST, payroll and the like.  Rick, David and Kim kept busy around home, fencing, cleaning up fallen trees, and other things that needed to be tended to.

Our daughter Amy and her son Coy arrived here on Monday, so it was time to put the chores aside, and enjoy some down time with them.  My two girls, and their kids and I loaded up and headed out west to Ma Me O lake just a thirty minute drive from home.  I picked up Rick’s aunt Sharon and her kayaks along the way too.

Coy was pretty happy to be out in the kayak by himself for the first time ever.  The water couldn’t have been calmer, and the warmth of the sunshine was hovering around 30 degrees.  A beautiful warm summer day.

Little Ryker, well you could call him a little “Beach Bum”.  He loved the water and the sand.  It kept him occupied for hours.

Ryker even had a fine feathered friend nearby.

He tried to get close………….but that was just about how it was going to be…………….just close.

When your seven months pregnant, and hot in the summer heat, you find the best place to cool off, and that is just what Amy did.  We are looking forward to that little bundle of love to arrive in the beginning of October.  Another grand-baby to spoil!  Love it!!!

Nana was enjoying her time at the lake.  This is something that we pretty much have never done over the years as Chuckwagon Life was where it was at the past 34 years of being married to Rick.

Now as life moves on for us to new adventures, we have to steady ourselves, and see what is next.  We have not made any rash decisions, we are just going to enjoy some down time for a little while.

I just know in my heart, that we will hang on, and enjoy the next ride in our journey of life. The sky’s the limit in what we are going to do and where we are going to go.  Life is good.

From Home on the Ranch

Sue, and Rick too.

P.S.  Great things are done by people who think great thoughts and then go out into the world to make their dreams come true.