wise advice from a dear, departed friend

Just write. Don't worry, don't fret, don't get caught up in structure. Bust that dam wide open and let the words flow.

Thank you, Mary. I miss you.

Get your stories in!

ATTENTION: now is the time to get your stories in to me or arrange for me to visit your UConn Morgan. I am wrapping up the research phase so I can complete the chapters.

Thank you, everybody! It's YOUR input that will give the book its true heart. You know these horses, you have the tales. Some of you trained these horses. Some of you witnessed their births. Some of you rode or drove them in shows. Some of you won big Championship ribbons. Some of you gave a broodmare or a stallion a retirement home. The list goes on...

....and ALL of you love the UConn Morgan Horses!

Thank you all, so much. I look forward to hearing from you!

my e-mail: soundthebuglestudio (at) charter.net

More thank yous!

THANK YOU to Jennifer Simoniello of UConn's Animal Science department for spreading the word and for sending me some incredible archives.

I really appreciate it!

research, research, research. And more research.

Awaiting a BIG BUNCH of material from the National Museum of the Morgan Horse..I am quite excited about this! Many, many thanks to Amber Broderick for her help and support.

Many thanks also goes out to Christina Koliander from the American Morgan Horse Association for helping me track down information on some of these UConn horses.

I love archives!

Onward!

In other horse news: I ordered my very first pair of full-seat riding breeches this week and I am anxiously awaiting their arrival. My dressage trainer said once I ride in them I will never go back to knee-patch breeches or riding tights. It's all about comfort and grip, folks! Can't wait.

speaking of UC Doc Daniels...

UC Doc Daniels, 2011. 30" x 30" acrylic on gessboard.

...with the colors of royalty: purple and blue.

the ambassador, UC Doc Daniels

The stall plate of the one and only UC Doc Daniels.

Doc now resides in Morgan horse country--beautiful Vermont. His handsome son, UC Domination, can now be found in his sire's stall.

a visit with UC Ringmaster...

UC Ringmaster---33 years old and a most friendly gentleman.
He was talking to me here...*whuffwhuffwhuffwhuffle*

The University of Connecticut in May...

Beautiful!

The crabapple trees are in full bloom, the grass is emerald green and the sky is clear and bright...
No deerflies, no oppressive heat, no humidity--just perfection.

a great quote, had to share

I think they'll take me to my grave with a pitchfork in my hand and a rub rag in my back pocket.

~Eddie Sweat, Secretariat's groom

Many wonder why a person would want to work with horses. How could anyone enjoy the sweat, the dirt, the back-breaking work? Piles of manure? Itchy hay? The long hours? Getting up before the sun? Sleeping on a hay bale next to a sickly equine charge? Staying up all night with an expectant mare?

It's because the sun doesn't hum incessantly like a florescent light and the fresh air doesn't give you a headache.

It's because working with horses brings you back to what is truly important in this life.

They will tell you what they need and you need to be present and really listen.

Here's to you, dear grooms of the world. Thank you for all that you do for the horses.

above photo is of me and my charge, Sound the Bugle, circa 1990.

Reading aloud

I read five of my completed chapters to my husband, Steve, last night--FUN.

Reading aloud is a great way to improve your writing--actually hearing the words can help you edit, fix grammar and revise sentence structure. It also helps immensely if you can read it to someone so they can offer their feedback and suggestions. Thank you, sweetie!

Steve's encouragement lights a creative fire in my heart, I am so blessed to have this great guy in my life.

Have a wonderful Derby day, everyone! Hug your horse and have a mint julep.

Getting to know you....

...that song has been stuck in my head for the past day or so.

Had a wonderful chat with John Bennett (UConn Horsebarn Manager) and Kathy Pelletier (Assistant UConn Horsebarn manager) yesterday. My note-taking pen was FLYING over the paper!

They are a wealth of information: They have decades of UConn Morgan horse history between them.

Thank you for sharing, John and Kathy!

Learned more about UC Doc Daniels yesterday. John and Kathy had smiles in their eyes when they talked about him.

I wrote more in his chapter, with the feeling still fresh in my brain:

UC Doc Daniels would keep a cool head in every situation—even in a parade through the streets of Hartford, the sound of his hooves echoing off the tall buildings in a near-deafening din of clip-clops.

The Morgan Stallion

The majesty of the Morgan stallion can make the breath catch in your throat.

The sight of such a magnificent creature stirs up an emotion so raw, so real and so undeniably visceral that it wells up inside of you until tears form in your eyes.

The muse of the day.

Back in the saddle...on a Morgan!

This weekend I pursued my passion for dressage again-- I got back in the saddle, thanks to my great friend and instructor, G.

I rode an adorable and intelligent bay Morgan named Jamie and he took very good care of me. He even went round and on the bit. *elation* *happiness* *wow*

It had been many, many years since I have felt that wonderful harmony and connection in the saddle. (Thank you, G!)

I now feel confident that I will ride consistently and work hard to be the best rider I can be. Picking up where I left off....

And on a Morgan, no less! Yippee!

Me and Jamie before our ride, 4/30/11. Photo by G.