Consistency Is the Key

 I got up just before the coffee maker went out anxious for that first cup of coffee as this morning I was to leave with the truck and trailer to go up near Chicago to pick up 2 mares. My phone had a notice on that came around 2:30 AM the owner decided she could not let the mares go so the trip was off.  I was actually relieved! Mom was still sleeping at walk time so just Ruth and Joan walked while I stayed quiet at mom's until the bell rang. When Joan and Ruth got back, Joan told us the story of mom's quilt and the miraculous repair.

The quilt had been damaged a few years ago when Molly, mom's Shih Tzu dog's nails got caught on the fabric and ripped it. Joan took the quilt to Leona, the master quilter, and she really did work a miracle.

Leona went to a fabric store and spent almost an hour going through ALL of their fabrics and none matched.  Then Gail gave Leona a bag full of scraps of material and she opened the bag and right in front was the exact piece needed. It was not the white, red or brown it was the flower pattern piece that had been torn. It matched EXACTLY! Leona finished the quilt and we only knew which piece was replaced because Joan knew where the quilt had been torn.

The quilt really is as good as new. After breakfast the horses were fed and Mark helped move in a bale for Evan. I needed to be back at mom's by 9:30 am. Mom was tired this morning as yesterday was a long day at church and then lots of company came out. We had a very quiet morning. The house finches were enjoying the black oil sunflower seeds I picked up at the elevator in Glasford. They still have 50 pound bags. 

When Joan got home I left for Sam's club to pick out the meat for our Thursday dinner with Uncle Johnny and Aunt MaryLou. Uncle Johnny is mom's younger brother, they are coming to visit for a few days. I also bought supplies for the barn then stopped at Aldi and picked up some food for our dinner tonight. After putting everything away it was time to bring Titus out to the round pen for some training. Today we worked first on fly spray. Titus was left loose in the round pen, he could run away from the spray if he wanted but each time he stood quietly he was sprayed then given a small handful of grain. He learned pretty quickly that fly spray is fine and he gets a treat if he stands still. Next came the saddle pad. He didn't move at all when that was put on. I left it on him the went to the barn to pick out a saddle. That pad was still on him when I got back.

He didn't try to run at all when the saddle was put on. The girth was left undone but he wasn't worried, just settled down to graze. 

That was removed, he was asked to move around then the pad and saddle put back on.

The second time the girth was tightened enough to keep the saddle in place.

He was asked to walk, trot and canter both directions with the saddle on then was given a treat, the saddle removed and the training session was over. He did really well. The saddle and pad were left on the golf cart. Titus was put in with Missy and Cookie. Sally, Jewel and Madiera were left in the pond pasture. The Middle paddock was given another bale and then I quit the outside work and came inside. Titus just needs some consistent work and he will be ready for trails soon. He really does try to please. Consistency is the key.  Supper was a little late. I made fried rice mixed with asparagus, onion, mushroom, spinach, slivers of carrots, broccoli and a few other finely chopped vegetables. Once the rice was done the chicken teriyaki was added. I ended up using too much soy sauce by accident (I didn't realize the top was off) but it was still edible.