Precious Memories

Today is Joan's birthday Ruth sent a family text with a video from mom wishing Joan a happy birthday. We all needed to chime in. Joan commented that she is on the 6th level where as mom is heading toward the 10th. That sounds much better than turning 60. We awoke to 2 degrees and wind this morning. The wind chill was well below zero. Mark checked on the barn propane and found the tank was down to just 15%. Last week we burned a LOT. He called the propane company to order. If only we had topped off the barn last fall when we filled up the house tank The barn tank was at 55% then. The cost then was $1.89 per gallon and today it is $2.09 a gallon but for some reason Mark just didn't want to do that. It is now on order and we will fill the apartment tank also as that is 35%. After breakfast Mark turned on AC Central to listen to Jeff Waibel speak on Neco and we both enjoyed listening to that message again. The link is posted on yesterday's blog post. If you have the time it is am amazing message. Now that Sarah and Nolan have moved out, Sarah spent the morning at the apartment getting it ready for guests. I'm kind of sad they left but have opened up the blocked dates starting on Wednesday as Mark still needs to replace the furnace filter and buy a few lightbulbs. This afternoon I went to the barn to straighten up the game room and bring all of the leftover food home from last nights meal. Dan and Susan came to the barn this afternoon to make notes for Sophia's wedding. It is always good to see them. In 2025 we lost both Mika and Sangria. Mika was born here, on this farm in 2000. He didn't just give rides to birds.

He was on our starting line-up for our trail rides. He was very athletic and even last year never showed his age. His dam was our 16.1 hand Thoroughbred mare Grace and his sire was a 16.2 hand palomino stallion. He ended up a chestnut and 16.2 hands. He could jump, ride dressage, and trail ride. He really was extraordinary and we loved him. 

We acquired Sangria as a 2 year old. She truly had amazing movement.

She too ended up being on our starting line-up. She had an amazing canter and had the Andalusian winging on her trot which made even that very smooth. At 2 years of age she looked almost black but over the years turned to a flea bitten gray.

I took her down to Eminence on the cross country trail ride and we enjoyed crossing those brooks, climbing the mountains  and camping with the rest of our group, which included Mike riding Mika, Diane riding Sally, Karin riding Lily and Amy riding Nora.  Of those horses just Lily and Sally are left. Lily was born in 2002 and Sally in 2001. 

So many precious memories.