Roll Out the Red Carpet

Although I half threatened to pull a Brando, I graciously accept these awards. It means a lot to me when I can make people laugh, whether it's with me or at me.

Thanks to Lisa at Laughing Orca Ranch, and cdncowgirl at (NQ)HotR.

And thank you, Cactus Jack Splash, for this lofty-sounding award.

See the list of blogs to the right? These are just the ones I read every day, and that list continues to grow. I love the world we all create together in the blogosphere. To me, you all deserve these awards. I appreciate every one of you. Thank you for enriching my life.

Sign of the Times

Unfortunately, the sign says, "Going out of Business."

Today I decided to head down to Paul Taylor's for a bucket of Sand Clear and to look for nylon halters with an adjustable noseband. I never made it past Sergeant's, which is maybe a half mile or so north of PTs. It was packed. There were people parked along the highway and a line to get in the parking lot. The person behind me probably would have been pissed at my impromptu turn, except he decided to check it out himself. I had heard they were going out of business a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't gone home that way in awhile, and was unaware of the sale.

I'll be honest and say that I have not been a regular Sergeant's shopper. I bought my helmet and a set of stirrups there, but not much more. Their stuff is nice enough, but half the store is boots and apparel, so they don't have nearly the selection of horse products and tack that Paul Taylor has. PT has no clothing and very little "fluff," and I haven't found any place cheaper.

The sale must have just started, because there was still a good selection of everything. All the grooming and health products were 10% off, so I bought some stuff I needed anyway: the last 2 buckets of Sand Clear and 2 quarts of Bronco fly spray. Believe it or not, on days when it's not windy, the flies are still a nuisance.

Almost everything else was 20% off. All the gift items were 40% off.

I bought a pair of black seamless breeches. They are heavy, soft cotton jersey and spandex, with microfiber reinforced thigh/knee and seat patches. The brand is Kerrits.

I bought a Wahl cordless clipper. Right now, I just roach Jaz's mane, but maybe I'll get more adventurous with grooming next spring/summer. I would not have bought it had it not been on sale, or at least I would not have bought such a nice one. I've been borrowing Heather's.

I found nylon halters with adjustable nosebands to replace their ill-fitting ones,

a nice pad,

and a beautiful new bridle. I wish you could see the tooling better. It's sort of a basket weave pattern, which matches the tooling on my saddle. My near-antique camera's not great at close range.


I think I'll start coming home that way every day for awhile to see how far they mark down the saddles. Today they were only 20% off. I know the discounts will get better, but then you run the risk of missing the best selection. Not like I actually have the money for a new saddle, mind you. But if the price is right, it might be worth thinking about.

If there's a Sergeant's near you, I suggest you check it out before all the good stuff's gone.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our son and his wife and our niece and her boyfriend made plans to be with their in-laws for Thanksgiving, which left Mr. Fry and I fending for ourselves. WOO-HOO! We're not cooking and looking forward to doing anything or nothing at all this entire weekend! We are thankful to be alone with each other -- just the way we like it!

We had some fresh, homemade tamales we planned on having for Thanksgiving dinner, but they were still hot when I brought them home, and we already ate them all up! I bought a small smoked turkey breast and some shrimp, and made our favorite yummy mixed white and sweet potato casserole (to die for, whether you're a yam fan or not -- honest). And Butterfinger ice cream. We have a fridge full of Shiner and a couple bottles of red, so we're calling it good. If we do get a hankering for a full turkey dinner, we'll head to the IHOP in Gainesville, where they serve a family-style meal all day.

And Happy Anniversary to Pokey and me! It was two years ago tomorrow that I brought home my first horse. Ah yes, I remember it well: the excitement, the abject terror, the utter cluelessness and naiveté.

This is the photo posted on his sale flier. This is like one of those "how-many-things-wrong" games on just about every level. He was not the noble steed of my girlhood dreams, but there was and is something about that face that makes my heart skip a beat.

The above two photos were taken at his former owner's place, where he stayed for at least a month until we had the place ready. Look how fat he is and how thin I am! Our roles have reversed, it seems. Ah, cruel fate.

Poco's first day home. It was almost a week before I could get any closer than this without him taking off. He was alone until Jaz came in January.

I am thankful for how far we have been able to come with the help of both Heather and her family and my entire online extended family.

Have a great Turkey Day!