A BEAUTIFUL AUGUST!

Can you believe this weather? August in Southern IL is normally hot and humid and pretty much unbearable! Not this year, not so far. If only I could be sure this would last I would love to turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.

Our Sikeston Ride last week was really nice, not too hot and no thunderstorms while on the trail. We had a small group to start the ride due to some who just couldn't get off work to join us. By Saturday all the "regulars" joined in and we had a great day. One interesting thing that usually occurs on the third day, between Charleston and Sikeston, MO, is riding through areas that are operating air-born irrigation systems. This of course means flying, whirring streams of water shooting out over the side roads we travel to the rodeo grounds. On really hot days most of us look forward to this little cool-down. However, most of our horses exhibit extreme caution when approaching and entering said streams of water. Some of the 1000 lb. critters just plain do not want anything to do with the shower across their path. It can get very interesting, watching and waiting, trying to time your forward movement so as NOT to be sprayed. Very interesting.
We all made it, some had to turn their mounts around more than once to convince them they would be left behind if they did not go forward. Horses do NOT like being left behind! So all managed to move through the little water hazards and on to the rodeo.

We did not ride in the grand entry this year. My riding buddy had had enough by the time we made it to the rodeo grounds so we unsaddled, fed and watered our "girls" and went for a shower and dinner. This is one of the most wonderful showers I ever enjoy. Even though we drive home the first two evenings, after our days ride (it's a three day ride, total), shower, eat dinner and sleep in our own beds, taking that shower at the end of the last day is like icing on the cake. We have to pay to shower at a local campground, $4 each, but I would happily pay much more! After cleaning up we go to dinner at a near by BBQ joint. Every year we jokingly talk about standing in line to eat at Lambert's but so far we never have.

After dinner we return to the horses and the rodeo grounds to meet the others from our ride for a little get-together, before splitting up to go to the rodeo. We won't see most of the folks again for a year and they are a good group of riders. It is fun to actually sit in the stands and watch the grand entry, instead of riding it. I usually have a little pang of "oh, I should have been on my horse in the entry", but then I remember I'm clean and don't smell like a horse for the first time in three days and I sort of like that, for the time being. This year's rodeo was better than some of the near past. We enjoyed it but we were ready to head home as soon as the rodeo itself was over. I'm sure the entertainment was great but after a long day in the saddle and a drive of one and a half hours home, let's just say it's much better that we miss the entertainment.

Today is my youngest granddaughter's birthday and I won't get to see her. I hate that! This is her father's week to have her with him so we'll just have to wait. Happy Birthday Emma! WE LOVE YOU!!! Eight years ago I was constantly checking in with my daughter while on the Sikeston Ride. We made it through the ride, barely, before I got the call that I needed to take my daughter to the hospital. Things got a little scary but all ended well with the birth of our little "Cherokee-Mick", blond hair, BIG blue eyes and all. It's funny how genetics work. I do believe she is the first, and only blond in our family!

And with that, I again have to say, Life's short, so...
LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH

AHHH! Sweet Summer Time!

I can't believe how fast the summer is flying by!  It has been a strange summer, weather-wise.

First we had all that rain, rain and more rain; storms and more rain.  June was much cooler than normal and so far July has been rather pleasant.  

My summer generally consists of three main stages:  mid June is Sundance which is something I plan for all year and actually spend nine to ten days camping and dancing.  After Sundance is completed for the current year I begin to plan and prepare for the 9 Day Encampment, previously known by all as the 9 Day Ride.  Again I physically spend about nine days camping and riding in the Shawnee Forest near Golconda, IL.  Just a few days after the 9 Day is over it is time to saddle up and begin the "Sikeston Ride".  This is a three day event that begins (on horseback) at the Williamson County Fairgrounds in Marion, IL and ends at the Sikeston JC Bootheel Rodeo.

Last year was so HOT and DRY that some of these events were not as enjoyable as they have been/will be this year.  We had beautiful weather for Sundance, warm breezy days and very cool evenings.  I have been attending Sundance for eleven years and began dancing seven years ago and this was the best, as far as the weather goes, ever.  We had a somewhat smaller group this year and not quite as many supporters but all in all is was a very powerful dance.  One that will always be special for me because my nephew was able to attend for the first time ever.  For many years I have hoped and prayed he would someday be there and this was the year.  

Life is good.  Prayers are heard and answered.  Sometimes the world around us gets really crazy and if we allow these crazy times to affect us in a negative way, life might not be so good. Life is good.  Stay positive, look for the good in all people and situations.  Do not dwell on the negative and if necessary, distance yourself from those who do.  Life is what we choose to make it.  Life is good.

I recently cleaned up my tipi and now it feels like home again.  I keep a tarp on the floor because of all the rain, it's easier to soak up the puddles than wade through the mud.  We removed the tarp, hosed it off and then applied some lime to the areas beneath the tarp that were extremely squishy.  I put a fan in the tipi (I ran an extension cord from the nearest source)

for three days to help dry out the floor then put the tarp back in place.  My firepit is one that I can carry in or out and sets on stepping stones on top of the tarp.  I usually try to build at least a small fire in the pit every day or two to help keep the wood bees at bay as they can reek havoc on my lodge poles.  It's nice to have everything back in place and the tipi ready to use.

Hopefully sometime in the very near future there will be a sweat lodge next to the tipi. We wanted to build one last fall but the weather was so dry that the willows would have been almost impossible to peel! So, check back often and maybe I'll be able to post a photo of the new lodge.

That's all till next time.  Have a wonderful, safe summer and always remember to

LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH!!!

Time moves forward...

August in Southern Illinois. WHEW!
If it weren't for my family and some really good friends, I would be all for moving to some higher elevation where the temperature never climbs above 85˚. I said "if". If I had a million dollars I would ...
Oh, well. What does it matter anyway?

The grandkids are back in school and autumn is just around the corner. Another year of annual rides is just about over. We survived the Sikeston Ride yet again. Of course I did put my foot down and refuse to ride the full 26 miles of the first day. Just too darn hot for the horses, and why make myself and my horse miserable? I don't need to prove anything and my horse was much more comfortable in the barn with a full bucket of water and three fans to help keep her cool. So, Chester and I rode from the Williamson County Fairgrounds back to my house, about 3 miles or a little more. That was enough for such a hot day. Several others completed the 26 miles from Marion to Lick Creek School. They were very careful and kind with the horses. The ride leader carried a 250 gallon water tank in his trailer (he and his brother take turns riding and driving the truck and trailer) and about once per hour, or more often if needed, everyone would stop to rest the horses and offer them water. So all made it safely to the school and the end of the first day. The second and third days are a little shorter. Day two is about 17 miles and day three is approximately 18 miles. We all made it safely and the horses did great.

August 18 was another leg of the River to River Ride that several of us from the area are participating in. This ride was from Giant City Park to Fern Cliff State Park, about 22.5 miles. It was a very hot daybut we took our time and took care of our animals. August 25 was the annual Stonefort Reunion Ride, about 15 miles. We saw a little rain on this ride and we had a pretty good breeze going all day. I believe there were about five wagons and teams and maybe 7 or 8 horseback riders. All in all is was a pretty nice ride.

I am so looking forward to cool, crisp weather and the changing leaves, open windows and the smell fo autumn. I am also looking forward to this weekend when two of my friends from Chicago will come for a short visit. Too often we only get to see each other at Sundance and if we are lucky, maybe one other time throughout the year. This year I hope it will be different as I plan to make a couple of trips to Chicago before Christmas. I'm not a "city girl" but I can manage to tough it out for a few days now and then!




Remember, don't take yourself or life too seriously and ALWAYS remember to "Live, Love and Laugh"!