October 2013

We are having beautiful weather here in SW Virginia this week. Perfect fall weather, but we still have leaves on our trees.   Note that there are trees in both the logo and thread pix! It's a theme.  

TRUDY:
Thanks again for the address. I hope the Longhenrys are doing as well as they can be.....

CB:
I was wondering where you were!

Help me keep count...this is the 3rd. blog report.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 3...the adventure REALLY kicks off…

Our girl started us off with quite a healthy spread of assorted cheeses, breads / toast, tomatoes, cold cuts, “homemade” apple juice, tea, and a variety of cereals to choose from for breakfast. We were rested up from a good night’s sleep and quite anxious to get started on our first full day of touring with our very own tour guide … Maris. I’ll tell you right now that she sure spoiled us with her attention and her love. We know that she is a keeper!!

Marko’s parents came by early in the morning to collect the boys … for three nights as it turned out. He (Marko) took us to one of the entrance gates to “Old Town” in Tallinn and let us out. He went back home and worked on his remodeling project in the house while he didn’t have any distraction from wife, boys, or guests in his home. I could ‘appreciate’ that as I tend to do my work best when I’m alone. The plan was that he would meet up with us at around 6:00 PM and we would eat a medieval type meal in one of Tallinn’s many restaurants and pubs.

Our favorite “tour advisor” for Europe is a fellow by the name of Rick Steves. He has put out a number of very informative travel videos (we borrow from our local library) and travel guides. He has this to say about Tallinn: “Among Nordic medieval cities, there’s none so well preserved as Tallinn. Its mostly intact city wall includes 26 watch towers, each topped with a pointy red roof. As a member of the Hanseatic League, it was a medieval stronghold of the Baltic trading world.” Here is one of several sites if you’ll google “old town” tallinn estonia: There are a few pics on the right side of this site, but note the comment about St. Olav’s Church. We climbed all 258 steps to reach the observation ring around the steeple. (That’s 238 very narrow and worn steps that go round and round and then an additional 20 steep wooden steps straight up to the viewing place. I know!! I counted the darn steps coming down!!) : http://www.visitestonia.com/en/holiday-destinations/city-guides/tallinn-the-capital/medieval-old-town Tallinn was proclaimed a “World Heritage” site many years ago. Here is another site that will give you some more information about this lovely old town: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/822 The large white church you see had just had a wedding ceremony, but we were able to enter and look around some. This was St. Mary’s Church and is more frequently referred to as “the dome” church. We could see a number of coats-of-arms inside and several other pieces of real old artwork depicting religious themes.

As we approached the dome church, we noticed a wedding party and the bride / groom getting ready to enter a horse drawn carriage. Somebody was carrying a bouquet of inflated balloons. This prompted Maris to tell us about an old custom tradition that is still often practiced in Estonia. The bride writes her maiden name on a slip of paper that is inserted in the balloon. When the balloon is released … and floats off upwards in the breeze … that symbolizes that the bride has forever cast aside her maiden name and henceforth uses her husband’s name. A variation of that is to write the name on a stone that is then tossed out into the open sea. We “Americans” found that to be a sweet story and pondered just how many girls in the USA would be willing to do that and then stick to it?

Here is a site hat has a number of overviews of old Tallinn. Of particular note, the 3rd and 4th photos in the 5th row down show St. Olav’s steeple. Once you get that in your mind, you can see the same land mark in other photos. That is the highest structure in Tallinn and quite the viewpoint. Snoop say’s it was worth the effort to climb those 258 steps to the top. Old Rick agrees the view was fantastic, but 2-5-8 steps..??? https://www.google.com/search?q=%22old+town%22+tallinn+estonia&client=firefox-a&hs=fG5&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=xAVLUsemC8fTqQHVyoCAAw&ved=0CFAQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=579&dpr=1 A parting comment is that the church was founded in 1267 and we ‘THINK’ our history is old!!

There are many, many things and attractions to see, and I won’t bore you with all that we did as it makes for a long article. One thing that might be of interest is the old “Apteek” … which is a pharmacy that started / opened in 1422 and is STILL open and dispensing drugs / Rx. today! It serves as a display and museum today in addition to its day to day function as a pharmacy. I wish that we had made notes and photos, but maybe this site will help you understand. While on this site, scroll up / down the page and see some other short, informative articles. We will be visiting the song festival grounds on another day. We also saw the Kumu art museum. http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/fpage/ideas/must_see#!p_174823

This day to be continued...

cute smile picture Ark ....

Sounds like you had a great time Rick.

I'm here and it's a perfect afternoon.......Faith & I are just chill in........

The lights came on here even tho our gov has shut down.

"My Town": I'm just watching the news. There is a proposed mental hosp being built about 5-6 mi from here. Those neighborhoods are all up in arms that it is being built and they are protesting at tonight's town meeting. These are the same wealthy hot shot yuppies that take their drug addicted moms, children, and fuzzed family members to the mental hosp about 45-50 mi away when they need help. That hosp is in a plain calm nice neighborhood. What is wrong with this picture? The neighborhood immediately next to the proposed hosp is a gaited community. Are the nuts locked in or are the nuts locked out? We are a mess as a society. Why do we ignore mental illness and spend $1000 for a Coach purse?

LOL, Faith & I are chillin'..............what peace.

RICK, you are doing a bang up job for us reporting on your trip. It had to be great to be there.

Blog #3...2nd part…

No trip back into time would quite be complete without some dark passages. Tallinn is no different because she does have some dark passages. Some of the passages are just barely known to exist and have yet to be further opened up and explored. WHAT?? I’m referring to some secret tunnels that were ‘rediscovered’ in the early 1900’s that were put to use as shelters from bombs and gas attacks from the time of WW1. (This war is also frequently referred to as “The Great War” in other parts of Europe and especially so in the UK) The construction of these tunnels dates back to the 1600’s. Here is a small site to explain a bit about the tunnels that we were able to tour a part of … actually it was very interesting and I really pondered the age-old question of “HOW did they do that through all the rock…?” http://www.inyourpocket.com/estonia/tallinn/Tunnels-under-Tallinn_70029f This started in the base of an old tower … kiek in de kok …(means “peek in the kitchen”) that was an observation point also. We had light refreshments at the very top of this tower. Part way up the inside of this tower was a display of interest about the Black / Bubonic plague and the unusual costume typically worn by the plague doctor. Aren’t we glad that medicine has advance from those days? I believe I would be frightened to an early death if my doctor attended me dressed in a costume described here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_doctor_costume

“Walking … we are walking, walking … etc” This line from an American movie sure stuck out in my mind as Maris led us all around Old Town in Tallinn. We looked at a lot of the buildings just to admire the architecture and the beauty of the city. We also did a fair amount of people watching too. By the time 6:00 PM rolled around, we were close to Olde Hansa and I, for one, was tired and hungry. Marko readily found us after a quick phone chat with Maris.

Olde Hansa is a presentation of a medieval dining establishment replete with appropriate costumes for the wait staff and a medieval menu. The gift shop of this restaurant was ‘interesting’ to look at, but our credit cards made it through unscathed. Its said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here, you’ll find plenty of pictures to look at and enjoy. Note the first picture is of the ladies room and you’ll find also a couple pics of a hanging kettle that is tipped for hand washing. Yes, SNOOP insisted that I mention these also: https://www.google.com/search?q=olde+hansa&client=firefox-a&hs=tg9&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=LkhLUsvCMMeRqwGfuYH4Cg&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=579&dpr=1 The food was tasty and certainly unique for us modern day travelers dining in medieval times. And, besides being ‘easy to feed’, I was hungry!!

On the way to the car (after eating dinner), we passed a chimney sweep statue. Obviously this was a favorite place for people to pose for pictures as his nose and some coat buttons were quite shiny: http://www.flickr.com/photos/harrypwt/5480184726/in/photostream/ also this one. He was about my height at 6 ft, but a little “chunkier” http://www.flickr.com/photos/elephantr/8753505347/

We also stopped on the way home for some grocery supplies. I stayed in the car and closed my eyes. Carol was all excited when she returned saying that when you shop, you use a hand held scanner and scan each item as you place it in the basket. Checkout is fast and easy as the scanner is read and you pay and go without long checkout lines to contend with.!! Sorry, I don’t have any photos or website for this.

HOME … Home … home … ssnnnzzzzz … (We’ll start in the morning with the 4th blog and a new day) … SSssnnNNnnnZZzzzz!!

Happy October everyone. It's time for pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin coffee. YUMMMMMMMMMMMM

My Medicare started yesterday. OMG I am officially a Senior Citizen. LOL Time has flown by and here I am turning 65 in 5 days YIKES.

GRAYMARE: Our lights are on and George's VA disability check is in the bank, the world hasn't come to and end with the government shutdown. That is a shame about the mental hospital, no one wants the nuts in THEIR neighborhood. This country has gone to hell in a hand basket. Enjoy your relaxing time with Faith.

RICK: It has been fun reading about your trip. What a super experience.

CB: Hope you get those pups sold.

ARK: Loved the photo of your sister after her big run. Good for her.

BEECH: I am so happy about not peeling the apples, now if I can remember that next year when it's time to make the applesauce. tee hee Thanks for that little cooking tip.

I'm off to the hospital to have my blood work done this morning, YUCK...don't like going to the vampires but gotta get that done. I'm drinking black coffee this morning. eewwwwww

Have a wonderful October day everyone.

this time it worked Ark, bad me, brain malfunction, I wrote it down so I don't forget again, thank you for your help, I hear that the mid west is getting hammerd by snow, a little early, and we are waiting to see where the tropical storm forming is going, maybe florida and maybe the coastline from texas to florida panhandle rick great commintation on your vacation makes me feel like I was there with you guys, looking foward to the rest of your trip.

sad day today...we lost our ol' witchy mare Nikki...hubby and I went to do laundry today and when we got home, I saw her laying down and she looked muddy...she didn't move when I called her name, so went and got her up but couldn't keep her up as her back legs kept buckling...her P and R's were so fast and hard, her eyes didn't look good and her capillary refill was terrible and gums were not pink, they were getting a purple tinge.....called vet....called Jessi....just a sad day.....she crossed over the rainbow bridge with the vets help at 7 pm this evening...vet thinks it was her heart just gave out....
she was 28. She was with us for many years...jessi was 12 or 13 when we got her....

I sold another puppy yesterday. I have two lil females yet for sale, and they aren't ready for another two weeks yet....its funny, this guy bought a puppy for hunting with, but his girlfriend claimed the younger pup as hers, made him buy another older pup I had so he can start training him for hunting....LOL very nice young couple! They make great hunters, and this guy was kissing the pups .....he'll take good care of them.

Sweet Dreams y'all.....

Nikki, run free as the wind....my witchy lil mare.

CB: AWWWWWWW that is so sad. Here is a little poem by Don Bishop. I know it is how we all feel when we lose our best horse buddies. ((((((((CB & family)))))))). Run wild and free Nikki.




Now Angles Ride Her

When Father Time caught my mare
the leaves were turning brown
She was suffering and couldn't eat .
It was time to put her down. .

It's hard to do what you need to
when your eyes are soakin' wet.
I thought about my childhood
and waited for the vet. .

I held her halter, talked to her
and looked her in the eye.
She had no way of knowin'
what was making her friend cry.

I guess I wasn't ready
When she fell, it made me weep
I rubbed her nose and sang to her
She slowly went to sleep

A breeze blew down from somewhere
and brushed away my tears,
like a kiss from Heaven
for all the happy years.

In my mind she's in a meadow
the grass is long and green.
She teaches every kid to ride
and becomes their favorite dream.

Awwww. CB.  I am so sorry about Nikki.  She has been in the foop stable a long time.  I know you will miss her....(((((CB))))))

SUNNY:
 I am glad your log-in info worked!  Good luck with the storm.  We have had such nice weather this week, I hope it continues.  Annie has a 5-K race on Saturday morning, it would be nice if the weather cooperates.  

RICK:
 I have been enjoying your travels!  I looked at the doctor's costume and wouldn't have died of the plague if that apparition appeared in my house while I was sick! He would have scared me to death  .   I also looked at the website for the old house you ate at.  Very pretty.  Did you buy any of those pointy shoes they had there to wear home?    You might just make a social scene splash with those things...




I had a busy day yesterday. I spent all afternoon with my good friend at Ruby Tuesdays in Wytheville, VA.  We were celebrating her birthday and catching up with each other's news.  It was great to see her.  She isn't going to Florida for the winter this year, so it might not be so long between visits.  She is the one who came all the way to Roanoke and stayed in the hospital with me for three days.  A very good friend....

Today is riding lesson day!  Jane the endurance rider is bringing her gelding, Albert, and Ivan, Areion and I are all getting lessons, too.  Another busy day.

CB ... sending you an understanding and sympathetic hug .... sure know how it feels ...... (((( )))) Your mare is running free with the rest of our gang at the bridge ......

Ark ... have a fun horsie day!!!!

Just a short note ... I had the last of my dental surgery this morning and been soundly sleeping off the effects of some n-i-c-e little pills, etc. lol!!

SNOOP took the office staff two dozen of the Krispy Kreme doughnuts (still WARM) to make sure I was treated nicely. I "think" he may have eaten a couple himself. He says that he learned from you Foop Ladies the value of bribing with sweet food. Carol read a book while I was being worked on. I have a fat lower lip that doesn't have any feeling. Supper this evening will be something soft!! Otherwise all is well.

I'll try to start on the "next day" travels tomorrow when my brain is a little more functional.

Love to all, Rick

Awww, CB. I'm so sorry. You'll miss her for sure.

Rick, hope your mouth feels better tomorrow.

How was your lesson day, Ark?

Last Thursday, Little Miss Scarlett was just getting over a cold. She's sooo sweet, she wanted to share with me. So now, I have her cold. yippee skippee

calling on anyone who can help me, I have a antique pizelle maker
( it makes italian cookies) if anyone knows what this is and does I need to find a recipe for the cookie dough, I know it is thin because the cookies are thin and the maker is like a waffle maker except the design is flowers and it is flat not raised I have been unable to find a recipe on-line or any information on it so I thought that somone might have herd of it or knows about it, it belongs to Kent but his mother never left him any information on it I would love to make some cookies they look like they will be tasty,

Oh, CB, SO sad, but you did the right thing..........that's the really hard part of horses and dogs. I'm glad you had good buyers for your 2 puppies. I hope it goes well for the other 2 that are left.

SUNNY, I have no recipe for your pizelle baker...............sorry. I'm not a baker at all, some choc chips, p butters, or oatmeal from time to time. Then sugar cookies at Christmas time. I hope you find the recipe.

Faith had a splendid vet day.............she is fine and had her mommy shots so she is good for another 2 mos.......this is so exciting. Crazy actually is a fun place........ha, my vet friend just bred her border as she is wild into agility. Her husb is thrilled because she isn't eventing. She said I have been having all the fun so she might have to breed something next year........in which case she might have to move in our house.........her husb might draw the line at that as she already has 5 horses and 5 dogs............she even drove off and forgot her best dog here. WAY FUNNY.

RICK, OOOOOOOOWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

ELLEN, cough cough cough.............

We're waiting ARK for your lesson report.

Is this it, Sunny? http://whatscookingamerica.net/Cookie/Pizzelles.htm

Those look really pretty and would be fun to make. I just typed in 'pizelle' on Google and all kinds of sites came up. That was just the first one I clicked on. Very pretty party cookies.

Ivan and I had a good lesson today.  He is still trying to anticipate cantering, threatening a little buck, but we kept  him busy doing other things.  We did part of a dressage test that Lori is taking in a couple of weeks, and got Ivan to collect and lower his head while trotting.  Other than the occasional little buck threat, which he didn't actually do, he was really good.

Lori trotted and cantered Areion in the round pen and then the arena.  She is still a little glitchy going into a canter, but is picking up on it.  She is so incredibly mellow and seems to enjoy herself for the most part.  After a sweaty lesson,  guess who got to ride her a little? ? ?



That would be ME!   

   

I remember looking into that microscope at the week old embryo named Speck and telling her that someday I was going to ride her. Today was the day!  I only walked her around, but she is a fun ride....and so tall compared to Ivan and Kazi! Getting off was strange, Areion is 6 inches taller than Ivan and the ground seemed very far down. It was a lot of fun today. Eventually I will take lessons on her, too.

YAY ARK. Your dream is now here and we're all thrilled for you! It's going to be so fun for you. She's lovely. ENJOY!

I'm SO HAPPY for you, Diane!! Its been a long road, but you're on it for sure!!

Thrilling day for you Ark ... Congrats .... it was a long wait!!!!!

so great for you Ark, to be riding on Aerion, and I remember seeing her as just a speck
as you shared her progress over the years so glad for you
Ellen thank you for the information we are going to try to make some this weekend they do look yummy and Kent grew up on them in New Jersey so will be interesting to see how they come out

Ark, being on a youngster for the first time is always exciting. It's been nearly 5 years since it first stared with Speck. I hope she works out to be what you've always wanted.

Thanks all.  Yep, so far Areion has turned out to be just what I wished for.  Hopefully that will always be that way.... 


Have I shown you all family pix lately?  We've changed a bit..... 

     

Too much t.v., I am sure.