tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898727776392202382024-03-18T17:48:25.979-05:00equine expressionsHorse life in the Midwest, combined with equine photography.aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.comBlogger991125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-12258249736035746112024-03-18T16:47:00.001-05:002024-03-18T17:47:51.941-05:00hope and her herdThis set of mid-February photos look more like Winter, but were all taken on the same days as my last photo post. Let's start with Cierra. Without her, there would be no Hope. Cierra still keeps a watchful eye on Hope.If we were younger and knew a second foal would turn out to be just as precious as her first, we might breed her again. We aren't getting any younger and Brad plans to aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-19700946416680556882024-03-16T10:00:00.003-05:002024-03-18T12:26:21.047-05:00hope in februaryCatching up with a plethora of things. I'm still on the struggle bus. I went from cold stuffiness to allergy stuffiness. Yippie. Life doesn't wait for any reason, so I'm getting on with it. Smiley face. Smiley face.In February, I took SO many photos of Hope. It is hard to choose. Here is the first set of our Hope and joy:2/12/24 (all photos)Hope at 10+ monthsaurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-33282304573745184742024-03-10T19:50:00.003-05:002024-03-10T21:28:08.329-05:00exploring in springSpring gives me the itch to go looking for waterfowl. To see what I can see. Photography + Birds + Water = Reflections. All things that bring me joy. I didn't go birding at all last year, because of my circumstances. I was going to head out alone on Saturday. I decided to ask Brad if he had any interest. He agreed to come with, so I switched birding locations. YAY!! I aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-41593738129968534762024-02-27T11:10:00.003-06:002024-03-06T11:08:41.425-06:00winter spring summer or fallWisconsin has all the seasons going on this week. Actually all in one day. High around 70F today and low around 14F by tomorrow morning. In less than 24 hours. It is weird in February even for Wisconsin, and we are used to temperature swings in the Midwest. No one knows if it is Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. Not even Mother Nature.I could go on about the implications of record high temps aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-65986016957816586362024-02-21T14:42:00.001-06:002024-02-21T15:27:06.466-06:00feel better cureI have horse-y updates that I want to share, with photos to process. They will have to wait. These days my energy is absorbed by trying to help my body get better. I almost made it through Winter without getting sick. Almost. I am on the mend and know this nasty cold shall eventually pass. Until then, enjoy some sweet unplanned phone photos (before I got sick) of my feel better aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-18994601935924443562024-02-17T09:58:00.006-06:002024-02-17T16:41:43.457-06:00frozen bubble funThere is something about Winter that inspires me to take photos. I don't know if it is the stark visual change that makes any color pop, the whisper of Winters silence or the sparkly glistening snow. Whatever it is, Winter draws me outside. The colder the better. If it wasn't so dangerous to be out in slippery conditions, I would enjoy even more Winter photography. Including travel. These aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-50752860281593324212024-02-14T17:44:00.001-06:002024-02-14T20:45:59.887-06:00happy valentines day"wonder"1/17/24 (taken at 4F)I chose a non-traditional photo for wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day! One of my favorite holidays. One that is about ALL kinds of love!! Not even remotely just about romantic love.Valentine's Day is possibly one of the most hated holidays. I do understand why but I choose to love, love! I have written about my love for love, and hearts and the many ways one canaurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-5666001285320594132024-02-09T12:42:00.001-06:002024-02-09T13:11:24.041-06:00beauty and the beastFor the first time ever, Wisconsin had a February tornado touchdown about 5:30pm last night. An hour away from our place. There is a lot of wind destruction, but as far as I know no loss of life. Some folks have still not been allowed to return to their homes.beast(screenshot of a borrowed photo)We tucked the horses into their stalls just before the winds kicked up. Surprisingly, they didn'taurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-59583429238355480222024-02-05T15:28:00.004-06:002024-02-05T16:11:13.710-06:00thrill of a different horsepowerOur extended deep freeze has long passed. I enjoyed it immensely!! I loved bundling up and snowshoeing our woods, taking frozen photos and snowmobiling. Just as much as sitting hunkered underneath my blankee. Snug as a bug in a rug. Feeling the warmth of the nearby fire. I feel a tad bit guilty about my frosty happiness. Only a tad. ........................ It had been at least aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-60219463364671813222024-02-03T14:06:00.001-06:002024-02-03T14:06:22.665-06:00let the riding beginNemoCierraa scary window obstacle(Brad's photo above of Leo, and also me below)frequent arena supervisors(Tinkerbell)Brad is settling into retirement and has been working & riding horses more. Including Padame. They are gearing up for the upcoming show season!Consequently, today I got to look between Nemo's ears again :) Walked around cones, over poles, trot, spin to the right, then leftaurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-36430446729171211082024-02-01T10:40:00.003-06:002024-02-01T11:43:12.718-06:00just ducky ~ 2 of 2If you haven't already, you may want to read the post that leads up to the main reason we took a weekend trip to Memphis.To experience Jesse Cook's musical energy live.Let's start with the small brand new intimate venue The Halloran Centre. We knew we had pretty good seats (5 rows from stage) but didn't realize just how close they were. Perfect proximity. I don't enjoy front row aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-16676507676279547392024-01-31T15:24:00.003-06:002024-01-31T17:43:01.213-06:00just ducky ~ 1 of 2Let's talk about getting out of our comfort zone. Learning opportunities. Brain health. Experiences that make a person feel alive. Along with excited and scared. All in the same breath. Getting out of your comfort zone is good for so many reasons! If you need convincing, here are 5 reasons to get out of your comfort zone. Grab a cuppa, let's go!.………The long awaited weekend arrived. Brad & I aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-60595472204652810792024-01-16T10:57:00.001-06:002024-01-16T10:57:38.086-06:00eagle eyesMy photography assistant came home from getting fuel after a recent snow storm and said "there are two eagles off the Hwy if you want to take photos?" Who says no to that, not me!! Even after I just got done shooting 9 month photos of Hope.The eagles were on a fairly busy Hwy. Not safe for getting out of a vehicle that has pulled off the side of the road, on a non-existent snow covered shoulder.&aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-68467357243025417262024-01-15T12:31:00.000-06:002024-01-15T12:31:51.611-06:00merakAnyone else happy that Winter FINALLY arrived?!!1/10/24the main trail trees got meAs Wintery days pass, more smaller pines bent under the weight of heavy snow. The entire main trail is no longer passable.window view (16 secs)1/13/24snow poppin' happinessreflectionLet there be light!!1st snow shoe outing of the season1/12/24pausing to absorb winter's wonderland (18 secs)SNOW followed by LIGHT aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-20573317952662033232024-01-14T12:35:00.000-06:002024-01-14T12:35:39.723-06:009 months 1/10/24Hope at 9 monthsall photos taken the day Hope turned 9 months1/10/24aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-19855907187255890222024-01-12T12:12:00.000-06:002024-01-12T12:12:12.882-06:00are you a believer?Yesterday was 111 (2024). I have not returned to Spacebook (as a friend calls it) since before my mom passed in 2021. I ditched being a Twittler a long time ago. Before it turned into a letter. I still enjoy Instafamily, as a reader. Yes, yet another rabbit hole. To avoid falling, I have the Insty app on my very last phone page. I have to swipe, swipe...swipe to Gram it. I only browse aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-79897647400503492362024-01-10T09:06:00.001-06:002024-01-10T09:30:09.029-06:00I've been thinkingTo which my hubby always responds "uh oh". I am such an over thinker. I wake up in the middle of the night ('er morning) and cannot shut my brain off.If anyone knows where the swirling brain thought off switch can be found, please do tell!!Lately my thoughts revolve around the fresh start that a New Year can offer.How can I make each and every day of 2024 the most aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-84076946167151105852024-01-06T09:53:00.000-06:002024-01-06T09:53:01.289-06:00eyes on the prizeWhat do my wondering eyes see? Magical light waiting for me! I scramble I cuss, put shoes on I must. I miss the good light, but there is still some. Take a look at the fun:Blissful HopeHarmony: I am so done with this dry pastureHope: I am coming with you...Hope: ...and cutting you offHope: a princess always goes first!Harmony: I don't think so...Harmony: ...I still rule this pasture!Harmony: aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-83728708495996019572024-01-05T09:36:00.004-06:002024-01-05T12:58:20.528-06:00what day is it?and why is everything I need to do on a computer? Well, not everything. But it sure feels like it on a Monday. No wait. This week started on Tuesday. Monday was a holiday. So Tuesday was Monday, and Wednesday was Tuesday. No wonder this week is all fuggled up!!The very first day of this very New Year was odd.It was a Monday, not a Tuesday. Our year started by helping neighboring Hylanders find aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-31204058186700425092024-01-01T11:48:00.003-06:002024-01-01T15:00:44.892-06:00Remember December ~ part 2 of 2The turning of a year makes me think. About the past. Wondering. What will the new year bring? I try not to dwell on it. Afterall, it will be what it will be. However, another trip around the sun does make me ponder. If you are reading this, than I made it through December!! These links are both audio of Cody Johnson. The first is covering an ol' Merle Haggard song. Have you heard Cody's aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-30455087527244092482023-12-31T10:16:00.000-06:002023-12-31T10:16:07.671-06:00Remember December ~ part 1 of 2My camera did not get used a lot this past year. I did intentionally take some photos, most were a result of "snap before it is gone". My favorite kind! There is something to be said for that which presents itself in it's own unique way. One that is not fabricated.I usually look at what I captured, but frequently leave photos unprocessed. Sitting in front of a computer is no longeraurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-1809006998977346352023-12-29T09:34:00.003-06:002023-12-30T06:50:30.663-06:00highs and lowsThe highs and lows of 2023 are continuing. Right to the very end of the year. 2023 is part of back-to-back loong years, that for the most part I do not care to repeat. I was am truly looking forward to starting fresh in 2024. There is so much to look forward to, and yet one cannot ignore the reality that will spill over into a new year........................ Our vet was out to check Koda's aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-81715959674354293572023-12-25T09:06:00.000-06:002023-12-25T09:06:17.079-06:00Merry Christmas 2023 Hope at 8 monthsinside sentimentHope has brought more joy into my world than words can explain.Hence the sentiment.Wishing each of you a very joy-filled Merry Christmasand a New Year filled with health & happiness ~ and Hope!!aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-25151519487105962472023-11-26T12:09:00.000-06:002023-11-26T12:09:22.447-06:00flaky thoughtsHellooo Sunday! I woke up to a beautiful Winter day. With snowy flakes falling from the sky. A snow globe surrounded me! Inspiration for trying to capture a flake or two. I really should have looked up my previous snowflake photo specs. I didn't.11/26/23After the fact, I quickly checked my phone for photography notes. Some previously written flaky thoughts came up:One Snowflake at a aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-689872777639220238.post-285415972203626772023-11-19T08:41:00.001-06:002023-11-19T16:11:03.324-06:00that's a wrapWe recently received pleasant news from this past show season. Padame got Reserve Champion in Level 1 AQHA Ranch Riding!The fourth and last WI AQHA show that Padame attended, was the large State Labor Day show. Brad wasn't able to ride over the summer as much as he would have liked, and decided not to show. He didn't think it was fair to her. Riding in the practice ring would benefit them aurorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.com7