Leicalady's Weblog

Quotes to Live By

leicalady — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:20:10 +0000

Going for a run, driving on a busy highway, or just getting out of bed on some mornings, I need inspiration. A while back, I opened my new 2012 Personal Motivational Planner. At the top of each page is a quote by famous respected people. I cheated by reading through my whole year, thinking I would get a megadose of life changing words to get me through the stress of running out of mocha frappuchino. One quote caught my eye. “The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” I am not a football fan, but I had heard that name. I really knew nothing about him personally. I asked Tom, who is faster than high speed internet, (especially here at the ranch) to refresh my memory about the author of this quote. It just so happened that Joe Paterno was in the news that day. Not such a role model from what was being revealed on the news. Today I was thinking about writing this post and I opened my little black PMP once again. The next quote I turned to was by George Van Walkenburg. George says “Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching.” Don’t know that George. I do know a George that is worthy of my love, respect, admiration and gratitude. I met this George at my cousin’s wedding a long time before I was married. He was a well known, sought after photographer and I had him on a pedestal without even knowing anything about his personal life or if he could walk without carrying a camera. It turns out, he hardly ever went anywhere without one around his neck and a Minox in his pocket. At that particular wedding, I sat next to him on the steps as he said to me around midnight, “Young lady, when you get married, just throw the bouquet, so the photographer can go home!”

Well he was not the photographer at my wedding, but he was there… as the father of the groom. I learned a lot about my father in law through the last 33 years. He is a role model that we love to quote and during his 93 years on earth, I can not count the number of times someone let me know that he hung the moon, as if we did not know. His love of photography all his life, inspired me and countless other people. His many travels, his large family or just a rose in his back yard never ceased to produce rolls of film. Later he jumped into the digital world without missing a beat. The important thing was that he loved to share his gift of producing memories with everyone one he met. “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”George “Bub” Parish had that and much more. He would be so proud of all the young photographers in his family. Thank you for the memories, Daddy-Bub.

"life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller

Parting Shots

leicalady — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:35:14 +0000

Leaving Door County was a bittersweet experience.

Dana, Bruce and Debby

Debby and Bruce bid us farewell, but they were also closing up this glimpse of paradise until the Spring.

sunrise....sunset

Debby said that she always takes a final panoramic view before closing up the house for the winter…..The heartbreak came when Wellie cried when we pulled out of the drive way…..We are going to have a wonderful year of wedding planning and we are looking forward to surprising the newly weds with……the livestock of their choice for a wedding present!

Door County is the Place to be

leicalady — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:11:21 +0000

We have been hearing about Door County for a while now. The beauty of the surroundings are magnificent.We are here to celebrate the engagement of Christopher and Annie.Of course we have taken a million pictures……..

the look of love

So much to be thankful for…..

Rosie

leicalady — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:26:17 +0000

Miss Rosie

We have had Shelties since we were first married. My first Christmas present was Omar, a male Shetland Sheepdog. We are baby sitting Rosie. She is a rescue dog, part Sheltie and she is going home next week-end……maybe, I might have to hide her somewhere!

Home on the ranch

Rosie is a big help, keeping a watchful eye on everything.

Goldens Rule!!!!

leicalady — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:45:09 +0000

About one year ago, I was running in my Mom’s neighborhood, and I just had to stop to say hi to a beautiful Golden Retriever. I learned that her name was Cindy and that she had a sister somewhere named Marsha. (think Brady Bunchand that’s where the cute names came from) her owner Suzanne was a super sweet person and I actually remembered her name instead of just the dog’s name, like I usually do. I literally ran into Cindy and Suzanne about a week ago….We all three remarked about the heat (panted and barked) and today

The best of the Brady Bunch

I was thrilled to see them recognized in the San Antonio Express newspaper! So wonderful!!! Click on the link to read Cindy’s story…..

A special honor for a special dog – San Antonio Express-News.

Mini Madness

leicalady — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:17:28 +0000

My nieces, the Tincredibles…..I like to call them, because they are twins and incredible….came to visit last week.They made the day so much fun for everyone. Their adorable cousins came with them and could not have been any cuter.

Paige going for a test ride

First on the agenda was a trail ride! The girls picked out their saddles. They had a big choice, from saddle seat, hunt seat and various sized western saddles.

Big day for the little squirt

“Has Mini Mac ever had a saddle on?” Everyone wanted to know. I said not yet, but told them to stand back and prepare for a rodeo. I picked the smallest saddle that we have, but it still dwarfed him!

"My life will never be the same"

The little monster did not think that he could walk at first. He took a few hesitant steps and realized that it was not such a bad deal to join in the fun!

CUTE STUFF!

I was amazed. He must realize that the ponies that get most of the carrots are the ones who are wearing the saddles! He was as laid back as they come. He can get by with just being a pasture ornament, but he could not resist these precious girls! All five of them!

Say cheese! Or carrots!!!!

Reference Photos

leicalady — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:53:37 +0000

It was around 1:00 this afternoon and I told Tom that I would like to shoot some quick photos of our Longhorns, Jack and Joe for a painting that I started. “The lighting is not too great right now” he said. I told him that I had not seen them since early this morning, in fact I had not seen the three ponies that are in the pasture with them, either. Tom was gone for a while and came back with interesting news, not particularly good news…..”The gate to Tip’s property is open….they are gone!”We were still in our running clothes, but did not take the time to change. My first thought was that I might get some actual helpful shots for this painting……

progress of cattle painting

My second thought was that I probably would not have time to paint today…..

help!!!!!

The problem was that our little mish mash herdlet had joined a rowdy bunch of bovines and they outnumbered us by quite a bit.

the cow whisperer

If it was up to me, I would have just turned around, said good bye to our livestock and started a new painting of a bird or a kitten……

gotta keep'em separated

My cowboy, sans the rhinestones would have none of that!

what is going on?

Carrots and cattle cubes are excellent bribes….the problem is that we did not want to cause a stampede of over eager eaters.

rear view mirror

I was tempted to play some good old country music on the radio in the truck for inspiration, but I needed to hear directions from Tom as I churned through the sand…..

move 'em up

“Close the gate!!!!!”

let's hear it for the boys

The ponies were very interested in seeing what treats I had in the truck.

lead pony

Pony Boy and Sunny know the routine of getting rewards for bad behavior.

Ain't no sunshine when you're gone.

Well, we missed out on so much today while we were tracking down the wayward pasture ornaments….I was planning on ironing and mending some socks….but in spite of it all, they are so cute when they are bad!!!!

follow me home

You Made Us Love You

leicalady — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:59:58 +0000

With those big brown eyes…..the way your eyebrows go back and forth between Tom and I when you know we are talking about you….the way you hunch down and try to and sneak by when you just finish stealing the cat’s food.You could bite Spooky’s head off when she tries to ride you……

You learned not to chase the cows, you would die before you peed in the house. You did not make a peep when I accidentally shut you in the pantry……Sky, you are too much. I could go on and on, but I need to go fill up the kitty food bowl….again!

Now We Know!

leicalady — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:34:57 +0000

Velvet and Hailey were having a great time grooming each other this morning. I was so glad to see little Velvet being so sociable. She is the darker Bay pony on the right. Most of the time, she is off by herself.

green eyed monster!

They were just fine, until Bailey stopped stuffing himself and noticed that his girlfriend, Hailey was hanging out with Velvet!

sorry, Velvet....three's a crowd

So, that is why Velvet keeps her distance from the green eyed monster…..I think Bailey needs a time out…..in the round pen!

Rules are Rules

leicalady — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:11:11 +0000

Our property came with several deed restrictions which we were very happy about. We have not had any problems abiding by all of them, including NO HOGS! Fortunately this does not include miniature micro pot-bellied pigs that are guaranteed to stay under 10 pounds…..or was it 110???