Pocket Perfect

To complement Jeff's new suits (and his several new ties I picked up at the thrift store for less than a $1 each!), I made him some pocket squares. I looked at buying them, but they were around $8-10 a piece for just a little scrap of silk. So, I hit a few fabric stores and bought 1/3 yard each of various satins and silky blends. With a carpenter's square, the zig-zag setting on my trusty sewing machine, and a few hours one afternoon, I whipped these up to coordinate with Jeff's wardrobe.

I still need one or two green tones and a few more shades of blue to work with all his ties, but it's a start (trying to find "manly" colors in the special occasion fabrics for weddings and proms is a bit difficult ;-).

Oops

I took a spill while riding this morning, but as the old adage goes, you have to get right back on the horse!

Flame spooked at the very scary neighbor lady engaged in the sinister task of hanging up laundry. I can't honestly blame him, since it was just shadowy movements behind a tall lattice fence and the weekly tornado siren test was blaring simultaneously. He spun and took off, and I had to bail out before he creamed me against a jump post. We all survived the incident, but I did manage to twist my ankle and maybe my knee, also. It wasn't enough to keep me from finishing the ride on a good note, however, so we faced his fears and worked for another 15 minutes.

I can never get really upset when a horse spooks, as I tend to be rather jumpy myself. Not while riding, mind you, but (rather more embarrassing) around the house with my own husband! I'm sure I can't count the number of times Jeff has startled me just by walking in the room. My hearing isn't bad, and I know he's home, so I can't figure out why I jump so badly. It's enough that my adrenalin starts pumping and I'm momentarily irritable as I try to register everything and calm my "fight or flight" response. I must have a little Arabian in me!

Jumping for Joy!

I suppose the post title should really something more like "the joy of jumping", but it doesn't quite have a same ring. I jumped Flame today for the first time, and he was a little champ! We've been having some really good rides lately and the regular workouts are great for both of us. We've been focusing on flatwork, mostly circles, transitions, a few ground poles and cavaletti, etc.; but Mary thought he was ready for a jump today.

We just did a little crossrail with a few trot poles in front, but he was straight and true. He's a big mover, and he was a big jumper, too. I'm excited to be working so quickly into new territory with him. Maybe we'll be ready soon to add a vertical jump after the crossrail, like in the picture!

Armstrong Auditorium dedication

We've been super busy lately, so I've neglected the blog. We had a great time at the dedication of Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond, OK over the Labor Day weekend. Here are a few photos of the event and the splendor!

Twelve magnificent columns


View from the balcony


In front of the swans in our Dedication ceremony "whites"
(please forgive the iPhone blurriness!)


Ezekiel Temple model


Red carpet and white formal-wear welcome for
Sir David Winn at the Swans in Flight unveiling