Shop Canadian!

Today was my third day in at Woodbine's Sales Pavilion. I have lots of room in the lobby - and my own TV monitor to watch the races. What more could I ask for? The strange thing is I haven't managed to get out to walk around the barns and see any horses! I started out today, camera in hand....but got waylaid at Fincham's Harness and Bit by Bit Custom. It was still a productive visit - Bit by Bit is able to replace the zipper in my impact vest, and I finally bought a new helmet at Fincham's...a new helmet for which Bit by Bit will be able to make a nice new helmet cover! At least when I do manage to get back riding regularly, my safety apparel will be in impeccable shape.

I started a new painting yesterday at the sale, and got a fair bit accomplished. This is just 8 x 10, oil on Signature's linen panel. I bought two of these panels to try them about about a year ago and this one is just reaffirming my intial reaction - I looooooove them. They're more expensive than Raphael, but with the concerns I had with my most recent Raphael purchase, I think I'm going to make the switch. An added bonus is Signature Canvas is a wonderful company with which to deal.


The painting is of the finish of last year's Queen's Plate - that's Not Bourbon out-bobbing Ginger Brew. I don't have the most recent update on this painting, as I didn't take a photo of today's work, but I'll show how it progressed yesterday.

Now, much to my surprise, I feel compelled to paint, and far be it from me to ignore that compulsion! Off to the easel!

You Scratch My Back...

Well, this lovely photo of two hairy muddy horses doing the reciprocal grooming thing is actually my way of thanking everybody who participated in my blog poll. If you haven't peeked already, the overwhelming favourite is the dark bay mare and foal. Just an interesting little fact for you...along the lines of the whole "degrees of separation" concept...this mare's name is Toula. And Toula is a half-sister to our very own Medz, chestnut boy extraordinaire! You *do* remember Medz, right? How could you forget that handsome chestnut face? I didn't know that when I picked this photo. I try to remember the names of all the mares when I take photos at this farm, but sometimes it doesn't happen!


Today was a busy one. Twine was ready to be bred, so she and Leo went on a road trip to King City's Norse Ridge Farm. Twine's rendez-vous today was with Alumni Hall, a son of AP Indy. Check out the great shot of him by Dave Landry that was posted on Jen's Thorough-blog a few weeks ago. Due to the van driver's previous commitments, Twine and Leo had to stay at the farm for a few hours after the breeding this morning so that Bill (driver) could fulfil those other commitments. I followed them up in my truck, and after they were settled, decided being in the area was a good excuse to go to Fincham's Harness shop, which is only the best place in Ontario to by halters or tack. I *did* have a reason - Gracie and Billy are outgrowing their weanling halters, so I needed to pick up a couple of yearling halters. I've been wanting another shank and when what I wanted wasn't on hand was told if I was willing to wait, one could be made up on the spot. I considered that a wonderful excuse to browse some more! Naturally I found a couple more things I needed. I stopped myself from buying new collars for the dogs though...beautiful as they were! Not sure I could write those off.

Once I dragged myself away from Fincham's, I headed down to Woodbine and got licensed, heard the latest news on the backstretch, had lunch with a friend, and then we caught the third race from Gulfstream to see Unstable team-member Bully run. Than inspired a call to Florida to talk to our other (long-lost!) friend, trainer of Bully and learn the 'gang' will be home in a little over a week - in plenty of time for Opening Day (April 4!). I managed to get back to Campbellville, make it to the feed store and be back on the farm to welcome Twine and Leo back. For some reason I'm tired! Tomorrow, it's back to life as normal...as normal as anything gets around here!