I never could say goodbye......

After our crazy weekend, you would think we would be smart enough to stay home for a couple of days....NOT Monday evening we headed to Oxford, to see a country singer with the moniker, Golf Brooks....Obviously, a big golfer as well as a talented singer/songwriter.

He has been writing golf songs about Tiger Woods for over 10 years, and now of course has written several comical ones. Every Sunday in February he has performed a whole comedy routine on Tiger. Unfortunately, this Sunday is the last one and we have plans (dinner at the Muldoons' and our annual "Calendar Planning" event.). We will definitely, go back to see him on a Monday evening.

Tuesday afternoon we attended a "farewell luncheon" for our neighbors, Pete and Millie. Unfortunately, their health is failing and they have to make the move back to New York where they have the support of their doctors and families. We are SO going to miss them!!

Mary Ann and Clarence.....

I hope you are not yawning Joyce.......

This is one of the very few times I have ever seen Pat (far right) sitting......she is one of our most active volunteers, always ready to help everyone!!!

Pearl made Pete and Millie (who were crowned King and Queen at the Valentine's dance) wear their crowns to the luncheon!!!

Of course, lots of food......

Millie was so overwhelmed after opening her gifts, there were a few tears during her thank you speech......

I'm not sure Salt is comprehending just what Buck is telling him....must be the Budweiser...ha ha!! Uh....that is the Bud Buck is drinking, Salt is enjoying a coffee!!

After the party I checked in at the clubhouse to check out the square dancers......

And I will close with this great picture of one of my favorite girls, Kelly Rusho and her beautiful daughter Lindsey....I can't wait to meet Lindsey!!

My saddle and bridle in hand...And every show is neatly planned...

Today was a trip to Weirsdale Carriage Museum and the Carriage and Horse Festival. The weather was beautiful (finally) and a most enjoyable show

Here I visit with my favorite BIG eared furry mule.

We stopped to get some info on the reenactments to be held in the area. Definitely another thing to put on the "Bucket List".....

The show is opened with the Sheriff's Posse serving as color guard and the National Anthem...

At one point I thought I might be at the Kentucky Derby.....some of the hats they had for sale were SO pretty. This woman stood up and I couldn't believe the beautiful jacket she had on (didn't have my camera out, and on, to capture a pic). The bottom was trimmed in cameos with horse pictures on them.....magnificent...$$$$$$

All kinds of competitions......

If I were ever considering competition again, this would be my new sport....mounted archery. This girl was very good....she had an exceptionally well trained horse!

This competitor was not as confident and had to keep putting her hand back on the reins, which made it much m ore difficult to aim and follow through.....

The competitions were also judged on "dress"......

My very favorite event was this Native American Performance on Paso Finos (Salt and I owned three Pasos for several years).....

A beautiful pair of Paints.......

The commander of the Paso group.....

Ponies and carts in all sizes.....

The Lake County Sheriff's Posse put on a display of how they used the horses in crowd control...everything from getting them accustomed to gunshots and smoke.

Trained to push through a crowd.....

And standing right in the smoke......

Dinner at Applebee's and home to watch Olympic Ice Dancing.....and the end of yet another great weekend!!!

C'mon, take me to the Mardi Gras...where the people sing and play...

Saturday evening after a little shopping, Salt and I took a ride t Leesburg fr dinner and the Mardi Gras parade. As you can see, from the picture, we had a good time and I was a very busy girl collecting beads......but...NOT the way they collect them in New Orleans!!!

It was a surprisingly great parade for such a small town. Unfortunately, I did not get many good pictures of the floats, as I was way too busy catching beads.....

Raggedy Ann.....



This was a cute one with the prisoners....

Santa even made it!!

Always a guy or two on stilts...

One of my competitors......

It was so hard to get a picture of these two girls, and I think they were definitely the best costumes in the parade The one girl is riding a dragon on stilts, and she had a joy stick that made it move as she walked.

Papa dragon......

An extremely good live music float.....

We ended up eating at one of the booths...couldn't resist the smell of lamb gyros and Greek salad. Excellent!!

There were so many people dressed up....such fun! Salt and I decided next year we are going to wear our costumes we wore for Mardi Gras 2 years ago when we had a party at the club. Salt was a "Pimp" and I was one of his girls....with a pillow stuffed in the back of my dress and an entire roll of paper towels stuffed in a DDDD bra....and yes my ass looked big in that dress...

This is the new location for the God Cafe ....this is a cafe where they accept donations for the food. The menu is varied and I understand excellent. We have not had a meal there yet, only coffee but plan to give it a try. I understand that they do quite well by accepting donations.

Pretty unique, to say the least!!

Lots of blues and jazz......

A few pirates......

The smell of kettle corn which seems to permeate an entire 2 blocks!!

Street entertainers.....

We also received some new photos from Betty. They have been on winter break all week and were quite disappointed that they had very little snow and the river did not freeze over this year Emma however, still managed to enjoy the weather...eve3n skating in the slush at 40 degrees.....

Thinking summer I guess as she sculpts a sea turtle.......

and helps her dad shovel out the air boat!!!

Tomorrow the horse show at the Weirsdale Carriage Museum.

Well, it's bulls and blood...It's dust and mud...It's the damned old RODEO!!

It's been a very busy week, and this one coming up will be even more fun, as well as MUCH warmer! I have all the windows and doors open today, after a long cold spell in the "Sunshine State".....


It was a full of week of bowling, bingo and the usual activities. Last night we went, along with the Maras, Harts, and Starchers to the Silver Spur Rodeo in Kissimmee. We stopped first at the Rodeo Diner....I thought I would pass on these pictures of the plaques on the Ladies and Men's
rooms for Debbie, so she can see how we are leading her parents astray..... Only at a small town Rodeo Diner.....

Here we are (except me of course, as I am the photographer) having a bite to eat before heading over to the arena.

Always one of my favorite events....the young kids (this little guy is 6) square dancing on horseback....SO cute!

Here is Little Miss Rodeo Queen and her court......

And the queens from many of the states, each displaying their state flag....

You will notice that all the participants were wearing "pink"....the theme last night was "Tough Enough to Wear Pink"....in the continuous effort to support breast cancer research.

These guys are the ones who pick up the riders and keep the bulls, broncos out of the rider's way while he gets back on his feet.......

Steer wrestling....I am always amazed some jerk from PETA isn't in the crowd protesting!!! Believe me the steer don't get thrown around as much human wrestlers....LOL

Between events, the "main" clown had some activities for the kids. This was a dance contest, and was a hoot. They were doing everything from twisting, jumping, to half way decent break dancing.....They were dancing for a "cash" reward!

Bronc riders......

calf roping.....

Phil and Yuvon enjoying the show.......at least I think Phil was...he actually looks like he might he afraid of my camera!!

Loved this.....live monkeys riding sheep dogs as they herded a bunch of goats into a corral and then into a truck. Funny!!!!!

And ALWAYS one of my favorites....all the children (who wanted to) between the ages of 6 and 10 were called into the arena to chase 3 calves with pink ribbons tied to their ears. The ones who grabbed the ribbons won a prize. CHAOS....

Barrel racing.....It's SO hard to get decent pictures at a rodeo as all the events run like lightening.....

And of course, everyone loves the rodeo clowns!!! Could I have fun with this costume....I think YES!!!

While the weather was cool, Salt and I decided to do some shopping and redecorate the bath and bedroom....(OK, I decided, and he went along with it).

Betty sent along this picture of our Princess/Tomboy Emma, fishing with her Uncle Brian. They are on winter break this week and absolutely hating the fact that there is not enough snow to snowmobile, sled, etc. and the ice is not solid enough to cross on snowmobile or 4 wheeler. I guess they will have to come South to get some snow!!!

Our friend Doug Rowe spent some time in Waterman Hospital this week, after a flu and then a bout with pneumonia. He is home now and feeling better.

We were also sadened to hear that Ron Bloom is undergoing Chemo for lung cancer. You are in our prayers Ron!!

We are off to Leesburg this afternoon/evening for their Mardi Gras celebration. Tomorrow to Weirsville to the archery on horseback competition. Life is good!!!