a Passion 'n Frames

Winter Whispers

2012-02-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

Took a ride down to Dedication Point this afternoon hoping to find the sheep herders but found this instead. I enjoy the open space in this area and seeing the Owyhee Mountain Range in the distance popping out of my car with Classical music blaring as I stop to shoot a few with the rain drops arriving.

Pretty Faces

2012-01-26T09:00:00.001-07:00

Pretty Girl

First Snow

2012-01-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well winter has arrived today with snow and lots of it. I have spent a few hours shoveling the walk and the drive way. I sure hope the old man can get down the road tonight !! The horses are enjoying running in their field and playing in the snow both of them seem to really enjoy the snow.

With an organic chicken cooking in the oven the house smells like a perfect winter evening. Happy First Snow Day....

That Empty Nest Feeling

2011-12-31T08:41:00.004-07:00

Change

alter - refine - metamorphose - evolve - adjustment

Sacrosanct

sacred - hallowed - respected - protected - secure

heart-rending

harrowing - tearjerking - moving - gut wrenching

beginnings

roots - well spring - starting point - the source

The empty nest is a complicated time filled with excitement as well as a time for all parents to question have we prepared enough and are you ready to let go of this part of the life we all shared.

A toast to - Becoming "spectators" of our children's lives and a new phase in parenthood as well as couplehood. We are confident that our sons are ready to fly and look forward to seeing how their life story blooms.

Good bye 2011 Hello 2012

Wishing Everyone The Very Best

These images were taken in the first week of the "mind altering stillness" in our home pretty stark and empty as that is how we felt. I have several ideas to continue this series as we experience this new phenomena and grow into the comfortable stillness that is "ours" once more.

I recall as we headed to the hospital to have our first child thinking as we left the front door that "our" lives would never be the same and that was the last time we would be in that home without children. We had been married for seven years before children and we were so excited to have our first child. Upon moving the kids out as I drove home on the last load I thought wow we are going to a empty home just the opposite from where we were so many years ago. Just goes to show oneself that change is constant and we are coming full circle heading to a calming place in our lives and change is always happening and we all adjust grow and move into our new place.

2012 New Goal - Get back into a photo a day to create express and see !!!

The Island

2011-12-05T12:30:00.001-07:00

YIPPIE the island is almost done we are still working on the side hence the blue tape to hold stuff in place. I think my poor husband has done a great job as he worked on this all weekend. We still need to grout this but gosh I am thrilled to see it almost so close to being done.

Photography wise I am starting a series called "empty nest" which will be my still life project for the year. I have so many ideas we will see what turns out worth posting.

Mantra - Mudra and More ...

2011-11-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

We have a lot of changes going on in our world and I have done very little photography to post. Life is kind of taking me by storm and I seem to be living by new Mantras and Meditation.

What you resist persist seems to be my life experience at the moment. We are still working on the never-ending kitchen counters. Once the island is done then we can move to the floor tiling if it is ANYTHING like the kitchen counters GAWD help us!!!! I know it will turn out but man alive this is taking forever to get it right.

The Thanksgiving Holiday has come and gone so very fast this year. We had a lovely time with great company and my meal turned out perfect!! We broke down today to eat something besides left overs finally. Our local farmer has the best turkeys that have turned out so perfect every year.

Been looking into framing and matting some images and can not get over the variety of frames I just love.

The pets are all heavy with winter coats and the weather has been great!!! I expect the rest of the year to be rather filled and of course no wild mustang to shoot and I am not doing the ballet this year for the holiday either so not so sure when I will land to work on old stuff or shoot new stuff.

Pointed Awareness

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

Loved her ears as she looked towards the rest of the herd that had climbed the hill.

A beautiful sunrise to awaken to and enjoyed feeding the horses as the sun rose fast.

Saylor Creek Strut

2011-10-11T07:00:00.002-06:00

I just love how horses look as they move their body speaks volumes. I could read these horses as they processed that they were free and as they were recalling the area. What a special event to see I sure wish it happened more often.

What Dreams May Come

2011-10-09T11:17:00.000-06:00

The title taken from one of my favorite movies What Dreams May Come is fitting for this group of horses to have their dreams come true. Such a beautiful site to see nature in a natural setting which is what we need to strive for with the horses that are gathered rather than holding pens.

New Brotherhood Bonds and The Brave

2011-10-03T21:00:00.006-06:00

Forming New Brotherhood Bonds as they headed up the hill towards the other horses.

The Brave always a delight to see how curious these horses really are.

Here is an interesting article regarding grazing that I is worth a good read. I know it is an older piece but I think it sheds some light on the cattle rancher grazing vs the wild horse grazing and how it works.

Jon Marvel vs. the Marlboro Man is another piece well worth reading as it shares so much history.

Western Watershed Project is a very interesting site as well check it out as it covers a lot!

Saylor Creek Herd Release and Holding Corrals Fall 2011

2011-10-02T06:00:00.037-06:00

What a joy to see these horses full of spirit, grace and beauty!

Saylor Creek Herd engaging in the Dance of Dominance

Saylor Creek Band Fall 2011

Thirty wild horses were returned to their habitat a little over a year since the Long Butte Fire. Some 200 plus horses had been gathered and held in the Boise Corrals. Herd growth is increases by 20 percent each year so the management plan allowed for 30 horses ranging from age one to thirteen to be released.

The other horses were either adopted or moved to holding corrals in Salt Lake City and Carson City Nevada. My special horse Mr. Elusive and his sons were in that group.

This video is a concern to say the least

There are no easy answers to the wild horse situation but it is wise to be aware of both sides of the situation and I will post these as they are the other side of the issue as well.

Nevada Video is also a concern and it has some very valid points that we need to address.

The Wild Horse Education

Once again there are so many issues to work out regarding the care of these horses.

And yes I get that "pretty pictures" may distract from reality so in an effort to share both sides I have posted these videos and agree we need to work together to change things.

Former BLM Director shares with Pickens

Sacred Pause - The Homecoming - Familiar Ground

2011-10-01T06:00:00.013-06:00

The Sacred Pause as they realize that the door to freedom has opened and it is safe to return to their area that was struck by fire over a year ago.

The Homecoming as they seemed to know that they were once again in an area they once roamed. Taking a moment to get their bearings as this was Familiar Ground to the older horses. The horses seemed to almost wait for each other until all were unloaded and ready to move off as a band. Many turned to look at all of us as if to say thank you for caring for me while Glenns Ferry area had a chance to recover from the fire.

- Comments -

Due to the hostile and aggressive nature of so many comments regarding the BLM and the Wild Horse management I disabled the comment on my blog. I do not have all the answers and I will continue to photograph and promote the adoptions when possible.

Comments have once again been restored however I will be monitoring them prior to posting and if they are negative or hateful they will not be posted. I am taking a positive stance regarding these horses and working in a positive manner on their behalf and yes I am willing to share both sides of the issue.

The art created is with my heart and spirit as I hope that you will be inspired to learn about these horses, adopt one or even get your camera out and take a few images. These creatures truly speak to my soul our creator will look over them as they one by one are released back into the wild, adopted into families that love them, enter a equine sanctuary or are housed in holding facilities that could make some changes to create a safer and more protective space for their mind spirit and bodies.

The ultimate goal is to INSPIRE !!! to SHARE !!! and to CREATE......

Saylor Creek Release

2011-09-30T08:19:00.001-06:00

This Yearling must be touching this ground for the very first time as you can see from the stance.

This older and more experienced horse will show the youngster the way as it paused for a Moment.

Golden Pastures were as far as my eye could see and the horses seemed to dive right in. The BLM will oversee these for the next few weeks to assure all is well.

The joy of seeing these horses returning to their home was amazing. Both my husband and I had a delightful day and this touched our hearts to see the beauty and share the excitement of these creatures returning to their home.

Saylor Creek Release

2011-09-29T16:57:00.002-06:00

The Saylor Creek Herd has to be one of my favorites they are all so pretty and Mr Elusive and his sons are from this herd. Today I was lucky enough to watch the release of 30 horses. This is a sample of what is to come. The lighting was perfect, the fall color tones add such rich color and these amazing creatures what can I say the day was a perfect perfect day how lucky am I!!!! These are downsized and only 72 dpi and watermarked. Screensaver images will be available for purchase this image looks amazing full sized!

Delightful Afternoon

2011-09-15T20:00:00.000-06:00

The boys looking so cute love the tails flying in the air.

Blu is so damn cute!

Sweet Sage

Sage Kickin It Up

Sage Checking something Out...

Blu to the rescue to see what it was too!

My weed eater LOL

Well the hay is cut and in the barn we are doing just a dab of irrigation yet in the horses area and Trevor and I picked up all the branches Tony had cut down in the field and gathered all the tarps etc. from the field. I built a hot wire area over the ditch and let the boys out in the field for the first time. Blu has been out in it before but this is the first time Sage got to go play out there. What a treat to watch I just sat on the ground and shot them as they discovered new things. Delightful Afternoon

Lady Madonna Looking Back

2011-09-14T08:30:00.001-06:00

I have never really liked images that I have blown out like this but her eye just touches me so much that I keep returning to this image and playing with it. I applied an overlay to this for a softer look. I do realize the image is centered as well and not really following all the rules but I still like the feel to this image and her soulful eye and the slightest curve of her back.

* print on order

The Art of Playing

2011-09-13T11:30:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I think we can learn a lot from watching our pets. I love to watch my cat Baby Lita as she cries looking for me in the garden then needs me to watch her every step as she makes her way into the garden. She gets just inside the gate then does her Drop 'N Roll move. She does this every time and it makes me smile to know her habits so well. I love how animals fully invest every ounce of their being into just playing! I had actually strolled out to the garden to take images of some of the wildflowers that actually bloomed but she caught my attention and I lost track of what I was out there for!

This is the face of Naughty Nadia as we came back in the house.... she looks mean HUH....

Lady Madonna Photo Play

2011-09-02T08:00:00.005-06:00

This is the horse I called Lady Madonna from the Challis herd I just loved her windbraid and how she and her daughter moved not to mention their coloring.

I was playing in photoshop with these three images all a bit different all the same horse.

I really like the blown out images and think I will print them and hang in my guest bathroom very pretty.

It is not for the taking is a great article for all to read about images on the web and about people who take them without asking.

September Morning

2011-09-01T06:30:00.002-06:00

Fall

is on the horizon

The hay has been dried

and is in the barn the field is looking so green and manicured

the weekend is just around the corner and Idaho is having the huge ballooning event at the park

Fall is in the air and has become my most favorite season when the leaves on the trees turn the air is crisp and the horses are extra sassy.

Strolling Thoughts

2011-08-29T18:30:00.004-06:00

The other night as I was drifting off to sleep I saw this image in my head. I thought I would sit down and see if I could create what I saw in my head. Always fun to get a creative moment even if your drifting off to a sweet slumber.

Strolling Thoughts.... oh so peaceful

APNewsBreak: Horse protection advocates win

BLM Gather

VERY Distrubing

A Little Horse Play

2011-08-28T06:30:00.005-06:00

Trying to do something a bit different where less is more.

These are just ideas I am working on the top one works for me but not so sure about the bottom one. I could add some trees or a tree line on the second one even a raised outline of them.

More inflammatory statements made by the self proclaimed wild horse experts have been forwarded.

Andi Harmon On the Kiger gather, there was a stallion on the range with a broken leg that had been broke and healed improperly for a long time. He was skinny and 3 legged lame. The BLM took care to NOT get him in a bunch bring brought in (he was alone) and then went out after the gather was done and shot him. Which was the only humane thing to do.

Saturday at 8:17pm

Linda L. Martin Dona ( Dona Hilkey) no problem. I hadnt actully specifically used the names of the horses. And from that HMA there are currently two mares running around out there that are domestics that we know of. But the one with the club food is very popular and famous among the followers. I would personally like to see her preserved so she can live out her life in sanctuary.

Young stallion was injured at birth and has never known a life with out his disability, however he hasn't let it stop him from playing , making friends, finding food and he came through the winter brilliantly last spring. I would like him to be left on the range. However Im not sure that is possible. So if he were gathered using a more gentle method and then placed in sanctuary that would be awesome. He too is very popular.

Andi Harmon Surprisingly, most of the AR folks aren't overly opposed to how Oregon has been managing the horses. We all know they aren't "real" wild horses anyway; those are across the world from us! They are mostly remnants from ranchers and the cavalry anyway. Let's face it, the BLM is a breeder of horses. Having the best quality "product" that can thrive on the range AND in captivity only makes sense. I try to approach it in that manner when some of the more radical AR types scream about it.

John Frederick ‎"we dont want to remove all the horses" Huh, They capture and let select horse back into the wild here. Anyways, one would think hay and molasses would be more natural than a helicopter.

More from the experts ... not sure these are in order as they were sent.

Candy Walker I have stated in some places, that the older horses should be sold for slaughter and the money put back into the program. But I choose my sites carefully where I have said that, but I've not seen that idea widely used.23 minutes ago

   
Andi Harmon Bait trapping works in many areas but certainly not all. And you would not be able to manage the horses properly, IMHO. I actually LIKE how the Oregon BLM manages the herds, putting the best of the best back on the range. No matter what, horses WILL need to be removed and they WILL need homes. What do you think will get adopted first, a 13.2 hand chestnut horse with a large head, short neck and back or a 15.2 hand pinto with good conformation and disposition? Since we DO have to manage them and they DO need to find adopters, it's in the horse's best interest to have one that appeal to the most people.

Andi Harmon I have a problem with the whole "trust the gov't" issue too. Actually, if truth be known, I suspect the BLM employees have the same issue but *I* can say it because my paycheck doesn't come from them. But I DO trust the people I know personally at the BLM to give it to me straight. I know there have been times when they are not happy with how things have gone on gathers but after the fact all you can do is learn and go on. Like the trap site at the Warm Springs gather was poorly set up and caused problems, as seen with the mare that died. People make mistakes and, we can hope, learn from them. A lot of the things the BLM staff has to do because it comes from "above". They might not like it but to quit means that not only will they not have jobs, but it will also open the door up for some who may not be as compassionate, as knowledgeable or as experienced as they are. It's not a job I would care to have. The anger and venom spewed at them is horrible. It really IS a thankless job! Which if many of the extremists thought about it, why else would they do such a thankless job that results in horrible things being said and done to them or about them if they didn't truly CARE about what their job entails? Why else would they stay on the job 20-30 years? They could easily transfer to other departments in the BLM that's not quite such a hotbed of hatred but they don't because they care about what they do.

5 hours ago

  
Hans F. Shull As always it is donations. They spread these rumors so people will send them money. If they said the truth they would get some money, but say they are all going to slaughter and the bucks come rolling in. They are still saying trucks are leaving the BLM every night loaded with stangs going to Canada. They even have a few celebs like Willie Nelson saying it.4 hours ago via mobile

  
JoAnna Lamb I can see how they get their misinformation though. If you see a BLM branded horse at a stockyard, they assume the BLM put it there. However we can keep informing people that the owner of that animal did it. People will form their own opinions from there. You will never be able to stop rumors.4 hours ago · 1 person

  
Linda L. Martin Im not sure that its occasional. Ive never seen any BLM horses at sales but I stopped going to sales over 20 years ago. Here in my county they have banned horse sales at the stock sale to keep people from dumping them into the pipeline.

Ive sure heard eyewitness accounts of them. Some of them were even un titled as is the case of Flip at Alder Hill Farm. He was rescued from a sale. My understanding is that the woman who bought him had to out bid the kill buyer for him. He has a lot of health issues because of how he was treated. They are trying to go through the title process now so he can stay with them in permanent sanctuary. Ive also heard of bunches of horses going through the sales in Pennsylvania. The ARs try to buy up as many as they can to keep them from going south.

But here is the thing, and all the evidence points to this: I dont think these are sent to slaughter by the BLM. The people that are buying them up for slaughter seem to be the same people that scam horse owners into believing they are sanctuaries or homes for old horses.. then the horses just disappear never to be found again. Sometimes the Sanctuaries disappear too.

I have a feeling and no proof but I think that one they are investigating from Nevada and Texas probably had someone in the LTH who was working with the kill buyer. I very highly doubt it was sanctioned by the BLM but there may have been someone on the inside that got a cut. It sure seems they went to a lot of trouble to cover up the sources of those horses.

What I have heard most ARs say is that they want more follow up.They are saying that the BLM is not following through with checking up on if the SA horses are being used as per the agreement they make when they purchased them. i.e. not to sell them for slaughter. Personally I think anyone who deliberately purchases a horse under the agreement with the intent to break the agreement should be banned from ever buying from the BLM again.

Trouble is that when a person has no moral breaks to begin with they will find a way to do what they want unless the consequences destroy their ability to make money.

Jill Faust Whitt Yep. I know of a woman in Fla that buys from LTH. She buys a trailer load. I think that's the only way you can buy them. BLM brings the horses to her. And then she sells them one or two at a time and finds homes for them. I didn't say good forever homes. I don't think she is selling to the KB though.

hours ago

  
Linda Horn The SCB mares will be caught and given their first application before being released. Booster darting will be done in the field by someone from the BLM and a trained and certified volunteer or volunteers. Success with Annual PZP (or PZP-22) depends on timing, and the Colorado Mustang organization has that well-in-hand.3 hours ago · 3 people

  
Linda Horn Patricia, I know you're perfectly able of defending yourself and your program, but I feel I have to chime in. For any critics out there, I've seen Patricia's amazing success with Mustangs "up close and personal". I also witnessed the chaos at adoption events in Farmington before she came on the scene. They were so heartbreaking I had to force myself to go back after the first one I attended. BTW, I watched two very experienced horse trainers I know personally (both specialize in unhandled and "difficult" horses) work for over four hours to get ONE scared youngster in a trailer. Once inside, the poor boy was still kicking and screaming all the way down the road! Believe me, Patricia's methods are carefully thought out, and can and should be replicated. Watch her videos, or, better yet, spend some time with her at Mustang Camp before you judge from afar!

   JoAnna Lamb Bringing this back up to the top! Who can be a volunteer?5 hours ago

  
Andi Harmon ‎*waves* I can! Oh wait ... I already am! LOL4 hours ago · 1 person

  
JoAnna Lamb Ok...we have Andi :)4 hours ago

  
Linda Horn Hopefully, Cortez, CO, on the 24th!4 hours ago · 1 person

This group has a few people who seem to talk over and over to each other. I am getting the copy n paste but am not going to put any more of their chatter here. I think enough is out there and folks can just do what they do. Thanks for keepin me posted I do appreciate your passion regarding these horses I agree with so many points.

  

Fair and Garden Goodies

2011-08-27T06:30:00.001-06:00

Went to the Western Idaho Fair Grounds last night and of course had to stop to shoot the horse carousel !

and this just makes me want to scream looking at it LOL

in color or black and white

this would be a ride to sell shoes if ya ask me

and this is pretty but I still do not want to ride it

and NO not this one either

I could do this one

in color or black and white.

My garden is overflowing with tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, onions, kale, swiss chard and cucumbers!!!

Ever heard of S c a p e s???

Not sure how many people have ever heard of scapes but I just learned about them since this is my first year growing garlic. Very tasty !!! Check out 7 things to do with scapes

Beautiful Mustangs

2011-08-26T06:30:00.000-06:00

There is an adoption going on today at the corrals in Idaho. There is also a Mustang Event at the Idaho Fair tonight at 7 pm come out and see the horses the 4H Group has worked with.

These are the brothers who I just think are so pretty!!!

Nothing like a chocolate palomino in black and white one can see every dapple.

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful

Let's all work on their behalf to improve the situation not harm it or cause more distress.

Wild Horse Information

2011-08-25T06:30:00.000-06:00

I am getting so much information regarding the mustangs that I am going to start posting the articles for everyone to read. Each person can take what they get out of each article. I am not taking sides but feel an open source for all articles is a great idea.

I found this group Wild Horse Freedom Federation via facebook and have found information that is well written and informative. I will be adding this as a Mustang Source as I am learning a great deal from this body of work.

On Wyomings Wild Horses this article shares a lot of information from both sides sharing different facts.

The Quiet War on Wyoming Horses is yet another article to read.

This article really shared information as to how much people are getting paid to house these wild horses. This is an eye opening article about this family, her blog and how much her family makes taking care of these horses!! This concerns me a great deal please read it look at the images of the 4th of July bash and then think about how frightening this was for the 3400 horses on her property!!!! This is not how I want to see wild horses cared for by any means especially since I know how spooked my own horses can get during Kuna days firework bash! I also feel if these horses are owned by the people then we should be able to check on them freely so not so sure about the private land where as Madeleine Pickens Sanctuary will be open to the public.

I have tried to remain open to hearing all sides to this topic and am always struggling to get factual information. I have freely asked the BLM questions and I do get answers often times different than what I had been told but I do feel the communication lines are open. The bottom line is there are over 30K horses in holding facilities more being gathered and we need to all work together to find a better life for these horses. Horses will continue to breed population does continue to grow. Round up and gatherings are very expensive, scary and the holding pen situation is not the answer. Adoptions are good but even in my own area they are only offered for adoption a few times every few years.

My concern is there seems to be many people who think they are part of the BLM as they have close ties with some of the employees and use their names to post what they wish. Recently JoAnna Lamb and Andi Harmon felt they could use my images calling them public domain because someone at the BLM told them they could, which turned out to be not so. They were asked to remove them via the BLM and I learned from this experience that often times it is this "kind of people" who do the most harm for a cause. Once I got wind of how these two "rancher types" think and saw their discussion as to how SLAUGHTER is the first answer to how to control the wild horses it made me more aware of how the lines are drawn. One of them has her own mustang in her frig to eat since it went lame that speaks volumes to me since I could not consider that in a zillion years!

Anyways, I will continue to repost what articles and information come my way I did not understand when I got into the Wild Horse how very hostile this topic was going to become. The bottom line is I think these horses are amazing and I want them to be here for others to see as time goes on. I do not want them to overbreed and find themselves in a starving situation. I have little concern for rich ranchers who get paid way too much to care for them at tax payer expense. The gatherings are controversial and yes
from the many letters and videos I do realize not all are conducted as safely as the few I have seen with my own eyes.

More Pioneer Woman stuff regarding BLM just got a copy of this just think I use to have her on my list of blogs to read.

Wow and read this too...omg....no kidding unreal Pioneer Woman Farm Subsidy Numbers

I do appreciate everyone for keeping this real in my face and actually forcing me to really address this issue even if I am a "fence sitter". My bottom line is I want what is best for these horses and I do not agree with 30K in holding pens and am concerned about many factors regarding the count and why they are being gathered in certain areas and many other questions. I am learning and will continue to learn about this topic meanwhile I will continue to photograph their beauty and grace and hopefully someone will see a horse in an image and be spurred to go adopt a beautiful wild horse.

Beware! Copyright Infringement

2011-08-23T23:00:00.004-06:00

I stumbled upon the Wild Mustang of Idaho and they quickly became my passion. I had no idea back in 2005 that there was such controversy regarding how they are managed by the BLM. I have been at the corrals in my area numerous times and never seen anything that I felt was harming the horses. Yes during the gathering you see families that are separated and it is painful to watch. The helicopter pilots I have witnessed did not run the horses down or even as worked up as most ropers get their horses and yes I am aware that it is publicity day and things may run a little smoother because they know they have a captive audience.

I am aware of the many video clips others have posted on youtube and I have seen the video of foals and weanlings who have lost their parent as well as the ones where their little hooves have been damaged. These things do bother me as well. I have also seen the image of the truckload of mustang going into Mexico and the horrid fair events using wild horses. I am aware of these things and yet I do realize that they do have to be managed and that I do not have all the answers.

What I do want to say is I am interested in what is best for the horses and I am against SLAUGHTER and I do not agree with rich ranchers such as The Pioneer Woman who gets paid to take care of these horses to live off the tax payer and yet not allow the public to see these horses. I really question about PRIVATE people holding these horses how do we know what they are doing with them!! I wonder how much land could be purchased with as much money as these LTH ranchers are getting paid!

Recently JoAnna Lamb signed me up for a group called The Logical Solution to the Wild Horse and promptly said thank you for the pictures. When I said what pictures?? She shared she had lifted them off the BLM sight. I told her I did not want them used for a group without my permission and that upon reviewing their beliefs I did not want my images used to promote SLAUGHTER. She denied this yet read the following. Andi Harmon seems to represent herself as a know it all BLM employee but I do not think she works for them she does need to take a class in communication or anger management. Both of these women consider themselves ranchers feel free to look them up and see for yourself. I think every "rancher" type has a different perspective regarding the wild horses who use their cattle land if they have cattle or not.

People who open discussion boards to discuss an issue should learn not to call people STUPID because they have different belief systems. You might notice they are not as active on that site right now. Perhaps both Andi and JoAnna could make an effort to acquire the necessary social skills to communicate effectively rather than vacillating between themselves and not hearing any other perspective than their own narrow minded thoughts. I do not believe you speak on the behalf of the BLM and perhaps the BLM should monitor what you say because it sure seems different than what I have learned from my contacts. One has to consider why each group seems so passionate regarding these horses and who really has the Best Interest of the Horse in their agenda.

This is a very complicated issue if these horses were left alone they will continue to breed and the herds multiply fast and we will have starving horses. The cattle ranchers have huge interest in this as they want the land for their cattle which I do not agree with. I would like to learn more about what they pay for such rights and how is that all based. I do not profess to have all the answers but I do know what is right and what is wrong. Slaughter is NOT the answer and if ANYONE uses my images to support that notion I will take action. The BLM is the only one authorized to use images given to them for their site. Lifting the image from their site to use it for yours without my written permission will be a violation of my copyright my images are not public domain.

Even though I support Madeleine Pickens Sanctuary she was asked to remove an image that was stole because she was using it against the BLM which is the group that had permission to use the image. I will NOT allow my images to be used to attack any group period. I do not have to agree with every thing the BLM does to supply them with beautiful images for horses to assist in adoption as well as bringing attention to them. This situation is not a easy one to resolve and I do not think ANYONE has all the answers so lets all work together to resolve this and work for the best interest of the horses.

This group The Logical Solution to the Wild Horse booted me from their face book page which they assigned me to in the first place when I asked them to remove my images from their page since I did not give permission to use them. The images used were given to the BLM and they have since asked JoAnna to remove them from her page so thank you to the BLM.

I DO NOT support slaughter for wild horses !!! and this is an example of people who are acting like they work for the BLM and are spewing their thoughts which I feel spurs anger regarding the care of the wild horses. This is an example of their conversation yet they both say they are not for slaughter you decide!

A n d i H a r m o n

S o , t h e r e a r e 3 0 , 0 0 0 w i l d h o r s e s i n s a n c t u a r i e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y , b e i n g p a i d f o r w i t h o u r t a x e s . T h e y w i l l N O T b e r e l e a s e d b a c k i n t o t h e w i l d . T h e y a r e m o s t l y o n e s d e e m e d n o t a d o p t a b l e e i t h e r d u e t o a g e o r t e m p e r a m e n t o r l e n g t h o f t i m e i n h o l d i n g w i t h o u t b e i n g a d o p t e d . W h a t d o Y O U t h i n k w e s h o u l d d o a b o u t t h e m , s i n c e t h e $ $ $ t o c a r e f r o m t h e m m a y n o t c o n t i n u e t o b e t h e r e ?

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 1 2 : 2 0 p m ∑ L i k e ∑

J u l i e F . G a s p e r I s a y r e - o p e n s l a u g h t e r h o u s e s f o r h u m a n c o n s u m p t i o n a n d o f f e r t h a t m e a t t o t h o s e p e o p l e w h o c a n n o t a f f o r d d e c e n t f o o d f o r t h e m s e l v e s l e t a l o n e t h e i r c h i l d r e n . I ' d h a v e a b s o l u t e l y n o p r o b l e m w i t h t h a t w h a t s o e v e r . I f t h e g o o d p e o p l e o f t h e U S A c a n ' t s t o m a c h d o i n g t h a t f o r o u r o w n p o o r i n t h i s c o u n t r y t h e n h e l l s l a u g h t e r a n d p a c k i t t o b e s h i p p e d t o t h e p o o r c o u n t r i e s w e i n s t e a d s p e n d b i l l i o n s o f d o l l a r s o f f e r i n g s u p p o r t t o i n s t e a d o f C A S H m o n e y s o t h a t t h e y c a n e a t i n s t e a d o f u s d o n a t i n g p u b l i c w o n d e r i n g i f t h e c a s h w e g i v e e v e n r e a c h e s t h o s e i t i s s u p p o s e d t o h e l p .

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 1 2 : 5 8 p m ∑ L i k e ∑ 1 p e r s o n

J o A n n a L a m b # 1 s l a u g h t e r f o r t h e o l d e s t & r a n k e s t # 2 t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m s f o r t h e y o u n g e s t , m o s t g e n t l e # 3 p r i v a t e l y o w n e d s a n c t u a r i e s f o r t h e m i d d l e o f t h e r o a d b u t m u s t b o t h b e g e l d e d a n d s p a y e d .

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 1 : 1 8 p m ∑ L i k e ∑ 2 p e o p l e

J o A n n a L a m b I d o n ' t c a r e w h a t y o u d o w i t h t h e m e a t a s l o n g a s i t i s n o t d o n e b y i n j e c t i o n .

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 1 : 1 9 p m ∑ L i k e ∑ 1 p e r s o n

D o n a S h u e T h e B L M n e e d s t o s t a r t w / a c l e a n s l a t e a n d p u t t h e m o n e y s p e n t o n L T H t o b e t t e r u s e . I s a y t h e y n e e d t o o p e n u p t h e h o r s e o w n e r s h i p / a d o p t i o n t o o t h e r c o u n t r i e s a n d l e t t h e m u s e t h e h o r s e s h o w e v e r t h a t c o u n t r y d o e s , e a t , r i d e w h a t e v e r a n d a l s o t a k e c a r e o f t h e o n e s s t i l l h e r e t h r o u g h t s l a u g h t e r h o u s e s a n d t h e $ m a d e p u t b a c k i n t o t h e W H & B p r o g r a m s o t h e y c a n d o a b e t t e r j o b o f M A N A G I N G . I f t h e y g e t a c h a n c e t o s t a r t w i t h a c l e a n s l a t e t h e y n e e d t o b e h e l d a c c o u n t a b l e a n d c l o s l y w a t c h e d s o i t n e v e r g e t s l i k e t h i s a g a i n .

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 2 : 1 6 p m ∑ L i k e ∑ 2 p e o p l e

D o n a S h u e J o a n n a , I d o n ' t t h i n k a n y o n e w o u l d e a t t h e m e a t i f t h e y i n j e c t e d , t h a t ' s p o i s o n a n d i f t h e m e a t i s n ' t u s e d f o r s o m e t h i n g t h e n t h e a n i m a l d i e d f o r n o t h i n g . I d o n o t h a v e a p r o b l e m w i t h s o m e g i v i n g a l l f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e r e s t b u t h a t e t o t h i n k n o n e o f t h e m e a t w o u l d b e u s e d f o r a n y t h i n g

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 5 : 0 5 p m ∑ L i k e

T i n a G r a h a m J o n e s S i n c e y o u a r e a s k i n g a b o u t o n e s t h a t d o n o t h a v e a n o p t i o n t o b e a d o p t e d , t h e n I F t h e r e i s n o o t h e r o p t i o n i t w o u l d b e b e t t e r t o p u t t h e m d o w n i f t h a t i s n e e d e d t o m a i n t a i n t h e o t h e r s . H o w e v e r , a g a i n I b e l i e v e i f t h a t m u s t b e t h r o u g h s l a u g h t e r h o u s e s t h e n t h e y n e e d t o f i x t h a t s y s t e m . T h e y n e e d t o g i v e t h e m a q u i c k e n d , n o t a t o r t u r e d o n e . T h e t r a n s p o r t n e e d s t o b e f i x e d a n d t h e h o l d i n g e c t . . . P r e f e r a b l y u n t i l t h a t h a p p e n s I w o u l d l i k e t o s e e t h e m l o o k i n t o w i l d l i f e r e f u g e s t o p u t t h e m d o w n a n d u s e t h e m e a t . O f c o u r s e I h a t e t o s e e t h e m p u t d o w n . T h e r e a r e m o r e a r o u n d t h a n p e o p l e r e a l i z e , n o t j u s t p u b l i c o n e s . W e h a v e o n e c l o s e t o h e r e t h a t i s a h o l d i n g p l a c e w h i l e t h e a n i m a l s w a i t f o r a z o o o r o t h e r o p t i o n . I d o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t o v e r p o p u l a t i o n c a n b e w o r s e t h o u g h . L i k e y o u h a v e s a i d A n d i . . . t h e n w h a t . H o w d o w e k e e p t h i s f r o m j u s t b e c o m i n g a v i s c o u s c i r c l e ? H o w t o m a n a g e t h e h e r d s p o p u l a t i o n i n a r e a s o n a b l e w a y ? ? I m n o t s u r e t h e r e i s o n e s i m p l e a n s w e r . I a g r e e w i t h y o u o n t h e s t e r i l i z a t i o n n e e d s t o b e a s t r o n g c o n t e n d e r . D o y o u k n o w t h e c o s t o f s t e r i l i z a t i o n p e r h o r s e c o m p a r e d t o t h e c a r e o n t h e r a n g e ? J u s t c u r i o u s . B e s i d e s t h e s t e r i l i z a t i o n p r o c e s s k e e p s a d o p t e r s f r o m b r e e d i n g t o o . I t h i n k t h e i d e a o f m o r e a d v e r t i s e m e n t , g e t t i n g m o r e t r a i n e r s i n v o l v e d s o t h e h o r s e s h a v e a g o o d f u t u r e f o r a d o p t i o n e c t . . .

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 7 : 3 4 p m ∑ L i k e ∑ 1 p e r s o n

T i n a G r a h a m J o n e s A n d i d o y o u k n o w m u c h a b o u t t h e p o n i e s o n A s s a t e a g u e I s l a n d ? I k n o w t h e s i d e i n M a r y l a n d u s e s a s t e r i l i z a t i o n t e c h n i q u e o n m a r e s w h i l e i n V i r g i n i a d o e s t h e a n n u a l p o n y s w i m a n d a d o p t s s o m e o u t t o c o n t r o l h e r d s . I r e a l i z e t h e y d o n o t h a v e t h e n u m b e r s y o u a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t , b u t w a s j u s t w o n d e r i n g h o w t h e y s t a y s u c c e s s f u l ? ?

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 7 : 3 8 p m ∑ L i k e

J o h n F r e d e r i c k S o t h e m o n e y t o c a p t u r e m a y n o l o n g e r e x i s t t o o i n t h e f u t u r e ? B L M a l r e a d y c a p t u r e d t h o s e h o r s e s i n l o n g t e r m h o l d i n g , t h e r e f o r e t h e y a r e c o m m i t t e d t o c a r i n g f o r t h e m a n d w a s t h e a g r e e m e n t f r o m t h e g e t g o . C a n ' t g o c a p t u r i n g m o r e i f y o u m a y l a c k f u n d s t o p r o v i d e f o r e x i s t i n g . I k n o w t h i s b l o w s t h e e n t i r e " t a k e t h e l o a d o f H M A a r e a s " b u t i f c a p t u r e f u n d s d i s p a e a r t o o t h o s e i n L T H w o u l d h a v e b e e n s l a u g h t e r e d f o r n o t h i n g ( i f i t g o e s t h a t d i r e c t i o n ) . S o m e t h i n g t o t h i n k a b o u t a n y w a y s . W o u l d n ' t i t b e l i k e u s a d o p t i n g t h e n s e n d i n g t h e m o f f t o s l a u g h t e r s o w e h a d r o o m t o a d o p t m o r e . v i c i o u s c y c l e

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 8 : 3 0 p m ∑ L i k e

A n d i H a r m o n A c t u a l l y J o h n , t h e a g r e e m e n t f r o m t h e g e t g o w a s t h a t a n y h o r s e n o t a d o p t e d a f t e r o n e y e a r w a s s u p p o s e d t o b e h u m a n e l y e u t h a n i z e d , a l o n g w i t h o l d h o r s e , s i c k h o r s e s , i n j u r e d h o r s e s . S a n c t u a r i e s p a i d f o r o u t o f t h e W H & B b u d g e t w a s n o t p a r t o f t h e o r i g i n a l l a w . M a n a g i n g t h e h o r s e s , a n d t h e r a n g e f o r m u l t i p l e u s e , w a s t h e o r i g i n a l l a w . N o t a l l o w i n g " M u s t a n g e r s " t o r u n t h e m d o w n a n d s h o o t t h e m , o r a n y o n e o u t t a k i n g t h e m f o r t h e i r o w n u s e , w h a t e v e r t h a t m a y b e , w a s i n t h e o r i g i n a l l a w . W i t h t h e c u r r e n t h o l e t h e g o v ' t i s i n , a L O T o f p r o g r a m s m a y g o b y t h e w a y s i d e , i n c l u d i n g t h i s o n e . I f t h e h o r s e s c a n ' t b e g a t h e r e d e v e n f o r o n e y e a r , i t w i l l s p e l l d i s a s t e r f o r m a n y h o r s e s a n d t h e r a n g e t h e y a r e o n . E v e n s h o r t t e r m h o l d i n g i s f i l l i n g u p a n d i f n o o t h e r r a n c h e r s s t e p u p t o t h e p l a t e t o o f f e r a s a n c t u a r y , i t ' s n o t g o i n g t o b e p r e t t y a n d t h e y w i l l H A V E t o e u t h a n i z e t h e m .

T h e r e a r e a l o t o f z o o s a n d c a t s a n c t u a r i e s t h a t c o u l d t a k e s o m e b u t n o w a y c o u l d t h e y t a k e e v e n a q u a r t e r o f t h e m . M a n y o f t h o s e p l a c e s h a v e a w a i t i n g l i s t a n d n o w a y t o s t o r e l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s o f m e a t o n c e i t ' s d o w n a n d r e a d y t o b e e a t e n . T h e r e i s a H U G E " s u r p l u s " o f h o r s e s o u t t h e r e n o o n e w a n t s w i t h o u t t h e w i l d h o r s e s i n t h e m i x . Y o u a d d i n t h e 3 0 , 0 0 0 i n L T H , a n o t h e r 1 0 , 0 0 0 - 1 2 , 0 0 0 i n s h o r t t e r m h o l d i n g , t h e n a l l t h e r e s e r v a t i o n s t h a t a r e o v e r f l o w i n g w i t h h o r s e s ( Y a k i m a w i t h s o m e 1 2 , 0 0 0 ; N a v a j o s o m e 4 0 , 0 0 0 ) a n d i t ' s n o t g o o d . W i t h o u t a l l t h e r e s t o f t h e h o r s e s b e i n g d u m p e d o n t h e m a r k e t , a n d j u s t t u r n e d l o o s e , w e a r e l o o k i n g a t o v e r 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 w i t h j u s t B L M a n d r e s e r v a t i o n h o r s e s ! I n t e r m s o f s l a u g h t e r , t h a t e q u a t e s t o a b o u t 3 o r 4 s e m i - t r u c k l o a d s o f c a r c a s s e s e v e r y d a y , 3 6 5 d a y s a y e a r . T h a t i s a L O T o f m e a t ; n o w a y s a n c t u a r i e s a n d z o o s c o u l d e v e n b e g i n t o u t i l i z e t h a t . L a n d f i l l s c a n ' t t a k e t h a t k i n d o f a d d i t i o n e i t h e r . A n d t h e y w o u l d h a v e t o b e s h o t o r u s e a c a p t i v e b o l t ; t h e E P A w o u l d n e v e r s t a n d f o r t h a t m u c h p o i s o n g o i n g i n t o t h e g r o u n d a n d * I * w o u l d n ' t w a n t i t p o i s o n i n g M Y g r o u n d , w a t e r s o u r c e s o r t h e c a r r i o n t h a t w o u l d e a t i t .

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 8 : 5 1 p m ∑ L i k e ∑ 1 p e r s o n

A n d i H a r m o n Y e s , t h e y h a v e b e e n u s i n g P Z P o n A s s a t e a g u e I s l a n d f o r a w h i l e n o w a n d i t s e e m s t o w o r k f o r t h e m . I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e d i f f e r e n c e i s b u t i t ' s n o t n e a r l y a s e f f e c t i v e w i t h t h e w i l d h e r d s o u t w e s t . A n d t h e i r w h o l e p r o g r a m h a s b e e n b o o s t e d b y " M i s t y o f C h i n c o t e a g u e " t o h e l p p r o m o t e t h e i r s a l e s . L i k e t h e K i g e r s h e r e i n O r e g o n , t h e y h a v e a g r o u p o f f o l l o w e r s w h o c a n ' t w a i t f o r t h e n e x t g a t h e r !

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 8 : 5 3 p m ∑ L i k e

T i n a G r a h a m J o n e s T h a t s O d d A n d i e , I w o n d e r w h a t t h e d i f f e r e n c e c o u l d b e ? I t i s e x a c t l y t h e s a m e d r u g ? I j u s t t h o u g h t i t m i g h t b e w o r t h l o o k i n g a t s o m e w h e r e t h a t i s h a v i n g g o o d r e s u l t s . T h a t s t i l l s e e m s l i k e o n e o f t h e b e s t l o n g t e r m c o n t r o l m e t h o d s . D o n t g e t m e w r o n g , I d o n o t w a n t t o h a v e e u t h a n a s i a b e t h e o p t i o n ( e x c e p t s i c k a n d s u f f e r i n g o f c o u r s e ) . J u s t t h a t i f i t m u s t b e t h e n a t l e a s t h a v e i t h u m a n e . M y e x p e r i e n c e w i t h t h e c u r r e n t o u t o f c o u n t r y r e n d e r i n g p l a n t s d o e s n o t i n c l u d e a c a p t i v e b u l l e t o r b e i n g s h o t . I t s e e m s l i k e s u c h a h u g e h u g e i s s u e . . . I t h i n k m o r e i n f o r m e d p u b l i c ( c o r r e c t l y i n f o r m e d ) i s a m u s t . U n t i l g e t t i n g t o k n o w y o u o n h e r e I h a d n o i d e a t h e s p e c t r u m o f i t a n d I h a v e b e e n m i l d l y i n v o l v e d w i t h w i l d h o r s e s . I h a v e h a d a b i g e y e o p e n e r t o t h e v a s t n e s s o f t h e i s s u e n o w . I o f c o u r s e , a m a h u g e a n i m a l l o v e r a n d h a t e t h e t h o u g h t o f s u f f e r i n g . T h a t b e i n g s a i d I k n o w s o m e t i m e s t h a t m e a n s a n o t s o p e r f e c t s o l u t i o n . : o ( P a r t o f m e w o n d e r s h o w i t g o t s o o u t o f h a n d ? D o y o u t h i n k i t i s j u s t a l l t h e f i g h t i n g a n d l a w s u i t s p r e v e n t i n g t h e m a n a g e m e n t t h a t c o u l d o f s t o p p e d i t ? L a c k o f f u n d s ? I a m n o t b l a m i n g , j u s t w o n d e r i n g t h e r o o t o f i t ? I a l w a y s t h i n k t h a t h e a d i n g o f f p r o b l e m s a r e e a s i e r . I a m l e a r n i n g a n d i n n o w a y k n o w a l l t h e d e t a i l s s o I w a s j u s t c u r i o u s .

A u g u s t 1 7 a t 9 : 2 5 p m ∑ L i k e

J o A n n a L a m b T i n a , I t h i n k t h a t w e a r e j u s t l e a r n i n g a l l P Z P i s n o t c r e a t e d e q u a l . I t w o u l d s e e m t h e r e a r e a t l e a s t t w o m a y b e t h r e e d i f f e r e n t ' v e r s i o n s ' u n d e r t h e s a m e c o n c e p t . S o m e a r e w o r k i n g v e r y w e l l a n d s o m e f a i l . . . a l o t ! T h e r e n e e d s t o b e s o m e m o r e i n v e s t i g a t i o n ( w h i c h i n v o l v e s c o m m u n i c a t i o n ) b e t w e e n d i f f e r e n t a g e n c i e s . H o w d i d w e g e t h e r e ? T h a t i s e a s y ! T h e h o r s e s b r e e d , a r e g a t h e r e d w h e n t h e r e a r e t o o m a n y , s o m e a r e a d o p t e d o u t a n d w e h a v e b e e n s t o c k p i l i n g t h e l e f t o v e r s f o r t h e l a s t 4 0 y e a r s . A n d n o o n e s a i d o r d i d v e r y m u c h a b o u t i t . I f w e d i d t h i s w i t h d o g s a n d c a t s w e w o u l d h a v e p o u n d s & s h e l t e r s l o o k i n g l i k e h o a r d e r s ! A t s o m e p o i n t , s o m e a r e g o i n g t o h a v e t o g o . T h e t r i c k i s t o v e r i f y i t i s d o n e a s h u m a n e l y a s p o s s i b l e w i t h o u t e n d a n g e r i n g t h e p u b l i c w i t h g r o u n d , w a t e r a n d a i r c o n t a m i n a t i o n .

A u g u s t 1 8 a t 9 : 3 1 a m ∑ L i k e

Yet get a load of this .... Then JoAnna has more to say on with how she will make money from the very horses and how she has these special connections with the BLM. You decided I have more of this conversation and can forward it to you but will not waste space on my blog with this kind of stuff. I find this interesting when she has her own mustang mare in her frig to feed her children as she stated. I can not imagine eating my dead horse she must not use any worming medication or shots on her animals if she is eating it!

JoAnna Lamb

This is what I need...$500,000 to buy the old Turner Bull Sale barn-$20,000 to redo the fencing to horse safe fencing-$20,000 for some round pens and a payroll account for 10 trainers making approx $2,000 a month each. I'll give each trainer 10 SA horses to train and every 6 months we'll have an auction and sell off our trained animals to the tune of 200 animals a year. I'll also needs a marketing budget of about $10-15,000. I can do it!

8 hours ago

Forever Together

2011-08-20T06:30:00.000-06:00

Playing with desaturation and creating a softness that works without removing too much of the patterns and battle scars from these two beauties.

At attention this horse reminded me so much of my Sage the body movements and that dripping mane and tail.

Saylor Creek Herd due to fire in holding.

Burro Beauties

2011-08-18T06:30:00.000-06:00

These little guys have the most amazing faces and ears!

Look at that face!

Bestest Buds

Dahlia

2011-08-13T06:30:00.000-06:00

One of my first Dahlia that I grew at our home in Idaho. I have always seen these and thought they were beautiful. I finally have two different colors of them in my garden. The wind blew so hard it broke the stem but I did get one image of it. I painted this one just for fun.

Equine Abstract Overlay

2011-08-11T08:52:00.001-06:00

Washington DC Sites and the Kalachakra Initation

2011-08-10T10:55:00.000-06:00

The most impressive site I loved seeing this it was much bigger than one can describe would have loved to have enough time to go back at night and do some night shots.

This was a bummer they were redoing the reflecting pond.

We found California and Idaho on the top of this monument but we were both too tired to walk back around it to get another shot.

His Holiness

Even the string has meaning in this event.

Watching the monks create the sand mandala was amazing!!

Wild Mustang of Idaho

2011-08-09T16:50:00.003-06:00

The Wild Mustang of Idaho 2011 - Saylor Creek Herd in holding until the fire season is over.

The boys I wish I was rich I would house these two till the end of their days.

This is a son of Mr. Elusive I would bet and I have images of him when he was younger. He is a prize and the cover of my book !

2005

What a face!! His eyes speak to my soul !

I love the windbraid so many have them dripping to their knees I can not imagine grooming it out.

They are so handsome no matter what color they are and those manes just blow my mind.

A little horse play as the truck with food was beginning to make the rounds early that morning.

Love the body markings on these .... just beautiful !!!

The most beautiful mustang ever is all I can say !

Calmness at the Corrals

2011-08-04T13:09:00.000-06:00

It was feeding time and these horses were calm and happy.

Horses of Many Colors

New born at the Corrals soooo cute!!

Fabulous Friday

2011-08-01T05:49:00.000-06:00

Spent a few hours early Friday morning at the wild horse corrals and enjoyed every second of it.

These horses are from the Saylor Creek band that were brought in due to fire. Some will be put up for adoption in August and the rest will be set free in their area once all danger of fire is over for the season.

Mr. Elusive six years later! He has got to be my favorite wild mustang ever and seeing the change in him as he ages sort of sums up the life experience for me. He is an amazing horse and once again he walked over to me and I actually could feel his breath.

Very beautiful shades of grey and what flowing mane.

Special thanks to Jessica I always appreciate time spent with these beauties.

Amazing the mood one horse can express with the pure body movement.

Site Seeing Washington DC

2011-07-29T05:00:00.000-06:00

One sure feels the city springing up all around you.

Had great sky to shoot with as well.

If there is a horse I can find it..... lol

Washington Monument

The US Capitol Building

We really did cover several miles of walking and had a blast. The sky was amazing and would be full of clouds or turn into a thunder and lightening storm by evening.

Colorado Sky Scapes and Earthscape From Train

2011-07-27T16:03:00.000-06:00

We were waking up just as we were going through part of Colorado which I must say had an outstanding sunrise for me to shoot into. These are all taken with a point in shoot so mother nature rocks everywhere. I think of all the places we passed through Colorado had to be one of the most beautiful areas.

Sunrise Beauty

2011-07-26T13:36:00.001-06:00

This sunrise was taken the day I left for our trip. I just love our sky. Been getting lawns cut, garden weeded, animals cleaned, house cleaned, making food, baking cake and doing laundry.

It is good to be home so peaceful I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful quiet space.

- OM -

The Dalai Lama and the Kalachakra Initiation Explained

2011-07-24T07:54:00.000-06:00

During the first seven days of the Kalachakra, from July 6 through 12, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other ancient rituals.

The sand mandala is a very complicated piece and well worth doing some reading on. Very interesting and really beautiful.

The Kalachakra Initiation Explained

The Kalachakra Initiation is generally given over 12 days. First, there are eight days of preparation rituals, during which the monks make the mandala. Then the students are initiated, after which they are allowed to see the completed sand mandala. The ceremony ends when the monks release the positive energy of the mandala into the everyday world through a final ritual.

The Tibetan word for initiation is wong-khor, which literally means giving permission, or granting the authority to practice the Tantra. The person conferring the initiation is known as the ritual master or Vajra Master, because the vajra is the ritual implement that cuts through illusion and represents the indestructible mind. Since the tantra itself lives through direct transmission by the Vajra Master, the initiation fulfils the Vajra Master's pledge to pass on the tantra without diminishing it in any way, always for the benefit of all sentient beings.

During the initiation, the student makes a similar pledge to respect and uphold the teachings. In this way the student enters into the lineage. Students may choose to take on different levels of commitment. One who maintains the commitment to a conscientious daily practice will achieve greater results, and the lineage will be strengthened. Or, the initiation may be received simply as a blessing.

The student, by generating himself (or herself) as the deity, is introduced to new mental patterns which help him to abandon old, destructive conditioning, thus bringing him closer to the experience of the bliss consciousness of Kalachakra.

Many beautiful objects are used in the Kalachakra rituals. The thekpu is the special house where the mandala is built. There is a brocade throne where the Vajra Master, in this case His Holiness the Dalai Lama, sits to give the initiation and the altar to the Kalachakra deity contains elaborate offerings and ritual objects. Large silk tapestries of the Buddha, Kalachakra, and various protector deities are hung around the thekpu, the throne, and the altar.

On the first day of the ceremony, a representative of the students requests that the Vajra Master give the initiation, and he consents, showing his great compassion for his students. Next the Vajra Master asks the local spirits for permission to use their home. Usually the spirits at first do not want to cooperate so to appease them, the assisting monks perform the Dance of the Earth, making symbolic gestures with their hands and feet. The prayers, music and dance subdue all interfering spirits.

After the dance, the Dalai Lama receives permission to proceed with the ceremony from Tenma, the earth spirit, on behalf of all the local spirits. The mandala will house many of the thousands of deities found in Tibetan Buddhism during the ceremony. Symbolic daggers are now placed around the mandala site to protect it. All the objects to be used in the many rituals must be blessed by the Dalai Lama, including the string that is used to draw the mandala and the coloured sands.

To begin the drawing, the ceremonial string is dipped into liquid white chalk. Holding one end taut, while an assistant holds the other end, the Vajra Master plucks the string, and the chalk falls onto the platform to make the first lines of the sand mandala. Each time the Vajra Master plucks the string, the snap sounds a blessing from the Buddha for the construction of the sand mandala. It takes two days for all the lines to be drawn, the mandala design at this stage looks like an enormous blueprint, seven feet in diameter.

On the third day, water mixed with a special spice, saffron, is scattered on the lines of the mandala; with it, the Vajra Master rubs out certain lines on the mandala blueprint, opening the entrance ways for the 722 deities who will reside in the mandala during the ceremony. In order to enter our world, they need a clean and pure place to stay. Grains of wheat are also placed on the mandala at this time, representing cushions where the gods and goddesses are invited to sit.

Making three parallel lines, the Dalai Lama then puts the first grains of red, white, and black sand near the centre of the mandala. These three lines represent the body, speech and mind of the Buddha. Then the monks continue to apply the sand. Just memorising the hundreds of symbols in the Kalachakra mandala design and learning how to apply the sand takes at least two years of intense study. Starting in the middle and working outward, they use a long serrated funnel called a chakpu to create the detailed designs. When two chakpus are rasped together, the coloured sand flows out evenly and smoothly in a thin stream onto the mandala. A wooden scraper called a shinga is used to straighten the lines and to fix any errors.

When the mandala is finally completed sacred vases are placed around it. The sides of the thekpu are covered with curtains so that the mandala will not be seen before the proper time. The Dalai Lama thanks the spirits and deities for their cooperation by making offerings to them. The monks play sacred music with bells, gongs, drums, and huge twelve foot horns. They also do a dance of celebration that lasts an hour and a half.

On the ninth day, after the Dalai Lama and the monks finish their morning prayers and meditation, the students arrive for the first time. Those who wish to be initiated into the practice of the Kalachakra teachings take a vow to have compassion toward all living things, to work for the benefit of others, and never to reveal the secrets of the mandala.

The students are each given two stalks of kusha grass, because the Buddha was sitting on kusha grass under the Bodhi tree when he became enlightened. The students are told to put the long stalks of kusha grass under their mattresses and the short stalk under their pillows. This will help the students to remember and study their dreams that night.

The next day after some preliminaries, the actual initiation begins. After the students have made pledges of good behaviour, the Dalai Lama asks Kalachakra to open their eyes. Each student has received a red blindfold to place over his or her forehead as a symbol, since the students are not yet spiritually ready to see the sand mandala, and they now remove their blindfolds, symbolically removing the darkness of ignorance. They are now prepared to 'see' the mandala.

Next, the Vajra Master gives the students what are called the Seven Childhood Initiations. These initiations will help students to be reborn during the ceremony as ideal persons fit to enter the perfect world of the mandala. Each initiation corresponds to a significant event in the life of a child. The seven initiations represent a child's receiving a name, having a first bath, getting a first haircut, first experiencing the five senses, getting pierced ears, saying a first word, and learning to read.

After the students have been 'reborn' by completing the childhood initiations, they may enter the ideal world of the Wheel of Time - the universe of enlightenment, ruled by the deity Kalachakra. They can now view the mandala. The Kalachakra sand mandala shows the 722 gods and goddesses as well as the palace in which they dwell. The four faces of the deity named Kalachakra are also pictured. To represent his faces in the mandala four wedge-shaped areas of colour are used, within the circle. A blue-black wedge, or face, at the bottom of the picture looks east. The red face looks south. The white face looks north. The orange or yellow face at the top looks west.

If you envision what the mandala looks like from the deity's point of view, inside the mandala at its center, the deity's black face looks forward, his red face looks to his right, his white face looks to his left, and his yellow face looks backward. There are representations in the mandala of 721 additional deities, as well as animals, flowers, and jewels. The palace of Kalachakra, where the gods and goddesses live, is the largest square within the circle. This building has five levels, and each level consists of a square with four walls. In the middle of each wall is an entrance. In order to reach the most secret central chambers of the palace, initiates must travel through the maze of squares. Each square represents a different aspect of an enlightened being.

The mandala appears to be flat, but you can use your imagination to picture it rising up three-dimensionally toward its lotus-flower center. To trace the path of enlightenment, you enter the black eastern doorway from the outside of the building. You will find yourself on the first level of the palace. This level is called the mandala of the enlightened body. Halfway inside the body mandala is another set of four walls and an entrance. When you proceed through the entrance, you have reached the enlightened speech mandala. Halfway inside, there is another set of walls and entrances where you will discover an even higher level called the enlightened mind mandala. Halfway inside the mind mandala is a square platform that represents the enlightened wisdom mandala.

Once in the wisdom mandala, you will find another square platform. This is the highest level of the palace, the enlightened great bliss mandala. Within it is the eight-petalled lotus, at the centre of which stands the deity Kalachakra embracing his female counterpart, Vishvamata, the All-Mother. Together they symbolise full enlightenment, the union of wisdom and compassion.

Throughout the mandala there are many other identifiable symbols. Twelve animals, located on the lowest level of the palace, are associated with the twelve months of the year. Each animal supports a lotus flower where thirty deities are represented, symbolising the thirty days of the month. And around the entire palace lie circular bands representing the ancient elements: yellow for earth, a white band with waves representing water, salmon red for fire, gray for wind, and finally the outermost band, representing space and consciousness. With the Vajra Master guiding their minds and inner eyes, the students become authorised to enter into this perfect palace. But to become enlightened, the students will first have to work hard to perfect their techniques of meditation and their compassion toward all living beings.

In the last part of the ceremony, the Dalai Lama says prayers, thanking the 722 deities for their participation and requesting them to leave the mandala and return to their sacred homes. He removes the sand that symbolically represents the deities, then cuts through the mandala along its original wheel-shaped lines with a ritual implement. The sand is brushed toward the centre of the platform and then the monks put it into urns and transport it to a nearby body of water. With chanting and more prayers, a ritual assistant empties the sand into the water, and the perfect peace of Kalachakra flows with it into the everyday world. The mandala, now gone from view, remains forever in the memory of all who entered its perfect realm.

Though the philosophy of the Kalachakra is at the highest level of Buddhism anyone can use it at any time. This philosophy urges us to reach a splendid, pure inner world while still living in our imperfect, earthly one, using Kalachakra as a model. For example, a pure body comes from healthy eating and not smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs. Pure speech means not gossiping or saying unkind things about others. A pure mind is trained away from angry, hateful and selfish thoughts. Once each of us purifies our body, speech and mind, we can find inner peace. When we have inner peace, at last it is possible to experience the state of bliss, or perfect happiness.

Sources:

The Wheel of Time Sand Mandala: Visual Scripture of Tibetan Buddhism

by Barry Bryant, HarperCollins;

Learning from the Dalai Lama: Secrets of the Wheel of Timeby Karen Pandell with Barry Bryant, Dutton.

Our Big Adventure

2011-07-22T17:12:00.005-06:00

We slept sort of on the first night on the train. All of it was so new to us that we were curious and moving around quite a bit. We did not pay to have a sleeper car so we slept in our seats and they have an observation car where you can go sit and it is really quite a social experience. We grew to know several fellow travelers and met the nicest people along the way. I did not take many images on the way to the event but made up for it on the way home. This is what I woke to from the train window our first day.

metro - ipod capture

The Amtrak train ride from Salt Lake to Chicago is about 35 hours we were suppose to have a six hour layover in Chicago but literally got off one train and boarded the next one which was from Chicago to Washington DC which was about an 18 hour trip. Then once we landed in Washington DC at the Union Station the easiest thing was to jump into a taxi and arrive at the place we were staying. We did Couch Surfing and had teamed up with a resident and had a nice place to stay for the duration of our visit. We arrived at the house and were thrilled to have such a peaceful place to stay and were lucky to have it be so close to the event center. We went to Whole Foods got some food then walked to the event center to see if it was something we could do other than take the Metro.

It is about a 40 minute walk and we did it for a few days my poor feet had blisters all over them thanks to my new shoes I got for the trip. Do Not break in new shoes on a holiday or you will pay!!!

This is Chinatown and the event is very near in the Verizon Building. We were so lucky to be so centrally located and decided to catch a few more sites on the way home. So at this point we had shared our first train and taxi ride together and were feeling pretty confident. Fellow travelers were so kind on the train and we grew to know several as there were characters on the train. A special thanks to my new teacher friend Miejoo for being such a caring woman to share her phone number and assure me we could stay with her if anything went wrong with our arrangements. She is a delightful Korean School teacher whom I had the pleasure of exchanging wonderful thoughts with as we sat and visited in the Observation car.

To the couple who had been traveling for 30 days whom we shared a meal with from the South we totally enjoyed your accents and more than understand where you were coming from having spent more than a few extra delays on our way home. I hope you have recovered from your holiday and it was a pleasure.

To the Yoga Lady who was delightful and had a great smile and made me laugh we enjoyed you especially with Devon calling you a cha cha and Brandon being the Chicano Man ....omg..lol.... I think he musta found someone to sit on the porch in the rockin chair so they did not run away. To the Old Man as Devon called him what a delight to share and listen to the conversation you and Brandon shared pure delight.

For the quite times I had brought along a table runner to embroider as a keepsake to remember the conversations and the trip.

The trip was fun due to everyones delightful conversations and the mad house the Observation Car became at times. Happy Trails to you all.

ipod capture

For Maggie... some music for your ears.... I am so thankful we met you and enjoyed your company so much. If you ever get to Idaho we could walk clear across downtown Boise for as much walking as we did in DC... lol and I promise it won't be as humid or as hot!!

My garden when I left and when I got back...lol...unreal

Along the Road to Washington DC

2011-07-21T21:47:00.001-06:00

Several of the next dozen entries will be about my trip to attend the Kalachakra For World Peace Event held in Washington DC with my son.

We had a great experience which started with us driving to Salt Lake City in Utah to catch the Train to Washington DC. Our train did not take off until 3:30 am so we had a few hours to kill and took a trip into their capitol building we visited a few of their local organic markets and people watched at the station.

We ended up getting pretty dirty from the heat and decided about 1 am to find a gym request a day pass work out to wake up and then shower so we could begin our journey clean. We knew the train rides were going to be long and we were most thankful to find a gym that allowed us to work out wake up and shower.

We ate at the Red Iguana which is the best Mexican Food I have EVER eaten. So our trip was off to a great start fully tummie in the site seeing mode and clean.

Beautiful Day

2011-06-28T06:34:00.000-06:00

I just love waking to mornings that look like this. The sweet smell of damp grass hay the birds singing and wow an amazing sky. Gotta love life!!

Gardening

2011-06-27T22:05:00.001-06:00

This is Sage who loves to roll in the mud after our first irrigation he had to lay down and get all dirty. I just love how playful he is and what a sweet boy he is,

Lettuce with a sunflower tossed in... I always let the sunflowers plop down where ever they land as the birds live off of them in the winter.

Kale and Swiss Chard and Mint and Asparagus Bed

Such a view I have from my back yard steps. I love sitting on the step sipping some herbal coffee listening to the distant rooster crow, birds flittering about as I watch my horses play or just eat quietly. To hear the grass hay blow in the breeze is a lot like being at the sea. The sound of all the different wind chimes we have placed all over especially a bell my Grandpa created all making their own music in the slightest wind. The sounds in country life are rich to say the least a far cry from city noises which have their own beauty too. One of the most peaceful places on earth for me as I sit here sipping my coffee with three cats sunning themselves and two dogs panting as they try to find a sliver of shade. Somehow it makes things seem right with the world to me. Love it.....

My garden busy growing even though it has gotten a rather late start. We have so many things growing in here if I can keep things wet enough we should have good food. I love watering and puttering around in the garden finding the strawberries before the birds nibbling on them as I soak each plant.

Potato three different kinds planted and needing to keep cool. My pine trees that I get for 50cents and watch them grow and grow. I burnt one when burning a pile of weeds which made me just sick! And of course you can see my poppies that were planted by the bird bath but managed to find themselves by the garden bed and in them too.

Sage is sure pretty and smells fabulous. These little garden spikes are solar and they little animals glow in the dark which are so cool. My husband gave me several for mothers day so we have them in front yard and backyard. They are delightful.

My grape has covered my fence in the front of the house 11 years later and when fall arrives the entire area smells of grape. I have watched the birds eat them as well as our dog when they are frozen which is something I had read that wolves do.

Our yard is really looking like a mature landscape and I have worked really hard for it to be so beautiful. I could not be happier with how things are looking.

It is Summertime!!

2011-06-23T11:32:00.001-06:00

Gosh been awhile since I landed to work on images. Been so very busy outside weeding and reweeding with all the rain we got this year. My garden is just starting to arrive and I am hoping for a plentiful crop. All of my seeds are planted and we are ready to eat! The grass hay

is as tall as the fence and I am expecting my farmer anytime. Bless Dave's heart

as he had a stroke last year and farming makes him tick so things are rolling a little behind for him as well with the added rain.

We have had cooler than normal weather so things are pretty green the grape is covering my fence and even my wisteria is starting to grow up the side of my mower shed. My yard will be full of the California Poppies I have seeded EVERYWHERE! I love the poppy it just makes me smile and it feels like home to me.

Blu my soulkeeper has had an injury we do not know how he got it but my vet came yesterday and did some acupuncture on him as well as essential oil and homeopathic medicine. He had to have gotten hurt from the time Tony went to work and I got done in my garden about 11 am as the boys had a farrier appointment. He was not able to move his front leg forward so the horses are separated and he is on the mend. This is the first time Sage has spent time alone in his whole life so it is a good thing all the way around.

It is Friday and Blu is doing much better which I am so thankful for.

Shoshone Falls Idaho

2011-05-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Shoshone Falls Spring 2011

So Full

Patiently Waiting...

2011-05-09T20:59:00.000-06:00

Naturally Handsome

Lightened Just A Dab

Black 'n White ;)

Snow In April Oh MY

2011-04-29T07:32:00.000-06:00

This is what my cat woke me up to see!!! I will have to stroll out to the garden to see if anything I have planted has survived this little surprise. I do love the snow but yesterday everything was so green!!

Time to Spar

2011-04-28T17:36:00.000-06:00

My horse at play and I must say a true test for any jolly ball. I always like looking out the window watching them play. I thought we would have rain very shortly after they played and sure enough we did.

Selective Focus

2011-04-26T14:25:00.000-06:00

This has got to be one of my favorite things to play with when shooting selective focus. I love the feel I get from seeing only part of the image crystal clear. I think it makes one stop to ponder the image a bit more and really take it in.

The trees at our home are just starting to bloom out. I just love how pretty they are when the yard is filled with tiny flowers and lots of bees.

Daffodil Play

2011-04-21T18:00:00.002-06:00

The grape hyacinth and the daffodil are the first few flowers to show up this year. I think I may have had six crocus show up to announce that spring was coming but the remainder of my bulbs are all starting to wake up. I had fun with over exposing and desaturating the color some and just doing some tight cropping and playing. Happy Spring is all I can say I am so thrilled to see some fresh flowers and color.

Bird Watchin

2011-04-20T06:00:00.003-06:00

Bird Watchin In My Own Backyard...

It was raining and I ran out to fill the feeder and they all showed up.

This little guy looked upset with the rain as well as how many birds were at the feeder. They love that lilac bush which should be packed with blooms this year and it smells fabulous.

This one found the perfect spot to watch over the feeder.

The Red Wing Blackbirds are so pretty and we have many of them around here.

I loved watching this little guy blow back and forth as the wind blew.

The cutest couple!!

A pheasant in the neighbors field of weeds. I think he lives there now as I heard him again today. These were all taken through the window as it was raining.

Race To Robie Creek

2011-04-18T08:00:00.010-06:00

This is my son who owns Body Epiphanies Massage & Nutrition and he was there to do some body work on the runners and volunteers.

The race had a pirate theme so I tried to play a little with these images. I think he makes for a great Jack Sparrow.

The Tropical Cowboys gone Pirate played some awesome music for everyone!!

Justin Kobbe Solace the owner of Hybrid Health watched as his wife Caty Solace crossed the finish line.

This was a fun event to attend I will post more of the runners crossing the finish line and after the race pics this week.

Robie Creek Run

2011-04-16T06:00:00.010-06:00

Well I have worked all week long in the yards cleaning piles of wood and in my garden. Got the horse trough cleaned out too!! The horse field spread the bird feeders filled the barn cleaned up and the refrigerator cleaned out so I can go shopping this week. Time to play a bit this weekend I think....ohhh and our sink is finally in the 3rd sink so just maybe another week or two and we will be doing the island in the kitchen....then the floors...then we are done just in time for me to paint a few rooms!

I created another burn pile area to burn and moved the lawn furniture around in the yard since we sit closer to the horses so we can watch them. I really like being able to just sit here and relax watching everything. I also like it that it smells like your camping with the wood and old weeds burning.

and... will grow some more tomatoes out in this area as well since my garden seems pretty full already and we have just begun. Many of the things planted are early crops so there will be more planting yet to come this summer and fall.

This weekend is the Robie Creek Run and we are planning to go to it and I will actually dust off the Nikon and get some work done. It is a pirate theme so my son will be dressing up as Jack Sparrow. I will hope that some images work and I can post them this weekend. I also hope it does not rain which makes shooting even more challenging!!

Seasonal Changes

2011-04-14T06:00:00.001-06:00

Spring has arrived and the color is striking after how long winter felt like it lasted here this year.

The one day that it was sixty degrees Tony had gotten his flame thrower out and got busy and the pay off is such lush green grass starting which means it will be less stems if we do not have an excessive rain or heat growth pattern. We got the field fed as well one night and it poured down hail just as I finished making the last pass and Tony jumped out to lock the gates. One always feels like nature is just playin with you at times like that.

Hard to believe this is what it looked like just a month ago .... still so pretty I just love it and look forward to next winter and the snow.

This is a bird house I had given my husband and guess what we have a family that has moved in...how exciting to see the little family. We have added another mail box on top of ours on the road as we have a bird who nest in it every spring and the other day our mail carrier left a note on the mail saying...... it is almost spring.... birds a nesting!! Springtime is always so fresh.....

MMMMMMM.... making roasted vegetable soup sounds like a plan today. I kind of do mine my own style but here is a simple recipe to use it is really yummy and if I get some french bread we can dip it in olive oil with chopped up garlic which sounds wonderful for a Thursday Night meal.

ROASTED VEG SOUP

Ingredients

3 to 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade, recipe follows
1 quart Roasted Winter Vegetables, recipe follows
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat 3 cups of chicken stock. In 2 batches, coarsely puree the roasted vegetables and the chicken stock in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pour the soup back into the pot and season, to taste. Thin with more chicken stock and reheat. The soup should be thick but not like a vegetable puree, so add more chicken stock and/or water until it's the consistency you like.

Chicken Stock:

3 (5-pound) roasting chickens

3 large yellow onions, unpeeled, quartered

6 carrots, unpeeled, halved

4 celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds

4 parsnips, unpeeled, cut in 1/2, optional

20 sprigs fresh parsley

15 sprigs fresh thyme

20 sprigs fresh dill

1 head garlic, unpeeled, cut in 1/2 crosswise

2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, and seasonings in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot. Add 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander and discard the solids. Chill the stock overnight. The next day, remove the surface fat. Use immediately or pack in containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

Yield: 6 quarts

Roasted Winter Vegetables:

1 pound carrots, peeled

1 pound parsnips, peeled

1 large sweet potato, peeled

1 small butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and seeded

3 tablespoons good olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in 1- to 1 1/4-inch cubes. All the vegetables will shrink while baking, so don't cut them too small.

Place all the cut vegetables in a single layer on 2 sheet pans.Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender, turning once with a metal spatula.

Sprinkle with parsley, season to taste, and serve hot.

Yield: 8 servings

Spring Fever

2011-04-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

Been working in the yards as much as possible and am looking forward to flowers and some color in the yard. Winter grows long for me in Idaho at times despite loving the snowy season. These images were taken at the Botanical Garden downtown.

Poppies have to be one of my most favorite flowers on the planet. I am planting some really pretty ones this year that are very different and will look forward to capturing them.

Love the delicate center of this beauty not to mention the color!!! These flowers dance in the wind.

Was not sure what this flower was but loved the carnation like look to it and the perspective of this image.

Love these peony and did a little photo shop on this image which is the posted on the top. I learned to plant these where you want them as they do not transplant well.

Sailor Creek

2011-04-12T06:00:00.002-06:00

These are some shots taken back in April when the horses were picked up due to a fire. I am finally finding some time at the wee hours of the day to work on some of these. I just love every expressive eye from each horse so much it has been hard to sort through these images. I think these horses are some of the prettiest I have ever seen.

Native American Pow Wow

2011-04-11T06:00:00.004-06:00

I am sorting out files on my computer tossing a bunch of art work and will be posting older images I may have passed on the first viewing the next few weeks. There is really nothing quite like feeling the rhythm of the drums and the energy from all these dancers. The colorful movement of their clothing is amazing in itself and I always love attending a pow wow event. The fancy dancers are one of my favorites to experience.

I really love the designs and the color such detail is in each piece.

I was amused with the sun glasses as well.

The bead work on each costume is amazing.

The concentration on each young mans face tells the story.

Of course I loved the bead work detail in this piece the running black horse caught my eye for sure.

Many of you will notice I disabled the comment section that was done on purpose as most of you email me rather than comment on here. I spend more time deleting the odd advertisements.

The Sun Is Shinning

2011-04-10T09:11:00.001-06:00

The Sun is Shining I have several seeds started in the garden and placed some organic mulch to cover the areas I need. My list of seeds to plant are based off the Mother Earth What To Plant list as well as the local Zamzow list as I can hardly wait to get out there each year. We had a dash of snow yesterday and I think we may have one last freeze. My lilacs are ready to bloom out and the pussywillow is abuzz with bees. My window sils are filled with plants that I have started and I have a little seed starter kit taking up space on the kitchen table.

We get some of our organic produce from a local store called Brown Box Organics and our delivery is every other Friday. I love going through the bag to see what all they sent. A great source for fresh beautiful vibrant organic produce. I had to jump up in the middle of this to see what we got this week and will get this posted this weekend.

Last weekend Tony got all the ditches burnt with his flame thrower so we are ready for irrigation. I got some seeds started in the house and some Oregon Snow Peas, 3 different varieties of potatoes, some wildflower, bachelor buttons, brussel sprouts, walla walla onion and kale planted during the week. I also got some lettuce, spinach, swiss chard and beets planted. My garden will be abundant this year !!! Most of all my soil in my beds has improved with all the hard work and planting was easy and I can not wait to see things popping up.

We have many trees that we have planted and when Tony's mom passed we planted a evergreen tree in her honor and I just got the pink dogwood I ordered from the Arbor Day in honor of his dad who passed last year. He was the first person who introduced me to the pink dogwood. He had a few growing up at their cabin. His dad really loved gardening and it was a subject I shared with him. I recall him doing hydroponic gardening back in the 70's the dude was ahead of his time. I remember seeing that beautiful pink flower thinking that is the prettiest flower on a tree I ever saw. I have tried to grow them a few times but each time (4) something happened and I lost my tree. I think this year planting in the shadiest area I have which will assure shade by 2 pm will be the magic trick and this tree will makes it!!

and this is what it will turn into as it ages....... b e a u t i f u l......

And... I got some parsley, mint, oregano and basil started by seed so spring is on the way indeed!!!!

Happy Spring... May My Garden Grow Crazy ............

Spring Gardening - Healing - Awakening

2011-04-02T07:49:00.004-06:00

Up before the sun of course spring is here as I sit here sipping my herbal coffee teeccino almond amaretto. I spent my down time this winter laying out my garden to be on paper and carefully choosing the seeds from my Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog. I really tried to choose plants that would grow in a short season. The longer I live in Idaho the more I learn about gardening here and how different it is from Northern California. My husband has built some amazing gardening beds and I have worked hard for the past few years to improve the soil each year. I rake leaves, add composted materials from our garden and will be reworking the soil a bit more before planting. I spent most of yesterday cleaning my garden up burning off piles of branches and twigs that the latest storms have blown down. My very first fruit tree a Dwarf Apple for my horses is looking great and maybe I will get my first apple from it this year.

Meanwhile I have started several seedlings and have used the moonwater I made during that amazing huge moon we just had. I have been working with the moon phases as I plant and water for some time it is something I learned about in the Farmers Almanac and I believe it works. My tomatoes and peppers have already popped up just waiting for the perfect time to plant. It is a bit early here but if I have some strong seedlings to get started it will just hasten the season all the more for me. I also incorporate crop rotation in the garden and plan on creating two areas for my sugar peas this year since the horses love them as much as we do.

I have my local Zamzows Seed Starting Guide picked up some red and white onions which I planted a dozen of each for my first planting of them and grabbed three different potato starts. A kind older man told me how he gets a plant from each eye at least two per piece you plant and took the time to teach me a bit about gardening in Idaho. I love that about gardeners and pet people.

Oh I also see the garlic I started in October is in fact growing how awesome !!

I also got my blackberry planted as well as my honeysuckle for my husband he loves how it smells so it should run north and south on the fence of the garden.

My bearded iris are going to be a mess this year because I never got to work and divided them last year so once they bloom I must get them divided.

Our family has been sick with the same cold it seems for the third time in a row. I just finished creating my first batch of Elderberry Elixir and must say it is pretty good stuff and seems to work.

I love how quiet this house is just before the sun rises as I sit at the kitchen table with the cats milling about and seeing the silhouette of horses in the pasture the birds chirping just outside the window it makes me stop and express how grateful to our creator for such a morning. I love springtime such a newness about it a rebirthing of everything outside and maybe inside too.

PS... I will some pictures later to this entry. New word for me today Ephemeris love finding words I have no clue what they mean. All so simple to learn just google it.

Early Morning Light Black 'n White

2011-03-29T11:42:00.003-06:00

This was taken about six in the morning at the corrals. I loved how the light fell on Lady Madonna she was such a pretty mare. I am just beginning to sort through some of these older images and looking for ones that look good in Black 'n White.

Beautiful grey with dripping mane.

Art For My Own Walls and Lessons Learned

2011-03-26T07:12:00.003-06:00

THE SPEED OF WILD MUSTANG

This is one of the first images I ever took during a gathering. Many of my long time followers will recall me saying it was a mistake. As the horses flew by so fast this was what I got. Throughout the years I discovered I liked the motion and have learned how to create it. Learning from this "mistake" that art is about sharing what you feel and see. This is a pretty accurate image as to how fast the mustang flew by that special day. To this day I strive to have that motion in my works of art.

THE GATHERING

This was my first Wild Mustang Calendar Cover which was taken at the same gathering. I love everything about this image including the coloring. The movement the attentive ears and expression on each horse speaks volumes to me. I learned so many lessons creating that calendar I will create another someday. I learned a lot about having images printed too!!

BROTHERHOOD OF BACHELORS

By the time I shot this image on a round up I had learned more about the Wild Mustangs and will always have their best interest at heart. They are so special to see in the wild that I hope they remain free to roam for generations to continue to experience.

I am most grateful to the BLM for allowing me to be present as each time it has been a HIGHLIGHT in my life.

We are still working on our home improvement project that started 6 years ago with my kitchen fire. We are at that magical point where I can almost see how it will turn out and I am excited. Surprised to say we do not have one image that I created printed and hung in our home. I do have a box of ballet images that I have printed but have done nothing with them yet!!!

I use the digital image frame that my son gave me so I can change the art as I wish but these are some of my favorite equine pieces. I love each piece for different reasons and find that I visually visit them again and again so I am finally going to print and frame them and get them hung! The color tones may be off on here as I have my color codes for my printer and am going to send them off today for small prints to make sure before I order sizable images. Excited to see how they turn out printed.

I have one more I wish to print on Canvas but will wait..... and wait.... to do that until I am certain exactly what I want because I know what I want is HUGE!!!

LESSONS LEARNED

I was talking the other day with an artist friend and we were discussing the artistic mood which I have not experienced for awhile. I have pretty much shot daily for over ten years, participated in many online posting sites, blogged for a few years and now I guess I am on a break. Looking back at my favorite pieces stirs my creative spirit. Sometimes taking time away from something you love is a good thing and perhaps it is much needed to refresh ones perspective.

One of the things I really understand as a result of this break is that as my son says Art is Subjective which he told me one day when I was feeling rather crushed by a comment on a site. I can remember sitting back in my chair thinking... WOW they really do not like this piece. Odd thing is that is the only piece I have ever had published in a photo magazine so go figure.

I hope that I have always been kind when I have made a suggestion as to how my eye has seen others work. Critique is a good thing it is a matter of how it is done. I know I have learned a great deal by the comments and suggestions I have received. I have allowed my creative spirit to be shattered a time or two through this past decade but I think I am back.

I have also had a few art deals that have fallen as one could say but you know in the long run maybe it was good they did. Looking back at each deal it is just a matter of perspective spin and maybe the time just wasn't right!! With each one I have learned yet another good business lesson in the world of art.

I do believe I am back in the saddle again. Tipping my hat and riding off with a wink and Mr. Nikon.

New Backsplash

2011-03-14T11:52:00.004-06:00

This is much truer color tone wise taken with my Canon.....hmmmm

My husband has worked his very cute butt off all weekend doing the backsplash to our kitchen. We still have the island, sink, faucet and disposal and then tile the island but we are on our way. Sink and faucet are on order and we are trying to pick out the tile size for the island. I am so happy with how it is looking that I could pinch myself it has been so long!!! This is a little more grey than it appears on here not sure what is up with my camera as this looks bluish to me but it isn't going to have reset my camera or recalibrate my computer perhaps. My poor camera really has not been used much since Dec. but getting other things taken care of right now. Special thanks to Oran the owner of CB Tile & Stone for ordering the glass tile for me you saved me a bundle and your help and kindness is appreciate. Thank You.

March Snow

2011-03-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

Our tree with March Winter Blanket

delicate snowy branches

Our boys wondering what is this umbrella thing she has?

Blown out for fun.

Well our whole family has been sick for the past month so we are just now getting back in gear. We have snow for the next few days then spring should be on the way.

A surprise Snow

2011-02-16T17:14:00.001-07:00

This is as Tony burnt the field off this past weekend which is why it is blackened.

The boys licking snow off each other as Sage gets so fresh with the cold air.

A New Toy - Tumbleweed

Watching the Neighbor fix their fence clear across the hay pasture.

Yesterday it was 60 degrees and I worked outside a good part of the later day. Today we have had every kind of weather from rain to a thunder storm to sleet to snow back to sunshine. The fence blew down at one of the homes behind our hay pasture and our horses watched as they tried to repair it. Sage found a huge tumble weed that blew into his area so he had fun playing with it . Been an amazing afternoon weather wise!

A Lazy Afternoon

2011-01-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

The fog rolled in early this morning and has remained most of the day. I took my camera out and shot the neighbors horses as they played around in their field. The little bird seemed to be playing peek a boo with me as I walked up and down the fence line.

January Flying By...

2011-01-13T10:32:00.001-07:00

Sitting at the kitchen table as I roast vegetables for my Roasted Vegetable Soup an all time favorite that I found on Dr. Weil's page. The house smells so yummy and just the smell makes me hungry. A rich vegetable soup with Avocado Sprout Salad and some Italian Bread makes a perfect winter supper for us.

Sparkie our last Californian cat has been to the vet more in the past six months than in his entire life. He is a bad ass and is getting into fights resulting in abscesses which need medication. Our vet has been amazing and of course he is a gentleman with them verses how he acts with any of us as we try to poke and probe to see what happened. Her suggestion is to have him become an indoor cat which is hard as he is a hunter. Within hours of him getting treated he was back to his regular self and we are struggling to keep him indoors.

I am still scheduled to shoot the mustangs at the corrals when it is snowing it just has not snowed!! Their winter coats can really change how they look and often their color will change too. Blu my own horse turns more red during his winter coat growth. Sage is loaded with the most amazing mane and tail and is just adorable.

I have really not been using my camera for much more than snap shots the time seems to be flying and I am not getting much done art wise.

I wish to send my condolences to Betty Burk's family as she passed away and she was a great neighbor whom I will always miss. My most pleasant memories of her include waking to a porch full of hydrangea flowers she had clipped and left on my front porch. Her creative design and how excited she got working in her beautiful yard and painting the outside of her home at the age of 60. She was such a supportive neighbor who helped me out several times as a busy young mother she was comforting and loving your missed. Betty may you rest in peace and return to us as a free flying hummingbird who dances from tree to tree. I am so thankful I was able to talk to you before you left and tell you what a precious neighbor you have been to us.

We also lost another neighbor from California Ray Walker I hope Nancy and her family find peace and comfort as our prayers are with you. The last time I saw him was when I was in California for a meeting and you both came up to the hotel area. Huge hugs sweet friends.

I also have a sweet friend Sheila who has lost her nephew who was so young my heart is with you sweet friend I send healing energy your way.

Huge hugs to all the families and friends this new year has sort of started with abrupt endings and new beginnings.

Lunar Eclipse Tonight

2010-12-21T01:53:00.002-07:00

Watching the lunar eclipse too cold and too lazy to try to photograph it !!! The best time to see in Idaho is from 10:29 - 4:05 am it is chilly out and every star in the sky seems to be out. A very cool event to see a time of change.

I would like to share a new cool site Crystal Wind it has so many subjects that I am very interested in that I thought maybe some of you would like to check it out. The 2010 Gemini Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse is very cool article to read.

I also really love the Native American Astrology pages as I find this very fitting. I love how the Native American passes on knowledge from such amazing stories which usually include animals as well as nature.

The Akashic Records is a new topic I am just learning about but find it very interesting.

And this video of Angelic Human Race is very beautiful I feel check it out.

Exercise the Boys

2010-12-09T08:34:00.001-07:00

My farrier was due yesterday so I exercised the horses in the field before he got here. I love watching them run and play and Dakota really gets a boost from the exercise as well. I always worry she will get too close and catch a hoof but she seems to be more aware than I think. The boys were good for the farrier and the snow and rain stayed away too! I have such joy playing with the horses and grooming them is always relaxing to me. Sage's mane is amazing and Blu is always such a gentleman that I just enjoy the day when I spend time with them and never feel the weather until I start to head back to the house.

Indian Creek Snowy Canal

2010-12-07T10:17:00.002-07:00

Snow in the Indian Creek Canal Three Different Looks as I ran to the post office early this morning I stopped at the park and walked down to the creek to shoot off a few. I was hoping to get there with the fog in the air but it had lifted as I left the drive way.

Black and White - I love snowy images in black and white so simple!

Right out of the camera does not look as powerful to me.

The added mood of a touch of sun hitting the water.

Let it Snow

2010-12-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

Been busy relearning how to shovel snow and keep the critters clean. Nothing more fun than cleaning horse poo which is soaking wet or frozen so hard to the ground you have to use a shovel to loosen it first. The wheel barrel feels like I am moving wet cement and the snow makes it tuff to push the wheel barrel. The water hose and the art of making sure I have drained it properly so it will work the next trip is also a winter event. I love the snow and how beautiful it looks and enjoy trying to keep all my bird feeders filled so my birds stay in the yard. I love the snow and hope to see more of it.

Snowy Day

2010-11-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

Stuck indoors most of the day these were shot from my living room window. The snow is so beautiful and the birds and the horses are really frisky.

Sea Otter Abstract & Fall Slap Zoom

2010-11-26T12:00:00.002-07:00

These little guys reminded me of ferrets as fast as they swam by. We got to watch them during a feeding session. This is a fun abstract with some very saturated color for added impact.

Fall Slap Zoom Play Over Saturated

Wild Mustang of Idaho

2010-11-24T06:00:00.006-07:00

I have had several image sitting on my desktop waiting for me to play with them. I finally landed to play with a few. I just love everything about these horses.

Will be making my cranberry sauce and pies today we are having several friends over for Thanksgiving so I will be cooking like crazy for the next few days. Looking forward to a wonderful time.

Happy Holidays To Everyone may you spend it with friends and family. Big Hugs

Here is MY WISH for ya'll My husband gave me this song a few years back and I still love it to this day.

The Saturated Sea

2010-11-23T06:00:00.008-07:00

Would have liked to create a triptych with these but running out of time to play with them for now.

The holiday is fast approaching. Looking forward to picking up my organic turkey at the local farm and am so glad I did not have to meet and greet the bird first. I do hope everyone has a great holiday and can enjoy the holiday with friends and family.

Sea Birds

2010-11-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

I love watching them move with the waves.

sea bird yoga class.

the runner.....

legssss.....

Ocean Flight Abstracts

2010-11-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

I really saw the abstract qualities in the reflections in the water. I plan on playing with these with some textures etc.

Pink Sunset Silhouette

2010-11-20T09:35:00.006-07:00

These are horses that are boarded at a neighbors and this was just a moment that passed as I ran to grab the camera. These are just snaps and I have not taken the time to remove the telephone lines.

Our first snow I just love it.....

Panning With The Boys

2010-11-18T18:09:00.008-07:00

The Race Is On

I just love having extra time to just play with the boys. Since we have bad weather coming this week I wanted to get them moving and play a bit. These are my practice shots while we played and I just love every second of playing with the boys.

'n The Works

2010-11-16T12:00:00.007-07:00

The fall kitchen is another subject I hope to capture. I should have gotten my garlic planted last month but will pop out there today and dig some in. I enjoy cooking fall foods and am using my crock pot like crazy.

Have not had a lot of free time as of late despite the weather change but am starting to get the creative juices flowing again. I had purchased a window in the local store that I hope to use for several images. I love the paint on the glass and have left it as dirty as it was the day I bought it.
The ideas I have for this window pane are fun so I hope as winter closes in I will have time to play.

This is one of those sunrises that makes me get up out of a nice warm bed to grab my camera or just a cup of hot tea and watch it as I lay in bed. I know it is dark but it is what makes me rise.

A New Season

2010-11-12T09:35:00.008-07:00

I think the weather has finally reached a point that this is the last mowing of the lawns this year. Yippie... Hated to run over all the pretty leaves in the yard but they mulch and make good food. The grapes are all frozen and the birds will eat them. The hoses will be drug to the mower shed for the winter and bird feeders changed out for the season. I am looking forward to fall and winter.

We went to dinner the other night at our favorite place with our sons and a few friends to celebrate our youngest birthday. This is one of the few images I have gotten of both of our sons where one is not covering his face or flipping me the bird LOL....

Fall From My Window

2010-11-10T08:06:00.003-07:00

I love how beautiful fall is the richness of the gold colored leaves just takes my breath away. Most of my trees are pretty bare but here are a few snap shots taken from inside as I look out.

Morning Has Broken

2010-11-07T08:22:00.006-07:00

This was a beautiful way to start the day hearing the pounding hooves from my neighbors horses. I always hear Cat Stevens song "Morning Has Broken" during moments like this. After waking in California for the last week which was fun this takes the cake. What a beautiful site to make me grab my camera in my robe and run out to snap this off. I love the first day of fall already......welcome fall.

Zoom Zoom

2010-11-06T08:27:00.003-06:00

Loved seeing his huge smile from a mile away as he played.

Cannery Row

2010-11-05T09:46:00.003-06:00

I just love the colors found at the sea. Even the rust looks amazing to me. Just a beautiful area.

Tony's Big Adventure

2010-11-04T10:37:00.009-06:00

This is a view of the ocean which we both miss a great deal. I could just sit for hours watching and listening. This is the morning sunrise as I walked Tony to his pick up spot for school that morning. Nice to see the sunrise no matter where you are.

Thinking I was going to walk back to the RV and sleep in some more I had just gotten almost back to sleep when I heard the GUN RANGE go off.

Watched the bluebirds a bit then headed over to the race track for the next six hours.

I was hiking over to the track and saw their first lesson. What a trip to watch these people learning how to drive race car style.

Second and Third Lesson

Tony's Big Adventure

2010-11-03T08:22:00.011-06:00

Wow what a week we have had!! Tony won an award from Mercedes Benz for being one of 16 auto techs in the nation for fixing the car right the first time. He got to attend a fabulous dinner on Cannery Row and participate in a driving school for a day at the Laguna Seca Raceway.

The bonus for me was I got to watch him and see the ocean and visit my home town and we got to visit old friends and spend the weekend with family members. We took the time to drive by our old homes and visit neighbors and really enjoyed every second of our trip excluding busy hectic freeways of California. We are happy to be home and our kids did a great job of holding down the farm and all our critters.

Here are the pictures of the houses we lived in when we met about a block apart and the area is just beautiful still.

I took a lot of pictures and have quickly previewed many of them and can see I do not have a level horizon line in the lot of them but that is fixable. I am really pleased with some of the sea bird images with an abstract quality to them and one can not miss with shooting the ocean. The auto racing images were fun to play with and I am hoping to have a few to share that can show the speed as well as the course. We camped at the campgrounds next to the raceway and had one awesome view. I walked around the entire raceway and have to say how clean and nice everyone was. What a pleasure!!!!!

Sunset Symphony

2010-10-15T20:38:00.008-06:00

Freedom of Flight

2010-10-13T11:25:00.003-06:00

This is an older image but one that made me think of Quackers as she has flown off and I hope she finds others to hang with. I might see her next spring for all I know. Flight is a good thing and I am thinking about her. We will get some Indian Runner Ducks in the Spring to have in the yard and enjoy that do not fly away. I am taking Quackers pond down today for good since she has not returned so perhaps that is why this image found me today. Here is to a pleasant wild life for Quackers!!!

Falling Into Fall

2010-10-11T12:14:00.006-06:00

Fall is such a beautiful time of year in Idaho. I love California but despite the perfect bay area weather nothing can top the beauty of fall in Idaho. We have had a very mild summer and the colors of fall might not be as vivid as last year so they say.

We are still working on the ENDLESS kitchen project and have two counters tiled my very talented husband hopes to grout them this weekend. I love how they look like the cement counters I did research on but without the problems. Then the search will be on to get the kitchen sink, faucet and disposal and purchase the tile for the island. It is a slow process but it is worth the wait.

We recently lost Spike my ferret whom I miss but am thankful for having him in my life for over ten years. He was an amazing ferret and I am sure he will recycle to me in some form or fashion. Sparkie our cat has been to the hospital four times in six months for several abscesses from cat fights he will not back down. This last little event left him with a hole clear through his ear and two bites on his jaw. He is healing well but not happy in the least about having to spend the night in the house. We have cardboard boxes protecting the doors from his pure kitty rage! Special thanks to my local Dr. Konzek and The Cat Dr.
both amazing health providers for animals with caring staff.

Life is busy but in a good way. I hope once fall is totally here to be back into this blog strolling and commenting on others work as well as posting.

New News - Fun News - Horse News

2010-09-22T08:45:00.006-06:00

Some of my images got posted on the BLM page which I think is very cool a special thanks to Jessica, Steve and MJ. It is always a pleasure to work with them and to be able to share these beautiful animals with people who might not have a chance in their lifetime to see them up close.

On the homefront news my kitchen is finally moving along after my kitchen fire five years ago we are making progress.

Tony has all but two cabinets in and we have picked out the tile we will use for countertops and backsplash. The floor tile is still sitting in the garage but looking forward to that too. This has been a very long journey since the gal we hired ripped us off and we have had to take the long road and do so much by hand. I am excited I think it will be refreshing and pretty once we get it done. I am looking forward to fall which begins tomorrow life will be a little less weedwackery and a lot more indoor work which will be nice for me. I love fall and look forward to showing my part of the world to you.