Horses, the Fair, Music, the Equestrian Granddaughter and the Waning of Summer
By Marla Bear Bishop
Summer is making an early attempt to move out of the Valley this year. Closing the windows at night? Can’t ever remember doing so before the end of September. Mid-forties in the wee hours have even put a damper on the potted plants. They, like me, seem a bit stunned. Maybe this is just so we can reminisce over the good times had during the past few months a moment sooner than usual.
The hay crop seemed above and beyond great for most ranchers in the area. The field I tended and one of the neighbor’s, David and Tamara, were the exception to this. David just shook his head as our grass just came to a halt somewhere in the middle of the process of growing. It’s always a crapshoot for sure. The conditions seemed ripe for a bonanza but now I’m sure glad that I traded work for hay here and there. To help me sleep at night, generous gifting from the D Bar out of last year’s crop, all barn- stored and perfect for donkeys came my way! Thank-you beyond thanks.
My horses will return home after living a life of unfettered free-range roaming, (through lot’s of fencing they’ve simply traipsed over for the past seven or so years) thanks, as big as thanks can get, Cort, for taking them on and for using them as your models in those amazing photographs taken in every season. They’ve been a calendar worthy couple through your talented eyes. And most recently, thanks to Claire and kids for showering attention and fly spray on my inseparable duo.
Speaking of the horses, maybe the mare belongs to Pamela but maybe she took on Pickle or maybe I traded the mare for the donkey known as Blue Barney? I do believe Pamela owns 2/3’s of the little horse, Stormy I’m not certain of any of this; the lines are blurred. Anyways, it will be nice to have the horses’ home. Darold is on his way right now to give them a hoof trim for the start of autumn. At least now all equine will be in one location and he won’t have to do a Valley tour to get the job done!
My Grandchild has been visiting and certainly keeping the days busy with activity. We’ve done a lot of horseback riding in glorious places with lovely people, thanks Theresa and Lisa, you’ve both helped to bring a child’s dreams to fruition. There is nothing as grand as sharing a day out in the Colorado wilderness with good friends and steady steeds. Marcelina and the Ragged’s as our backdrop sweetened the deal.
The Delta County Fair was alive and well and we ate our way through three days of non-stop action including watching our friend, Vinny, ride the mutton like a true cowboy! Vinny’s ride laid down as a pre-cursor to the rodeo that ensued but Vinny was undaunted, wearing so much gear he didn’t get ruffled in the least. Good job, Vin! We were so proud of you and the polite man you’ve become.
Other Fair highlights were the parade in which my Grand and her little horse loaded down with flowers took second prize, right behind the Houseweart girls and their great first place entry! Congratulations to all, what a fun parade.
Did I say we won a saddle? Woot woot! Yes, a nice saddle for the Grand-Girl from Outdoor Alive/Partners. As one who loves to buy tickets for a drawing and doesn’t get disappointed if the cause is a good one, it was extra special to draw the winning ticket! What a day at the Fair! Thanks Judy for the hugs and sharing the excitement.
Pick’n in the Park, we love you! Thanks Rob Miller for bringing the music to Paonia. The crowds this year and the quality of the music brought in to the North Fork have made for some very special nights under the stars. I did lose my family, so to speak, when I went forward into the dark to give Jimmy’s ice-cream that none of us could eat, to two nice men who put the ice-cream into their beer to make “beer-floats.” Thanks Dawn, for waiting all by yourself in the dark, on the lawn, with your tiny dog, to make sure I had my purse. Much appreciated!
Peaches! Oh ode to peaches! The sweetest in the land. And corn! Loving the Olathe sweet corn around here. We gave corn to fellow boat tourists when we went down the Gunnison at Morrow Point. Best tour and best tour guide, thanks Capt. Ranger Kenny and Ranger Mandy!
There is really no way to capture the entire summer in one little article but here’s to the best one on record. Wild flowers, parties, company, music, fresh local food, animals including bears, big cats, deer, bunnies and of course the skunk that has repeatedly soaked my dogs, mice galore, turkeys, chipmunks who tried to take a bag with a new shirt in it off the porch, the equine herds, goats at the Bad Dog, a big drink on a hot job at 8 in the morning of what I thought was a can of tea but turned out to be hard cider, here’s to an upcoming new season and thanks all for an incredible life sustaining blissful summer.
Tags: Crawford, Fruitland Mesa, Marla Bishop