Abracadabra: animal encounters

Who was that?

I was out with my mom for some early morning exercise in the back ring when I noticed someone black. She was sitting there and doing not much. It was one of the barn cats. I think she was waiting for a field mouse to appear for breakfast.

*****

There must have been someone lurking behind those bushes – maybe it was a bunny rabbit as we met one time. My ears perked up but neither I nor my mom saw anything.

*****

One evening recently there were a lot of noises as usual when all the people had left for the day. There was a rustling of shavings and munching of the last pieces of hay.

Yoshi the puppy and Molly a visiting doggie friend were settled in for the night as well. It being quite warm still outside some of the stalls were empty.

After it was dark and very quiet there was a slinking noise and a very different smell.

Who was that? Yoshi and Molly asked quite loudly as they barked.

Someone came around the corner into an empty stall. Whoever it was was not interested in making himself known and everything got quiet again.

The next morning when my mom and the barn staff came into the barn – who is that in the stall?

It was a little fox. He moved out very quickly after this without even saying goodbye.

*****

So I never know who I will meet up with next.

Perhaps the next time it will be a deer or a goat or a skunk. These are all true stories – you just have to ask my mom. Charisma her first horse met a deer. Bishop her second horse met a goat. I believe my mom met a skunk in her back yard.

Curtains and memories

In my living and dining room I have some very practical pink and blue curtains that I have a special connection to. The other curtains in my house are just curtains.

Present:
It has been hot this summer and I often keep the curtains closed.

Past:
My mom made these curtains the first summer I lived in the house. I can still see her with all the material stretched out on the floor being measured and then cut.

Present:
Yesterday it rained for a short period when I was napping somewhere else. The window was open and the curtains got wet. They dried very quickly being of a substantial cotton material.

Past:
On September 11 2001 I was at home and hemming the lining of these curtains and watching CBC Newsworld - as it was known then.

Present:
The curtains are somewhat faded now but I am not thinking about replacing them any time soon - there are just too many memories associated with them.

Camp Ouareau: memories of

*****

2 summer campers.- where Kathi and I spent some happy summers.

I was looking at family pictures from my days at camp many summers ago now.

I was also looking at the songbook which we used and I could probably still sing most of the songs.

Canada Day 2012 as per Abracadabra

It dawned early but I was still sleeping curled up in my stall. The shavings were nice and cozy even on a warm summer night. A somewhat cool breeze came in through the open window and barn doors.

From time to time I could hear rustlings from the nearby stalls. Now and then I heard Yoshi the German Shepherd puppy in the stall across the hallway give a soft whimper. He must have been dreaming.

Quite a bit later it was time to rouse myself and have a good morning stretch. That felt so nice.

Then I started to look around for a stray piece of hay. Did I actually leave any from last night's supper? Not much.Oh well I would have to wait and see when my breakfast appeared.

Now I could hear the other horses going through their morning stretches and even some yawns. Eventually Yoshi was doing this too.

It was not too much longer that I heard some people footsteps and some movement of the breakfast cart.

Oh goodie - oats for breakfast yet again!

Was the barn staff wearing red and white and was that a small Canadian flag tucked in the side of the breakfast cart?

Happy Canada Day my friends.

Love from Abracadabra - a thoroughly Canadian horse!!!

Abracadabra: June 15 2012

Happy 10th BIRTHDAY


Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday Abracadabra
Happy birthday to me

Abra’s winter 2011 - 2012

So what have I been up to - now that spring is around the corner?

I am so easy and relaxed that I was asked to stay in the arena with a horse friend with a leg injury. I was not going to run around and get excited - that is not my style.

However squirrels or cats in the arena are a different tale. What are they up to? My mom does not like them to be around when we are busy trotting around the arena. I hear them first - being sensitive ear wise - and then both me and my mom can see them.

It has not been too snowy or cold this winter but I have learned how to skate on the ice.

Talking about ice…my mom puts me outside with my friends when we are finished trotting around the arena. I often take a long cold drink from the tub. I do not like ice in my drink - thank you very much.

Spring is coming slowly now. My winter coat is disappearing and my mom has hair all over her clothes. Did I see her with a broom sweeping up? I expect this will continue for some time. He…he.

I am a happy and healthy horse this winter. I have not been ridden too much either. What an easy life…

Until next time - love and horsy hugs

Abracadabra

Today is the day…

60 years ago today when the Queen became Queen.

So how long did it take her subjects to sing - God save the Queen instead of God save the King?

The Queen and Prince Philip will be travelling all around the UK during the year. The younger members of the family will be travelling in other places. Charles and Camilla will be coming to Canada.

When Prince Philip was in the hospital over Christmas all four children - Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward went to visit him. This was remarked upon but he is 90.

There is a new program on the BBC where the family talks about the Queen. I expect it will be shown in Canada at a not too future date.

I have been watching some royal programs.
- the story behind the King’s Speech about the friendship between Lionel Logue and the King
- the King’s Speech - a bought myself a copy of the DVD
- Mrs. Brown - about a loyal servant of Queen Victoria who was her friend
- a multipart Youtube video on Victoria and Albert and their nine children.

Of course I share something with both these Queens in my name - Victoria Elizabeth.