STAGECOACH!

This past weekend I was invited by The Bossman to be his guest for a private event held at our stables. This event is a yearly reunion of people who have gone together on world wide ride trips. Some of the rides have been to Porto Rico, Mexico and Argentina. Starting Friday night was a cocktail party where the group recalls their wonderful experiences together, Saturday is a ride with lunch at the Indian Golf Club, entertainment at the stables, dinner at the Ranch and a Sunday Brunch! Although I was invited to attend several events I was only able to go on the ride and the lunch.

As usual The Bossman has Jesse ready for me when I arrive and I did not have to stop for lunches or then pack every ones chips, cookies, ect., nor did I have to pack saddle bags! I had so much extra time...what is a cowgirl to do but DRINK!

Because The Bossman did not have to hook up a trailer (we ride from the stables today) he had time to set up bar in my tack room! Now my tack room is the envy of all my Pony Cousin's and one day soon I will give you all a tour! But back to my story. The ride was suppose to start at 9am, however as The Bossman was the bartender for the Friday night cocktail party there were a few people still trying to get their hats on their big headache noggin. The Bossman has been known to pick one or 2 unsuspecting souls to get schnockered at these kinds of events, I think he even makes bets on whether or not he can get someone to fall off their horse! Notice anything different in the picture of us??? I am wearing a HAT! I have several great hats but I get so hot when I wear them that I usually just wear visors. GREAT VISORS, of course! Also...notice the red and black boots??? Yes they are a pair of DRESS boots and do not usually get to go the stables. Black stingray toes and heals with red tooled uppers. I found them in New York city last summer and they were such a good price...I had to get them! And wearing the "Desert Rose" red chinks was a really good idea because as we headed out of the stables there was a bartender shoving a plastic glass with a "BLOODY MARY" in my hand! I alerted Jesse that he should not spill my drink, and as my Pony Cousin K says..."that's a good way to get your but hauled off to the auction"! But Jesse was so excited to leave the stables with 60 riders that he forgot himself somewhere along the trail and broke into a little trot without asking mom. Of course the "Bloody Mary" spilled on my red chinks! This is why "LEMONADE is my drink and ride choice!

Now rather than spend time telling about the 3 hour ride that was uneventful and a ride you have all been on with us before, I will skip ahead to the entertainment part. The Bossman and I did not do the whole ride with the group but went back to the stables to hook up with his grandson who was going to get a big treat! A Stage Coach ride!

Waiting for Tristan to come for his surprise ride!

Tristan and his dad are ready to rock and roll!

Jesse and Little Lady are ready to out ride with the stage coach in case of a "hold up" or "Indian attack"! As you can see...they are both not too sure of this bright red monster but neither one did anything naughty. Jesse of course had to go up to it and sniff it...lick it and touch it all over with his nose. Ready to hit the trail with us???

Here we go...hold on to your hat!

Now...the stage coach drove down the rode from the stables and then made a u turn to head back. Jesse and Little Lady had to trot on the pavement to keep up. They both took their job as protectors very seriously and Jesse did not want to get to far away form the stage coach...he is so funny about new things. Once he has bonded with the "new thing" he wants to be with it and will "look" for it if it is taken away and keep going back to where it was to see if he can find it.

The stage coach is coming round the mountain!

Heading back to the stables! Out of focus becuse of the trotting!

I could not pick between these 2 shots...I am rather proud of them even though when I had The Bossman get Little Lady in the right spot I was not sure how they would come out.

The Bossman and I trade mounts so that Tristan can ride with his "DA". Jesse and Slick are both on the "mommy approved list" to ride, Lady will be on the list real soon!

The Bossman and his "mini me"!

Riding off into the sunset...just 2 boys and my horse!

Now...there was one more event that day that I will share with you soon, but will leave you with a picture of the truck that the stage coach travels in style to events!

Look at this big 18 wheeler...now that takes some horse power to move down the road!

Have you ever ridden in a stage coach, buggy, or covered wagon???

Happy Trails!

The Desert Rose!

Lemonade of a Different Flavor!

My niece, Pony Girl passed the Lemonade Stand Award she received from her friends at Fern Valley Appaloosa, There is a Horse in my Bubblebath and Cheyenne, to me... her "lemonade of a different flavor" mentor! Down here in the desert lemonade is code for "cowgirl courage"! Frozen ahead of time... a bottle will stay slushy for several hours on the trail.

Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.

6. If you are The Desert Rose you may skip rules 3 and 5 as they are way beyond your skills!

1. I must pass this award on to my PONY COUSIN, Saddle MT. Rider, who is the matriarch of the Pony Cousins, which means she is the oldest of this group. She encourages us to be the best we can, keeps the Pony Cousins get togethers at the top of all our lists and in spite of her physical limitations has gotten back into the horse world! I do believe she prefers Jack over Jose.


2. To my niece Paint Girl and her "cowboy" who have over the years created a wonderful enviorment for their 2 horses, several goats, dogs and cats! Pony Girl's boy lives there too. And for her courage and determination with her equine love to work through "their" issues. But most of all when her hard work payed off and she won the title of "Rodeo Queen" at our Pony Cousin stampede last summer!


3. To Heart of a Cowgirl whose beautiful jewelry designs are just what every cowgirl needs, and she is a desert cowgirl too. Oh...and I just love her BUNNY'S!


4. To Back at the Ranch another desert cowgirl who by the way also designs jewelry! I love reading about other desert cowgirl's adventures and this cowgirl goes looking for adventure!




5. To Palomino Girl...Pony Cousin and the "new mommy" in the group! She "cowgirledthefuckup" (25 cents in the cuss jar!) and rode with us safely last summer preggers! (Dr.'s approval...no lemonade!) She rode till she could not get up into the saddle...I think that was just before they wheeled her into delivery! It was a FILLY!


I am a new blogger and searching out blogs to follow so this is the end of my list. Right now it's all I can do to get a decent post sometimes but I do look forward to keeping track of a few more soon!



There are many kinds of Lemonade, my personal favorite is named for my best friend Jose! You can buy it virgin, straight, premixed, premium mixed or in little individual serving size. If I am riding with a large group of "BUCKARO'S" I usually buy it straight, that way a "BUCKAROO" can add the poison of their chose to it! My everyday choice is the premixed! Just pour it into your water bottle and freeze! A few of my friends LOVE the premium mixed! I personally do not, there is an added ingredient that makes it nearly impossible for me to mount or stay mounted...on my mount! Then there is the individual servings that one must cash in a savings bond to buy! These come in GLASS bottles and go clink, clank, chink along the trail and alert the park ranger's you are drinking and riding!



This is what happens to you when you drink and ride...and get caught! Recognize a certain blond PONY COUSIN with her hands hand cuffed behind her??? Guess she learned the hard way...just don't get caught! See the cousin laughing at her??? Yes, this is the loving bond we PONY COUSIN"S have for each other when it comes between a cousin and her LEMONADE!

Notice that the blond PONY COUSIN has had too much LEMONADE, she is starting to take of all her clothes! She must be too hot ( or thinks she too hot) or thinks it's time for her table top dance!
Notice how this BLOND PONY COUSIN is leaning to the left...must have been that premium mix in her water bottle!


What ever your choice of Jose is... Jesse, Jose and I wish you many happy trails!


Your Desert Rose!

For Pony Girl!

This is for my niece Pony Girl who is "cowgirlthefuckup" ( 25cents in the cuss jar!) crazy about Lonesome Dove and Capt' Gus! I bought this sign for my husband who introduced me to Lonesome Dove 18 years ago. It hangs in our new family room in the PNW! Enjoy Pony Girl!

The Desert Rose!

The Desert Rose is an Adict!

Now.... if you have ever ridden with The Desert Rose you know that she does like her "LEMONADE"! And she has a "WARCHEST" of little pills for what ever might ail her or any "BUCKAROO"! However The Desert Rose does not have withdrawls from a day or weeks away from these trival mood elevators. What really elevates my mood is the grandbabie's and I was in the need for a FIX!

Bath Buddy's

Toby 2 1/2years

Jed 1 1/2 years

X-Rated Baby Tush Photo's!

Jed meets his new cousin Lexi 3 weeks old!

Since the PNW was snowed out our family Xmas celebration and then Lexi decided to make her entrance Xmas day we all gathered for "another Xmas" as the boys would say!

Zsa Zsa had projects ready for the boys while waiting for the family to arrive and open presents!

The presents waiting patiently to be opened!

Hay...I think I might like having "another Xmas"!

Yea...it's writing the thank you cards that's gonna get you kid...you just wait!

Well...it was only about the babies when we were in the PNW but I got my fix...and that is all that matters!

The Desert Rose!

Hoofbeats in My Heart!

In Loving Memory of Zoe!




With a heavy heart I write this blog in memory of Beautiful Zoe! While I was visiting our grandchildren up in the PNW, I received the dreaded but anticipated phone call from Zoe's mom that Zoe's test results from the day before showed that her cancer had spread from her guttural pouches and throat to her lungs. Her surgery and treatment in November that ended with phenomena had failed. Zoe's mom had made the difficult decision of what to do "if" the test results were bad before Zoe went in for the tests. Her choice was hard to make, Zoe is her life... but her mom could not let her suffer anymore and would not be bringing her home. Zoe and her mom fought so hard to cure Zoe of the poisoness cells invading her body. I was so proud of their bravery! I wished that I could have been in the PNW to help and support them with all the care Zoe needed when she came home from the hospital. But they were so lucky to have several "Cowgirls" step up to taking turns with the long list of daily tasks to be done for Zoe.


Zoe gave my family and friends so many safe wonderful hours in the saddle... always with her big heart. We will all miss Zoe and will forever hear her hoof beats in our hearts!




Jesse and his beloved Zoe ready to ride in the 2008, 4 th of July Rodeo Parade.

The Desert Rose!

Saddle Bags!

Well...I could say that this blog is about the "saddle bags" that many of us carry around and are actively adding to our "cuss jar" savings to remedy the situation. However...this blog is about Jesse's saddle bags that he will have to carry on today's ride with The Bossman! It will be 2 1/2 hours up and 2 hours down back down...part of it the same "snow ride" trail you shared with us a few weeks back. So rather then bore you all with more photo's and stories of the "same old ride" this blog will be about Jesse's saddle bags! These are the saddle bags Jesse is required to carry on any ride "over" 2 hours long. Jesse has smaller bags for 2 hours and under but the items needed for today's ride..."just in case" are too many too fit in the small bags so these are the only option!

These brown canvas bags with large pocket bags that secure over the cantle with leather trim on the front. I have had the "Leatherman" Add additional clasps to hook on to the rings on my saddle. The side straps connect around my back cinch for stability and then the ties on the d rings are tied through the holes and around the bags for added security.

The medicine bag lays on top of the saddle bags and hooks to the d rings and is then tied with the same ties to the saddle bags. Now...this is the small medicine bag. I have the same one in a larger size to add the emergency overnight gear should we get stuck in the middle of nowhere but only use that larger bag when riding way up in the mountain areas.

The horn bags I choose for each ride depends on the following. Who I am riding with, where we are riding to, and the temperature. I am a horn bag princess! I have more horn bags than anyone I know! The brown canvas with the desert stables logo were a gift from Spanky. They are great to keep trail snacks, gloves when I take them off and any other items I need to keep handy. The leather, hair on hide fits over the top of the canvas for water and LEMONADE! This is my new bag from "Cowboy Christmas" that I seem to pick now over my others.

All together these bags are too heavy for me to carry in one load to the truck for the days ride. I do feel sorry for Jesse during the hot season when he has to carry extra water. But he is in luck now that most of our snow from our "snow day ride" has melted and most of our streams in our backyard have enough water for the horses to get a good clean drink!

Little Lady and Jesse all loaded up on the ride. This is our lunch stop and they were lucky to have this nice shady area. Both were tied to trees and could get a few bites of the munchies below or above. They are looking at us over on our picnic table rock waiting very patiently for their lunch they both know The Desert Rose has packed for them in Jesse's saddle bags!

Your Desert Rose!

HORSE SHIT!

In my own defense I will say up front that I do not believe I should have to make a deposit into the "cuss jar" for useing the words horse shit. Let's face it... all cowgirls know that shit happens especially from your horse!

Today my"ride time" was given up for Jesse time. I admit that I have been sooooo into riding since we've been in the desert, getting the tack room back in order and traveling for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays that Jesse has not been getting his fair share of my attention. And on Tuesday morning when I went to get Little Lady for my ride Jesse heard me coming and as he always does...he started his nickers and whinny's. I gave him a hug as he moved to the stall door to wait for me to halter and lead him out. Only I took his halter and walk towards Little Lady. As I walked away I turned back to see him and he turned his hind end towards me and looked back at me! I got his message loud and clear!

When I get to his stall today he seems to have forgiven me.The happy guy that he is, is greeting me.

I halter him and off we go to the arena for some plain old horse time. I am very lucky that he never trys to bolt away from me when I unhalter him in the arena. He simply walks away and begins the business of just being a horse. 1st up...the roll! Now he is sooooo fast at this that I barely got a shot off. He went completely over 2x and then just layed there gently moving his backside. As he began to rise I got this picture.




2nd up is the BIG SHAKE! No... not another earthquake.

Now that Jesse has finished his personal needs he will soon be off to his favorite pastime. And I am embarrassed to say that he will now circle the arena several times...stopping to sniff all the poop he can find, each pile several times while making his rounds!

I can't believe I kiss that muzzle...over and over and over!

He sees me reach for the halter on the fence and is NOT ready to get out of the arena and now does bolt so fast that again I can't get the shot. But the ones I got are a glimpse of how fast he was going and how bad I am with my new camera!

Sliding stop to a roll back???

The picture is blurry...but it is a classic Jesse pose! You can see how dirty he is. 45 minutes of grooming and a clean blanket before he's back in his stall for his dinner. Apples, carrots, raisins, frosted shredded wheat, oat cookies mixed with his feed!

We both feel better now!

Your Desert Rose!

"The BIG Ride"!

I previously posted about "the pre ride" of the trail for "the big ride" that The Bossman and I did last week. Just because I did it 2x in one week does not mean I will make you do it too! I will just give a bit of info and some new pictures of the same old trail.

The trail goes up into the mountains and across them behind the desert valley and is too long to ride round trip in one day so there are lots of logistic's involved in getting horses and riders to the staging area and then back to the trailers. This requires either a drop off from our stables, or a "bribed" husband to drive your rig down to the pick up area at the end of the ride. Either way...this keeps many who would love to do this ride unable to do so. In spite of all the obstacles we had 14 hardy riders readying their mounts at the staging area for this ride!

In all we had 6 different rigs delivering 14 horses/riders to the staging area.

The Desert Rose and Little Lady are ready ride 15 minutes ahead of schedule! Jesse was in stall rest with "owy toes" from the pre-ride. Seven hours was just too much for him with his problem hooves. So...The Bossman TOLD me I would ride Little Lady! Now... he and I disagree over his Buckaroo name, he says that Bossman is code for "SLAVE"! I just don't understand how he sees it that way when he is the one who tells me who I will be riding??? Cowgirls...what are your thoughts on this???

Gathering at the trail head for ride information and introduction of any "guest riders".

The Desert Rose and Little Lady are at middle of the string, our look backward,

Our look froward!

Potty break...which I never pass up!!!

Picture's of the lunch stop...4 riders had previously planned to only ride a portion of the trail with the group and then turn around and head back down to the staging area and did not eat with us.

The end of the trail!

At the end of the trail, Little lady and I snap photo's as our rider's have all safely navigated the happy trails of "The BIG Ride"! Because of the trailer shuffle this ride was only 5 hours today...not the 7 hours of the pre-ride!

Your Desert Rose!