119 Stalkers?



Very convenient, park your horse and
go in for some refreshments.


    On another family excursion with the pair we rode with them to Norco California to watch one of their horses in an event.  We got a little more insight into Bobbies personality that day.  With time a factor they decided to make a detour to a deli that they both seemed to enjoy.  They didn't seem to be in a big hurry however as we entered the parking lot next to the arena Bobbie screamed, yes screamed, I don't think I have ever heard someone over the age of three scream in an enclosed vehicle.  Wait, yes I have.  It was 1965 Ruthie and I were riding in our 1955 Chevrolet (yup, wish I still had it.)  I had been working in Winona Minnesota while attending electronics school.  I had taken my fancy clip on tie off and laid it on the dash.  ( do they still make them?  Looks like a tie without the choker around your neck nor the inconvenience of tying a knot. Seemed practical at the time.)   We stopped and picked up Ruthies cousin Sandy.  Her and Ruthie had recently graduated from high school and had moved out to start their lives.  I cant remember where we were headed that night, maybe just driving around feeling our independence.  The sun had set as we headed down the highway, the only air conditioning in the sedan was the kind where you roll down all the windows and open the vents to get some air moving.  At some point the current from the dash vents caused my black tie to go airborne.  Its funny how some seemingly innocent event can cause such a commotion.  Perhaps the scream I heard back then is the cause of the ringing in my ears.  (Is it to late for a law suit?  Seems to be the thing to do these days.  I'll check into it.). Sandy's scream followed by "its a bat" caused quite the stir in the confines of the front seat.  Its hard to imagine the time frame of the next few events.  I was trying to navigate the car at highway speeds knowing that a small scary creature had flown in the window and was threating all of us.  I'm sure Ruthie was trying to protect herself however Sandy was the main event before I could pull to the side of the road and turn on the dome light she had propelled her body from the front seat to a fetal position in the back seat.  It took sometime for us to realize the innocent piece of my outfit laying beside her was the culprit.  We still laugh about it to this day.  Now back to Bobbie and her SCREAM, enclosed vehicle, air-conditioned, windows up, scream, not used to this, I think all of us in the backseat jumped.  The Don and Yoda must have been accustomed to this behavior.  Turned out she mistakenly thought she had missed her horse's event, a little unnecessary drama perhaps. 

.    Their horse didn't place as well as they expected and their was some criticism of their trainer and the judges on the way home.  We spent a little time exploring Norco, neat town known as a horse town.  Special riding trails thru town with places to park your horse outside of restaurants and taverns.  Pretty nice.  

A little practice backing up. 
Not a natural movement for a horse

     Besides training the young colts I was spending at least two sessions each day with the new foal.  Of course there were training videos to watch prior to this new task.  He was learning to respond appropriately to pressure and everything needed to be a safe social animal that would be safe to be around when he was grown.   I really enjoyed working with the foal as the learning curve was amazing and my employers seemed to be very pleased with the results. 

   
It was hard to get a handle on the time frame of events.  We were so busy with the horses, the ranch, "family outings" learning and seeing new things.   Not long after our arrival at the ranch Bobbie chased me down and said there was a Facebook freind at the gate calling to see me.  I think I heard her mention "crazy Bob".   I was a little apprehensive as they had already mentioned this was a working ranch and I was sure they wouldn't appreciate people from Facebook dropping by.  And besides I didn't know a "crazy Bob".    Bobbie said she had got the call from the gate and they were coming in.  I was a little anxious myself to see who had followed me to the desert.

Left to right, Just Bob, Vern, Sheri,
Ruthie, Barb with a sweatshirt? And Bruce!

     When the gate opened it wasn't only a single person, evidently crazy Bob had friends.  Turns out I didn't know Bob at all he and Sheri were friends of our friends Bruce and Barb from Rochester Minnesota.  I had commented on the forum when I seen Barb eating Hulu pie at the Cliff restaurant in La Quinta, she seen we were very close and together with Bob and Sheri had found there way to the ranch.   We enjoyed the visit, amazing really 2000 miles to touch bases.  Wonderful souls.


118 Science fiction?

      

      The Don and his late wife had been fortunate to purchase a young horse with good blood lines and potential.   She grew to become an international championship mare.  Retiring her at the peak of her show career with the idea of producing show quality foals.  While it is rare to have the type of success she had in the show ring.  It was even rarer to pass on those same qualities to an off spring.    She did and the way they did it was to this country lad pure science fiction.

    Her and other valued animals are bred artificially to reduce the danger of injury.  One of our trips with our employers was to take her to a reproduction (Repo) farm to be artificially bred, a few days later the embryo was flushed and placed in a surrogate mare.  See here's where the science fiction comes in, if it takes eleven months to produce an offspring doing it natures way.  Now with this

Ruthie guarding our packages. 
Waiting for our employers.

procedure a valued mare can produce several offspring in a year.   With the recipient mares carrying the colt to birth.   I think I heard them tell of one colt whose sire had been dead for 15 years.  Can't be, I must have been dreaming.  On this particular farm they had over a thousand mares to carry the famous foals.  As we learned more of this practice of using surrogate mares as a tool we found it was actually a common practice in many forms of livestock reproduction.   It was hard to picture the plain brown mare I passed every morning in her paddock was once the champion show horse you see pictured.  Ever since her triumphant show career almost every foal born on the ranch carries her blood line.  Lets go one step further, she is either the mother or grandmother of practically every foal born on the ranch.  Many of her off springs are quite famous in the Arabian English pleasure world.  I had to keep in mind that these colts could be worth as much as 75,000 as soon as they are born and many are already sold before conception.  There future is to be English trained Arabian show prospects.  Beautiful, spirited, friendly animals.  It was obvious Bobbie and The Don were educated horse owners and had exposure to training.  I could learn much as they shared their knowledge of the horses they loved.         However then my practical side showed its ugly face and I asked how much money she earned when she won all the major shows that year.  The Don told me it was not about the money it was about the ribbons, trophy's, honor, prestige and glory of winning.  I guess its not for me, my grocer still required cash.   The rich have expensive hobbies that I can only enjoy as an observer. 

     On the way back from the farm we stopped at a Sketcher's factory outlet mall.  I wasn't aware I needed shoes however it seemed we all came out with two boxes ( some sort of a buy one get one half off, we must have been very fortunate to visit on this special sales event. ).   The shopping was a fun time and our employers seemed to be more relaxed for a time.   I even heard them mention it as a family outing.  Today we seen a sign of some darkness between The Don and Bobbie however I think it is premature to talk about it.  Maybe it was just a stressful day. 

117 The other side of the story!

     
Although the training session went well in Glendale it was obvious that Jamie was not comfortable with all that horse ownership entailed.  I tried to reassure her that there was no shame in finding them a suitable home and going back to the life she had before the horses had been placed in her care.   Our friends Rod and Linda from North Dakota visited us in Glendale and it gave us a chance to share our experience to date in the California desert.    

      Now it is time for the other side of the story or you will wonder why in the world we would go back if it was all work.  I don't think we every thought about it however the first two weeks we were not given any method to leave the ranch with our trike.  The solid cement wall was only broken by two electronic gates that required a code or electronic remote.  I'm sure they would have given it to us if we had asked, you would think so wouldn't you?  For the most part they were very sociable those first two weeks.  They seemed to take us in like family including us in activities showing and explaining the many things that drew people to this wonderful desert area.  Famous golf courses, world class tennis, National level horse jumping and polo, have you been to polo match?  We replied that we had seen it on the movie "Pretty Woman" and I'm sure they leaned to each other and whispered "hello country bumpkin".   When not observing and critiquing my training they were both occupied for much of the day in their offices tied to their computers fielding leads for their other business's.  It was usually late by our standards when they emerged and started to think about dinner.  The Don was very efficient in the kitchen and I believe could have been a gourmet chef.  The meals were very tasty and Ruthie started to be his sous-chef.  They took us with Yoda accompanying to

Ruthie working in the outdoor kitchen,  I apologize
I should have warned her before taking the picture.

wonderful restaurants,  The Don always seemed to flash the cash to cover the expenses.   In private I asked Yoda if he always picked up the bill.  She said she had tried to pay once and he said he would get it because he knew what she made.   That should have been enough for most people however when we went to the next place "The Nest".  Which they explained had been a very popular meeting place for "Hollywood" celebrities during its heyday.  Now it was more of a historic place where people came to meet, dance and perhaps a lonely widow could find a dance partner for the evening.  We had a couple of drinks and two hors d'oeuvres.   Thinking that this would be in my price range I asked The Don if he minded if I picked up the tab.  If you really want to go ahead was his reply.  As we were getting ready to continue the tour of the area I flashed some cash as I laid a $100 bill on the table the waitress leaned over and whispered "it will be more than that". I gulped and grabbed another one, almost a $140 plus the tip!  I think I wont be covering the bill on a regular basis.   Things are expensive here in the desert.   

     We received an email from our Minnesota friends Dave and Sandy.  They were in the area and we arranged to meet them at a local Italian restaurant.  Always pleasant to be around they traveled extensively in their motorhome.   Its reassuring to see a couple enjoying each others company.  Our winter travel routes have intersected at times and it was a special treat to get to see them. 

     Later that evening at the ranch one of the brood mares seemed restless and The Don readied her stall.  That night the first foal was born on our watch.  All legs and clumsy he struggled to gain his balance to nurse and in the end had to be started on a bottle to keep his strength .   The Don seemed very excited about this new addition noting the length of his neck the set and length of his legs that he would be special and someday we would see him in a prominent show ring carrier.  Quite a goal for the poor little thing that couldn't nurse on his own yet.  The mare was milked, the foal bottle fed until finally nature and his determination took over and he nursed on his own.  I was told he was my special project, (wait , I thought the crazy mare was my special project?).

     That week we watched more training videos, I made a chart to remember the horses names, sure hope they don't put them in different stalls or I will be sunk.   The colts were like students with a substitute teacher, they all reared during the week and acted up.  I started to think maybe a greeter at Walmart might have been an easier way to pay for our winter travels.  Protect yourself at all times from the movie "Million dollar baby" came to mind as one of the colts hit me in the back as we entered the bull pen one morning, nothing malicious, something had frightened him and I was just in its escape route.  Unless trained, horses have no respect for your personal space and if allowed can actually become quite the bullies.  They are masters of intimidation using the same techniques they would with their peers.  Their bodies are a weapon to intimidate and force their stall mates to bend to their will.   I regained my feet checking for injuries scolding myself as I retrieved my cap for that split second of blind trust I had placed in my young opponent.  If Bobbie had been on the podium I would have gotten a stern reprimand and a score card giving the first knock down to the colt.  I continued on, nothing broken and know one had seen so it was all good.  Now you are the only ones that know about the mishap.  

     Our second week continued doing my home work learning the regiment of the training method to be used on these young colts. Every morning I would put them thru their class with my three coaches alternating advice and direction form the viewing platform, (Bobbie, The Don and yes Ruthie). Ruthie would be up there with the pocket sized instruction manual in hand and a real desire to have the chance to coach.  "hold you hand a little higher, stand a little further away, your not at a 45 % angle, step two to the side and two back, well you get the picture and so it goes, the colts and I got two to three hours of coaching.   I think I'm doing better.  Yesterday Ruthie patted me on the head.

 

116 Horse training 101

      January 19, 2015
Having been furnished a complete set of "the horse training" dvd's the day before I fell to sleep watching the first couple of lessons.  I was thinking how lucky we were to be in
such an ideal place.  It was warm, we were safe it seemed to be perfect.  Remember what your parents told you "if it seems to good to be true, it probably is!" Well this time that's got to be wrong.  The next morning I was a little nervous, not of the horses I had worked with all sorts of dysfunctional horses using my gentle horse training methods for years.  It was that I had to follow a training system exactly to the letter, this might be tough.  Ruthie and I positioned ourselves on a platform overlooking the bullpen and watched Bobbie work with one of the colts (I know you purest

On the way to a session. 

wont be happy however I'm not going to distinguish between male and female, we are just going to call a young horse a colt.) its a 50 foot enclosed training area.  The walls are over eight feet high and my thought was I didn't have
to worry about the colts getting out.  Then a thought, wait, neither can I!  After training in corrals, round pens, farm yards and various fenced enclosures one of them strewn with junked tractors and machinery this should be a real treat.   The ground had been

The podium, checking to make sure
there wasn't a chair to throw.

 groomed and a bale of cotton type fiber worked into it to provide some cushion.  My first impression was that mechanically she seemed to know the training system very well, however there didn't seem to be any fluidity to her moves and commands.  She seemed stiff and a little out of time.  My experience was that you had a split second to relax pressure to reward the horse.  If you did it to soon you rewarded a miscue, if you relaxed to late you missed a training moment.  A miscue by the young horse and her demeanor seemed to escalate quickly and was transferred to the horse.  But who was I to judge.  I was here to train and learn according to the system they had adhered to.

     It was now my turn in the arena.  Bobbie joined Ruthie up on the platform looking down on me.  I think I had a small inkling what the gladiators felt like when they entered the coliseum or maybe it was more like Daniel in the lions den.  Just relax Vern, how bad can this be.  You've trained horses that were prepared to stomp, bite, kick and throw you.  These were friendly gentle animals.  All you have to do is relax and remember the lessons.
 
"raise your hand, higher, no higher, like a stop sign, take two steps to the left, not one, crouch and point, No, crouch more, your not crouching enough, now turn, lower your other arm, no talking, we don't give verbal cues, now relax, backup, crouch and back up!  Came the shrill voice from the podium.  I'm not sure if she was in fact shouting or if the walls acted like an amplifier with me in the center of the speaker.  After a lifetime of my own gentle horse training method there will be a learning process to adapt to the new methods. I felt like a rookie athlete as Bobbie shouted commands my way Oh boy what have I gotten into?  Yup, I had chosen a very good name for her I can just see Bobby Knight shouting those very words to a rookie basketball player just before he threw a chair across the court at him.  Very tough first day however with a warning to not get hurt or harm the colts I continued on.  When ever I had an opportunity Ruthie and I watched the horse training disc showing the goal for the next lesson this way Bobbie figured she could coach me from the podium.  And so the first week went, I would water and rake the arena, wrap the colts front legs to protect them (I found out later that I should have wrapped mine). And head to the bull pen.  Ruthie took her place in the coach's box and I got to know the colts and the training method.  "raise your hand, higher, no higher, like a stop sign, take ...........  Was that Bobbie or Ruthie?  What have they done to her?  With the sun rising behind the bull pen I had to squint to see if it wasn't Bobbie back in the box, nope, its the new Ruthie she is liking this new role of coach way to well.
      Bobbie asked me to give a mare a bath in preparation for foaling.  I remember thinking this would be an easy task after the tension of training.  Wrong again!  Evidently my horse bathing actions didn't jive with the mental picture Bobbie carried in her mind of the proper horse bathing technique.  She stepped in to ask if I had bathed a horse before?   The next word out of my mouth might just have well have been "FIRE". I don't think it would have evoked a larger reaction.  This time I know she was shouting, I was only three feet away.  "you've never bathed a horse before she shouted, you call your self a horse trainer and you've never bathed a horse?  And on and on....  throwing in a few words I remember from my days as a sailor.   I think I mentioned that much of the year if you wash your horse in Minnesota you will be chipping ice off of it and that in the summer it rained twice a week.  Didn't seem to help,   Later you always come up with the reply you wanted to say, like "I said I was a horse trainer, not a horse bather".   Probably wouldn't have helped but it would have made me feel better.  Anyway Ruthie and I learned to bathe the horses.  Ruthie soon became quite comfortable with the horses and was a big help with them. 

     In preparation for our Friday ride back to Jaime's to work with her and her horses we had ordered a new front tire at a Honda shop in Banning.  We checked with our California employers to see if we should come back or stay in Glendale.  I think Bobbie was agreeable however The Don said they would like to try it for another week.   Unfortunately a miscommunication at the Honda dealership made it necessary to make the trip with our leaking front tire.
     That was pretty much it for the week and the ride back to Glendale gave us a chance to reflect on our first week in the desert.  It had been a hard week, work, tension and trying to figure out this couple so different from us.  Could we do it?  Did we want to do it?  

115 A note from the desert.

 I believe a little housekeeping is in order first. I have had numerous many quite a few okay two requests to continue publishing my blog.  Although I have been taking notes and pictures very faithfully I knew that because of  lack of free time and some potential controversy involved I had to give it some thought to decide how to do it tactfully.
     A little disclaimer for all posts, past, present and future!  Sometimes when you tell a story it is hard to convey the meaning behind the story without listing some details that may or may not be flattering.   A Facebook freind gave me what I believe is a safe solution.   Everything I write is from my point of view, which if you know me at all is probably somewhat slanted and maybe some of it is pure fiction and any resemblance to anyone or anyplace is just a coincidence.  However if you see someone you admire you are welcome to claim that it is you. 
    Well here we go, now remember this may just be some cruel dream sequence. 
    Jaime had already let me know we wouldn't be working with the horses during the week, it was just to much with her work, home commitments and the physical exertion training required.  So will this be our winter to just hang out in the motorhome, work with Jamie and the horses a little, maybe some rides into the desert.  This should be one of our more casual and uneventful winter trips.   
     Not so fast there bucko!

Interstate 10 toward sunny California!

     January 13, 2015 An email from the California desert arrived.  A party had seen my Craigslist ad for horse training and they said they were intrigued, wondering what my salary requirements were for an 8 hour day (make a mental note of that) with lodging.  The email also asked what horse training gurus I followed.    I was sent a video of the ranch in California that peaked our interest.  It showed a beautiful luxurious ranch setting, stables, white rail fences, beautiful horses resting in the paddocks and stables, palm trees, mountains on the horizon.  I think I vaguely heard Robin Leach (now that's funny, private joke, you will see why in about a year of posts.  I hope I remember to clue you in. Not to worry, I made a note.)  in the back of my mind saying "Welcome to the lifestyle of the rich and famous."  We had to see this place!  We traded a couple of emails and it was suggested that with my relaxed schedule with Jaime's horses maybe I could train in California during the week and Glendale on the weekend.  Getting approval from Jaime

Sharing the road.

we made arrangements to travel to the ranch Sunday after our training session.  It was close to 250 miles on interstate 10 to our destination and on Jan 18th we headed out.  We were able to travel 80 mph while in Arizona.   We had been told that there was inexpensive camping in the desert around Quartzite AZ however we were not prepared for the magnitude of the draw that inexpensive camping in the desert has.  The desert seemed to be filled with campers and RV'ers of all descriptions haphazardly spread out along the desert bordering the roadway.   They stretched for miles.  Not knowing how many opportunities we would have for gas and refreshments we made the mistake of stopping for gas at this exit.  There was a significant wait just to get off the exit and a line at the gas station.  We found out later that it was the annual gem and mineral show.  As one man told us "its all about the rocks".   Besides the cars, motorhome and campers there seemed to be an abundance of aimless souls  Don't know if they are homeless, hippies, or just wanderers laying around on McDonald's little patch of green real estate.


California, here we come!

     As we approached our destination in the California desert it surprised us as we started a thirty  mile descent just before we reached Coachella California. the temperature climbed from 72 up to 79.  Ruthie was liking it already.  From Coachella you pass names like Indio, La quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Marge, Palm Springs and Desert Hot springs.  We were told that people that can afford to live anywhere choose to live here in the winter months.  I have come to the conclusion that there are two types of people here,  those with money and the those that work and serve them. (One guess which group we were in.).  Then the desert floor starts to climb slowly for the next 40 miles or so leaving behind this little oasis with its ideal winter climate. 
     Due to the public nature of the "Ranch and associated business's I have chose what I feel are appropriate names for the parties involved, I will remain "Vern".  We had been given the code to get thru the first two security gates and a phone call beckoned an assistant we shall call Yoda (a combination of Yoga and Buda which I felt fitting) to let us in the final locked gate.  "The Ranch" was everything we had dreamed of.  Surely we have reached paradise.  (No, not yet but soon.)  We were greeted warmly by the ranch owners and soon the five of us sat down at a patio at the end of the stable to discuss arrangements.   No not what you think, it was like a patio at a nice home,  patio furniture, stone fireplace, a small rock wall with roses.   You have already met Yoda and we shall call the "mister" The Don (like in Trump)  and Mrs. Bobbie! (as in Knight)   Bobbie was very interested in my horse training experience and methods.  It had been made very clear that I was to train the horses using the exact methodology that they subscribed to. (yup, they had drank the kool aid.)   Trump seemed more interested if I watched the communist news station "CNN" and who I voted for in the last election.  I firmly believe an "Obama" answer would have sent us back to Glendale before the security gate closed behind us.

Ruthie seems comfortable, doesn't look
like she will want to leave anytime soon.

       We were told that the position consisted of training the four young colts 8-10 months old, a foal yet unborn and they mentioned a project mare that had been returned from the trainer because of problems.  The colts were being trained for a future in the show ring.  They also mentioned that my ability to do some repair and projects may come in useful and Ruthie might be able to get some hours in some of there other business's.  She would also help out with some meals.  We tried to make it clear that we were not looking for a (and Bobbie spelled it) J.O.B. and our objective was to help out with expenses and still be able to ride and explore the area.  Looking at my notebook, we had mentioned training four times a week so we could do some three day trips.  2.  Would our accommodations have air conditioning? Yes, We would be able to live in the motorhome close to the stables.  3.  We from time to time have visitors and wondered if they could stay on the couch,   Donald said "No" it was a working ranch.  We all decided to try it for a week.  (note to grandchildren.  In any discussion there are many sides to consider. 1. What you mean to say 2. The words you use to convey your thoughts. 3. What the other person thinks you mean. 4. What the parties assume based on there experiences.)   And in the end both parties will feel they are being taken advantage of.   Yup, be careful out there.  I know I said "train Horses" The Don said "train horses". Bobbie said "train horses" I think I remember hearing "Fraud protection" that's right "Frog protection". We are totally on the same page! 

114 Home for Christmas

    


Our Arizona home

     Michelle, Ruthie and I rode to Glendale Arizona and dropped off the camper at what would be our new residence when we returned.  Our Minnesota neighbors Barb and Warren were kind enough to put us up for the evening and drive us to the airport the next day,  They were so kind it is hard for me to mention that Barb washed my new Gold Wing shirt with perhaps some tie died sheets or something she had left over from the "sixty's.".   She left a letter with a. lame apology saying that if the shirt was that important to me it shouldn't

Winter on the Mississippi River by our
home next to the Pioneer Club, Wisconsin on the other side.

have been wrapped up in a sheet.  I will admit that she worked very hard to get the shirt back to an acceptable color.    The flight home was uneventful, we flew Spirit which is a budget no frills airline.  A friendly humorous crew made the flight memorable, during the "what do in the event of a flight emergence" talk they mentioned that the FAA had a new regulation that no passenger was allowed to have more than two ounces of dark chocolate in their possession and they would be passing amongst us to pick up the excess. (I don't think that will go very well) With everything else she has going daughter Katrina made the trip to the twin cited to pick

They seem happy now, try and take their dark
 chocolate and see what happens.

us up at the airport.   Our Christmas celebration was amazing, seeing family and friends however waking up to 23 below was a rude awakening.   We stayed to long in Minnesota this year, it seems after the Christmas holiday people go back to work, the children to school and we stayed close to a heat source and off the roads as much as possible.  And the rest of Minnesota stays behind thermal pane windows to gaze out at the barren cold.  Besides the bitter cold the flu season had hit Minnesota at first there were 19 School closings however by the time we were ready to leave the number of schools affected had jumped to over 200.  With 95 percent of the state expecting 40 degree wind-chill and later blizzard conditions it was time to leave.  One very fortunate event happened for Ruthie while we were home.  Our son-in-law Bill knew that her back problem had worsened during our winter trip and the clinic had been helpless in giving her relief.  He suggested she go to a special chiropractor.  Almost a miracle, after one treatment on a stretching table (if I had known about such a thing I might have reached my height goal) and spinal manipulation she was able to walk with very little pain.  We will have to try and find someone on our trip to help her further.
    January 7th,   Leaving 30 below wind-chill and landing back in Arizona in almost 80 degree weather, yes I'm thinking we will do this again next year.  A little hiccup as we backed the Gold Wing out of Warren and Barbs garage the front tire was all but flat.  We nursed it two miles to a filling station and paid a buck for some free air.  This little flaw would stay with us for awhile checking the tire every trip and refilling it, got to` get this taken care of. 

Jaime and Blackie

     We got settled in the motorhome provided by Jaime and Ted in exchange for our horse training services.  We expected this would be our residence for the rest of the winter. 
     Little was known about the two horses they had acquired, but they were now horse owners and determined to make the best of it.   With the promise of horse and owner training they had purchased the horses.  However has it sometimes happens the horses were all they got for the bargain. The four of us made a trip to the tack shop to purchase everything they needed to ride, groom and maintain their new steeds.   It was fun going up and down the aisle putting things in the cart knowing I wouldn't be paying for anything.  I think I heard the owner of the store make a call telling his wife that they could afford that new boat now. (just teasing)   
     Our first session went well, since Gracie was the most spirited I tried to show Jaime the lesson with her while she tried to mimic my actions with Blackie.   Jaime had already noticed that what she thought were loving gentle horses could turn somewhat aggressive when she carried feed to them.  She said "I carry the feed out and then run away!"  I showed her how to put on a demeanor that would protect her from their bullying and keep her safe.  We did some light exercises, leading and teaching them to lunge left and right.  We groomed and cleaned their feet spending quite a bit of time getting the snarls out of their manes and tails.  Working with horses can be more physically demanding than I was aware of and Jaime let me know when it was time to end the session.   I continued to work with Gracie to check on her attitude and trainability.   Both horses seemed to be cooperative and didn't seem to have been mistreated with bad habits.  They shouldn't be a problem.  Jaime informed me that w should take some breaks from the training regiment for her to regain her strength.  I worked some with the two horses on my own however she let me know that I was not to do it without her, a game little lady she wanted to do it herself. 
Jan 10th We read a warning from Mn,  654 crashes 589 before rush hour, white out conditions.  Yup we made the right choice.
     I had heard about the Glendale light show and made some inquiries with our hosts and some of the neighbors.  As so often happens locals had heard but had not found the time to attend.  We let Michelle know about the event and she rode over to spend the evening. 
     Its called the Glendale Glitter and Glow block party and it was awesome!  There were over 23 unique and colorful hot air balloons feathered right on the street.  They say there were over one and a half million Christmas lights, lots of shopping and treats in unique little shops and restaurant's.   We kept making reference to the fact that we were enjoying a outdoor event in January and it wasn't connected with ice fishing or a polar plunge.  When Michelle posted about the event our mutual friend from Minnesota Leslie sarcastically mentioned Fountains frost and freeze event.  Now I know this contradicts my bragging about the food vendors, however we had heard so much about the In and out burgers that we just had to look one up.  It looked like a burger joint from the 50s promoting their everything fresh ( not frozen) offerings.  The three of us were not impressed, maybe we will have to try it again. 
Jan 11th Sunday and Jamie and I worked with the horses.  We said goodbye to Ted as he was traveling to his home country of South Korea for an extended visit.  We had enjoyed several meals with Jamie and Ted and they had made us Korean BBQ bulkogi.  Safe travels Ted!
  We rode the trike toward Cave creek to check out the area.  Just short of our goal a car came up on our side the passenger leaning out and giving us an exuberant thumbs up.  Not usual as the trike gathers a lot of attention even more so when Ruthie is driving.  I thought the vehicle pulled in behind to follow us and just before we made a turn they shouted "Vern". Now this is unusual.  What is it my name on the trike or somewhere, ( Ive done that before somebody calls me by name and I'm amazed then I find out its wrote on my shirt or somewhere, duh)  The I recognized him as he said its Dave from Lakeville  of course we had built a trike for them back in Minnesota.  He and Sandy are avid travelers and RV'ers .  I knew from emails they were heading this way but what are the chances we would drive by their campground just as they exited.  Fun times.     

With all the warnings about high water on the recessed roadways I need to mention the  “Stupid Motorist Law”, which primarily states that any motorist who becomes stranded after driving around barricades to enter a flooded stretch of roadway may be charged for the cost of his/her rescue. Sounds like a good idea to me, I always feel bad when people risk their life to rescue people that shouldn't be there in the first place.