Dear members,
This is week #7 for Meet Our Members. We have had the joy of spotlighting our hosts: Charlene, Katii, Laura and Kevin. We have had the joy of spotlighting our members: Nancy M, David Daniels, Northern, Lynn Busby, Dale and Cheri Husband, Michelle P, and Suzanne O.
I hope you've enoyed "meeting" them as much as I have...because I love this.
Today we get to meet our member, Barb B.
You know her as an intelligent, knowledgeable and highly-articulate poster for Conservative political causes - (I hope that's okay if I say that, Barb.)
Now we get to meet Barb as herself, too.
Please note: Barb works long, long hours Mon through Wednesday this week, so she will may not be here until Thursday.
Let's give her a big welcome and leave some fun questions for her to answer.
Welcome, Barb!
Top of the morning Barb. It is always a pleasure to meet interesting and kind people. Welcome to this forum ... I hope you enjoy it. We ought to start out easy so my question is, do you like to travel and if so, where are the top 5 places you would like to visit?
Do you live in snow country?
This post was modified from its original form on 19 Oct, 10:03
Yeeehaaah!! Glad to see it is your turn Barb! Barb and I may be opposite ends of the political spectrum, but we are still friends. I have the greatest respect for you Barb, as you know, and I know you to be a lovely and very intelligent lady.
Great...........tell us about the horses now!!
Barb - one of my favorite posters here! Yes, please tell us about your horses and your life!
Hey Barb, where are you? You must have finished feeding those ponies by now! I shall look in tomorrow and look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Dear Barb,
You've traveled and lived in many different areas in your life.
What brought you to where you are now? How do you feel about the other places where you lived? What motivated some of your choices?
Hey all!
It was a long night & I've got to go back, again, in about eight hours [vet tech] so I'm about to crash. Rather than answer in mono-syllables & grunts [it wouldn't be pretty 
], I'll tackle the questions tomorrow when I'm a bit more coherent. Thanks!
Mañana!
Barb it's manana...where are you? Are you a big animal lover? Outdoorsy girl or what?
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just typed out a long post but lost it when I hit "reply"!!! grrrrrrrrrr... I hate it when that happens!!!!!
OK, I'm going out to the barn to feed beasties & then I'll come back in, try to remember what the heck I said, re-type it on Word [so I won't lose it again! lol] & give it another shot. Please keep your fingers crossed for me! TTYL!
It's been happening all day, We have lost oodles of posts. Good idea to do it in Word first then save it. Care2 does have some glitches today!!
Yes, Barb...
With every post I remember now, most of the time, to "copy" it in my browser or, better, write it in Wordpad (or Notepad), then copy and paste.
That saves the post, no matter what happens.
Barb, did you always call your animals friends beasties or did you just start doing it since conversing with Charlene and Knate?
I now refer to my animal buddies as beasties (I like that word) and never did prior to my conversing with Charlene and Knate. Just curious if it's contagious. 
Charlene - Thanks for letting me know it's not just me! It's frustrating, isn't it?
Knate - Do you have any formatting problems going from Notepad to the C2 text box?
Suzanne - I've heard "beastie" since I was a child. Seems as I often recall my grandparents & some of the old aunts & uncles talking about things like "just a few wee beasties..."
Dear Barb,
I like WordPad because it is so, so simple.
You, of course, can use any word processin thingie to write in, but why have all the bellls and whistles when all you need to do is write a few words and copy and paste?
Some people do have formatting issues with Note Pad so I say, fergit it!
Use the easiest and simplest. If you have a PC with a Windows O/S, you have WordPad.
Thank you also to all the members above for your kind words & patience. OK, I guess I'll start at the top & work my way down!
] I want to go to the Ascot races!
"Barb and I may be opposite ends of the political spectrum, but we are still friends....
Great...........tell us about the horses now!!" - Lynn
That's a fact, Lynn! It would be boring if all of our friends agreed with us all of the time!
Do you mean the horses I own? Let's see... they're all either registered American Quarter Horses or Thoroughbreds. Some are "appendix" Quarter Horses meaning they're half Thoroughbred. The out cross is allowable by the registry & makes sense in that QHs are, basically, the result of mixing TB blood with the descendants of the Spanish horses brought over by the Conquistadors. Ours are bred for speed - both flat racing & barrel racing.
Hmm... Do you want to hear about the individuals or is that general description OK?
Barb, r u married with children? What is your favorite thing to do? What is your favorite book, movie, food, holiday? Do you think I am a nosey parker? (Do not answer that!) BTW those pictures are stunning!
With every post I remember now, most of the time, to "copy" it in my browser
That's what I do, not always, but if I hit preview or submit and C2 lags just a second I quickly copy it (there's always enough time if it is going to poof. However, Mac's Safari it remembers everything on 'previous' pages so I could just navigate to the page I was typing on with the back-button and voila! everything was still there. (I miss my mac so much)
I've been getting white pages all freakin' day today and NM's have been a total 
Barb, I didn't realize you were so horsey! 
I think Horse is the most beautiful, glorious, amazing creatures on this planet ... there just aren't words to describe how I feel about them. Can you share some photos of them? Purdy pleeease?
Questions:
Maybe it's a silly question but do you get to the Kentucky Derby every year? It's my dream for me and Seanmhair to be able to attend sometime since I'm now so close.
Do you race your horses professionally? Do you compete yourself?
What are your horses names - and your dogs names?
This post was modified from its original form on 22 Oct, 17:55
The question of the word beasties. I've picked up Knate's New York accent on a lot of words. I was crossing the street and a car pulled out and in my best NY accent I yelled ,"I'm walkin' here."
It's funny; whenever we call the animals "beasties" and the owners see us again they say "my beastie" is fine or "my beastie" really loved the biscuits.
Do you love the snow or could you do without it?
Barb,
I like your posts. You and my wife would get along well. She's a member of the 2nd Amendment Sisters and loves horses. One we had for many years, his name was Spirit, became and old friend. He's no longer with us and I miss him but we have another one with a different personality but still a great animal.
I've riden our horses before but they just don't seem to like me. I think it's my lack of rhythm!
Still working on the "lost" entries... OK, here's the last one re-done:
We have heelers [Australian Cattle Dogs] that are my constant shadows. They think I'm wonderful while my cats remind me that the dogs have been known to be wrong. Both my parents have passed [Dad was service related & Mom was the victim of a medical screw-up] but I have a sister in NY who's a banker & a brother in TX who's a Master Chef. I love them & their families, even though I don't see them often. I have cousins in Ireland who are still in the horse industry. I'm Catholic & I hold my faith dear. I love your list of places to see Barb. New Zealand is on my list too as well as Australia. You are a very interesting woman ... tell us more.
Yes, I know well the heelers! My wife and I were travelling with my in-laws who had one - Ernie .... we stopped at a rest stop and a farmer had stopped there - while he was in the 'room' some jerk let his sheep out! Ernie, though he had been raised from a puppy by my wife's parents herded those sheep up in seconds flat! It was amazing to see! After that incident he continually tried to herd my wife's parents as well! They had to have him put down last year because he had cancer and it broke thier hearts .... now we are shared owners of an American born dumb as a stick Dalmation that we love to death!
Barb, I love it....you are very feisty. Have you ever been to the track at Monmouth in New Jersey? Love that place. I love the horses, totally magnificent creatures, especially race horses. Some of my dads ashes are actually down at the track in Monmouth. I envy the description of your life. A lot of hard work but well worth it. The pictures were beautiful, is that a fox in the road?
All my best to you.
Still playing catch-up!
"You mentioned you lived near Long Beach, Long Island. Are you a New Yorker?" - Suzanne
Yup, I grew up in the Rockaways. [Also known as the "Irish Riviera" since all the Mics hung out on the beach, there. ]
"Why and when did you become so passionate about politics?" - Suzanne
Hmm... I didn't realize I was! Seriously, I think we ignore politics at our own peril. After all, it influences everything.
"Are you a big animal lover? Outdoorsy girl or what?" - Suzanne
Gee, what do you think?
This post was modified from its original form on 22 Oct, 20:58
Barb - The Rockaways it certainly is known for the Irish. My husband first generation Italian has a cousin married to a pure Irishman who's family is located throughout the Rockaways. He and I are pretty much the only non-Italians in the family. I have Irish blood, my fraternal grandmother "Mary Rose Quinn" was born in Ireland (County Cork). Anyway, his family (huge family) rents a bus and takes it to the St. Paddy's day parade in New York every year. Great family, they have adopted me as one of their own. I should have known that's where you would be from.
I think I have a very good idea of what you like to do and where you like to do it now.
Another person I know I could hang with easily.This post was modified from its original form on 22 Oct, 21:02
"What brought you to where you are now? How do you feel about the other places where you lived? What motivated some of your choices?" - Knate
Umm... a pick-up truck? Honestly, when it comes to the horse industry, central Kentucky really is the center of the world. For me, this is the best place to be.
As to the other places I've been - I've liked most of them to one degree or another, some more than others. Granted, there was a locale or two that could best be summarized by saying the only thing worse than dying there was living there.
For the most part, while I might have used the "job" excuse, the real reason [for me] for living in different places was curiosity - the simple "what's over the next hill?" question. Maybe that's genetic, too. As I've said, all four of my grandparents were immigrants so I'm guessing they were wondering about those hills, too.
We're pretty much "settled" with our own farm, now, but don't let that fool you! With barrel horses & race horses, there's always some place else to go run. The only difference is, I know where I'm coming back to.
"Barb, r u married with children? What is your favorite thing to do? What is your favorite book, movie, food, holiday? Do you think I am a nosey parker? (Do not answer that!) BTW those pictures are stunning!" - Northern
Yup, I think Billy & I have been married forever [at least it feels that way, sometimes! lol] & I have a step-daughter who lives in western KY.
Favorite thing to do? Win!!! Seriously, I like to work with my horses & compete. [I was serious about the "winning", too!]
Books: I like mysteries... stories that keep me guessing! Some of my favorite authors are Dick Francis, Tammi Hoag, Grisham, Cornwell... I enjoy history, too. Not long ago, I read a bio on Golda Meir - what an amazing woman! Of course, depending on my mood, just lock me away with Yeats - we're old friends.
Movies: I really like movies so my favorite is always changing. I've always preferred the western shoot-out types because it's nice to be reminded that the "good guys" can win.
Probably one of my all time favorites is "Purgatory", a western with Sam Shepperd. [I've handled horses for him!] That movie definitely has a "twist" to it - you might enjoy it! I can't forget "Tombstone" with Kurt Russell & Val Kilmer and another favorite Val Kilmer flick is "Thunderheart".
Of course "Seabiscuit" & "Hidalgo" are right up there, too, for obvious reasons.
For grins & to remind me of my family, there's no doubt - "Waking Ned Devine".
Food: London broil [rare] - shrimp scampi - fresh garden salads - rack of lamb - NY cheesecake - Bailey's Irish Creme [yeah, I know that's not a food but I thought I could sneak it in] - steamed, crunchy veggies - mint chocolate chip ice cream - mozzarella cheese sticks - OK, I'm hungry.....
Holiday: Christmas - it truly is a time of "joy".
Nosey Parker: YES!!!!!!!!!!!
"Maybe it's a silly question but do you get to the Kentucky Derby every year? It's my dream for me and Seanmhair to be able to attend sometime since I'm now so close.
Do you race your horses professionally? Do you compete yourself?
What are your horses names - and your dogs names?" - Katii
- I've been to the Derby but not in th last few years. [My husband, who hates crowds, insists the best seats are in front of the TV. ;-P] I'll probably go again with some friends, though, in the next year or two. It's a great experience & one heckuva party!
There's absolutely no reason why you & your sister shouldn't go! Just be sure to get tickets & make arrangements early. Too, don't forget that Derby week is kinda like the KY version of Mardi Gras - parties all week & lots going on!
In the meantime, if you ever want to come down to Lexington & visit horse farms, go to the races at Keeneland or whatever you'd like, just give a shout! The door is always open & I'd be more than happy to show you around. 
- Yup, I rode races years ago & I ride my barrel horses. My game plan is to go back to training in a year or two. [I can do a lot off the farm.]
- OK, here's the list:
Stallion prospect & barrel horse - Lobo Amarillo ["Lobo"] palomino AQHA
Broodmares - Thoroughbreds -
Dancing Mirage - ["Mirage"] bay
Golden Heights - ["Goalie"] dark bay
Gato Who - ["Hootie"] dark bay
Royal Dignity - ["Darby"] dark bay
[The first two are the 401K! ]
Broodmares - Quarter Horses
Golden Yobo - ["Yobo"] palomino - retired & dam of Lobo
The Irish Empress - ["Irish"] chestnut
JB Lacealea ["Lace"] chocolate palomino
JB Diva La Dude ["Diva"] palomino - barrel horse
There's two weanling fillies who aren't "officially" named yet but their barn names are "Goldie" [palomino QH] & "Moonie" [chestnut TB].
The dogs [heelers] are my old blue girl, "Gin" and the young, red boy, "Mojo".
"Do you love the snow or could you do without it?" - Charlene
From a distance!!! Truly, it's beautiful but when you're out in it everyday... Those are the times I daydream about tropical beaches!
Dan, "Spirit" - great name! I know it's hard to lose the good ones. What's the new horse like?
Please say "hi" to your wife for me!
PS: Keep your heels down!
A Pleasure to meet you!
Have you ever read any Ian Rankin mysteries? Scottish but I think you might "like" him anyway, even though.
My old stallion, Mr JB Dude. He was AQHA/PHBA/FQHA registered & a PHBA Performance Champion. We lost him in 2004... I loved this horse - he was my heart. [I kept some of his offspring - Lobo, Lace & Diva.]
Golden Yobo - AQHA/PHBA/FQHA. In 1995, she was the PHBA National High Point Barrel Horse. She's a great old mare although she does have a sick sense of humor! She's retired from racing & the broodmare band although I still ride her on occasion. At 25, she can still get on the bit! [She's the dam of Lobo.]
The Irish Empress - AQHA - Good breeding & a very good producing broodmare! [Photo taken in FL.]
JB Lacealea - AQHA - chocolate palomino, appendix Quarter Horse [Her dam was a TB]. Good pole bending horse - she was 7th at the World Championships.
Lobo Amarillo - AQHA/PHBA - this pic was taken a couple of years ago. He looks almost white but that's because he's been turned out all summer. Like any blonde, palominos "bleach" in the sun. Still, I like his stride in this pic - he wasn't even trying!
Golden Heights - TB & Golden Yobo at pasture.
I've got some new pics but my scanner needs intervention. 
"Have you ever been to the track at Monmouth in New Jersey? Love that place. I love the horses, totally magnificent creatures, especially race horses. Some of my dads ashes are actually down at the track in Monmouth. I envy the description of your life. A lot of hard work but well worth it. The pictures were beautiful, is that a fox in the road?" - Suzanne
It's been years, but hell yeah, I've ridden at Monmouth! 
Some of you're Dad's ashes are at Monmouth? Very cool - what's the story?
No, that's one of my dogs! They do have that pricked ear feral look, though.
"I think I have a very good idea of what you like to do and where you like to do it now. Another person I know I could hang with easily." - Suzanne
It all makes sense, now, doesn't it? Anytime, Suzanne, anytime!
This post was modified from its original form on 22 Oct, 23:02
"A Pleasure to meet you!
Have you ever read any Ian Rankin mysteries? Scottish but I think you might "like" him anyway, even though." - Mary
Him Mary, nice to meet you, too! No, I haven't read Rankin but I'll definitely look for him - thanks!
Whoops, I missed this one:
"HI Barb, looking forward to hearing more about you once you get here." - Nancy
Hi Nancy, thanks for your patience!
OK, I'm caught up. Uh oh, I think my keyboard is smoking.....
Barb.........love your horse photos!
Do you agree with me....all the best horses originally seem to come from Ireland?
Maybe that applies to people too!!!
What makes Quarter horses so special for you?
Do you ever ride "English"?
Beautiful horses! Thanks for the pics - now how about a pic of you and hubby?
"She's a great old mare although she does have a sick sense of humor!" Oh, that's hilarious! Can you give an example?
"Dick Francis". Naw, really? 
I always loved his books, because it gave us "non-horsey" people a glimpse and a little insight of a fascinating way of life, with a gripping, thrilling story in there to boot! We got to know a bit of the jargon, too (all of which I've forgotten).
What do you think of miniature horses? Do you have any? My next door neighbour has three (along with her four full sized horses) that kind of got dumped on her, and she doesn't like them as she can't ride them, and can't see any use for them. I think they're kind of cute, however.
Dear Barb,
O how I love the photos.
You could post a hundred photos of horses and a thousand posts about the horses and I would want to see and hear more and more and more.
(PS/That goes for anyone and everyone here when posting about horses and all other beasties.)
Barb, do you have any videos to post, ALA YouTube?
Oh Barb, your equine family is just sooo beautiful. I love the photos, and what Knate said, you can't post too many or talk too much about them.
So sorry for your loss of Mr JB Dude He sure made some purdy babies.
I've never seen a choc. palomino before, Lace is gorgeous! Lobo Amarillo is stunning and Goalie looks like royalty. Dark bays - they make my heart stutter.
I'm gonna go now and see how far I am from Lexington I would love to take you up on your invitation some day - could I photograph your babies?
..................... googling ................... well, cool, you're just 300 miles from me 
I try not to be jealous of anyone. In this case I am failing miserbly. You are very fortunate. Your horses are beauties.
You will certainly have to let me know if you will be at any tracks near here ever.
In answer to the ashes. My family for generations are horse racing fans, more so from the other end of the horse racing industry . It was an annual ritual and still is for those left that we all meet at Monmouth and watch/bet/hang for the day. Very good memories...he actually is on the beach at Long Beach, in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, up Pennsylvania, in his yard in NJ, Hudson County Park and my yard as well. The man always got around and still did in death.
What is it you did when you went to Pennsylvania in your teens and what part of PA were you at?
Oh Suzanne, it's OK to be jealous - I'm jealous of someone about somthing all the time It's that envy place we never want to go
I'm with you, I'm so jealous of Barb right now I could just spit
I'm there, Suzanne As long as Barb is willing to tolerate me 
You're much further away than I am tho so I'll give you a headstart and meet you there - you wouldn't need to come as far east as I am.
Suzanne & Katii - So what are you two waiting for? There's a pot of tea on the stove & if that's too tame, a bottle of bourbon on the shelf!
There's even a swing on the front porch & I think it has your name on it...
Very nice....I am on my way. I'll take the tea with a bit of a chaser
How are the property taxes where you live?
Barb, your home is just beautiful and looks ever so inviting.
I've never had one but have always wanted to try a Mint Julep - do you know how to make one, Barb?
"Do you agree with me....all the best horses originally seem to come from Ireland?
Maybe that applies to people too!!!
What makes Quarter horses so special for you?
Do you ever ride "English"?" - Lynn
] who was a very accomplished surgeon. When she took a position in Montreal, they moved to Canada & he started coaching privately. ] "How are the property taxes where you live?" - Suzanne
A whole helluva lot cheaper than New York or Jersey!!!
"Can Charlene and I also stop by?
We'll bring some home-made scones." - Knate
Of course! Naturally, there's room for dogs, too.
I love scones! Warm with butter alongside a big mug of tea that has a bit of sugar & creme... We're talking my kinda comfort food!
[Seriously, c'mon & visit us in Kentucky!]
"Barb, your home is just beautiful and looks ever so inviting.
I've never had one but have always wanted to try a Mint Julep - do you know how to make one, Barb?" - Katii
Thanks, Katii! I've made quite a few Mint Juleps but my true skill lies in drinking them!
Remember - you need good bourbon, fresh mint &, to me, a must is a silver julep cup. Drinking a julep out of glass just isn't the same... 
I got to ride a Clydesdale in Scotland. My poor hips. I love those big old gentle beasties. They loved Mentos chewy mints and would do anything for them. What's the favorite goodie of your horsies. Yes, I call them horsies because they look like big doggies to me.
There's a polo pony farm down the way from me in Indiana the ponies have Jack Russells as pets, great to watch them run free. Nothing more beautiful then watching the horses running.
A bit off-topic but I couldn't resist sharing with those who might not know about this somewhat of a horsey Cinderella story at the Kentucky Derby this year...
With odds set at 50-1 Mine That Bird - a $9,500 horse wins the Derby in the second biggest upset in KD history.
Check out Jockey Calvin Borel after the race...
Calvin Borel happy happy boy lol
Look at this beautiful boy...
"She's a great old mare although she does have a sick sense of humor!" Oh, that's hilarious! Can you give an example?
"Dick Francis". Naw, really?
I always loved his books, because it gave us "non-horsey" people a glimpse and a little insight of a fascinating way of life, with a gripping, thrilling story in there to boot! We got to know a bit of the jargon, too (all of which I've forgotten).What do you think of miniature horses? Do you have any?..." - Kath
damn union!] so let me see what I have saved to this computer in way of pics. ] Yobo was always something of the exception in that she could win the running classes but make her presence known in the halter classes, too. ["Halter" is in-hand conformation classes.] I thought amateur halter class might be a good entry level sorta class for Billy. Like they say, it's the thought that counts... 
Katii - Yup! That was one helluva race! Calvin rode it just like he did with Street Sense in 2007. Speaking of which, Calvin is a total sweetheart & it couldn't happen to a nicer guy!
PS: His nickname is "Bo-rail" since he's one of the few people insane enough to consistently skim that sucker!
So, what do you think of Rachel Alexandra? I'm in awe...
"O how I love the photos... do you have any videos to post, ALA YouTube?" - Knate
Thanks, Knate! You know, I don't & I really should! I need to start building a web site, too, & videos would be a great asset. The closest thing I have to a video camera is my cell phone & that's not saying much. Maybe Christmas...
As soon as I get some up, I'll give a shout!
Barb, thank you for all that information. I feel I have just received a very good education from you. Truly interesting. Have to admit it...still jealous, maybe even more so now.
"I'm gonna go now and see how far I am from Lexington I would love to take you up on your invitation some day - could I photograph your babies?" - Katii
Sure! This time of year, we have just about all the foals weaned. The broodmares usually foal between January & June so, if you want to see new foals on green pastures, think spring!
That'll be great if you can come down!
PS: Thanks for the kind words about JB!
This post was modified from its original form on 23 Oct, 20:39
Northern - Yup, I think heelers are great, too! I've had the breed for about 30 years. These dogs are super smart with tons of energy - if they had thumbs we'd all be in trouble!
Here's my two - Gin [the blue] is 10 yrs old & Mojo [the red] is 2 yrs.
Gin
Mojo
"What is it you did when you went to Pennsylvania in your teens and what part of PA were you at?" - Suzanne
I learned how to break/start yearlings. It was in the Poconos & I'm not sure what you'd call the general area but it wasn't too far from where NY, NJ & PA all meet.
I'm trying to think of how to phrase this... Let's just say the owners could have been research material for the "Sopranos".
That's pretty cool about your Dad!
"We should take a road trip to Barb's house. Does that work for you Barb?"
.
You're not here yet???
Barb, the place I went to all those summers was in the Poconos. Milford. There is a dude ranch there (Malibu Dude Ranch). I use to hitch hike up the mountain to it daily, (when in my mid-teens 15-17) had a lot of friends that were actually city kids working there. Used to horseback ride and hang out
Does that ring a bell to you at all?
This post was modified from its original form on 23 Oct, 21:02
"I got to ride a Clydesdale in Scotland. My poor hips. I love those big old gentle beasties. They loved Mentos chewy mints and would do anything for them. What's the favorite goodie of your horsies. Yes, I call them horsies because they look like big doggies to me." - Charlene
Scotland? Was it beautiful? Clydesdales are awesome but those big guys can be "wide"! I have friends big into drafts & draft crosses. They've told me that if you want a draft who'll jump, think Clydesdale. According to them, don't point one at a fence & ask them to take it unless you're serious. I've never had the opportunity to find out if that was true or not but maybe someday...
My horsies will mug you for a peppermint! They like their carrots, too.
Sure did and still do. I went up there last summer took my husband and daughter on a trail ride (both first timers). Didn't see any familiar faces but of course that was quite some time ago. Place is exactly the same as it was in the 80's when I hung there. Is this where you were? If it is I hear you about the owners. A hell of a fun place though.
No but not too far away in the general area. [Closer to Port Jervis.] Wow, haven't thought of that place in years... Yeah... it was OK!
You know, I think a lot of residents of that area were "connected" in more ways than one.
That's wild that it hasn't changed! How did your husband & daughter like riding?
Hi Barb - I haven't posted much for a while, but I'm back now. I used to be a host here.
So, in the spirit of camradarie (sp), let me say welcome to the group!
Rachel Alexandra ... they don't come more o m g beautiful ...
I remember when she won the Preakness, Seanmhair and I were all for her historical win, the first filly to win it in 85 years...
Barb, I'd feel I died and went to heaven if I could be around to photograph a new foal on green pasture ... I'm thinking Spring!
...a must is a silver julep cup. Drinking a julep out of glass just isn't the same...
I wouldn't want it any other way
Barb, Used to hitchhike to Port all the time to. Had a lot of friends up there, still keep in touch and see some. They have built the area up along the highways etc. Pretty funny, what a small world. Did you ever go on the road referred to as Hawks Next? Real curvy along the cliffs of the Delaware River. Love that place. A little dinky restaurant at the end of the road (on the New York Side) kind of on the way to Barryville. A lot of horse people up there.
Suzanne - It is a small world! I don't remember the road names [it was waaaay back in the day!] but I do recall some little "hole in the wall" restaurants & things like that.
That was the time in my life when I found out about things like "lasagna" & "antipasto". [As a kid, I asked my mother why we never had spaghetti. Her reply was, "Because we're Irish". Huh??? I loved that woman...!]
Is all that state game land still protected or are they developing that, too?
Katii - Here's some foal pics from 2009. They were taken with my old cell phone [it finally died from abuse] so some of the pics are a little grainy.
*****************
In this one, the foal had just stood for the first time. [About 30 minutes after birth - pretty quick!] It's a filly by Street Sense & quite possibly his first foal [not counting test foals] to be born.
**********************
This is a colt by Vindication. Lots of times, mares will cover their foals with straw & hay when their in the stall. I'm sure it goes back to protective instincts.
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Empire Maker colt at about 8 hrs. He'd already been up & nursed several times & just taking a nap. [Being born is a lot of work!] Mom is checking on him.
************************
This is a Tale Of The Cat colt at 3 days. He kept wanting to sleep standing up like a big horse!
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A Tiz Now colt on his second day. Lots of personality - he wanted to investigate the cell phone!
awww! what amazing little darlings they are 
Thank you, Barb, for sharing.
How long is a mare usually in labor before foaling?
Wow! The back end on that colt is something else! He is going to be a BIG beautiful boy!!
OK, nother question (horsey of course) when do you think is the best age to geld a colt, Barb? How do they do it in the States, do they knock them out or just do it standing with a tranq like here? In Portugal unfortunately they often do it as they say "in cold blood", which means no tranq, no local or anything. I think that is barbaric, what do you think?
"Because we're Irish" .... 
Good question, Suzanne! We need to pick Barb's brain all we can while we can
I used to ride alot (Western) when I was a girl, so it's been a veery long time since I've sat in saddle but for maybe two or three times over the span of 35 years since. What I know about caring for and keeping horses is riding, basic grooming and shoveling horse poo, but I will someday have a couple of horses. I'd love to have a dark bay and a dark bay pinto - Mustangs.
Barb ~ Thankyou for the beautiful photos and wonderful stories. I thought I had led quite a life but no way next to your's. You really do need to write all of these stories down and publish. Would make for a very interesting read, I am sure.
Which five people would you like to meet that have already crossed over?
Which five that are still alive?
Barb, I would think the majority of preserved land is ok. They have built up that area quite a bit. Milford only has one traffic light still. I love your pictures and you make my envy grow. Not nice. I have to tell you I never ate good Italian food in my house either. When I met my husband, his family is the real deal.
Do you miss being in this part of the Country? I would imagine it is very hard to take the New York out of the girl. From your posts, I think it is very much still there. Do you have a New Yawk accent?
Here's a pic I was able to catch this afternoon. It was feed time so she was on a mission! [Used my cell phone - tried to tighten up the pic but it still has a smudge or two...]
This is Dancing Mirage [by Alleged & out of Flaming Leaves by Olden Times] Mirage was a stakes winner with LTE of $247,645. Unfortunately, I didn't own her at the time! She's produced several foals, two of them stakes winners including True Surpass, LTE - $807,425.
She's the other half of my 401K!!!!!!
"awww! what amazing little darlings they are Thank you, Barb, for sharing. How long is a mare usually in labor before foaling?" - Katii
You're welcome, Katii! They are pretty nice, aren't they?
A mare might walk, paw, sweat, etc for quite awhile before breaking water - or she might not do anything! Once that happens, though, things can move along quickly.
With older mares who have had several foals, it's not unusual for the foal to be out in 10 or 15 minutes. Maiden mares [first time foaling] are a crap shoot & follow no pattern! Typically, if the foal isn't out within 30 minutes, there's a problem. All in all, that doesn't happen too often. The fact that it can is why we always try to be there for the foaling... just in case!
"OK, nother question (horsey of course) when do you think is the best age to geld a colt, Barb? How do they do it in the States, do they knock them out or just do it standing with a tranq like here? In Portugal unfortunately they often do it as they say "in cold blood", which means no tranq, no local or anything. I think that is barbaric, what do you think?" - Lynn
You know, they did things like that [gelding standing up & "in cold blood"] a hundred years ago because they didn't have the drugs or the knowledge we have now. People who do that crap today are just trying to dodge a vet bill. Someone should do it to them! [That could be interesting... ]
They were known to be tall & long limbed."Because we're Irish" ....
That's the same reason why I couldn't get my ears pierced, go to a public school, wear "loud" colors... I think that's why the sky was blue!
"but I will someday have a couple of horses. I'd love to have a dark bay and a dark bay pinto - Mustangs." - Katii
Why not? If I can ever help, just yell. If you want to start boning up, a good site for horse care info is "The Horse" http://www.thehorse.com/
It's parent site is the magazine, "Blood Horse". http://www.bloodhorse.com/
That's the bible for the TB industry & has lots of great racing articles, pics & videos. I read it daily!
Seamnhair - You're quite welcome & thank you for the compliments!
"Which five people would you like to meet that have already crossed over?"
Hmm... interesting... harder than it looks... OK, in no particular order:
1 - Golda Meir - I just read her bio & she was an amazing woman! Did you know she was born in Russia & her family came to America to escape pogrom? She was one tough lady!
2 - Pope John Paul II - A man of vision & a man of peace.
"Which five that are still alive?"
Just when I thought the above was hard! OK, let's see...
1 - Jonathan [Jake] - I have a new nephew in Texas I've yet to meet!
2 - Dick Francis - Jump jockey turned mystery writer - I bet he has amazing stories that he's never written.
3- Sean Connery - I could just sit there & listen to him read the phone book!
4 - The people who, in a two or three years, are going to buy my foals for obscene amounts of money. [I can't wait to meet them!!! ]
5 - People whom I've met online & now consider "freinds" even though I've never even seen them face to face. 
"Do you miss being in this part of the Country? I would imagine it is very hard to take the New York out of the girl. From your posts, I think it is very much still there. Do you have a New Yawk accent?" - Suzanne
Do I miss living in the New York kinda area? Oh hell NO!!!!! Seriously, while I have great memories & there are people there whom I hold dear, I have no desire to live up in that area. If I did, I would. The developments, the congestion, the expense... no thanks. Don't forget, growing up, I spent a fair amount of time in Ireland, too. I miss the family farms there but things move forward. All together, I've lived in Kentucky longer than I've lived anywhere. This is home.
On the other hand, visits to the old stomping grounds are a whole different story...
Yeah, I definitely still have that New York Irish attitude. It's just one of those things that makes me so damn endearing!
I can fake a New Yawk accent sometimes but I really have to work at it. In high school, I was Varsity Speech & Debate. Our coach was a nun, Sister Mary Sheppard. She was a great teacher & a super nice person! She was very big on enunciating & weeding out those NY accents. By the time I got out of school, I had that generic speech pattern you hear on news programs.
Now, I can pass for a local.
She only gets one, Charlene?
Barb, I want to be with you when you're listening to Connery read from the phone book
Thanks for the reading tips and link 
It is always interesting when a true professional tells about her livelihood. Your love shines through.
"What's your one secret vice?" - Charlene
Let me think... I'm usually out in the open with my vices! Smoke, drink, swear... I'm very public with all of it.
I know! Thrift shops, e-Bay, flea markets... people might comment on that "new" LL Bean coat & I never say a word about where I got it. I just grin & shrug....
That's it! I hate to pay retail!!!
One more vice that few people know about Barb:
Barb has spent time on Wetherole Street.
I am with Barb abd Katii about listening to Mr. Connery read the phone book. We can be nerds together. Gawl darn... he's hot. 
Wetherole street? Enlighten me Knate ... I know I am going to feel like an idiot when you remind me.
This post was modified from its original form on 25 Oct, 7:55
"One more vice that few people know about Barb:
Barb has spent time on Wetherole Street." - Knate
OH MY !!!! I've been outed!!! Tell me it ain't so.... 
... but they do have good bagels and black n' white cookies!!!
Hello Barb, I've visited Lexington once, my neice did her masters work at UK. I have another niece that lives in Bowling Green, KY. When I drove north out of Lexington it was early morning. The sight was really beautiful, with the lazy mist among the bright white fences and lush green horse pastures. A scene I'll never forget.
I like those photos of your horses, they sure are pretty creatures. It is nice to meet you here.
Hi Kelly, Nice to meet you! It does make an impression, doesn't it? A few years ago, Fayette county instituted a PDR program that now includes well over 20,000 acres. [I'll post links, below.] In short, farm owners sell their right to develop large tracks of farmland. Those pastures should still be there the next time you visit!
Hope your niece enjoyed her time in the "Big Blue Nation" [AKA - University of Kentucky]. Is your other niece going to WKU? Also, thanks for the kind words!
http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=497
http://fayettealliance.com/blog/pdr-program-set-to-hit-25000-acres-in-2010/
Dear Barb - and dear Kelly -
Thank you so much, both of you, for the fun you gave us this week at Meet Our Members.
Hope you both enjoyed it - well, I know you did - and I hope you both enjoyed doing this as much as all of us have enjoyed meeting you.
Bless you both. Big hugs....
/Knate (and Charlene)
Barb, I went away about the time that you came back for this htread. Sorry I wasn't around to ask you more questions. I will take some time to read about you after the fact.
Cheers.
