Don't Tell the Neighbors

After going to France earlier this year (where, due to necessity, people have gardens and hang their laundry outside), we started hanging our laundry out to dry. Not just the usual delicates or favorite sweaters ... it's the the undies, the panties, the towels, the socks, jeans, t-shirts ... Everything.

We've been practicing some methods of "being green" for years ... reusable grocery bags, recycling, herb garden, and we'll look into other ways to be responsible. It's not usually easier or cheaper, but it makes me feel good.

I'm just not sure our neighbors appreciate a clothesline in North Dallas. Oh well. It's been six months, so this fad has become a habit.

Texas State Fair Day!

I love October in Texas and a day at the Texas State Fair tops it all!


Brian & Julie included us in their family fair day.


"How about a bite of hot dog, Grant?" "No, I just want some corny."


Backyard Circus - Abby as a Butterfly Ballerina


Grant trying to get Big Tex to answer him.



The rides, the food, everything was a grand overload of the senses.

The chicken fried bacon (winner of state fair food this year) was good, but I've got an idea for fair food to enter in the contest next year. Watch out!

Rocky Mountain High

I love the internet. The internet and the great team at Bluefish TV allow me to still get some Bluefish work done and not be in the office ... I don't even have to be in the same state. But the dial-up slowness of my wireless here in rural Crested Butte makes me only want to get my work done and not spend too much time in front of the computer with anything else. So here's a compilation of some fun stuff.


Marty & I on Joe & Toby with our own Red Mountain in the background.


Meeting up with Jeff & Terri to picnic at the top of the Almont Triangle. (They rode the jeep, we rode the horses.)


Canoeing and fishing with Jeff & Terri on Lake Irwin




The great rides with friends: Steven, Lee, Erica & Linda


Steven & Lee are gracious to allow Toby & Joe to live on the Red Dog Ranch in the summer. Red Dog Ranch is adjacent to our property, so we can all ride ride up to explore Red Mountain.


Taking a break with Erica, the Red Dog Ranch Manager, who takes great care of our boys.


Picnic at the base of The Castles with Mike & Cassie


Every day we see elk herds with huge bulls. We hear them bugle in their cows. And we count the points on the healthy buck near the house. This year we were surprised by this lone cow moose right by our house. A rare find.

And then there was the day Marty and I fished below the dam of Taylor Resevoir. It's tricky gold medal trout fishing that has frustrated me before. It frustrates many a fisherMAN. This day, I was thrilled with the over 18" first fish I caught and asked Marty to take a picture. I'm not posting that one. Take a look at this one!

This beauty was a good 24" and hard to even get in the net! And then I caught 5 more!

Today, as I hopped on Toby bareback, looping his halter as a makeshift bridle and rode the pasture, I thanked God, as I do many times, for creating horses. And I thanked Him for allowing me to have Toby. This wonderfuly horse/friend comes running when I call across a 90 acre pasture; he snuffles (horse kiss) my hair when I'm near. In the past 5 years, he's come to trust me and I trust him on any trail. It's truly awesome to see his personality in a herd, with his "brother," Joe and with Marty and I.


There's nothing like a day with Marty on Toby & Joe.

Happy Birthday, Mom & Dad

My parents, Henry & Beverly Ferguson, turn 80 this year; Mom in August and Dad in September. Marty and I traveled to Elyria, Ohio Labor Day weekend to help them celebrate in style.

We had a wonderful time at Pier W, a great restaurant that sits on the shores of Lake Erie and looks across a bay to the beautiful Cleveland skyline.

The next night, we cooked a special birthday dinner for them and a couple of friends, Helen Lou and Molly.

A little history ... my parents have lived in the same house for 43 years and the house also "turned" 80 this year. Helen Lou and Rorick have lived 3 doors down from my parents for all that time and their daughter, Susan and I grew up together. (Rorick or "Speedy" was out of town that weekend - we missed him.) Molly, now a widow, and her husband, Ward have also has known them for many, many years and has the same birthday as my dad. I grew up with her daughter, Grace. A lot of history and it's fun to go "home."

I had a great midwest upbringing with wonderful, loving parents. They are headed to Mt. Rushmore for an MIT reunion next week. I hope I'm as active and engaged in life as they are when I "grow up."

Thank you, Mom & Dad. I love you.

He's a Prince ... of a horse

Prince Joe Wrangler ... Marty's new quarter horse he calls "Joe," has turned out to be a wonderful find. We feel lucky that Joe & Toby bonded, and it is so satisfying to call out to "the boys" across the big pasture and have them both come running. Despite his young age, Joe is improving on the trail daily, not afraid to be trained by Marty about the things that can be "scary" to a horse, since horses feel prey to so much in the mountains. Joe is pretty spunky. We've taken several long rides in the last week with a great ride up Oh Be Joyful Valley today. Joe passed all the tests and obstacles that came his way.



And then there's our little princess, Abby, who is really quite the cowgirl. We had several good rides in the meadow.



She has no fear and remembers everything. Abby likes to help me lead Toby and she even rode tall in the saddle by herself with me leading her around the ring.



It's been a great week with Brian, Julie, Abby and Grant ... and as Grant's smile shows, no vacation is complete without s'mores!

It IS a Happy Anniversary

On July 29, 1973, that's thirty five years ago today, Marty and I got married on a Sunday afternoon in Ohio. I had just turned 17 and Marty had been 18 less than a month. We were just two young kids, very much in love, happily ready to commit a lifetime together even though we probably didn't know all that meant. School in Virgina, moving back to Ohio, starting a ministry as business, settling in Texas, two great sons; Brian and Scott, who married wonderful wives; Julie and Holley, two perfect grandchildren and all the ups and downs, the struggles and joys that go into building relationship, family, business and life.

We looked so young ... we were so young! I made my wedding dress, sewing on the last of the buttons that morning. And Marty purchased his bow tie earlier that day at Sears to go with the green suit. Getting married may have scared our parents, but we weren't scared at all. We were ready for the adventure. It's still such a happy memory because it's a great life with Marty.

Here are the top 10 reasons why I love Marty.

10. From the first that we met, Marty let me know his faith was important and he cared enough to make sure mine was also. His faith shows up in every area of his life, even in what he chose as his career.

9. Marty has always been adventurous, loves to travel and try new things. After Australia, New Zealand and France in the last year, we're planning the next adventure ... maybe Uganda and Tanzania.

8. He is generous with everything he is and has. He is willing to give and share what he has and what he knows.

7. Marty is willing to try what I'm interested in. For example, I was that teenage girl who always wanted a horse. When I mentioned that dream, he jumped right in and we've enjoyed owning and riding horses. He always encourages me to grow and follow my dreams.

6. Marty is a visionary who is also in the details. He is a great leader in our home and at Bluefish TV. But he's also willing and capable to do any task to get things done.

5. Marty is a great dad and it was a joy to parent Brian and Scott with him. Family is always important to him and he shows by his time and energy that family is his priority.

4. He's the perfect Pops. I know he's a good Pops, but you can get an expert opinion from Abby & Grant. It shows in the joy and silliness he has when we're with them.

3. After 35 years, it seems that we know everything there is to know about each other. That is a comfort, but what keeps life exciting is that Marty fascinates me. His conversations are interesting. I love his mind.

2. Not only is he interesting, but he is interested. Marty really listens, involved when someone is speaking, paying attention to what matters.

1. The number one reason why I love Marty is because he loves me ... totally, completely, and just the way I am. I know because he makes sure he tells me a lot, but more because he shows me.

So, Happy Anniversary to us. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Plumbing

When one reaches a certain age, one is encouraged to have more extensive medical tests i.e. a colon screening. That's supposed to sound more discreet than colonoscopy but somehow, anything with the word "colon" in it does not sound pleasant.

Marty and I have reached that "certain age," and, thankfully with no signs or symptoms, we followed the rules and set up our times to get it over with in the same week. Yes, what they say is true - the prep is worse than the procedure because you're blissfully asleep for the procedure. Yea, we came through it with flying colors. (I'm trying to be restrained and not use the metaphor has to do with a whistle. Wait ... think about it ... couldn't resist.)

Now we come to the ironies and parallels. Today, we came home from the last procedure and found water gushing up through our front sidewalk. When we turned off the water to our house and it still was flooding, we thought, "whew, its the city's problem" and called the city. When they came out and turned off the city valve and it was still flooding they said, "whew, it's your problem, you're gonna need a plumber."

One emergency plumber = $1000+. But as we thought about this week, we'd much rather the house have plumbing issues and thankful that Marty and I did not have "plumbing" issues.

Now I am being restrained. There are so many other metaphors I could have made. No pictures of our plumbing, 'cause the doctor does send you home with pictures. And no picture of the proverbial view we had of our plumber laying on our front sidewalk ... you're welcome.

And, if you are due to have a "screening," just get it over with!

Happy Birthday, Marty

Meet Prince Joe Wrangler, pictured here with our good friend, Al. He's an 8 year old registered quarter horse that has a great disposition and ready for Marty to train and finish as a trail horse. Marty hasn't figured out his barn (nick) name. Maybe "Joe," maybe "Wrangler," definitely not "Prince." Beau is hard to replace, but we're ready to ride!

Here Comes the Bride

Marty & I traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina with Scott & Holley last weekend for Richard & Megan's wedding and catching up with dear friends. Scott first met Richard in 4th grade when we moved into our house. We became friends with Richard's parents, Donna & Cris and the families connected. Cris & Donna relocated to Houston about 4 years ago ... we miss them. And wow, Scott & Holley have been married for two years.

Here we are with Cris & Donna


The happy couple (OK, Richard & Megan are happy too!)


Fun traveling with Scott & Holley


This one is for Abby - she loves brides.


While everyone turns to look at the bride coming down the aisle, my favorite part is to look at the groom's expression when he first sees his bride. Maybe it's because I have two sons. I am touched every time I remember the looks of love and wonder Brian gave Julie and Scott gave Holley. Priceless. Because Richard feels like a son, it was a special time. And as I stole a peek at Donna soaking it all in, I could definitely relate.

Happy 4th from the Lone Star State and Lone Star Park

Have a great weekend!

Spring in Crested Butte

It might be summer in Texas, but spring was just starting in Crested Butte. It even snowed the night we arrived.

Marty is shopping for a new horse. Shorty is a great quarter horse he rode for a couple of days. But it's hard to replace Beau - so he's taking his time.

We borrowed Molly so we could still get some good rides in around Red Mountain.

We came across a new fawn hiding in the middle of a meadow on one of our rides. Only the small twitch of her ear let us know she was alive ... and obeying her mother.

Just a week later and the wildflowers are coming out. It's going to be a beautiful summer.

Let Summer Begin

While Brian & Julie had a date night - we had fun with the kids in pool.


Abby likes to criss-cross the pool by herself


Grant likes to jump ... and jump ... and jump.


K likes to watch.


Hope you have a great weekend!

Our French Connection

We just spent a wonderful, relaxing time in the Loire Valley of France with Jeff & Terri. Thanks to the French connection - our friend, Nell recommended the chateau where she lived in high school and where she and Charlie return every year.



Chateau de la Vauguyon is just outside of the quaint town of Chinon in the valley known to be the playground of kings and queens. The chateau was magnificent and ridiculously reasonable.

Celian, the owner was friendly as were all the French people we met. And they were all gracious with my fractured French.


We spent the days exploring the castles and abbys ...




meandering through mustard fields and vineyards to picnic ...





or just enjoying the view from our own front yard ...



a daily trip to the boulanger and wandering our own quaint Chinon.



I get to celebrate my birthday in Paris!



We used the Bateau(boat)Bus to get around to the highlights.



Notre Dame


The Louvre - it was a warm day.



And wandering the streets around St. Germain de Pres.


For the whole slide show of our France trip that includes more pictures, just click on the picture below to use controls and see the captions. (Double click on the slide show to see the pictures individually.)