I’ve been putting a lot of thought, time, and careful work into my relationship with Tonka. He arrived at the beginning of December but it took more than a month before he showed any signs that my attention meant something to him. I’m consistent in my behavior, kind and quiet in my actions, and I reward him for his cooperation. I balance the challenging training work in the ring with relaxed trail rides. I hand graze him. I brush him. I tell him that he is a good boy. (He likes this very much. The best horses are arrogant.) Now, when he sees me coming towards his paddock, he lifts his head. He comes to the gate. When I groom him, he stands in a calm contentment. When I ride him, he pays attention and tries to understand what I’m asking him to do. Tonka has decided that I’m his person.

I’m sure that’s what’s going on in this photograph, too. The woman is relaxed. She’s so confident in her horse that she hasn’t even picked up the reins. Her horse is turning around, checking on her. His ears are forward in a way that shows he’s eager but not fearful. He’s ready to go, but he’s waiting for her say so. A horse and person partnership beautiful thing.

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, the official start of SUMMER. On Monday my little town will have its annual gathering, with a talk by a veteran, a moment of silence, and a flag raising (which my son will take part in along with several other Boy Scouts.)

Later, I’ll be riding to the state park with a friend. One of us will hold the horses, while the other gets something cold and delicious from the ice cream stand  – which happens to be in a real dairy barn. Do I live in a great town, or what?

Our schedules don’t allow for a vacation this summer, but maybe we’ll have time for a short getaway. Cape Cod isn’t too far. Perhaps we’ll stay somewhere cozy.

Hmmm, maybe not that cozy.

Do you have summer plans? Do tell!

Yesterday, along with a thousands of other treasure hunters, I went to Brimfield, an annual flea market that fills up fields alongside more than a mile of a country highway in Massachusetts.

Although the avid collector can go on-line and find whatever one is looking for, sometimes, you need to browse. Sometimes you need to stumble across an item that you’d never even know to search for. LIke this five-foot stuffed canvas parakeet, that was once a sign in a pet store. I didn’t buy it, but somehow my life is enriched because I’ve seen it.

I spent some time admiring this barn, that I’m told was built by a gentleman in Quebec.

He managed to infuse the plastic animals with warmth. I could hear them chewing their cuds and mooing softly.

Wander through the booths at Brimfield, and trends emerge. Ten years ago it was all about shabby chic, then the industrial aesthetic took over. That’s now morphed into farm chic. Piles of rusty chicken feeders are being snapped up by designers.

Hanging lamps are made from items that most of us have piled up on the back sides of our barns.

One booth was filled with farm implements and old feed bags.

I was smitten with this image of a farmer hen. Wouldn’t it make a great pillow? Unfortunately, there was a large hole near her wing.

I came across the loveliest cast iron lawn ornaments that I’ve ever seen. These deer had grace and agility that belied what they are made from. They were $2500 each, not an outrageous price for their quality, but I didn’t bring them home.

I spent hours wandering and browsing. I’m not one to want to fill my house with a lot of clutter, but I did purchase this egg basket. Egg baskets are not so precious that you can’t put them to use. This one is perfectly designed for carrying eggs in from the coop. I’ll be using it today.

Do you go to flea markets? What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever seen?

This postcard was printed in 1908. The image was taken by a photographer who worked out of Chinook, Montana. Chas. E. Morris documented real people and their lives out West. At the turn of the twentieth century, when women were restricted by ideas of “women’s work” (and by their corsets),  by necessity many women on ranches were riding hard alongside of the men. They wore split skirts, or even pants. As you can see in this photograph, they had gun belts slung low on their waists, and ropes looped onto their saddles.

What I love the most about this photograph is the determination and aura of purpose of both horse and rider. And yet, look at that soft touch of the cow girl’s hand on her horse’s muzzle. Then, read the caption, “A Cow Girl’s Pet.”  Pet! Think about that use of the word in the context of this animal and human working partnership. “Pet” doesn’t have to be defined as indulged, spoiled, or (the term that sets my teeth on edge) fur-baby. (A baby being a helpless creature that needs coddling.) Rather, a pet can be an independent being, yet one that is an integral part of our lives.

Tonka doesn’t have job as a roping cowpony (which is what he was bred to do) but just look at his face. This is a horse who has a calm sense of self worth and confidence in his human. It’s a relationship that I never take for granted. It requires thought and nurturing, but doesn’t everything that’s worthwhile?

A Cow Girl’s Pet captures the cooperative and affectionate nature of the best of animal and human relationships, and so I’m making it available through my store as a card. What’s the story of a person that you’d send it to?

I love this photograph of three generations of women and daughters. This family portrait was not a spontaneous snap shot. All of the women are wearing their finest clothes, embellished with lace, bows and jewelry. And yet, they pose with animals under their care – chickens and goats. (Notice the goat cart that the youngest is perched on!) These animals were symbolic of the realm of women’s work, and also a sign that there was abundance and productivity on the farm.

Look closely at their smiling faces filled with pride and love of family. I wish the same for you (as well as the company of chickens and goats!) on this Mother’s Day.