A Week Later – July 26, 2021

Daily blogging is time consuming and can become difficult to fit into a hectic week like the one we have just enjoyed. But catching up after a week of adventure (even ordinary days are, after all, adventures) is daunting. I will sketch a few things that have happened and go into more detail when I have more time. For now, here is a quick “catch up” blog…

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The day after I left off was last Tuesday, and it began with a call from Tina, who worked for us at Bridlespur when she was 14, and who now works for Cuivre River Electric Cooperative. Apparently, there was a “widow maker” tree between our place and Jane’s that they were coming in to cut down. Tina wanted to make sure we weren’t going to be riding down the trails when the work was going on. The tree crew’s arrival blocked Harlan from getting to the dumpsters, slowing his morning down. Of course, Harlan took it in stride and we soon sorted parking out to clear the way.

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Before I move on to Wednesday, let me mention that those Cuivre River Electric guys are extremely brave. I really had no idea of the risky jobs they do. I hope to return to them in a future blog.

Wednesday, Fred arrived to shoe the horses, and Corinne paid a visit, so it was a busy and fun day. We had a celebration of Corinne’s July birthday, an excuse for cake with butter cream icing!

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Thursday, we were off to Texas at 5 AM, leaving all animals in the competent and caring hands of Susan. She did a great job, with Jane’s assistance in the middle of the day to visit the dogs and horses.

The GPS took us through Arkansas and Louisiana to get to Nacogdoches. It was a long trip, but quite a beautiful drive. We were twelve hours traveling, but only ten and a half hours actual driving. The purpose of this trip was to attend the unveiling of the Four Storytellers sculpture, a grouping of four larger than life representations of beloved Texas characters.

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Harry has other sculptures in the town of Nacogdoches, which I wanted to see, so we walked around town on a sculpture tour. We did not take into consideration the Texas heat and humidity, and our age. After two miles (I am not exaggerating) of walking, I began to worry that we might not survive to see the unveiling, though we had seen all three of Harry’s other Texas sculptures in town. We were getting truly dehydrated, and there were no stores in sight. I pulled my Uber App down from the cloud, and within three minutes we were picked up by Code, a delightful guy from Senegal who had lived in New York for 18 years, and then inexplicably moved to Nacogdoches, Texas. He literally saved our lives, returning us to the hotel and water.

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In the morning, there was an unveiling ceremony with a huge crowd, many of whom knew The Storytellers, and also a large contingent of family members. Harry was, as always, stressed about the reception of his work. Of course, everyone was extraordinarily pleased, and the families, in particular, felt the sculptures were brilliant portraits of those entertaining men.

An added treat to this trip was the chance to see Perky Beisel, the daughter of good friends, we have known most of her life. She had a part in the ceremony at the unveiling. On the same site as the Storytellers, there is a memorial to the Space Shuttle Columbia that exploded over East Texas on February 1, 2003. Seven astronauts perished, and debris fell on Nacogdoches. Perky had the somber task of reading the names of those seven young astronauts who were lost 18 years ago. There are seven holly trees planted at the site in their memory, alongside the bronze Texas Storytellers, who doubtless had tales to tell of that sad day.

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After the ceremony and well received unveiling, and many photos with groups of friends and family, we were invited to brunch at a magnificent Victorian house that had been built by the first Nacogdoches millionaire. The company and food were delightful. Well fed, we took some pictures of the sculpture and hit the road to return to Missouri.

We spent a night in Newport, Arkansas, taking our time on the return voyage. In Pocahontas, Arkansas, we stopped to stretch our legs and Harry found swings!

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We found everything ship shape at home, and I got up on Sunday to attempt to horse show again. This was another attempt at The 79th Bridlespur Horse Show at Happenstance (the show that was flash flooded last month). Jane had shown already on Friday and Saturday and had earned a Championship in the Low Children’s / Adult Jumper division. Bart was a bit shocked to be bathed and loaded into the trailer, but he performed well, earning a blue ribbon in his first return to the show ring since November, 2019. Judging was Diane Ederle Young. In 1970, we were both showing at the Bridlespur Horse Show on Squires Lane. Life is funny, and so connected! And speaking of connections, the best part of horse showing as an old lady is the socializing. I saw many good friends yesterday.

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Well, that brings us to today, where I was up early to ride with the other Susan (Caldwell, whose name I botched on several occasions yesterday, introducing her as Susan Campbell – evidence of my cognitive decline).

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Oisin enjoyed a carrot from the garden today.

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Harry is back at work in the studio.

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The swallow babies are fledging. To my dismay, one of them was on a fan. I turned it off, and soon, the little bird managed to rejoin its siblings in the nest.

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Finally, the perennial hibiscus blooms are more glorious every day.

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Stay safe, stay well. Peace.