I am back to blogging, with three days to account for.
Friday was beautiful, after a wet Thursday. Jane and I tacked up Bart and Derry and put them in the trailer. We went to Happenstance Farm to school in their ring, with a plan to return to showing on Sunday. The horses were perfect, despite having been nowhere for a year and a half.
Bart ready to get in the trailer 
I was in bed at 8 PM in order to get up at 4 AM to travel to Kansas City for a Celebration of Life for my brother, Jamie. The horses stayed out all night, and all day Saturday, with a shed for shelter and hay bags in case they didn’t want to go out in the rain that was forecast.
The rain did indeed arrive during the night, and it pelted down. It was a nightmare drive during the dark, and not much better when daylight struggled up.
The gathering to remember Jamie took place at a disc golf course in Kansas City under an outdoor pavilion. It was quite a credit to Jamie that a good number of people were there, enduring cold, wet weather to remember a brother, partner and father. As well as a classmate, friend, co-worker, and disc golf player. It was a miserable day, but a comfort to see family and many friends of my legendary brother.
And now there are 5
There were many stories and laughs, and tears. Jamie was unique, admired and beloved in his quirky and inimitable life. His was not a career driven journey. He loved his children. He loved Carmen, who accompanied him for 24 years, and eased his departure at the end with competence and compassion. He loved life, and lived it with enthusiasm and risk and unforgettable exploits. And humor, of course. He was the class clown carried to the extreme and throughout his life. Sometimes, like Prince Philip, who died on Friday, Jamie’s wit was found offensive, but his actions were kind and caring, and he was generous and compassionate beneath the crazy surface.
Jamie designed a hole at the disc golf course. It includes a Peace symbol on the hillside, and now he is a part of that place. The KC Disc Golf Club will name the hole after him, and one of the members created an etched granite marker.
The rain never let up, and when I returned, the horses were camped in the shed, miserably awaiting dinner and dry stalls. Because Bart and Derry had been so good on Friday, Jane and I (and Kris) thought there was nothing to be gained by showing in slop. We drove over to say hello to Kris this morning, before the show started, and had no regrets in canceling. There will be more shows ahead, with better weather, although today was actually glorious.
We had an unexpected visit from our friend, Terry, who popped out to watch The Masters and visit the horses. It is a real sign that vaccinations are changing our world. I had planned to blog this afternoon, but that was postponed, and this haphazard account is all I can manage.
Terry corrupts Bart
Finally, brown headed cowbirds surround Oisin as he grazes.
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
What a special and fitting memorial to your brother, Jamie
Such an admirable account of a hearty tribute to your brother Jamie, despite the terrible weather and the sadness of his passing. (Your ‘haphazard’ is better than most careful composing.) Glad the horses are safe & dry for better weather now.
Nice picture of you and the Barry boys. Glad you were able to gather to remember Jamie despite the rain.